Synthetic nanoparticles of bovine serum albumin with entrapped salicylic acid

Development, in vitro and ex vivo characterization of lamotrigine-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles using QbD approach

The present study aimed to prepare and optimize lamotrigine-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (LAM-NP) using the Quality by Design (QbD) approach and to investigate both the in vitro and ex vivo effects of different cross-linking agents glutaraldehyde (GLUT), glucose (GLUC) and 1-(3-dimethylaminutesopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) on intranasal applicability. Cross-linked LAM-NP from EDC (NP-EDC-1) showed the lowest Z-average value (163.7 ± 1.9 nm) and drug encapsulation efficacy (EE%) of 97.31 ± 0.17%. The drug release of GLUC cross-linked LAM-NP (NP-GLUC-9), glutaraldehyde cross-linked LAM-NP (NP-GLUT-2), and NP-EDC-1 at blood circulation conditions was higher than the initial LAM. The results of the blood-brain barrier parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (BBB-PAMPA) showed an increase in the permeability of LAM through the BBB with NP-GLUC-9 and an increase in flux with all selected formulations. The ex vivo study showed that LAM diffusion from the selected formulations through the human nasal mucosa was higher than in case of initial LAM. The cytotoxicity study indicated that BSA-NP reduced LAM toxicity, and GLUC 9 mM and EDC 1 mg could be alternative cross-linking agents to avoid GLUT 2% v/v toxicity. Furthermore, permeability through Caco-2 cells showed that nasal epithelial transport/absorption of LAM was improved by using BSA-NPs. The use of BSA-NP may be a promising approach to enhance the solubility, permeability through BBB and decrease the frequency of dosing and adverse effects of LAM.

Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of bone marrow cells by green-synthesized silver but not albumin nanoparticles

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) made by traditional means have a deleterious effect on bone marrow (BM) cells. Alternatively, green-synthesized NPs are cost-effective, ecofriendly, and may be less toxic. Also, albumin is a biocompatible blood protein involved in several physiological processes, employed in drug delivery without posing adverse effects, and is thought to be ideal NPs or coating for reducing the metallic NP's toxicity. We prepared albumin NPs (AlbNPs), biosynthesized silver NPs (AgNPs) using the metabolite of the Escherichia coli D8 strain and coated them with albumin (Ag/AlbNPs). These NPs were characterized and intraperitoneally administered to rats to compare their effect on rat BM cells. The flow cytometry results revealed that AgNPs significantly reduced viability, increased apoptosis, downregulated the antiapoptotic Bcl2 gene expression, and upregulated the apoptotic genes Bax and p53 in BM cells, while treatment with AlbNPs maintained these parameters. Principally, AgNPs caused significant DNA fragmentation, since all parameters observed by the comet assay (tail length, tail DNA content, tail moment, and olive moment) were significantly higher in AgNP-treated groups than in control and AlbNP-treated groups. Investigation of the cell cycle revealed that treatment with AgNP, but not AlbNPs, downregulated the expression of the regulatory genes Cdk2, Cdk4, and the cyclins A1 (Ccna1) and D1 (Ccnd1), which resulted in the arrest of the progression of the cell cycle at GO/G1, as demonstrated by flow cytometry. Coating AgNPs with albumin increased their size, and decreased their intracellular concentration, resulting in reduced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However, these results for the Ag/AlbNP-treated group were still not comparable to those treated with pure AlbNPs. In conclusion, in contrast to AlbNPs, green AgNPs are toxic to bone marrow cells. Their coating with albumin, however, reduces this toxicity. To avoid this metal NP toxicity, it is recommended to use compatible degradable NPs instead of metal NPs for medication delivery to BM.

Bovine serum albumin-chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Cordyceps militaris extract: A novel approach to combat MDR bacteria

The application of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) nanoparticles in the medical field has gained substantial attention due to their biocompatibility and multifunctionality as drug delivery systems. Cordyceps militaris, known for its exceptional therapeutic properties, shows promise as a potent agent against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This study aimed to develop Cordyceps militaris extract-loaded BSA-chitosan nanoparticles (BECNPs) and cordycepin loaded BSA-chitosan nanoparticles (BCCNPs) to address MDR bacterial infections. BSA nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using microscopic analyses revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average size of ∼12 nm for BECNPs and ∼28 nm for BCCNPs. GC-MS analysis of the 50 % methanol extract of Cordyceps militaris identified 47 active compounds, with cordycepin (5.22 %) being the major bioactive component. LC-MS confirmed the presence of cordycepin, recognized mainly for its anti-tumor activity, in the extract. The CME and cordycepin loading efficiency were found to be 52.56 % and 62.07 % respectively and the zeta potential of BECNPs and BCCNPs was recorded at +21.45 ± 1.45 and +23.59 ± 1.93 respectively. The antimicrobial activity of BECNPs and BCCNPs was evaluated against two MDR Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter cloacae). MIC, MBC, and zone of inhibition assays demonstrated effective antibacterial activity, with the highest inhibition zone (19.7 ± 0.38 mm) observed for E. cloacae. Additionally, biofilm inhibition and growth curve assays revealed significant disruption of biofilm formation and bacterial growth dynamics. These results highlight the potential of Cordyceps militaris extract-loaded BSA-chitosan nanoparticles as innovative antimicrobial agents and versatile drug delivery systems for biomedical application.

Application of a Two-Phase Experiment Design and Optimization Method to Formulate Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles with High-Entrapment Efficiency for Targeting Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), predominantly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), pose a global health concern due to rising antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. Albumin nanoparticles (NPs) offer a promising strategy for UTI treatment, with site-specific selectivity, improved bioavailability, and sustained drug release. This study focused on developing an optimized method for formulating ciprofloxacin-loaded albumin nanoparticles (CPF-loaded BSA NPs) to treat UPEC and its biofilms effectively. A desolvation method was used to synthesize the nanoparticles, and a two-phase experimental design was used for optimization. Evaluation parameters included size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, drug release, storage stability, cytotoxicity, and effectiveness against UPEC. The optimized CPF-loaded BSA NPs exhibited desirable characteristics such as small particle size (123 nm), low polydispersity index (0.178), optimum zeta potential (-31.8), and high encapsulation efficiency (> 80%). They also exhibited low cytotoxicity, high stability, and sustained drug release, making them an ideal drug delivery system. Critically, they demonstrated effectiveness against UPEC and its biofilm. This study suggests that the optimized CPF-loaded BSA NPs, synthesized using our optimized desolvation technique, hold the potential for effectively treating UTIs caused by UPEC.

Targeting HSP90AA1 to overcome multiple drug resistance in breast cancer using magnetic nanoparticles loaded with salicylic acid

Multiple drug resistance (MDR) remains a major obstacle in effective breast cancer chemotherapy. This study explores the role of HSP90AA1 in driving MDR and evaluates the potential of magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SA) loaded with salicylic acid (SA) to counteract drug resistance. A comprehensive screening of 200 SA-related target genes identified nine core genes, including HSP90AA1. Pharmacophore analysis revealed that SA interacts with HSP90AA1, a key regulator of mitochondrial K+ channels. Fe3O4@SA nanoparticles demonstrated efficient cellular uptake and lysosomal escape, markedly improving the chemosensitivity of resistant breast cancer cells and promoting apoptosis. In vivo experiments further confirmed the anticancer efficacy of Fe3O4@SA, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome MDR in breast cancer.

