Formulation and evaluation of quercetin polycaprolactone microspheres for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Nanoscopic gel particle for intra-articular injection formulation

Hyaluronic acid (HA) based nanogels showed effective intracellular delivery efficacy for anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs, characterized by their ability targeting relevant cell receptors. In the present study, we demonstrate the ability of hyaluronic acid-polyethyleneimine (HA-PEI) nanogels as a promising dual-functional interfacial active for intra-articular injection to intervene arthritis. Nanomechanical measurements on both model substrates and human cartilage samples confirm that the HA-PEI nanogels can significantly improve interfacial lubrication, in comparison to HA molecules, or silica-based nanoparticles. We show that the Coefficient of Friction significantly decreases with a decreasing nanogel size. The exceptional lubricating performance, coupled with the proven drug delivery capability, evidences the great potential of nanoscopic hydrogels for early-stage arthritis treatment. The flexibility in choosing the chemical nature, molecular architecture, and structural characteristics of nanogels makes it possible to modulate both drug delivery kinetics and interfacial lubrication, thus representing an innovative approach to treat degenerative joint diseases.

Quercetin encapsulated polycaprolactone-polyvinylpyrrolidone electrospun membranes as a delivery system for wound healing applications

The present work focuses on the production of electrospun membranes based on Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for the topical release of Quercetin (Q). Membranes were prepared at 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 7.0 and 15 % wt of Quercetin and studied from a morphological, physical, and biological point of view. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evidences micrometric dimensions of the fibres with a good dispersion of the functional molecule. The retention degree of liquids was evaluated by testing four different liquid media while the radical scavenging activity of Quercetin-loaded membranes was evaluated through DPPH analysis. The release kinetics of Quercetin highlights the presence of an initial burst followed by slower release up to attaining an equilibrium state, after roughly 50 h, showing the possibility of a fine-tuning of drug release. Diffusion coefficients were then evaluated by using Fick's law. Finally, to verify the actual biocompatibility of the systems produced and the possible application in the repair of tissue injury, the biological activity of Quercetin released from drug-loaded membranes was analysed in an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT by a wound healing assay. So, the reported preliminary data confirm the possibility of applying the electrospun Quercetin-loaded PCL-PVP membranes for wound healing applications.

Unveiling the potentials of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers in microparticle systems: Opportunities and challenges in processing techniques

Conventional drug delivery systems are associated with various shortcomings, including low bioavailability and limited control over release. Biodegradable polymeric microparticles have emerged as versatile carriers in drug delivery systems addressing all these challenges. This comprehensive review explores the dynamic landscape of microparticles, considering the role of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials. Within the continuously evolving domain of microparticle preparation methods, this review offers valuable insights into the latest advancements and addresses the factors influencing microencapsulation, which is pivotal for harnessing the full potential of microparticles. Exploration of the latest research in this dynamic field unlocks the possibilities of optimizing microencapsulation techniques to produce microparticles of desired characteristics and properties for different applications, which can help contribute to the ongoing evolution in the field of pharmaceutical science.

Pathophysiology to advanced intra-articular drug delivery strategies: Unravelling rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent life-long autoimmune diseases with an unknown genesis. It primarily causes chronic inflammation, pain, and synovial joint-associated cartilage and bone degradation. Unfortunately, limited information is available regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of this chronic joint disorder. In the last few decades, an improved understanding of RA pathophysiology about key immune cells, antibodies, and cytokines has inspired the development of several anti-rheumatic drugs and biopharmaceuticals to act on RA-affected joints. However, life-long frequent systemic high doses of commercially available drugs are currently a limiting factor in the efficient management of RA. To address this issue, various single and double-barrier intra-articular drug delivery systems (IA-DDSs) such as nanocarriers, microparticles, hydrogels, and particles-hybrid hydrogel composite have been developed which can exclusively target the RA-affected joint cavity and release the precisely controlled therapeutic drug concentration for prolonged time whilst avoiding the systemic toxicity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis of RA and discusses the rational design and development of biomaterials-based novel IA-DDs, ranging from conventional to advanced systems, for improved treatment of RA. Therefore, this review aims to unravel the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and explore cutting-edge IA-DD strategies exploiting biomaterials. It offers researchers a consolidated and up-to-date resource platform to analyze existing knowledge, identify research gaps, and contribute to the scientific literature.

Natural anti-inflammatory products for osteoarthritis: From molecular mechanism to drug delivery systems and clinical trials

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions globally. The present nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatments have different side effects, leading researchers to focus on natural anti-inflammatory products (NAIPs). To review the effectiveness and mechanisms of NAIPs in the cellular microenvironment, examining their impact on OA cell phenotype and organelles levels. Additionally, we summarize relevant research on drug delivery systems and clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to promote clinical studies and explore natural product delivery options. English-language articles were searched on PubMed using the search terms "natural products," "OA," and so forth. We categorized search results based on PubChem and excluded "natural products" which are mix of ingredients or compounds without the structure message. Then further review was separately conducted for molecular mechanisms, drug delivery systems, and RCTs later. At present, it cannot be considered that NAIPs can thoroughly prevent or cure OA. Further high-quality studies on the anti-inflammatory mechanism and drug delivery systems of NAIPs are needed, to determine the appropriate drug types and regimens for clinical application, and to explore the combined effects of different NAIPs to prevent and treat OA.

