Formulation of the novel structure curcumin derivative-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: synthesis, optimization, characterization and anti-tumor activity screening in vitro

Advances in Nanocarrier Systems for Overcoming Formulation Challenges of Curcumin: Current Insights

Curcumin, an organic phenolic molecule that is extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa Linn, has undergone extensive evaluation for its diverse biological activities in both animals and humans. Despite its favorable characteristics, curcumin encounters various formulation challenges and stability issues that can be effectively addressed through the application of nanotechnology. Nano-based techniques specifically focused on enhancing solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy while mitigating toxicity, have been explored for curcumin. This review systematically presents information on the improvement of curcumin's beneficial properties when incorporated, either individually or in conjunction with other drugs, into diverse nanosystems such as liposomes, nanoemulsions, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, solid-lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers. Additionally, the review examines ongoing clinical trials and recently granted patents, offering a thorough overview of the dynamic landscape in curcumin delivery. Researchers are currently exploring nanocarriers with crucial features such as surface modification, substantial loading capacity, biodegradability, compatibility, and autonomous targeting specificity and selectivity. Nevertheless, the utilization of nanocarriers for curcumin delivery is still in its initial phases, with regulatory approval pending and persistent safety concerns surrounding their use.

Angelica Sinensis Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles for Liver-Targeted Delivery of Oridonin

The present work aimed to study the feasibility of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) as an instinctive liver targeting drug delivery carrier for oridonin (ORI) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ASP was reacted with deoxycholic acid (DOCA) via an esterification reaction to form an ASP-DOCA conjugate. ORI-loaded ASP-DOCA nanoparticles (ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs) were prepared by the thin-film water method, and their size was about 195 nm in aqueous solution. ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs had a drug loading capacity of up to 9.2%. The release of ORI in ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs was pH-dependent, resulting in rapid decomposition and accelerated drug release at acidic pH. ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs significantly enhanced the accumulation of ORI in liver tumors through ASGPR-mediated endocytosis. In vitro results showed that ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs increased cell uptake and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and in vivo results showed that ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs caused effective tumor suppression in H22 tumor-bearing mice compared with free ORI. In short, ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs might be a simple, feasible, safe and effective ORI nano-drug delivery system that could be used for the targeted delivery and treatment of liver tumors.

Preparation and Evaluation of Curcumin Derivatives Nanoemulsion Based on Turmeric Extract and Its Antidepressant Effect

Purpose

The early stage of this study verified that a turmeric extract (TUR) including 59% curcumin (CU), 22% demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and 18% bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), could enhance the stability of CU and had greater antidepressant potential in vitro. The objective of the study was to develop a nano-delivery system containing TUR (TUR-NE) to improve the pharmacokinetic behavior of TUR and enhance its antidepressant effect.

Methods

The antidepressant potential of TUR was explored using ABTS, oxidative stress-induced cell injury, and a high-throughput screening model. TUR-NE was fabricated, optimized and characterized. The pharmacokinetic behaviors of TUR-NE were evaluated following oral administration to normal rats. The antidepressant effect of TUR-NE was assessed within chronic unpredictable mild stress model (CUMS) mice. The behavioral and biochemical indexes of mice were conducted.

Results

The results depicted that TUR had 3.18 and 1.62 times higher antioxidant capacity than ascorbic acid and CU, respectively. The inhibition effect of TUR on ASP+ transport was significantly enhanced compared with fluoxetine and CU. TUR-NE displayed a particle size of 116.0 ± 0.31 nm, polydispersity index value of 0.121 ± 0.007, an encapsulation rate of 98.45%, and good release and stability in cold storage. The results of pharmacokinetics indicated the AUC(0-t) of TUR-NE was 8.436 and 4.495 times higher than that of CU and TUR, while the Cmax was 9.012 and 5.452 times higher than that of CU and TUR, respectively. The pharmacodynamic study confirmed that the superior antidepressant effect of TUR-NE by significantly improving the depressant-like behaviors and elevating the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine in plasma and brain in CUMS mice. TUR-NE showed good safety with repeated administration.

Conclusion

TUR-NE, which had small and uniform particle size, enhanced the bioavailability and antidepressant effect of TUR. It could be a promising novel oral preparation against depression.

