In vitro evaluation of chitosan-coated liposome containing both coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid: Cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity

Advances in micro- and nano- delivery systems for increasing the stability, bioavailability and bioactivity of coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 acts as a liposoluble quinone compound in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, serving as an electron carrier and protecting the cell membrane structure as an antioxidant. Coenzyme Q10 has notable health benefits, including anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and assistance in cancer treatment. However, its poor water solubility, unstable chemical properties, and low bioavailability significantly limit its application. This article reviewed the design and development processes of various delivery systems for coenzyme Q10, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different delivery systems and their improvement strategies, including improvements in the stability and accessibility of emulsions, achieving higher penetration rates for oleogels, and reducing the use of toxic substances in the production process of liposomes. The mechanisms behind coenzyme Q10's low stability and bioavailability were analyzed, and the bioactivity and research prospects of coenzyme Q10 were also discussed. In summary, this review offered valuable insights into the design and application of delivery systems for coenzyme Q10, which may provide a reference for its development and application in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, health products, and other industries in the future.

THERAPEUTIC USE OF ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION: A REVIEW ON CURRENT USE AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVE

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, thioctic acid, 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl) pentanoic acid) is an organosulfur compound produced by plants, humans, and animals. ALA plays a crucial role in mitochondrial bioenergetics reactions. It is a natural antioxidant and a dithiol compound. ALA is a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in the function of pyruvate and Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes found in mitochondria. ALA has cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on several cancers, including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Most of ALA's clinical applications come from its antioxidant properties, but it also shows potential in treating female and male infertility. Although ALA can potentially be a therapeutic agent, its pharmacokinetic profile limits its effectiveness. Research suggests that ALA has a short half-life and low bioavailability (around 30%) because it gets broken down in the liver, has reduced solubility, and is unstable in the stomach. Liquid formulations have higher bioavailability and plasma concentration than solid dose forms. This review covers the current clinical evidence on using ALA to prevent, manage, and cure numerous disorders, including diabetic neuropathy, obesity, central nervous system-related ailments, and pregnancy abnormalities.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of tissue plasminogen activator-loaded nanoliposomes with anticoagulant coating

The clinical efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is limited by its lack of specific delivery, requiring large therapeutic doses that increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, bleeding at the surgical site, and patient mortality after angioplasty. To address these limitations, this study aimed to develop a chitosan polysulfate (CsPs)-coated liposomal formulation for the sustained release of tPA. The CsPs-coated liposomes containing tPA (Liposome-tPA/CsPs) were fabricated using the thin-film hydration technique and their properties were compared to tPA-encapsulated nanoliposomes without a coating layer (Liposome-tPA). Liposome-tPA/CsPs showed a quasi-spherical morphology with a hydrodynamic diameter of 110 nm, while Liposome-tPA had a diameter of 80 nm. The thermal analysis showed that the degradation temperature and glass transition temperature (Tg) of Liposome-tPA/CsPs were higher than that of tPA alone, indicating improved temperature stability. The in vitro release study demonstrated a slow and sustained release of tPA from the Liposome-tPA/CsPs, with a concentration of 0.02 mg/ml at 1 h and 0.23 mg/ml at 180 h. The CsPs coating layer enhanced the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the nanoliposomes. Liposome-tPA/CsPs exhibited higher cell viability compared to Liposome-tPA. It also achieved a higher percentage of thrombolysis, with complete clot dissolution observed after 3 h of treatment. These findings suggest that the Liposome-tPA/CsPs can be a promising approach to overcome the limitations associated with the systemic administration of tPA, potentially enhancing its clinical efficacy while reducing the risk of adverse events.

