Stealth lipid coated aquasomes bearing recombinant human interferon-α-2b offered prolonged release and enhanced cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells

Formulation, optimization and full characterization of mirtazapine loaded aquasomes: a new technique to boost antidepressant effects

OBJECTIVE

The development of Mirtazapine (MRT)-loaded aquasomes by co-precipitation sonication technique to boost the antidepressant potential of MRT.

METHODOLOGY

MRT-loaded aquasomes formulations were prepared using Box-Behnken design to investigate the effect of independent factors including sonication time (X1), sonication temperature (X2), and sugar concentration (X3) on the dependent variables as particle size and drug loading efficiency. The formulation of the optimized formula was verified by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD). Furthermore, the morphology of the formula was evaluated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The optimum MRT- loaded aquasomes was assessed for physiochemical properties, in vitro MRT release and in vivo antidepressant effects in mice model.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the optimized formula showed a small particle size of 202.7 ± 3.7 nm and a high loading efficiency of 77.65 ± 2.6%. Thermal DSC and XRPD studies demonstrated the amorphous nature of MRT-loaded aquasomes. The in vitro study demonstrated sustained release of F (opt) 88.16% after 8 h, compared with plain MRT release of 63.06% after 1 h. Mice treated with MRT-loaded aquasomes demonstrated reduced immobility time in behavioral analysis to 37% with MRT-loaded aquasomes, while plain MRT reduced it to 55%.

CONCLUSION

These results confirmed that the antidepressant effect of MRT was significantly boosted in formulated aquasomes, and thereby they provide a promising carrier nano vesicular system for effective delivery of MRT.

Molecular mechanisms of action of Trehalose in cancer: A comprehensive review

Cellular homeostasis maintained by several cellular processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, aging, and neurodegeneration, contribute to cell growth and development. Cancer cells undergo aberrant changes from a normal cell that show abnormal behaviour such as reduced apoptosis and autophagy, increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Various pharmacological and genetic inhibitors have been reported as drug candidates to control cancer cells, but the use of natural molecules as anti-cancer agents are limited. There is an emerging need for the development of alternative natural therapeutic agents that maintain cellular homeostasis without affecting cell viability and physiology. This review highlights the multifunctional roles of Trehalose, a natural disaccharide that can target various cellular processes in the cancer. Trehalose possessing an antioxidant activity also has effect on cancer, which is explained through targeting cell progression, angiogenesis and metastasis pathways at molecular level targeting EGFR, PI3K, Akt, VEGF and MMP 9 proteins inside the cell.

Advanced trends in protein and peptide drug delivery: a special emphasis on aquasomes and microneedles techniques

Proteins and peptides have a great potential as therapeutic agents; they have higher efficiency and lower toxicity, compared to chemical drugs. However, their oral bioavailability is very low; also, the transdermal peptide delivery faces absorption limitations. Accordingly, most of proteins and peptides are administered by parenteral route, but there are many problems associated with this route such as patient discomfort, especially for pediatric use. Thus, it is a great challenge to develop drug delivery systems for administration of proteins and peptides by routes other than parenteral one. This review provides an overview on recent advances adopted for protein and peptide drug delivery, focusing on oral and transdermal routes. This is followed by an emphasis on two recent approaches adopted as delivery systems for protein and peptide drugs, namely aquasomes and microneedles. Aquasomes are nanoparticles fabricated from ceramics developed to enhance proteins and peptides stability, providing an adequate residence time in circulation. It consists of ceramic core coated with poly hydroxyl oligomer, on which protein and peptide drug can be adsorbed. Aquasomes preparation, characterization, and application in protein and peptide drug delivery are discussed. Microneedles are promising transdermal approach; it involves creation of micron-sized pores in the skin for enhancing the drug delivery across the skin, as their length ranged between 150 and 1500 μm. Types of microneedles with different drug delivery mechanisms, characterization, and application in protein and peptide drug delivery are discussed. Graphical abstract.

Folate-grafted glycyl-glycine-melphalan conjugate self-assembled amphilphilc nanomicelles augmented drug delivery, cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in human ovarian cancer cells

Objectives: Folic acid was coupled to melphalan using glycyl-glycine (FA-Gly-Gly-Melphalan) to synthesize self-assembled nanomicelles for targeting ovarian cancer cells, SKOV3.Methods and Results: FA-Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles were prepared with critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 12-μg/ml. The mean particle size of FA-Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles was measured to be 95.9 ± 3.4-nm significantly (P < 0.05) higher than 73.8 ± 6.3-nm of Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles. Subsequently, zeta-potential of FA-Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles was estimated to be -28.0 ± 1.5-mV significantly (P < 0.05) lower than -36.6 ± 2.7-mV of Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles. The IC₅₀ of FA-Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles was estimated to be 4.1-μg/ml significantly (P < 0.001) lower than 14.2-μg/ml of Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles and >18-μg/ml of melphalan. FA-Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles preferentially accumulated in cytoplasm of SKOV3 cells nearby nucleus via receptor mediated endocytosis pathway after 24-h of incubation period, whilst Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles were not incorporated sufficiently.Conclusion: FA-Gly-Gly-Melphalan self-assembled nanomicelles warrant in depth in vivo study for their safety, efficacy, and potency in clinical settings.

