Hytrin loaded polydopamine-serotonin nanohybrid induces IDH2 mediated neuroprotective effect to alleviate Parkinson's disease

Trimethylated chitosan-coated flexible liposomes with resveratrol for topical drug delivery to reduce blue-light-induced retinal damage

LED-related blue-light-induced damage can cause eye diseases. However, drug delivery in patients with ocular diseases is faced with various challenges. In this study, we developed flexible liposomes based on trimethylated chitosan (TMC-Lipo) to deliver resveratrol for the treatment of retinal diseases. Flexible liposomes can easily cross various biological barriers. Chitosan and its derivatives have adhesive properties and are widely used in mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. Therefore, we wrapped flexible liposomes with trimethylated chitosan via electrostatic adsorption. The charge of the flexible liposomes became positive after encapsulation in TMC, and they remained stable in artificial tears. We assessed the safety of TMC-Lipo in cellular and zebrafish experiments and found that it can be safely used. In addition, treatment with TMC-Lipo significantly reduced H2O2-induced damage to ARPE-19 cells, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, and protected the cells. TMC-Lipo more easily reached the posterior ocular segment of the mice than liposome nanoparticles and attenuated blue-light-induced retinal cytopathy. Our study demonstrates that effective eye drop formulations can be developed based on trimethylated chitosan, which provides a promising approach for the treatment of ocular diseases.

Self-immolative nanocapsules precisely regulate depressive neuronal microenvironment for synergistic antidepression therapy

BACKGROUND

Pharmacotherapy constitutes the first-line treatment for depression. However, its clinical use is hindered by several limitations, such as time lag, side effects, and narrow therapeutic windows. Nanotechnology can be employed to shorten the onset time by ensuring permeation across the blood brain barrier (BBB) to precisely deliver more therapeutic agents; unfortunately, formidable challenges owing to the intrinsic shortcomings of commercial drugs remain.

RESULTS

Based on the extraordinary capability of monoamines to regulate the neuronal environment, we engineer a network nanocapsule for delivering serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and catalase (CAT) to the brain parenchyma for synergistic antidepression therapy. The nanoantidepressants are fabricated by the formation of 5-HT polymerization and simultaneous payload CAT, following by surface modifications using human serum albumin and rabies virus glycoprotein. The virus-inspired nanocapsules benefit from the surface-modifying strategies and exhibit pronounced BBB penetration. Once nanocapsules reach the brain parenchyma, the mildly acidic conditions trigger the release of 5-HT from the sacrificial nanocapsule. Releasing 5-HT further positively regulate moods, relieving depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, cargo CAT alleviates neuroinflammation and enhances therapeutic efficacy of 5-HT.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, the results offer detailed information encouraging the rational designing of nanoantidepressants and highlighting the potential of nanotechnology in mental health disorder therapies.

Improved Melatonin Delivery by a Size-Controlled Polydopamine Nanoformulation Attenuates Preclinical Diabetic Retinopathy

Oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species generation, and overexpression of VEGF are signatory events in diabetic retinopathy. The downregulation of VEGF and anti-inflammatory action pave the way for diabetic retinopathy (DR) therapy. In that, lower absorption kinetics of melatonin limits its immense therapeutic potential. Hence, we have demonstrated a reverse microemulsion method to synthesize melatonin-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles to replenish both at a single platform with an improved melatonin delivery profile. The study has evaluated in vitro and in vivo protection efficiency of biocompatible melatonin-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles (MPDANPs). The protection mechanism was explained by downregulation of VEGF, CASPASE3, and PKCδ against high-glucose/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced insults, in vitro and in vivo. The anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effect and potential of MPDANPs to enhance melatonin in vivo stability with prolonged circulation time have proved MPDANPs as a potential therapeutic candidate in DR management. The DR therapeutic potential of MPDANPs has been arbitrated by improving the bioavailability of melatonin and inhibition of VEGF-PKCδ crosstalk in vivo.