Polyester Nanoparticle Encapsulation Mitigates Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Capecitabine loaded potato starch-chitosan nanoparticles: A novel approach for targeted therapy and improved outcomes in aggressive colon cancer

Aggressive colon cancer treatment poses significant challenges. This study investigates the potential of innovative carbohydrate-based nanoparticles for targeted Capecitabine (CTB) delivery. CTB nanoparticles were synthesized by conjugating CTB with potato starch and chitosan using ultrasonication, hydrolysis, and ionotropic gelation. Characterization included drug loading, rheology, Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity was evaluated using HT-29 cells and N, N-dimethylhydrazine-induced Balb/c mice, respectively. Cellular assays assessed angiogenesis, migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. Nanoparticles exhibited a mean size of 245 nm, positive zeta potential (+30 mV), high loading efficacy (76 %), and sustained drug release (92 % over 100 h). CTB-loaded nanoparticles displayed superior colon histology, reduced tumour scores, and inhibited VEGD and CD31 expression compared to free CTB. Cellular assays confirmed significant antitumor effects, including reduced tube formation, migration, and proliferation, and increased apoptosis. This study demonstrates the promise of CTB-loaded potato starch-chitosan nanoparticles for aggressive colon cancer treatment. These findings highlight the potential of these nanoparticles for further evaluation in diverse cancer models.

Poly (Betulinic Acid) Nanoparticles Loaded with bFGF Improve Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury

Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the crucial molecular events of secondary spinal cord injury (SCI). Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a multipotent cell growth factor with an anti-oxidant effect. However, bFGF has a short half-life in vivo, which limits its therapeutic application. Biodegradable polymers with excellent biocompatibility have been recently applied in SCI. The negative aspect is that polymers cannot provide a significant therapeutic effect. Betulinic acid (BA), a natural anti-inflammatory compound, has been polymerized into poly (betulinic acid) (PBA) to serve as a drug carrier for bFGF. This study explores the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of PBA nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with bFGF (PBA-bFGF NPs) in SCI. Results show that PBA-bFGF NPs produce remarkable biocompatibility in vivo and in vitro. The results also demonstrate that local delivery of PBA-bFGF NPs enhances motor function recovery, inhibits OS, mitigates neuroinflammation, and alleviates neuronal apoptosis following SCI. Furthermore, the results indicate that local delivery of PBA-bFGF NPs activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) signaling pathway following SCI. In summary, results suggest that local delivery of PBA-bFGF NPs delivers potential therapeutic advantages in the treatment and management of SCI.

Spinal microglial M1 polarization contributes paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain by triggering cells necroptosis

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used for the treatment of several types of tumors. However, PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is an adverse effect generally induced by long-term PTX use that significantly impairs the quality of life. Necroptosis has been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. Necroptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons triggers the pathogenesis of PIPN. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the role of spinal neuronal necroptosis in PIPN. It also explores the potential role of microglial polarization in necroptosis. We established rat models of PIPN via quartic PTX administration on alternate days (accumulated dose: 8 mg/kg). PTX induced obvious neuronal necroptosis and upregulated the expression of receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIP3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) in the spinal dorsal horn. These effects were inhibited with a necroptosis pathway inhibitor, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1). The effect of microglial polarization on the regulation of spinal necroptosis was elucidated by administering minocycline to inhibit PTX-induced M1 polarization of spinal microglia caused by PTX. We observed a significant inhibitory effect of minocycline on PTX-induced necroptosis in spinal cord cells, based on the downregulation of RIP3 and MLKL expression, and suppression of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-β synthesis. Additionally, minocycline improved hyperalgesia symptoms in PIPN rats. Overall, this study suggests that PTX-induced polarization of spinal microglia leads to RIP3/MLKL-regulated necroptosis, resulting in PIPN. These findings suggest a potential target for the prevention and treatment of neuropathic pain.

New concepts drive the development of delivery tools for sustainable treatment of diabetic complications

Diabetic complications, especially diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and painful diabetic neuropathy, account for a large portion of patients with diabetes and display rising global prevalence. They are the leading causes of blindness, kidney failure and hypersensitivity to pain caused by diabetes. Current approved therapeutics against the diabetic complications are few and exhibit limited efficacy. The enhanced cell-specificity, stability, biocompatibility, and loading capacity of drugs are essential for the mitigation of diabetic complications. In the article, we have critically discussed the recent studies over the past two years in material sciences and biochemistry. The insightful concepts in these studies drive the development of novel nanoparticles and mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles to meet the need for treatment of diabetic complications. Their underlying biochemical principles, advantages and limitations have been in-depth analyzed. The nanoparticles discussed in the article include double-headed nanodelivery system, nanozyme, ESC-HCM-B system, soft polymer nanostars, tetrahedral DNA nanostructures and hydrogels. They ameliorate the diabetic complication through attenuation of inflammation, apoptosis and restoration of metabolic homeostasis. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles efficiently deliver therapeutic proteins to the retinal cells to suppress the angiogenesis, inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress to reverse diabetic retinopathy. Collectively, we provide a critical discussion on the concept, mechanism and therapeutic applicability of new delivery tools to treat these three devastating diabetic complications.