Berberine-loaded albumin nanoparticles alleviate liver damage in rats by modulating mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions

The liver performs essential functions critical to overall health. This study evaluated the efficacy of berberine-loaded albumin nanoparticles (BRB-BSA NPs) and cisplatin in mitigating hepatic damage caused by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in male albino rats. Molecular modeling was conducted to explore BRB interactions with Sirt1, a NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase involved in key cellular pathways. BRB-BSA NPs showed superior results to cisplatin in reducing liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory markers while enhancing antioxidant activities. Cisplatin, however, was more effective in restoring mitochondrial pathway regulators. Additionally, BRB-BSA NPs improved liver tissue histoarchitecture and ultrastructure, bringing them closer to normal. In conclusion, BRB-BSA NPs demonstrated potent efficacy in alleviating DEN/CCl4-induced liver injury in male rats.

New nanomanufacturing strategy through bioinspired design, for promising treatment of Parkinson's disease

This study attempts to develop a new nanomanufacturing strategy for Parkinson's disease using natural biodegradable components (chitosan, albumin, and dopamine) that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to biocompatibility, biodegradability, targeted delivery, and controlled drug release. It was prepared, thoroughly optimized and characterized using various biophysical and chemical techniques. Results showed that the nanomanufactured system (molar ratio of 1:0.25:0.5 and particle size range: 38-190 nm) exhibited a zeta potential of + 73 mV facilitating efficient pentration of BBB through an adsorption mechanism with the cell membrane's negative charges. The particle size of the nanomanufactured system and spherical nanoparticle clusters indicated its ability to enhance dopamine delivery to brain tissues. Encapsulation efficiency was measured at 74.31 ± 0.29 with dopamine release faster at pH 5.4 and sustained release over 96 h in both acidic media (pH 5.4) or physiological conditions (pH 7.4). Cytotoxicity studies showed a degradation rate in normal cells that never exceeded 20% and the nanomanufactured system exhibited low half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values, indicating low cytotoxicity. Albumin plays a vital and distinct role in stimulating normal cells and enhancing the transport system to the target via an adsorptive-mediated endocytosis pathway. The electron microscopy images depict distrution of heterogeneous nanoparticles, with sizes ranged from 36.86 nm to 190.3 nm and a mean average diameter of 108.1 nm. The average particle size of the nanosystem was 49.4 ± 9.9 nm, with a Polydispersity Index (PI) of 0.494. The loading efficiency was 14.78 ± 0.37% and the encapsulation efficiency was 74.31 ± 0.29%. This nanomanufactured system holds significant promise for improving Parkinson's disease treatment by enabling targeted and efficient drug delivery to the brain.

Selenium Nanoparticles Synergize with a KRAS Nanovaccine against Breast Cancer

Selenium (Se) is an element crucial for human health, known for its anticancer properties. Although selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have shown lower toxicity and higher biocompatibility than other Se compounds, bare SeNPs are unstable in aqueous solutions. In this study, several materials, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), chitosan, polymethyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride, and tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate, are explored to develop stable SeNPs and further evaluate their potential as candidates for cancer treatment. All optimized SeNP are spherical, <100 nm, and with a narrow size distribution. BSA-stabilized SeNPs produced under acidic conditions present the highest stability in medium, plasma, and at physiological pH, maintaining their size ≈50-60 nm for an extended period. SeNPs demonstrate enhanced toxicity in cancer cell lines while sparing primary human dermal fibroblasts, underscoring their potential as effective anticancer agents. Moreover, the combination of BSA-SeNPs with a nanovaccine results in a strong tumor growth reduction in an EO771 breast cancer mouse model, demonstrating a three-fold decrease in tumor size. This synergistic anticancer effect not only highlights the role of SeNPs as effective anticancer agents but also offers valuable insights for developing innovative combinatorial approaches using SeNPs to improve the outcomes of cancer immunotherapy.

Unleashing of cytotoxic effects of thymoquinone-bovine serum albumin nanoparticles on A549 lung cancer cells

This research examines the cytotoxic consequences of thymoquinone-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (TQ-BSA NPs) on the A549 lung cancer cell line. UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were employed to verify the biogenic TQ-BSA NPs' size, shape, and distribution. UV-Vis spectrophotometry indicated peaks at 200-300 nm, 500-600 nm, and a prominent peak at 700-800 nm, confirming the presence of TQ-BSA NPs. The polydispersity index, as confirmed by DLS, indicated a solvent distribution in water, accompanied by a zeta potential value of 126.2 ± 46.8 mV. The average size of TQ-BSA NPs was confirmed to be 187 ± 8 nm by SEM. TQ-BSA NPs reduce colony formation in the A549 lung cancer cell line in a dose-dependent manner relative to the control group. Protein expression analysis indicated that TQ-BSA NPs promoted programmed cell death by increasing pro-apoptotic levels and decreasing anti-apoptotic levels. TQ-BSA NPs demonstrated inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis and exhibited significant efficacy against cancer cells at low concentrations. As a result, they have the makings of a promising chemotherapeutic agent for low-dose, long-term administration.

Physicochemical Stimuli-Mediated Precipitation Approach for the Modulation of Rifampicin's Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability

The intricate process of protein binding orchestrates crucial drug interactions within the bloodstream, facilitating the formation of soluble complexes. This research endeavours to improve the dissolution and oral bioavailability of Rifampicin (RMP) by strategically manipulating drug-protein binding dynamics and the hydrophobic characteristics of human serum albumin (HSA). Various precipitation techniques leveraging methanol, ammonium sulfate, and heat treatment were meticulously employed to tailor the properties of colloidal albumin (HSA NPs). The resultant complexes underwent comprehensive characterization encompassing evaluations of hydrophobicity, size distribution, surface charge, and structural analyses through FTIR, TG-DSC, XRD, and morphological examinations. The findings revealed a significant binding affinity of 78.07 ± 6.6% with native albumin, aligning with prior research. Notably, the complex RMP-HSA NPs-M13, synthesized via the methanolic precipitation method, exhibited the most substantial complexation, achieving a remarkable 3.5-fold increase, followed by the ammonium sulfate (twofold) and heat treatment (1.07-fold) methods in comparison to native albumin binding. The gastric simulated media exhibited accelerated drug release kinetics, with maximal dissolution achieved within two hours, contrasting with the prolonged release observed under intestinal pH conditions. These findings translated into significant improvements in drug permeation, as evidenced by pharmacokinetic profiles demonstrating elevated Cmax, AUC, t1/2, and MRT values for RMP-HSA NPs-M13 compared to free RMP. In summary, this innovative approach underscores the potential of precipitation methods in engineering stable colloidal carrier systems tailored to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, offering a pragmatic and scalable alternative to conventional surfactants, polymers, or high-energy methods for complex formation and production.

