Selective Viramidine-Loaded Aptamer-Nanoparticles Trigger Cell Cycle Arrest in Nucleolin-Expressed Hepatoma Cells Through Modulation of CDC25A/p53/PI3k Pathway

Modulation of PI3K/AKT signaling and DFT modeling via selected pharmaceutical compounds attenuates carrageenan-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in rats

The main goal of the current study is to estimate the in vivo anti-inflammatory/antioxidant ability of four selected pharmaceutical compounds: bisoprolol (Biso), piracetam (Pirc), clopidogrel (Clop), and cinnarizine (Cinna). Indomethacin (Indo) was used as a reference drug to perform a realistic comparison between the four compounds and the Indo in vivo through tracking PI3K/AKT signaling and computational chemistry via density functional theory (DFT) modeling to analyze the electrostatic potential across the molecule and provide insight into the regions for receptor binding of the studied compounds. To achieve the safe dose of these compounds, cytotoxicity was performed against isolated adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) using MTT assay. In vivo determination of anti-inflammatory/antioxidant biochemical and genetic parameters of the tested compounds against rats' paw carrageenan (Carg)-induced inflammation was assessed. The data showed that there was no significant different in cell viability of ADMSCs until dose 10 µg/ml, so we used this concentration for in vivo experiments. Carg high significantly increased the volume of the paw edema at 120 min and 180 min compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Cinna (10 mg/kg), relatively similar to Indo, was the most anti-inflammatory compound among others, followed by Clop and Pirc, where they decreased the volume of the paw edema significantly (p < 0.01) at 120 min and 180 min compared to the Carg-group. Microscopic examination confirmed the above results indicating that paw tissue of Carg-group shows edema formation and massive inflammation compared with control. In comparison to the control group, Carg high significantly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.01), whereas, at the concentration 10 mg/kg of the tested compounds, the MDA concentrations significantly reduced, especially the Clop, Cinna, and Indo-treated groups. On the contrary, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOP) concentrations were significantly decreased in Carg-group (p < 0.01) compared with control. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k), and protein kinase B (AKT) gene expressions were high and significantly upregulated in Carg-group compared to control, while the tested compounds downregulated their expressions compared to the Carg-group. Moreover, COX-2, interleukins (IL-10/IL-6/IL-4), PI3k, and AKT protein concentrations were high and significantly increased in Carg-group compared to control, however the tested compounds were high and significantly decreased their concentrations compared to the Carg-group. DFT modeling aligned with the biochemical data and indicated that Cinna emerges as the most reactive drug with high polarizability (302.741 a.u.), a relative small FMOs energy gap (ΔE 5.002 eV), relative low molecular hardness (2.501 eV), relative high softness (0.400 eV-1), and distinct nucleophilic/electrophilic interaction sites, indicating strong specific interactions with biological receptor. In conclusion, this study revealed the ability of Cinna to potentially suppress inflammation in in vivo Carg-induced rat paw inflammation model through inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling and DFT modeling mediated by oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators.

Exploring the tumor-suppressive role of miRNA-200c in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Potential and mechanisms of exosome-mediated delivery for therapeutic applications

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a challenging malignancy due to its high rates of recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to conventional therapies. microRNA-200c (miRNA-200c) has emerged as a critical tumor suppressor in HNSCC, with the potential to inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is considered as a key process in cancer metastasis and progression. Interestingly, there are also controversial findings in HNSCC characterizing miRNA-200c as oncogenic factor. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of miRNA-200c's general role in cancer, and particularly in HNSCC, highlighting its mechanisms of action, including the regulation of EMT and other oncogenic pathways. Additionally, the review explores the innovative approach of exosome-mediated delivery of miRNA-200c as a therapeutic strategy. Exosomes, as natural nanocarriers, offer a promising vehicle for the targeted delivery of miRNA-200c to tumor cells, potentially overcoming the limitations of traditional delivery methods and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. The review also discusses the challenges and future directions in the clinical application of miRNA-200c, particularly focusing on its potential to improve outcomes for HNSCC patients. This article seeks to provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians working towards innovative treatments for this aggressive cancer type.

Implication of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in the targeted therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma using aptamer-labeled viramidine nanoparticles

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health problem with regional differences in epidemiological statistics. Co-assembling the drug nanoparticles and targeting moieties could improve the therapeutic delivery of anti-cancer drugs. In this attempt, we tracked the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in HCC cells using viramidine (VRM)-loaded aptamer (APT) nanoparticles. In these NPs, both APT and VRM act as targeted ligands/drugs to HCC cells. The NPs were characterized using TEM, ESI–MS, FTIR, and ¹H NMR. The results showed uniform particles with round and smooth shapes on the nano-scale. SRB-based cytotoxicity was performed and IC₅₀ values were measured for HCC versus normal cells upon the proposed treatments. The flow cytometry technique was applied to determine apoptosis, then confirmed using genetic and protein analyses. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) and its enzyme (iNOS) were analyzed to examine the effect of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) on apoptosis induction. The present findings indicated that Huh-7 cells were more sensitive to APT-VRM NPs than HepG2 cells, recording the lowest IC₅₀ values (11.23 ± 0.23 µM and 16.69 ± 1.12 µM), as well as the highest significant increase in the apoptotic cells (61.5% and 42%), respectively. Intriguingely, normal BHK-21 cells recorded undetectable IC₅₀ values in the applied NPs, confirming their targeted delivery ability. The genetic expression and protein levels of c-FLIP, Bcl-2, and TNF-α were down-regulated, while FADD, caspase 8, caspase 3, caspase 9, and Bax were up-regulated upon treatment with APT-VRM NPs. The prepared VRM NPs labeled with APT could significantly elevate NO via activation of iNOS. In conclusion, APT-VRM NPs bioconjugate interferes with HCC cells through NO-mediated extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis.