Microneedle mediated transdermal delivery of β-sitosterol loaded nanostructured lipid nanoparticles for androgenic alopecia

Valency based novel quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) approach for predicting physical properties of polycyclic chemical compounds

In this study, we introduce a novel valency-based index, the neighborhood face index (NFI), designed to characterize the structural attributes of benzenoid hydrocarbons. To assess the practical applicability of NFI, we conducted a linear regression analysis utilizing numerous physiochemical properties associated with benzenoid hydrocarbons. Remarkably, the results revealed an extraordinary correlation exceeding 0.9991 between NFI and these properties, underscoring the robust predictive capability of the index. The NFI, identified as the best-performing descriptor, is subsequently investigated within certain infinite families of carbon nanotubes. This analysis demonstrates the index's exceptional predictive accuracy, suggesting its potential as a versatile tool for characterizing and predicting properties across diverse molecular structures, particularly in the context of carbon nanotubes.

Smart Physical-Based Transdermal Drug Delivery System:Towards Intelligence and Controlled Release

Transdermal drug delivery systems based on physical principles have provided a stable, efficient, and safe strategy for disease therapy. However, the intelligent device with real-time control and precise drug release is required to enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient compliance. This review summarizes the recent developments, application scenarios, and drug release characteristics of smart transdermal drug delivery systems fabricated with physical principle. Special attention is paid to the progress of intelligent design and concepts in of physical-based transdermal drug delivery technologies for real-time monitoring and precise drug release. In addition, facing with the needs of clinical treatment and personalized medicine, the recent progress and trend of physical enhancement are further highlighted for transdermal drug delivery systems in combination with pharmaceutical dosage forms to achieve better transdermal effects and facilitate the development of smart medical devices. Finally, the next generation and future application scenarios of smart physical-based transdermal drug delivery systems are discussed, a particular focus in vaccine delivery and tumor treatment.

Exploring the Mechanism of Brucea Javanica against Ovarian Cancer based on Network Pharmacology and the Influence of Luteolin on the PI3K/AKT Pathway

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a commonly diagnosed female cancer around the world. The Chinese herbal medicine Brucea Javanica has an anti-cancer effect. However, there is no relevant report on whether Brucea Javanica is effective in treating OC, and the corresponding mechanism is also unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study was projected to excavate the active components and underpinned molecular mechanisms of Brucea Javanica in treating ovarian cancer (OC) through network pharmacology combined with in vitro experiments.

METHODS

The essential active components of Brucea Javanica were selected using the TCMSP database. The OC-related targets were selected by GeneCards, intersecting targets were obtained by Venn Diagram. The core targets were obtained through the PPI network and Cytoscape, and the key pathway was gained through GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Meanwhile, docking conformation was observed as reflected by molecular docking. MTT, colony formation assay and flow cytometer (FCM) analysis were performed to determine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Finally, Levels of various signaling proteins were evaluated by western blotting.

RESULTS

Luteolin, β-sitosterol and their corresponding targets were selected as the essential active components of Brucea Javanica. 76 intersecting targets were obtained by Venn Diagram. TP53, AKT1, and TNF were obtained through the PPI network and Cytoscape, and the key pathway PI3K/AKT was gained through GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. A good docking conformation was observed between luteolin and AKT1. Luteolin could hinder A2780 cell proliferation, induce cell apoptosis and enhance the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

It was verified in vitro that luteolin could hinder OC cell proliferation and activate the PI3K/AKT pathway to lead to apoptosis.

Novel anti-psoriatic nanostructured lipid carriers for the cutaneous delivery of luteolin: A comprehensive in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation

Psoriasis is a prevalent laborious inflammation in skin with alternate phases of remission and relapses. The current study sought to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) having enhanced skin deposition as well as augmented anti-inflammatory potential, to repurpose the use of luteolin (Lut), a flavonoid, in the treatment of psoriasis. NLCs were prepared using different oils having reported anti-inflammatory activity and evaluated in terms of size, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, stability upon storage, in-vitro anti-inflammatory potential, surface morphology, in-vitro release profile and release kinetics, and ex-vivo skin deposition. In-vivo animal studies were conducted on the optimized formula using imiquimod-induced psoriasis rat model. The prepared NLCs were nanosized ranging from 202 to 538 nm, negatively charged with values having the range of -13.10 to -19.26 mV with high entrapment efficiency values ranging from 84.21 to 96.53% and high in-vitro anti-inflammatory potential compared to the blank and control formulations. Furthermore, NLCs demonstrated adequate storage stability demonstrated by slightly significant change in their colloidal properties. The prepared nanoparticles exhibited sustained drug release up to 24 h and succeeded in enhancing the skin deposition of Lut by 3.4-fold higher in stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis compared to Lut suspension with minimum transdermal delivery. In-vivo assessment of psoriasis was carried out morphologically, histopathologically and biochemically and results revealed significant augmentation of the anti-psoriatic efficacy of Lut upon its encapsulation in NLCs compared to free Lut suspension. The developed system proved to be an influential drug delivery system providing potent anti-psoriatic therapy, paving the way for futuristic clinical investigations.

Nanodrug Delivery Strategies to Signaling Pathways in Alopecia

Over 50% of the global population suffers from hair loss. The mixed results in the treatment of hair loss reveal the limitations of conventional commercial topical drugs. One the one hand, the definite pathogenesis of hair loss is still an enigma. On the other hand, targeted drug carriers ensure the drug therapeutic effect and low side effects. This review highlights the organization and overview of nine crucial signaling pathways associated with hair loss, as well as the development of nanobased topical delivery systems loading the clinical drugs, which will fuel emerging hair loss treatment strategies.

Fabrication of carboxymethyl cellulose/hyaluronic acid/polyvinylpyrrolidone composite pastes incorporation of minoxidil-loaded ferulic acid-derived lignin nanoparticles and valproic acid for treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a transracial and cross-gender disease worldwide with a higher prevalence among young individuals. Traditional oral or subcutaneous injections are often used to treat AGA, however, they may cause severe side-effects and therefore effective treatments for AGA are currently lacking. In this work, to treat AGA, we developed a composite paste system based on minoxidil (MXD)-loaded nanoparticles and valproic acid (VPA) with the assistance of roller-microneedles (roller-MNs). The matrix of composite paste systems is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hyaluronic acid (HA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The roller-MNs can create microchannels in the skin to enhance drug transdermal efficiency. With the combined effects of the stimulation hair follicle (HF) regrowth by upregulating Wnt/beta-catenin of VPA and the mechanical microchannels induced by roller-MNs, the as-prepared composite paste systems successfully boost perifollicular vascularization, and activate hair follicle stem cells, thereby inducing notably faster hair regeneration at a lower administration frequency on AGA mouse model compared with minoxidil. This approach offers several benefits, including the avoidance of efficacy loss due to the liver's first-pass effect associated with oral drug, reduction in the risk of infection from subcutaneous injection, and significant decrease in the side effects of lower-dose MXD.

Formulation and Evaluation of PLGA Nanoparticulate-Based Microneedle System for Potential Treatment of Neurological Diseases

Introduction

The tight structure of the blood-brain barrier severely limits the level of drug therapy for central nervous system disorders. In this study, a novel composite delivery system combining nanocarrier and microneedle technology was prepared to explore the possibility of transdermal delivery of drugs to work in the brain.

Methods

Nanoparticle solutions containing paroxetine and rhodamine-B were prepared using PLGA as a carrier by the emulsification-solvent volatilization method. Then, they were mixed with hyaluronic acid and the PLGA nanoparticulate-based microneedle system (Rh-NPs-DMNs) was prepared by a multi-step decompression-free diffusion method. The particle size, zeta potential, and micromorphology of the nano solution were measured; the appearance, mechanical strength, dissolution properties, and puncture effect of the Rh-NPs-DMNs were evaluated; also, it was evaluated for in vivo live imaging properties and in vitro skin layer transport and distribution properties.

