Probing the potential of apigenin liposomes in enhancing bacterial membrane perturbation and integrity loss

Boosting the antibacterial potency of natural products through nanotechnologies

The advent of bacterial resistance has led to a notable challenge in effectively treating bacterial infections. This highlights the urgent need for the development of novel and effective drugs to combat bacterial infections. Medicinal plants, with their rich and diverse natural compounds, represent a valuable source for the discovery of novel antibacterial agents. Many of these natural compounds exhibit strong antibacterial functions, offering a promising direction for the development of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, the application of nanotechnology in the development of antibacterial natural products has become a topic of considerable interest due to the advantages it offers, including the potential to enhance drug solubility. The efficacy of natural antibacterial agents is significantly enhanced through nanotechnology. This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the delivery of natural antibacterial compounds using a range of nanoformulation strategies.

Flavonoids regulating NLRP3 inflammasome: a promising approach in alleviating diabetic peripheral neuropathy

A common and serious side effect of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which is characterised by gradual nerve damage brought on by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and prolonged hyperglycemia. Studies identify NLRP3 inflammasome as a key mediator in the pathogenesis of DPN, connecting neuroinflammation and neuronal damage to metabolic failure. Because of their strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, flavonoids, a broad class of naturally occurring polyphenols, have drawn interest as potential treatments for DPN. The various ways that flavonoids affect the NLRP3 inflammasome and their potential as a treatment for DPN are examined in this review. It has been demonstrated that flavonoids prevent NLRP3 activation, which lowers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and IL-18 and causes neuroinflammation. Flavonoids work mechanistically by reducing oxidative stress, altering important signalling pathways, and blocking the activities of NF-κB and caspase-1, which are both essential for the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Preclinical research has shown that flavonoids have strong neuroprotective benefits, and few clinical evidence also points to the potential of flavonoids to improve nerve function and lessen neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. The current review emphasises how flavonoids may be used as a treatment strategy to target inflammation in DPN caused by the NLRP3 inflammasome. By targeting important inflammatory pathways, flavonoids provide a new way to slow the progression of this debilitating illness. Further investigation into the mechanisms, clinical translation, and novel drug delivery techniques could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Enhancing the Solubility and Dissolution of Apigenin: Solid Dispersions Approach

Apigenin (APG), a bioactive flavonoid with promising therapeutic potential, suffers from poor water solubility, which limits its bioavailability. To address this, solid dispersions of APG were prepared using ball milling with sodium alginate (SA), Pluronic® F-68 (PLU68), Pluronic® F-127 (PLU127), PVP K30, and PVP VA64 as polymeric excipients. These dispersions were screened for apparent solubility in water and buffers with pH 1.2, 5.5, and 6.8. Based on improved solubility after 60 min, APG-PLU68 and APG-PLU127 dispersions were selected for further study. DSC and FT-IR analysis confirmed molecular interactions between APG and the polymer matrices, contributing to enhanced solubility and dissolution rates. Dissolution rate studies showed that APG-PLU127 achieved 100% solubility at pH 6.8, suggesting its potential use in environments such as the small intestine. Additionally, APG-PLU127 exhibited 84.3% solubility at pH 1.2, indicating potential for solid oral dosage forms, where APG could be absorbed in the acidic conditions of the stomach. The stability study confirmed that storage for one year under ambient conditions does not cause chemical degradation but affects the physical state and solubility of the dispersion. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the ABTS assay. Freshly obtained APG-PLU127 showed 68.1% ± 1.94% activity, whereas APG-PLU127 stored for one year under ambient conditions exhibited 66.2% ± 1.62% (significant difference, p < 0.05). The difference was related to a slight decrease in the solubility of APG in the solid dispersion (T0 = 252 ± 1 μg∙mL-1, T1 = 246 ± 1 μg∙mL-1). The findings demonstrate the superior performance of PLU127 as a carrier for enhancing the solubility, release, and antioxidant activity of APG.

Harnessing the power of novel drug delivery systems for effective delivery of apigenin: an updated review

Phytochemicals as dietary components are being extensively explored in order to prevent and treat a wide range of diseases. Apigenin is among the most studied flavonoids found in significant amount in fruits (oranges), vegetables (celery, parsley, onions), plant-based beverages (beer, tea, wine) and herbs (thyme, chamomile, basil, oregano) that has recently gained interest due to its promising pharmacological effects. However, the poor solubility and extended first pass metabolism of apigenin limits its clinical use. Various advantages have been demonstrated by nanocarrier-based platforms in the delivery of hydrophobic drugs like apigenin to diseased tissues. Apigenin nanoformulations have been reported to have better stability, high encapsulation efficiency, prolonged circulation time, sustained release, enhanced accumulation at targeted sites and better therapeutic efficacy. An overview of the major nanocarriers based delivery including liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, micelles, dendrimers etc., is described. This review sheds insight into the therapeutic effects and advanced drug delivery strategies for the delivery of apigenin.

Efficacy and Safety of Natural Apigenin Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on In vivo Research Advancements

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common dementia in clinics. Despite decades of progress in the study of the pathogenesis of AD, clinical treatment strategies for AD remain lacking. Apigenin, a natural flavonoid compound, is present in a variety of food and Chinese herbs and has been proposed to have a wide range of therapeutic effects on dementia.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relevant pharmacological mechanism and therapeutic effect of apigenin on animal models of AD.