Design, synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, in-vitro antibacterial evaluation and in-silico analysis of polycaprolactone containing chitosan-quercetin microspheres

Aim of present study was to synthesize a novel chitosan-quercetin (CTS-QT) complex by making a carbodiimide linkage using maleic anhydride as cross-linker and to investigate its enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activities as compare to pure CTS and QT. Equimolar concentration of QT and maleic anhydride were used to react with 100 mg CTS to form CTS-QT complex. For this purpose, three bacterial strains namely E. Coli, S. Aureus and P. Aeruginosa were used for in-vitro antibacterial analysis (ZOI, MIC, MBC, checker board and time kill assay). Later molecular docking studies were performed on protein structure of E. Coli to assess binding affinity of pure QT and CTS-QT complex. MD simulations with accelerated settings were used to explore the protein-ligand complex's binding interactions and stability. Antioxidant profile was determined by performing DPPH• radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total reducing power (TRP) assays. Delivery mechanism to CTS-QT complex was improved by synthesizing polycaprolactone containing microspheres (CTS-QT-PCL-Levo-Ms) using Levofloxacin as model drug to enhance their antibacterial profile. Resulted microspheres were evaluated by particle size, charge, surface morphology, in-vitro drug release and hemolytic profile and are all were found within limits. Antibacterial assay revealed that CTS-QT-PCL-Levo-Ms showed more than two folds increased bactericidal activity against E. Coli and P. Aeruginosa, while 1.5 folds against S. Aureus. Green colored formation of phosphate molybdate complexes with highest 85 ± 1.32% TAC confirmed its antioxidant properties. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamics studies revealed that CTS-QT was embedded nicely within the active pocket of UPPS with binding energy greater than QT with RSMD value of below 1.5. Conclusively, use of maleic acid, in-vitro and in-silico antimicrobial studies confirm the emergence of CTS-QT complex containing microspheres as novel treatment strategy for all types of bacterial infections.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Cellular and Non-cellular Antioxidant Properties of Vitamin E-Loaded Metallic-Quercetin/Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Melanogenesis

Inhibition of melanogenesis by quercetin and vitamin E is extensively reported in the literature, independently, with limitations in antioxidant potential owing to less permeation, solubility, decreased bioavailability, and reduced stability. Thus, the aim of the present study was to synthesize a novel complex of metal ions (copper and zinc) with quercetin to enhance antioxidant properties which were confirmed by docking studies. Polycaprolactone-based nanoparticles of the synthesized complex (PCL-NPs, Q-PCL-NPs, Zn-Q-PCL-NPs, Cu-Q-PCL-NPs) were made later loaded with vitamin E which made the study more interesting in enhancing antioxidant profile. Nanoparticles were characterized for zeta size, charge, and polydispersity index, while physiochemical analysis of nanoparticles was strengthened by FTIR. Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E showed maximum in vitro release of vitamin E, i.e., 80 ± 0.54%. Non-cellular antioxidant effect by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was observed at 93 ± 0.23% in Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E which was twofold as compared to Zn-Q-PCL-NPs-E. Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cancer cell lines were used to investigate the anticancer and cellular antioxidant profile of loaded and unloaded nanoparticles. Results revealed reactive oxygen species activity of 90 ± 0.32% with the addition of 89 ± 0.64% of its anticancer behavior shown by Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E after 6 and 24h. Similarly, 80 ± 0.53% inhibition of melanocyte cells and 95 ± 0.54% increase of keratinocyte cells were also shown by Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E that confirmed the tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory effect. Conclusively, the use of zinc and copper complex in unloaded and vitamin E-loaded nanoparticles can provide enhanced antioxidant properties with inhibition of melanin, which can be used for treating diseases of melanogenesis.

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Silica-Polycaprolactone-Chlorogenic Acid Hybrids by Sol-Gel Route

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials were synthesized by a sol-gel route, using silicon alkoxide together with low molecular weight polycaprolactone and caffetannic acid. The synthesized hybrids were characterized by scanning Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and their surface morphology was acquired by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The hybrids were investigated for their antiradical capacity using the DPPH and ABTS tests, while the Kirby-Bauer test was used to evaluate their effects on the growth of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Furthermore, a biologically active hydroxyapatite layer has been observed to form on the surface of intelligently synthesized materials. The MTT direct test showed that the hybrid materials are biocompatible with NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells, while they were cytotoxic towards colon, prostate, and brain tumor cell lines. These results shed new light on the suitability of the synthesized hybrids in the medical field, thus affording knowledge on the features of the bioactive silica-polycaprolactone-chlorogenic acid hybrids.

Concomitant Effect of Quercetin and Its Copper Complex in the Development of Sustained-Release Nanoparticles of Polycaprolactone, Used for the Treatment of Skin Infection

The study aimed to improve the treatment of impetigo with naturally occurring quercetin and its copper-quercetin (Cu-Q) complex by preparing sustained-release (SR) nanoparticles of polycaprolactone (PCL). The solvent evaporation method was used for the copper-quercetin (Cu-Q) complex formation, and their PCL nanoparticles (PCL-NPs, Q-PCL-NPs, and Cu-Q-PCL-NPs) were prepared by the high-pressure homogenization method. Synthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed by their physicochemical and antibacterial properties of quercetin against Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria. The percentage loading efficiency of quercetin and release in 100 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and 5.5 at 37 °C was found to be more than 90% after 24 h with the zero-order release pattern. Minimum inhibitory concentration of nanoparticles was found to increase threefold in the case of Cu-Q-PCL-NPs may be due to the synergistic antibacterial behavior. Scanning electron microscopy showed spherical nanoparticles, and surface roughness was confirmed by atomic force microscopy analysis. Fortunately, no sign of irritation on rat skin even at 3%, was seen. In vitro antioxidant assay by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reduction was found to be ≤80 ± 0.02% which confirmed their scavenging activity. Interestingly, for the ex vivo study, the tape-stripping model was applied against Staphylococcus aureus containing rats and showed the formation of the epidermal layer within 4-5 days. Confirmation of antibacterial activity of pure quercetin, from Cu-Q complex, and their SR release from Q-PCL-NPs and Cu-Q-PCL-NPs was considered an effective tool for the treatment of skin diseases and can be used as an alternative of already resistant ciprofloxacin in impetigo.

