Doxorubicin-loaded pH-sensitive micelles: A promising alternative to enhance antitumor activity and reduce toxicity

Biosynthesis of pH-Responsive Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles from Cucumber Peels for Targeting 3D Lung Tumor Spheroids

Lung adenocarcinoma is considered to be one of the primary causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy taken together, have not significantly lowered mortality rates. Repositioning of authorized anticancer medications supported by nanotechnology has therefore emerged as an effective strategy to close such gaps. In this context, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were biosynthesized from cucumber peels and were loaded with doxorubicin, a common anticancer drug to form doxorubicin-bound mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs). The study addresses a sustainable method for turning waste materials into MSNs, which can be used to create multifunctional nanosystems. The therapeutic module (DMSNs) was designed specifically to target 2D monolayer cells and 3D tumor spheroids of lung adenocarcinoma cancer. The DMSNs demonstrated notable antiproliferative activity and effective intracellular localization in addition to being biocompatible and innately fluorescent. Subsequent investigations revealed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcal infection, which is primarily prevalent in lung cancer patients. Thus, the developed MSNs held promising potential for anticancer drug delivery systems and have antibacterial potential to treat bacterial infections in patients with lung cancer. Furthermore, the cucumber peel-mediated synthesis of MSNs could also aid in the management of food waste and promote the adoption of the waste-to-health paradigm for sustainable solutions.

Natural compounds-based nanomedicines for cancer treatment: Future directions and challenges

Several efforts have been extensively accomplished for the amelioration of the cancer treatments using different types of new drugs and less invasives therapies in comparison with the traditional therapeutic modalities, which are widely associated with numerous drawbacks, such as drug resistance, non-selectivity and high costs, restraining their clinical response. The application of natural compounds for the prevention and treatment of different cancer cells has attracted significant attention from the pharmaceuticals and scientific communities over the past decades. Although the use of nanotechnology in cancer therapy is still in the preliminary stages, the application of nanotherapeutics has demonstrated to decrease the various limitations related to the use of natural compounds, such as physical/chemical instability, poor aqueous solubility, and low bioavailability. Despite the nanotechnology has emerged as a promise to improve the bioavailability of the natural compounds, there are still limited clinical trials performed for their application with various challenges required for the pre-clinical and clinical trials, such as production at an industrial level, assurance of nanotherapeutics long-term stability, physiological barriers and safety and regulatory issues. This review highlights the most recent advances in the nanocarriers for natural compounds secreted from plants, bacteria, fungi, and marine organisms, as well as their role on cell signaling pathways for anticancer treatments. Additionally, the clinical status and the main challenges regarding the natural compounds loaded in nanocarriers for clinical applications were also discussed.

Magnetic graphene oxide nanosheets with amidoamine dendronized crosslinks for dual pH and redox-sensitive doxorubicin delivery

Delivering anticancer drugs to the appropriate site within the body poses a critical challenge in cancer treatment with chemotherapeutic agents like doxorubicin (DOX). Magnetic graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets with generation 1 (G1) amidoamine-dendronized crosslinks were developed by coupling cystamine-functionalized GO nanosheets with Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified with primary amine and methyl acrylate. These magnetic GO nanosheets were loaded with DOX to create a dual pH- and redox-responsive delivery system for cancer chemotherapy. The prepared magnetic nanosheets underwent characterization using FTIR, XRD, DLS, VSM, FE-SEM, and TEM. Physical DOX adsorption was evaluated using various isotherms, including Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich. The in-vitro release profiles of DOX from the magnetic nanosheets were studied under different pH conditions, with and without glutathione (GSH), and the drug release data were fitted with various kinetic models. Additionally, an MTT assay was employed to assess the compatibility and antitumor activity of DOX-loaded magnetic nanosheets in the HepG2 cell line. The results showed that the maximum drug loading was 13.1% (w/w) at a drug/carrier ratio of 1. Without GSH addition, the maximum drug release after 10 days was only 17.9% and 24.1% at pH 7.4 and 5.3, respectively. However, in the presence of GSH, the maximum drug release reached 51.7% and 64.8% at pH 7.4 and 5.3, respectively. Finally, the research findings suggest that the magnetic nanosheets exhibited pH- and redox-stimuli drug release, high biocompatibility, and superior antitumor activity compared to free DOX.

