Frankincense essential oil nanoemulsion specifically induces lung cancer apoptosis and inhibits survival pathways

Applications and advancements of nanoparticle-based drug delivery in alleviating lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Lung cancer (LC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Cigarette smoking is among the main aetiologic factors for both ailments. These diseases share common pathogenetic mechanisms including inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue remodelling. Current therapeutic approaches are limited by low efficacy and adverse effects. Consequentially, LC has a 5-year survival of < 20%, while COPD is incurable, underlining the necessity for innovative treatment strategies. Two promising emerging classes of therapy against these diseases include plant-derived molecules (phytoceuticals) and nucleic acid-based therapies. The clinical application of both is limited by issues including poor solubility, poor permeability, and, in the case of nucleic acids, susceptibility to enzymatic degradation, large size, and electrostatic charge density. Nanoparticle-based advanced drug delivery systems are currently being explored as flexible systems allowing to overcome these limitations. In this review, an updated summary of the most recent studies using nanoparticle-based advanced drug delivery systems to improve the delivery of nucleic acids and phytoceuticals for the treatment of LC and COPD is provided. This review highlights the enormous relevance of these delivery systems as tools that are set to facilitate the clinical application of novel categories of therapeutics with poor pharmacokinetic properties.

Progress of nanopreparation technology applied to volatile oil drug delivery systems

Traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil has a long history and possesses extensive pharmacological activity. However, volatile oils have characteristics such as strong volatility, poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and poor targeting, which limit their application. The use of volatile oil nano drug delivery systems can effectively improve the drawbacks of volatile oils, enhance their bioavailability and chemical stability, and reduce their volatility and toxicity. This article first introduces the limitations of the components of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils, discusses the main classifications and latest developments of volatile oil nano formulations, and briefly describes the preparation methods of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil nano formulations. Secondly, the limitations of nano formulation technology are discussed, along with future challenges and prospects. A deeper understanding of the role of nanotechnology in traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils will contribute to the modernization of volatile oils and broaden their application value.

Hyaluronated nanoparticles deliver raloxifene to CD44-expressed colon cancer cells and regulate lncRNAs/miRNAs epigenetic cascade

Background

Colorectal malignant cells (CRC) are one of the world’s main causes of cancer mortality and morbidity. Notwithstanding the plenty of anti-CRC therapeutics, its prognosis remains not selective owing to cancer resistance to these therapeutics. Raloxifene (RX), a medication firstly used to treat osteoporosis, was recently licenced for the prevention of CRC. Unfortunately, due to medication resistance, many RX-based therapies are likely to become ineffective. Recently, we identified a novel method of administration to lengthen the half-life of RX by mixing it with chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Thus, the rationale of the current study was to investigate how colon cancer cells were affected by RX-HA-CS nanoparticles (RX NPs) in terms of targetability, cytotoxicity, and epigenetic cascade alteration.

Results

RX NP had an entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 90.0 ± 8.12%. Compared to HCT 116 cells, Caco-2 cells were more susceptible to the cytotoxic effects of RX and its NP as well as they had a higher binding affinity to CD44 receptors compared to normal WI-38 cells. In comparison to the free RX, the RX NP’s cytotoxic fold changes in HCT 116 and Caco-2 cells were 2.16 and 2.52, respectively. Furthermore, the epigenetic cascade of some noncoding RNAs was examined. Moreover, particular protein concentrations were investigated in all tested cells after application of the proposed therapies. Our results showed that the RX NP recorded higher remarkable cytotoxic impact on CRC cells compared to the free RX. Intriguingly, it was hypothesized that RX nanoparticles attacked colon cancerous cells by up-regulating miR-944 and E-cadherin (ECN) expressions, while down-regulating the expressions of PPARγ, YKL-40, VEGF, H-19, LINC00641, HULC, HOTTIP, miR-92a, miR-200, and miR-21.

Conclusions

We may conclude that the RX NP effectively targets CRC cells in vitro via altering lncRNAs and miRNAs epigenetic cascade as well as cellular uptake through CD44-expressed CRC cells.

Anticancer Applications of Essential Oils Formulated into Lipid-Based Delivery Nanosystems

The use of natural compounds is becoming increasingly popular among patients, and there is a renewed interest among scientists in nature-based bioactive agents. Traditionally, herbal drugs can be taken directly in the form of teas/decoctions/infusions or as standardized extracts. However, the disadvantages of natural compounds, especially essential oils, are their instability, limited bioavailability, volatility, and often irritant/allergenic potential. However, these active substances can be stabilized by encapsulation and administered in the form of nanoparticles. This brief overview summarizes the latest results of the application of nanoemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers used as drug delivery systems of herbal essential oils or used directly for their individual secondary metabolites applicable in cancer therapy. Although the discussed bioactive agents are not typical compounds used as anticancer agents, after inclusion into the aforesaid formulations improving their stability and bioavailability and/or therapeutic profile, they indicated anti-tumor activity and became interesting agents with cancer treatment potential. In addition, co-encapsulation of essential oils with synthetic anticancer drugs into nanoformulations with the aim to achieve synergistic effect in chemotherapy is discussed.

Frankincense oil-loaded nanoemulsion formulation of paclitaxel and erucin: A synergistic combination for ameliorating drug resistance in breast cancer: In vitro and in vivo study

Nanoformulation-based combinational drug delivery systems are well known to overcome drug resistance in cancer management. Among them, nanoemulsions are well-known and thermodynamically stable drug delivery systems suitable for carrying hydrophobic drugs and phytoconstituents to tackle drug-resistant cancers. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of paclitaxel in combination with erucin (natural isothiocyanate isolated from the seeds of Eruca sativa) loaded in the frankincense oil-based nanoemulsion formulation. The choice of frankincense oil for the current study was based on reported research investigations stating its magnificient therapeutic potential against breast cancer. Optimized nanoemulsion of paclitaxel (PTX) and erucin (ER) combination (EPNE) provided sustained release and exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity towards human epithelial breast cancer cells (T-47D) as compared to individual ER and PTX. EPNE was further assessed for its antitumor activity in the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer mice model. EPNE significantly decreased the levels of hepatic and renal parameters along with oxidative stress in breast cancer mice. Furthermore, EPNE also showed decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6. Histopathological examinations revealed restoration of the tumorous breast to normal tissues in EPNE-treated breast cancer mice. Therefore, EPNE can act as a viable lead and therapeutic option for drug-resistant breast cancer.