Enhancement of cerebroprotective effects of lipid nanoparticles encapsulating FK506 on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by particle size regulation

Role of Nanotechnology in Ischemic Stroke: Advancements in Targeted Therapies and Diagnostics for Enhanced Clinical Outcomes

Each year, the number of cases of strokes and deaths due to this is increasing around the world. This could be due to work stress, lifestyles, unhealthy food habits, and several other reasons. Currently, there are several traditional methods like thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy for managing strokes. The current approach has several limitations, like delayed diagnosis, limited therapeutic delivery, and risks of secondary injuries. So, there is a need for some effective and reliable methods for the management of strokes, which could help in early diagnosis followed by the treatment of strokes. Nanotechnology has played an immense role in managing strokes, and recently, it has emerged as a transformative solution offering innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Nanoparticles (NPs) belonging to several classes, including metallic (metallic and metal oxide), organic (lipids, liposome), and carbon, can cross the blood-brain barrier and may exhibit immense potential for managing various strokes. Moreover, these NPs have exhibited promise in improving imaging specificity and therapeutic delivery by precise drug delivery and real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy. Nanomaterials like cerium oxide (CeO2) and liposome-encapsulated agents have neuroprotective properties that reduce oxidative stress and promote neuroregeneration. In the present article, the authors have emphasized the significant advancements in the nanomedicine management of stroke, including NPs-based drug delivery systems, neuroprotective and neuroregenerative therapies, and multimodal imaging advancements.

Lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1 knockdown ameliorates cerebral ischemic injury via the Nrf2/HO-1/NLRP3 axis

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral ischemia is a neurological disorder that leads to permanent disability. This research focuses on exploring the ameliorative effects of lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1 knockdown in cerebral ischemic injury via the Nrf2/HO-1/NLRP3 axis.

METHODS

LNP-encapsulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1 was prepared. Cerebral ischemic injury mouse models were established utilizing middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The mice were treated by intravenous injection of LNP-encapsulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1. The neurological deficits, Inflammatory factor levels, pathological characteristics were observed. In vitro N2a cell oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) models were established, and the cells were treated with LNP-encapsulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1 or Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385). Cell viability and apoptosis were tested. DLX6-AS1, Nrf2, HO-1, and NLRP3 expression levels were assessed.

RESULTS

LncRNA DLX6-AS1 levels were elevated in the brain tissues of mice with cerebral ischemic injury and OGD-induced N2a cells. LNP-encapsulated DLX6-AS1 siRNA (si-DLX6-AS1) improved neurological deficit scores, reduced the levels of inflammatory factors, improved brain tissue pathological damage, and raised the number of survival neurons in CA1. LNP-encapsulated si-DLX6-AS1 ameliorated the OGD-induced N2a cell viability decrease and apoptosis rate increase, and ML385 (Nrf2 inhibitor) reversed the ameliorative effects of LNP-encapsulated si-DLX6-AS1. In cerebral ischemic injury mice and OGD-induced N2a cells, Nrf2 and HO-1 levels were reduced and NLRP3 levels were increased. LNP-encapsulated si-DLX6-AS1 raised Nrf2 and HO-1 levels and reduced NLRP3 levels. Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 treatment reversed the ameliorative effects of LNP-encapsulated si-DLX6-AS1 on OGD-induced N2a cell viability and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated si-DLX6-AS1 ameliorates cerebral ischemic injury via the Nrf2/HO-1/NLRP3 axis.

Enhancing Solubility and Bioefficacy of Stilbenes by Liposomal Encapsulation-The Case of Macasiamenene F

Stilbenes in food and medicinal plants have been described as potent antiphlogistic and antioxidant compounds, and therefore, they present an interesting potential for the development of dietary supplements. Among them, macasiamenene F (MF) has recently been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agent that dampens peripheral and CNS inflammation in vitro. Nevertheless, this promising molecule, like other stilbenes and a large percentage of drugs under development, faces poor water solubility, which results in trickier in vivo administration and low bioavailability. With the aim of improving MF solubility and developing a form optimized for in vivo administration, eight types of conventional liposomal nanocarriers and one type of PEGylated liposomes were formulated and characterized. In order to select the appropriate form of MF encapsulation, the safety of MF liposomal formulations was evaluated on THP-1 and THP-1-XBlue-MD2-CD14 monocytes, BV-2 microglia, and primary cortical neurons in culture. Furthermore, the cellular uptake of liposomes and the effect of encapsulation on MF anti-inflammatory effectiveness were evaluated on THP-1-XBlue-MD2-CD14 monocytes and BV-2 microglia. MF (5 mol %) encapsulated in PEGylated liposomes with an average size of 160 nm and polydispersity index of 0.122 was stable, safe, and the most promising form of MF encapsulation keeping its cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms by poly-L-aspartic acid nanoparticles loaded with Litsea cubeba essential oil

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms contamination on various food-contacting surfaces is considered a significant threat in the field of food. Poly-L-aspartic acid (PASP) was proven to damage biofilm by affecting bacterial adhesion, metabolic activity, and extracellular polymeric substances in this study. Especially for eDNA, its generation was reduced by 49.4 %. After treatment with 5 mg/mL of PASP, the number of S. aureus in the biofilm at different growth stages decreased by 1.20-1.68 log CFU/mL. The nanoparticles prepared by PASP and hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan were used to embed LC-EO (EO@PASP/HACCNPs). The results indicated that the particle size of the optimized nanoparticles was 209.84 nm with an encapsulation rate of 70.28 %. Compared to LC-EO alone, EO@PASP/HACCNPs had more significant permeation and dispersion effects on biofilms and possessed long-lasting anti-biofilm activity. For the biofilm grown for 72 h, the population of S. aureus in the EO@PASP/HACCNPs-treated biofilm was additionally reduced by 0.63 log CFU/mL compared with the LC-EO-treated group. EO@PASP/HACCNPs were also applied to different food-contacting materials. The lowest inhibition rate of EO@PASP/HACCNPs on S. aureus biofilm still reached 97.35 %. The sensory properties of the chicken breast were not affected by EO@PASP/HACCNPs.