METHODS

Computer-based searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases were used to identify preclinical literature on the use of apigenin for treating AD. All databases were searched from their respective inception dates until June 2023. The meta-analysis was performed with Review manager 5.4.1 and STATA 17.0.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were eventually enrolled, which included 736 animals in total. Meta-analysis showed that apigenin had a positive effect on AD. Compared to controls, apigenin treatment reduced escape latency, increased the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of plateaus traversed; apigenin was effective in reducing nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 levels; apigenin effectively increased antioxidant molecules SOD and GSH-px and decreased oxidative index MDA; for ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway, apigenin effectively increased BDNF and pCREB molecules; additionally, apigenin effectively decreased caspase3 levels and the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

The results show some efficacy of apigenin in the treatment of AD models. However, further clinical studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of apigenin.

A comprehensive review of apigenin a dietary flavonoid: biological sources, nutraceutical prospects, chemistry and pharmacological insights and health benefits

A multitude of plant-derived bioactive compounds have shown significant promise in preventing chronic illnesses, with flavonoids constituting a substantial class of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds. Apigenin, a flavone identified as 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone, holds immense promise as a preventative agent against chronic illnesses. Despite its extensive research and recognized nutraceutical value, its therapeutic application remains underexplored, necessitating further clinical investigations. This review delves into the biological sources, nutraceutical prospects, chemistry, pharmacological insights, and health benefits of apigenin. Through multifaceted analytical studies, we explore its diverse pharmacological profile and potential therapeutic applications across various health domains. The manuscript comprehensively examines apigenin's role as a neuroprotective , anti-inflammatory compound, and a potent antioxidant agent. Additionally, its efficacy in combating cardiovascular diseases, anti-diabetic properties, and anticancer potential has been discussed. Furthermore, the antimicrobial attributes and the challenges surrounding its bioavailability, particularly from herbal supplements have been addressed. Available in diverse forms including tablets, capsules, solid dispersions, co-crystals, inclusion complexes and nano formulations. Additionally, it is prevalent as a nutraceutical supplement in herbal formulations. While strides have been made in overcoming pharmacokinetic hurdles, further research into apigenin's clinical effectiveness and bioavailability from herbal supplements remains imperative for its widespread utilization in preventive medicine.

Unravelling the intricacies of Porphyromonas gingivalis: virulence factors, lifecycle dynamics and phytochemical interventions for periodontal disease management

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium recognized for its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. This review covers an overview of the virulence factors and lifecycle stages of P. gingivalis, with a specific focus on attachment and colonization, biofilm formation, growth and multiplication, dormancy survival and dissemination. Additionally, we explore the significance of inter-bacterial cross-feeding within biofilms. Furthermore, we discuss potential phytochemical-based strategies to target P. gingivalis, including the use of curcumin, apigenin, quercetin and resveratrol. Understanding the virulence factors and lifecycle stages of P. gingivalis, along with the promising phytochemical-based interventions, holds promise for advancing strategies in periodontal disease management and oral health promotion.

Apigenin: A Bioflavonoid with a Promising Role in Disease Prevention and Treatment

Apigenin is a powerful flavone compound found in numerous fruits and vegetables, and it offers numerous health-promoting benefits. Many studies have evidenced that this compound has a potential role as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound, making it a promising candidate for reducing the risk of pathogenesis. It has also been found to positively affect various systems in the body, such as the respiratory, digestive, immune, and reproductive systems. Apigenin is effective in treating liver, lung, heart, kidney, neurological diseases, diabetes, and maintaining good oral and skin health. Multiple studies have reported that this compound is capable of suppressing various types of cancer through the induction of apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, suppressing cell migration and invasion, reduction of inflammation, and inhibiting angiogenesis. When used in combination with other drugs, apigenin increases their efficacy, reduces the risk of side effects, and improves the response to chemotherapy. This review broadly analyzes apigenin's potential in disease management by modulating various biological activities. In addition, this review also described apigenin's interaction with other compounds or drugs and the potential role of nanoformulation in different pathogeneses. Further extensive research is needed to explore the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of this compound in disease prevention and treatment.

Developing a rapid analytical method for simultaneous determination of apigenin and gallic acid: validation and application in a nanoliposomal formulation

OBJECTIVE

Apigenin and gallic acid are natural compounds that are useful as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents, especially when used together in combination. Therefore, the development and validation of a simultaneous method of analysis for both compounds in pure form and when encapsulated in an advanced delivery system such as liposomes would be useful.

METHODS

Analysis was performed using C18 column under isocratic conditions. The mobile phase was acetonitrile: water containing 0.2% orthophosphoric acid at a ratio of 67:33, flow rate 1 ml/min, and detection wavelength 334 nm for apigenin and 271 nm for gallic acid.

RESULTS

The assay method was linear at the concentration range (5-600 µg/mL) with R2 of 1 for both drugs. The method was also shown to be precise and robust with RSD less than 2% with LOD (0.12, 0.1 µg/mL) and LOQ (4.14, 3.58 µg/mL) for apigenin and gallic acid respectively. The method was also applicable for the determination of the entrapment efficiency of both drugs when co-loaded in a nanoliposomal formulation.