Machine learning models to accelerate the design of polymeric long-acting injectables

Long-acting injectables are considered one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic diseases as they can afford improved therapeutic efficacy, safety, and patient compliance. The use of polymer materials in such a drug formulation strategy can offer unparalleled diversity owing to the ability to synthesize materials with a wide range of properties. However, the interplay between multiple parameters, including the physicochemical properties of the drug and polymer, make it very difficult to intuitively predict the performance of these systems. This necessitates the development and characterization of a wide array of formulation candidates through extensive and time-consuming in vitro experimentation. Machine learning is enabling leap-step advances in a number of fields including drug discovery and materials science. The current study takes a critical step towards data-driven drug formulation development with an emphasis on long-acting injectables. Here we show that machine learning algorithms can be used to predict experimental drug release from these advanced drug delivery systems. We also demonstrate that these trained models can be used to guide the design of new long acting injectables. The implementation of the described data-driven approach has the potential to reduce the time and cost associated with drug formulation development.

Overview of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Effects of Polyphenols to Halt Osteoarthritis: From Preclinical Studies to New Clinical Insights

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most multifactorial joint disorders in adults. It is characterized by degenerative and inflammatory processes that are responsible for joint destruction, pain and stiffness. Despite therapeutic advances, the search for alternative strategies to target inflammation and pain is still very challenging. In this regard, there is a growing body of evidence for the role of several bioactive dietary molecules (BDMs) in targeting inflammation and pain, with promising clinical results. BDMs may be valuable non-pharmaceutical solutions to treat and prevent the evolution of early OA to more severe phenotypes, overcoming the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. Among BDMs, polyphenols (PPs) are widely studied due to their abundance in several plants, together with their benefits in halting inflammation and pain. Despite their biological relevance, there are still many questionable aspects (biosafety, bioavailability, etc.) that hinder their clinical application. This review highlights the mechanisms of action and biological targets modulated by PPs, summarizes the data on their anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects in different preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of OA and underlines the gaps in the knowledge. Furthermore, this work reports the preliminary promising results of clinical studies on OA patients treated with PPs and discusses new perspectives to accelerate the translation of PPs treatment into the clinics.

Investigation and Characterisation of New Eco-Friendly Cosmetic Ingredients Based on Probiotic Bacteria Ferment Filtrates in Combination with Alginite Mineral

In light of the fact that three of the five healthiest meals on earth are fermented, fermentation came into focus of both customers, product developers, and researchers all around the world. Even in the cosmetics industry, fermented cosmetics have been increasingly introduced, creating a market emphasising the positive image that healthy fermented substances are environment-friendly and that it also aids skin health. Moreover, discovering usages for various naturally occurring organo-mineral rocks is a growing area of research. Thus, this study’s aim was to combine the benefits of alginite and Lactobacilli (LAB) for cosmetic applications and investigate their combined effect on the skin considering the fermentation parameters as well, such as biomass and lactic acid concentration. The examined LAB strains were Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Lactococcus lactis, and a non-LAB probiotic strain Bifidobacterium adolescentis was also studied for the same purposes. The cell-free broth, also called as “filtrates”, of the fermentations—both those that included alginite and those that did not—were tested for skin moisturising with a corneometer and for antioxidant activity with DPPH scavenging, as well as for skin-whitening properties with the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase. The findings suggest that the combination of alginite and Limosilactobacillus reuteri is a potential novel cosmeceutical component with skin tanning capabilities. This result may help create more readily available, environmentally friendly, natural, and sustainable cosmetic ingredients.

Epimedii Herba: An ancient Chinese herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory and systemic autoimmune disease resulting in severe joint destruction, lifelong suffering and considerable disability. Diverse prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) containing Epimedii Herba (EH) achieve greatly curative effects against RA. The present review aims to systemically summarize the therapeutic effect, pharmacological mechanism, bioavailability and safety assessment of EH to provide a novel insight for subsequent studies. The search terms included were "Epimedii Herba", "yinyanghuo", "arthritis, rheumatoid" and "Rheumatoid Arthritis", and relevant literatures were collected on the database such as Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science and CNKI. In this review, 15 compounds from EH for the treatment of RA were summarized from the aspects of anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, cartilage and bone protective, antiangiogenic and antioxidant activities. Although EH has been frequently used to treat RA in clinical practice, studies on mechanisms of these activities are still scarce. Various compounds of EH have the multifunctional traits in the treatment of RA, so EH may be a great complementary medicine option and it is necessary to pay more attention to further research and development.

Bioactive Based Nanocarriers for the Treatment of Viral Infections and SARS-CoV-2

Since ancient times, plants have been used for their medicinal properties. They provide us with many phytomolecules, which serve a synergistic function for human well-being. Along with anti-microbial, plants also possess anti-viral activities. In Western nations, about 50% of medicines were extracted from plants or their constituents. The spread and pandemic of viral diseases are becoming a major threat to public health and a burden on the financial prosperity of communities worldwide. In recent years, SARS-CoV-2 has made a dramatic lifestyle change. This has promoted scientists not to use synthetic anti-virals, such as protease inhibitors, nucleic acid analogs, and other anti-virals, but to study less toxic anti-viral phytomolecules. An emerging approach includes searching for eco-friendly therapeutic molecules to develop phytopharmaceuticals. This article briefly discusses numerous bioactive molecules that possess anti-viral properties, their mode of action, and possible applications in treating viral diseases, with a special focus on coronavirus and various nano-formulations used as a carrier for the delivery of phytoconstituents for improved bioavailability.

β-Glucan from mushrooms and dates as a wall material for targeted delivery of model bioactive compound: Nutraceutical profiling and bioavailability

Rutin was nano-encapsulated in date [En-Ru(D)] and mushroom [En-Ru(M)] β-glucan matrix to protect it from the harsh gastrointestinal environment and to enhance its bioavailability and biological activity upon digestion. The encapsulation was carried using green technology i.e., ultra-sonication. The En-Ru(D) and En-Ru (M) showed the hydrodynamic diameter of 314.04 and 482.21 nm with polydispersity index of 0.21 and 0.33. The in vitro release behaviour followed the Higuchi model. The antimicrobial activity of En-Ru(D) and En-Ru(M) were evaluated against gram negative E. coli (ATCC 25922) and gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Furthermore, En-Ru(D) and En-Ru(M) exhibited increased bioavailability of rutin in intestinal fluid with retention of anti-obesity and antioxidant activities after digestion (p < 0.05). Therefore, β-glucan matrix can efficiently encapsulate flavonoids and regulate the release of functional bioactive ingredients in the simulated human digestive conditions.