The anticancer impact of folate-linked ZnO-decorated bovine serum albumin/silibinin nanoparticles on human pancreatic, breast, lung, and colon cancers

In the current study, we aimed to design an individual hybrid silibinin nano-delivery system consisting of ZnO and BSA components to study its antioxidant activity and apoptotic potential on human pancreatic, breast, lung, and colon cancer cell lines. The folate-linked ZnO-decorated bovine serum albumin/silibinin nanoparticles (FZBS-NP) were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, FESEM, DLS, and zeta potential analysis. The FZBS-NP's cytotoxicity was evaluated by measuring the cancer cells' (MCF-7, A549, HT-29, and Panc) viability. Moreover, the apoptotic potential of the nanoparticles was studied by conducting several analyses including AO/PI and DAPI cell staining analysis, apoptotic gene expression profile (BAX, BCL2, and Caspase-8) preparation, and FITC Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Finally, both antioxidant assays (ABTS and DPPH) were utilized to analyze the FZBS-NPs' antioxidant activities. The 152-nm FZBS-NP significantly induced the selective apoptotic death on the MCF-7, A549, HT-29, Panc, and Huvec cancer cells by increasing the SubG1 cell population following the increased treatment concentrations of FZBS-NP. Moreover, the FZBS-NPs exhibited powerful antioxidant activity. The BSA component of the FZBS-NPs delivery system improves the ability of the nanoparticles to gradually release silibinin and ZnO near the cancer cells. On the other hand, considering the powerful antioxidant activity of FZBS-NP, they have the potential to selectively induce apoptosis in human colon and breast cancer cells and protect normal types, which makes it an efficient safe anticancer compound. However, to verify the FZBS-NP anti-cancer efficiency further cancer and normal cell lines are required to measure several types of apoptotic gene expression.

Phase separation, aggregation, and complexation of triton-X100 and bovine serum albumin mixture: A combined cloud point and UV-visible spectroscopic approaches

Phase separation and aggregation behaviour of triton X-100 (TX-100) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) mixture were investigated using cloud point and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques. The effects of various hydrotropes (HYTs) - namely, sodium salicylate (SS), sodium benzoate (SB), glycerol (Glyc), and 4-aminobenzoic acid (4-ABA) - on the cloud point (CP) of TX-100 + BSA were determined. The obtained CP values for the mixed system in the presence of HYTs followed the order: The measured critical micellization concentration (CMC) values of the TX-100 + BSA mixture were found to be significantly altered with varying amounts of BSA. The calculated free energy of clouding and micellization indicated the non-spontaneous nature of the phase transition and the spontaneous association of the TX-100 + BSA mixture. The non-spontaneity of phase separation decreased with increasing concentrations of HYTs. The enumerated values of ∆Hco and ∆Sco were consistently recorded as negative and positive magnitudes, respectively, in all aqueous HYTs media. The clouding process occurred due to a combination of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The binding constant of the mixed system was determined employing the UV-vis spectroscopic method using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation.

Crafting Docetaxel-Loaded Albumin Nanoparticles Through a Novel Thermal-Driven Self-Assembly/Microfluidic Combination Technology: Formulation, Process Optimization, Stability, and Bioavailability

Background

The commercial docetaxel (DTX) formulation causes severe side effects due to polysorbate 80 and ethanol. Novel surfactant-free nanoparticle (NP) systems are needed to improve bioavailability and reduce side effects. However, controlling the particle size and stability of NPs and improving the batch-to-batch variation are the major challenges.

Methods

DTX-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (DTX-BSA-NPs) were prepared by a novel thermal-driven self-assembly/microfluidic technology. Single-factor analysis and orthogonal test were conducted to obtain the optimal formulation of DTX-BSA-NPs in terms of particle size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and drug loading (DL). The effects of oil/water flow rate and pump pressure on the particle size, EE, and DL were investigated to optimize the preparation process of DTX-BSA-NPs. The drug release, physicochemical properties, stability, and pharmacokinetics of NPs were evaluated.

Results

The optimized DTX-BSA-NPs were uniform, with a particle size of 118.30 nm, EE of 89.04%, and DL of 8.27%. They showed a sustained release of 70% over 96 hours and an increased stability. There were some interactions between the drug and excipients in DTX-BSA-NPs. The half-life, mean residence time, and area under the curve (AUC) of DTX-BSA-NPs increased, but plasma clearance decreased when compared with DTX.

Conclusion

The thermal-driven self-assembly/microfluidic combination method effectively produces BSA-based NPs that improve the bioavailability and stability of DTX, offering a promising alternative to traditional formulations.

Unveiling Mechanobiology: A Compact Device for Uniaxial Mechanical Stimulation on Nanofiber Substrates and Its Impact on Cellular Behavior and Nanoparticle Distribution

Biotechnology and its allied sectors, such as tissue culture, regenerative medicine, and personalized medicine, primarily rely upon extensive studies on cellular behavior and their molecular pathways for generating essential knowledge and innovative strategies for human survival. Most such studies are performed on flat, adherent, plastic-based surfaces and use nanofiber and hydrogel-like soft matrices from the past few decades. However, such static culture conditions cannot mimic the immediate cellular microenvironment, where they perceive or generate a myriad of different mechanical forces that substantially affect their downstream molecular pathways. Including such mechanical forces, still limited to specialized laboratories, using a few commercially available or noncommercial technologies are gathering increasing attention worldwide. However, large-scale consideration and adaptation by developing nations have yet to be achieved due to the lack of a cost-effective, reliable, and accessible solution. Moreover, investigations on cellular response upon uniaxial mechanical stretch cycles under more in vivo mimetic conditions are yet to be studied comprehensively. In order to tackle these obstacles, we have prepared a compact, 3D-printed device using a microcontroller, batteries, sensors, and a stepper motor assembly that operates wirelessly and provides cyclic mechanical attrition to any thin substrate. We have fabricated water-stable and stretchable nanofiber substrates with different fiber orientations by using the electrospinning technique to investigate the impact of mechanical stretch cycles on the morphology and orientation of C2C12 myoblast-like cells. Additionally, we have examined the uptake and distribution properties of BSA-epirubicin nanoparticles within cells under mechanical stimulation, which could act as fluorescently active drug-delivery agents for future therapeutic applications. Consequently, our research offers a comprehensive analysis of cellular behavior when cells are subjected to uniaxial stretching on various nanofiber mat architectures. Furthermore, we present a cost-effective alternative solution that addresses the long-standing requirement for a compact, user-friendly, and tunable device, enabling more insightful outcomes in mechanobiology.

