Preparation and characterization of PLGA-PEG-PLGA polymeric nanoparticles for co-delivery of 5-Fluorouracil and Chrysin

Management succinate release through SDHA by G protein-coupled receptor 91 signal, TRAP1, and SIRT3 regulation in lung cancer cells by NAR nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

Cancer cells display oxidative metabolic dysregulation to fulfill their bioenergy requirements. Specifically, efforts were made to regulate the metabolite succinate and its negative effects as an inducer for neoplasm invasion and metastasis.

METHODS

Binding affinity of naringenin (NAR) to mitochondria complex II (CΙΙ) subunits, sirtuin3 (SIRT3), tumor necrosis factor associate protein 1(TRAP1), and succinate receptor (SUCNR1) was studied by molecular docking. NAR nanoparticles (NARNPs) were synthesized and characterized by IR, X-ray, UV, drug release, zeta potential, TEM, and SEM. The IC50 was evaluated in normal mice, normal fibroblast, and A549 cells by using the MTT technique. Moreover, the impact of NAR and NARNPs against 5-FLU on CΙΙ activity, SOD activity, and mitochondrial swelling was assessed. Apoptosis was also assessed using the flow cytometry method. While the expression of relevant genes such as SDHC, D, SIRT-3, TRAP1, SUCNR1, and ERK1/2 genes was determined by using RT-qPCR analysis. Western blot evaluated PI3K, NF-κB against β-actin.

RESULTS

Theoretically, the binding affinity between NAR & SDHC, D, SIRT-3, TRAP1, and SUCNR1 proteins was stronger. Cytotoxic effects of NAR and NARNPs were evaluated. Also, the activity of SDH C, and D was inhibited more than SDH A, and B activity in the A549 than normal cell lines (NARNPs < NAR < 5-FLU), This was accompanied by downregulation of SDH C, D, TRAP1, SUCNR1, and ERK1/2 genes expression, and upregulation of SIRT-3 gene expression. Additionally, NF-κB and PI3K protein expression declined. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in apoptotic effects with mitochondria enlargement (NARNPs > NAR > 5-FLU) in A549 compared with normal cells.

IN CONCLUSION

Controlling succinate by SDH parallel with SUCNR1 signal regulation by NARNPs will be a novel understanding mechanism and candidate for therapeutic target in lung cancer.

Transforming cancer treatment: The potential of nanonutraceuticals

Chemotherapy in the management of cancer is constrained by limitations like off-target effects, poor bioavailability, and dose-dependent toxicity. Nutraceuticals have been explored as an innovative strategy to overcome chemotherapy drawbacks.However, the clinical utility of nutraceuticals is restricted due to their complex structures, less water solubility, reduced stability, decreased bioavailability and more obstacles in the gastrointestinal tract. Nanonutraceuticals are nanosized nutraceutical particles having enhanced solubility, improved bioavailability, stability, and targeted delivery to specific cells. Nutraceuticals can be co-delivered with other chemotherapeutic drugs in nanocarriers to elicit synergistic effects. The targeting of nutraceuticals against cancer cells can be enabled by coupling ligands with the nanocarriers, which direct to the overexpressed receptors found at the surface of the cancer cells. Transitioning a nanonutraceutical from pre-clinical research to clinical trials is a pivotal step. This focus on advancing their application holds great potential for impacting clinical research and improving the treatment landscape for cancer patients. This review focuses on the role of nutraceuticals for cancer treatment, various nanocarriers for the efficient delivery of nutraceuticals along with co-administration of nutraceuticals with chemotherapeutic drugs using nanocarriers. Also, emphasize the targeting of ligands coupled nanocarriers to the cancer cells along with patents and clinical trials for nanonutraceuticals.

Development of dual-crosslinked Pluronic F127/Chitosan injectable hydrogels incorporating graphene nanosystems for breast cancer photothermal therapy and antibacterial applications

Nanomaterials with responsiveness to near-infrared light can mediate the photoablation of cancer cells with an exceptional spatio-temporal resolution. However, the therapeutic outcome of this modality is limited by the nanostructures' poor tumor uptake. To address this bottleneck, it is appealing to develop injectable in situ forming hydrogels due to their capacity to perform a tumor-confined delivery of the nanomaterials with minimal off-target leakage. In particular, injectable in situ forming hydrogels based on Pluronic F127 have been emerging due to their FDA-approval status, biocompatibility, and thermosensitive sol-gel transition. Nevertheless, the application of Pluronic F127 hydrogels has been limited due to their fast dissociation in aqueous media. Such limitation may be addressed by combining the thermoresponsive sol-gel transition of Pluronic F127 with other polymers with crosslinking capabilities. In this work, a novel dual-crosslinked injectable in situ forming hydrogel based on Pluronic F127 (thermosensitive gelation) and Chitosan (ionotropic gelation in the presence of NaHCO3), loaded with Dopamine-reduced graphene oxide (DOPA-rGO; photothermal nanoagent), was developed for application in breast cancer photothermal therapy. The dual-crosslinked hydrogel incorporating DOPA-rGO showed a good injectability (through 21 G needles), in situ gelation capacity and cytocompatibility (viability > 73 %). As importantly, the dual-crosslinking improved the hydrogel's porosity and prevented its premature degradation. After irradiation with near-infrared light, the dual-crosslinked hydrogel incorporating DOPA-rGO produced a photothermal heating (ΔT ≈ 22 °C) that reduced the breast cancer cells' viability to just 32 %. In addition, this formulation also demonstrated a good antibacterial activity by reducing the viability of S. aureus and E. coli to 24 and 33 %, respectively. Overall, the dual-crosslinked hydrogel incorporating DOPA-rGO is a promising macroscale technology for breast cancer photothermal therapy and antimicrobial applications.

