Development and cytotoxicity evaluation of multiple nanoemulsions for oral co-delivery of 5-fluorouracil and short chain triglycerides for colorectal cancer

Polymer-lipid hybrid microcarriers for oral codelivery of paclitaxel and tributyrin: development, optimization, and cytotoxicity in cells and spheroids of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, conventional chemotherapy suffers from severe side effects and limited drug selectivity, highlighting the importance of alternative therapies. In this study, a polymer-lipid hybrid microcarrier was developed for oral co-administration of paclitaxel (PTX) and tributyrin (TB) as a novel approach for CRC therapy. The microcarrier was designed with a pH-sensitive polymeric shell that encapsulates drug-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC); shell dissolution at intestinal pH enables localized release of the NLC. The methodological approach employed an emulsion of vegetable oil and NLC as a template for polymer deposition. Multiple parameters were optimized, including polymers ratios, NLC dilution, acid concentration, and sonication time. Spherical hybrid particles with smooth surface and mean size of 1000 nm were obtained; PTX encapsulation efficiency was 99.9 ± 0.2 %, with a production yield of 97.2 ± 0.08 %. Drug release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. Cytotoxic evaluation in human colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT-116 monolayers showed that PTX encapsulation increased cytotoxicity, lowering IC50 to 83.7 nM compared to 199.5 nM for free PTX. The addition of TB further improved cytotoxicity, reducing the IC50 to 60.8 nM. A similar potentiation cytotoxicity was observed in spheroids. The microcarrier induced reductions in colony formation, alterations in cell cytoskeleton, and led to a significant reduction in P-glycoprotein expression compared to its free form, suggesting its potential to help to overcome drug resistance. These results point to the promising applicability of the hybrid microcarrier as an innovative delivery system for oral administration of cytotoxic agents.

Advancements of nanoscale drug formulations for combination treatment of colorectal cancer

Combination chemotherapy is widely utilized in treating colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly for patients who are ineligible for surgery or those with metastatic CRC (mCRC). While this therapeutic method has demonstrated efficacy in managing CRC and mCRC, its broader clinical application is limited due to the unique physical properties, mechanisms of action, and pharmacokinetics of different chemotherapeutic drugs. Consequently, achieving satisfactory treatment outcomes proves to be challenging. Nanotechnology has given rise to innovative drug systems that are precise, controllable, and highly efficient in drug delivery. These nanoscale drug delivery systems can integrate the advantageous aspects of various therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. This review aims to explain the application of nano-drug delivery system in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Through its unique physical/chemical properties and biological functions, it can solve the limitations of traditional therapy and achieve more accurate, efficient and safe treatment. The advantages/disadvantages, physical and chemical characteristics of various drug delivery systems are described in detail, and suggestions on selecting reasonable NDDSs according to different drug combination methods are given to achieve the best therapeutic effect. This review paper presents an exhaustive summary of the diverse range of drugs utilized in chemotherapy, in addition to outlining strategies for effectively integrating chemotherapy with other treatment modalities. Furthermore, it delves into the principle of selecting carriers for various drug combinations.

The Current Status, Hotspots, and Development Trends of Nanoemulsions: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Review

Nanoemulsions, which are characterized by their nanometer-scale droplets, have gained significant attention in different fields, such as medicine, food, cosmetics, and agriculture, because of their unique properties. With an increasing number of countries engaging in research on nanoemulsions, interest in their properties, preparation methods, and applications has increased. Hence, tracing the relevant research on nanoemulsions published in the past ten years on a global scale, by conducting data mining and visualization analysis on a sufficiently large text dataset through bibliometrics, sorting out and summarizing certain indicators, the development history, research status and research hotspots in the field of nanoemulsions can be clearly revealed, providing reference value and significance for subsequent research. This bibliometric review examines the research landscape of nanoemulsions from 2013-2023 via the SCI-E and SSCI databases, providing insights into the current status, hotspots, and future trends of this field. To offer a comprehensive overview, this analysis includes publication counts, author keywords, institutional contributions, research areas, prolific authors, highly cited papers and hot research papers. The findings reveal that China led in nanoemulsions research, followed by USA, India, and Brazil, with the University of Massachusetts emerging as a key player with the highest average number of citations per article (ACPP) and h-index. Food Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, and the Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology are among the top journals publishing in this area. Chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacy emerged as the primary research domains, with McClements DJ as the most prolific and influential author. In keyword analysis, essential oil nanoemulsions are currently the main preparation direction, and various characteristics of nanoemulsions, such as their bioavailability, stability, biocompatibility, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties, have also been studied extensively. Research hotspots are focused mostly on the development of new applications and technologies for nanoemulsions.

