Self-assembled metal-organic frameworks nanocrystals synthesis and application for plumbagin drug delivery in acute lung injury therapy

Spindle shaped Fe-Ni metal organic frameworks wrapped with f-MWCNTs for the efficacious sensing of tartrazine

A facile hydrothermal route was employed for the synthesis of iron-nickel bimetal organic frameworks (Fe-Ni bi-MOFs) and composite with an acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Fe-Ni MOF/f-MWCNTs) for electrochemical detection of tartrazine. The as-prepared Fe-Ni MOF/f-MWCNTs was confirmed by the several physicochemical studies. A micro spindle shaped, highly porous, and crystalline Fe-Ni MOF/f-MWCNTs was noticed. The high sensitivity and stability of Fe-Ni MOF/f-MWCNTs/GCE modified electrode was analyzed. Due to its high porosity nature, the analyte molecule effectively gets adsorbed on the modified electrode and undergo electrochemical oxidation effectively. The modified electrode exhibits low limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) as 0.04 × 10-6 mol/L and 0.13 × 10-6 mol/L towards tartrazine. These results reveal the potential applications of Fe-Ni MOF/f-MWCNTs/GCE as modified electrode material for sensitive detection of tartrazine along with its robust reproducibility, stability, and effective sensing properties.

Engineering of dopamine conjugated with bovine serum albumin and zeolite imidazole framework: A promising drug delivery nanocarrier on lung cancer cells

Modern, highly abundant materials called metal-organic structures (MOF) comprise metal ions and organic coordinating molecules and have attracted attention as potential biomedical materials due to their unusual properties. In the present study, the anticancer drug sorafenib (SF) and the Kaempferol (KM) were encapsulated in a nanocomposite made of bovine serum albumin (BA) as the core and pH-dependent zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF) coating. To develop a multifunctional nanocarrier, polydopamine, Au3+ chelation, and gallic acid (GL) conjugation were used to build BA@SF@ZIF and BA@SF@ZIF/KM. A variety of characterisation techniques verified the success of the nanocarrier's fabrication. Studies in vitro exhibited that BA@SF@ZIF/DA/GL and BA@SF@ZIF/KM/DA/GL released their respective ligands in a pH-dependent manner due to ZIF-8. These nanocarriers' cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects were measured with the MTT evaluation. Morphological and nuclear damage staining in A549 and H1299 human lung cancer cells. The cytotoxicity investigation displayed that BA@SF@ZIF/DA/GL and BA@SF@ZIF/KM/DA/GL were more efficient than free sorafenib in A549 and H1299 cells with less toxicity in HUVECs. The DNA fragmentation of the cells was assessed by utilizing the comet assay. BA@SF@ZIF/KM/DA/GL increased ROS levels and caused mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA damage, which resulted in apoptosis. Therefore, we believe the developed smart BA@SF@ZIF/KM/DA/GL could be a promising therapeutic approach using sorafenib for lung cancer therapy.

Biomimetic Trypsin-Responsive Structure-Bridged Mesoporous Organosilica Nanomedicine for Precise Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis

Developing strategies to target injured pancreatic acinar cells (PACs) in conjunction with primary pathophysiology-specific pharmacological therapy presents a challenge in the management of acute pancreatitis (AP). We designed and synthesized a trypsin-cleavable organosilica precursor bridged by arginine-based amide bonds, leveraging trypsin's ability to selectively identify guanidino groups on arginine via Asp189 at the active S1 pocket and cleave the carboxy-terminal (C-terminal) amide bond via catalytic triads. The precursors were incorporated into the framework of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for encapsulating the membrane-permeable Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM with a high loading content (∼43.9%). Mesenchymal stem cell membrane coating and surface modification with PAC-targeting ligands endow MSNs with inflammation recruitment and precise PAC-targeting abilities, resulting in the highest distribution at 3 h in the pancreas with 4.7-fold more accumulation than that of naked MSNs. The outcomes transpired as follows: After bioinspired MSNs' skeleton biodegradation by prematurely and massively activated trypsin, BAPTA-AM was on-demand released in injured PACs, thereby effectively eliminating intracellular calcium overload (reduced Ca2+ level by 81.3%), restoring cellular redox status, blocking inflammatory cascades, and inhibiting cell necrosis by impeding the IκBα/NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6 and CaMK-II/p-RIP3/p-MLKL/caspase-8,9 signaling pathways. In AP mice, a single dose of the formulation significantly restored pancreatic function (lipase and amylase reduced more by 60%) and improved the survival rate from 50 to 91.6%. The formulation offers a potentially effective strategy for clinical translation in AP treatment.