Design and characterization of BSA-mycophenolic acid nanocomplexes: Antiviral activity exploration

The interactions between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) were investigated in silico through molecular docking and in vitro, using fluorescence spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy were used to figure out the structure of MPA-Complex (MPA-C). The binding affinity between MPA and BSA was determined, yielding a Kd value of (12.0 ± 0.7) μM, and establishing a distance of 17 Å between the BSA and MPA molecules. The presence of MPA prompted protein aggregation, leading to the formation of MPA-C. The cytotoxicity of MPA-C and its ability to fight Junín virus (JUNV) were tested in A549 and Vero cell lines. It was found that treating infected cells with MPA-C decreased the JUNV yield and was more effective than free MPA in both cell line models for prolonged time treatments. Our results represent the first report of the antiviral activity of this type of BSA-MPA complex against JUNV, as assessed in cell culture model systems. MPA-C shows promise as a candidate for drug formulation against human pathogenic arenaviruses.

Factors Affecting the Synthesis of Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles Using the Desolvation Method

Currently, protein-based nanoparticles are in high demand as drug delivery systems due to their exceptional qualities, including nontoxicity, nonantigenicity, and biodegradability. Other qualities include high nutritional value, abundance of renewable resources, excellent drug binding capacity, greater stability during storage and in vivo, as well as ease of upgrading during manufacture. Examples of protein suitable for this purpose include ovalbumin (OVA) derived from egg white, human serum albumin (HSA), and bovine serum albumin (BSA). To create albumin nanoparticles, six different processes have been investigated in depth and are frequently used in drug delivery systems. These included desolvation, thermal gelation, emulsification, NAB technology, self-assembly, and nanospray drying. Several experimental conditions in the synthesis of albumin nanoparticles can affect the physicochemical characterization. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview of various experimental conditions capable of affecting the physicochemical characteristics of BSA nanoparticles formed using the desolvation method. By considering the variation in optimal experimental conditions, a delivery system of BSA nanoparticles with the best physicochemical characterization results could be developed.

Biophysical study of DC electric field induced stable formation of albumin-gold nanoparticles corona and curcumin binding

Targeted drug delivery (TDD) is a method of delivering optimum concentrations of pharmaceutical substances in the tissue to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Hence, TDD systems are considered as an emerging strategy to deliver the drug at the specific site of the tissues/cells. The nanoparticle-protein corona as a drug delivery vehicle has demonstrated immense benefits including potential theragnostic, improved pharmacodynamics and targeted drug delivery. In the present investigation, efforts have been to establish stable and functionalized Bovine serum albumin-gold nanoparticle (BSA-GNP) corona (conjugates) using a Direct Current (DC) electric field. With the application of DC electric field (DEF) across the BSA-GNP solution, the formation of BSA-GNP corona/conjugate takes place which was characterized using various biophysical techniques such a Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), UV Visible spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, electrophoresis, etc. Furthermore, the DEF engineered BSA-GNP corona was loaded/interacted with curcumin (CUR). The size of the BSA-GNP corona was increased with increasing DC voltage (5-30 V) at constant concentration of BSA. The strong and stable binding of curcumin with BSA-GNP corona was revealed by the techniques used in the investigation; however, binding affinity of CUR was decreased for 30 V DEF exposed BSA-GNP conjugate. The biocompatible experimental data confirms the nontoxic nature of BSA-GNP corona. This investigation adds a new and novel physical method for the preparation of protein-nanoparticle corona for various applications including drug delivery.

Co-loading of Temozolomide with Oleuropein or rutin into polylactic acid core-shell nanofiber webs inhibit glioblastoma cell by controlled release

Glioblastoma (GB) has susceptibility to post-surgical recurrence. Therefore, local treatment methods are required against recurrent GB cells in the post-surgical area. In this study, we developed a nanofiber-based local therapy against GB cells using Oleuropein (OL), and rutin and their combinations with Temozolomide (TMZ). The polylactic acid (PLA) core-shell nanofiber webs were encapsulated with OL (PLAOL), rutin (PLArutin), and TMZ (PLATMZ) by an electrospinning process. A SEM visualized the morphology and the total immersion method determined the release characteristics of PLA webs. Real-time cell tracking analysis for cell growth, dual Acridine Orange/Propidium Iodide staining for cell viability, a scratch wound healing assay for migration capacity, and a sphere formation assay for tumor spheroid aggressiveness were used. All polymeric nanofiber webs had core-shell structures with an average diameter between 133 ± 30.7-139 ± 20.5 nm. All PLA webs promoted apoptotic cell death, suppressed cell migration, and spheres growth (p < 0.0001). PLAOL and PLATMZ suppressed GB cell viability with a controlled release that increased over 120 h, while PLArutin caused rapid cell inhibition (p < 0.0001). Collectively, our findings suggest that core-shell nano-webs could be a novel and effective therapeutic tool for the controlled release of OL and TMZ against recurrent GB cells.

Chitosan/Alginate Nanogels Containing Multicore Magnetic Nanoparticles for Delivery of Doxorubicin

In this study, multicore-like iron oxide (Fe3O4) and manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized and combined with nanogels based on chitosan and alginate to obtain a multimodal drug delivery system. The nanoparticles exhibited crystalline structures and displayed sizes of 20 ± 3 nm (Fe3O4) and 11 ± 2 nm (MnFe2O4). The Fe3O4 nanoparticles showed a higher saturation magnetization and heating efficiency compared with the MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Functionalization with citrate and bovine serum albumin was found to improve the stability and modified surface properties. The nanoparticles were encapsulated in nanogels, and provided high drug encapsulation efficiencies (~70%) using doxorubicin as a model drug. The nanogels exhibited sustained drug release, with enhanced release under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation and acidic pH. The nanogels containing BSA-functionalized nanoparticles displayed improved sustained drug release at physiological pH, and the release kinetics followed a diffusion-controlled mechanism. These results demonstrate the potential of synthesized nanoparticles and nanogels for controlled drug delivery, offering opportunities for targeted and on-demand release in biomedical applications.

Dopamine-Conjugated Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles Containing pH-Responsive Catechol-V(III) Coordination for In Vitro and In Vivo Drug Delivery

V(III) instead of commonly used Fe(III) provided a rich tris-catechol-metal coordination at pH 7.4, which is important for slow drug release at physiological pH. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) functionalized with catechol-containing dopamine (D) and cross-linked using tris-catechol-V(III) coordination yielded pH-responsive compact D-BSA NPs (253 nm). However, conversion to bis- and/or mono-catechol-V(III) complexes in an acidic medium resulted in degradation of NPs and rapid release of doxorubicin (DOX). It was shown that D-BSA NPs entered cancerous MCF-7 cells (66%) more efficiently than non-cancerous HEK293T (33%) in 3 h. Also, DOX-loaded NPs reduced cell viability of MCF-7 by 75% and induced apoptosis in a majority of cells after 24 h. Biodegradability and lack of hemolytic activity were shown in vitro, whereas a lack of toxicity was shown in histological sections of zebrafish. Furthermore, 30% of circulating tumor cells in vasculature in 24 h were killed by DOX-loaded NPs shown with the zebrafish CTC xenograft model.