Impact of water and oleic acid on glycerol monooleate phase transition and bi-continuous structure formation in white oil

Production of biofuels from biological feedstocks, such as soybean oil, is an important piece of the transition to renewable energy sources. Processes have been developed to co-refine these feedstocks with traditional feedstocks, however, the high concentration of polar functional groups in biofeedstocks can cause a wide range of intermediate chemical reactions and interactions. An improved understanding of the interactions of biofeedstocks and their degradation products is needed to continue to expand the usage of biofeedstocks in fuel production. In this study, the equilibrium structures of glycerol monooleate (GMO), a common intermediate product of biofeedstock processing, in white mineral oil at a wide range of compositions, temperatures, and additional byproduct concentrations (water and/or oleic acid) were characterized using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). It was determined that GMO can exist as crystalline aggregates in white oil or as reverse micelles depending on the concentration and temperature. The critical micelle temperature increases significantly with increasing GMO concentration but remains relatively stable with increasing water or fatty acid concentration. Fitting of the SAXS data revealed that for many compositions, the GMO formed roughly spherical reverse micelles, however, at high water concentrations (∼1 wt%), the GMO formed elongated reverse micelles. Additionally, when >1 wt% oleic acid was added to the system, bi-continuous structures were stabilized rather than discreet reverse micelles. These results help increase our understanding of the structural behavior of biofeedstock intermediate products at concentrations and temperatures relevant to biofuel production and can enable processers to design systems and products that can either leverage or prevent these interactions for improved processing performance.

An overview on recent approaches for colonic drug delivery systems

Colon-targeted drug delivery systems have garnered significant interest as potential solutions for delivering various medications susceptible to acidic and catalytic degradation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or as a means of treating colonic diseases naturally with fewer overall side effects. The increasing demand for patient-friendly drug administration underscores the importance of colonic drug delivery, particularly through noninvasive methods like nanoparticulate drug delivery technologies. Such systems offer improved patient compliance, cost reduction, and therapeutic advantages. This study places particular emphasis on formulations and discusses recent advancements in various methods for designing colon-targeted drug delivery systems and their medicinal applications.

pH-Sensitive doxorubicin delivery using zinc oxide nanoparticles as a rectified theranostic platform: in vitro anti-proliferative, apoptotic, cell cycle arrest and in vivo radio-distribution studies

Despite enormous advancements in its management, cancer is the world's primary cause of mortality. Therefore, tremendous strides were made to produce intelligent theranostics with mitigated side effects and improved specificity and efficiency. Thus, we developed a pH-sensitive theranostic platform composed of dextran immobilized zinc oxide nanoparticles, loaded with doxorubicin and radiolabeled with the technetium-99m radionuclide (99mTc-labelled DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran). The platform measured 11.5 nm in diameter with -12 mV zeta potential, 88% DOX loading efficiency and 98.5% radiolabeling efficiency. It showed DOX release in a pH-responsive manner, releasing 93.1% cumulatively at pH 5 but just 7% at pH 7.4. It showed improved intracellular uptake, which resulted in a high growth suppressive effect against MCF-7 cancer cells as compared to the free DOX. It boasted a 4 times lower IC50 than DOX, indicating its significant anti-proliferative potential (0.14 and 0.55 μg ml-1, respectively). The in vitro biological evaluation revealed that its molecular mode of anti-proliferative action included downregulating Cdk-2, which provoked G1/S cell cycle arrest, and upregulating both the intracellular ROS level and caspase-3, which induced apoptosis and necrosis. The in vivo experiments in Ehrlich-ascites carcinoma bearing mice demonstrated that DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran showed a considerable 4-fold increase in anti-tumor efficacy compared to DOX. Moreover, by utilizing the diagnostic radionuclide (99mTc), the radiolabeled platform (99mTc-labelled DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran) was in vivo monitored in tumor-bearing mice, revealing high tumor accumulation (14% ID g-1 at 1 h p.i.) and reduced uptake in non-target organs with a 17.5 T/NT ratio at 1 h p.i. Hence, 99mTc-labelled DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran could be recommended as a rectified tumor-targeted theranostic platform.