NIR triggered polydopamine coated cerium dioxide nanozyme for ameliorating acute lung injury via enhanced ROS scavenging

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life threatening disease in critically ill patients, and characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory factors levels in the lung. Multiple evidences suggest that nanozyme with diversified catalytic capabilities plays a vital role in this fatal lung injury. At present, we developed a novel class of polydopamine (PDA) coated cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanozyme (Ce@P) that acts as the potent ROS scavenger for scavenging intracellular ROS and suppressing inflammatory responses against ALI. Herein, we aimed to identify that Ce@P combining with NIR irradiation could further strengthen its ROS scavenging capacity. Specifically, NIR triggered Ce@P exhibited the most potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory behaviors in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced macrophages through decreasing the intracellular ROS levels, down-regulating the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, up-regulating the level of antioxidant cytokine (SOD-2), inducing M2 directional polarization (CD206 up-regulation), and increasing the expression level of HSP70. Besides, we performed intravenous (IV) injection of Ce@P in LPS induced ALI rat model, and found that it significantly accumulated in the lung tissue for 6 h after injection. It was also observed that Ce@P + NIR presented the superior behaviors of decreasing lung inflammation, alleviating diffuse alveolar damage, as well as promoting lung tissue repair. All in all, it has developed the strategy of using Ce@P combining with NIR irradiation for the synergistic enhanced treatment of ALI, which can serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of ROS derived diseases as well.

Design and development of pH-responsive levofloxacin-loaded metal-organic framework for the promising treatment of pediatric abdominal wound repair

With over 9 million fatalities per year expected by 2030, infectious diseases will remain a significant burden on the world economy and cause high mortality rates. An excellent method to increase the bioactivity of levofloxacin (LEV) in pediatric abdominal wound repair is the finding of a stimuli-based drug delivery system (DDS). We designed and developed an LEV incorporated with zeolite imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a promising nanocarrier for wound healing applications. The spectral analysis and morphological analysis confirm the formation of our newly fabricated composites. Mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH3T3 cells, the cytotoxicity, cytocompatibility, and cell proliferation characteristics of LEV@ZIF-8 were evaluated in vitro. LEV@ZIF-8 composite considerably improved the biocompatibility against NIH3T3 cells after 72-h of exposure, according to in vitro experiments. Under acidic circumstances, the pH-responsive drug release studies exhibit superior LEV release, and in physiological circumstances, there is no unintended drug release. The LEV@ZIF-8 composite-treated cells demonstrate the most remarkable cell growth and migration method in a very short time, according to the results of the wound scratch experiment. The composite exposure concentration depended on inhibition against various microorganisms in the antibacterial activity testing. According to the study, LEV@ZIF-8 are appropriate and effective DDS for stimuli-based pediatric abdominal wound repair.

Revolutionizing the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: From Conventional Therapies to Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive interstitial lung disease that has been well-reported in the medical literature. Its incidence has risen, particularly in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Conventionally, IPF is treated with antifibrotic drugs-pirfenidone and nintedanib-along with other drugs for symptomatic treatments, including corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and bronchodilators based on individual requirements. Several drugs and biologicals such as fluorofenidone, thymoquinone, amikacin, paclitaxel nifuroxazide, STAT3, and siRNA have recently been evaluated for IPF treatment that reduces collagen formation and cell proliferation in the lung. There has been a great deal of research into various treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis using advanced delivery systems such as liposomal-based nanocarriers, chitosan nanoparticles, PLGA nanoparticles, solid lipid nanocarriers, and other nanoformulations such as metal nanoparticles, nanocrystals, cubosomes, magnetic nanospheres, and polymeric micelles. Several clinical trials are also ongoing for advanced IPF treatments. This article elaborates on the pathophysiology of IPF, its risk factors, and different advanced drug delivery systems for treating IPF. Although extensive preclinical data is available for these delivery systems, the clinical performance and scale-up studies would decide their commercial translation.

