Formulation of Glycyrrhizic Acid-based Nanocomplexes for Enhanced Anti-cancer and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Curcumin

Formulation and evaluation of ibrutinib-loaded glycyrrhizic acid conjugated ovalbumin nanoparticles and ibrutinib-glycyrrhizic acid complex for improved oral bioavailability

The study aimed at enhancing the oral bioavailability of the BCS class 2 drug Ibrutinib (IBR), which exhibits low solubility (0.002 mg/mL) and high permeability (3.9% oral bioavailability). This was achieved through the formulation and evaluation of Ibrutinib-loaded Glycyrrhizic acid conjugated egg ovalbumin nanoparticles (IBR-GA-EA NPs) and Ibrutinib-Glycyrrhizic acid complex (IBR-GA-COMP). The formulation of Ibrutinib-Glycyrrhizic acid complex aimed to enhance the oral bioavailability of Ibrutinib. Lyophilized Ibrutinib-Glycyrrhizic acid complex was prepared and characterized through various studies including DSC, FTIR, in vitro release, and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies. DSC and FTIR confirmed successful formulation development. The nanoparticles exhibited spherical morphology with favourable characteristics: particle size of 194.10 nm, PDI of 0.22, and zeta potential of -33.96 mV. Encapsulation efficiency was 82.88%. In vitro release study displayed major improvement in drug release pattern compared to the free drug suspension. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated 3.21-fold and 3.41-fold increase in the oral bioavailability of IBR-GA-EA NPs and IBR-GA-COMP, respectively, compared to IBR suspension alone. The formulated IBR-GA-EA NPs and IBR-GA-COMP are promising drug delivery methods as they successfully improve the solubility and oral bioavailability of Ibrutinib.

Revealing the scientific connotation of compatibility of Chinese medicine medica based on self-assembly technology

Chinese materia medica (CMM) compatibility is one core content in the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and elaborating the scientific connotation of CMM compatibility is of great significance to promote the modernization of TCM. Self-assembly is the combination of active ingredients into aggregates through non-covalent bonds, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, ionic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. The complex properties and special structures of CMM components create the basis for self-assembly. The self-assembled materials formed after CMM compatibility is an important part of the material basis for the efficacy of TCM, which can help explain the scientific connotations of CMM compatibility. This review summarizes the self-assembly phenomenon from the perspective of drug pair combinations in recent decades and explains the scientific connotation of CMM compatibility about the material basis, pharmacodynamic changes, and mechanism of action, providing new ideas and methods for the study of TCM.

Glycyrrhizic acid-based multifunctional nanoplatform for tumor microenvironment regulation

Natural compounds demonstrate unique therapeutic advantages for cancer treatment, primarily through direct tumor suppression or interference with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Glycyrrhizic acid (GL), a bioactive ingredient derived from the medicinal herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., and its sapogenin glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), have been recognized for their ability to inhibit angiogenesis and remodel the TME. Consequently, the combination of GL with other therapeutic agents offers superior therapeutic benefits. Given GL's amphiphilic structure, self-assembly capability, and liver cancer targeting capacity, various GL-based nanoscale drug delivery systems have been developed. These GL-based nanosystems exhibit angiogenesis suppression and TME regulation properties, synergistically enhancing anti-cancer effects. This review summarizes recent advances in GL-based nanosystems, including polymer-drug micelles, drug-drug assembly nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, and nanogels, for cancer treatment and tumor postoperative care, providing new insights into the anti-cancer potential of natural compounds. Additionally, the review discusses existing challenges and future perspectives for translating GL-based nanosystems from bench to bedside.

Self-Assembled Nanoparticles from Xie-Bai-San Decoction: Isolation, Characterization and Enhancing Oral Bioavailability

Background

Natural nanoparticles have been found to exist in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions. However, whether natural nanoparticles can influence the oral bioavailability of active compounds has not been elucidated. Using Xie-Bai-San decoction (XBSD) as an example, the purpose of this study was to isolate, characterize and elucidate the mechanism of the nanoparticles (N-XBSD) in XBSD, and further to explore whether the bioavailability of the main active compounds could be enhanced by N-XBSD.