Tailoring micellar nanocarriers for pemetrexed in breast cancer: design, fabrication and in vitro evaluation

Aim: To investigate the pemetrexed encapsulated polymeric mixed micelles (PMMs) against breast cancer treatment.Methods: We meticulously optimized the formulation and conducted extensive characterizations, including photon correlation spectroscopy for micellization, advanced analytical techniques and in vitro cell line assessments.Results: The PMM exhibited favorable characteristics, with a spherical morphology, hydrodynamic particle size of 19.58 ± 0.89 nm, polydispersity index of 0.245 ± 0.1, and a surface charge of -9.70 ± 0.61 mV. Encapsulation efficiency and drug payload reached 96.16 ± 0.37% and 4.5 ± 0.32%, respectively. Cytotoxicity analysis indicated superior efficacy of the PMM over the drug solution.Conclusion: The PMM formulation exhibited controlled release of the drug, and demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells, highlighting its therapeutic promise.

Disulfide Cross-Linked Polymeric Redox-Responsive Nanocarrier Based on Heparin, Chitosan and Lipoic Acid Improved Drug Accumulation, Increased Cytotoxicity and Selectivity to Leukemia Cells by Tumor Targeting via "Aikido" Principle

We have developed a micellar formulation of anticancer drugs based on chitosan and heparin grafted with lipoic and oleic acids that can release the cytotoxic cargo (doxorubicin) in response to external stimuli, such as increased glutathione concentration-a hallmark of cancer. Natural polysaccharides (heparin and chitosan) provide the pH sensitivity of the nanocarrier: the release of doxorubicin (Dox) is enhanced in a slightly acidic environment (tumor microenvironment). Fatty acid residues are necessary for the formation of nanoparticles (micelles) and solubilization of cytostatics in a hydrophobic core. Lipoic acid residues provide the formation of a labile S-S cross-linking between polymer chains (the first variant) or covalently attached doxorubicin molecules through glutathione-sensitive S-S bridges (the second variant)-both determine Redox sensitivity of the anticancer drugs carriers stable in blood circulation and disintegrate after intracellular uptake in the tumor cells. The release of doxorubicin from micelles occurs slowly (20%/6 h) in an environment with a pH of 7.4 and the absence of glutathione, while in a slightly acidic environment and in the presence of 10 mM glutathione, the rate increases up to 6 times, with an increase in the effective concentration up to 5 times after 7 h. The permeability of doxorubicin in micellar formulations (covalent S-S cross-linked and not) into Raji, K562, and A875 cancer cells was studied using FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We have shown dramatically improved accumulation, decreased efflux, and increased cytotoxicity compared to doxorubicin control with three tumor cell lines: Raji, K562, and A875. At the same time, cytotoxicity and permeability for non-tumor cells (HEK293T) are significantly lower, increasing the selectivity index against tumor cells by several times.