Antibacterial and antibiofilm potentials of vancomycin-loaded niosomal drug delivery system against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections

The threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing worldwide, making it significantly necessary to discover a novel way of dealing with related infections. The quick spread of MRSA isolates among infected individuals has heightened public health concerns and significantly limited treatment options. Vancomycin (VAN) can be applied to treat severe MRSA infections, and the indiscriminate administration of this antimicrobial agent has caused several concerns in medical settings. Owing to several advantageous characteristics, a niosomal drug delivery system may increase the potential of loaded antimicrobial agents. This work aims to examine the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of VAN-niosome against MRSA clinical isolates with emphasis on cytotoxicity and stability studies. Furthermore, we aim to suggest an effective approach against MRSA infections by investigating the inhibitory effect of formulated niosome on the expression of the biofilm-associated gene (icaR). The thin-film hydration approach was used to prepare the niosome (Tween 60, Span 60, and cholesterol), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), an in vitro drug release, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and entrapment efficiency (EE%) were used to investigate the physicochemical properties. The physical stability of VAN-niosome, including hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index (PDI), and EE%, was analyzed for a 30-day storage time at 4 °C and 25 °C. In addition, the human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cell line was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of synthesized niosome. Moreover, minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs/MBCs) were applied to assess the antibacterial properties of niosomal VAN formulation. Also, the antibiofilm potential of VAN-niosome was investigated by microtiter plate (MTP) and real-time PCR methods. The FE-SEM result revealed that synthesized VAN-niosome had a spherical morphology. The hydrodynamic size and PDI of VAN-niosome reported by the DLS method were 201.2 nm and 0.301, respectively. Also, the surface zeta charge of the prepared niosome was - 35.4 mV, and the EE% ranged between 58.9 and 62.5%. Moreover, in vitro release study revealed a sustained-release profile for synthesized niosomal formulation. Our study showed that VAN-niosome had acceptable stability during a 30-day storage time. Additionally, the VAN-niosome had stronger antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties against MRSA clinical isolates compared with free VAN. In conclusion, the result of our study demonstrated that niosomal VAN could be promising as a successful drug delivery system due to sustained drug release, negligible toxicity, and high encapsulation capacity. Also, the antibacterial and anti-biofilm studies showed the high capacity of VAN-niosome against MRSA clinical isolates. Furthermore, the results of real-time PCR exhibited that VAN-niosome could be proposed as a powerful strategy against MRSA biofilm via down-regulation of icaR gene expression.

Reciprocal crosslink among MeCP2/BDNF /CREB signaling pinpointed in autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder, or individual disability (ID), is a condition characterized by complications in social interaction, restricted repetitive behavior, and difficulties in social communication. Neuquinon (NQ) possess a powerful therapeutic potential in various neurodegenerative disease. Nevertheless, contributing to NQ's low water solubility and bioavailability, its medicinal use has been constrained. Liposomes were supposed to be prospective drug-delivering agents for NQ, crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and reaching the target organs. The current investigation aims to track the signaling pathways that govern NQ and liposomal neuquinon (LNQ) action in autistic models generated by ethyl formic acid. The neurotransmitters gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine (ACh), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in addition to, the gene expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and the DNA damage COMET analysis at different time intervals of the study, were assessed. EFA in a dose of 500 mg/kg BW was used to induce autism in rats, and then NQ and LNQ were administered in 10 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg BW, respectively. The results revealed that NQ and LNQ significantly down-regulated BDNF, GABA, and AChE; on the other hand, they up-regulated MeCP2, CREB gene expressions, and ACh action. NQ and LNQ displayed improvement in DNA damage in almost all brain regions after EFA alterations; even better results were noticed post-LNQ therapy. Therefore, it may be concluded that neuquinon and liposomal-loaded neuquinon have a therapeutic index versus EFA-induced autism in a rat model.

