Efficient pulmonary fibrosis therapy via regulating macrophage polarization using respirable cryptotanshinone-loaded liposomal microparticles

Advances in drug-loaded microspheres for targeted, controlled, and sustained drug delivery: Potential, applications, and future directions

Drug-loaded microspheres are an innovative technology in drug delivery systems (DDS), addressing many limitations of conventional methods. Their ability to enable controlled release, precise targeting, and broad drug compatibility makes them a versatile platform with significant potential in modern medicine. This review explores the unique properties of microspheres, including their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and customizable architecture, positioning them as promising candidates for therapeutic use in cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. These characteristics enhance drug stability and bioavailability while reducing systemic side effects, improving patient outcomes. The key findings discussed in this review highlight critical factors influencing microsphere performance, including material selection, particle size, surface modification, and multi-drug loading strategies. Particularly, the integration of nanoscale materials and the combination of microsphere technology with gene therapy and immunotherapy have shown great potential to improve treatment precision and efficacy. However, challenges such as large-scale production, reproducibility, and optimization of drug release profiles remain significant hurdles. Large-scale manufacturing of microspheres with consistent size, efficient drug loading, and predictable release patterns is technically complex, and optimizing release, especially for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, requires a deeper understanding of the interactions between drugs and polymers. Future advances in microsphere technology are expected to leverage innovations in nanotechnology, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. These advancements may enable more efficient and personalized treatments for diseases that were previously difficult to treat. The findings presented in this review emphasize the transformative potential of microspheres in revolutionizing drug delivery, offering safer, more effective, and patient-specific therapies.

"Capture and kill" circulating fibrocytes by cisplatin prodrug loaded albumin disrupt the progress of pulmonary fibrosis in mice

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive chronic disease characterized by a continuous decline in lung function, for which effective therapies remain elusive. Increasing evidence suggests that the recruitment of fibrocytes from the circulatory system to lungs plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PF. Once into the lungs, these fibrocytes differentiate into myofibroblasts, the primary producers of extracellular collagen. Given the difficulty in reversing the disease course, targeting this key mechanism in the early stages of the disease presents a promising therapeutic strategy. To this end, we engineered a plerixafor (CXCR4 antagonist)-modified serum albumin delivery system loaded with a cisplatin prodrug (Cpro@P-SA). This system is specifically designed to target CXCR4-positive circulating fibrocytes after intravenous administration, enhance cellular uptake of Cpro@P-SA, and facilitate the intracellular conversion of cisplatin prodrug to exert its cytotoxic effects, thereby inducing fibrocytes apoptosis. Utilizing a bleomycin-induced PF mouse model, we have demonstrated that Cpro@P-SA maintains prolonged circulation, enabling it to selectively identify and eradicate recruiting fibrocytes with an optimized treatment regimen. Our results confirm that Cpro@P-SA can effectively reduce fibrocyte levels in the circulatory system, thereby mitigating PF symptoms and controlling disease progression, as evidenced by key biochemical markers and histological analyses. Furthermore, the safety of this designed system was validated through multiple evaluations. Consequently, Cpro@P-SA offers a novel and promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of early PF.

Development of a self-assembled micelles based on cryptotanshinone and glycyrrhizic acid: An efficient strategy for acne treatment

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent inflammatory skin disease affecting the folliculosebaceous unit. Current treatments, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, face challenges like drug resistance and side effects. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a diterpenoid from Salvia miltiorrhiza, exhibits potential acne-treating effects by inhibiting sebaceous gland secretion, regulating perifollicular keratosis and exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties. However, its poor water solubility and skin permeability hinder clinical application. CTS was researched in the previous work and CTS cerasomes was prepared. However, the issues of low encapsulation rate and large particle size still existed. Here, we propose a strategy for encapsulating CTS using a glycyrrhizin-based carrier to address the issues above. Under microscopic observation, the glycyrrhizic acid-encapsulated CTS micelles (GA-CTS), with an average size of 24.81 ± 1.40 nm, exhibited a uniform spherical shape. In vitro permeation assay demonstrated that the water solubility and skin permeability of CTS were significantly improved, indicating a higher bioavailability. GA-CTS also inhibited Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression in HaCaT cells. In vivo, a BALB/c mouse acne model was established via intradermal C. acnes injection. HE staining, IL-1β immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR were used to assess the treatment effect of GA-CTS. Compared to CTS or GA alone, GA-CTS significantly inhibited C. acnes growth, reduced skin swelling, and improved skin histology. Notably, GA-CTS inhibited keratin 16 (K16) gene expression, improving abnormal skin keratinization, and regulated 5-α reductase mRNA expression, potentially impacting androgen metabolism and offering another mechanism for acne treatment. In conclusion, GA-CTS micelles show promising potential in acne treatment, offering new insights and methods for anti-acne drug development and clinical application.

Advanced Carriers for Precise Delivery and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicines: Integrating Spatial Multi-Omics and Delivery Visualization

The complex composition of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) has posed challenges for in-depth study and global application, despite their abundance of bioactive compounds that make them valuable resources for disease treatment. To overcome these obstacles, it is essential to modernize TCMs by focusing on precise disease treatment. This involves elucidating the structure-activity relationships within their complex compositions, ensuring accurate in vivo delivery, and monitoring the delivery process. This review discusses the research progress of TCMs in precision disease treatment from three perspectives: spatial multi-omics technology for precision therapeutic activity, carrier systems for precise in vivo delivery, and medical imaging technology for visualizing the delivery process. The aim is to establish a novel research paradigm that advances the precision therapy of TCMs.