Results

The mean particle size of Rh-NPs was 96.25 ± 2.26 nm; zeta potential of 15.89 ± 1.97 mV; PDI of 0.120 ± 0.079. Rh-NPs-DMNs had a high needle content of 96.11 ± 1.27% and a tip height of 651.23 ± 1.28 μm, with excellent mechanical properties (fracture force of 299.78 ± 1.74 N). H&E skin tissue staining showed that Rh-NPs-DMNs produced micron-sized mechanical pores approximately 550 μm deep immediately after drug administration, allowing for efficient circulation of the drug; and the results of in vivo imaging showed that Rh-B NPs DMNs had a faster transport rate than Rh-B DMNs, with strong fluorescent signals in both brain (P<0.01) and hippocampus (P<0.05) 48 h after drug administration.

Conclusion

Nanoparticles can prolong blood circulation time and intracerebral retention time and have certain brain-targeting properties due to their excellent physical properties. The use of microneedle technology combined with nanocarriers provides new ideas for delivery systems for the treatment of central neurological diseases.

Flexible Monitoring, Diagnosis, and Therapy by Microneedles with Versatile Materials and Devices toward Multifunction Scope

Microneedles (MNs) have drawn rising attention owing to their merits of convenience, noninvasiveness, flexible applicability, painless microchannels with boosted metabolism, and precisely tailored multifunction control. MNs can be modified to serve as novel transdermal drug delivery, which conventionally confront with the penetration barrier caused by skin stratum corneum. The micrometer-sized needles create channels through stratum corneum, enabling efficient drug delivery to the dermis for gratifying efficacy. Then, incorporating photosensitizer or photothermal agents into MNs can conduct photodynamic or photothermal therapy, respectively. Besides, health monitoring and medical detection by MN sensors can extract information from skin interstitial fluid and other biochemical/electronic signals. Here, this review discloses a novel monitoring, diagnostic, and therapeutic pattern by MNs, with elaborate discussion about the classified formation of MNs together with various applications and inherent mechanism. Hereby, multifunction development and outlook from biomedical/nanotechnology/photoelectric/devices/informatics to multidisciplinary applications are provided. Programmable intelligent MNs enable logic encoding of diverse monitoring and treatment pathways to extract signals, optimize the therapy efficacy, real-time monitoring, remote control, and drug screening, and take instant treatment.

Enhanced Skin Permeation and Controlled Release of β-Sitosterol Using Cubosomes Encrusted with Dissolving Microneedles for the Management of Alopecia

The use of synthetic medication for treating alopecia is restricted because of systemic exposure and related negative effects. Beta-sitosterol (β-ST), a natural chemical, has lately been studied for its potential to promote hair development. The cubosomes with dissolving microneedles (CUBs-MN_D) created in this study may be a useful starting point for the creation of a sophisticated dermal delivery system for β-ST. Cubosomes (CUBs) were prepared by the emulsification method, using glyceryl monooleate (GMO) as a lipid polymer. CUBs were loaded with dissolving microneedles (MN_D) fabricated with HA and a PVP-K90 matrix. An ex vivo skin permeation study and an in vivo hair growth efficacy test of β-ST were performed with both CUB and CUB-MN_D. The average particle size of the CUBs was determined to be 173.67 ± 0.52 nm, with a low polydispersity index (0.3) and a high zeta potential value that prevents the aggregate formation of dispersed particles. When compared to CUBs alone, CUBs-MN_D displayed higher permeating levels of β-ST at all-time points. In the animals from the CUB-MN_D group, significant hair development was observed. According to the results of the current investigation, CUBs that integrate dissolving microneedles of β-ST are superior in terms of transdermal skin penetration and activity for the treatment of alopecia.