Material and Design Toolkit for Drug Delivery: State of the Art, Trends, and Challenges

The nanomaterial and related toolkit have promising applications for improving human health and well-being. Nanobased drug delivery systems use nanoscale materials as carriers to deliver therapeutic agents in a targeted and controlled manner, and they have shown potential to address issues associated with conventional drug delivery systems. They offer benefits for treating various illnesses by encapsulating or conjugating biological agents, chemotherapeutic drugs, and immunotherapeutic agents. The potential applications of this technology are vast; however, significant challenges exist to overcome such as safety issues, toxicity, efficacy, and insufficient capacity. This article discusses the latest developments in drug delivery systems, including drug release mechanisms, material toolkits, related design molecules, and parameters. The concluding section examines the limitations and provides insights into future possibilities.

Lipid Nanoparticles: An Effective Tool to Improve the Bioavailability of Nutraceuticals

Nano-range bioactive colloidal carrier systems are envisaged to overcome the challenges associated with treatments of numerous diseases. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), one of the extensively investigated drug delivery systems, not only improve pharmacokinetic parameters, transportation, and chemical stability of encapsulated compounds but also provide efficient targeting and reduce the risk of toxicity. Over the last decades, nature-derived polyphenols, vitamins, antioxidants, dietary supplements, and herbs have received more attention due to their remarkable biological and pharmacological health and medical benefits. However, their poor aqueous solubility, compromised stability, insufficient absorption, and accelerated elimination impede research in the nutraceutical sector. Owing to the possibilities offered by various LNPs, their ability to accommodate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules and the availability of various preparation methods suitable for sensitive molecules, loading natural fragile molecules into LNPs offers a promising solution. The primary objective of this work is to explore the synergy between nature and nanotechnology, encompassing a wide range of research aimed at encapsulating natural therapeutic molecules within LNPs.

Customizable Dual-Fluorescent Nanoparticles for Tracing and Quantifying of Cell Transport

Purpose

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (nano-DDS) have been developed to be a promising strategy to improve the efficacy, safety, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics properties of drugs. It is very necessary to elucidate the delivery process in vivo or in cells for the rational design and accurate preparation of nano-DDS. The aim of this study was to construct a nano-DDS to visualize and quantify the intracellular behavior of the loaded cargo and carrier in such a system.

Methods

A carboxyl-terminal end of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymer was fluorescently labeled with rhodamine B by conjugation of ethylenediamine. Dual-fluorescent nanoparticles (DFPs) were prepared from this fluorescently labeled polymer to encapsulate a fluorescent cargo, coumarin 6. The carrier and cargo of DFPs were monitored by confocal fluorescence microscopy during cellular uptake. Furthermore, the transcellular transportation of DFPs was evaluated quantitatively by measuring the fluorescence intensity.

Results

The obtained fluorescent polymer showed stable and quantifiable characteristics. DFPs could be customized in terms of coumarin 6 content (97.7±1.0%), size (367.3±1.7 nm) and dual-emission fluorescence (green cargo and red carrier). DFPs did not significantly affect cell viability, the integrity of cell monolayers and the microscopic morphology at concentrations below 0.7 mg/mL within 3 h of co-incubation with Caco-2 cells. Multichannel fluorescence monitoring revealed that the fluorescence intensity of the carrier and cargo increased with time, but not synchronously. By calculating the residual, intracellular, and transport amounts of DFPs, the material balance between the total amount of cellular transport and the dose administered was obtained.

Conclusion

Based on the advantages of dual fluorescent labeling, the differential behavior of cell trafficking can be visualized and quantitatively analyzed for the cargo and carrier of DFPs. These results provide insights into the cellular transport process of holistic nanoparticles and complement our understanding of the biological behaviors of nano-DDS.

Molecular Mechanism of Curcumin Derivative on YAP Pathway against Ovarian Cancer

The purpose of this study is to study the effect of curcumin derivative WZ10 on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of ovarian cancer OVCAR3 cells, and to explore its mechanism. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of WZ10 on the proliferation of ovarian cancer OVCAR3 cells; Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of WZ10 on cell apoptosis; Transwell method was used to detect the effect of WZ10 on cell invasiveness; Western blot was used to investigate the effect of WZ10 Mechanisms affecting OVCAR3 activity in ovarian cancer in vitro. Our results show that WZ10 treatment could significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of OVCAR3 cells, induce apoptosis of OVCAR3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. After knockdown of Hippo expression with sh-RNA, further combined treatment with WZ10 had no significant image on ovarian cancer OVCAR3 cells. In conclusion: WZ10 can significantly inhibit the proliferation of OVCAR3 cells, reduce cell invasion and proliferation by downregulating the activation of Hippo-YAP pathway, and induce cell apoptosis.