Synthesis of Asymmetric Ionic Hybrid Detergents enables Micelles with Scalable Properties including Cell Compatibility

Ionic detergents enable applications and cause harm in biospheres due to cell toxicity. The utility of covalent combinations between ionic and non-ionic detergent headgroups in modulating cell toxicity remains speculative due to the yet rarely explored synthesis. We close this gap and establish the modular synthesis of ionic/non-ionic hybrid detergents. We restructure a combinatorial methallyl dichloride one-pot coupling into a two-step coupling, which reduces by-products, improves product yields, and enables the gram-scale preparation of asymmetric, cationic/non-ionic and anionic/non-ionic hybrid detergents. Our modular synthesis delivers new modalities for the design of ionic detergents, including an unprecedented scaling of properties that determine applications, such as charge, critical micelle concentration (cmc), solubilizing properties, hard water tolerance, and cell compatibility. We uncover that shielding the charge in ionic headgroups can switch the detergent species that is toxic to cells from monomers to mixtures of monomers and micellar assemblies. Establishing the chemistry of ionic/non-ionic hybrid detergents provides a missing evolutionary link in the structural comparison of ionic and non-ionic detergents, enables an easy synthesis access to yet unexplored chemical spaces of asymmetric hybrid materials, and delivers new modalities for designing the toxicity of supramolecular nanomaterials.

Limitations and Innovative Application Methods of Surfactants for Solubilization of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs

Poor solubility of drugs leads to poor bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency. A large proportion of drugs that are not developed and marketed for use by patients are due to their extremely low solubility. Therefore, improving the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs is one of the most important aspects of the field of drug research. With the continuous development of more and more formulation techniques and excipient applications, the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs can be improved to a certain extent to obtain better pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, including pH microenvironment regulation technology, inclusion complex, solid dispersion, nanotechnology, and application of surfactants. However, the most widely used among them is the application of surfactants. This technique can reduce the surface tension, improve wettability, and have a remarkable solubilizing ability after forming micelles. However, surfactants have also been found to possess certain limitations in solubilization. In this review, the factors affecting the solubilization of surfactants and limiting their application have been summarized from several aspects. These factors include drugs, additives, and media. Some ideas to solve these application limitations have also been put forward, which can lay a foundation for the wider application of surfactants in the future.

Oxygen Self-Supplied Perfluorocarbon-Modified Micelles for Enhanced Cancer Photodynamic Therapy and Ferroptosis

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and ferroptosis show significant potential in tumor treatment. However, their therapeutic efficacy is often hindered by the oxygen-deficient tumor microenvironment and the challenges associated with efficient intracellular drug delivery into tumor cells. Toward this end, this work synthesized perfluorocarbon (PFC)-modified Pluronic F127 (PFC-F127), and then exploits it as a carrier for codelivery of photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) and the ferroptosis promoter sorafenib (Sor), yielding an oxygen self-supplying nanoplatform denoted as Ce6-Sor@PFC-F127. The PFCs on the surface of the micelle play a crucial role in efficiently solubilizing and delivering oxygen as well as increasing the hydrophobicity of the micelle surface, giving rise to enhanced endocytosis by cancer cells. The incorporation of an oxygen-carrying moiety into the micelles enhances the therapeutic impact of PDT and ferroptosis, leading to amplified endocytosis and cytotoxicity of tumor cells. Hypotonic saline technology was developed to enhance the cargo encapsulation efficiency. Notably, in a murine tumor model, Ce6-Sor@PFC-F127 effectively inhibited tumor growth through the combined use of oxygen-enhanced PDT and ferroptosis. Taken together, this work underscores the promising potential of Ce6-Sor@PFC-F127 as a multifunctional therapeutic nanoplatform for the codelivery of multiple cargos such as oxygen, photosensitizers, and ferroptosis inducers.

