Preparation and cytotoxicity of poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres encapsulating 2-methoxyestradiol

A dataset on formulation parameters and characteristics of drug-loaded PLGA microparticles

Polymer microparticles (MPs) are widely used to create long-acting injectable formulations due to their ability to enable sustained drug release. This feature can significantly benefit chronic disease management by reducing dosing frequency and improving patient adherence. To support the design and development of polymer MPs, we have compiled a dataset on MPs formed from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), the most commonly used polymer in commercial MP drug products. This dataset, derived from the literature, covers 321 in vitro release studies involving 89 different drugs. It aims to streamline future MP development by providing a reference for the current PLGA MP design space and supporting data-driven approaches such as machine learning. Published with open access, this dataset encourages broad utilization and aims to expand the range of available MP formulations.

Cytotoxicity profiling of choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents

This study aims to examine in detail for the first time the cytotoxic profile of twelve choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents (NADES) against HT-29, Caco-2, MCF-7, and MRC-5 cell lines. All NADES systems were synthesized by microwave synthesis using choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and selected sugars, alcohols, organic acids, and urea as hydrogen bond donors (HBD) with the addition of 20% water (w/w) to all systems. It was observed that the cytotoxic effect predominantly depended on the structure of HBD. Acidic systems, where HBDs were organic acids showed the highest cytotoxic effects in all investigated cell lines. The cytotoxicity depended mostly on the concentration of the NADES system in the cell medium as well as on the chemical constitution of the investigated systems. The highest cytotoxic effects showed acidic systems, especially to the HT-29 cell line. The EC₅₀ value for the citric acid-based system was 3.91 mg mL^-1 for the HT-29 cell line which was the most vulnerable to acidic NADES systems.

Sophoridine-loaded PLGA microspheres for lung targeting: preparation, in vitro, and in vivo evaluation

Lung-targeting sophoridine-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres were constructed by a simple oil-in-oil emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The obtained microspheres were systematically studied on their morphology, size distribution, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release profile, and biodistribution in rats. The drug-loaded microparticles showed as tiny spheres under SEM and had an average size of 17 μm with 90% of the microspheres ranging from 12 to 24 μm. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 65% and 6.5%, respectively. The in vitro drug release behavior of microspheres exhibited an initial burst of 16.6% at 4 h and a sustained-release period of 14 days. Drug concentration in lung tissue of rats was 220.10 μg/g for microspheres and 6.77 μg/g for solution after intraveneous injection for 30 min, respectively. And the microsphere formulation showed a significantly higher drug level in lung tissue than in other major organs and blood samples for 12 days. These results demonstrated that the obtained PLGA microspheres could potentially improve the treatment efficacy of sophoridine against lung cancer.

Microtubule targeted therapeutics loaded polymeric assembled nanospheres for potentiation of antineoplastic activity

Polymeric nanoassemblies represent an attractive strategy for efficient cellular internalization of microtubule targeted anticancer drugs. Using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, the physical properties and surface morphology of microtubule-binding PEGylated PLGA assembled nanospheres (100–200 nm) were analyzed. The present approach leads to strong internalization as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in hepatocarcinoma cells. The effect of these nanoassemblies on microtubules and mitosis were explored using immunofluorescence microscopy. The effects of these nanoassemblies on cancer cell proliferation and cell death revealed their antitumor enhancing effects. Perturbation of the microtubule assembly, mitosis and nuclear modulations potentiated the antineoplastic effects delivered via nanospheres in hepatocarcinoma cells. The extensive biomolecular and physical characterizations of the synthesized nanoassemblies will help to design potent therapeutic materials and the present approach can be applied to deliver microtubule-targeted drugs for liver cancer therapy.

Antiangiogenic, antimigratory and antiinflammatory effects of 2-methoxyestradiol in zebrafish larvae

2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME), an endogenous metabolite of 17β-estradiol, has been previously reported to possess antiangiogenic and antitumor properties. Herein, we demonstrate that the effects of this antiangiogenic steroid can be readily assayed in live zebrafish, introducing a convenient and robust new model system as a screening tool for both single cell and collective cell migration assays. Using the in vitro mammalian endothelial cell line EA.hy926, we first show that cell migration and angiogenesis, as estimated by wound assay and tube formation respectively, are antagonized by 2ME. In zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae, dose-dependent exposure to 2ME diminishes (1) larval angiogenesis, (2) leukocyte recruitment to damaged lateral line neuromasts and (3) retards the lateral line primordium in its migration along the body. Our results indicate that 2ME has an effect on collective cell migration in vivo as well as previously reported anti-tumorigenic activity and suggests that the molecular mechanisms governing cell migration in a variety of contexts are conserved between fish and mammals. Moreover, we exemplify the versatility of the zebrafish larvae for testing diverse physiological processes and screening for antiangiogenic and antimigratory drugs in vivo.