Advances in nanocarrier-mediated delivery of chrysin: Enhancing solubility, bioavailability, and anticancer efficacy

Chrysin, a natural phytochemical compound found in various plant sources, possesses diverse pharmacological benefits, including anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, immunoregulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its well-documented biological activities, chrysin's low water solubility and bioavailability hinder its clinical development. This review explores the application of nanocarriers as a strategic approach to overcome these challenges and enhance the delivery of chrysin. Nanocarriers, including polymer-based nanoparticles (NPs), lipid-based NPs, and inorganic nanocarriers, have shown promise in improving the solubility, bioavailability, and tumor-targeted delivery of chrysin. The paper discusses chrysin's anticancer effects on different types of human cancers, elucidating its impact on crucial signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis. The review categorizes and analyzes various nanocarriers, providing insights into their structural properties and drug release profiles. Among the nanocarriers, polymer-based NPs, especially those utilizing PLGA, emerge as promising strategies for chrysin encapsulation, demonstrating improvements in drug release, stability, and bioavailability. Lipid-based NPs and inorganic nanocarriers also exhibit potential in enhancing chrysin delivery. The comprehensive insights provided contribute to a deeper understanding of chrysin's pharmacological properties and its potential clinical applications, offering valuable perspectives for future research and translation into clinical settings. The review underscores the importance of selecting suitable structures for chrysin encapsulation to enhance its physicochemical properties and anticancer effects, paving the way for innovative nanomedicine approaches in cancer therapy.

Advancements and recent explorations of anti-cancer activity of chrysin: from molecular targets to therapeutic perspective

In recent times, there have been notable advancements in comprehending the potential anti-cancer effects of chrysin (CH), a naturally occurring flavonoid compound found abundantly in various plant sources like honey, propolis, and certain fruits and vegetables. This active compound has garnered significant attention due to its promising therapeutic qualities and minimal toxicity. CH's ability to combat cancer arises from its multifaceted mechanisms of action, including the initiation of apoptosis and the inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell cycle progression. CH also displays potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively counteracting the harmful molecules that contribute to DNA damage and the development of cancer. Furthermore, CH has exhibited the potential to sensitize cancer cells to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, amplifying the effectiveness of these treatments while reducing their negative impact on healthy cells. Hence, in this current review, the composition, chemistry, mechanisms of action, safety concerns of CH, along with the feasibility of its nanoformulations. To conclude, the recent investigations into CH's anti-cancer effects present a compelling glimpse into the potential of this natural compound as a complementary therapeutic element in the array of anti-cancer approaches, providing a safer and more comprehensive method of combating this devastating ailment.

Innovative Encapsulation Strategies for Food, Industrial, and Pharmaceutical Applications

Bioactive metabolites obtained from fruits and vegetables as well as many drugs have various capacities to prevent or treat various ailments. Nevertheless, their efficiency, in vivo, encounter many challenges resulting in lower efficacy as well as different side effects when high doses are used resulting in many challenges for their application. Indeed, demand for effective treatments with no or less unfavorable side effects is rising. Delivering active molecules to a particular site of action within the human body is an example of targeted therapy which remains a challenging field. Developments of nanotechnology and polymer science have great promise for meeting the growing demands of efficient options. Encapsulation of active ingredients in nano-delivery systems has become as a vitally tool for protecting the integrity of critical biochemicals, improving their delivery, enabling their controlled release and maintaining their biological features. Here, we examine a wide range of nano-delivery techniques, such as niosomes, polymeric/solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nano-emulsions. The advantages of encapsulation in targeted, synergistic, and supportive therapies are emphasized, along with current progress in its application. Additionally, a revised collection of studies was given, focusing on improving the effectiveness of anticancer medications and addressing the problem of antimicrobial resistance. To sum up, this paper conducted a thorough analysis to determine the efficacy of encapsulation technology in the field of drug discovery and development.

A green approach for preparation of chitosan/hydroxyapatite/graphitic carbon nitride hydrogel nanocomposite for improved 5-FU delivery

Reducing the side effects of cancer treatment methods is an important issue. The loading efficiency and sustained release of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) have been significantly improved by creating a new method. A nanocarrier with pH sensitivity has been developed through the w/o/w emulsification method. It is loaded with 5-FU and comprises of chitosan (CS), hydroxyapatite (HAp), and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). g-C3N4 nanosheets were incorporated in CS/HAp hydrogel to improve the entrapment and loading efficiency. Drug loading efficiency and entrapment efficiency reached 48 % and 87 %, respectively, and the FTIR and XRD tests verified evidence of the formation of chemical bonds among the drug and nanocarrier. Structural analysis was done using FE-SEM. DLS and zeta potential were employed to obtain average size distribution and surface charge. The release profile of 5-FU in various conditions shows the nanoparticles' pH dependence, and the nanocomposite's controlled release is consistent with the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. Cell apoptosis and cytotoxicity were evaluated in vitro using flow cytometry and MTT analysis. The biocompatibility of CS/HAp/g-C3N4 against MCF-7 cells was shown by the MTT method and confirmed by flow cytometry. CS/HAp/g-C3N4@5-FU led to the highest apoptosis rate in MCF-7 cells, indicating the nanocarrier's efficiency in killing cancer cells. These data indicate that the designed CS/HAp/g-C3N4@5-FU can be a potential drug for treating cancer cells.

Potential of Nanomedicines as an Alternative for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer - A Review

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second in cases of cancer-related death. Polytherapy generates many adverse effects, leading the patient to give up. Nanotechnology has been studied in recent years to circumvent limitations. Groups composed of polymeric, lipid, and inorganic nanoparticles are the most purpose. Thus, the objective of this work is to bring information on how nanosystems can improve the chemotherapeutic treatment for colorectal cancer. Therefore, a search in journals such as "LILACS", "SciELO" and "PubMed/Medline" was performed, resulting in 25,000 articles found when applied the search engines "nanoparticle," "colorectal cancer," "malignant neoplasms," and "chemotherapy." After inclusion and exclusion factors, 24 articles remained, which were used as the basis for this integrative review. The results reveal that, regardless of the choice of matrix, nanoparticles showed an increase in bioavailability of the active, increasing the half-life by up to 13 times, modified release, as well as a significant reduction in tumor size, with cell viability up to 20% lower than the free drug tested, in different colorectal cancer cell lines, such as HCT-116, HT-29, and CaCo-2. However, more in vivo and clinical studies need to be performed, regardless of the formulation of its matrix, aiming at a higher rate of safety for patients and stability of the formulations, as well as knowledge of detailed indices of its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, seeking to avoid further damage to the recipient organism.