Berberine-loaded albumin nanoparticles reverse aflatoxin B1-induced liver hyperplasia

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be produced from aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) administration. Although berberine (BER) acts as an anticancer agent and can counteract the AFB1 effect, it has low bioavailability. Nanotechnology can overcome this problem. This research aimed to synthesize berberine nanoparticles (NPs) and then estimate their therapeutic effect compared to that of berberine against aflatoxin-induced hepatotoxicity. The desolvation method was used to prepare BER-NPs. Aflatoxicosis was induced by 5 consecutive intraperitoneal injections (IP) of 200 µg/kg/day AFB dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). After the induction period, two treatments were performed: the first with 100 mg/kg BER and the second with 10 mg/kg BER-NPs. Liver, kidney, and diabetic profiles were estimated by using standardized methods. Hepatic oxidative stress, inflammatory, cancer cell proliferation, and invasion markers were used by ELISA and qPCR techniques. The TEM image shows that both BSA NPs and BER-BSA NPs had spherical, regular, and uniform shapes. The BER encapsulation efficiency % was 78.5. The formed-BER-BSA NPs showed a loading capacity % of 7.71 and the synthesis yield % of 92.6. AFB1 increases pro-oxidant markers, decreases antioxidant systems, stimulates inflammatory enzymes, inhibits anti-inflammatory markers, decreases tumor suppressor enzymes, increases oncogenes, increases glycolytic activity, prevents cell death, and promotes cell growth. Most of the biochemical markers and hepatic architecture were normalized in the BER-BSA NP-treated group but not in the BER-treated group. Altogether, the obtained data proved that treatment with BER-NPs was more efficient than treatment with berberine against aflatoxicoses induced in rats.

Comparison of bovine serum albumin and chitosan effects on calcium phosphate formation in the presence of silver nanoparticles

The precipitation of calcium phosphates (CaPs) in the presence of more than one type of additive is of interest both from a fundamental point of view and as a possible biomimetic route for the preparation of multicomponent composites in which the activity of the components is preserved. In this study, the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and chitosan (Chi) on the precipitation of CaPs in the presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT-AgNPs), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP-AgNPs), and citrate (cit-AgNPs) was investigated. In the control system, the precipitation of CaPs occurred in two steps. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) was the first precipitated solid, which transformed into a mixture of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CaDHA) and a smaller amount of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) after 60 min of ageing. Both biomacromolecules inhibited ACP transformation, with Chi being a stronger inhibitor due to its flexible molecular structure. As the concentration of the biomacromolecules increased, the amount of OCP decreased both in the absence and presence of AgNPs. In the presence of cit-AgNPs and two highest BSA concentrations, a change in the composition of the crystalline phase was observed. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate was formed in the mixture with CaDHA. An effect on the morphology of both the amorphous and crystalline phases was observed. The effect depended on the specific combination of biomacromolecules and differently stabilized AgNP. The results obtained suggest a simple method for fine-tuning the properties of precipitates using different classes of additives. This could be of interest for the biomimetic preparation of multifunctional composites for bone tissue engineering.

Therapeutic efficacy of albendazole and berberine loaded on bovine serum albumin nanoparticles on intestinal and muscular phases of experimental trichinellosis

There has been no treatment for trichinellosis until now. Therefore, this work targeted to investigating the efficacy of albendazole and berberine alone and loaded on bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles against intestinal and muscular phases of trichinellosis in mice. Mice were divided into nine different groups: negative control, positive control, blank nanoparticle, albendazole, berberine, a combination of albendazole and berberine, albendazole-loaded nanoparticle, berberine-loaded nanoparticle and combination of albendazole and berberine-loaded nanoparticle. Subsequently, they were sacrificed 6 and 35 days after infection. Treatment efficacies were parasitologically, histopathologically and, immunohistochemically assessed. Parasitological counting for the adult worms and encysted larvae with histopathological assessment using H&E for intestinal and muscular sections and picrosirius red stain for muscular sections were used. Also, immunohistochemical expression of the intestinal nod-like receptor-pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) was investigated. The group treated with nano_combined drugs showed a statistically significant reduction in adult and encysted larval count (p<0.005), a remarkable improvement of intestinal and muscular inflammation, and a reduction in the capsular thickness of the larvae. Also, this group showed the highest reduction of NLRP3 expression. This work revealed that berberine might be a promising anti-trichinellosis drug with a synergistic effect when combined with albendazole through modulation of the immune response, inflammation, and larva capsule formation. Furthermore, delivering both drugs in a nanoparticle form improves their therapeutic response.

Green Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Bovine Serum Albumin for Linezolid Drug Delivery as Potential Wound Healing Biomaterial: Bio-Synergistic Approach, Antibacterial Activity, and In Vitro and Ex Vivo Evaluation

A simple and green approach was developed to produce novel highly fluorescent bovine serum albumin carbon dots (BCDs) via facile one-step hydrothermal treatment, using bovine serum albumin as a precursor carbon source. Inherent blue photoluminescence of the synthesized BCDs provided a maximum photostability of 90.5 ± 1.2% and was characterized via TEM, FT-IR, XPS, XRD, UV-visible, and zeta potential analyses. By virtue of their extremely small size, intrinsic optical and photoluminescence properties, superior photostability, and useful non-covalent interactions with the synthetic oxazolidinone antibiotic linezolid (LNZ), BCDs were investigated as fluorescent nano-biocarriers for LNZ drug delivery. The release profile of LNZ from the drug delivery system (LNZ-BCDs) revealed a distinct biphasic release, which is beneficial for mollifying the lethal incidents associated with wound infection. The effective wound healing performance of the developed LNZ-BCDs were evaluated through various in vitro and ex vivo assays such as MTT, ex vivo hemolysis, in vitro antibacterial activity, in vitro skin-related enzyme inhibition, and scratch wound healing assays. The examination of LNZ-BCDs as an efficient wound healing biomaterial illustrated excellent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity against normal human skin fibroblast (HSF) cell line, indicating distinct antibacterial activity against the most common wound infectious pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC^® 25922) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, robust anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and anti-tyrosinase activities, and enhanced cell proliferation and migration effect. The obtained results confirmed the feasibility of using the newly designed fluorescent LNZ-BCDs nano-bioconjugate as a unique antibacterial biomaterial for effective wound healing and tissue regeneration. Besides, the greenly synthesized BCDs could be considered as a great potential substitute for toxic nanoparticles in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and intense fluorescence characteristics and in pharmaceutical industries as promising drug delivery nano-biocarriers for effective wound healing applications.