The Effect of Different Substances Embedded in Fullerene Cavity on Surfactant Self-Assembly Behavior through Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Fullerene-based amphiphiles are new types of monomers that form self-assemblies with profound applications. The conical fullerene amphiphiles (CFAs) have attracted attention for their uniquely self-assembled structures and have opened up a new field for amphiphile research. The CFAs and CFAs with different substances embedded in cavities are designed and their self-assembly behaviors are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The surface and internal structures of the micelles are analyzed from various perspectives, including micelle size, shape, and solvent-accessible surface area (SASA). The systems studied are all oblate micelles. In comparison, embedding Cl- or embedding Na+ in the cavities results in larger micelles and a larger deviation from the spherical shape. Two typical configurations of fullerene surfactant micelles, quadrilateral plane and tetrahedral structure, are presented. The dipole moments of the fullerene molecules are also calculated, and the results show that the embedded negatively charged Cl- leads to a decrease in the polarity of the pure fullerene molecules, while the embedded positively charged Na+ leads to an increase.

Investigation of morphology and structure of drug-loaded PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA polymeric micelle: A dissipative particle dynamics simulations study

The dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation was used to study the morphologies and structures of the paclitaxel-loaded PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA polymeric micelle. We focused on the influences of PLA block length, PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA copolymer concentration, paclitaxel drug content on morphologies and structures of the micelle. Our simulations show that: (i) with the PLA block length increase, the self-assemble structure of PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA copolymers with paclitaxel vary between onion-like structure (core-middle layer-shell) to spherical core-shell structure. The PEO shell thins and the size of the PLA core increases. The onionlike structures are comprised of the PEO hydrophilic core, the PLA hydrophobic middle layer, and the PEO hydrophilic shell, the distribution of the paclitaxel drug predominantly occurs within the hydrophobic intermediate layer; (ii) The system forms a spherical core-shell structure when a small amount of the drug is added, and within a certain range, the size of the spherical structure increases as the drug amount increases. When the drug contents (volume fraction) cdrug = 10%, it can be observed that the PLA4-b-PEO19-b-PLA4 spherical structures connect to form rod-shaped structures. With the length of PLA block NPLA = 8, as the paclitaxel drug concentrations cdrug = 4%, PEO has been insufficient to completely encapsulate the PLA and paclitaxel drug beads. To enhance drug loading capacity while maintaining stability of the system in aqueous solution, the optimal composition for loading paclitaxel is PLA4-b-PEO19-b-PLA4; the drug content is not higher than 4%; (iii) The paclitaxel-loaded PLA4-b-PEO19-b-PLA4 micelle undergo the transition from onionlike (core-middle layer-shell) to spherical (core-shell) to rod-shaped and lamellar structure as the PLA4-b-PEO19-b-PLA4 copolymer concentration increases from ccp = 10% to 40%.

Bioavailability enhancement of coenzyme Q10: An update of novel approaches

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential, lipid-soluble vitamin involved in electron transport in the oxidoreductive reactions of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Structurally, the quinone ring is connected to an isoprenoid moiety, which has a high molecular weight. Over the years, coenzyme Q10 has become relevant in the treatment of several diseases, like neurodegenerative disorders, coronary diseases, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, and others. According to studies, CoQ10 supplementation might be beneficial in the treatment of CoQ10 deficiencies and disorders associated with oxidative stress. However, the water-insoluble nature of CoQ10 is a major hindrance to successful supplementation. So far, many advancements in CoQ10 bioavailability enhancement have been developed using novel drug carriers such as solid dispersion, liposomes, micelles, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, self-emulsifying drug systems, or various innovative approaches (CoQ10 complexation with proteins). This article aims to provide an update on methods to improve CoQ10 solubility and bioavailability.

Self-Assembly Study of Block Copolypeptoids in Response to pH and Temperature Stimulation

Polypeptoids with well-designed structures have the ability to self-assemble into nanomaterials, which have wide potential applications. In this study, a series of diblock copolypeptoids were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization followed by click chemistry and exhibited both temperature and pH stimulation responsiveness. Under specific temperature and pH conditions, the responsive blocks in the copolypeptoids became hydrophobic and aggregated to form micelles. The self-assembly process was monitored using the UV-Vis and DLS methods, which suggested the reversible transition of free molecules to micelles and bigger aggregates upon instituting temperature and pH changes. By altering the length and proportion of each block, the copolypeptoids displayed varying self-assembly characteristics, and the transition temperature could be tuned. With good biocompatibility, stability, and no cytotoxicity, the polypeptoids reported in this study are expected to be applied as bionanomaterials in fields including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and intelligent biosensing.