Characterization of Dye-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography Combining Hydrodynamic and Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography

Analytical methods for the assessment of drug-delivery systems (DDSs) are commonly suitable for characterizing individual DDS properties, but do not allow determination of several properties simultaneously. A comprehensive online two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC × LC) system was developed that is aimed to be capable of characterizing both nanoparticle size and encapsulated cargo over the particle size distribution of a DDS by using one integrated method. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with encapsulated hydrophobic dyes were used as model DDSs. Hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) was used in the first dimension to separate the intact NPs and to determine the particle size distribution. Fractions from the first dimension were taken comprehensively and disassembled online by the addition of an organic solvent, thereby releasing the encapsulated cargo. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) was used as a second dimension to separate the released dyes. Conditions were optimized to ensure the complete disassembly of the NPs and the dissolution of the dyes during the solvent modulation step. Subsequently, stationary-phase-assisted modulation (SPAM) was applied for trapping and preconcentration of the analytes, thereby minimizing the risk of analyte precipitation or breakthrough. The developed HDC × RPLC method allows for the characterization of encapsulated cargo as a function of intact nanoparticle size and shows potential for the analysis of API stability.

In vitro co-delivery of 5-fluorouracil and all-trans retinoic acid by PEGylated liposomes for colorectal cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

Single-target inhibitors have not been successful in cancer treatment due to the development of drug resistance. Nevertheless, therapeutic agents capable of simultaneously inhibiting multiple targets have revealed encouraging results in inducing apoptosis and overcoming drug resistance in cancerous cells. Here, we designed a composite liposomal nano-carrier co-loading 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to assess anticancer efficacy of the combined drugs in colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

A PEGylated liposomal nano-carrier with phospholipid/cholesterol/DSPE-PEG (2000) was synthesized by the thin film hydration technique for co-delivery of ATRA and 5-FU. After characterizing, the role of 5-FU and ATRA co-loaded liposomal nano-carrier in proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) were investigated by using colony forming and MTT assay, RT-qPCR and Annexin V/PI kit.

RESULTS

The average size of liposomes (LPs) was < 150 nm with uniform size distribution. Drug release analyses indicated that both ATRA and 5-FU could simultaneously release from LPs in a sustained release manner. The synergistic inhibitory effects of ATRA and 5-FU loaded in LPs were verified with a combination index of 0.43. Dual drug LPs showed the highest cytotoxicity, enhanced inhibition of cell proliferation, increased apoptotic potential, decreased CSCs, and attenuated EMT-associated biomarkers. Also, dual drug LPs decreased β-catenin gene expression more than other liposomal formulations.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that using LPs to achieve a synergistic effect of ATRA and 5-FU is an effectual approach to increase the therapeutic effect of 5-FU toward CRC cells.

Development and Validation of Novel RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Estimation of Capecitabine and Thymoquinone in the Biodegradable Nanoparticles using Full Factorial Design

An innovative RP-HPLC technique was devised to simultaneously quantify thymoquinone (TQ) and capecitabine (CAP) in newly designed polymeric nanoparticles. A unique chromatographic approach was created, optimized and validated using Design-Expert® (design of experiment) in compliance with ICH requirements. A 24 factorial design examined the influence of variables on method responses. The method found linear between 0.25 and 16 μg/mL, with an R2 value of 0.999. The detection and quantification limits for CAP were 0.05 and 0.16 μg/mL, respectively, and 0.12 and 0.38 μg/mL for TQ, respectively, and 97-100% recovery in plain drug solution and 100-102% in nanoformulation were achieved. A purposeful modification examined by analysis of variance revealed that the experimental model was significant (P = 0.0001). The total drug content in nanoformulation was 8.68 mg, and the entrapment efficiency was 84.79%. Based on the findings, it is possible to infer that the use of the Quality by Design methodology resulted in the development of a more accurate technique capable of producing consistent, dependable, high-quality data and precise in quantifying CAP and TQ in bulk and nanoparticulate systems.

Chrysin and chrysin-loaded nanocarriers induced immunogenic cell death on B16 melanoma cells

Induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Chrysin, which has potential anticancer effects, faces limitations in clinical applications due to its poor water solubility. This study aimed to formulate chrysin with PEG-poly(α-benzylcarboxylate-ε-caprolactone) (PBCL) nanoparticles (NPs) and assess their anticancer and ICD-inducing potency in melanoma cells, comparing with free chrysin. The co-solvent evaporation method was employed to develop chrysin-loaded NPs. UV spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and the dialysis bag method were used to evaluate the encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and drug release profile, respectively. The anticancer effects of the drugs were assessed using the MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate apoptosis and calreticulin (CRT) expression. ELISA and western blotting were used to detect heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), Annexin A1, GRP78 (Glucose-related protein78), and activated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK). Chrysin-loaded PEG-PBCL NPs (chrysin-PEG-PBCL) showed an EE of 97 ± 1%. Chrysin-PEG-PBCL was 38.18 ± 3.96 nm in size, with a PDI being 0.62 ± 0.23. Chrysin-PEG-PBCL showed an initial burst release, followed by sustained release over 24 h. Chrysin-PEG-PBCL exhibited a significantly stronger anticancer effect in B16 cells. Chrysin-PEG-PBCL was found to be more potent in inducing apoptosis. Both free chrysin and chrysin NPs induced ICD as indicated by an increase in the levels of ICD biomarkers. Interestingly, chrysin NPs were found to be more potent inducers of ICD than the free drug. These findings demonstrate that chrysin and chrysin-PEG-PBCL NPs can induce ICD in B16 cells. PEG-PBCL NPs significantly enhanced the potency of chrysin in inducing ICD compared to its free form.

Synergistic effect of chrysin and radiotherapy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines

PURPOSE

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, accounting for 20% of cases. Due to the lack of a molecular target, limited options are available for TNBC treatment. Radiation therapy (RT) is a treatment modality for the management of TNBC following surgery; however, it has a detrimental effect on surrounding healthy tissues/cells at a higher rate.

METHODS

We examined the effect of RT in combination with chrysin as a possible radiosensitizing agent in an MDA-MB-231 cell line as a model of a TNBC. The growth inhibitory effects of chrysin were examined using an MTT assay. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate apoptosis and expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α). The protein expression of p-STAT3/STAT3 and Cyclin D1 was examined using western blotting. Real-time PCR determined apoptotic-related genes (Bax, BCL2, p53).

RESULTS

Treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with chrysin in combination with RT caused synergistic antitumor effects, with an optimum combination index (CI) of 0.495. Our results indicated that chrysin synergistically potentiated RT-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 compared with monotherapies (chrysin and/or RT alone). Expression of HIF-1α was decreased in the cells exposed to combinational therapy. The apoptotic effect of combinational therapy was correlated with increased Bax (pro-apoptotic gene) and p53 levels along with reduced expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic gene). Increased apoptosis was associated with reduced expression of Cyclin D1, p-STAT3.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential effect of chrysin as a radiosensitizer, indicating the synergistic anti-cancer effect of chrysin and RT in TNBC. Further investigation is warranted in this regard.

Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG)-Based Hydrogels for Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review

Hydrogel-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) can leverage therapeutically beneficial outcomes in cancer therapy. In this domain, polyethylene glycol (PEG) has become increasingly popular as a biomedical polymer and has found clinical use. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility, facile modifiability, and high drug encapsulation rate, PEG hydrogels have shown great promise as drug delivery platforms. Here, the progress in emerging novel designs of PEG-hydrogels as DDSs for anti-cancer therapy is reviewed and discussed, focusing on underpinning multiscale release mechanisms categorized under stimuli-responsive and non-responsive drug release. The responsive drug delivery approaches are discussed, and the underpinning release mechanisms are elucidated, covering the systems functioning based on either exogenous stimuli-response, such as photo- and magnetic-sensitive PEG hydrogels, or endogenous stimuli-response, such as enzyme-, pH-, reduction-, and temperature-sensitive PEG hydrogels. Special attention is paid to the commercial potential of PEG-based hydrogels in cancer therapy, highlighting the limitations that need to be addressed in future research for their clinical translation.

A short appraisal of polylactic-co-glycolic acid based polymer nanotechnology for colon cancer: recent advances and literature evidences

The currently available formulations provided non-targeted treatment of colon cancer, the deadliest cancer variant. Due to biopharmaceutical hindrances, the majority of the drugs are unable to reach the target site. Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) is one of the versatile polymers in cancer treatment, diagnostics and theranostics. The unique mechanism of surface modifications in PLGA properties in colon cancer has been a keen interest to be used in different nanoparticles for improving biopharmaceutical attributes. The ongoing use of these smart nano-carriers has allowed targeted delivery of several active components on a wide scale. The main goal of this review is to compile information on PLGA-based nanocarriers which possess several desirable properties for drug delivery applications, including biocompatibility, biodegradability and tunable drug-release kinetics.

Weibull β value for the discernment of drug release mechanism of PLGA particles

Mathematical models are used to characterize and optimize drug release in drug delivery systems (DDS). One of the most widely used DDS is the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based polymeric matrix owing to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and easy manipulation of its properties through the manipulation of synthesis processes. Over the years, the Korsmeyer-Peppas model has been the most widely used model for characterizing the release profiles of PLGA DDS. However, owing to the limitations of the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, the Weibull model has emerged as an alternative for the characterization of the release profiles of PLGA polymeric matrices. The purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between the n and β parameters of the Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull models and to use the Weibull model to discern the drug release mechanism. A total of 451 datasets describing the overtime drug release of PLGA-based formulations from 173 scientific articles were fitted to both models. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model had a mean Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) value of 54.52 and an n value of 0.42, while the Weibull model had a mean AIC of 51.99 and a β value of 0.55, and by using reduced major axis regression values, a high correlation was found between the n and β values. These results demonstrate the ability of the Weibull model to characterize the release profiles of PLGA-based matrices and the usefulness of the β parameter for determining the drug release mechanism.

Recent Advances In the development of enzymatic paper-based microfluidic biosensors

Using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices has attracted considerable attention in recent years. This is mainly due to their low cost, availability, portability, simple design, high selectivity, and sensitivity. Owing to their specific substrates and catalytic functions, enzymes are the most commonly used bioactive agents in μPADs. Enzymatic μPADs are various in design, fabrication, and detection methods. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the development of enzymatic μPADs by considering the methods of detection and fabrication. Particularly, techniques for mass production of these enzymatic μPADs for use in different fields such as medicine, environment, agriculture, and food industries are critically discussed. This paper aims to provide a critical review of μPADs and discuss different fabrication methods as the central parts of the μPADs production categorized into printable and non-printable methods. In addition, state-of-the-art technologies such as fully printed enzymatic μPADs for rapid, low-cost, and mass production and improvement have been considered.

Codelivery of Phytochemicals with Conventional Anticancer Drugs in Form of Nanocarriers

Anticancer drugs in monotherapy are ineffective to treat various kinds of cancer due to the heterogeneous nature of cancer. Moreover, available anticancer drugs possessed various hurdles, such as drug resistance, insensitivity of cancer cells to drugs, adverse effects and patient inconveniences. Hence, plant-based phytochemicals could be a better substitute for conventional chemotherapy for treatment of cancer due to various properties: lesser adverse effects, action via multiple pathways, economical, etc. Various preclinical studies have demonstrated that a combination of phytochemicals with conventional anticancer drugs is more efficacious than phytochemicals individually to treat cancer because plant-derived compounds have lower anticancer efficacy than conventional anticancer drugs. Moreover, phytochemicals suffer from poor aqueous solubility and reduced bioavailability, which must be resolved for efficacious treatment of cancer. Therefore, nanotechnology-based novel carriers are employed for codelivery of phytochemicals and conventional anticancer drugs for better treatment of cancer. These novel carriers include nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes that provide various benefits of improved solubility, reduced adverse effects, higher efficacy, reduced dose, improved dosing frequency, reduced drug resistance, improved bioavailability and higher patient compliance. This review summarizes various phytochemicals employed in treatment of cancer, combination therapy of phytochemicals with anticancer drugs and various nanotechnology-based carriers to deliver the combination therapy in treatment of cancer.

Evaluation of the effect of guanabenz-loaded nanoparticles on chronic toxoplasmosis in mice

Chronic toxoplasmosis which is positively correlated with many neuropsychiatric problems has no curative treatment till now; due to the resistant tissue cysts especially in the brain. In search of an effective treatment, guanabenz-loaded polyethylene glycol poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles was evaluated against chronic experimental toxoplasmosis. For this purpose, each mouse was infected with 10 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii (ME 49 strain). Treated mice received either guanabenz alone (5 mg/kg/day) in subgroup IIa or guanabenz-loaded nanoparticles by full dose in subgroup IIb or guanabenz-loaded nanoparticles by the half dose (2.5 mg/kg/day) in subgroup IIc. Subgroup Ie was treated by pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. The treatment started on day 25 post-infection for 19 successive days. Then Parasitological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, immunological and ultrastructural morphological studies were performed. The results showed that: subgroup IIb showed the highest statistically significant reduction in the neuroinflammation and brain tissue cysts (77%) with a significant higher efficacy in comparison with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine and showed the highest level of IFN-γ, while the lowest level was in subgroup IIa. All group II mice showed similar changes of depression and compression of the wall of the cyst. This is marked in subgroup IIb with release of crescent shaped bradyzoite outside the cyst. PEG-PLGA nanoparticles had no toxic effect on the liver or the kidney of the mice. It could be concluded that guanabenz-loaded PEG-PLGA nanoparticles could be promising and safe for treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis.

