BTN-PEG-PCL nanoparticles for targeted delivery of curcumin: In vitro and in Ovo assessment

Inhibition of HIV-1 infection with curcumin conjugated PEG-citrate dendrimer; a new nano formulation

BACKGROUND

Nano-drug delivery systems have become a promising approach to overcoming problems such as low solubility and cellular uptake of drugs. Along with various delivery devices, dendrimers are widely used through their unique features. PEG-citrate dendrimers are biocompatible and nontoxic, with the ability to improve drug solubility. Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenol, has multiple beneficial properties, such as antiviral activities. However, its optimum potential has been significantly hampered due to its poor water solubility, which leads to reduced bioavailability. So, the present study attempted to address this issue and investigate its antiviral effects against HIV-1.

METHOD

The G2 PEG-citrate dendrimer was synthesized. Then, curcumin was conjugated to it directly. FTIR, HNMR, DLS, and LCMS characterized the structure of products. The conjugate displayed an intense yellow color. In addition, increased aqueous solubility and cell permeability of curcumin were achieved based on flow cytometry results. So, it could be a suitable vehicle for improving the therapeutic applications of curcumin. Moreover, cell toxicity was assessed using XTT method. Ultimately, the SCR HIV system provided an opportunity to evaluate the level of HIV-1 inhibition by the curcumin-dendrimer conjugate using a p24 HIV ELISA kit.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a 50% up to 90% inhibition of HIV proliferation at 12 μm and 60 μm, respectively. Inhibition of HIV-1 at concentrations much lower than CC50 (300 µM) indicates a high potential of curcumin-dendrimer conjugate against this virus.

CONCLUSION

Thereby, curcumin-dendrimer conjugate proves to be a promising tool to use in HIV-1 therapy.

Immobilized nanoparticles-mediated enzyme therapy; promising way into clinical development

Enzyme (Enz)-mediated therapy indicated a remarkable effect in the treatment of many human cancers and diseases with an insight into clinical phases. Because of insufficient immobilization (Imb) approach and ineffective carrier, Enz therapeutic exhibits low biological efficacy and bio-physicochemical stability. Although efforts have been made to remove the limitations mentioned in clinical trials, efficient Imb-destabilization and modification of nanoparticles (NPs) remain challenging. NP internalization through insufficient membrane permeability, precise endosomal escape, and endonuclease protection following release are the primary development approaches. In recent years, innovative manipulation of the material for Enz immobilization (EI) fabrication and NP preparation has enabled nanomaterial platforms to improve Enz therapeutic outcomes and provide low-diverse clinical applications. In this review article, we examine recent advances in EI approaches and emerging views and explore the impact of Enz-mediated NPs on clinical therapeutic outcomes with at least diverse effects.

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Delivery of Natural Bioactive Agents: Recent Advances and Challenges

In the last few decades, several natural bioactive agents have been widely utilized in the treatment and prevention of many diseases owing to their unique and versatile therapeutic effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective action. However, their poor aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, low GIT stability, extensive metabolism as well as short duration of action are the most shortfalls hampering their biomedical/pharmaceutical applications. Different drug delivery platforms have developed in this regard, and a captivating tool of this has been the fabrication of nanocarriers. In particular, polymeric nanoparticles were reported to offer proficient delivery of various natural bioactive agents with good entrapment potential and stability, an efficiently controlled release, improved bioavailability, and fascinating therapeutic efficacy. In addition, surface decoration and polymer functionalization have opened the door to improving the characteristics of polymeric nanoparticles and alleviating the reported toxicity. Herein, a review of the state of knowledge on polymeric nanoparticles loaded with natural bioactive agents is presented. The review focuses on frequently used polymeric materials and their corresponding methods of fabrication, the needs of such systems for natural bioactive agents, polymeric nanoparticles loaded with natural bioactive agents in the literature, and the potential role of polymer functionalization, hybrid systems, and stimuli-responsive systems in overcoming most of the system drawbacks. This exploration may offer a thorough idea of viewing the polymeric nanoparticles as a potential candidate for the delivery of natural bioactive agents as well as the challenges and the combating tools used to overcome any hurdles.

Biodegradable PEG-PCL Nanoparticles for Co-delivery of MUC1 Inhibitor and Doxorubicin for the Confinement of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Combating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still a problem, despite the development of numerous drug delivery approaches. Mucin1 (MUC1), a glycoprotein linked to chemo-resistance and progressive malignancy, is unregulated in TNBC. GO-201, a MUC1 peptide inhibitor that impairs MUC1 activity, promotes necrotic cell death by binding to the MUC1-C unit. The current study deals with the synthesis and development of a novel nano-formulation (DM-PEG-PCL NPs) comprising of polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) polymer loaded with MUC1 inhibitor and an effective anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX). The DOX and MUC1 loaded nanoparticles were fully characterized, and their different physicochemical properties, viz. size, shape, surface charge, entrapment efficiencies, release behavior, etc., were determined. With IC₅₀ values of 5.8 and 2.4 nm on breast cancer cell lines, accordingly, and a combination index (CI) of < 1.0, DM-PEG-PCL NPs displayed enhanced toxicity towards breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) than DOX-PEG-PCL and MUC1i-PEG-PCL nanoparticles. Fluorescence microscopy analysis revealed DOX localization in the nucleus and MUC1 inhibitor in the mitochondria. Further, DM-PEG-PCL NPs treated breast cancer cells showed increased mitochondrial damage with enhancement in caspase-3 expression and reduction in Bcl-2 expression.In vivo evaluation using Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma bearing mice explicitly stated that DM-PEG-PCL NPs therapy minimized tumor growth relative to control treatment. Further, acute toxicity studies did not reveal any adverse effects on organs and their functions, as no mortalities were observed. The current research reports for the first time the synergistic approach of combination entrapment of a clinical chemotherapeutic (DOX) and an anticancer peptide (MUC1 inhibitor) encased in a diblock PEG-PCL copolymer. Incorporating both DOX and MUC1 inhibitors in PEG-PCL NPs in the designed nanoformulation has provided chances and insights for treating triple-negative breast tumors. Our controlled delivery technology is biodegradable, non-toxic, and anti-multidrug-resistant. In addition, this tailored smart nanoformulation has been particularly effective in the therapy of triple-negative breast cancer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10924-022-02654-4.