Quercetin suppresses inflammatory cytokine production in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive and systemic autoimmune disease mainly characterized by symmetric multijoint synovitis. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and immune regulation activities, and therefore shows high medicinal value. The present study aimed to observe the effect of quercetin on fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in RA. Rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLSs) were pretreated with 50 nmol/l quercetin for 2 h and were then stimulated using TNF-α for 24 h for subsequent experiments. RAFLSs were transfected with short interfering (si)-X-inactive specific transcript (XIST), microRNA (miR)-485 mimic, miR-485 inhibitor or si-PSMB8 or combination. ELISA, PCR and western blotting was used to evaluate the effect of quercetin on RAFLSs treated with TNF-α. It was revealed that quercetin inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of XIST in RAFLSs induced by TNF-α. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that XIST acted as a sponge for miR-485 and that proteasome subunit β type-8 (PSMB8) was a direct target of miR-485. Moreover, PSMB8 functioned as a suppressor in inflammatory cytokine production of RAFLSs induced by TNF-α. Overall, quercetin was observed to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of XIST in RAFLSs induced by TNF-α. Moreover, XIST-silencing could suppress the inflammatory reaction by sponging miR-485 in cells treated with TNF-α. Altogether, quercetin could suppress the development of RA in vitro.

Colloidal and vesicular delivery system for herbal bioactive constituents

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the present review is to explore and examine the effectiveness of currently developed novel techniques to resolve the issues which are associated with the herbal constituents/extract.

METHODS

A systematic thorough search and collection of reviewed information from Science direct, PubMed and Google Scholar databases based on various sets of key phrases have been performed. All the findings from these data have been studied and briefed based on their relevant and irrelevant information.

RESULT

Herbal drugs are gaining more popularity in the modern world due to their applications in curing various ailments with minimum toxic effects, side effect or adverse effect. However, various challenges exist with herbal extracts/plant actives such as poor solubility (water/lipid), poor permeation, lack of targeting specificity, instability in highly acidic pH, and liver metabolism, etc. Nowadays with the expansion in the technology, novel drug delivery system provides avenues and newer opportunity towards the delivery of herbal drugs with improved physical chemical properties, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic. Developing nano-strategies like Polymeric nanoparticles, Liposomes, Niosomes, Microspheres, Phytosomes, Nanoemulsion and Self Nano Emulsifying Drug Delivery System, etc. imparts benefits for delivery of phyto formulation and herbal bioactives. Nano formulation of phytoconstituents/ herbal extract could lead to enhancement of aqueous solubility, dissolution, bioavailability, stability, reduce toxicity, permeation, sustained delivery, protection from enzymatic degradation, etc. CONCLUSION: Based on the above findings, the conclusion can be drawn that the nano sized novel drug delivery systems of herbal and herbal bioactives have a potential future for upgrading the pharmacological action and defeating or overcoming the issues related with these constituents. The aims of the present review was to summarize and critically analyze the recent development of nano sized strategies for promising phytochemicals delivery systems along with their therapeutic applications supported by experimental evidence and discussing the opportunities for further aspects.

Biodegradable polymers-based nanoparticles to enhance the antifungal efficacy of fluconazole against Candida albicans

BACKGROUND

Fluconazole (FLZ), a potent antifungal medication, is characterized by poor water solubility that reduced its antifungal efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to prepare FLZ-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) by using different polymers and techniques as a mean of enhancing the antifungal activity of FLZ.

METHODS

NP₁, NP₂, and NP₃ were prepared by the double emulsion/solvent evaporation method using PLGA, PCL, and PLA, respectively. The ionotropic pre-gelation technique was applied to prepare an alginate/chitosan-based formulation (NP₄). Particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity were characterized. FT-IR spectra of FLZ, the polymers, and the prepared NPs were estimated. NP₄ was selected for further in-vitro release evaluation. The broth dilution method was used to assess the antifungal activity of NP₄ using a resistant clinical isolate of Candida albicans.

RESULTS

The double emulsion method produced smaller-sized particles (<390 nm) but with much lower encapsulation efficiency (< 12%). Alternatively, the ionic gelation method resulted in nanosized particles with a markedly higher encapsulation efficiency of about 40%. The FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the loading of the FLZ molecules in the polymeric network of the prepared NPs. The release profile of NP₄ showed a burst initial release followed by a controlled pattern up to 24 hours with a higher percent released relative to the free FLZ suspension. NP₄ was able to reduce the value of MIC of FLZ by 20 times.

CONCLUSION

The antifungal activity of FLZ against C. albicans was enhanced markedly via its loading in the alginate/chitosan-based polymeric matrix of NP₄.

Ecotoxicity evaluation of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with ascorbic acid for fish nutrition in aquaculture

Background

Ascorbic acid (AA) is a micronutrient essential for the mechanisms of reproduction, growth, and defense in fish. However, the biosynthesis of this micronutrient does not occur in fish, so it must be supplied with food. A difficulty is that plain AA is unstable, due to the effects of light, high temperature, and oxygen, among others. The use of nanoencapsulation may provide protection and preserve the physicochemical characteristics of AA for extended periods of time, decreasing losses due to environmental factors.

Method

This study evaluated the protective effect of nanoencapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles (chitosan and polycaprolactone) against AA degradation. Evaluation was made of the physicochemical stability of the nanoformulations over time, as well as the toxicological effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio), considering behavior, development, and enzymatic activity. For the statistical tests, ANOVA (two-way, significance of p < 0.05) was used.

