Optimization of Noscapine-Loaded mPEG-PLGA Nanoparticles and Release Study: a Response Surface Methodology Approach

Lycopene-Carrier Solid Dispersion loaded Lipid Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle: in vitro Evaluation and in vivo Wound Healing Effects

This study was conducted to develop a lycopene-carrier solid dispersion-loaded lipid liquid crystal nanoparticle (LLC) formulation aimed at enhancing aqueous solubility, bioavailability, and wound healing efficacy. Lycopene was extracted from tomato paste using the Soxhlet method and was formulated into solid dispersions with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Poloxamer (Plx) to enhance the solubility of lycopene. The physicochemical properties of the solid dispersion products were characterized. Cytotoxicity on human fibroblast cells, cell migration, and wound healing treatment in the mice were also assessed. PVP demonstrated greater efficacy in enhancing the aqueous solubility of lycopene than Plx. The results indicated that the morphology of the LLC was cubosome, achieving a high encapsulation efficiency of 71.57 ± 2.1%. The LLC formulations demonstrated significantly enhanced release rates of 68.18 ± 1.78% and improved skin permeation compared to the lycopene solid dispersion solution. The results of the cell culture demonstrated the safety of the formulation, and the in vitro scratch test showed the migration of fibroblast cells in the presence of the lycopene-PVP solid dispersion loaded LLC compared to lycopene alone. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the proposed formulation (lycopene-PVP solid dispersion loaded LLC) could be a suitable option for wound healing.

Preparation and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles encapsulated noscapine and evaluation of its protective effects against imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by thickening the epidermis with erythema, scaling, and proliferation. Noscapine (NOS) has several anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-fibrotic effects, but its low solubility and large size results in its lower efficacy in the clinic. In this regard, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) encapsulated NOS (SLN-NOS) were fabricated using the well-known response surface method based on the central composite design and modified high-shear homogenization and ultrasound method. As a result, Precirol® was selected as the best lipid base for the SLN formulation based on Hildebrand-Hansen solubility parameters, in which SLN-NOS 1 % had the best zeta potential (-35.74 ± 2.59 mV), average particle size (245.66 ± 17 nm), polydispersity index (PDI, 0.226 ± 0.09), high entrapment efficiency (89.77 %), and ICH-based stability results. After 72 h, the SLN-NOS 1 % released 83.23 % and 58.49 % of the NOS at pH 5.8 and 7.4, respectively. Moreover, Franz diffusion cell's results indicated that the skin levels of NOS for SLN and cream formulations were 46.88 % and 13.5 % of the total amount, respectively. Our pharmacological assessments revealed that treatment with SLN-NOS 1 % significantly attenuated clinical parameters, namely ear thickness, length, and psoriasis area and severity index, compared to the IMQ group. Interestingly, SLN-NOS 1 % reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-17, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β, while elevating IL-10, compared to the IMQ group. Histology studies also showed that topical application of SLN-NOS 1 % significantly decreased parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and inflammation compared to the IMQ group. Taken together, SLN-NOS 1 % showed a high potential to attenuate skin inflammation.

Current challenges ahead in preparation, characterization, and pharmaceutical applications of nanoemulsions

Nanoemulsions (NEs) are emulsions with particle size of less than around 100 nm. Reviewing the literature, several reports are available on NEs, including preparation, characterization, and applications of them. This review aims to brief challenges that researchers or formulators may encounter when working with NEs. For instance, when selecting NE components and identifying their concentrations, stability and safety of the preparation should be evaluated. When preparing an NE, issues over scale-up of the preparation as well as possible effects of the preparation process on the active ingredient need to be considered. When characterizing the NEs, the two major concerns are accuracy of the method and accessibility of the characterizing instrument. Also a highly efficient NE for clinical use to deliver the active ingredient to the target tissue with maximum safety profile is commonly sought. Throughout the review we also have tried to suggest approaches to overcome the challenges. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Thermosensitive TMPO-oxidized lignocellulose/cationic agarose hydrogel loaded with deferasirox nanoparticles for photothermal therapy in melanoma