CONCLUSION

The described HPLC method was shown to be suitable, sensitive, and reproducible for the simultaneous identification and quantification of apigenin and gallic acid. The analytical results were accurate and precise, with good recovery, low limit of detection, and the chromatographic assay was accomplished in less than 3 min, suggesting the suitability of the method for routine analysis of both drugs in pharmaceutical formulations.

An integrated in-silico Pharmaco-BioInformatics approaches to identify synergistic effects of COVID-19 to HIV patients

BACKGROUND

With high inflammatory states from both COVID-19 and HIV conditions further result in complications. The ongoing confrontation between these two viral infections can be avoided by adopting suitable management measures.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to figure out the pharmacological mechanism behind apigenin's role in the synergetic effects of COVID-19 to the progression of HIV patients.

METHOD

We employed computer-aided methods to uncover similar biological targets and signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 and HIV, along with bioinformatics and network pharmacology techniques to assess the synergetic effects of apigenin on COVID-19 to the progression of HIV, as well as pharmacokinetics analysis to examine apigenin's safety in the human body.

RESULT

Stress-responsive, membrane receptor, and induction pathways were mostly involved in gene ontology (GO) pathways, whereas apoptosis and inflammatory pathways were significantly associated in the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG). The top 20 hub genes were detected utilizing the shortest path ranked by degree method and protein-protein interaction (PPI), as well as molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed, revealing apigenin's strong interaction with hub proteins (MAPK3, RELA, MAPK1, EP300, and AKT1). Moreover, the pharmacokinetic features of apigenin revealed that it is an effective therapeutic agent with minimal adverse effects, for instance, hepatoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Synergetic effects of COVID-19 on the progression of HIV may still be a danger to global public health. Consequently, advanced solutions are required to give valid information regarding apigenin as a suitable therapeutic agent for the management of COVID-19 and HIV synergetic effects. However, the findings have yet to be confirmed in patients, suggesting more in vitro and in vivo studies.

Pharmacological Properties of 4', 5, 7-Trihydroxyflavone (Apigenin) and Its Impact on Cell Signaling Pathways

Plant bioactive compounds, particularly apigenin, have therapeutic potential and functional activities that aid in the prevention of infectious diseases in many mammalian bodies and promote tumor growth inhibition. Apigenin is a flavonoid with low toxicities and numerous bioactive properties due to which it has been considered as a traditional medicine for decades. Apigenin shows synergistic effects in combined treatment with sorafenib in the HepG2 human cell line (HCC) in less time and statistically reduces the viability of tumor cells, migration, gene expression and apoptosis. The combination of anti-cancerous drugs with apigenin has shown health promoting potential against various cancers. It can prevent cell mobility, maintain the cell cycle and stimulate the immune system. Apigenin also suppresses mTOR activity and raises the UVB-induced phagocytosis and reduces the cancerous cell proliferation and growth. It also has a high safety threshold, and active (anti-cancer) doses can be gained by consuming a vegetable and apigenin rich diet. Apigenin also boosted autophagosome formation, decreased cell proliferation and activated autophagy by preventing the activity of the PI3K pathway, specifically in HepG2 cells. This paper provides an updated overview of apigenin's beneficial anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer effects, making it a step in the right direction for therapeutics. This study also critically analyzed the effect of apigenin on cancer cell signaling pathways including the PI3K/AKT/MTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB and ERK/MAPK pathways.

Biofilm-Associated Agr and Sar Quorum Sensing Systems of Staphylococcus aureus Are Inhibited by 3-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Derived from Illicium verum

Biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is less sensitive to conventional antibiotics than free-living planktonic cells. Here, we evaluated the antibiofilm activity of Illicium verum (I. verum) and one of its constituent compounds 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HBA) against multi-drug-resistant S. aureus. We performed gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to identify the major constituents in the methanolic extract of I. verum. Ligand-receptor interactions were studied by molecular docking, and in vitro investigations were performed using crystal violet assay, spreading assay, hemolysis, proteolytic activity, and growth curve analysis. The methanolic extract of I. verum inhibited S. aureus at 4.8 mg/mL, and GC-MS analysis revealed anethole, m-methoxybenzaldehyde, and 3-HBA as the major constituents. Molecular docking attributed the antibiofilm activity to an active ligand present in 3-HBA, which strongly interacted with the active site residues of AgrA and SarA of S. aureus. At a subinhibitory concentration of 2.4 mg/mL, the extract showed biofilm inhibition. Similarly, 3-HBA inhibited biofilm activity at 25 μg/mL (90.34%), 12.5 μg/mL (77.21%), and 6.25 μg/mL (62.69%) concentrations. Marked attrition in bacterial spreading was observed at 2.4 mg/mL (crude extract) and 25 μg/mL (3-HBA) concentrations. The methanol extract of I. verum and 3-HBA markedly inhibited β-hemolytic and proteolytic activities of S. aureus. At the lowest concentration, the I. verum extract (2.4 mg/mL) and 3-HBA (25 μg/mL) did not inhibit bacterial growth. Optical microscopy and SEM analysis confirmed that I. verum and 3-HBA significantly reduced biofilm dispersion without disturbing bacterial growth. Together, we found that the antibiofilm activity of I. verum and 3-HBA strongly targeted the Agr and Sar systems of S. aureus.