Visualization and Quantification of Drug Release by GSH-Responsive Multimodal Integrated Micelles

Using molecular imaging techniques to monitor biomarkers and drug release profiles simultaneously is highly advantageous for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, achieving the accurate quantification of both biomarkers and drug release with a single imaging modality is challenging. This study presents the development of a glutathione (GSH)-responsive polymer-based micelle, PEG-SS-FCy7/PEG-SS-GEM (PSFG), which can precisely localize the tumor using bimodal imaging and prevent drug leakage. These PSFG micelles exhibit a small particle size of 106.3 ± 12.7 nm with a uniform size distribution, and the drug loading efficiency can also be easily controlled by changing the PEG-SS-FCy7 (PSF) and PEG-SS-GEM (PSG) feeding ratio. The PSFG micelles display weak fluorescence emission and minimal drug release under physiological conditions but collapse in the presence of GSH to trigger near-infrared fluorescence and the 19F magnetic resonance imaging signal, allowing for real-time monitoring of intracellular GSH levels and drug release. GSH could synergistically promote the disassembly of the micellar structure, resulting in accelerated probe and drug release of up to about 93.1% after 24 h. These prodrug micelles exhibit high in vitro and in vivo antitumor abilities with minimal side effects. The GSH-responsive drug delivery system with dual-modal imaging capability provides a promising imaging-guided chemotherapeutic platform to probe the tumor microenvironment and quantify real-time drug release profiles with minimal side effects.

Carbosilane Dendritic Amphiphiles from Cholesterol or Vitamin E for Micelle Formation

Cationic dendritic amphiphiles were prepared through the linkage of interesting hydrophobic molecules such as cholesterol or vitamin E to the focal point of carbosilane dendrons. These new dendritic systems self-assembled in saline, producing micellar aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 6.5 to 9.2 nm, and critical micelle concentrations of approximately 5 and 10 μM for second- and third-generation systems, respectively. The assemblies were able to encapsulate drugs of different charges (anionic, neutral, and cationic). Surprisingly, a 92% encapsulation efficiency for diclofenac was achieved in micelles prepared from second-generation dendrons. Toxicity measurements on peripheral blood mononuclear cells indicated different behavior depending on the generation, corresponding to the micellar regime. In contrast to the third-generation system, the second-generation system was non-toxic up to 20 μM, opening a window for its use in a micellar regimen, thereby operating as a drug delivery system for different biomedical applications.

Block Sequence Effects on the Self-Assembly Behaviors of Polypeptide-Based Penta-Block Copolymer Hydrogels

Peptide-based hydrogels have great potential for applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and so on. We systematically synthesize, characterize, and investigate the self-assembly behaviors of a series of polypeptide-based penta-block copolymers by varying block sequences and lengths. The copolymers contain hydrophobic blocks of poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) (PBG, Bx) and two kinds of hydrophilic blocks, poly(l-lysine) (PLL, Ky) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, EG34), where x and y are the number of repeating units of each block, where PBG and PLL blocks have unique functions for nerve regeneration and cell adhesion. It shows that a sufficient length of the middle hydrophilic segment capped with hydrophobic end PBG blocks is required. They first self-assemble into flower-like micelles and sequentially form transparent hydrogels (as low as 2.3 wt %) with increased polymer concentration. The hydrogels contain a microscale porous structure, a desired property for tissue engineering to facilitate the access of nutrient flow for cell growth and drug delivery systems with high efficiency of drug storage. We hypothesize that the structure of Bx-Ky-EG34-Ky-Bx agglomerates is beyond micron size (transparent), while that of Ky-Bx-EG34-Bx-Ky is on the submicron scale (opaque). We establish a working strategy to synthesize a polypeptide-based block copolymer with a wide window of sol-gel transition. The study offers insight into rational polypeptide hydrogel design with specific morphology, exploring the novel materials as potential candidates for neural tissue engineering.