Results

Both nanoparticle formulations showed high encapsulation efficiency and good physicochemical stability during 90 days. Chitosan (CS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with AA had mean diameters of 314 and 303 nm and polydispersity indexes of 0.36 and 0.28, respectively. Both nanosystems provided protection against degradation of AA exposed to an oxidizing agent, compared to plain AA. Total degradation of AA was observed after 7, 20, and 480 min for plain AA, the CS nanoparticle formulation, and the PCL nanoparticle formulation, respectively. For zebrafish larvae, the LC₅₀ values were 330.7, 57.4, and 179.6 mg/L for plain AA, the CS nanoparticle formulation, and the PCL nanoparticle formulation, respectively. In toxicity assays using AA at a concentration of 50 mg/L, both types of nanoparticles loaded with AA showed lower toxicity towards the development of the zebrafish, compared to plain AA at the same concentration. Although decreased activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) did not affect the swimming behavior of zebrafish larvae in the groups evaluated, it may have been associated with the observed morphometric changes, such as curvature of the tail.

Conclusions

This study showed that the use of nanosystems is promising for fish nutritional supplementation in aquaculture. In particular, PCL nanoparticles loaded with AA seemed to be most promising, due to higher protection against AA degradation, as well as lower toxicity to zebrafish, compared to the chitosan nanoparticles. The use of nanotechnology opens new perspectives for aquaculture, enabling the reduction of feed nutrient losses, leading to faster fish growth and improved sustainability of this activity.

Graphic Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00910-8.

Phytochemical add-on therapy to DMARDs therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: In vitro and in vivo bases, clinical evidence and future trends

The use of biologically active compounds derived from plants i.e. phytochemicals, have been known for ages for their pharmacological activities in the treatment of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Besides enormous scientific evidence, the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals is often undervalued. The treatment in RA involves the use of synthetic and biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). However, the long-term treatment in RA is associated with the risk of gastrointestinal, liver, pulmonary and renal toxicities and serious infections including latent tuberculosis, pneumococcus influenza, herpes zoster and hepatitis. These adverse effects sometimes lead to discontinuation of the therapy. A relatively new vision based on the combination of DMARDs with phytochemicals exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective properties for the treatment of RA has achieved substantial importance in the last decade. From this perspective, the present review focuses on the combination of DMARDs (primarily MTX) with phytochemicals that have shown synergistic therapeutic effects while decreasing the toxic repercussions of current RA therapy. The review covers recent evidences of such combination studies that have shown promising results both in experimental arthritic models and clinical arthritis. Few of the combinations including resveratrol, sinomenine, coenzyme Q10 exhibited considerable interest because of their efficacy as an adjuvant to the MTX/standard DMARDs therapy in clinical trials. Besides giving an overview of such combination studies the review also critically discusses the limitations with the use of phytochemicals (e.g. solubility, permeability and bioavailability) compromising their clinical application. Additionally, it stresses upon the need of novel delivery systems and pharmaceutical technologies to increase the therapeutic efficacy of the combination therapy. Overall, the review unveils the potential of phytochemicals in combination with DMARDs with increased tolerability and superior efficacy in further refining the future of the RA therapy.

Recent developments in natural and synthetic polymeric drug delivery systems used for the treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), is a common musculoskeletal disorder that will progressively increase in older populations and is expected to be the most dominant cause of disability in the world population by 2030. The progression of OA is controlled by a multi-factorial pathway that has not been completely elucidated and understood yet. However, over the years, research efforts have provided a significant understanding of some of the processes contributing to the progression of OA. Both cartilage and bone degradation processes induce articular cells to produce inflammatory mediators that produce proinflammatory cytokines that block the synthesis of collagen type II and aggrecan, the major components of cartilage. Systemic administration and intraarticular injection of anti-inflammatory agents are the first-line treatments of OA. However, small anti-inflammatory molecules are rapidly cleared from the joint cavity which limits their therapeutic efficacy. To palliate this strong technological drawback, different types of polymeric materials such as microparticles, nanoparticles, and hydrogels, have been examined as drug carriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents to articular joints. The main purpose of this review is to provide a summary of recent developments in natural and synthetic polymeric drug delivery systems for the delivery of anti-inflammatory agents to arthritic joints. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of the design rules that have been proposed so far for the development of drug carriers used in OA therapy. Overall it is difficult to state clearly which polymeric platform is the most efficient one because many advantages and disadvantages could be pointed to both natural and synthetic formulations. That requires further research in the near future.

Quercetin: A Potential Candidate For The Treatment Of Arthritis

Diet plays a significant role in ensuring healthy life and the bioactive compounds present in food and medicinal plants may be developed as drugs that combat various illnesses. A bioactive flavanoid, quercetin which is a dietary component possesses numerous health-promoting effects. In preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis and osteoarthritis, quercetin has shown significant joint protective effects. Taking into account the significance of this compound, the present review discusses its anti-arthritic properties, demonstrating its mechanism of action for the treatment of arthritis with its therapeutic potential.

Role of natural products in alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis-A review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RHA) is one of the most prevalent complex, chronic, inflammatory diseases, manifested by elevated oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Prolonged administration of NSAIDs, steroids, and DMARDs, used in the treatment of RHA, is associated with deleterious side effects. This necessitates the urge of new and safe approaches for RHA management, based on the complementary and alternative system of medicine. Documented evidences have suggested that supplementation with nutritional, dietary, and herbal components; can play a crucial role as an adjuvant, in the alleviation of the RHA symptoms, through their influence on the pathological inflammatory processes. Dietary phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, and alkaloids with their ability to modulate prooxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways, have been effective in delaying the arthritic disease progression. Moreover, in scientific explorations, herbs containing phenolic compounds, alkaloids, carotenoids flavonoids, spices such as ginger, turmeric, Ayurvedic formulations, different diets such as Mediterranean diet, vegan diet, beverages, and oils such as sesame oil, rice bran oil, vitamins, and probiotics are proven to modulate the action of inflammatory molecules, involved in RHA pathology. Subsequently, the purpose of this review article is to summarize various in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies in RHA, which have documented remarkable insights into the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immunomodulatory, bone erosion preventing properties of dietary, nutritional, and herbal components with the focus on their molecular level mechanisms involved in RHA. Even though major findings were derived from in vitro studies, several in vivo and clinical studies have established the use of diet, herbal, and nutritional management in RHA treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Thickening of the synovial membrane, bone erosion, and cartilage destruction is known to trigger rheumatoid arthritis causing inflammation and pain in bone joints. Continuous intake of NSAIDs, steroids, and DMARD therapy are associated with detrimental side effects. These side effects can be overcome by the use of dietary, nutritional, and herbal interventions based on the complementary and alternative therapy. This concept portrays the food components and other natural components having the potential to promote health, improve general well-being, and reduce the risk of RHA.