Targeted drug delivery systems for elemene in cancer therapy: The story thus far

Elemene (ELE) is a group of broad-spectrum anticancer active ingredients with low toxicity extracted from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), such as Curcumae Rhizoma and Curcuma Radix, which can exert antitumour activities by regulating various signal pathways and targets. However, the strong hydrophobicity, short half-life, low bioavailability and weak in vivo targeting ability of ELE restrict its use. Targeted drug delivery systems based on nanomaterials are among the most viable methods to overcome these shortcomings. In this review, we first summarize recent studies on the clinical uses of ELE as an adjunct antitumour drug. ELE-based combination strategies have great promise for enhancing efficacy, reducing adverse reactions, and improving patients' quality of life and immune function. Second, we summarize recent studies on the antitumour mechanisms of ELE and ELE-based combination strategies. The potential mechanisms include inducing pyroptosis and ferroptosis, promoting senescence, regulating METTL3-mediated m6A modification, suppressing the Warburg effect, and inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Most importantly, we comprehensively summarize studies on the combination of targeted drug delivery systems with ELE, including passively and actively targeted drug delivery systems, stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, and codelivery systems for ELE combined with other therapies, which have great promise in improving drug bioavailability, increasing drug targeting ability, controlling drug release, enhancing drug efficacy, reducing drug adverse effects and reversing MDR. Our summary will provide a reference for the combination of TCMs such as ELE with advanced targeted drug delivery systems in the future.

Doxorubicin-loaded micelles in tumor cell-specific chemotherapy

Nanomedicine is a field that combines biology and engineering to improve disease treatment, particularly in cancer therapy. One of the promising techniques utilized in this area is the use of micelles, which are nanoscale delivery systems that are known for their simple preparation, high biocompatibility, small particle size, and the ability to be functionalized. A commonly employed chemotherapy drug, Doxorubicin (DOX), is an effective inhibitor of topoisomerase II that prevents DNA replication in cancer cells. However, its efficacy is frequently limited by resistance resulting from various factors, including increased activity of drug efflux transporters, heightened oncogenic factors, and lack of targeted delivery. This review aims to highlight the potential of micelles as new nanocarriers for delivering DOX and to examine the challenges involved with employing chemotherapy to treat cancer. Micelles that respond to changes in pH, redox, and light are known as stimuli-responsive micelles, which can improve the targeted delivery of DOX and its cytotoxicity by facilitating its uptake in tumor cells. Additionally, micelles can be utilized to administer a combination of DOX and other drugs and genes to overcome drug resistance mechanisms and improve tumor suppression. Furthermore, micelles can be used in phototherapy, both photodynamic and photothermal, to promote cell death and increase DOX sensitivity in human cancers. Finally, the alteration of micelle surfaces with ligands can further enhance their targeted delivery for cancer suppression.

Recent Advances in Doxorubicin Formulation to Enhance Pharmacokinetics and Tumor Targeting

Doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used drug in cancer chemotherapy, induces cell death via multiple intracellular interactions, generating reactive oxygen species and DNA-adducted configurations that induce apoptosis, topoisomerase II inhibition, and histone eviction. Despite its wide therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors, DOX often induces drug resistance and cardiotoxicity. It shows limited intestinal absorption because of low paracellular permeability and P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux. We reviewed various parenteral DOX formulations, such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, and polymer-drug conjugates, under clinical use or trials to increase its therapeutic efficacy. To improve the bioavailability of DOX in intravenous and oral cancer treatment, studies have proposed a pH- or redox-sensitive and receptor-targeted system for overcoming DOX resistance and increasing therapeutic efficacy without causing DOX-induced toxicity. Multifunctional formulations of DOX with mucoadhesiveness and increased intestinal permeability through tight-junction modulation and P-gp inhibition have also been used as orally bioavailable DOX in the preclinical stage. The increasing trends of developing oral formulations from intravenous formulations, the application of mucoadhesive technology, permeation-enhancing technology, and pharmacokinetic modulation with functional excipients might facilitate the further development of oral DOX.

Chitosan-based nanoscale systems for doxorubicin delivery: Exploring biomedical application in cancer therapy