Polymeric Systems for the Controlled Release of Flavonoids

Flavonoids are natural compounds that are attracting great interest in the biomedical field thanks to the wide spectrum of their biological properties. Their employment as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic drugs, as well as for many other pharmacological applications, is extensively investigated. One of the most successful ways to increase their therapeutic efficacy is to encapsulate them into a polymeric matrix in order to control their concentration in the physiological fluids for a prolonged time. The aim of this article is to provide an updated overview of scientific literature on the polymeric systems developed so far for the controlled release of flavonoids. The different classes of flavonoids are described together with the polymers most commonly employed for drug delivery applications. Representative drug delivery systems are discussed, highlighting the most common techniques for their preparation. The flavonoids investigated for polymer system encapsulation are then presented with their main source of extraction and biological properties. Relevant literature on their employment in this context is reviewed in relationship to the targeted pharmacological and biomedical applications.

Silibinin induces immunogenic cell death in cancer cells and enhances the induced immunogenicity by chemotherapy

Introduction: Silibinin is a natural flavonoid compound known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Despite silibinin's safety and efficacy as an anticancer drug, its effects on inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) are largely unknown. Herein, we have evaluated the stimulating effects of silibinin on ICD in cancer cells treated with silibinin alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Methods: The anticancer effect of silibinin, alone or in combination with doxorubicin or oxaliplatin (OXP), was assessed using the MTT assay. Compusyn software was used to analyze the combination therapy data. Western blotting was conducted to examine the level of STAT3 activity. Flow cytometry was used to analyze calreticulin (CRT) and apoptosis. The heat shock protein (HSP70), high mobility group box protein1 (HMGB1), and IL-12 levels were assessed by ELISA. Results: Compared to the negative control groups, silibinin induced ICD in CT26 and B16F10 cells and significantly enhanced the induction of this type of cell death by doxorubicin, and these changes were allied with substantial increases in the level of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) including CRT, HSP70, and HMGB1. Furthermore, conditioned media from cancer cells exposed to silibinin and doxorubicin was found to stimulate IL-12 secretion in dendritic cells (DCs), suggesting the link of this treatment with the induction of Th1 response. Silibinin did not augment the ICD response induced by OXP. Conclusion: Our findings showed that silibinin can induce ICD and it potentiates the induction of this type of cell death induced by chemotherapy in cancer cells.

PLGA-Based Nanomedicine: History of Advancement and Development in Clinical Applications of Multiple Diseases

Research on the use of biodegradable polymers for drug delivery has been ongoing since they were first used as bioresorbable surgical devices in the 1980s. For tissue engineering and drug delivery, biodegradable polymer poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has shown enormous promise among all biomaterials. PLGA are a family of FDA-approved biodegradable polymers that are physically strong and highly biocompatible and have been extensively studied as delivery vehicles of drugs, proteins, and macromolecules such as DNA and RNA. PLGA has a wide range of erosion times and mechanical properties that can be modified. Many innovative platforms have been widely studied and created for the development of methods for the controlled delivery of PLGA. In this paper, the various manufacturing processes and characteristics that impact their breakdown and drug release are explored in depth. Besides different PLGA-based nanoparticles, preclinical and clinical applications for different diseases and the PLGA platform types and their scale-up issues will be discussed.

Nano-drug co-delivery system of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment: a review

Chemotherapy drugs have been used for a long time in the treatment of cancer, but serious side effects are caused by the inability of the drug to be solely delivered to the tumor when treating cancer with chemotherapy. Natural products have attracted more and more attention due to the antitumor effect in multiple ways, abundant resources and less side effects. Therefore, the combination of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs may be an effective antitumor strategy, which can inhibit the growth of tumor and multidrug resistance, reduce side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Nano-drug co-delivery system (NDCDS) can play an important role in the combination of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the research status and application prospect of nano-delivery strategies for the combination of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs, aiming to provide a basis for the development of anti-tumor drugs.

Polymeric Nanoparticles—Tools in a Drug Delivery System in Selected Cancer Therapies

The increase in cancer cases is undoubtedly affecting the development of new therapeutic approaches. Polymeric nanoparticles are of great interest. Due to their relatively small size, the possibility of incorporating into them medicinal substances and the ease with which their physicochemical properties may be manipulated, they are being used as anticancer drug delivery systems. The aim of this review is to focus on the use of nanoscale polymeric particles in the treatment of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and glioblastoma multiforme, and to consider their potential use in cancer gene therapy. According to several reports, the use of polymer nanoparticles as drug carriers is promising in solid tumors. With their application, it is possible to precisely deliver medicinal substances to the tumor structure, to overcome the blood–brain barrier in the case of brain tumors, to reduce the side effects of anticancer agents on normal cells and to achieve a therapeutic effect with a lower drug dose. Additionally, a number of reports indicate that they can also be used in combination with other methods of cancer treatment, mainly radiotherapy.

Drug-loaded PEG-PLGA nanoparticles for cancer treatment

Nanoparticles based on single-component synthetic polymers, such as poly (lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), have been extensively studied for antitumor drug delivery and adjuvant therapy due to their ability to encapsulate and release drugs, as well as passively target tumors. Amphiphilic block co-polymers, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PLGA, have also been used to prepare multifunctional nanodrug delivery systems with prolonged circulation time and greater bioavailability that can encapsulate a wider variety of drugs, including small molecules, gene-targeting drugs, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and multi-target enzyme inhibitors, enhancing their antitumor effect and safety. In addition, the surface of PEG-PLGA nanoparticles has been modified with various ligands to achieve active targeting and selective accumulation of antitumor drugs in tumor cells. Modification with two ligands has also been applied with good antitumor effects, while the use of imaging agents and pH-responsive or magnetic materials has paved the way for the application of such nanoparticles in clinical diagnosis. In this work, we provide an overview of the synthesis and application of PEG-PLGA nanoparticles in cancer treatment and we discuss the recent advances in ligand modification for active tumor targeting.