Sustainable valorization approaches on crustacean wastes for the extraction of chitin, bioactive compounds and their applications - A review

The unscientific disposal of the most abundant crustacean wastes, especially those derived from marine sources, affects both the economy and the environment. Strategic waste collection and management is the need of the hour. Sustainable valorization approaches have played a crucial role in solving those issues as well as generating wealth from waste. The shellfishery wastes are rich in valuable bioactive compounds such as chitin, chitosan, minerals, carotenoids, lipids, and other amino acid derivatives. These value-added components possessed pleiotropic applications in different sectors viz., food, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, agro-industrial, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors. The manuscript covers the recent status, scope of shellfishery management, and different bioactive compounds obtained from crustacean wastes. In addition, both sustainable and conventional routes of valorization approaches were discussed with their merits and demerits along with their combinations. The utilization of nano and microtechnology was also included in the discussion, as they have become prominent research areas in recent years. More importantly, the future perspectives of crustacean waste management and other potential valorization approaches that can be implemented on a large scale.

Chlorin e6 (Ce6)-loaded plaque-specific liposome with enhanced photodynamic therapy effect for atherosclerosis treatment

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been considered as a new strategy for atherosclerosis treatment. Targeted delivery of photosensitizer could significantly reduce its toxicity and enhance its phototherapeutic efficiency. CD68 is an antibody that can be conjugated to nano-drug delivery systems to actively target plaque sites, owing to its specific binding to CD68 receptors that are highly expressed on the surfaces of macrophage-derived foam cells. Liposomes are very popular nanocarriers due to their ability to encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic compounds including drugs, microRNAs and photosensitizers, and their ability to be surface-modified with targeting moieties leading to the development of nanocarriers with an improved targeted ability. Hence, we designed a Ce6-loaded liposomes using the film dispersion method, followed by the conjugation of CD68 antibody on the liposomal surface through a covalent crosslinking reaction, forming CD68-modified Ce6-loaded liposomes (CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes). Flow cytometry results indicated that Ce6-containing liposomes were more effective in promoting intracellular uptake after laser irradiation. Furthermore, CD68-modified liposomes significantly strengthened the cellular recognization and thus internalization. Different cell lines have been incubated with the liposomes, and the results showed that CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes had no significant cytotoxicity to coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) under selected conditions. Interestingly, they promoted autophagy in foam cells through the increase in LC3-Ⅰ, LC3-Ⅱ expression and the decrease in p62 expression, and restrained the migration of mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (MOVAS) in vitro. Moreover, the enhancement of atherosclerotic plaque stability and the reduction in the cholesterol content by CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes were dependent on transient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated under laser irradiation. In summary, we demonstrated that CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes, as a photosensitizer nano-drug delivery system, have an inhibitory effect on MOVAS migration and a promotion of cholesterol efflux in foam cells, and thereby, represent promising nanocarriers for atherosclerosis photodynamic therapy.

Antioxidants for improved skin appearance: Intracellular mechanism, challenges and future strategies

Recent advances in molecular and biochemical processes relevant to the skincare field have led to the development of novel ingredients based on antioxidants that can improve skin health and youthfulness. Considering the plethora of such antioxidants and the many implications for the skin's appearance, this review focuses on describing the critical aspects of antioxidants, including cosmetic functions, intracellular mechanisms and challenges. In particular, specialized substances are suggested for the treatment of each skin condition, such as skin ageing, skin dehydration and skin hyperpigmentation, which treatments can maximize effectiveness and avoid side effects during skin care processes. In addition, this review proposes advanced strategies that either already exists in the cosmetic market or should be developed to improve and optimize cosmetic' beneficial effects.

A Novel Drug with Potential to Treat Hyperbilirubinemia and Prevent Liver Damage Induced by Hyperbilirubinemia: Carbon Dots Derived from Platycodon grandiflorum

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history, but its active compounds have not been reported. In this study, novel carbon dots (CDs), PG-based CDs (PGC-CDs), were discovered and prepared from PG via calcinations and characterized by transmission electron microscopy; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometers; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; and high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the safety and antioxidant activity of PGC-CDs was evaluated by RAW264.7 cells and LO2 cells. The therapeutic effects of PGC-CDs on hyperbilirubinemia and liver protection were evaluated in a bilirubin-induced hyperbilirubinemia mice model. The experiment confirmed that the diameter range of PGC-CDs was from 1.2 to 3.6 nm. PGC-CDs had no toxicity to RAW264.7 cells and LO2 cells at a concentration of 3.91 to 1000 µg/mL and could reduce the oxidative damage of cells caused by H2O2. PGC-CDs could inhibit the increase levels of bilirubin and inflammation factors and increase the levels of antioxidants and survival rate, demonstrating that PGC-CDs possessed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation activity. PGC-CDs may reduce the content of bilirubin, so as to reduce a series of pathological lesions caused by bilirubin, which has potential in treating hyperbilirubinemia and preventing liver damage induced by hyperbilirubinemia.