Effect of minocycline and its nano-formulation on central auditory system in blast-induced hearing loss rat model

Blast injuries are common among the military service members and veterans. One of the devastating effects of blast wave induced TBI is either temporary or permanent hearing loss. Treating hearing loss using minocycline is restricted by optimal drug concentration, route of administration, and its half-life. Therefore, therapeutic approach using novel therapeutic delivery method is in great need. Among the different delivery methods, nanotechnology-based drug delivery is desirable, which can achieve longer systemic circulation, pass through some biological barriers and specifically targets desired sites. The current study aimed to examine therapeutic effect of minocycline and its nanoparticle formulation in moderate blast induced hearing loss rat model through central auditory system. The I.v. administered nanoparticle at reduced dose and frequency than regularly administered toxic dose. After moderate blast exposure, rats had hearing impairment as determined by ABR at 7- and 30-days post exposure. In chronic condition, free minocycline also showed the significant reduction in ABR threshold. In central auditory system, it is found in this study that minocycline nanoparticles ameliorate excitation in inferior colliculus; and astrocytes and microglia activation after the blast exposure is reduced by minocycline nanoparticles administration. The study demonstrated that in moderate blast induced hearing loss, minocycline and its nanoparticle formulation exhibited the optimal therapeutic effect on the recovery of the ABR impairment and a protective effect through central auditory system. In conclusion, targeted and non-targeted nanoparticle formulation have therapeutic effect on blast induced hearing loss.

Development of nanocubosomes co-loaded with dual anticancer agents curcumin and temozolomide for effective Colon cancer therapy

Current research aimed to develop nanocubosomes co-loaded with dual anticancer drugs curcumin and temozolomide for effective colon cancer therapy. Drugs co-loaded nanocubosomal dispersion was prepared by modified emulsification method using glyceryl monooleate (GMO), pluronic F127 and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a lipid phase, surfactant, and stabilizer, respectively. The resulting nanocubosomes were characterized by measuring hydrodynamic particle size, particle size distribution (PSD), drug loading capacity (DL), encapsulation efficiency (EE), colloidal stability and drug release profile. We also physiochemically characterized the nanocubosomes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and x-rays diffraction (XRD) for their morphology, polymer drug interaction and its nature, respectively. Further, the in-vitro cell-uptake, mechanism of cell-uptake, in-vitro anti-tumor efficacy and apoptosis level were evaluated using HCT-116 colon cancer cells. The prepared nanocubosomes exhibited a small hydrodynamic particle size (PS of 150 ± 10 nm in diameter) with nearly cubic shape and appropriate polydispersity index (PDI), enhanced drug loading capacity (LC of 6.82 ± 2.03% (Cur) and 9.65 ± 1.53% (TMZ), high entrapment efficiency (EE of 67.43 ± 2.16% (Cur) and 75.55 ± 3.25% (TMZ), pH-triggered drug release profile and higher colloidal stability in various physiological medium. Moreover, the nanocubosomes showed higher cellular uptake, in-vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis compared to free drugs, curcumin and temozolomide, most likely because its small particle size. In addition, BSA-stabilized nanocubosomes were actively taken by aggressive colon cancer cells that over-expressed the albumin receptors and utilized BSA as nutrient source for their growth. In short, this study provides a new and simple strategy to improve the efficacy and simultaneously overawed the adaptive treatment tolerance in colon cancer.

Preparation, physicochemical characterization, and bioactivity evaluation of berberine-entrapped albumin nanoparticles

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid with several clinical therapeutic applications. Its low water solubility, absorption, and cellular bioavailability diminish BBR's therapeutic efficacy. In this study, BBR was encapsulated into bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BSA NPs) core to reduce BBR limitations and enhance its clinical therapeutic properties. Several physicochemical characterization tools, such as Dynamic Light Scattering and Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopic measurements, field emission transmission electron microscopy surface morphology, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability analysis, and releasing studies, were used to evaluate the BBR-BSA NPs. Compared to BBR, BBR-BSA nanoparticles demonstrated superior free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities, anti-hemolytic and anticoagulant efficacies, and antimicrobial activities, as demonstrated by the findings of the in vitro studies. Furthermore, a stressed pancreatic rat model was induced using a high-fat, high-sucrose diet plus carbon tetrachloride injection. The in vivo results revealed that BBR-BSA NPs substantially restored peripheral glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Oral administration of BBR-BSA NPs also improved pancreatic β-cells homeostasis, upregulated pancreatic antioxidant mechanisms, inhibited oxidants generation, and attenuated oxidative injury in the stressed pancreatic tissues. In conclusion, our in vitro and in vivo results confirmed that BBR-BSA NPs demonstrated more potent antioxidant properties and restored pancreatic homeostasis compared to BBR.

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of rhamnolipid fabricated fucoxanthin loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles supported by simulation studies

BACKGROUND

Fucoxanthin is a hydrophobic carotenoid with many beneficial biological activities. However, due to low aqueous solubility their clinical efficacy is limited thus leading to poor oral bioavailability. To address this issue, we encapsulated fucoxanthin in rhamnolipid fabricated bovine serum albumin (BSA) loaded nanoparticles (LNPs) for improving solubility dependent bioavailability of fucoxanthin.

RESULTS

These synthesized LNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Our results showed that LNPs were spherical in shape with particle size around 180 nm along with positive zeta potential. The encapsulation efficiency and loading efficiency calculated for LNPs were 69.66 ± 1.5% and 14 ± 0.2%, respectively. The antioxidant assay of LNPs indicate high radical scavenging activity compared to pure fucoxanthin. Besides this, our release studies indicates that drug release occur from the matrix of nanocarrier system through diffusion based on concentration. Thus, these findings indicate successful encapsulation of fucoxanthin, with improved solubility thereby leading to increased bioavailability. This nano formulation is derived from components which are FDA approved that could be exploited for encapsulating other vital nutraceutical molecules.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our results showed successful synthesis of biodegradable nanocarrier for delivering fucoxanthin supported by molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and thermodynamics of free binding energy studies. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Starch-Based Hydrogel Nanoparticles Loaded with Polyphenolic Compounds of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract Have Hepatoprotective Activity in Bisphenol A-Induced Animal Models

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an xenoestrogenic chemical used extensively in the fabrication of baby bottles, reusable plastic water bottles and polycarbonate plastic containers. The current study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf extract (MOLE) and hydrogel NPs made of starch-MOLE-Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) against Bisphenol A-induced liver toxicity in male rats. Fabrication and characterization of hydrogel NPs formed of starch-MOLE-BSA were investigated using FTIR, TEM, zeta potential, UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The potential efficacy of hydrogel NPs was studied. Compared to the results of control, the level of liver function, oxidative stress markers and lipid profile status were remodulated in the groups treated with MOLE and hydrogel NPs (Encap. MOLE). Meanwhile, the administration of MOLE and Encap MOLE significantly increased antioxidant activity and decreased the level of apoptotic pathways. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and growth arrest -DNA damage-inducible gene 45b (Gadd45b) were also regulated in the groups treated with MOLE and Encap. MOLE compared to the group which received BPA alone. In the present study, MOLE and hydrogel NPs led to remarkable alterations in histological changes during BPA administration. Overall, MOLE has a potential antioxidant activity which can be used in the treatment of liver disorders.