Intracranial In Situ Thermosensitive Hydrogel Delivery of Temozolomide Accomplished by PLGA–PEG–PLGA Triblock Copolymer Blending for GBM Treatment

Glioblastoma (GBM) recurrence after surgical excision has grown to be a formidable obstacle to conquer. In this research, biodegradable thermosensitive triblock copolymer, poly(D, L–lactic acid–co–glycolic acid)–b–poly(ethylene glycol)–b–poly(D, L–lactic acid–co–glycolic acid (PLGA–PEG–PLGA) was utilized as the drug delivery system, loading with micronized temozolomide(micro-TMZ) to form an in situ drug–gel depot inside the resection cavity. The rheology studies revealed the viscoelastic profile of hydrogel under various conditions. To examine the molecular characteristics that affect gelation temperature, ¹H–NMR, inverse gated decoupling ¹³C–NMR, and GPC were utilized. Cryo-SEM and XRD were intended to disclose the appearance of the hydrogel and the micro-TMZ existence state. We worked out how to blend polymers to modify the gelation point (T_gel) and fit the correlation between T_gel and other dependent variables using linear regression. To simulate hydrogel dissolution in cerebrospinal fluid, a membraneless dissolution approach was used. In vitro, micro-TMZ@PLGA–PEG–PLGA hydrogel exhibited Korsmeyer–Peppas and zero–order release kinetics in response to varying drug loading, and in vivo, it suppressed GBM recurrence at an astoundingly high rate. Micro-TMZ@PLGA–PEG–PLGA demonstrates a safer and more effective form of chemotherapy than intraperitoneal TMZ injection, resulting in a spectacular survival rate (40%, n = 10) that is much more than intraperitoneal TMZ injection (22%, n = 9). By proving the viability and efficacy of micro-TMZ@PLGA–PEG–PLGA hydrogel, our research established a novel chemotherapeutic strategy for treating GBM recurrence.

PLGA's Plight and the Role of Stealth Surface Modification Strategies in Its Use for Intravenous Particulate Drug Delivery

Numerous human disorders can benefit from targeted, intravenous (IV) drug delivery. Polymeric nanoparticles have been designed to undergo systemic circulation and deliver their therapeutic cargo to target sites in a controlled manner. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) is a particularly promising biomaterial for designing intravenous drug carriers due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and history of clinical success across other routes of administration. Despite these merits, PLGA remains markedly absent in clinically approved IV drug delivery formulations. A prominent factor in PLGA particles' inability to succeed intravenously may lie in the hydrophobic character of the polyester, leading to the adsorption of serum proteins (i.e., opsonization) and a cascade of events that end in their premature clearance from the bloodstream. PEGylation, or surface-attached polyethylene glycol chains, is a common strategy for shielding particles from opsonization. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) continues to be regarded as the ultimate "stealth" solution despite the lack of clinical progress of PEGylated PLGA carriers. This review reflects on some of the reasons for the clinical failure of PLGA, particularly the drawbacks of PEGylation, and highlights alternative surface coatings on PLGA particles. Ultimately, a new approach will be needed to harness the potential of PLGA nanoparticles and allow their widespread clinical adoption.

Preparation and characterization of magnetic nanohydrogel based on chitosan for 5-fluorouracil drug delivery and kinetic study

Chemotherapy is currently used for most cancer treatments, but one of the significant problems of this treatment is that it affects the healthy tissues of the body. Therefore, designing new systems for the intelligent and controlled release of these drugs in cancer tissues is one of the major challenges in the world. Hence, today, huge costs are spent designing appropriate new drug delivery systems (DDS) with controlled drug release. In this study, chitosan-polyacrylic acid encapsulated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanogelic core-shell (Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA) was synthesized in the presence of glutaraldehyde used for loaded anticancer 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) drug. Also, the prepared Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA was characterized by using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and VSM analysis. Then, drug delivery tests were carried out in the in-vitro conditions that are the simulated physiological environment and tumor tissue conditions. The drug release tests indicated that the Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA upgraded the rate of 5-FU release from nanogelic core-shell under tumor tissue conditions (pH 4.5) than physiological environments (pH 7.4). In addition, various models were used to investigate the drug release mechanism. Results of modeling studies of drug release showed the mechanism of 5-FU release from Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA controlled by Fickian diffusion.

Biomolecular engineering of drugs loading in Riboflavin-targeted polymeric devices: simulation and experimental

The synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with efficient drug loading content and targeting moieties is an attractive field and remains a challenge in drug delivery systems. Atomistic investigations can provide an in-depth understanding of delivery devices and reduce the number of expensive experiments. In this paper, we studied the self-assembly of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-b-poly (ethylene glycol) with different molecular weights and surface compositions. The innovation of this molecular study is the loading of an antitumor drug (docetaxel) on a targeting ligand (riboflavin). According to this work, a novel, biocompatible and targeted system for cancer treatment has been developed. The obtained results revealed a correlation between polymer molecular weight and the stability of particles. In this line, samples including 20 and 10 w/w% moiety NPs formed from polymers with 3 and 4.5 kDa backbone sizes, respectively, are the stable models with the highest drug loading and entrapment efficiencies. Next, we evaluated NP morphology and found that NPs have a core/shell structure consisting of a hydrophobic core with a shell of poly (ethylene glycol) and riboflavin. Interestingly, morphology assessments confirmed that the targeting moiety located on the surface can improve drug delivery to receptors and cancerous cells. The developed models provided significant insight into the structure and morphology of NPs before the synthesis and further analysis of NPs in biological environments. However, in the best cases of this system, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) tests were also taken and the results were consistent with the results obtained from All Atom and Coarse Grained simulations.

Study of the inhibitory effects of chrysin and its nanoparticles on mitochondrial complex II subunit activities in normal mouse liver and human fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial complex ΙΙ has a unique biological role owing to its participation in both the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain. Our goal was to evaluate the succinate dehydrogenase and ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity of mitochondrial complex II in the presence of chrysin and chrysin-chitosan nanoparticles. Chrysin chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using ultraviolet spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, drug release, and zeta potential. The binding affinity of chrysin to complex II subunits was assessed by molecular docking. The IC50 values were measured in a suspension of mouse mitochondria, and the inhibitory effect of chrysin and chrysin chitosan nanoparticles on mitochondrial complex ΙΙ was determined.