Deferasirox (DFX) is an iron-chelating agent effective in treating various kinds of cancers, which inhibits iron metabolism in cancer cells. The recent study aimed to prepare an injectable thermosensitive hydrogel based on lignocellulose and agarose containing deferasirox-loaded polypyrrole nanoparticles for local drug delivery in a combined chemo-photothermal therapy by laser light irradiation. Polypyrrole nanoparticles containing DFX were made by the emulsification method and optimized. Thermosensitive hydrogels were prepared by quaternary ammonium substituted agarose and TMPO-oxidized lignocellulose at different ratios, and the optimal hydrogel was selected based on gelation time, gelation temperature, and injectability. DFX- loaded polypyrrole nanoparticles were then added to the hydrogel, and the drug release, rheology test, injectability, degradation, and swelling percent, as well as cytotoxicity, and photothermal properties, were studied on B16F10, human melanoma cells. The hydrogel with 2 % anionic lignocellulose and 0.5 % cationic agarose showed the shortest gelation time and the highest mechanical strength. It transferred from a liquid state at 4 °C into a semisolid form at 37 °C with a gelation time of 10.3 min. The nanoparticles loaded in hydrogel showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic dose of the drug was reduced by laser light irradiation.

Polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery in glioblastoma: State of the art and future perspectives

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive, fatal and malignant primary brain tumor. Despite the current standard treatment for glioblastoma patients including neurosurgical resection, followed by concomitant radiation and chemotherapy, the median survival rate is only about 15 months. An unresolved challenge for current therapies is related to getting drugs through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which hinders many chemotherapeutic agents from reaching tumors cells. Although a large amount of research has been done to circumvent the BBB and deliver drugs to the brain, with nanoparticles (NPs) taking the lead, the challenge is still high. In this regard, the BBB and how to transfer drug pathways through the BBB, especially using NPs, are introduced here. Afterwards, the latest advances in drug delivery, co-drug delivery, and combination modalities are described specifically for GBM treatments using natural and synthetic polymeric NPs and adjuvant therapies including hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy and also ketogenic regimens. In addition, receptor-mediated endocytosis agents that exist in endothelial capillary cells of the brain are explained. Lastly, future directions to finally deliver drugs through the BBB for GBM treatment are emphasized. It is the hope that this review can provide a number of practical pathways for the future development of BBB permeable nanochemotherapeutics against GBM.

Processing Parameters and Ion Excipients Affect the Physicochemical Characteristics of the Stereocomplex-Formed Polylactide-b-Polyethylene Glycol Nanoparticles and Their Pharmacokinetics

To optimize the characteristics of stereocomplex polylactide-b-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles (SC-PEG NPs) in terms of pharmacokinetics (PK), we chose continuous anti-solvent precipitation with a T-junction as a preparation method and investigated the effect of using solvents containing an ion excipient (lithium bromide, LiBr) on the characteristics of SC-PEG NPs by changing the processing temperature and total flow rate (TFR). Processing temperatures above the melting temperature (T_m) of the PEG domain produced a sharper polydispersity and denser surface PEG densities of SC-PEG NPs than those produced by processing temperatures below the Tm of the PEG domains. Response surface analysis revealed that a higher LiBr concentration and slower TFR resulted in larger and denser hydrodynamic diameters (D_h) and surface PEG densities, respectively. However, a high concentration (300 mM) of LiBr resulted in a decreased drug loading content (DLC). ¹⁴C-tamoxifen-loaded ¹¹¹In-SC-PEG NPs with larger D_h and denser surface PEG densities showed a prolonged plasma retention and low tissue distribution after intravenous injection in mice. These results indicate that the novel strategy of using solvents containing LiBr at different processing temperatures and TFR can broadly control characteristics of SC-PEG NPs, such as D_h, surface PEG densities, and DLC, which alter the PK profiles and tissue distributions.