Evaluation of the Hemocompatibility and Anticancer Potential of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) and Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Microcarriers with Encapsulated Chrysin

In this work, novel chrysin-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microcarriers were synthesized according to a modified oil-in-water single emulsion/solvent evaporation method, utilizing poly(vinyl alcohol) surfactant as stabilizer and dispersing agent for the emulsification, and were evaluated for their physico-chemical and morphological properties, loading capacity and entrapment efficiency and in vitro release of their load. The findings suggest that the novel micro-formulations possess a spherical and relatively wrinkled structure with sizes ranging between 2.4 and 24.7 µm and a highly negative surface charge with z-potential values between (-18.1)-(-14.1) mV. The entrapment efficiency of chrysin in the poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microcarriers was estimated to be 58.10% and 43.63%, whereas the loading capacity was found to be 3.79% and 15.85%, respectively. The average release percentage of chrysin was estimated to be 23.10% and 18.01%, respectively. The novel micromaterials were further biologically evaluated for their hemolytic activity through hemocompatibility studies over a range of hematological parameters and cytoxicity against the epithelial human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 231. The poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microcarriers reached an IC50 value with an encapsulated chrysin content of 149.19 µM and 312.18 µM, respectively, and showed sufficient blood compatibility displaying significantly low (up to 2%) hemolytic percentages at concentrations between 5 and 500 µg·mL-1.

In vitro anti-leukemic assessment and sustained release behaviour of cytarabine loaded biodegradable polymer based nanoparticles

AIMS

The study aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) based nanoparticles for the sustained release behaviour of cytarabine and to investigate the in vitro anti-cancer influence on KG-1 leukemic cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nanoprecipitation method was used for the preparation of cytarabine loaded PCL nanoparticles. The developed nanoparticles were characterized for physicochemical properties and the anti-leukemic effect on the KG-1 cell line was evaluated.

KEY FINDINGS

A total number of five formulations were prepared with size range from 120.5 ± 1.18 to 341.5 ± 3.02, entrapment efficiency (41.31 ± 0.49 to 62.28 ± 0.39%), spherical morphology, negative zeta potentials, considerable particle size distribution, compatibility between the drug and excipients and thermal stability. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of cytarabine in PCL polymer. In vitro drug release in phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4) showed initial burst release followed by sustained release up to 48 h. The sustained release behaviour efficiently increased the toxicity of cytarabine-loaded PCL nanoparticles to KG-1 (leukemic) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell lines in time dependent manner with lower IC₅₀ values than that of drug solution. The flow cytometry study revealed the better apoptotic activity of cytarabine loaded PCL nanoparticle against treated KG-1 cell line. The western blot analysis confirmed the upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl-2 protein.

SIGNIFICANCE

The experimental results suggest that cytarabine loaded PCL nanoparticles is an efficient carrier to prevent the dose associated toxicity while providing sustained release pattern to ensure maximum anti-cancer influence.

Phytochemical screening and determination of phenolics and flavonoids in Dillenia pentagyna using UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy

Here, we report an ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of phytochemicals from bark, leaves, sepals, fruits, and seeds of Dillenia pentagyna (Roxb) using different organic solvents such as chloroform, ethanol, and n-hexane. The preliminary phytochemical screening results showed that the ethanolic extract is enriched with phenolics, flavonoids, tannin, saponin, alkaloid, and terpenoids. The profiling of phytochemicals is carried out employing UV-Vis and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses. The higher amount of phenolic compounds obtained in the ethanolic extract of bark and leaves as compared to other parts of the plant. Consequently, a higher amount of total flavonoid compounds unveiled in the bark of targeted species. The ethanolic extract of bark and leaves showed good free radical scavenging activity using DPPH with inhibition percentage of 90.58 ± 1.89% and 76.46 ± 1.58%, respectively, in comparison to standard ascorbic acid at 10 μg/mL. Moreover, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of bark and leaves are 5.64 and 6.54 μg/mL, respectively, in comparison to standard ascorbic acid. With the best of our knowledge, it is the first report pertaining to characterization and quantification of phenols and flavonoids as well as the investigation of the medicinal property in D. pentagyna.

Modified magnetic core-shell mesoporous silica nano-formulations with encapsulated quercetin exhibit anti-amyloid and antioxidant activity

Targeted tissue drug delivery is a challenge in contemporary nanotechnologically driven therapeutic approaches, with the interplay interactions between nanohost and encapsulated drug shaping the ultimate properties of transport, release and efficacy of the drug at its destination. Prompted by the need to pursue the synthesis of such hybrid systems, a family of modified magnetic core-shell mesoporous silica nano-formulations was synthesized with encapsulated quercetin, a natural flavonoid with proven bioactivity. The new nanocarriers were produced via the sol-gel process, using tetraethoxysilane as a precursor and bearing a magnetic core of surface-modified monodispersed magnetite colloidal superparamagnetic nanoparticles, subsequently surface-modified with polyethylene glycol 3000 (PEG3k). The arising nano-formulations were evaluated for their textural and structural properties, exhibiting enhanced solubility and stability in physiological media, as evidenced by the loading capacity, entrapment efficiency results and in vitro release studies of their load. Guided by the increased bioavailability of quercetin in its encapsulated form, further evaluation of the biological activity of the magnetic as well as non-magnetic core-shell nanoparticles, pertaining to their anti-amyloid and antioxidant potential, revealed interference with the aggregation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease, reduction of Aβ cellular toxicity and minimization of Aβ-induced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. The data indicate that the biological properties of released quercetin are maintained in the presence of the host nanocarriers. Collectively, the findings suggest that the emerging hybrid nano-formulations can function as efficient nanocarriers of hydrophobic natural flavonoids in the development of multifunctional nanomaterials toward therapeutic applications.

