Localized delivery of curcumin into brain with polysorbate 80-modified cerasomes by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction for improved Parkinson's disease therapy

Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles: a novel therapeutic strategy in treatment of central nervous system disorders

Curcumin as a hydrophobic polyphenol is extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa. Curcumin is widely used as a dietary spice and a topical medication for the treatment of inflammatory disorders in Asia. This compound also possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects with the ability to pass from the blood brain barrier. Based on several pharmacological activities of curcumin, it has been introduced as an ideal candidate for different neurological disorders. Despite the pleiotropic activities of curcumin, poor solubility, rapid clearance and low stability have limited its clinical application. In recent years, nano-based drug delivery system has effectively improved the aqueous solubility and bioavailability of curcumin. In this review article, the effects of curcumin nanoparticles and their possible mechanism/s of action has been elucidated in various central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases including Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Furthermore, recent evidences about administration of nano-curcumin in the clinical trial phase have been described in the present review article.

Colloids, nanoparticles, and materials for imaging, delivery, ablation, and theranostics by focused ultrasound (FUS)

This review focuses on different materials and contrast agents that sensitize imaging and therapy with Focused Ultrasound (FUS). At high intensities, FUS is capable of selectively ablating tissue with focus on the millimeter scale, presenting an alternative to surgical intervention or management of malignant growth. At low intensities, FUS can be also used for other medical applications such as local delivery of drugs and blood brain barrier opening (BBBO). Contrast agents offer an opportunity to increase selective acoustic absorption or facilitate destructive cavitation processes by converting incident acoustic energy into thermal and mechanical energy. First, we review the history of FUS and its effects on living tissue. Next, we present different colloidal or nanoparticulate approaches to sensitizing FUS, for example using microbubbles, phase-shift emulsions, hollow-shelled nanoparticles, or hydrophobic silica surfaces. Exploring the science behind these interactions, we also discuss ways to make stimulus-responsive, or "turn-on" contrast agents for improved selectivity. Finally, we discuss acoustically-active hydrogels and membranes. This review will be of interest to those working in materials who wish to explore new applications in acoustics and those in acoustics who are seeking new agents to improve the efficacy of their approaches.

Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals Targeting α-Synuclein Aggregation in Parkinson's Disease Models

α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic protein that regulates the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles in the brain. α-Syn aggregates, including Lewy bodies, are features of both sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). These aggregates undergo several key stages of fibrillation, oligomerization, and aggregation. Therapeutic benefits of drugs decline with disease progression and offer only symptomatic treatment. Novel therapeutic strategies are required which can either prevent or delay the progression of the disease. The link between α-syn and the etiopathogenesis and progression of PD are well-established in the literature. Studies indicate that α-syn is an important therapeutic target and inhibition of α-syn aggregation, oligomerization, and fibrillation are an important disease modification strategy. However, recent studies have shown that plant extracts and phytochemicals have neuroprotective effects on α-syn oligomerization and fibrillation by targeting different key stages of its formation. Although many reviews on the antioxidant-mediated, neuroprotective effect of plant extracts and phytochemicals on PD symptoms have been well-highlighted, the antioxidant mechanisms show limited success for translation to clinical studies. The identification of specific plant extracts and phytochemicals that target α-syn aggregation will provide selective molecules to develop new drugs for PD. The present review provides an overview of plant extracts and phytochemicals that target α-syn in PD and summarizes the observed effects and the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide a synopsis of current experimental models and techniques used to evaluate plant extracts and phytochemicals. Plant extracts and phytochemicals were found to inhibit the aggregation or fibril formation of oligomers. These also appear to direct α-syn oligomer formation into its unstructured form or promote non-toxic pathways and suggested to be valuable drug candidates for PD and related synucleinopathy. Current evidences from in vitro studies require confirmation in the in vivo studies. Further studies are needed to ascertain their potential effects and safety in preclinical studies for pharmaceutical/nutritional development of these phytochemicals or dietary inclusion of the plant extracts in PD treatment.