Effects of Ionic Liquids on the Cylindrical Self-Assemblies Formed by Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(propylene oxide)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Block Copolymers in Water

Aiming at the fundamental understanding of solvent effects in amphiphilic polymer systems, we considered poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) block copolymers in water mixed with an ionic liquid-ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4)-and we investigated the hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystal structures by means of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). At 50% polymer, the hexagonal structure (cylinders of self-assembled block copolymer) was maintained across the solvent mixing ratio. The effects of the ionic liquids were reflected in the characteristic length scales of the hexagonal structure and were interpreted in terms of the location of the ionic liquid in the self-assembled block copolymer domains. The protic ionic liquid EAN was evenly distributed within the aqueous domains and showed no affinity for the interface, whereas BMIMPF6 preferred to swell PEO and was located at the interface so as to reduce contact with water. BMIMBF4 was also interfacially active, but to a lesser extent.

MRI Detection of Lymph Node Metastasis through Molecular Targeting of C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 2 and Monocyte Hitchhiking

Biopsy is the clinical standard for diagnosing lymph node (LN) metastasis, but it is invasive and poses significant risk to patient health. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been utilized as a noninvasive alternative but is limited by low sensitivity, with only ∼35% of LN metastases detected, as clinical contrast agents cannot discriminate between healthy and metastatic LNs due to nonspecific accumulation. Nanoparticles targeted to the C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), a biomarker highly expressed in metastatic LNs, have the potential to guide the delivery of contrast agents, improving the sensitivity of MRI. Additionally, cancer cells in metastatic LNs produce monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), which binds to CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes and stimulates their migration. Thus, the molecular targeting of CCR2 may enable nanoparticle hitchhiking onto monocytes, providing an additional mechanism for metastatic LN targeting and early detection. Hence, we developed micelles incorporating gadolinium (Gd) and peptides derived from the CCR2-binding motif of MCP1 (MCP1-Gd) and evaluated the potential of MCP1-Gd to detect LN metastasis. When incubated with migrating monocytes in vitro, MCP1-Gd transport across lymphatic endothelium increased 2-fold relative to nontargeting controls. After administration into mouse models with initial LN metastasis and recurrent LN metastasis, MCP1-Gd detected metastatic LNs by increasing MRI signal by 30-50% relative to healthy LNs. Furthermore, LN targeting was dependent on monocyte hitchhiking, as monocyte depletion decreased accumulation by >70%. Herein, we present a nanoparticle contrast agent for MRI detection of LN metastasis mediated by CCR2-targeting and demonstrate the potential of monocyte hitchhiking for enhanced nanoparticle delivery.

Nanotechnological Advancements for the Theranostic Intervention in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: Current Perspectives and Future Direction

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the rarest, most aggressive, and undifferentiated class of thyroid cancer, accounting for nearly forty percent of all thyroid cancer-related deaths. It is caused by alterations in many cellular pathways like MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ALK, Wnt activation, and TP53 inactivation. Although many treatment strategies, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, have been proposed to treat anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, they are usually accompanied by concerns such as resistance, which may lead to the lethality of the patient. The emerging nanotechnology-based approaches cater the purposes such as targeted drug delivery and modulation in drug release patterns based on internal or external stimuli, leading to an increase in drug concentration at the site of the action that gives the required therapeutic action as well as modulation in diagnostic intervention with the help of dye property materials. Nanotechnological platforms like liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, exosomes, and various nanoparticles are available and are of high research interest for therapeutic intervention in anaplastic thyroid cancer. The pro gression of the disease can also be traced by using magnetic probes or radio-labeled probes and quantum dots that serve as a diagnostic intervention in anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Development of a Water Soluble Self-assembling Analogue of Vizantin

Vizantin, 6,6'-bis-O-(3-nonyldodecanoyl)-α,α'-trehalose, has been developed as a safe immunostimulator on the basis of a structure-activity relationship study with trehalose 6,6'-dicorynomycolate. Our recent study indicated that vizantin acts as an effective Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) partial agonist to reduce the lethality of an immune shock caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, because vizantin has low solubility in water, the aqueous solution used in in vivo assay systems settles out in tens of minutes. Here, vizantin was chemically modified in an attempt to facilitate the preparation of an aqueous solution of the drug. This paper describes the concise synthesis of a water-soluble vizantin analogue in which all the hydroxyl groups of the sugar unit were replaced by sulfates. The vizantin derivative displayed micelle-forming ability in water and potent TLR-4 partial agonist activity.