Hepatic-Accumulated Obeticholic Acid and Atorvastatin Self-Assembled Nanocrystals Potentiate Ameliorative Effects in Treatment of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Exploration of medicines for efficient and safe management of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remains a challenge. Obeticholic acid (OCA), a selective farnesoid X receptor agonist, has been reported to ameliorate injury and inflammation in various liver diseases. However, its clinical application is mainly limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, and potential side effects. Herein a hepatic-targeted nanodrugs composed of OCA and cholesterol-lowering atorvastatin (AHT) with an ideal active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) content for orally combined treatment of MAFLD is created. Such carrier-free nanocrystals (OCAHTs) are self-assembled, not only improving the stability in gastroenteric environments but also achieving hepatic accumulation through the bile acid transporter-mediated enterohepatic recycling process. Orally administrated OCAHT outperforms the simple combination of OCA and AHT in ameliorating of liver damage and inflammation in both acetaminophen-challenged mice and high-fat diet-induced MAFLD mice with less systematic toxicity. Importantly, OCAHT exerts profoundly reverse effects on MAFLD-associated molecular pathways, including impairing lipid metabolism, reducing inflammation, and enhancing the antioxidation response. This work not only provides a facile bile acid transporter-based strategy for hepatic-targeting drug delivery but also presents an efficient and safe full-API nanocrystal with which to facilitate the practical translation of nanomedicines against MAFLD.

Novel application of nanomedicine for the treatment of acute lung injury: a literature review

Nanoparticles have attracted extensive attention due to their high degree of cell targeting, biocompatibility, controllable biological activity, and outstanding pharmacokinetics. Changing the size, morphology, and surface chemical groups of nanoparticles can increase the biological distribution of agents to achieve precise tissue targeting and optimize therapeutic effects. Examples of their use include nanoparticles designed for increasing antigen-specific immune responses, developing vaccines, and treating inflammatory diseases. Nanoparticles show the potential to become a new generation of therapeutic agents for regulating inflammation. Recently, many nanomaterials with targeted properties have been developed to treat acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). In this review, we provide a brief explanation of the pathological mechanism underlying ALI/ARDS and a systematic overview of the latest technology and research progress in nanomedicine treatments of ALI, including improved nanocarriers, nanozymes, and nanovaccines for the targeted treatment of lung injury. Ultimately, these nanomedicines will be used for the clinical treatment of ALI/ARDS.

SOD mineralized zeolitic imidazole framework-8 for the treatment of chemotherapy-related acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a prevalent and fatal adverse event, seriously affects cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The most important pathological mechanism of AKI is oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Currently, ROS scavenging is a promising strategy to manage the risk of chemotherapy-induced AKI. Herein, we successfully synthesized SOD@ZIF-8 nanoparticles by biomimetic mineralization, which were taken up by cells and could improve cell viability by limiting oxidative stress damage, as found in in vitro studies. Moreover, SOD@ZIF-8 nanoparticles exhibit broad-spectrum antioxidant properties in addition to significant renal accumulation in AKI mice, preventing clinically related cisplatin-induced AKI in murine models. AKI alleviation in the model was validated by measuring blood serum, staining kidney tissue, and related biomarkers. SOD@ZIF-8 nanoparticle therapeutic efficiency exceeds NAC, a small molecular antioxidant functioning through free radical scavenging. The results suggest SOD@ZIF-8 nanoparticles as a potential therapeutic option for AKI and other ROS-related disorders.