Construction and in vivo/in vitro evaluation of a nanoporous ion-responsive targeted drug delivery system for recombinant human interferon α-2b delivery

Background

Like most protein macromolecular drugs, the half-life of rhIFNɑ-2b is short, with a low drug utilization rate, and the preparation and release conditions significantly affect its stability.

Methods

A nanoporous ion-responsive targeted drug delivery system (PIRTDDS) was designed to improve drug availability of rhIFNα-2b and target it to the lung passively with sustained release. Chitosan rhIFNα-2b carboxymethyl nanoporous microspheres (CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM) were prepared by the column method. Here, an electrostatic self-assembly technique was undertaken to improve and sustain rhIFNα-2b release rate.

Results

The size distribution of the microspheres was 5~15 μm, and the microspheres contained nanopores 300~400 nm in diameter. The in vitro release results showed that rhIFNα-2b and CCPM were mainly bound by ionic bonds. After self-assembling, the release mechanism was transformed into being membrane diffusion. The accumulative release amount for 24 hrs was 83.89%. Results from circular dichrogram and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis showed that there was no significant change in the secondary structure and purity of rhIFNα-2b. Results from inhibition rate experiments for A549 cell proliferation showed that the antitumor activity of CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM for 24 hrs retained 91.98% of the stock solution, which proved that the drug-loaded nanoporous microspheres maintained good drug activity. In vivo pharmacokinetic experimental results showed that the drugs in CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM can still be detected in vivo after 24 hrs, equivalent to the stock solution at 6 hrs, which indicated that CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM had a certain sustained-release effect in vivo. The results of in vivo tissue distribution showed that CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM was mainly concentrated in the lungs of mice (1.85 times the stock solution). The pharmacodynamics results showed that CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM had an obvious antitumor effect, and the tumor inhibition efficiency was 29.2%.

Conclusion

The results suggested a novel sustained-release formulation with higher drug availability and better lung targeting from CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM compared to the reference (the stock solution of rhIFNα-2b), and, thus, should be further studied.

Advances in structural design of lipid-based nanoparticle carriers for delivery of macromolecular drugs, phytochemicals and anti-tumor agents

The present work highlights recent achievements in development of nanostructured dispersions and biocolloids for drug delivery applications. We emphasize the key role of biological small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) investigations for the nanomedicine design. A focus is given on controlled encapsulation of small molecular weight phytochemical drugs in lipid-based nanocarriers as well as on encapsulation of macromolecular siRNA, plasmid DNA, peptide and protein pharmaceuticals in nanostructured nanoparticles that may provide efficient intracellular delivery and triggered drug release. Selected examples of utilisation of the BioSAXS method for characterization of various types of liquid crystalline nanoorganizations (liposome, spongosome, cubosome, hexosome, and nanostructured lipid carriers) are discussed in view of the successful encapsulation and protection of phytochemicals and therapeutic biomolecules in the hydrophobic or the hydrophilic compartments of the nanocarriers. We conclude that the structural design of the nanoparticulate carriers is of crucial importance for the therapeutic outcome and the triggered drug release from biocolloids.

In vitro IFN-α release from IFN-α- and pegylated IFN-α-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and pegylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles

Aim: Interferon alpha (IFN-α) controlled release of nanoparticles was investigated under in vitro conditions. Materials & methods: IFN-α and pegylated IFN-α (PEG-IFN-α) were encapsulated by poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and pegylated PLGA (PEG-PLGA) copolymers using double emulsion solvent evaporation method. Results: The size of resulting four nanoparticles (IFN-α in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acids), IFN-α in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol, PEG-IFN-α in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acids) and PEG-IFN-α in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol) was below 130 nm diameter. IFN-α encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was between 78 and 91%. Conclusion: The in vitro drug release studies conducted in phosphate-buffered saline and human plasma highlighted the role of incubation medium on the IFN release from the nanoparticles. The PEG-IFN-α in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol was the most promising nanoparticle among the four formulations because of its remarkably constant release in both phosphate-buffered saline and plasma.