Development and Optimization of Hybrid Polymeric Nanoparticles of Apigenin: Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity Evaluation

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females and ranked second after skin cancer. The use of natural compounds is a good alternative for the treatment of breast cancer with less toxicity than synthetic drugs. The aim of the present study is to develop and characterize hybrid Apigenin (AN) Nanoparticles (NPs) for oral delivery (AN-NPs). The hybrid AN-NPs were prepared by the self-assembly method using lecithin, chitosan and TPGS. Further, the NPs were optimized by Box-Behnken design (3-factor, 3-level). The hybrid NPs were evaluated for particle size (PS), entrapment efficiency (EE), zeta potential (ZP), and drug release. The optimized hybrid NPs (ON2), were further evaluated for solid state characterization, permeation, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial study. The formulation (ON2) exhibited small PS of 192.6 ± 4.2 nm, high EE 69.35 ± 1.1%, zeta potential of +36.54 mV, and sustained drug release (61.5 ± 2.5% in 24 h), as well as significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced drug permeation and antioxidant activity. The IC50 of pure AN was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the formulation (ON2). It also showed significantly greater (p < 0.05) antibacterial activity than pure AN against Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhimurium. From these findings, it revealed that a hybrid AN polymeric nanoparticle is a good carrier for the treatment of breast cancer.

Nanoencapsulation of apigenin with whey protein isolate: physicochemical properties, in vitro activity against colorectal cancer cells, and bioavailability

Incorporating lipophilic phytochemicals with anti-cancer activities in functional beverages requires an appropriate nanoencapsulation technology. The present objective was to encapsulate apigenin with whey protein isolate (WPI) utilizing a pH-cycle method and subsequently characterize physicochemical properties, the in vitro anticancer activities against human colorectal HCT-116 and HT-29 cancer cells, and the in vivo bioavailability. Up to 2.0 mg/mL of apigenin was nanoencapsulated with 1.0 mg/mL WPI, with an encapsulation efficiency of up to 98.15% and loading capacity of up to 196.21 mg/g-WPI. Nanodispersions were stable during storage, and apigenin became amorphous after encapsulation. Nanoencapsulation and in vitro digestion did not reduce the anti-proliferative activity of apigenin. Nanoencapsulation of apigenin enhanced the cellular uptake, the pro-apoptotic effects, and the bioavailability in the mice's blood and colon mucosa when comparing to the unencapsulated apigenin. Therefore, the present work may be significant to incorporate lipophilic phytochemicals in functional beverages for disease prevention.

Liposomal delivery systems and their applications against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Liposomal delivery systems have been widely explored for targeting superbugs such as S. aureus and MRSA, overcoming antimicrobial resistance associated with conventional dosage forms. They have the significant advantage of delivering hydrophilic and lipophilic antimicrobial agents, either singularly as monotherapy or in combination as combination therapy, due to their bilayers with action-site-specificity, resulting in improved targeting compared to conventional dosage forms. Herein, we present an extensive and critical review of the different liposomal delivery systems employed in the past two decades for the delivery of both antibiotics of different classes and non-antibiotic antibacterial agents, as monotherapy and combination therapy to eradicate infections caused by S. aureus and MRSA. The review also identifies future research and strategies potentiating the applications of liposomal delivery systems against S. aureus and MRSA. This review confirms the potential application of liposomal delivery systems for effective delivery and specific targeting of S. aureus and MRSA infections.

Chemoprotective and chemosensitizing effects of apigenin on cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic resistance to radiation and chemotherapy is one of the major obstacles in cancer treatment. Although synthetic radiosensitizers are pragmatic solution to enhance tumor sensitivity, they pose concerns of toxicity and non-specificity. In the last decades, scientists scrutinized novel plant-derived radiosensitizers and chemosensitizers, such as flavones, owing to their substantial physiological effects like low toxicity and non-mutagenic properties on the human cells. The combination therapy with apigenin is potential candidate in cancer therapeutics. This review explicates the combinatorial strategies involving apigenin to overcome drug resistance and boost the anti-cancer properties.

METHODS

We selected full-text English papers on international databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect from 1972 up to 2020. The keywords included in the search were: Apigenin, Chemoprotective, Chemosensitizing, Side Effects, and Molecular Mechanisms.

RESULTS

In this review, we focused on combination therapy, particularly with apigenin augmenting the anti-cancer effects of chemo drugs on tumor cells, reduce their side effects, subdue drug resistance, and protect healthy cells. The reviewed research data implies that these co-therapies exhibited a synergistic effect on various cancer cells, where apigenin sensitized the chemo drug through different pathways including a significant reduction in overexpressed genes, AKT phosphorylation, NFκB, inhibition of Nrf2, overexpression of caspases, up-regulation of p53 and MAPK, compared to the monotherapies. Meanwhile, contrary to the chemo drugs alone, combined treatments significantly induced apoptosis in the treated cells.

CONCLUSION

Briefly, our analysis proposed that the combination therapies with apigenin could suppress the unwanted toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. It is believed that these expedient results may pave the path for the development of drugs with a high therapeutic index. Nevertheless, human clinical trials are a prerequisite to consider the potential use of apigenin in the prevention and treatment of various cancers. Conclusively, the clinical trials to comprehend the role of apigenin as a chemoprotective agent are still in infancy.