Nanoliposomal delivery systems of natural antibacterial compounds; properties, applications, and recent advances

Todays, nanoliposomes (NLPs) are considered as one of the most efficient nanocarriers to deal with bacteria, practically in food products. These nanodelivery systems are able to be loaded with different bioactive compounds. The main aim of this review is investigating recent approaches (mostly from the years of 2018 to 2022) regarding development of nanoliposomal natural antibacterial compounds. In this regard, NLPs alone, combined with films, coatings, or fibers, and in coated forms are reviewed as advanced delivery systems of antibacterial substances. Moreover, a robust and comprehensive coverage of the morphological and physical properties of formulated NLPs as well as their interactions with antibacterial substances are discussed. The importance of NLPs to encapsulate antibacterial ingredients, advantages and drawbacks, antibacterial pathways of formulated NLPs, and comparison of them with pure antibacterial bioactive compounds are also explained.

Molecular and Therapeutic Insights of Alpha-Lipoic Acid as a Potential Molecule for Disease Prevention

Alpha-lipoic acid is an organic, sulfate-based compound produced by plants, humans, and animals. As a potent antioxidant and a natural dithiol compound, it performs a crucial role in mitochondrial bioenergetic reactions. A healthy human body, on the other hand, can synthesize enough α-lipoic acid to scavenge reactive oxygen species and increase endogenous antioxidants; however, the amount of α-lipoic acid inside the body decreases significantly with age, resulting in endothelial dysfunction. Molecular orbital energy and spin density analysis indicate that the sulfhydryl (-SH) group of molecules has the greatest electron donating activity, which would be responsible for the antioxidant potential and free radical scavenging activity. α-Lipoic acid acts as a chelating agent for metal ions, a quenching agent for reactive oxygen species, and a reducing agent for the oxidized form of glutathione and vitamins C and E. α-Lipoic acid enantiomers and its reduced form have antioxidant, cognitive, cardiovascular, detoxifying, anti-aging, dietary supplement, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. α-Lipoic acid has cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on several cancers, including polycystic ovarian syndrome. It also has usefulness in the context of female and male infertility. Although α-lipoic acid has numerous clinical applications, the majority of them stem from its antioxidant properties; however, its bioavailability in its pure form is low (approximately 30%). However, nanoformulations have shown promise in this regard. The proton affinity and electron donating activity, as a redox-active agent, would be responsible for the antioxidant potential and free radical scavenging activity of the molecule. This review discusses the most recent clinical data on α-lipoic acid in the prevention, management, and treatment of a variety of diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019. Based on current evidence, the preclinical and clinical potential of this molecule is discussed.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43450-023-00370-1.

Liposome System for Encapsulation of Spirulina platensis Protein Hydrolysates: Controlled-Release in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions, Structural and Functional Properties

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, structural, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of chitosan-coated (0.5 and 1% CH) nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed protein of Spirulina platensis and its stability in simulated gastric and intestine fluids. The chitosan coating of nanoliposomes containing Spirulina platensis hydrolyzed proteins increased their size and zeta potential. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) test showed an effective interaction between the hydrolyzed protein, the nanoliposome, and the chitosan coating. Increasing the concentration of hydrolyzed protein and the percentage of chitosan coating neutralized the decreasing effect of microencapsulation on the antioxidant activity of peptides. Chitosan coating (1%) resulted in improved stability of size, zeta potential, and poly dispersity index (PDI) of nanoliposomes, and lowered the release of the hydrolyzed Spirulina platensis protein from nanoliposomes. Increasing the percentage of chitosan coating neutralized the decrease in antibacterial properties of nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed proteins. This study showed that 1% chitosan-coated nanoliposomes can protect Spirulina platensis hydrolyzed proteins and maintain their antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Lipoic Acid Does Not Affect The Growth of Mycoplasma hominis Cells In Vitro