Oral Delivery of Puerarin Nanocrystals To Improve Brain Accumulation and Anti-Parkinsonian Efficacy

Puerarin (PU) has emerged as a promising herb-derived anti-Parkinsonism compound. However, the undesirable water solubility as well as the unwanted bioavailability of PU limit its application. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and characterize PU nanocrystals (PU-NCs) with enhanced oral bioavailability and improved brain accumulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The fabricated PU-NCs were approximately spherical, with a mean size of 83.05 ± 1.96 nm, a PDI of 0.047 ± 0.009, a drug loading of 72.7%, and a rapid dissolution rate in vitro. Molecular dynamics simulation of PU and Pluronic F68 demonstrated the interaction energy and binding energy of -88.1 kJ/mol and -40.201 ± 0.685 kJ/mol, respectively, indicating a spontaneous binding with van der Waals interactions. In addition, the cellular uptake and permeability of PU-NCs were significantly enhanced as compared to PU alone ( p < 0.01). Moreover, PU-NCs exerted a significant neuroprotective effect against the cellular damage induced by the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP⁺). Besides, PU-NCs demonstrated no obvious toxic effects on zebrafish, as evidenced by the unaltered morphology, hatching, survival rate, body length, and heart rate. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging revealed that intact nanocrystals were found in the intestine and brain of adult zebrafish gavaged with DiO/DiI/PU-NCs. Increased values of C_max and AUC_{0- t} were observed in the plasma of rats following oral administration of PU-NCs compared to PU suspension. Likewise, brain accumulation of PU-NCs was higher than that of PU suspension. Furthermore, PU-NCs attenuated dopamine depletion, ameliorated 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced behavioral deficits, and enhanced the levels of dopamine and its metabolites. Taken altogether, this study provides evidence that PU-NCs could be exploited as a potential oral delivery system to treat PD, by improving the poor bioavailability of PU and enhancing their delivery into the brain.

Formulations of Curcumin Nanoparticles for Brain Diseases

Curcumin is a polyphenol that is obtained from Curcuma longa and used in various areas, such as food and textiles. Curcumin has important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that allow it to be applied as treatment for several emerging pathologies. Remarkably, there are an elevated number of publications deriving from the terms "curcumin" and "curcumin brain diseases", which highlights the increasing impact of this polyphenol and the high number of study groups investigating their therapeutic actions. However, its lack of solubility in aqueous media, as well as its poor bioavailability in biological systems, represent limiting factors for its successful application. In this review article, the analysis of its chemical composition and the pivotal mechanisms for brain applications are addressed in a global manner. Furthermore, we emphasize the use of nanoparticles with curcumin and the benefits that have been reached as an example of the extensive advances in this area of health.

Smilagenin Protects Dopaminergic Neurons in Chronic MPTP/Probenecid-Lesioned Parkinson's Disease Models

Current therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD) only offer limited symptomatic alleviation but fail to hamper the progress of the disease. Thus, it is imperative to establish new approaches aiming at protecting or reversing neurodegeneration in PD. Recent work elucidates whether smilagenin (abbreviated SMI), a steroidal sapogenin from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, can take neuroprotective effect on dopaminergic neurons in a chronic model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) conjuncted with probenecid mice. We reported for the first time that SMI significantly improved the locomotor ability of chronic MPTP/probenecid–lesioned mice. SMI increased the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive and Nissl positive neuron number in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), augmented striatal DA and its metabolites concentration and elevated striatal dopamine transporter density (DAT). In addition, dopamine receptor D2R not D1R was down-regulated by MPTP/probenecid and slightly raised by SMI prevention. What’s more, we discovered that SMI markedly elevated striatal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels in SMI prevented mice. And we found that SMI increased GDNF and BDNF mRNA level by promoting CREB phosphorylation in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridimium (MPP⁺) treated SH-SY5Y cells. The results illustrated that SMI could prevent the impairment of dopaminergic neurons in chronic MPTP/probenecid-induced mouse model.