Preparation, characterization, and anti-colon cancer activity of oridonin-loaded long-circulating liposomes

In this study, oridonin-loaded long-circulating liposomes (LC-lipo@ORI) were prepared with the ethanol injection method. Its physicochemical properties and the morphology were characterized, and its stability and release profiles were evaluated. Furthermore, its antitumor effects were studied using two in vitro cell models of colon cancer and two tumor-bearing models in nude mice. The prepared LC-lipo@ORI was quasi-spherical, with a mean particle size of 109.55 ± 2.30 nm. The zeta potential was -1.38 ± 0.21 mV, the encapsulation efficiency was 85.79%±3.25%, and the drug loading was 5.87%±0.21%. In vitro release results showed that the cumulative release rate of LC-lipo@ORI at 12 h was 63.83%. However, ORI dispersion was almost completely released after 12 h. In vitro cytotoxicity results showed that, the inhibiting effects of LC-lipo@ORI on the proliferation of two types of colon cancer cells were apparently higher than those of ORI dispersion, whereas those of the blank carrier were not noticeable. In vivo studies confirmed that, the encapsulation of LC-lipo enhanced the inhibitory effects of ORI on tumor growth. These results indicated that LC-lipo@ORI a promising formulations for colon cancer treatment.

From plants to antimicrobials: Natural products against bacterial membranes

Bacterial membrane barrier provides a cytoplasmic environment for organelles of bacteria. The membrane is composed of lipid compounds containing phosphatide protein and a minimal amount of sugars, and is responsible for intercellular transfers of chemicals. Several antimicrobials have been found that affect bacterial cytoplasmic membranes. These compounds generally disrupt the organization of the membrane or perforate it. By destroying the membrane, the drugs can permeate and replace the effective macromolecules necessary for cell life. Furthermore, they can disrupt electrical gradients of the cells through impairment of the membrane integrity. In recent years, considering the spread of microbial resistance and the side effects of antibiotics, natural antimicrobial compounds have been studied by researchers extensively. These molecules are the best alternative for controlling bacterial infections and reducing drug resistance due to the lack of severe side effects, low cost of production, and biocompatibility. Better understanding of the natural compounds' mechanisms against bacteria provides improved strategies for antimicrobial therapies. In this review, natural products with antibacterial activities focusing on membrane damaging mechanisms were described. However, further high-quality research studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of these natural products.

Relationship and improvement strategies between drug nanocarrier characteristics and hemocompatibility: What can we learn from the literature

This article discusses the various blood interactions that may occur with various types of nano drug-loading systems. Nanoparticles enter the blood circulation as foreign objects. On the one hand, they may cause a series of inflammatory reactions and immune reactions, resulting in the rapid elimination of immune cells and the reticuloendothelial system, affecting their durability in the blood circulation. On the other hand, the premise of the drug-carrying system to play a therapeutic role depends on whether they cause coagulation and platelet activation, the absence of hemolysis and the elimination of immune cells. For different forms of nano drug-carrying systems, we can find the characteristics, elements and coping strategies of adverse blood reactions that we can find in previous researches. These adverse reactions may include destruction of blood cells, abnormal coagulation system, abnormal effects of plasma proteins, abnormal blood cell behavior, adverse immune and inflammatory reactions, and excessive vascular stimulation. In order to provide help for future research and formulation work on the blood compatibility of nano drug carriers.

A single robust stability-indicating RP-HPLC analytical tool for apigenin quantification in bulk powder and in nanoliposomes: a novel approach

Background

Apigenin (4′, 5, 7-trihydroxyflavone), a flavonoid, is present usually in fruits and vegetables possessing numerous biological properties like antioxidant, anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and chemoprevention activity. So present study was aimed to prepare and characterize nanoliposomes of apigenin and estimate its encapsulation efficiency by stability-assisted reverse-phase (RP)-HPLC method.

Results

The stability indication of the RP-HPLC method developed for apigenin-loaded nanoliposomes was successfully demonstrated and parameters were mainly the retention time which was 4.21 min, limit of detection (LOD) 0.49 μg/mL, limit of quantification (LOQ) 1.48 μg/mL, and %relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 2%. Therefore, the stability indication of the developed reverse-phase HPLC method for apigenin-loaded nanoliposomes was demonstrated successfully and parameters like accuracy, linearity, LOD, LOQ, precision, and %RSD were within the limit range and found to be satisfactory.

Conclusion

The developed RP-HPLC method was found to be suitable for the quantification or estimation of apigenin with its stability in apigenin-loaded nanoliposomes, and this method will be a powerful tool in the future for the estimation of apigenin present in any pharmaceutical preparations.

Ethnobotany and the Role of Plant Natural Products in Antibiotic Drug Discovery

The crisis of antibiotic resistance necessitates creative and innovative approaches, from chemical identification and analysis to the assessment of bioactivity. Plant natural products (NPs) represent a promising source of antibacterial lead compounds that could help fill the drug discovery pipeline in response to the growing antibiotic resistance crisis. The major strength of plant NPs lies in their rich and unique chemodiversity, their worldwide distribution and ease of access, their various antibacterial modes of action, and the proven clinical effectiveness of plant extracts from which they are isolated. While many studies have tried to summarize NPs with antibacterial activities, a comprehensive review with rigorous selection criteria has never been performed. In this work, the literature from 2012 to 2019 was systematically reviewed to highlight plant-derived compounds with antibacterial activity by focusing on their growth inhibitory activity. A total of 459 compounds are included in this Review, of which 50.8% are phenolic derivatives, 26.6% are terpenoids, 5.7% are alkaloids, and 17% are classified as other metabolites. A selection of 183 compounds is further discussed regarding their antibacterial activity, biosynthesis, structure-activity relationship, mechanism of action, and potential as antibiotics. Emerging trends in the field of antibacterial drug discovery from plants are also discussed. This Review brings to the forefront key findings on the antibacterial potential of plant NPs for consideration in future antibiotic discovery and development efforts.

