Targeted Delivery System Based on Gemcitabine-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles for Lung Cancer Therapy

Improving Anticancer Therapy with Naringenin-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles

Naringenin (NAR), a flavonoid present in a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs, exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anticancer activity. Nevertheless, its application in cancer therapy is limited due to its low bioavailability at the tumour site because of its poor solubility in water and slow dissolution rate. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of NAR, emergent research is looking into using nanocarriers. Silk fibroin (SF), from the Bombyx mori silkworm, is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer with excellent mechanical properties and an amphiphilic chemistry that make it a promising candidate as a controlled release drug system. The aim of this work is to synthesize naringenin-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles (NAR-SFNs) by dissolving the SF in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, using high-power ultrasounds and rapid desolvation in methanol followed by the adsorption of NAR. The NAR-SFNs were characterized by dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency were calculated. The drug release profile best fitted a first order equation. The cytotoxicity effects of free NAR, bare silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs) and NAR-SFNs were assessed on HeLa and EA.hy926 cells via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results demonstrated the higher in vitro anticancer potential of synthesized NAR-SFNs than that of free NAR in HeLa cancer cells.

Progress in Polymeric Nano-Medicines for Theranostic Cancer Treatment

Cancer is a life-threatening disease killing millions of people globally. Among various medical treatments, nano-medicines are gaining importance continuously. Many nanocarriers have been developed for treatment, but polymerically-based ones are acquiring importance due to their targeting capabilities, biodegradability, biocompatibility, capacity for drug loading and long blood circulation time. The present article describes progress in polymeric nano-medicines for theranostic cancer treatment, which includes cancer diagnosis and treatment in a single dosage form. The article covers the applications of natural and synthetic polymers in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Efforts were also made to discuss the merits and demerits of such polymers; the status of approved nano-medicines; and future perspectives.

Synthetic and biological identities of polymeric nanoparticles influencing the cellular delivery: An immunological link

Enhanced understanding of bio-nano interaction requires recognition of hidden factors such as protein corona, a layer of adsorbed protein around nano-systems. This study compares the biological identity and fingerprint profile of adsorbed proteins on PLGA-based nanoparticles through nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The total proteins identified in the corona of nanoparticles (NPs) with different in size, charge and compositions were classified based on molecular mass, isoelectric point and protein function. A higher abundance of complement proteins was observed in modified NPs with an increased size, while NPs with a positive surface charge exhibited the minimum adsorption for immunoglobulin proteins. A correlation of dysopsonin/opsonin ratio was found with cellular uptake of NPs exposed to two positive and negative Fc receptor cell lines. Although the higher abundance of dysopsonins such as apolipoproteins may cover the active sites of opsonins causing a lower uptake, the correlation of adsorbed dysopsonin/opsonin proteins on the NPs surface has an opposite trend with the intensity of cell uptake. Despite the reduced uptake of corona-coated NPs in comparison with pristine NPs, the dysopsonin/opsonin ratio controlled by the physicochemistry properties of NPs could potentially be used to tune up the cellular delivery of polymeric NPs.

Comprehensive Review on Silk at Nanoscale for Regenerative Medicine and Allied Applications

Materials at the nanoscale offer numerous avenues to be explored and exploited in diverse realms. Among others, proteinaceous biomaterials such as silk hold immense prospects in the domain of nanoengineering. Silk offers a unique combination of desirable facets like biocompatibility; extraordinary mechanical properties, such as elongation, elasticity, toughness, and modulus; and tunable biodegradability which are far better than most naturally occurring and engineered materials. Much of these properties are due to the molecular structure of the silk protein and it is self-assembly into hierarchical structures. Taking advantage of the hierarchical assembly, a large number of fabrication strategies have now emerged that allow the tailoring of silk structure of at the nanoscale. Harnessing the favorable properties of silk, such methods offer a promising direction toward producing structurally and functionally optimized silk nanomaterials. This review discusses the critical structure-property relationship in silk that occurs at the nanoscale and also aims to bring out the recent status in the approaches for fabrication, characterization, and the gamut of applications of various silk-based nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanocomposites) in the niche of translational research. Harnessing the favorable nanostructure of silk, the review also takes into account the impetus of silk in avant-garde applications such as chemo-biosensing, energy harvesting, microfluidics, and environmental applications.

Nanomedicines guided nanoimaging probes and nanotherapeutics for early detection of lung cancer and abolishing pulmonary metastasis: Critical appraisal of newer developments and challenges to clinical transition

Lung cancer (LC) is the second most prevalent type of cancer and primary cause of mortality among both men and women, worldwide. The most commonly employed diagnostic modalities for LC include chest X-ray (CXR), magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT-scan), and fused-positron-emitting-tomography-CT (PET-CT). Owing to several limitations associated with the use of conventional diagnostic tools such as radiation burden to the patient, misleading diagnosis ("missed lung cancer"), false staging and low sensitivity and resolution, contemporary diagnostic regimen needed to be employed for screening of LC. In recent decades, nanotechnology-guided interventions have been transpired as emerging nanoimaging probes for detection of LC at advanced stages, while producing signal amplification, better resolution for surface and deep tissue imaging, and enhanced translocation and biodistribution of imaging probes within the cancerous tissues. Besides enormous potential of nanoimaging probes, nanotechnology-based advancements have also been evidenced for superior efficacy for treatment of LC and abolishing pulmonary metastasis (PM). The success of nanotherapeutics is due to their ability to maximise translocation and biodistribution of anti-neoplastic agents into the tumor tissues, improve pharmacokinetic profiles of anti-metastatic agents, optimise target-specific drug delivery, and control release kinetics of encapsulated moieties in target tissues. This review aims to overview and critically discuss the superiority of nanoimaging probes and nanotherapeutics over conventional regimen for early detection of LC and abolishing PM. Current challenges to clinical transition of nanoimaging probes and therapeutic viability of nanotherapeutics for treatment for LC and PM have also been pondered.

Carriers for the targeted delivery of aerosolized macromolecules for pulmonary pathologies

INTRODUCTION

Macromolecules with unique effects and potency are increasingly being considered for application in lung pathologies. Numerous delivery strategies for these macromolecules through the lung have been investigated to improve the targeting and overall efficacy.

AREAS COVERED

Targeting approaches from delivery devices, formulation strategies and specific targets are discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Although macromolecules are a heterogeneous group of molecules, a number of strategies have been investigated at the macro, micro, and nanoscopic scale for the delivery of macromolecules to specific sites and cells of lung tissues. Targeted approaches are already in use at the macroscopic scale through inhalation devices and formulations, but targeting strategies at the micro and nanoscopic scale are still in the laboratory stage. The combination of controlling lung deposition and targeting after deposition, through a combination of targeting strategies could be the future direction for the treatment of lung pathologies through the pulmonary route.

Size-controllable dual drug-loaded silk fibroin nanospheres through a facile formation process

Paclitaxel/doxorubicin-loaded silk fibroin nanospheres were prepared through a facile and green method and showed a synergistic effect on the anti-proliferative activity.