Microemulsions Improve the Cutaneous Co-Localization of Lipoic Acid and Quercetin and Antioxidant Effects in Cutaneous Cells and Tissue

Quercetin and α-lipoic acid are antioxidants with potential applications in the treatment of various skin conditions, such as wounds and chemoprevention of skin cancer. To enable their effective topical co-delivery and co-localization in the tissue, we developed microemulsions (ME). The selected ME (ME-50) formed a stable system with a mean droplet size of 134.4 ± 17.9 nm, increasing to 224.9 ± 19.9 nm upon antioxidants co-incorporation. The ME preserved the antioxidant capacities of the molecules, with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assay showing an IC50 of 6.2 ± 0.1 µg/mL, similar to the solution. Skin penetration studies revealed a 2.4-fold increase in quercetin (Q) accumulation in the stratum corneum and a 3.5-fold increase in the delivery to viable epidermis and dermis (ED) after a 12 h-treatment with the ME compared to control solutions; α-lipoic acid (LA) penetration improved up to 1.9-fold in ED upon ME incorporation. Treatment with Q + LA co-loaded ME enhanced the antioxidant activity in the stratum corneum and ED by 1.3-fold and 2.0-fold, respectively, compared to solutions. Treatment with the ME for 24 h also reduced oxidative species levels by 55% in H2O2-exposed keratinocytes compared to the control (untreated) cells. Taken together, these results suggest that ME-50 is a promising delivery system for enhancing the cutaneous co-delivery of quercetin and α-lipoic acid and the antioxidant effects in the tissue, offering a potential topical treatment for oxidative stress-related skin conditions.

The application of cyclodextrins in drug solubilization and stabilization of nanoparticles for drug delivery and biomedical applications

Nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential applications in pharmaceutical formulations, drug delivery systems, and various biomedical fields. The versatility of colloidal NPs, including their ability to be tailored with various components and synthesis methods, enables drug delivery systems to achieve controlled release patterns, improved solubility, and increased bioavailability. The review discusses various types of NPs, such as nanocrystals, lipid-based NPs, and inorganic NPs (i.e., gold, silver, magnetic NPs), each offering unique advantages for drug delivery. Despite the promising potential of NPs, challenges such as physical instability and the need for surface stabilization remain. Strategies to overcome these challenges include the use of surfactants, polymers, and cyclodextrins (CDs). This review highlights the role of CDs in stabilizing colloidal NPs and enhancing drug solubility. The combination of CDs with NPs presents a synergistic approach that enhances drug delivery and broadens the range of biomedical applications. Additionally, the potential of CDs to enhance the stability and therapeutic efficacy of colloidal NPs, making them promising candidates for advanced drug delivery systems, is comprehensively reviewed.

Cutaneous Pharmacokinetics of Topically Applied Novel Dermatological Formulations