The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of mesoporous hollow Fe3O4 nanoparticles in an alternating magnetic field

Unrestricted usage of antibiotics has accelerated the emergence of new strains of microorganisms with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the development of therapeutic technologies that do not rely only on antibiotics. Herein, mesoporous hollow Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (MHFPs) were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method, and the feasibility and possible mechanism of using alternating magnetic field (AMF) with MHFPs to kill Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were explored. The presence of the AMF (2.5 kW, 210 kHz) combined with the MHFPs resulted in a dramatic decrease in colony forming units (CFU) for E. coli and S. aureus in 25 min compared with the pure MHFPs at concentrations of 500, 800 and 1000 μg mL^-1. Macroscopic hyperthermia was proved not to be the sole reason for the phenomenon. Visible membrane damage was demonstrated by live/dead staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) assays. Besides, the permeability and integrity changes of the cell membrane were then quantitatively confirmed by measuring the relative electrical conductivity. In addition, bacterial biofilms were significantly dispersed in the presence of MHFPs and AMF. These results suggested that under the mediation of AMF, MHFPs can potentially serve as an efficient nonantibiotic therapeutic platform to disperse bacterial biofilms and inactivate bacteria by damaging the cell membrane of the bacteria.

Antibacterial Activity of Some Flavonoids and Organic Acids Widely Distributed in Plants

Among natural substances widespread in fruits, vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants, flavonoids and organic acids belong to the promising groups of bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of 13 common flavonoids (flavones, flavonols, flavanones) and 6 organic acids (aliphatic and aromatic acids). The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of selected plant substances were determined by the micro-dilution method using clinical strains of four species of pathogenic bacteria. All tested compounds showed antimicrobial properties, but their biological activity was moderate or relatively low. Bacterial growth was most strongly inhibited by salicylic acid (MIC = 250-500 μg/mL). These compounds were generally more active against Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa than Gram-positive ones: Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. An analysis of the antibacterial effect of flavone, chrysin, apigenin, and luteolin showed that the presence of hydroxyl groups in the phenyl rings A and B usually did not influence on the level of their activity. A significant increase in the activity of the hydroxy derivatives of flavone was observed only for S. aureus. Similarly, the presence and position of the sugar group in the flavone glycosides generally had no effect on the MIC values.

The bactericidal effect of liposomal vancomycin as a topical combating system against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin wound infection in mice

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common causes of skin infections and treatment is difficult due to its resistance to the most of antibiotics. Although vancomycin is often considered as an antibacterial agent of choice for the treatment of MRSA, its use is limited because of the high side effects. One solution is using liposomal formulation for local drug delivery. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro and in vivo efficacies of liposomal vancomycin as topical use.

Methods: To prepare liposomal vancomycin, the ammonium sulfate gradient using remote loading and freeze-thaw methods was applied. Then, synthesized nanoliposomes were evaluated in terms of particle size, morphology, stability, and encapsulation efficiency. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of synthesized nanoliposome against MRSA was detected. The cytotoxicity of synthesized nanoliposome was evaluated using MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Finally, the topical antibacterial activity of each formulation was tested against MRSA-infected skin wound model in mice.

Results: High encapsulation efficiency was achieved for all synthesized nanoliposomes. The results of in vitro and in vivo showed that liposomal vancomycin was more effective than free vancomycin. Also, synthesized nanoliposome showed no cytotoxicity on human epidermoid cell line.

Conclusion: The results showed that synthesized nanoliposome could be applied as a great topical antimicrobial construct for treatment of MRSA skin infections.

A Review on Flavonoid Apigenin: Dietary Intake, ADME, Antimicrobial Effects, and Interactions with Human Gut Microbiota

Apigenin is a flavonoid of low toxicity and multiple beneficial bioactivities. Published reviews all focused on the findings using eukaryotic cells, animal models, or epidemiological studies covering the pharmacokinetics, cancer chemoprevention, and drug interactions of apigenin; however, no review is available on the antimicrobial effects of apigenin. Research proves that dietary apigenin passes through the upper gastrointestinal tract and reaches the colon after consumption. For that reason, it is worthwhile to study the potential interactions between apigenin and human gut microbiota. This review summarizes studies on antimicrobial effects of apigenin as well as what has been reported on apigenin and human gut microbiota. Various levels of effectiveness have been reported on apigenin's antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic capability. It has been shown that apigenin or its glycosides are degraded into smaller metabolites by certain gut bacteria which can regulate the human body after absorption. How apigenin contributes to the structural and functional changes in human gut microbiota as well as the bioactivities of apigenin bacterial metabolites are worth further investigation.