Mycoplasma hominis is associated with various infections, for which the treatment can be complex. Lipoic acid (LA) plays a role as a cofactor in eukaryotes, most Bacteria, and some Archea. Research of recent years has increasingly pointed to the therapeutic properties of exogenously supplemented LA. The present study was conducted on 40 strains of M. hominis cultured with the following LA concentrations: 1,200 μg/ml, 120 μg/ml, and 12 μg/ml. The bacterial colonies of each strain were counted and expressed as the number of colony-forming units/ml (CFU). The number of CFU in M. hominis strains obtained in the presence of LA was compared with the number of CFU in the strains grown in the media without LA. The obtained results indicated that the presence of LA in the medium did not affect the growth of M. hominis. The investigation of the influence of LA on the growth and survival of microbial cells not only allows for obtaining an answer to the question of whether LA has antimicrobial activity and, therefore, can be used as a drug supporting the treatment of patients infected with a given pathogenic microorganism. Such studies are also crucial for a better understanding of LA metabolism in the microbial cells, which is also important for the search for new antimicrobial drugs. This research is, therefore, an introduction to such further studies.

Self-Assembling Drug Formulations with Tunable Permeability and Biodegradability

This review focuses on key topics in the field of drug delivery related to the design of nanocarriers answering the biomedicine criteria, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and the ability to overcome biological barriers. For these reasons, much attention is paid to the amphiphile-based carriers composed of natural building blocks, lipids, and their structural analogues and synthetic surfactants that are capable of self-assembly with the formation of a variety of supramolecular aggregates. The latter are dynamic structures that can be used as nanocontainers for hydrophobic drugs to increase their solubility and bioavailability. In this section, biodegradable cationic surfactants bearing cleavable fragments are discussed, with ester- and carbamate-containing analogs, as well as amino acid derivatives received special attention. Drug delivery through the biological barriers is a challenging task, which is highlighted by the example of transdermal method of drug administration. In this paper, nonionic surfactants are primarily discussed, including their application for the fabrication of nanocarriers, their surfactant-skin interactions, the mechanisms of modulating their permeability, and the factors controlling drug encapsulation, release, and targeted delivery. Different types of nanocarriers are covered, including niosomes, transfersomes, invasomes and chitosomes, with their morphological specificity, beneficial characteristics and limitations discussed.

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

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

Antibacterial efficacy of quaternized chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofiber membrane crosslinked with blocked diisocyanate

N-[(2-hydroxyl-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] chitosan chloride (HTCC), which is a type of chitosan derivative with quaternary ammonium groups, possesses a higher antibacterial activity as compared to the pristine chitosan. The nanofiber membranes made of HTCC are attractive for applications demanding for antibacterial function. However, the hydrophilic nature of HTCC makes it unsuitable for electrospinning of nanofibers. Hence, biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was proposed as an additive to improve the electrospinnability of HTCC. In this work, PVA/HTCC nanofiber membrane was crosslinked with the blocked diisocyanate (BI) to enhance the stability of nanofiber membrane in water. Microbiological assessments showed that the PVA/HTCC/BI nanofiber membranes possessed a good antibacterial efficacy (∼100 %) against E. coli. Moreover, the biocompatibility of PVA/HTCC/BI nanofiber membrane was proven by the cytotoxicity test on mouse fibroblasts. These promising results indicated that the PVA/HTCC/BI nanofiber membrane can be a promising material for food packaging and as a potential wound dressing for skin regeneration.

