Zerumbone liquid crystalline nanoparticles protect against oxidative stress, inflammation and senescence induced by cigarette smoke extract in vitro

Potent phytoceuticals cocktail exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity on LPS-triggered RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro

Chronic inflammatory conditions, which include respiratory diseases and other ailments, are characterized by persistent inflammation and oxidative stress, and represent a significant health burden, often inadequately managed by current therapies which include conventional inhaled bronchodilators and oral or inhaled corticosteroids in the case of respiratory disorders. The present study explores the potential of Vedicinals®9 Advanced, a polyherbal formulation, to mitigate LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. The cells were pre-treated with Vedicinals®9 Advanced, followed by exposure to LPS to induce an inflammatory response. Key experimental outcomes were assessed, including nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as the expression of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related genes and proteins. Vedicinals®9 Advanced significantly reduced LPS-induced NO and ROS production, indicating strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, the formulation downregulated the LPS-upregulated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and CXCL1, and oxidative stress markers, including GSTP1 and NQO1. Furthermore, Vedicinals®9 Advanced downregulated the LPS-induced protein expression of the chemokines CCL2 and CCL6, the LPS co-receptor, CD14, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines G-CSF and IL-1β. These findings highlight the potential of Vedicinals®9 Advanced as a therapeutic option for managing CRDs and other inflammatory conditions. The formulation's ability to simultaneously target inflammation and oxidative stress suggests it may offer advantages over existing treatments, with potential for broader application in inflammatory diseases.

Recent trends and therapeutic potential of phytoceutical-based nanoparticle delivery systems in mitigating non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally, with non-small cell lung cancer accounting for the majority (85%) of cases. Standard treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy present multiple adverse effects. Medicinal plants, used for centuries, are traditionally processed by methods such as boiling and oral ingestion, However, water solubility, absorption, and hepatic metabolism reduce phytoceutical bioavailability. More recently, isolated molecular compounds from these plants can be extracted with these phytoceuticals administered either individually or as an adjunct with standard therapy. Phytoceuticals have been shown to alleviate symptoms, may reduce dosage of chemotherapy and, in some cases, enhance pharmaceutical mechanisms. Research has identified many phytoceuticals' actions on cancer-associated pathways, such as oncogenesis, the tumour microenvironment, tumour cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. The development of novel nanoparticle delivery systems such as solid lipid nanoparticles, liquid crystalline nanoparticles, and liposomes has enhanced the bioavailability and targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals and phytoceuticals. This review explores the biological pathways associated with non-small cell lung cancer, a diverse range of phytoceuticals, the cancer pathways they act upon, and the pros and cons of several nanoparticle delivery systems.

A Review on zerumbone and its semisynthetic Analogs: Synthesis and Implications in Medicinal chemistry

Natural products and their semisynthetic analogs have long standing history in generating and identifying lead and drug candidates for various therapeutic areas. Zerumbone 1, a unique 11 membered monocyclic sesquiterpene natural product is isolated from Zingiber zerumbet (L. Smith) and related species. The presence of divinyl ketone along with an isolated double bond with all trans double bond geometries, provides great opportunities to create unique and complex molecular scaffolds. Various chemistries to synthesize semisynthetic analogs and their biological properties are discussed in detail. Broad spectrum biological activities and identified potential targets for zerumbone could potentially lead to the generation of lead compounds for therapeutic applications especially for cancer.

Cellular probing using phytoceuticals encapsulated advanced delivery systems in ameliorating lung diseases: Current trends and future prospects