RESULTS

The free energy of binding between chrysin and complex ΙΙ subunits A, B, C, and D was -4.9, -5, -8.2, and -8.4 kcal/mol, respectively. The characteristic peak of chrysin was confirmed at 348 nm. The chrysin chitosan nanoparticles contained characteristic bands of both chrysin and chitosan. The crystalline nature of chrysin chitosan nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurements showing the characteristic Bragg peaks of (11.2°), (32.2°), (19.6°), (27.6°), and (31.96°). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed their spherical shape and an average particle size of 49.7 ± 3.02 nm. Chrysin chitosan nanoparticles showed a burst release within the initial 2 h followed by a steady release at 8 h. Their zeta potential was positive, between +35.5 and +80 mV. The IC50 of chrysin, chitosan nanoparticles, chrysin chitosan nanoparticles, and 5-fluorouracil was 34.66, 184.1, 12.2, and 0.05 μg/mL, respectively, in adult mice liver and 129, 311, 156, and 8.07 μg/mL, respectively, in normal human fibroblasts. When comparing the inhibitory effects on complex ΙΙ activity, application of the IC50 of chrysin, chitosan nanoparticles, chrysin chitosan nanoparticles, and 5-fluorouracil resulted in 40.14%, 90.9%, 86.7%, and 89% decreases in SDH activity and 70.09%, 86.74%, 60.8%, and 80.23% decreases in ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity in normal adult mice, but 80.9%, 89.06%, and 90% significant decreases in SDH activity, and 90%, 85%, and 95% decreases in ubiquinone reductase after treatment with chrysin, chrysin chitosan nanoparticles, and 5-fluorouracil, in normal human fibroblasts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Chrysin and CCNPs exhibit potent inhibitory effects on SDH activity ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity.

Polyaminoacid Based Core@shell Nanocarriers of 5-Fluorouracil: Synthesis, Properties and Theranostics Application

Cancer is one of the most important health problems of our population, and one of the common anticancer treatments is chemotherapy. The disadvantages of chemotherapy are related to the drug’s toxic effects, which act on cancer cells and the healthy part of the body. The solution of the problem is drug encapsulation and drug targeting. The present study aimed to develop a novel method of preparing multifunctional 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) nanocarriers and their in vitro characterization. 5-FU polyaminoacid-based core@shell nanocarriers were formed by encapsulation drug-loaded nanocores with polyaminoacids multilayer shell via layer-by-layer method. The size of prepared nanocarriers ranged between 80–200 nm. Biocompatibility of our nanocarriers as well as activity of the encapsulated drug were confirmed by MTT tests. Moreover, the ability to the real-time observation of developed nanocarriers and drug accumulation inside the target was confirmed by fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (¹⁹F-MRI).

Preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system containing chrysin

OBJECTIVE

To prepare a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to increase the solubility and oral bioavailability of chrysin.

METHODS

The preparation conditions were determined using factor analysis method. Preliminarily screening was conducted using compatibility tests and pseudo-ternary phase diagram studies. The central composite design-response surface methodology was used to determine the maximum drug loading and optimize SMEDDS formation, as characterized by surface morphology, pH, diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and phase type. In vitro release of chrysin-suspension and chrysin-SMEDDS was investigated using the bulk-equilibrium reverse dialysis bag technique. Short-term stability of chrysin-SMEDDS at high and low temperatures was assessed. Pharmacokinetic behaviors were evaluated after intragastric and intravenous administration to rats.

RESULTS

The final optimal formulation was medium chain triglyceride:oleic acid:Cremophor RH40: Transcutol HP (w/w) (12%:12%:32%:44%), with a drug loading capacity of 5 mg/g. Diluted chrysin-SMEDDS was characterized as an oil-in-water type and spherical, with a diameter, pH, PDI, and zeta potential of 28.26 ± 0.83 nm, 5.60 ± 0.84, 0.18 ± 0.01, and -23.13 ± 0.95 mV, respectively. The release speed of chrysin-SMEDDS was significantly higher than that of chrysin-suspension, and the release process was not affected by the media pH. In vivo pharmacokinetic data revealed that the oral bioavailability of chrysin-SMEDDS was 2.7-fold higher than that of chrysin suspension, compared with the chrysin microemulsion.

CONCLUSION

The optimal SMEDDS formulation increased the dissolution and oral bioavailability of chrysin and may be useful for investigating chrysin efficacy in animal disease models and toxicokinetic studies.

Photodynamic Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Chlorin e6-Loaded Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)- Based Nanoparticles

We prepared poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) encapsulated with chlorin e6 (Ce6) in an effort to increase the stability and efficiency of photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). We determined that Ce6-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (PLGA-Ce6 NPs) had drug-loading efficiency of 5%. The efficiency of encapsulation was 82%, the zeta potential was- 25 mV, and the average diameter was 130 nm. The encapsulation of Ce6 in PLGA nanoparticles showed excellent stability. The nanoparticles exhibited sustained Ce6 release profiles with 50% released at the end of 3 days, whereas free Ce6 showed rapid release within 1 day. Ce6 release patterns were controlled by encapsulation into PLGA. The uptake of PLGA-Ce6 NPs was significantly enhanced by endocytosis in the first 8 hours in the HCT-116 cell line. An intracellular reactive oxygen species assay revealed the enhanced uptake of the nanoparticles. An in vitro anti-tumor activity assay showed that the PLGA-Ce6 NPs exhibited enhanced phototoxicity toward HCT-116 cells and a slightly lower IC₅₀ value in HCT-116 cells than Ce6 solution alone. Exposure of HCT-116 cell spheroids to PLGA-Ce6 NPs penetrated more profoundly and had better phototoxicity than pure drugs. These findings suggest that PLGA-Ce6 NPs might serve as PDT for colorectal cancer.