Methods

N-XBSD were isolated from XBSD, and investigated its characterization and study of its formation mechanism, and evaluation of its ability to enhance bioavailability of active compounds.

Results

The N-XBSD was successfully isolated with the average particle size of 104.53 nm, PDI of 0.27 and zeta potential of -5.14 mV. Meanwhile, all the eight active compounds were most presented in N-XBSD. Kukoamine B could self-assemble with mulberroside A or liquiritin to form nanoparticles, respectively. And the FT-IR and HRMS results indicated the possible binding of the ammonium group of kukoamine B with the phenolic hydroxyl group of mulberroside A or liquiritin, respectively. The established UPLC-MS/MS method was accurate and reliable and met the quantitative requirements. The pharmacokinetic behaviors of the N-XBSD and decoction were similar in rats. Most notably, compared to that of free drugs, the Cmax, AUC0-∞, AUC0-t, T1/2 and MRT0-∞ values of index compounds were the higher in N-XBSD, with a slower plasma clearance rate in rats.

Conclusion

The major active compounds of XBSD were mainly distributed in N-XBSD, and N-XBSD was formed through self-assembly among active compounds. N-XBSD could obviously promote the bioavailability of active compounds, indicating natural nanoparticles of decoctions play an important role in therapeutic effects.

Impact of Phytomolecules with Nanotechnology on the Treatment of Inflammation

Abstract:

Inflammation is a part of the biological response of body tissues against harmful stimuli, such as damaged cells, pathogens, irradiations, and toxic compounds. Numerous treatments, including anti-inflammatory drugs that treat the condition of inflammation, are available for its management. Because of the severe adverse effects associated with synthetic medications, phytotherapy may be a promising and effective approach to treating inflammation. The therapeutic potential of herbs is due to their capacity to target a variety of inflammatory mediators, including chemokines, cytokines, nitric oxide, lipoxygenase, nuclear factor kappa-B, and arachidonic acid. Furthermore, nanomedicine may be a valuable and effective formulation approach for overcoming the drawbacks of phytoconstituents, such as their low bioavailability, high first-pass metabolism, and poor stability. The current manuscript provides a thorough description of many phytoconstituents and herbal plants that have great potential for treating inflammation-related diseases, as well as information on their limitations, drug formulations, and regulatory issues.

Immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharide in Lohmann Brown chickens

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide extract 1 (GPS-1) is a bioactive component isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, also known as Chinese licorice. It appears to be pharmacologically active as an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-tumor agent. GPS-1 has also been shown to buffer liver health and regulate the immune system. Moreover, GPS-1 is low cost and easy to extract. More study was needed to elucidate the biochemical pathways underlying the immunomodulatory and antioxidant benefits observed in Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide extract 1 (GPS-1). in vitro experiments on chicken lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) show that GPS-1 significantly promotes the proliferation of immune cells and is linked to lymphocytes' secretion of IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α by. DC secretion of NO, IL-2, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12p70 was also increased significantly. Additionally, GPS-1 also displayed a significant antioxidant effect in vitro, able to scavenge DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, ABTS, and other free radicals like superoxide anions. Separately, GPS-1 was tested in vivo in combination with the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) - attenuated vaccine. 120 Lohmann Brown chickens were vaccinated, while another 30 became the unvaccinated blank control (BC) group. For three consecutive days 1 mL of GPS-1 was administered at doses of 19.53 μg/mL, 9.77 μg/mL, or 4.88 μg/mL to the ND-vaccinated birds, except for the vaccine control (VC), where n = 30 per group. In vivo results show that GPS-1 combined with Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine had the best efficacy at significantly increasing chickens' body weight and ND serum antibody titer, enhancing their secretion of IL-2 and IFN- γ, and promoting the development of immune organs. The results also indicate that GPS-1 was able increase the proliferation of in vitro immune cells and elevate their cytokine secretion, which enhances the body's immune response. GPS-1 also clearly has the potential to be used as an immune adjuvant alongside ND vaccination.