Improving anti-tumor efficacy of low-dose Vincristine in rhabdomyosarcoma via the combination therapy with FOXM1 inhibitor RCM1

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma that often develops resistance to current therapies, including vincristine. Since the existing treatments have not significantly improved survival, there is a critical need for new therapeutic approaches for RMS patients. FOXM1, a known oncogene, is highly expressed in RMS, and is associated with the worst prognosis in RMS patients. In the present study, we found that the combination treatment with specific FOXM1 inhibitor RCM1 and low doses of vincristine is more effective in increasing apoptosis and decreasing RMS cell proliferation in vitro compared to single drugs alone. Since RCM1 is highly hydrophobic, we developed innovative nanoparticle delivery system containing poly-beta-amino-esters and folic acid (NP^FA), which efficiently delivers RCM1 to mouse RMS tumors in vivo. The combination of low doses of vincristine together with intravenous administration of NP^FA nanoparticles containing RCM1 effectively reduced RMS tumor volumes, increased tumor cell death and decreased tumor cell proliferation in RMS tumors compared to RCM1 or vincristine alone. The combination therapy was non-toxic as demonstrated by liver metabolic panels using peripheral blood serum. Using RNA-seq of dissected RMS tumors, we identified Chac1 as a uniquely downregulated gene after the combination treatment. Knockdown of Chac1 in RMS cells in vitro recapitulated the effects of the combination therapy. Altogether, combination treatment with low doses of vincristine and nanoparticle delivery of FOXM1 inhibitor RCM1 in a pre-clinical model of RMS has superior anti-tumor effects and decreases CHAC1 while reducing vincristine toxicity.

RIP3/MLKL pathway-regulated necroptosis: A new mechanism of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy

Paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy treatment often leads to neuropathic pain, which is resistant to available analgesic treatments. Death of cells and neuroinflammatory response are associated with PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). Necroptosis is a form of regulated necrotic cell death that accompanies strong inflammatory response. It is mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), which contribute to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, the role of necroptosis in PIPN remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in PIPN using its antagonists (necrostatin-1 and Nec-1). The quartic PTX administration (accumulated dose: 8 mg/kg, ip) in rats induced robust hyperalgesia and allodynia with significant cell necrosis and an increase in proinflammatory cytokines in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). PTX application also increased RIP3 and MLKL protein levels in DRG, which were primarily in neurons. Moreover, it also promoted satellite glial cells (SGCs) activation, as assayed by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) upregulation. All these PTX-induced changes were prevented by the Nec-1 treatment. When taken together, the present study indicated that RIP3/MLKL pathway-regulated neuronal necroptosis, which promoted an inflammatory cascade reaction in DRG, might be a new mechanism of PIPN.

Self-assembled and pH-responsive polymeric nanomicelles impart effective delivery of paclitaxel to cancer cells

Chemotherapy is an essential component of breast cancer therapy, but it is associated with serious side effects. Herein, a pluronic F68-based pH-responsive, and self-assembled nanomicelle system was designed to improve the delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) to breast cancer cells. Two pH-responsive pluronic F68-PTX conjugates i.e. succinoyl-linked conjugate (F68-SA-PTX) and cis-aconityl-linked conjugate (F68-CAA-PTX) were designed to respond the varying pH-environment in tumour tissue. Although both the linkers showed pH-sensitivity, the F68-CAA-PTX exhibited superior pH-sensitivity over the F68-SA-PTX and achieved a more selective release of PTX from the self-assembled nanomicelles. The prepared nanomicelles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmittance electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The anticancer activity of prepared nanomicelles and pure PTX were evaluated by 2D cytotoxicity assay against breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and in the real tumour environments i.e. 3D tumor spheroids of MDA-MB-231 cells. The highest cytotoxicity effect of PTX was observed with F68-CAA-PTX nanomicelles followed by F68-SA-PTX and free PTX. Further, the F68-CAA-PTX nanomicelles also induced significant apoptosis with a combination of increase in ROS generation, decrease in the depolarisation of MMP and G2/M cell cycle arrest. These observed results provide a new insight for breast cancer treatment using pluronic nanomicelles.

Scope and Applications of Nanomedicines for the Management of Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain, resulting from the dysfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system, occurs in a variety of pathological conditions including trauma, diabetes, cancer, HIV, surgery, multiple sclerosis, ischemic attack, alcoholism, spinal cord damage, and many others. Despite the availability of various treatment strategies, the percentage of patients achieving adequate pain relief remains low. The clinical failure of most effective drugs is often not due to a lack of drug efficacy but due to the dose-limiting central nervous system (CNS) toxicity of the drugs that preclude dose escalation. There is a need for cross-disciplinary collaborations to meet these challenges. In this regard, the integration of nanotechnology with neuroscience is one of the most important fields. In recent years, promising preclinical research has been reported in this field. This review highlights the current challenges associated with conventional neuropathic pain treatments, the scope for nanomaterials in delivering drugs across the blood-brain barrier, and the state and prospects of nanomaterials for the management of neuropathic pain.