Reactive Oxygen Species Responsive Naturally Occurring Phenolic-Based Polymeric Prodrug

High-value utilization of the waste hydrolysate of Dioscorea zingiberensis for docosahexaenoic acid production in Schizochytrium sp

The starch saccharification liquid of Dioscorea zingiberensis tubers (SSLD) is a glucose-rich agro-industrial waste. Herein, SSLD was used as a novel potential carbon source for the biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in Schizochytrium sp. to achieve waste recycling and high-value utilization. Component analysis showed that SSLD contains abundant nutrients, such as glucose, amino acids, phenolics and flavonoids. When the total sugar concentration in SSLD was optimized to 90 g/L, the biomass and DHA yield reached 44.85 and 6.60 g/L, respectively, which were 32.1% and 36.92% higher than that at pure glucose culture condition. Fermentation characteristics and gene expression analysis showed that SSLD could remarkably improve cell antioxidant capacity, which is beneficial to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species and increase the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in Schizochytrium sp. Hence, SSLD is an effective and economic carbon source for DHA production in Schizochytrium sp.

Redox Responsive Copolyoxalate Smart Polymers for Inflammation and Other Aging-Associated Diseases

Polyoxalate (POx) and copolyoxalate (CPOx) smart polymers are topics of interest the field of inflammation. This is due to their drug delivery ability and their potential to target reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to accommodate small molecules such as curcumin, vanilline, and p-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol. Their biocompatibility, ultra-size tunable characteristics and bioimaging features are remarkable. In this review we discuss the genesis and concept of oxylate smart polymer-based particles and a few innovative systemic delivery methods that is designed to counteract the inflammation and other aging-associated diseases (AADs). First, we introduce the ROS and its role in human physiology. Second, we discuss the polymers and methods of incorporating small molecule in oxalate backbone and its drug delivery application. Finally, we revealed some novel proof of concepts which were proven effective in disease models and discussed the challenges of oxylate polymers.

Reactive oxygen species-sensitive nanophotosensitizers of aminophenyl boronic acid pinacol ester conjugated chitosan-g-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer for photodynamic treatment of cancer

The aim of this study is to prepare reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive nanophotosensitizers for targeted delivery of chlorin e6 (Ce6) and photodynamic tumor therapy. For this purpose, thiodipropionic acid (TDPA) was conjugated with phenyl boronic acid pinacol ester (PBAP) (TDPA-PBAP conjugates) and then the TDPA-PBAP conjugates were attached to the chitosan backbone of chitosan-g-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (ChitoPEG) copolymer (ChitoPEG-PBAP). Ce6-incorporated ChitoPEG-PBAP nanophotosensitizers have an ROS-sensitive manner in vitro. The size of ChitoPEG-PBAP nanoparticles increased or disintegrated in a responsive manner against H₂O₂ concentration. The Ce6 release rate from ChitoPEG-PBAP nanophotosensitizers also increased by adding H₂O₂. These results indicated that nanophotosensitizers have sensitivity against ROS and showed triggered Ce6 release behavior. ChitoPEG-PBAP nanophotosensitizers can be more efficiently internalized into cancer cells compared to Ce6 alone and then produce ROS in a more efficient manner. Furthermore, ChitoPEG-PBAP nanophotosensitizers suppressed the viability of cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo with higher efficacy compared to Ce6 alone. Furthermore, ChitoPEG-PBAP nanophotosensitizers were efficiently delivered to irradiated tumor tissues, indicating that ChitoPEG-PBAP nanophotosensitizers can be delivered to the tumor with ROS-sensitive manner. We suggest that a ChitoPEG-PBAP nanophotosensitizer is a promising candidate for photodynamic therapy of cancers.

Antioxidant Nanotherapies for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential in regulating various physiological functions. However, overproduction of ROS is implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Antioxidant therapy has thus represented an effective strategy for the treatment of oxidative stress relevant inflammatory diseases. Conventional anti-oxidative agents showed limited in vivo effects owing to their non-specific distribution and low retention in disease sites. Over the past decades, significant achievements have been made in the development of antioxidant nanotherapies that exhibit multiple advantages such as excellent pharmacokinetics, stable anti-oxidative activity, and intrinsic ROS-scavenging properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview on recent advances in antioxidant nanotherapies, including ROS-scavenging inorganic nanoparticles, organic nanoparticles with intrinsic antioxidant activity, and drug-loaded anti-oxidant nanoparticles. We highlight the biomedical applications of antioxidant nanotherapies in the treatment of different inflammatory diseases, with an emphasis on inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, and brain diseases. Current challenges and future perspectives to promote clinical translation of antioxidant nanotherapies are also briefly discussed.