Food-Derived Nanoscopic Drug Delivery Systems for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a severe systemic inflammatory disease with no cure at present. Recent developments in the understanding of inflammation and nanomaterial science have led to increased applications of nanostructured drug delivery systems in the treatment of RA. The present review summarizes novel fabrications of nanoscale drug carriers using food components as either the delivered drugs or carrier structures, in order to achieve safe, effective and convenient drug administration. Polyphenols and flavonoids are among the most frequently carried anti-RA therapeutics in the nanosystems. Fatty substances, polysaccharides, and peptides/proteins can function as structuring agents of the nanocarriers. Frequently used nanostructures include nanoemulsions, nanocapsules, liposomes, and various nanoparticles. Using these nanostructures has improved drug solubility, absorption, biodistribution, stability, targeted accumulation, and release. Joint vectorization, i.e., using a combination of bioactive molecules, can bring elevated therapeutic outcomes. Utilization of anti-arthritic chemicals that can self-assemble into nanostructures is a promising research orientation in this field.

The effects of long non-coding ribonucleic acids on various cellular components in rheumatoid arthritis

RA is a chronic, autoimmune-mediated inflammatory pathology. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel group of non-coding RNAs with a length of >200 nucleotides. There are reports emerging that suggest that lncRNAs participate in establishing and sustaining autoimmune diseases, including RA. In this review article, we highlight the functions of lncRNAs in different cell types in RA. Our review indicates that lncRNAs affect various cellular components and are novel candidates that could constitute promising targets for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

Fabrication and characterization of tretinoin-loaded nanofiber for topical skin delivery

Background

Tretinoin or all-trans retinoic acid is used in the treatment of acne vulgaris and photo-aging. This work aims to develop tretinoin-loaded nanofibers as a potential anti-acne patch and to investigate its physicochemical characteristics.

Method

Nanofibers were produced via electrospinning method and surface topography was evaluated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The functional groups of polymer and the drug molecule and the possible interactions were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Drug release studies were carried out by total immersion method at 25 °C and 32 °C. Tretinoin stability was evaluated at room temperature and fridge for 45 days. The possibility of synergistic antibacterial activity of tretinoin and erythromycin combination was investigated on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 25923™) and (ATCC® 29213™) by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results

Uniform fibers without drug crystals were fabricated via electrospinning. Drug-loaded nanofibers show inherent stability under various storage conditions. Electrospun nanofibers showed a prolonged release of tretinoin. The stability of formulations in FT was higher than RT. Disc diffusion tests did not show any synergism in the antibacterial activity of erythromycin when used in combination with tretinoin.

Conclusion

It can be anticipated that the easy fabrication, low costs and dosing frequency of the construct reported here provide a platform that can be adapted for on-demand delivery of tretinoin.

Graphical abstract

Polycaprolactone microcapsules containing citric acid and naringin for plant growth and sustainable agriculture: physico-chemical properties and release behavior

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an alternative to chemical fertilizers for sustainable, environment friendly agriculture. There is a need to develop strategies to potentiate the interaction between rhizobacteria and plants. Flavonoids and organic acids (components of root exudates) play specific beneficial roles as carbon sources and signal molecules in the plant - rhizobacteria interactions. The goal of this work is to encapsulate signal molecules, namely citric acid and naringin, an organic acid and a flavonoid, respectively, by a biodegradable polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL), in order to maintain the stability and activity of those signal molecules and enable their slow or controlled release over a selected period of time, according to the needs of the plants. This approach is expected to potentiate food crops, namely peanut crop, in adverse environmental conditions (water deficit), by promoting the beneficial interaction between the peanut plant (A. hypogaea) and rhizobacteria. The microcapsules (MCs) are obtained by an emulsion process combined with solvent evaporation technique and are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The kinetics of in vitro release of encapsulated molecules, in a period where the uptake of the compound in plants can occur, is studied. The encapsulation synthesis parameters that lead to the best encapsulation process yield and efficiency, as well as to the best final performance in terms of release, are identified. The effect of pH and molecular weight of PCL is found to mediate the release properties of the molecules for different types of soil. PCL 45000 Mw dissolved at 16% in dichloromethane leads to an encapsulation efficiency of 75% and the resulting MCs containing naringin exhibit a slow release profile for 30 days, unmodified by pH, enabling their use in soils of different characteristics. This research makes possible the manufacturing of smart materials for sustainable agriculture practices.

Preparation of quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals and their evaluation under in vivo and in vitro conditions

Quercetin is a flavonoid abundant in the plant kingdom. Various types of bioactivities of quercetin have been demonstrated in vitro. Although quercetin has been proposed to exhibit numerous pharmacological benefits, it suffers from low bioavailability on account of its obviously poor solubility in water. Cocrystals have generated interest recently as a way of enhancing the dissolution in vitro and creating relative bioavailability of insoluble medicine. In this study, quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals were obtained via a solvent evaporation technique. Furthermore, quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals were characterized via Fourier transform infrared (FI-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals are a new phase material, and the established intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonds between quercetin and nicotinamide existed in the quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals, as confirmed from the solid-state analysis. The dissolution of quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals was found to be significantly higher than that of quercetin crystals. The pharmacokinetic data from the in vivo experiments suggested that quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals could significantly increase the oral absorption of quercetin by nearly 4-fold. These results demonstrate that the developed quercetin–nicotinamide cocrystals are a promising oral formulation toward improvement in the dissolution and bioavailability of quercetin.

Quercetin is a flavonoid abundant in the plant kingdom.

Biomaterial-engineered intra-articular drug delivery systems for osteoarthritis therapy

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive and degenerative disease, which is no longer confined to the elderly. So far, current treatments are limited to symptom relief, and no valid OA disease-modifying drugs are available. Additionally, OA relative joint is challenging for drug delivery, since the drugs experience rapid clearance in joint, showing a poor bioavailability. Existing therapeutic drugs, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, are not conducive for long-term use due to adverse effects. Though supplementations, including chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, have shown beneficial effects on joint tissues in OA, their therapeutic use is still debatable. New emerging agents, like Kartogenin (KGN) and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra), without a proper formulation, still will not work. Therefore, it is urgent to establish a suitable and efficient drug delivery system for OA therapy. In this review, we pay attention to various types of drug delivery systems and potential therapeutic drugs that may escalate OA treatments.