Dual drug loaded liposome bearing apigenin and 5-Fluorouracil for synergistic therapeutic efficacy in colorectal cancer

Multidrug-based combinatorial therapeutic regiments which target multiple pathways simultaneously are being utilized as a therapeutic strategy of choice due to reduction in toxicity profile and enhancement of therapeutic index of the individual drugs. 5-Fluorouracil is a clinically approved drug which has limited response rate in the realm of colorectal cancer amelioration, hence our study aims to improve its efficacy by aiming the simultaneous delivery of 5-Flurouracil and apigenin which is naturally occurring flavone abundantly present in fruit and vegetables through a single liposome to combat and control colorectal cancer effectively in-vitro and in-vivo. The liposomal nanocarrier bearing the anti-tumorigenic agent apigenin was designed in this study in order to improve the bioavailability of the flavone while at the same time achieve combinatorial drug regime with 5- Fluorouracil. This study reports the synthesis and production of a relatively robust dual drug-loaded liposomal formulation by modified thin film hydration method which substantially entraps both the drugs. Even though there have been reports of the combinatorial regimen involving apigenin and 5-Flurouracil our study reports the optimal molar ratio for effective synergistic therapeutic application of this drug combination to alleviate colorectal cancer. The cytotoxicity and cellular effects of individual, combinatorial free drugs and their liposomal counterparts tested against two human colon cancer cell lines revealed significantly higher cytotoxicity of the dual-drug liposomes. The dual-drug liposomes demonstrated enhanced inhibition of angiogenesis, better reduction in cell proliferation and increased apoptotic potential. Cell signaling studies indicating a significant upregulation of pAMPK and activity against downstream targets by dual drug liposomes suggested its role in the reversal of Warburg effect. The formulation was tested in a preclinical setting in nude mice tumor xenograft model and was found to have greater anti-neoplastic and anti-tumorigenic effect. The study indicated that the increased chemotherapeutic potential in vivo was due to the passive targeting achieved by the liposomal drug loaded nano-carrier and the synergistic effect of apigenin in 5-Fluorouracil treatment offers a new attractive alternative to enhance the therapeutic potency of drugs and paves way for potential clinical applications.

Ethyl oleate food-grade O/W emulsions loaded with apigenin: Insights to their formulation characteristics and physico-chemical stability

Apigenin has attracted a great interest in the food industry due to the wide range of its biological activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The encapsulation of apigenin in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions could overcome its low solubility and lead to the development of new functional food products. The aim of this study is to formulate food-grade O/W submicron emulsions loaded with apigenin using high-pressure homogenization. Supersaturated solutions of 0.1 wt% apigenin in ethyl oleate were heated at 100 °C for 30, 60, or 120 min and the supernant after centrifugation were used as to-be-dispersed phases. An aqueous solution containing 1 wt% tween 20 was used as the continuous phase. We examined the effect of heating process of the ethyl oleate prior to emulsification and the homogenization-pressure (60-150 MPa) on the physico-chemical characteristics of the O/W emulsions immediately after formulation and during storage. Submicron O/W emulsions were formulated and the lowest average droplet diameter (d_av) was 169 ± 2.082 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.06 ± 0.002. After 30 days of storage at 4 °C, the O/W emulsion formulated remained physically stable with little change in their d_av and PDI values. The preheat treatment of ethyl oleate, affected the initial loaded apigenin concentration but hardly affected the physico-chemical stability of O/W emulsions. However, HPLC analysis demonstrated that the emulsification pressure was a relevant parameter affecting apigenin retention during the storage of O/W emulsions. Apigenin degradation in ethyl oleate O/W emulsions followed zero order kinetics and about 91.5-93.5% of apigenin could be retained in O/W emulsions after 30 days of storage.

Preparation, characterization and antitumor activity evaluation of apigenin nanoparticles by the liquid antisolvent precipitation technique

The present work aimed to apply the liquid antisolvent precipitation (LAP) method for preparing the apigenin nanoparticles and thereby improving the solubility and bioavailability of apigenin. The different experimental parameters on particle size were optimized through central composite design (CCD) using the Design-Expert® software. Under the optimum conditions, the particle size of the apigenin nanosuspension was about 159.2 nm. In order to get apigenin nanoparticles, the freeze-drying method was selected and the mannitol was used as a cryoprotectant. Then the solid state properties of the apigenin nanoparticles were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo gravimetric (TG), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results obtained displayed that the apigenin nanoparticles exhibited near-spherical shape and could be transformed into an amorphous form. In addition, the dissolving test, the bioavailability in rats, and the antitumor activity were also studied. The experimental results showed that the solubility of the apigenin nanoparticles were about 29.61 times and 64.81 times of raw apigenin in artificial gastric juice and in artificial intestinal juice, respectively, and the apigenin nanoparticles showed higher dissolution rates compared to raw apigenin, and was about 6.08 times and 6.14 times than that of raw apigenin in artificial gastric juice and in artificial intestinal juice. The oral bioavailability of apigenin nanoparticles was about 4.96 times higher than that of the raw apigenin, but the apigenin nanoparticles had no toxic effect on the organs of rats. In addition, the apigenin nanoparticles had a higher inhibition to HepG2 cells by lower IC50 than that of raw apigenin.