Chronic respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma have posed a significant healthcare and economic cost over a prolonged duration worldwide. At present, available treatments are limited to a range of preventive medicines, such as mono- or multiple-drug therapy, which necessitates daily use and are not considered as viable treatments to reverse the inflammatory processes of airway remodelling which is inclusive of the alteration of intra and extracellular matrix of the airway tract, death of epithelial cells, the increase in smooth muscle cell and the activation of fibroblasts. Hence, with the problem in mind a considerable body of study has been dedicated to comprehending the underlying factors that contribute to inflammation within the framework of these disorders. Hence, adequate literature that has unveiled the necessary cellular probing to reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract by improving the selectivity and precision of a novel treatment. However, through cellular probing cellular mechanisms such as the downregulation of various markers, interleukin 8, (IL-8), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been uncovered. Hence, to target such cellular probes implementation of phytoceuticals encapsulated in an advanced drug delivery system has shown potential to be a solution with in vitro and in vivo studies highlighting their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the high costs associated with advanced drug delivery systems and the limited literature focused exclusively on nanoparticles pose significant challenges. Additionally, the biochemical characteristics of phytoceuticals due to poor solubility, limited bioavailability, and difficulties in mass production makes it difficult to implement this product as a treatment for COPD and asthma. This study aims to examine the integration of many critical features in the context of their application for the treatment of chronic inflammation in respiratory disorders.

Understanding Comorbidities of Respiratory Models as Novel Platforms for Drug Discovery

Chronic respiratory diseases affect over 450 million people worldwide and result in 4 million deaths per year. The majority of lung diseases are treated with drugs delivered directly to the lungs. However, there is bidirectional crosstalk between the lung and other organs/tissues in health and disease. This crosstalk supports targeting of extrapulmonary sites in addition to the lung to improve the comorbidities associated with lung disease. However, new preclinical in vivo and in vitro assays that model the human pathophysiology are required. In this review, we showcase the latest knowledge of the bidirectional relationship between the respiratory system and organs affected by comorbidities such as obesity and atherosclerosis. We also discuss the impact of new cell culture systems, including complex 3D culture models that may be used as platforms to generate disease insights and for drug discovery. This review highlights work presented by Respiratory and Inflammation Special Interest Group researchers as part of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) annual scientific meeting in 2023.

Reactive oxygen species-scavenging nanomaterials for the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases

With increasing proportion of the elderly in the population, age-related diseases (ARD) lead to a considerable healthcare burden to society. Prevention and treatment of ARD can decrease the negative impact of aging and the burden of disease. The aging rate is closely associated with the production of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-mediated oxidative stress in aging triggers aging-related changes through lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA oxidation. Antioxidants can control autoxidation by scavenging free radicals or inhibiting their formation, thereby reducing oxidative stress. Benefiting from significant advances in nanotechnology, a large number of nanomaterials with ROS-scavenging capabilities have been developed. ROS-scavenging nanomaterials can be divided into two categories: nanomaterials as carriers for delivering ROS-scavenging drugs, and nanomaterials themselves with ROS-scavenging activity. This study summarizes the current advances in ROS-scavenging nanomaterials for prevention and treatment of ARD, highlights the potential mechanisms of the nanomaterials used and discusses the challenges and prospects for their applications.

18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid-loaded polymeric nanoparticles attenuate cigarette smoke-induced markers of impaired antiviral response in vitro

Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable mortality, and it is the major contributor to diseases such as COPD and lung cancer. Cigarette smoke compromises the pulmonary antiviral immune response, increasing susceptibility to viral infections. There is currently no therapy that specifically addresses the problem of impaired antiviral response in cigarette smokers and COPD patients, highlighting the necessity to develop novel treatment strategies. 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18-β-gly) is a phytoceutical derived from licorice with promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral activities whose clinical application is hampered by poor solubility. This study explores the therapeutic potential of an advanced drug delivery system encapsulating 18-β-gly in poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles in addressing the impaired antiviral immunity observed in smokers and COPD patients. Exposure of BCi-NS1.1 human bronchial epithelial cells to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) resulted in reduced expression of critical antiviral chemokines (IP-10, I-TAC, MIP-1α/1β), mimicking what happens in smokers and COPD patients. Treatment with 18-β-gly-PLGA nanoparticles partially restored the expression of these chemokines, demonstrating promising therapeutic impact. The nanoparticles increased IP-10, I-TAC, and MIP-1α/1β levels, exhibiting potential in attenuating the negative effects of cigarette smoke on the antiviral response. This study provides a novel approach to address the impaired antiviral immune response in vulnerable populations, offering a foundation for further investigations and potential therapeutic interventions. Further studies, including a comprehensive in vitro characterization and in vivo testing, are warranted to validate the therapeutic efficacy of 18-β-gly-PLGA nanoparticles in respiratory disorders associated with compromised antiviral immunity.