Novel formulations are developed for dermatological applications to address a wide range of patient needs and therapeutic challenges. By pushing the limits of pharmaceutical technology, these formulations strive to provide safer, more effective, and patient-friendly solutions for dermatological concerns, ultimately improving the overall quality of dermatological care. The article explores the different types of novel dermatological formulations, including nanocarriers, transdermal patches, microsponges, and microneedles, and the techniques involved in the cutaneous pharmacokinetics of these innovative formulations. Furthermore, the significance of knowing cutaneous pharmacokinetics and the difficulties faced during pharmacokinetic assessment have been emphasized. The article examines all the methods employed for the pharmacokinetic evaluation of novel dermatological formulations. In addition to a concise overview of earlier techniques, discussions on novel methodologies, including tape stripping, in vitro permeation testing, cutaneous microdialysis, confocal Raman microscopy, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry have been conducted. Emerging technologies like the use of microfluidic devices for skin absorption studies and computational models for predicting drug pharmacokinetics have also been discussed. This article serves as a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, and pharmaceutical professionals determined to enhance the development and understanding of novel dermatological drug products and the complex dynamics of cutaneous pharmacokinetics.

Nanostructured lipid carriers loaded into in situ gels for breast cancer local treatment

In this study, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed and employed to obtain in situ thermosensitive formulations for the ductal administration and prolonged retention of drugs as a new strategy for breast cancer local treatment. NLC size was influenced by the type and concentration of the oil phase, surfactants, and drug incorporation, ranging from 221.6 to 467.5 nm. The type of liquid lipid influenced paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity, with tributyrin-containing NLC reducing IC50 values by 2.0-7.0-fold compared to tricaprylin NLC in MCF-7, T-47D and MDA-MB-231 cells. In spheroids, the NLCs reduced IC50 compared to either drug solution (3.2-6.2-fold). Although a significant reduction (1.26 points, p < 0.001) on the health index of Galleria mellonella larvae was observed 5 days after NLC administration, survival was not significantly reduced. To produce thermosensitive gels, the NLCs were incorporated in a poloxamer (11 %, w/w) dispersion, which gained viscosity (2-fold) at 37 °C. After 24 h, ∼53 % of paclitaxel and 83 % of 5-fluorouracil were released from the NLC; incorporation in the poloxamer gel further prolonged release. Intraductal administration of NLC-loaded gel increased the permanence of hydrophilic (2.2-3.0-fold) and lipophilic (2.1-2.3-fold) fluorescent markers in the mammary tissue compared to the NLC (as dispersion) and the markers solutions. In conclusion, these results contribute to improving our understanding of nanocarrier design with increased cytotoxicity and prolonged retention for the intraductal route. Tributyrin incorporation increased the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil in monolayer and spheroids, while NLC incorporation in thermosensitive gels prolonged tissue retention of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds.

Drug delivery system for the extended-release of larotrectinib based on a biocompatible Fe-based metal-organic framework: synthesis, characterization, in vitro release properties and antitumor evaluation

Larotrectinib (Lar) is an orally administered tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) inhibitor with broad-spectrum antitumor activity that is available in clinical dosage forms as capsules and oral solutions. Currently, corresponding research is focused on developing new extended-release formulation systems for Lar. In this study, a biocompatible Fe-based metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF) carrier was synthesized by a solvent-based method, and a sustained-release drug delivery system (Lar@Fe-MOF) was constructed by nanoprecipitation and Lar loading. Lar@Fe-MOF was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and its drug loading capacity and drug release properties were measured by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Then, the toxicity and biocompatibility of the Fe-MOF carriers were evaluated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and hemocompatibility assays. Finally, the anticancer potential of Lar@Fe-MOF was investigated. The TEM results showed that Lar@Fe-MOF had a homogeneous fusiform nanostructural morphology. The DSC and FTIR results showed that Fe-MOF carriers were successfully synthesized and loaded with Lar, which was mainly in an amorphous form. Lar@Fe-MOF showed a large drug loading capacity (-10%) and significant slow-release properties in vitro. The MTT assay results showed that Lar@Fe-MOF had good dose-dependent anticancer activity. The in vivo pharmacodynamic assay results showed that Fe-MOF significantly increased the anticancer activity of Lar and was biocompatible. In conclusion, the Lar@Fe-MOF system developed in this study is a promising drug delivery platform because it is easy to manufacture, has high biocompatibility and ideal drug release and accumulation, can effectively eliminate tumors with improved safety and is expected to further expand therapeutic applications.