Biopolymer-liposome hybrid systems for controlled delivery of bioactive compounds: Recent advances

Conventional liposomes still face many challenges associated with the poor physical and chemical stability, considerable loss of encapsulated cargo, lack of stimulus responsiveness, and rapid elimination from blood circulation. Integration of versatile functional biopolymers has emerged as an attractive strategy to overcome the limitation of usage of liposomes. This review comprehensively summarizes the most recent studies (2015-2020) and their challenges aiming at the exploration of biopolymer-liposome hybrid systems, including surface-modified liposomes, biopolymer-incorporated liposomes, guest-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposome, liposome-in-hydrogel, liposome-in-film, and liposome-in-nanofiber. The physicochemical principles and key technical information underlying the combined strategies for the fabrication of polymeric liposomes, the advantages and limitations of each of the systems, and the stabilization mechanisms are discussed through various case studies. Special emphasis is directed toward the synergistic efficiencies of biopolymers and phospholipid bilayers on encapsulation, protection, and controlled delivery of bioactives (e.g., vitamins, carotenoids, phenolics, peptides, and other health-related compounds) for the biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food applications. The major challenges, opportunities, and possible further developments for future studies are also highlighted.

Carbon Dots from Paeoniae Radix Alba Carbonisata: Hepatoprotective Effect

INTRODUCTION

The charcoal processed product of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA), PRA Carbonisata (PRAC), has long been used for its hepatoprotective effects. However, the material basis and mechanism of action of PRAC remain unclear.

AIM

To explore the hepatoprotective effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba Carbonisata-derived carbon dots (PRAC-CDs).

METHODS

PRAC-CDs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The hepatoprotective effect of PRAC-CDs was evaluated and confirmed using the classic carbon tetrachloride acute liver injury model.

RESULTS

PRAC-CDs averaged 1.0-2.4 nm in size and exhibited a quantum yield of 5.34% at a maximum excitation wavelength of 320 nm and emission at 411 nm. PRAC-CDs can reduce the ALT and AST levels of mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury and have a mitigating effect on the rise in TBA and TBIL. More interestingly, PRAC-CDs can significantly reduce MDA and increase SOD levels, demonstrating that PRAC-CDs can improve the body's ability to scavenge oxygen free radicals and inhibit free radical-induced liver cell lipid peroxidation, thereby preventing liver cell damage.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate the remarkable hepatoprotective effects of PRAC-CDs against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury, which provide new insights into potential biomedical and healthcare applications of CDs.

Antibacterial/Antifungal Activity of Extracted Chitosan From American Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) and German Cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

We investigated bactericidal and fungicidal properties of chitosan extracted from adults and nymphs from both German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae) and American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Dictyoptera: Blattidae). The cuticle of adults and nymphs extracted from both cockroaches were dried and ground. The powders were demineralized and deproteinized followed by deacetylation using NaOH. Finally, the chitosan yields were examined for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The degree of deacetylation (DD) was different between adults and nymph stages. The antimicrobial effect of American cockroach chitosan (ACC) and German cockroach chitosan (GCC) was tested against four bacteria and four fungi. The extracted chitosans from American cockroach, Periplaneta americana and German Cockroach, Blattella germanica suppressed the growth of Gram-negative/positive bacteria except Micrococcus luteus. The growth of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were notability inhibited by the extracted chitosans. The antimicrobial effect of the chitosan depended on the cockroach species, with chitosan of the American cockroach showing more inhibitory effect. This difference may be due to differences in the structure of chitin between the two cockroach species.

Antihyperuricemic and anti-gouty arthritis activities of Aurantii fructus immaturus carbonisata-derived carbon dots

Aim: To explore the antihyperuricemia and anti-gouty arthritis activities of Aurantii fructus immaturus carbonisata-derived carbon dots (AFIC-CDs). Materials & methods: The AFIC-CDs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; ultraviolet, fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; high-performance liquid chromatography; and x-ray diffraction. Antihyperuricemia and anti-gouty arthritis activities of AFIC-CDs were explored in vivo and in vitro. Results: The AFIC-CDs diameter ranged from 1.1 to 4.4 nm, with a yield of 7.2%. AFIC-CDs reduced serum uric acid by inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity in hyperuricemia rats and inhibited xanthine oxidase activity in vitro. AFIC-CDs improved gouty arthritis induced by monosodium urate crystals in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: AFIC-CDs may be a potential treatment for gout.