Surface modification of polyurethane with eptifibatide-loaded degradable nanoparticles reducing risk of blood coagulation

The main purpose of the work was to develop a drug releasing coatings on the surface of medical devices exposed to blood flow, what should enable effective inhibition of blood coagulation process. As a part of the work, the process of encapsulating the anticoagulant drug eptifibatide (EPT) in poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles was developed. EPT encapsulation efficiency was 29.1 ± 2.1%, while the EPT loading percentage in the nanoparticles was 4.2 ± 0.3%. The PLGA nanoparticles were suspended in a polyanion solution (hyaluronic acid (HA)) and deposited on the surface-treated thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) by a layer-by-layer method. As a polycation poly-L-lysine (PLL) was used. The influence of released EPT on the activation of the coagulation system was analyzed using dynamic blood tester. Performed experiments show an effective delivery of the drug to the bloodstream and low risk of platelets (membrane receptor) activation. The dynamic blood test process, including its physical phenomenon, was described using numerical methods, i.e. a finite volume cone-and-plate test model as well as non-Newtonian blood models. The values of shear stress and blood flow velocity under the fast-rotating cone were computed applying boundary conditions of cylinder wall imitating blood-nanomaterial interaction. Implementing boundary conditions as initial shear stress values of bottom cylinder wall resulted in the increase of shear stress in blood under rotating cone. The developed system combining drug eluting polymeric nanoparticles with the polyelectrolyte "layer-by-layer" coating can be easily introduced to medical implants of various shape, with the advantages of resorbable drug carriers allowing for local and controllable delivery of anti-thrombogenic drugs.

A Combinational Approach Towards Treatment of Breast Cancer: an Analysis of Noscapine-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles and Doxorubicin

Our aim in this study was to clarify the combination anticancer effect of Noscapine (Nos) loaded in a polymeric nanocarrier with Doxorubicin (Dox) on breast cancer cells. Nanoprecipitation method was used to prepare methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG), poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) containing Nos. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to characterize the prepared Nos NPs. The anticancer activity of Nos NPs alone and in combination with Dox was assessed on 4T1 breast cancer cell line and in mice model. Spherical-shaped Nos NPs were prepared, with size of 101 ± 4.80 nm and zeta potential of - 15.40 ± 1 mV. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results demonstrated that Nos chemical structure was kept stable during preparation process. However, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) thermogram proved that crystalline state of Nos changed to amorphous state in Nos NPs. The entrapment efficacy % (EE%) and drug loading % (DL%) of Nos NPs were about 87.20 ± 3.50% and 12.50 ± 2.30%, respectively. Synergistic anticancer effects of Nos both in free form (in hydrochloride form, Nos HCl) and Nos NPs form with Dox hydrochloride (Dox HCl) were observed on 4T1 cells. Combination of Nos NPs and Dox HCl inhibited tumor growth (68.50%) in mice more efficiently than Nos NPs (55.10%) and Dox HCl (32%) alone. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of the tumor tissues confirmed antiangiogenic effect of Nos NPs. The findings highlighted efficacy of Nos NPs alone and in combination with Dox HCl on breast cancer tumors.

Dual Functional Lysozyme-Chitosan Conjugate for Tunable Degradation and Antibacterial Activity

Hydrogels with controlled degradation and sustained bactericidal activities are promising biomaterial substrates to repair or regenerate the injured tissue. In this work, we present a unique pair of lysozyme and chitosan as a hydrogel that can promote cell growth and proliferation while concomitantly preventing infection during the gradual process of hydrogel degradation and tissue ingrowth. Lysozyme and chitosan containing cell adhesion motifs are chemically modified with photoreactive methacrylate moieties to obtain a crosslinked hydrogel network by visible light irradiation. The resulting lysozyme-chitosan conjugate successfully modulates the degradation rate of hydrogels while promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and matrix formation with no cytotoxicity. The hydrogel also exerts an intrinsic antibacterial effect by combining antimicrobial features of chitosan and lysozyme. This work demonstrates an advanced hydrogel platform with dual function of tunable degradation and infection control for tissue engineering and wound healing applications.