Physicochemical Study of Albumin Nanoparticles with Chlorambucil

Currently, nanotechnology is considered a promising strategy to enhance drug solubility and other physicochemical properties. Albumin is a biopolymer that can be used in drug delivery systems due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize albumin nanoparticles with chlorambucil as a controlled drug delivery system. Different concentrations of chlorambucil were incubated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in order to prepare nanoparticles using the desolvation method. As a result, nanoparticles in sizes ranging from 199.6 to 382.6 nm exhibiting high encapsulation efficiency of chlorambucil were obtained. A spectroscopic study revealed concentration-dependent changes in secondary structure of the albumin chain and in the hydrophobicity of chlorambucil. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the investigated structures may be used in the development of a drug delivery system.

Triggering the nanophase separation of albumin through multivalent binding to glycogen for drug delivery in 2D and 3D multicellular constructs

Engineered nanoparticles for the encapsulation of bioactive agents hold promise to improve disease diagnosis, prevention and therapy. To advance this field and enable clinical translation, the rational design of nanoparticles with controlled functionalities and a robust understanding of nanoparticle-cell interactions in the complex biological milieu are of paramount importance. Herein, a simple platform obtained through the nanocomplexation of glycogen nanoparticles and albumin is introduced for the delivery of chemotherapeutics in complex multicellular 2D and 3D systems. We found that the dendrimer-like structure of aminated glycogen nanoparticles is key to controlling the multivalent coordination and phase separation of albumin molecules to form stable glycogen-albumin nanocomplexes. The pH-responsive glycogen scaffold conferred the nanocomplexes the ability to undergo partial endosomal escape in tumour, stromal and immune cells while albumin enabled nanocomplexes to cross endothelial cells and carry therapeutic agents. Limited interactions of nanocomplexes with T cells, B cells and natural killer cells derived from human blood were observed. The nanocomplexes can accommodate chemotherapeutic drugs and release them in multicellular 2D and 3D constructs. The drugs loaded on the nanocomplexes retained their cytotoxic activity, which is comparable with the activity of the free drugs. Cancer cells were found to be more sensitive to the drugs in the presence of stromal and immune cells. Penetration and cytotoxicity of the drug-loaded nanocomplexes in tumour mimicking tissues were validated using a 3D multicellular-collagen construct in a perfusion bioreactor. The results highlight a simple and potentially scalable strategy for engineering nanocomplexes made entirely of biological macromolecules with potential use for drug delivery.

Bioactive compounds: Application of albumin nanocarriers as delivery systems

Enriched products with bioactive compounds (BCs) show the capacity to produce a wide range of possible health effects. Most BCs are essentially hydrophobic and sensitive to environmental factors; so, encapsulation becomes a strategy to solve these problems. Many globular proteins have the intrinsic ability to bind, protect, encapsulate, and introduce BCs into nutraceutical or pharmaceutical matrices. Among them, albumins as human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), ovalbumin (OVA) and α-lactalbumin (ALA) are widely abundant, available, and applied in many industrial sectors, becoming promissory materials to encapsulate BCs. Therefore, this review focuses on researches about the main groups of natural origin BCs (namely phenolic compounds, lipids, vitamins, and carotenoids), the different types of nanostructures based on albumins to encapsulate them and the main fields of application for BCs-loaded albumin systems. In this context, phenolic compounds (catechins, quercetin, and chrysin) are the most extensively BCs studied and encapsulated in albumin-based nanocarriers. Other extensively studied subgroups are stilbenes and curcuminoids. Regarding lipids and vitamins; terpenes, carotenoids (β-carotene), and xanthophylls (astaxanthin) are the most considered. The main application areas of BCs are related to their antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Finally, BSA is the most used albumin to produced BCs-loaded nanocarriers.

Interactions of diclazuril enantiomers with serum albumins: Multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking approaches

In this work, multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking methods have been conducted in the investigation of enantioselective interactions between diclazuril enantiomers and human/bovine serum albumins (HSA/BSA). The binding constants between serum albumins (SAs) and diclazuril enantiomers revealed that SAs exhibited stronger binding affinity for (R)-diclazuril than (S)-enantiomer. In addition, the fluorescence quenching of SAs induced by diclazuril enantiomers was ascribed to static quenching mechanism, in which hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces were the main interactions. According to the thermodynamic study, binding of diclazuril enantiomers and SAs was an exothermic process driven by enthalpy change. Then, circular dichroism spectroscopy of SAs with diclazuril enantiomers revealed that the SAs conformation had changed in the presence of diclazuril. Moreover, molecular docking technology was applied in exploration of interactions between SAs and diclazuril enantiomers. The docking energy between SAs and (R)-diclazuril was larger than (S)-diclazuril, which indicated that the affinity of SAs with (R)-diclazuril was stronger than (S)-enantiomer. This work may provide valuable information for explaining differences in pharmacokinetics and residue elimination of diclazuril enantiomers in living organisms.

Anticancer nano-delivery systems based on bovine serum albumin nanoparticles: A critical review

Among the health-promotional protein-based vehicles, bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BSA NPs) are particularly interesting. Meeting requirements e. g., non-toxicity, non-immunogenicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and high drug-binding capacity, has introduced BSA NPs as a promising candidate for efficient anti-cancer drug delivery and its application is now a rapidly-growing strategy to promote cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the leverage of such carriers requires an in-depth understanding of structural/physicochemical features of the BSA molecule and its derived nanovehicles, together with the utilized nano-formulation approaches, effective variables in delivery mechanism, specific shortfalls, and recent nanoencapsulation progresses. The current review highlights the novel advances in the application of BSA NPs to engineer drug vehicles for delivering anti-cancer agents. The factors influencing the efficiency of the therapeutics in such nano-delivery systems, alongside their advantaged and limitations are also discussed.

A natural protein based platform for the delivery of Temozolomide acid to glioma cells

Glioblastoma is one of the most difficult to treat cancers with poor prognosis and survival of around one year from diagnosis. Effective treatments are desperately needed. This work aims to prepare temozolomide acid (TMZA) loaded albumin nanoparticles, for the first time, to target glioblastoma (GL261) and brain cancer stem cells (BL6). TMZA was loaded into human serum albumin nanoparticles (HSA NPs) using the desolvation method. A response surface 3-level factorial design was used to study the effect of different formulation parameters on the drug loading and particle size of NPs. The optimum conditions were found to be: 4 mg TMZA with 0.05% sodium cholate. This yielded NPs with particle size and drug loading of 111.7 nm and 5.5% respectively. The selected formula was found to have good shelf life and serum stability but with a relatively fast drug release pattern. The optimized NPs showed excellent cellular uptake with ∼ 50 and 100% of cells were positive for NP uptake after 24 h incubation with both GL261 and BL6 glioblastoma cell lines, respectively. The selected formula showed high cytotoxicity with ̴ 20% cell viability at 1 mM TMZA after 72 h incubation time. Finally, the fluorescently labelled NPs showed co-localization with the bioluminescent syngeneic BL6 intra-cranial tumour mouse model after intravenous administration.