Green chemistry has been a growing multidisciplinary field in recent years showing great promise in biomedical applications, especially for cancer therapy. Chitosan (CS) is an abundant biopolymer derived from chitin and is present in insects and fungi. This polysaccharide has favorable characteristics, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease of modification by enzymes and chemicals. CS-based nanoparticles (CS-NPs) have shown potential in the treatment of cancer and other diseases, affording targeted delivery and overcoming drug resistance. The current review emphasizes on the application of CS-NPs for the delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (DOX), in cancer therapy as they promote internalization of DOX in cancer cells and prevent the activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) to reverse drug resistance. These nanoarchitectures can provide co-delivery of DOX with antitumor agents such as curcumin and cisplatin to induce synergistic cancer therapy. Furthermore, co-loading of DOX with siRNA, shRNA, and miRNA can suppress tumor progression and provide chemosensitivity. Various nanostructures, including lipid-, carbon-, polymeric- and metal-based nanoparticles, are modifiable with CS for DOX delivery, while functionalization of CS-NPs with ligands such as hyaluronic acid promotes selectivity toward tumor cells and prevents DOX resistance. The CS-NPs demonstrate high encapsulation efficiency and due to protonation of amine groups of CS, pH-sensitive release of DOX can occur. Furthermore, redox- and light-responsive CS-NPs have been prepared for DOX delivery in cancer treatment. Leveraging these characteristics and in view of the biocompatibility of CS-NPs, we expect to soon see significant progress towards clinical translation.

Irinotecan-Loaded Polymeric Micelles as a Promising Alternative to Enhance Antitumor Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Colorectal cancer has been considered a worldwide public health problem since current treatments are often ineffective. Irinotecan is a frontline chemotherapeutic agent that has dose-limiting side effects that compromise its therapeutic potential. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a novel, targeted drug delivery system with high therapeutic efficacy and an improved safety profile. Here, micellar formulations composed of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)-2000] (DSPE-mPEG_2k) containing irinotecan were proposed as a strategy for colorectal cancer therapy. Firstly, the irinotecan-loaded micelles were prepared using the solvent evaporation method. Then, micelles were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and release kinetics. Cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity were evaluated. The micelles showed size around 13 nm, zeta potential near neutral (-0.5 mV), and encapsulation efficiency around 68.5% (irinotecan 3 mg/mL) with a sustained drug release within the first 8 h. The micelles were evaluated in a CT26 tumor animal model showing inhibition of tumor growth (89%) higher than free drug (68.7%). Body weight variation, hemolytic activity, hematological, and biochemical data showed that, at the dose of 7.5 mg/kg, the irinotecan-loaded micelles have low toxicity. In summary, our findings provide evidence that DSPE-mPEG_2k micelles could be considered potential carriers for future irinotecan delivery and their possible therapeutic application against colorectal cancer.

Nanoparticles and Radioisotopes: A Long Story in a Nutshell

The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the use of nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver radionuclides to targets, focusing on systems that have been tested in pre-clinical and, when available, clinical settings. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases using the following terms: “radionuclides” AND “liposomes” or “PLGA nanoparticles” or “gold nanoparticles” or “iron oxide nanoparticles” or “silica nanoparticles” or “micelles” or “dendrimers”. No filters were applied, apart from a minimum limit of 10 patients enrolled for clinical studies. Data from some significant studies from pre-clinical and clinical settings were retrieved, and we briefly describe the information available. All the selected seven classes of nanoparticles were highly tested in clinical trials, but they all present many drawbacks. Liposomes are the only ones that have been tested for clinical applications, though they have never been commercialized. In conclusion, the application of NPs for imaging has been the object of much interest over the years, albeit mainly in pre-clinical settings. Thus, we think that, based on the current state, radiolabeled NPs must be investigated longer before finding their place in nuclear medicine.

Redox responsive polymeric micelles of gellan gum/abietic acid for targeted delivery of ribociclib