Covalent organic framework-supported ultrasmall Rh nanoparticles as peroxidase mimics for colorimetric sensing of cysteine

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a novel porous organic polymer with periodic and highly ordered structure, are ideal carrier matrix for metal nanoparticles due to high specific surface area, good stability, controllable pore size, and structural tunability. In this work, COFs are used as a carrier to in-situ grow ultrasmall rhodium nanoparticles (Rh NPs, ∼2.4 nm), which are uniformly distributed in the pores and on the surfaces of the COFs. The formed composite (COF-Rh) shows excellent peroxidase-mimetic activity benefiting from the good catalytic activity of ultrafine and highly dispersed Rh NPs as well as the high affinity of COFs to organic molecules (i.e., catalytic substrates). Cysteine (Cys) can inhibit the peroxidase-like activity of COF-Rh due to the interaction of -SH in Cys with Rh and the reduction of oxidized peroxidase substrate by Cys. By regulating the peroxidase-like activity of the system, a colorimetric method is successfully developed for Cys detection. Using smartphone as a readout, a portable strategy is further proposed for rapid and visual sensing of Cys.

Recent Advances in Metal-Organic-Framework-Based Nanocarriers for Controllable Drug Delivery and Release

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have a good designability, a well-defined pore, stimulus responsiveness, a high surface area, and a controllable morphology. Up to now, various MOFs have been widely used as nanocarriers and have attracted lots of attention in the field of drug delivery and release because of their good biocompatibility and high-drug-loading capacity. Herein, we provide a comprehensive summary of MOF-based nanocarriers for drug delivery and release over the last five years. Meanwhile, some representative examples are highlighted in detail according to four categories, including the University of Oslo MOFs, Fe-MOFs, cyclodextrin MOFs, and other MOFs. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges of MOF-based smart delivery vehicles are discussed. We hope that this review will be helpful for researchers to understand the recent developments and challenges of MOF-based drug-delivery systems.

Synthesis of Metal–Organic Frameworks Quantum Dots Composites as Sensors for Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Hazardous chemical compounds such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widespread and part of the materials we use daily. Among these compounds, bisphenol A (BPA) is the most common endocrine-disrupting chemical and is prevalent due to the chemical raw materials used to manufacture thermoplastic polymers, rigid foams, and industrial coatings. General exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals constitutes a serious health hazard, especially to reproductive systems, and can lead to transgenerational diseases in adults due to exposure to these chemicals over several years. Thus, it is necessary to develop sensors for early detection of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. In recent years, the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as sensors for EDCs has been explored due to their distinctive characteristics, such as wide surface area, outstanding chemical fastness, structural tuneability, gas storage, molecular separation, proton conductivity, and catalyst activity, among others which can be modified to sense hazardous environmental pollutants such as EDCs. In order to improve the versatility of MOFs as sensors, semiconductor quantum dots have been introduced into the MOF pores to form metal–organic frameworks/quantum dots composites. These composites possess a large optical absorption coefficient, low toxicity, direct bandgap, formidable sensing capacity, high resistance to change under light and tunable visual qualities by varying the size and compositions, which make them useful for applications as sensors for probing of dangerous and risky environmental contaminants such as EDCs and more. In this review, we explore various synthetic strategies of (MOFs), quantum dots (QDs), and metal–organic framework quantum dots composites (MOFs@QDs) as efficient compounds for the sensing of ecological pollutants, contaminants, and toxicants such as EDCs. We also summarize various compounds or materials used in the detection of BPA as well as the sensing ability and capability of MOFs, QDs, and MOFs@QDs composites that can be used as sensors for EDCs and BPA.

Synthesis of pH-responsive covalent organic frameworks nanocarrier for plumbagin delivery

Covalent organic frameworks have attracted increasing attention in the fields of nanotechnology and nanoscience. However, the biomedical applications of COFs still remain less explored. Here, a new type of nanoscale covalent organic framework (COF-366) composite was prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The obtained material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the COF-366 nanocarriers possess uniform spherical morphology with a diameter of 150 nm, which make them favourable for drug delivery. After the plumbagin encapsulation, an effective pH responsive release, high adsorption capacity, and good biocompatibility were achieved. These characteristics make nanoscale COF-366 an ideal material for drug delivery and reveal its promising application in biomedical applications.