Chitin and Chitosans: Characteristics, Eco-Friendly Processes, and Applications in Cosmetic Science

Huge amounts of chitin and chitosans can be found in the biosphere as important constituents of the exoskeleton of many organisms and as waste by worldwide seafood companies. Presently, politicians, environmentalists, and industrialists encourage the use of these marine polysaccharides as a renewable source developed by alternative eco-friendly processes, especially in the production of regular cosmetics. The aim of this review is to outline the physicochemical and biological properties and the different bioextraction methods of chitin and chitosan sources, focusing on enzymatic deproteinization, bacteria fermentation, and enzymatic deacetylation methods. Thanks to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and bioactivity, the applications of these marine polymers are widely used in the contemporary manufacturing of biomedical and pharmaceutical products. In the end, advanced cosmetics based on chitin and chitosans are presented, analyzing different therapeutic aspects regarding skin, hair, nail, and oral care. The innovative formulations described can be considered excellent candidates for the prevention and treatment of several diseases associated with different body anatomical sectors.

PM2.5-induced ADRB2 hypermethylation contributed to cardiac dysfunction through cardiomyocytes apoptosis via PI3K/Akt pathway

BACKGROUND

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can causally contribute to progression of atherosclerosis, risk of ischemic heart disease and death, but the underlying mechanism is little known. Since DNA methylation impacts the process of heart disease, it might be useful in exploring potential mechanistic pathways linking PM_2.5 exposure and heart disease.

OBJECTIVES

Here, we investigated the PM_2.5-induced ADRB2 hypermethylation and the involving epigenetic mechanism of PM_2.5-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In vitro, PM_2.5 markedly augmented cardiotoxicity including oxidative damage and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes AC16 as well as epigenetic alteration. DNA methylation profiling revealed a significant gene-ADRB2 was involved in the cardiac relative GO and KEGG pathways. Methylation chip and Bisulfite Sequencing PCR (BSP) both identified the hypermethylation status of ADRB2 which encodes β2-Adrenergic receptor (β2AR). Mechanistic study showed ADRB2 hypermethylation-induced down-regulation of β2AR inhibited PI3K/Akt and then activated Bcl-2/BAX and p53 pathway in AC16. The transgenic cell lines showed over-expression of ADRB2 weakened the PM_2.5-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis in opposite way, but was augmented by PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). In vivo, echocardiography showed the heart contractile function was decreased after SD rats intratracheal instillation of PM_2.5 for 30 days. The myocardial interstitial edema, myocardial gap expansion and myofibril disorder in PM_2.5 treated group were observed in rats heart tissue. What's more, basal expression of β2AR and VEGFR2 decreased in heart tissue as the dosage of PM_2.5 increasing, meanwhile PM_2.5 markedly attenuated PI3K/Akt pathway followed by augmented Bcl-2/BAX and p53 pathway, thus caused a greater number of TUNEL positive cardiomyocytes resulted in cardiac dysfunction in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

PM_2.5 exposure could cause the myocardial ADRB2 hypermethylation and activate the β2AR/PI3K/Akt pathway, resulted in PM_2.5-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. Our study suggested that the ADRB2 demethylation or ADRB2/β2AR activation may serve as a potential pathway to prevent cardiac dysfunction induced by PM_2.5 exposure.