In most breast tumors level of glutathione reductase is much higher than in healthy tissues. In the current study, a redox-glutathione sensitive micelle based on Abietic acid-Cystamine-Gellan gum (AB-ss-GG) was designed for targeted delivery of Ribociclib (RIB) to breast cancer cells. AB is a monocarboxylic acid and a diterpenoid abietane with anti-tumor effects. Successful synthesis of the conjugate was confirmed by FT-IR and ¹HNMR spectroscopy. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) was measured by pyrene as a fluorescent probe. Micelles of AB-GG and AB-ss-GG were loaded with different RIB/polymer ratios, and their redox-sensitivity was measured in the presence and absence of dithiothreitol (DTT) by determining the particle size and RIB release efficiency. Cell cytotoxicity and cellular uptake were assessed by MTT assay and flow-cytometry method on MCF-7 cells. CMC of AB-ss-GG and AB-GG micelles were estimated to be 40.15 and 37.33 mg/mL, respectively. In the presence of DTT, the particle size and release efficiency of AB-ss-GG micelles increased specially at a 1:1 drug/polymer ratio. AB-ss-GG micelles containing RIB showed higher cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 47.86 μmol/L) and cellular uptake than AB-GG micelles (IC₅₀ = 190.25 μmol/L) and free RIB (IC₅₀ = 75.26 μmol/L) at 48 h. AB-ss-GG micelles showed a promising redox-sensitive polymeric carrier for RIB delivery.

Targeted Cancer Therapy via pH-Functionalized Nanoparticles: A Scoping Review of Methods and Outcomes

(1) Background: In recent years, several studies have described various and heterogenous methods to sensitize nanoparticles (NPs) to pH changes; therefore, in this current scoping review, we aimed to map current protocols for pH functionalization of NPs and analyze the outcomes of drug-loaded pH-functionalized NPs (pH-NPs) when delivered in vivo in tumoral tissue. (2) Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed database was performed for all published studies relating to in vivo models of anti-tumor drug delivery via pH-responsive NPs. Data on the type of NPs, the pH sensitization method, the in vivo model, the tumor cell line, the type and name of drug for targeted therapy, the type of in vivo imaging, and the method of delivery and outcomes were extracted in a separate database. (3) Results: One hundred and twenty eligible manuscripts were included. Interestingly, 45.8% of studies (n = 55) used polymers to construct nanoparticles, while others used other types, i.e., mesoporous silica (n = 15), metal (n = 8), lipids (n = 12), etc. The mean acidic pH value used in the current literature is 5.7. When exposed to in vitro acidic environment, without exception, pH-NPs released drugs inversely proportional to the pH value. pH-NPs showed an increase in tumor regression compared to controls, suggesting better targeted drug release. (4) Conclusions: pH-NPs were shown to improve drug delivery and enhance antitumoral effects in various experimental malignant cell lines.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Sdox, a Promising H2S-Releasing Doxorubicin for the Treatment of Chemoresistant Tumors

Sdox is a hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)-releasing doxorubicin effective in P-glycoprotein-overexpressing/doxorubicin-resistant tumor models and not cytotoxic, as the parental drug, in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was the assessment of Sdox drug-like features and its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)/toxicity properties, by a multi- and transdisciplinary in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approach. Doxorubicin was used as the reference compound. The in silico profiling suggested that Sdox possesses higher lipophilicity and lower solubility compared to doxorubicin, and the off-targets prediction revealed relevant differences between Dox and Sdox towards several cancer targets, suggesting different toxicological profiles. In vitro data showed that Sdox is a substrate with lower affinity for P-glycoprotein, less hepatotoxic, and causes less oxidative damage than doxorubicin. Both anthracyclines inhibited CYP3A4, but not hERG currents. Unlike doxorubicin, the percentage of zebrafish live embryos at 72 hpf was not affected by Sdox treatment. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that Sdox displays a more favorable drug-like ADME/toxicity profile than doxorubicin, different selectivity towards cancer targets, along with a greater preclinical efficacy in resistant tumors. Therefore, Sdox represents a prototype of innovative anthracyclines, worthy of further investigations in clinical settings.

Teleost Fish as an Experimental Model for Vaccine Development

Advances in vaccine development depend on animal models to test innovative therapies. Recent studies have reported the successful introduction of teleost fish as a new vertebrate model in scientific research, with emphasis on the species Danio rerio (zebrafish). This chapter aims to give an overview of important aspects related to the immune system of fish, as well as the current progress of the successful use of these animals in studies for the development of vaccines, assisting in the determination of efficacy and clinical safety. Among the advantages of using fish for the development of vaccines and immunomodulatory drugs, it is worth highlighting the reproductive capacity of these animals resulting in a high number of individuals belonging to the same spawning, transparent embryos, low cost of breeding and high genetic similarity that favor translational responses to vertebrate organisms like humans.