Bacteria repellent protein hydrogel decorated with tunable, isotropic, nano-on-micro hierarchical microbump array

We report the development of ordered shape-controllable microbump structures on protein hydrogels using polystyrene honeycomb templates. Addition of protein nanogels results in the formation of hierarchical nano-on-micro structures and increases surface hydrophilicity by over 55%, exhibiting bacteria repellency 100 times stronger than a flat hydrogel surface composed of the same protein.

Reverse engineering of an anatomically equivalent nerve conduit

Reconstruction of peripheral nervous tissue remains challenging in critical-sized defects due to the lack of Büngner bands from the proximal to the distal nerve ends. Conventional nerve guides fail to bridge the large-sized defect owing to the formation of a thin fibrin cable. Hence, in the present study, an attempt was made to reverse engineer the intricate epi-, peri- and endo-neurial tissues using Fused Deposition Modeling based 3D printing. Bovine serum albumin protein nanoflowers (NF) exhibiting Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' morphology were ingrained into 3D printed constructs without affecting its secondary structure to enhance the axonal guidance from proximal to distal ends of denuded nerve ends. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed the uniform distribution of protein NF in 3D printed constructs. The PC-12 cells cultured on protein ingrained 3D printed scaffolds demonstrated cytocompatibility, improved cell adhesion and extended neuronal projections with significantly higher intensities of NF-200 and tubulin expressions. Further suture-free fixation designed in the current 3D printed construct aids facile implantation of printed conduits to the transected nerve ends. Hence the protein ingrained 3D printed construct would be a promising substitute to treat longer peripheral nerve defects as its structural equivalence of endo- and perineurial organization along with the ingrained protein NF promote the neuronal extension towards the distal ends by minimizing axonal dispersion.

Folate-methotrexate loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles preparation: an in vitro drug targeting cytokines overwhelming expressed immune cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients

The study planned to estimate biological parameters linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, detecting the influence of MTX and biotherapy treatments on these parameters and synthesizing methotrexate bovine serum albumin nanoparticles linked to folate (FA-MTX-BSA NPs) to reduce the overwhelming expression of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammatory parameters showed significant increases in newly diagnosed and MTX-receiving groups while no changes were observed in the biotherapy-maintained group. MTX-loaded BSA nanoparticles were fabricated by the desolvation method and further linked to activated folic acid to obtain FA-MTX-BSA NPs. FA-MTX-BSA NPs were successfully characterized within the nanoscale range using different screening techniques. FA-MTX-BSA NPs showed an in vitro release in a sustained manner. The potential of MTX, MTX-BSA NPs, and FA-MTX-BSA NPs in inducing cytokine level reduction was detected. Significant decreases in interleukin- 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were obtained in cultures treated with FA-MTX-BSA NPs compared to the untreated culture in a dose-dependent pattern. Furthermore, FA-MTX-BSA NPs comparing with MTX and MTX-BSA NPs exhibited a significant advanced effect in decreasing cytokines levels. Accordingly, the conjunction of BSA NPs and MTX linked to folate potentially reduced cytokines manifestation in RA.

Crucial Role of PLGA Nanoparticles in Mitigating the Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity

BACKGROUND

Amiodarone (AMD) is a widely used anti-arrhythmic drug, but its administration could be associated with varying degrees of pulmonary toxicity. In attempting to circumvent this issue, AMD-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (AMD-loaded NPs) had been designed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AMD was loaded in NPs by the nanoprecipitation method using two stabilizers: bovine serum albumin and Kolliphor® P 188. The physicochemical properties of the AMD-loaded NPs were determined. Among the prepared NPs, two ones were selected for further investigation of spectral and thermal analysis as well as morphological properties. Additionally, in vitro release patterns were studied and kinetically analyzed at different pH values. In vitro cytotoxicity of an optimized formula (NP4) was quantified using A549 and Hep-2 cell lines. In vivo assessment of the pulmonary toxicity on Sprague Dawley rats via histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations was applied.

RESULTS

The developed NPs achieved a size not more than 190 nm with an encapsulation efficiency of more than 88%. Satisfactory values of loading capacity and yield were also attained. The spectral and thermal analysis demonstrated homogeneous entrapment of AMD inside the polymeric matrix of NPs. Morphology revealed uniform, core-shell structured, and sphere-shaped particles with a smooth surface. Furthermore, the AMD-loaded NPs exhibited a pH-dependent and diffusion-controlled release over a significant period without an initial burst effect. NP4 demonstrated a superior cytoprotective efficiency by diminishing cell death and significantly increasing the IC50 by more than threefold above the pure AMD. Also, NP4 ameliorated AMD-induced pulmonary damage in rats. Significant downregulation of inflammatory mediators and free radicle production were noticed in the NP4-treated rats.

CONCLUSION

The AMD-loaded NPs could ameliorate the pulmonary injury induced by the pure drug moieties. Cytoprotective, anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties were presented by the optimized NPs (NP4). Future studies may be built on these findings for diminishing AMD-induced off-target toxicities.

Hyaluronic-Coated Albumin Nanoparticles for the Non-Invasive Delivery of Apatinib in Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose

Apatinib (Apa) is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor with the potential to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR); a serious condition leading to visual impairment and blindness. DR treatment relies on invasive techniques associated with various complications. Investigating topical routes for Apa delivery to the posterior eye segment is thus promising but also challenging due to ocular barriers. Hence, the study objective was to develop Apa-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Apa-BSA-NPs) coated with hyaluronic acid (HA); a natural polymer possessing unique mucoadhesive and viscoelastic features with the capacity to actively target CD44 positive retinal cells, for topical administration in DR.

Methods

Apa-BSA-NPs were prepared by desolvation using glutaraldehyde for cross-linking. HA-coated BSA-NPs were also prepared and HA: NPs ratio optimized. Nanoparticles were characterized for colloidal properties, entrapment efficiency (EE%), in vitro drug release and mucoadhesive potential. In vitro cytotoxicity on rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCE) was assessed using MTT assay, while efficacy was evaluated in vivo in a diabetic rat model by histopathological examination of the retina by light and transmission electron microscopy. Retinal accumulation of fluorescently labeled BSA-NP and HA-BSA-NP was assessed using confocal microscope scanning.

Results

Apa-HA-BSA-NPs prepared under optimal conditions showed size, PdI and zeta potential: 222.2±3.56 nm, 0.221±0.02 and -37.3±1.8 mV, respectively. High EE% (69±1%), biphasic sustained release profile with an initial burst effect and mucoadhesion was attained. No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed on RCE cells. In vivo histopathological studies on DR rat model revealed alleviated retinal micro- and ultrastructural changes in the topical HA-Apa-BSA-NP treated eyes with normal basement membrane and retinal thickness comparable to normal control and intravitreally injected nanoparticles. Improved retinal accumulation for HA-BSA-NP was also observed by confocal microscopy.

Conclusion

Findings present HA-Apa-BSA-NPs as a platform for enhanced topical therapy of DR overcoming the devastating ocular complications of the intravitreal route.