Novel biodegradable and non-fouling systems for controlled-release based on poly(ε-caprolactone)/Quercetin blends and biomimetic bacterial S-layer coatings

Quercetin is a strong antioxidant with low bioavailability due to its high crystallinity. A further drawback is that Quercetin has potentially toxic effects at high concentrations. To improve this low water solubility, as well as control the concentration of the flavonoid in the body, Quercetin is incorporated into a polymeric matrix to form an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) stable enough to resist the recrystallization of the drug. For this purpose, miscible poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and Quercetin (Q) blends are prepared, provided that they have complementary interacting groups. For compositions in which the flavonoid remains in an amorphous state thanks to the interactions with polymer chains, various PCL/Q drug release platforms are fabricated: micrometric films by solvent casting, nanometric films by spin coating, and nanofibers by electrospinning. Then, the potential use of bacterial S-layer proteins as release-preventive membranes is tested on PCL-Quercetin blends, due to their ability to construct a biomimetic coating including nanometric pores. For all the platforms, the SbpA coating can maintain a stable release under the toxicity level of Quercetin. Accordingly, a PCL/Q system with an S-layer coating allows the design of versatile bioavailable Quercetin eluting devices that prevent toxicity and biofouling issues.

Long non-coding RNAs are emerging targets of phytochemicals for cancer and other chronic diseases

The long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the crucial regulators of human chronic diseases. Therefore, approaches such as antisense oligonucleotides, RNAi technology, and small molecule inhibitors have been used for the therapeutic targeting of lncRNAs. During the last decade, phytochemicals and nutraceuticals have been explored for their potential against lncRNAs. The common lncRNAs known to be modulated by phytochemicals include ROR, PVT1, HOTAIR, MALAT1, H19, MEG3, PCAT29, PANDAR, NEAT1, and GAS5. The phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, berberine, EGCG, and gambogic acid have been examined against lncRNAs. In some cases, formulation of phytochemicals has also been used. The disease models where phytochemicals have been demonstrated to modulate lncRNAs expression include cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The regulation of lncRNAs by phytochemicals can affect multi-steps of tumor development. When administered in combination with the conventional drugs, phytochemicals can also produce synergistic effects on lncRNAs leading to the sensitization of cancer cells. Phytochemicals target lncRNAs either directly or indirectly by affecting a wide variety of upstream molecules. However, the potential of phytochemicals against lncRNAs has been demonstrated mostly by preclinical studies in cancer models. How the modulation of lncRNAs by phytochemicals produce therapeutic effects on cancer and other chronic diseases is discussed in this review.

A novel niosome formulation for encapsulation of anthocyanins and modelling intestinal transport

The bioavailability of drugs can be improved by regulating the structural properties, particularly lipoid systems, such as niosomes, can increase cellular uptake. Herein, we optimized double emulsion and niosomal formulations for encapsulating anthocyanin-rich black carrot extract. Nanoparticles obtained by selected formulation were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, drug encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release and cytotoxicity. The optimum conditions for niosomal formulation were elicited as 30 mg of cholesterol, 150 mg of Tween 20 and feeding time of 1 min at a stirring rate of 900 rpm yielding the lowest average particle size of 130 nm. In vitro release data showed the majority of the encapsulated anthocyanins were released at the end of 10 h. A mathematical model was developed to estimate the absorption of anthocyanins released from niosomes and cytotoxicity was assessed against neuroblastoma. Overall, these findings suggest that niosomal vesicles might be suitable delivery systems for anthocyanins.

Quercetin, a Plant Polyphenol, Has Potential for the Prevention of Bone Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

We investigated the immune-regulatory function of quercetin, in interleukin (IL)-17-produced osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA fibroblasts-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) were stimulated with IL-17, and the mRNA expression and secretion of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. CD14⁺ monocytes (osteoclast precursors) were stimulated with IL-17, RANKL, with/without quercetin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity was evaluated to assess osteoclast differentiation. Osteoclast differentiation was investigated after coculturing IL-17-stimulated RA-FLS and Th17 cells with monocytes. CD4⁺ T cells were cocultured with quercetin under Th17-inducing conditions, and their differentiation to Th17 cells and Treg cells was determined by flow cytometry analysis. We found that IL-17 stimulated RA-FLS to produce RANKL and quercetin decreased the IL-17-induced RANKL protein levels. Quercetin decreased the IL-17-produced activation of mammalian target of rapamycin, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and inhibitor of kappa B-alpha. When monocytes were stimulated with IL-17, macrophage colony-stimulating factor or RANKL, mature osteoclasts were formed, and quercetin decreased this osteoclastogenesis. When monocytes were cultured with IL-17-prestimulated RA-FLS or Th17 cells, osteoclasts were produced, and quercetin decreased this osteoclast differentiation. In Th17-differentiation conditions, quercetin suppressed Th17 cell and the production of IL-17, but quercetin did not affect Treg cells. Quercetin inhibits IL-17-stimulated RANKL production in RA-FLS and IL-17-stimulated osteoclast formation. Quercetin reduces Th17 differentiation. Quercetin could be an additional therapeutic option for bone destructive processes in RA.

The Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in the Pathogenesis of RA, SLE, and SS

Rheumatoid diseases are a group of systemic autoimmune diseases which affect multiple organs with largely unknown etiology. In the past decade, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of biological processes and contribute deeply to immune cell development and immune responses. Substantial evidences have been accumulated showing that LncRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of the rheumatoid diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS). In this review, we summarize literature combined with bioinformatics methods to analyze the unique and common lncRNAs patterns in rheumatoid diseases and try to reveal the important function of lncRNAs in RA, SLE and SS.