Niosome-based hydrogel of resveratrol for topical applications: An effective therapy for pain related disorder(s)

Niosomes encapsulated in biohydrogels for tunable delivery of phytoalexin resveratrol

A series of biohydrogels based on mixtures of kappa-carrageenan (κ-carrageenan, κ-C) and gelatin were evaluated as potential soft delivery vehicles for the encapsulation and subsequent release of non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) loaded with resveratrol (RSV). The niosomes were prepared using a mixture of amphiphilic lipids Tween 80 and Span 80 in water. The results showed that RSV-niosomes did not significantly affect the hydrogelation properties of the biopolymer mixture. Moreover, in vitro drug release experiments from biohydrogels containing RSV-niosomes were successfully carried out under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The RSV-niosomal liberation profiles from hydrogels were fitted using first order kinetics, Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull drug release models, showing the prevalence of diffusion mechanisms in each case. In addition, the RSV release was easily tuned by adjusting the total concentration of κ-C : gelatin. Interestingly, the niosomal-hydrogel system was also found to prevent the trans-to-cis photoisomerization of RSV.

Evidence for the involvement of opioid and cannabinoid systems in the peripheral antinociception mediated by resveratrol

Despite all the development of modern medicine, around 100 compounds derived from natural products were undergoing clinical trials only at the end of 2013. Among these natural substances in clinical trials, we found the resveratrol (RES), a pharmacological multi-target drug. RES analgesic properties have been demonstrated, although the bases of these mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of opioid and cannabinoid systems in RES-induced peripheral antinociception. Paw withdrawal method was used and hyperalgesia was induced by carrageenan (200 μg/paw). All drugs were given by intraplantar injection in male Swiss mice (n = 5). RES (100 μg/paw) administered in the right hind paw induced local antinociception that was antagonized by naloxone, non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, and clocinnamox, μOR selective antagonist. Naltrindole and nor-binaltorfimine, selective antagonists for δOR and kOR, respectively, did not reverse RES-induced peripheral antinociception. CB₁R antagonist AM251, but not CB₂R antagonist AM630, antagonized RES-induced peripheral antinociception. Peripheral antinociception of RES intermediate-dose (50 μg/paw) was increased by: (i) bestatin, inhibitor of endogenous opioid degradation involved-enzymes; (ii) MAFP, inhibitor of anandamide amidase; (iii) JZL184, inhibitor of 2-arachidonoylglycerol degradation involved-enzyme; (iv) VDM11, endocannabinoid reuptake inhibitor. Acute and peripheral administration of RES failed to affect the amount of μOR, CB₁R and CB₂R. Experimental data suggest that RES induces peripheral antinociception through μOR and CB₁R activation by endogenous opioid and endocannabinoid releasing.

AS1411-decorated niosomes as effective nanocarriers for Ru(iii)-based drugs in anticancer strategies

Niosomes are self-assembled vesicles made up of single chain non-ionic surfactants combined with appropriate amounts of cholesterol or other lipids, exploited as carriers for hydrophilic or lipophilic drugs. Compared to liposomes, niosomes are typically more stable, less expensive and, being generally obtained from synthetic surfactants, more easily derivatizable, providing vesicular structures with a higher versatility and chemical diversity. Herein, we investigated the physico-chemical and biological properties of niosomes loaded with two active ingredients, i.e. the nucleolipidic Ru(iii)-complex HoThyRu, selected as an anticancer agent, and the nucleolin-targeting AS1411 aptamer, allowing selective recognition of cancer cells. The morphology, average size, zeta potential, electrophoretic mobility, and stability over time of the functionalized niosomes were analyzed using different biophysical techniques. These formulations, tested on both cancer and normal cells, showed promising antiproliferative activity on HeLa cells, with a higher efficacy associated with the nanosystems containing both AS1411 and HoThyRu with respect to the controls. In all the tested cell lines, AS1411 proved to markedly enhance the bioactivity of the Ru(iii)-containing niosomes.

Niosomes: a review of their structure, properties, methods of preparation, and medical applications

Target-specific drug-delivery systems for the administration of pharmaceutical compounds enable the localization of drugs to diseased sites. Various types of drug-delivery systems utilize carriers, such as immunoglobulins, serum proteins, synthetic polymers, liposomes, and microspheres. The vesicular system of niosomes, with their bilayer structure assembled by nonionic surfactants, is able to enhance the bioavailability of a drug to a predetermined area for a period. The amphiphilic nature of niosomes promotes their efficiency in encapsulating lipophilic or hydrophilic drugs. Other additives, such as cholesterol, can be used to maintain the rigidity of the niosomes’ structure. This narrative review describes fundamental aspects of niosomes, including their structural components, methods of preparation, limitations, and current applications to various diseases.

Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Supported Nanocomposite as Drug Carrier System for Controlled Delivery of Ondansetron

Sodium dodecyl sulphate-supported iron silicophosphate (SDS/FeSP) nanocomposite was successfully fabricated by the co-precipitation method. The SDS/FeSP nanocomposite was investigated as a drug carrier for ondansetron. The cumulative drug release of ondansetron was observed at various pH values for different time intervals, i.e., from 20 min to 48 h. A ranking of the drug release was observed at different pHs; pH 2.2 > saline (pH 5.5) > pH 7.4 > pH 9.4 > distilled water. Maximum release of encapsulated drug was found to be about 45.38% at pH 2.2. The cell viability tests of SDS/FeSP nanocomposite concluded that SDS/FeSP nanocomposite was non-cytotoxic in nature.