Pharmaceutical Aspects of Nanocarriers for Smart Anticancer Therapy

Drug delivery to tumor sites using nanotechnology has been demonstrated to overcome the drawbacks of conventional anticancer drugs. Altering the surface shape and geometry of nanocomposites alters their chemical properties, which can confer multiple attributes to nanocarriers for the treatment of cancer and their use as imaging agents for cancer diagnosis. However, heterogeneity and blood flow in human cancer limit the distribution of nanoparticles at the site of tumor tisues. For targeted delivery and controlled release of drug molecules in harsh tumor microenvironments, smart nanocarriers combined with various stimuli-responsive materials have been developed. In this review, we describe nanomaterials for smart anticancer therapy as well as their pharmaceutical aspects including pharmaceutical process, formulation, controlled drug release, drug targetability, and pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic profiles of smart nanocarriers. Inorganic or organic-inorganic hybrid nanoplatforms and the electrospinning process have also been briefly described here.

1, 2-Dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamin (DPPE), doxorubicin and folic acid conjugated micelles for cancer management in tumor bearing BALB/c mice

Aim of the present investigation was to assess and compare the in-vitro and in-vivo cancer targeting propensity of DPPE-FA-DOX Micelles and free DOX in tumor bearing BALB/c mice. The DOX was conjugated with 1, 2-Dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamin (DPPE) and folic acid using Di-cyclohexyl-carbodiimide, confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton NMR. DPPE-FA-DOX micelles were prepared using thin film method and evaluated for zeta potential, particle size, surface morphology, in- vitro drug release study etc. In-vitro anticancer activity and apoptosis assay was evaluated in breast cancer (MCF-7) cells using MTT assay and flow cytometer respectively. In-vivo biodistribution and toxicity assessment were evaluated in rats whereas antitumor activity in tumor bearing BALB/c mice. Prepared micelles were spherical with size and zeta potential of 295.6 + 84.4 nm and 0.8 ± 0.24 mV respectively. Apoptosis assay for DPPE-FA-DOX micelles treated cells using Annexin V/PI staining demonstrated 56.2% apoptotic cells. Remarkably, DPPE-FA-DOX micelles improved DOX bioavailability by 7 fold and diminished plasma elimination with no sign of tissue toxicity compared to free DOX. In-vivo biodistribution studies revealed that micelles facilitated higher accumulation of DOX in tumor than free DOX. DPPE-FA-DOX micelles treated mice survived for 62 days than Free DOX (40 days), revealed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis. Histopathological examination of liver, kidney and heart tissues of micelles treated rat's corroborated reduced systemic toxicity than free DOX. Conclusively, DPPE-FA-DOX micelles could potentially facilitate the targeted delivery of DOX to tumors.

Recent progress in micro and nano-encapsulation of bioactive derivatives of the Brazilian genus Pterodon

In the last few decades, utilization of medicinal plants by the pharmaceutical industry has led to the identification of many new bioactive compounds. The genus Pterodon, native of the Brazilian Flora, is known for the therapeutic properties attributed to its species, which are widely used in popular medicine for their anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, tonic, and depurative properties. The intrinsic low water solubility of the plant derivatives from the genus, including diterpenes with vouacapane skeletons that are partially associated with the pharmacological activities, impairs the bioavailability of these bioactive compounds. Recent studies have aimed to encapsulate Pterodon products to improve their water solubility, achieve stability, increase their efficacy, and allow clinical applications. The purpose of this paper is to review recent research on the use of nanotechnology for the development of new products from plant derivatives of the Pterodon genus in different types of micro- and nanocarriers. Therapeutic properties of their different products are also presented. Finally, an update about the current and future applications of encapsulated formulations is provided.