Solubilization of Carbon Nanobelts in Aqueous Solutions: Optical and Colloidal Properties

Carbon nanobelts (CNBs) correspond to carbon nanotube (CNT) segments and are insoluble in most common aqueous solutions, posing challenges across diverse applications. In this study, [12] CNB, which corresponds to a (6,6) CNT segment, was solubilized by aliphatic surfactant micelles through host-guest complexation, which was confirmed by comprehensive analyses involving spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics simulations. Through this solubilization, zero-Stokes shift emission of the CNB could occur, which could be ascribed to the symmetry-allowed transition. In contrast, CNB was insoluble in non-aliphatic surfactant solutions. The mechanism by which CNB is solubilized using aliphatic surfactants is completely distinct from that of the CNT dispersion mechanism. The present finding provides knowledge of the effectiveness of aliphatic compounds in solubilizing CNBs and their derivatives (carbon nanohoops), which show significant potential for various applications in aqueous systems, including biological applications.

Self-Assembly Nanochaperone with Tunable Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Surface for Controlled Protein Refolding

Nanochaperones (nChaps) have significant potential to inhibit protein aggregation and assist in protein refolding. The interaction between nChaps and proteins plays an important role in nChaps performing chaperone-like functions, but the interaction mechanism remains elusive. In this work, a series of nChaps with tunable hydrophilic-hydrophobic surfaces are prepared, and the process of nChaps-assisted denatured protein refolding is systematically explored. It is found that an appropriate hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance on the nChap surface is critical for enhancing protein renaturation. This is because only the optimal interaction between nChap and protein can simultaneously guarantee the suitable capture and sufficient release of client proteins. The findings in this work will provide an effective reference for the design of nChaps and contribute to the development of the potential of nChaps in the future.

Betaine-Based and Polyguanidine-Inserted Zwitterionic Micelle as a Promising Platform to Conquer the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier

Developing nanocarriers for oral drug delivery is often hampered by the dilemma of balancing mucus permeation and epithelium absorption, since huge differences in surface properties are required for sequentially overcoming these two processes. Inspired by mucus-penetrating viruses that universally possess a dense charge distribution with equal opposite charges on their surfaces, we rationally designed and constructed a poly(carboxybetaine)-based and polyguanidine-inserted cationic micelle platform (hybrid micelle) for oral drug delivery. The optimized hybrid micelle exhibited a great capacity for sequentially overcoming the mucus and villi barriers. It was demonstrated that a longer zwitterionic chain was favorable for mucus diffusion for hybrid micelles but not conducive to cellular uptake. In addition, the significantly enhanced internalization absorption of hybrid micelles was attributed to the synergistic effect of polyguanidine and proton-assisted amine acid transporter 1 (PAT1). Moreover, the retrograde pathway was mainly involved in the intracellular transport of hybrid micelles and transcytosis delivery. Furthermore, the prominent intestinal mucosa absorption in situ and in vivo liver distribution of the oral hybrid micelle were both detected. The results of this study indicated that the hybrid micelles were capable of conquering the intestinal mucosal barrier, having a great potential for oral application of drugs with poor oral bioavailability.

Pentapeptide IIAEK ameliorates cholesterol metabolism via the suppression of intestinal cholesterol absorption in mice

Dietary protein-derived peptides are effective in improving dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. We previously identified a novel cholesterol-lowering pentapeptide IIAEK from milk beta-lactoglobulin. However, it remains unclear whether IIAEK affects the micellar solubility of cholesterol and the bile acid-binding ability to lower cholesterol. Moreover, there is no direct evidence that IIAEK inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption and affects hepatic cholesterol and fecal steroid excretion in vivo. Herein, we showed that IIAEK did not affect the micellar solubility of cholesterol and the bile acid-binding ability. However, we found that IIAEK decreased serum and liver cholesterol levels and increased fecal steroid excretion in mice. Interestingly, IIAEK markedly suppressed the intestinal absorption of [3H]-cholesterol in mice. In conclusion, we found that IIAEK ameliorated cholesterol metabolism by suppressing intestinal cholesterol absorption without affecting in vitro micellar solubility of cholesterol and the bile acid-binding ability in mice.