Tumor targeting DVDMS-nanoliposomes for an enhanced sonodynamic therapy of gliomas

UTMD-assisted intelligent DVDMS encapsulate iRGD-Liposomes mediate SDT with deep tumor penetration and specific targeting ability enhanced anti-glioma efficacy.

Strategies for brain-targeting liposomal delivery of small hydrophobic molecules in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), threaten the health of an ever-growing number of older people worldwide; so far, there are no effective cures. Significant efforts have been devoted to developing new drugs for NDs in recent years, and some small molecules have been shown to be promising in preclinical studies. However, the major challenge for brain-targeting drugs is how to efficiently deliver the drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to desired targets. To address this issue, liposomal delivery systems have proved to be ideal carriers for neuroprotective small molecules. Here, we summarize recent advances in the brain-targeting liposomal delivery of small hydrophobic molecules (SHMs) and propose strategies for developing liposomal SHMs as disease-modifying neurotherapeutics for NDs.

"Cell-addictive" dual-target traceable nanodrug for Parkinson's disease treatment via flotillins pathway

α-synclein (αS) aggregation is a representative molecular feature of the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can prevent αS aggregation in vitro. However, the in vivo effects of PD treatment are poor due to the obstacles of EGCG accumulation in dopaminergic neurons, such as the blood brain barrier and high binding affinities between EGCG and membrane proteins. Therefore, the key to PD treatment lies in visual examination of EGCG accumulation in dopaminergic neurons.

Methods: DSPE-PEG-B6, DSPE-PEG-MA, DSPE-PEG-phenylboronic acid, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocubes were self-assembled into tracing nanoparticles (NPs). EGCG was then conjugated on the surface of the NPs through the formation of boronate ester bonds to form a “cell-addictive” dual-target traceable nanodrug (B6ME-NPs). B6ME-NPs were then used for PD treatment via intravenous injection.

Results: After treatment with B6ME-NPs, the PD-like characteristics was alleviated significantly. First, the amount of EGCG accumulation in PD lesions was markedly enhanced and traced via magnetic resonance imaging. Further, αS aggregation was greatly inhibited. Finally, the dopaminergic neurons were considerably increased.

Conclusion: Due to their low price, simple preparation, safety, and excellent therapeutic effect on PD, B6ME-NPs are expected to have potential application in PD treatment.

Loading Lovastatin into Camptothecin-Floxuridine Conjugate Nanocapsules for Enhancing Anti-metastatic Efficacy of Cocktail Chemotherapy on Triple-negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a malignant and refractory disease with high morbidity and mortality. The TNBC shows no response to hormonal therapy nor targeted therapy due to the lack of known targetable biomarkers. Furthermore, the TNBC also exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity that leads to cancer evolution, drug resistance, metastatic progression, and recurrence, arising from the tumor-initiating properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Thus, the development of radical therapeutic regimens with high efficacy and limited side effects is crucial. In this study, we designed an innovative ternary cocktail chemotherapy by using Lovastatin (L)-loaded Janus camptothecin-floxuridine conjugate (CF) nanocapsules (NCs) with ultrahigh drug loading capacity. The obtained LCF NCs were shown to be able to suppress growth of TNBC, including inhibition of growth and metastasis of CSCs, both in vitro and in tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, in animal experiments, the LCF NCs showed sustained and synchronous drug release (half-life > 300 min), 85.2% reduction in pulmonary metastases, and no cancer recurrence during one-month observation post-treatment. Thus, this innovative LCF NC design provides a simple and synergistic strategy for the development of simultaneous triple chemotherapy and could be an efficacious, safe, and amenable choice with higher therapeutic relevance and fewer toxic complications than conventional multidrug delivery systems for TNBC treatment in the future.