The role of natural products targeting macrophage polarization in sepsis-induced lung injury

Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (SALI) is characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory and immune response. As a key component of the innate immune system, macrophages play a vital role in SALI, in which a macrophage phenotype imbalance caused by an increase in M1 macrophages or a decrease in M2 macrophages is common. Despite significant advances in SALI research, effective drug therapies are still lacking. Therefore, the development of new treatments for SALI is urgently needed. An increasing number of studies suggest that natural products (NPs) can alleviate SALI by modulating macrophage polarization through various targets and pathways. This review examines the regulatory mechanisms of macrophage polarization and their involvement in the progression of SALI. It highlights how NPs mitigate macrophage imbalances to alleviate SALI, focusing on key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, TLR4/NF-κB, JAK/STAT, IRF, HIF, NRF2, HMGB1, TREM2, PKM2, and exosome-mediated signaling. NPs influencing macrophage polarization are classified into five groups: terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and others. This work provides valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of NPs in targeting macrophage polarization to treat SALI.

Therapeutic effects of Mudan granules on diabetic retinopathy: Mitigating fibrogenesis caused by FBN2 deficiency and inflammation associated with TNF-α elevation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mudan granules (MuD), a time-honored traditional Chinese patent medicine (TCPM), are widely utilized in the clinical treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). In the field of biomedical diagnostics, both diabetic retinopathy (DR) and DPN are recognized as critical microvascular complications associated with diabetes. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), these conditions are primarily attributed to a deficiency in Qi and the obstruction of collaterals. Despite this, the protective effects of MuD on DR and the underlying mechanisms remain to be comprehensively elucidated.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of MuD on DR and to further explore the promising therapeutic targets.

METHODS

A diabetic mouse model was established by administering 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) via intraperitoneal injection for five consecutive days. The therapeutic efficacy of MuD was evaluated using a comprehensive approach, which included electroretinogram (ERG) analysis, histopathological examination, and assessment of serum biochemical markers. Then, the pharmacodynamic mechanisms of MuD were systematically analyzed using Tandem Mass Tags-based proteomics. Meanwhile, the candidate compounds of MuD were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and molecular docking was applied to estimate the affinity of the active ingredient to their potential key targets. In addition, the functional mechanisms identified through bioinformatics analysis were confirmed by molecular biological methods.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that MuD provided significant protection to retinal function and effectively mitigated the reduction in retinal thickness observed in the animal model. Through proteomic analysis, we identified a substantial regulation by MuD of 70 biomarkers associated with diabetic retinal damage. These proteins were notably enriched in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, a critical mediator in inflammatory processes. A particularly intriguing finding was the significant downregulation of fibrillin-2 (FBN2) in the diabetic retina compared to the control group (0.36 times the level), and its most pronounced upregulation (3.26 times) in the MuD treatment group. This suggests that FBN2 may play a pivotal role in the protective effects of MuD. Molecular docking analyses have unveiled a robust interplay between the components of MuD and TNF-α. Further corroboration was provided by molecular biological methods, which confirmed that MuD could suppress TNF-mediated inflammation and prevent retinal neovascularization and fibrogenesis.

CONCLUSION

MuD have the potential to alleviate diabetic retinal dysfunction by effectively curbing the fibrogenesis-associated neoangiogenesis and mitigating the inflammatory response, thereby restoring retinal health and function.

Quality by Design in Pulmonary Drug Delivery: A Review on Dry Powder Inhaler Development, Nanotherapy Approaches, and Regulatory Considerations

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are state-of-the-art pulmonary drug delivery systems. This article explores the transformative impact of nanotechnology on DPIs, emphasizing the Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP) with a focus on aerodynamic performance and particle characteristics. It navigates global regulatory frameworks, underscoring the need for safety and efficacy standards. Additionally, it highlights the emerging field of nanoparticulate dry powder inhalers, showcasing their potential to enhance targeted drug delivery in respiratory medicine. This concise overview is a valuable resource for researchers, physicians, and pharmaceutical developers, providing insights into the development and commercialization of advanced inhalation systems.

Genetic Ablation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase Isoform 4 Gene Enhances Recovery from Hyperoxic Lung Injury: Insights into Antioxidant and Inflammatory Mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoform 4 (PDK4) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular proliferation and apoptosis. The objective of this study was to examine whether the genetic depletion of the PDK4 gene attenuates hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal mice.

METHODS

Neonatal PDK4-/- mice and wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to oxygen concentrations of 21% (normoxia) and 95% (hyperoxia) for the first 4 days of life. Pulmonary histological assessments were performed, and the mRNA levels of lung PDK4, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and interleukin (IL)-6 were assessed. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue were quantified.

RESULTS

Following convalescence from neonatal hyperoxia, PDK4-/- mice exhibited improved lung alveolarization. Notably, PDK4-/- mice displayed significantly elevated MCP-1 protein levels in pulmonary tissues following 4 days of hyperoxic exposure, whereas WT mice showed increased IL-6 protein levels under similar conditions. Furthermore, neonatal PDK4-/- mice subjected to hyperoxia demonstrated markedly higher MCP-1 mRNA expression at 4 days of age compared to WT mice, while IL-6 mRNA expression remained unaffected in PDK4-/- mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Newborn PDK4-/- mice exhibited notable recovery from hyperoxia-induced lung injury, suggesting the potential protective role of PDK4 depletion in mitigating lung damage.