Highly enantioselective hydroxymethylation of unmodified α-substituted aryl ketones in water

Catalytic asymmetric direct-type aldol reactions of ketones with aldehydes are a perennial puzzle for organic chemists. Notwithstanding the emergence of a myriad of chiral catalysts to address the inherent reversibility of the aldol products, a general method to access acyclic α-chiral ketones from prochiral aryl ketones has remained an unmet synthetic challenge. The approach outlined herein is fundamentally different to that used in conventional catalysis, which typically commences with an α-proton abstraction by a Brønsted base. The use of a chiral 2,2'-bipyridine scandium complex enabled the hydroxymethylation of propiophenone to be run under base-free conditions, which avails effectual suppression of hydrolytic deactivation of the Lewis acid catalyst. Intriguingly, the use of water as a reaction medium had an overriding effect on the progress of the reaction. The sagacious selection of sodium dodecyl sulfate and lithium dodecyl sulfate as surfactants allowed a variety of propiophenone derivatives to react in a highly enantioselective manner.

A fluorophore-conjugated reagent enabling rapid detection, isolation and live tracking of senescent cells

Cellular senescence is a stress-response mechanism implicated in various physiological processes, diseases, and aging. Current detection approaches have partially addressed the issue of senescent cell identification in clinical specimens. Effective methodologies enabling precise isolation or live tracking of senescent cells are still lacking. In-depth analysis of truly senescent cells is, therefore, an extremely challenging task. We report (1) the synthesis and validation of a fluorophore-conjugated, Sudan Black-B analog (GLF16), suitable for in vivo and in vitro analysis of senescence by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry and (2) the development and application of a GLF16-carrying micelle vector facilitating GLF16 uptake by living senescent cells in vivo and in vitro. The compound and the applied methodology render isolation of senescent cells an easy, rapid, and precise process. Straightforward nanocarrier-mediated GLF16 delivery in live senescent cells comprises a unique tool for characterization of senescence at an unprecedented depth.

Boosting Ion Conductivities: Light-Modulated Azobenzene-Based Ionic Liquids in Vertical Nanochannels

Exploring stimuli-responsive ion-conductive materials is a challenging task, but it has gained increasing attention because of their enormous potential applications in actuators, sensors, and smart electronics. Here, we demonstrate a distinctive photoresponsive ion-conductive device that utilizes azobenzene-based ionic liquids ([AzoCnMIM][Br], where n = 2, 6, and 10), confined in nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates for photoisomerization. The structure of [AzoCnMIM][Br] comprises photoresponsive and hydrophobic azobenzene moieties, hydrophilic imidazolium cations, and negatively charged bromide ions. Therefore, [AzoCnMIM][Br] can form micelles and exhibit photoresponsive ion conductivities. The nanochannels of AAO templates exhibit a confinement effect on the formation of azobenzene-based ionic liquid micelles due to the pore size, thereby preventing the formation of larger micelles that could lead to a decrease in conductivity. Consequently, the ion conductivities of the azobenzene-based ionic liquids are higher in the nanochannels of the AAO templates. The effects of the length of carbon chains on the azobezene-based ionic liquids and the pore size of the AAO templates have also been investigated. Additionally, through irradiation with UV/vis light, [AzoCnMIM][Br] can undergo reversible isomerization, thereby reversibly changing the sizes of the micelles and subsequently altering the ion conductivities.