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Testosterone

Enhancing testosterone production in males is a continuous research direction for many scientists in the field, due to its role as a principal sex hormone and as a crucial modulator of well-being and general health in humans. Since 1978, there have been more than 30 studies that have connected coenzyme Q₁₀ and testosterone. Such a link is attributable to the vigorous biological role of coenzyme Q₁₀ as a crucial member in the energy production route in humans and animals, which is thought to have a positive influence on testosterone production, and hence on infertility, particularly male infertility. However, this connection has not yet been deliberated. The present work systematically reviews and summarizes the influence of coenzyme Q₁₀ supplementation on testosterone. To accomplish this purpose, the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched using the keywords “coenzyme Q₁₀” versus “testosterone” for English language papers from November 1978 through October 2018. Relevant articles were also discussed and included to address an integral discussion. In summary, to date the studies conducted on human males reveal insignificant effects of coenzyme Q₁₀ supplementation on testosterone. Similarly, rather than the reproductive toxicity studies, the studies conducted on animals did not show any positive influence of coenzyme Q₁₀ on testosterone. However, coenzyme Q₁₀ supplementation was found to ameliorate the reduction in testosterone induced by chemical reproductive toxicants, mainly by neutralizing the damaging effect of the generated free radicals. However, collectively these findings require further confirmation by additional research studies.

A review on nanosystems as an effective approach against infections of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important zoonotic bacteria and hazardous for the health of human beings and livestock globally. The characteristics like biofilm forming, facultative intracellular survival, and growing resistance of S. aureus pose a great challenge to its use in therapy. Nanoparticles are considered as a promising way to overcome the infections’ therapeutic problems caused by S. aureus. In this paper, the present progress and challenges of nanoparticles in the treatment of S. aureus infection are focused on stepwise. First, the survival and infection mechanism of S. aureus are analyzed. Second, the treatment challenges posed by S. aureus are provided, which is followed by the third step including the advantages of nanoparticles in improving the penetration and accumulation ability of their payload antibiotics into cell, inhibiting S. aureus biofilm formation, and enhancing the antibacterial activity against resistant isolates. Finally, the challenges and future perspective of nanoparticles for S. aureus infection therapy are introduced. This review will help the readers to realize that the nanosystems can effectively fight against the S. aureus infection by inhibiting biofilm formation, enhancing intracellular delivery, and improving activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and small colony variant phenotypes as well as aim to help researchers looking for more efficient nano-systems to combat the S. aureus infections.

Selegiline Nanoformulation in Attenuation of Oxidative Stress and Upregulation of Dopamine in the Brain for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Objective of this study was to determine whether the prepared nanoemulsion would be able to deliver selegiline to the brain by intranasal route, improving its bioavailability. Antioxidant activity, pharmacokinetic parameters, and dopamine concentration were determined. Oxidative stress models, which had Parkinson's disease-like symptoms, were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of nanoemulsion loaded with selegiline in vivo. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and reducing power assay, which showed high scavenging efficiency for selegiline nanoemulsion compared to pure selegiline. Biochemical estimation results showed that the levels of antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione and superoxide dismutase, were increased, whereas the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were decreased in intranasally administered selegiline nanoemulsion-treated group when compared with haloperidol-induced Parkinson's disease group (control). Moreover, selegiline nanoemulsion was found to be successful in decreasing the dopamine loss, indicating that nanoemulsion is a potential approach for intranasal delivery of selegiline to decrease the damage due to free radicals, thus avoiding consequent biochemical alterations that arise during Parkinson's disease. Brain:blood ratio of 2.207 > 0.093 of selegiline-loaded nanoemulsion (intranasally administered) > selegiline solution (administered intravenously), respectively, at 0.5 hours showed direct nose-to-brain delivery of drug bypassing blood-brain barrier. Selegiline-loaded nanoemulsion administered intranasally showed significantly high dopamine concentration (16.61 ± 3.06 ng/mL) compared to haloperidol-treated rats (8.59 ± 1.00 ng/mL) (p < 0.05). In this way, intranasal delivery of selegiline nanoemulsion might play an important role in the better management of Parkinson's disease.

Production of dynamic lipid bilayers using the reversible thiol–thioester exchange reaction

Coupling of phospholipid precursors using the reversible thiol–thioester exchange reaction enables downstream remodeling and functionalization.