Chrysin: Perspectives on Contemporary Status and Future Possibilities as Pro-Health Agent

Chrysin belongs to the group of natural polyphenols. It can be found, among others, in honey, propolis and fruits and has a wide range of biological activities, including the prevention of oxidative stress, inflammation, neurodegeneration and carcinogenesis. Being a part of the human diet, chrysin is considered to be a promising compound to be used in the prevention of many diseases, including cancers, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Nevertheless, due to the low solubility of chrysin in water and under physiological conditions, its bioavailability is low. For this reason, attempts at its functionalization have been undertaken, aiming to increase its absorption and thus augment its in vivo therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent research on chrysin, including its sources, metabolism, pro-health effects and the effects of its functionalization on biological activity and pharmacological efficacy, evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

Development of Polymer-Assisted Nanoparticles and Nanogels for Cancer Therapy: An Update

With cancer remaining as one of the main causes of deaths worldwide, many studies are undergoing the effort to look for a novel and potent anticancer drug. Nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the rising fields in research for anticancer drug development. One of the key advantages of using NPs for cancer therapy is its high flexibility for modification, hence additional properties can be added to the NPs in order to improve its anticancer action. Polymer has attracted considerable attention to be used as a material to enhance the bioactivity of the NPs. Nanogels, which are NPs cross-linked with hydrophilic polymer network have also exhibited benefits in anticancer application. The characteristics of these nanomaterials include non-toxic, environment-friendly, and variable physiochemical properties. Some other unique properties of polymers are also attributed by diverse methods of polymer synthesis. This then contributes to the unique properties of the nanodrugs. This review article provides an in-depth update on the development of polymer-assisted NPs and nanogels for cancer therapy. Topics such as the synthesis, usage, and properties of the nanomaterials are discussed along with their mechanisms and functions in anticancer application. The advantages and limitations are also discussed in this article.

Perspectives of nano-carrier drug delivery systems to overcome cancer drug resistance in the clinics

Advanced cancer is still considered an incurable disease because of its metastatic spread to distal organs and progressive gain of chemoresistance. Even though considerable treatment progress and more effective therapies have been achieved over the past years, recurrence in the long-term and undesired side effects are still the main drawbacks of current clinical protocols. Moreover, a majority of chemotherapeutic drugs are highly hydrophobic and need to be diluted in organic solvents, which cause high toxicity, in order to reach effective therapeutic dose. These limitations of conventional cancer therapies prompted the use of nanomedicine, the medical application of nanotechnology, to provide more effective and safer cancer treatment. Potential of nanomedicines to overcome resistance, ameliorate solubility, improve pharmacological profile, and reduce adverse effects of chemotherapeutical drugs is thus highly regarded. Their use in the clinical setting has increased over the last decade. Among the various existing nanosystems, nanoparticles have the ability to transform conventional medicine by reducing the adverse effects and providing a controlled release of therapeutic agents. Also, their small size facilitates the intracellular uptake. Here, we provide a closer review of clinical prospects and mechanisms of action of nanomedicines to overcome drug resistance. The significance of specific targeting towards cancer cells is debated as well.

Appraisal of amiodarone-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for prospective safety and toxicity in a rat model

AIMS

Amiodarone (AM) is a highly efficient drug for arrhythmias treatment, but its extra-cardiac adverse effects offset its therapeutic efficacy. Nanoparticles (NPs)-based delivery system could provide a strategy to allow sustained delivery of AM to the myocardium and reduction of adverse effects. The primary purpose was to develop AM-loaded NPs and explore their ameliorative effects versus off-target toxicities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Polymeric NPs were prepared using poly lactic-co-glycolic acid and their physicochemical properties were characterized. Animal studies were conducted using a rat model to compare exposure to AM versus that of the AM-loaded NPs. Biochemical evaluation of liver enzymes, lipid profile, and thyroid hormones was achieved. Besides, histopathological changes in liver and lung were studied.

KEY FINDINGS

Under optimal experimental conditions, the AM-loaded NPs had a size of 186.90 nm and a negative zeta potential (-14.67 mV). Biochemical evaluation of AM-treated animal group showed a significant increase in cholesterol, TG, LDL, T4, and TSH levels (ρ < 0.05). Remarkably, the AM-treated group exhibited a significant increase of liver enzymes (ρ < 0.05) coupled with an obvious change in liver architecture. The AM-loaded NPs displayed a reduction of liver damage and enzyme levels. Lung sections of the AM-treated group demonstrated thickening of interalveolar septa, mononuclear cellular infiltration with congested blood vessels, and heavy collagenous fibers deposition. Conversely, less cellular infiltration and septal thickening were observed in the animal lungs treated with the AM-loaded NPs-treated.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our findings demonstrate the competence of the AM-loaded NPs to open several exciting avenues for evading the AM-induced off-target toxicities.

Synthesis and characterization of PLGA-PEG-PLGA based thermosensitive polyurethane micelles for potential drug delivery

Polyurethane nanomicelle is a promising functional drug delivery system. In this work, the polyurethane (P3-PU) was synthesized from PLGA₁₂₀₀-PEG₁₄₅₀-PLGA₁₂₀₀ (P3, a thermosensitive and biodegradable triblock copolymer) and L-lysine ester diisocyanate (LDI). Then, reactive benzaldehyde was further imported to terminate P3-PU to obtain benzaldehyde modified polyurethane (P3-PUDA). The micelles, temperature-sensitive P3-PU nanomicelle and P3-PUDA nanomicelle, were systematically investigated, including the size, stability, temperature sensitivity, drug loading and release behavior, cytotoxic on human hepatocytes (L02), and inhibitory effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). The results show the thermosensitive behavior of the micelles can be adjusted by the terminal group. The polyurethane micelles with a uniform size between 20 nm and 30 nm showed excellent stability and good biocompatibility to L02 cells. Besides, in vitro experiments showed that Dox-loaded P3-PUDA micelles exhibited faster and higher release rate at 37 °C and better inhibitory effect on HepG2 than the Dox-loaded P3-PU micelles. Moreover, the achieved benzaldehyde modified polyurethanes also provides various possibilities to adjust further to enlarge its applications. Therefore, the polyurethane micelles will have great potential in the field of drug carriers.

Broad-Spectrum Preclinical Antitumor Activity of Chrysin: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

Pharmacological profile of phytochemicals has attracted much attention to their use in disease therapy. Since cancer is a major problem for public health with high mortality and morbidity worldwide, experiments have focused on revealing the anti-tumor activity of natural products. Flavonoids comprise a large family of natural products with different categories. Chrysin is a hydroxylated flavonoid belonging to the flavone category. Chrysin has demonstrated great potential in treating different disorders, due to possessing biological and therapeutic activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, etc. Over recent years, the anti-tumor activity of chrysin has been investigated, and in the present review, we provide a mechanistic discussion of the inhibitory effect of chrysin on proliferation and invasion of different cancer cells. Molecular pathways, such as Notch1, microRNAs, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), PI3K/Akt, MAPK, etc., as targets of chrysin are discussed. The efficiency of chrysin in promoting anti-tumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents and suppressing drug resistance is described. Moreover, poor bioavailability, as one of the drawbacks of chrysin, is improved using various nanocarriers, such as micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, etc. This updated review will provide a direction for further studies in evaluating the anti-tumor activity of chrysin.