Single-molecule analysis reveals that a glucagon-bound extracellular domain of the glucagon receptor is dynamic

Dynamic information is vital to understanding the activation mechanism of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Despite the availability of high-resolution structures of different conformational states, the dynamics of those states at the molecular level are poorly understood. Here, we used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to study the extracellular domain (ECD) of the glucagon receptor (GCGR), a class B family GPCR that controls glucose homeostasis. Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to observe the ECD dynamics of GCGR molecules expressed and purified from mammalian cells. We observed that for apo-GCGR, the ECD is dynamic and spent time predominantly in a closed conformation. In the presence of glucagon, the ECD is wide open and also shows more dynamic behavior than apo-GCGR, a finding that was not previously reported. These results suggest that both apo-GCGR and glucagon-bound GCGRs show reversible opening and closing of the ECD with respect to the seven-transmembrane (7TM) domain. This work demonstrates a molecular approach to visualizing the dynamics of the GCGR ECD and provides a foundation for understanding the conformational changes underlying GPCR activation, which is critical in the development of new therapeutics.

Nanoarchitectonics of doxycycline-loaded vitamin E-D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate micelles for ovarian cancer stem cell treatment

Aim: This study aim to develop doxycycline within the D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate micelle platform as an anticancer stem cell agent. Materials & methods: The optimized nanomicelle formulation was prepared using the solvent casting method and evaluated through physicochemical and biological characterization. Results: Nanomicelles exhibited mean particle sizes of 14.48 nm (polydispersity index: 0.22) using dynamic light scattering and 18.22 nm using transmission electron micrography. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 2% and 66.73%, respectively. Doxycycline-loaded micelles exhibited sustained release, with 98.5% released in 24 h. IC50 values were 20 μg/ml for free drug and 5 μg/ml for micelles after 48 h of cell exposure. A significant 74% reduction in CD44 biomarker and 100% colony formation inhibition were observed. Conclusion: Doxycycline in hemo/biocompatible nanomicelles holds potential for ovarian cancer stem cell therapy.

Pluronic F-68 and F-127 Based Nanomedicines for Advancing Combination Cancer Therapy

Pluronics are amphiphilic triblock copolymers composed of two hydrophilic poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains linked via a central hydrophobic polypropylene oxide (PPO). Owing to their low molecular weight polymer and greater number of PEO segments, Pluronics induce micelle formation and gelation at critical micelle concentrations and temperatures. Pluronics F-68 and F-127 are the only United States (U.S.) FDA-approved classes of Pluronics and have been extensively used as materials for living bodies. Owing to the fascinating characteristics of Pluronics, many studies have suggested their role in biomedical applications, such as drug delivery systems, tissue regeneration scaffolders, and biosurfactants. As a result, various studies have been performed using Pluronics as a tool in nanomedicine and targeted delivery systems. This review sought to describe the delivery of therapeutic cargos using Pluronic F-68 and F-127-based cancer nanomedicines and their composites for combination therapy.

Physicochemical and Functional Properties and Storage Stability of Chitosan-Starch Films Containing Micellar Nano/Microstructures with Turmeric and Hibiscus Extracts

The dynamic development of the food industry and the growing interest of consumers in innovative solutions that increase the comfort and quality of life push the industry towards seeking pioneering solutions in the field of food packaging. Intelligent and active packaging, which affects the quality and durability of food products and allows one to determine their freshness, is still a modern concept. The aim of our study was to obtain two types of films based on chitosan and starch with micellar nanostructures containing extracts from turmeric rhizomes and hibiscus flowers. The presence of spherical nanostructures was confirmed using a scanning electron microscope. The structural and optical properties of the obtained composites were characterised by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), UltraViolet-Visible (UV-VIS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the presence of spherical micellar structures with a size of about 800 nm in the obtained biocomposites. The presence of nano-/microstructures containing extracts affected the mechanical properties of the composites: it weakened the strength of the films and improved their elongation at break (EAB). Films with nano-/microparticles were characterised by a higher water content compared to the control sample and lower solubility, and they showed stronger hydrophilic properties. Preliminary storage tests showed that the obtained biocomposites are sensitive to changes occurring during the storage of products such as cheese or fish. In addition, it was found that the film with the addition of turmeric extract inhibited the growth of microorganisms during storage. The results suggest that the obtained bionanocomposites can be used as active and/or intelligent materials.