Nanostructures for delivery of natural antimicrobials in food

Natural antimicrobial compounds are a topic of utmost interest in food science due to the increased demand for safe and high-quality foods with minimal processing. The use of nanostructures is an interesting alternative to protect and delivery antimicrobials in food, also providing controlled release of natural compounds such as bacteriocins and antimicrobial proteins, and also for delivery of plant derived antimicrobials. A diversity of nanostructures are capable of trapping natural antimicrobials maintaining the stability of substances that are frequently sensitive to food processing and storage conditions. This article provides an overview on natural antimicrobials incorporated in nanostructures, showing an effective antimicrobial activity on a diversity of food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms.

Improving the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of pyrinezolid by self-assembled polymeric micelles

Antibiotic-resistance by bacteria is a growing global concern within the healthcare field, and it has provided an impetus for continued antimicrobial development. Pyrinezolid (PZ), a novel oxazolidinone compound, can effectively inhibit most gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). Though PZ is a promising antimicrobial candidate, the druggability of PZ is limited by its poor water solubility. Therefore, the amphipathic mPEG-PLLA copolymer was used to prepare the pyrinezolid micelles (PZ-M). Herein, we described the preparation, pharmacokinetic properties, tissue distribution, efficacy and toxicity of PZ-M. In vivo studies show that PZ-M possess prolonged blood circulation time and increased oral bioavailability compared with free PZ. Meanwhile, PZ-M increase lung PZ exposure and reduce liver and kidney exposure, which indicates that PZ-M may enhance the efficacy in vivo in MRSA-related pneumonia patients and decrease potential renal and hepatic toxicities.

Enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy of apigenin liposomes in colorectal cancer based on flavone-membrane interactions

Recent endeavors in exploiting vast array of natural phytochemicals to ameliorate colorectal cancer led us to investigate apigenin, a naturally occurring dietary flavone as a potential chemo-therapeutic agent. The present study focuses on establishing apigenin as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for alleviating colorectal cancer and reports the development of a stable liposomal nanocarrier with high encapsulation of the hydrophobic flavone apigenin for enhanced chemotherapeutic effects. The enhanced pharmacological activity of apigenin has been assigned to its ability to interact and subsequently influence membrane properties which also resulted in optimal yield of a stable, rigidified, non-leaky nano-carrier with ideal release kinetics. Extensive testing of drug and its liposomal counterpart for potential clinical chemotherapeutic applications yielded hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility with normal fibroblast cells while enhanced antineoplastic activity was observed in tumor xenograft model. The increased chemotherapeutic potential of liposomal apigenin highlights the clinical potential of apigenin-based vesicles.

Combination of grape extract-silver nanoparticles and liposomes: A totally green approach

In the present work, silver nanoparticles were prepared using a totally green procedure combining silver nitrate and an extract of grape pomace as a green source. Additionally, nanoparticles were stabilized using phospholipid and water and/or a mixture of water and propylene glycol (PG). To the best of our knowledge, grape-silver nanoparticle stabilized liposomes or PG-liposomes were formulated, for the first time, combining the residual products of wine-made industry, silver nitrate and phospholipids, avoiding the addition of hazardous substances to human health and the environment, in an easy, scalable and reproducible method. The structure and morphology of grape-silver nanoparticle stabilized vesicles were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy. Samples were designed as possible carrier for skin protection because of their double function: the grape extract acts as antioxidant and the colloidal silver as antimicrobial agent, which might be helpful in eliminating dangerous free radicals and many pathogenic microorganisms. Obtained nanoparticles were small in size and their combination with phospholipids did not hamper the vesicle formation, which were multilamellar and sized ~100nm. TEM images shows a heterogeneous distribution of nanoparticles, which were located both in the intervesicular medium and in the vesicular structure. Further, grape-silver nanoparticles, when stabilized by liposomes, were able to inhibit the proliferation of both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and provided a great protection of keratinocytes and fibroblasts against oxidative stress avoiding their damage and death.

Delivery of fluorophores by calcium phosphate-coated nanoliposomes and interaction with Staphylococcus aureus biofilms

The delivery capacity and mechanical stability of calcium phosphate (CaP) coated 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (DOPA) liposomes free and adsorbed on bacterial surface was investigated introducing either acridine orange (AO) or 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridinio)porphyrin (TMP) in the aqueous core of the liposomes. The obtained nanomaterials were thoroughly characterized by electron and optical microscopy and by fluorescence techniques. Distribution of the AO and TMP molecules between the aqueous liposomes core and the outer solution was demonstrated by the band shifts and broadening of the excitation-emission matrices and the modified Stern-Volmer model for fluorescence quenching. In aqueous suspensions, c.a. 40% of AO was released to the outer solution while only a small percentage of TMP was observed to reach the outer liposome surface. The nanoliposomes adhesion capacity and the leaking of fluorophore molecules to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms were further evaluated. A close interaction between liposomes and S. aureus biofilm was evidenced by TEM and SEM imaging. Epifluorescence experiments demonstrated that CaP-coated liposomes have good biofilm staining capability after two hours incubation of the biofilms with the liposomes, thus supporting an important release of the fluorophores when in contact with the biofilm. Altogether, the obtained results strongly suggest that CaP-coated liposomes are capable of activating drug release when in presence of S. aureus biofilms and smears. The studies herein presented, indicate that CaP-coated liposomes are potential vehicles for the selective delivery of drugs to S. aureus biofilms, as is the case of the singlet oxygen photosensitizer TMP, a well known photodynamic antibacterial agent.