Nanotechnology-based formulations for resveratrol delivery: Effects on resveratrol in vivo bioavailability and bioactivity

Recent advances in nanodelivery systems of resveratrol and their biomedical and food applications: a review

Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenolic compound with numerous functional properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-obesity and more. However, resveratrol's poor solubility within aqueous media and low stability usually lead to compromised bioavailability, ultimately limiting its uptake and applications. Nanodelivery technologies have been studied intensively due to their potential in effectively improving resveratrol properties, thereby providing promising solutions for enhancing the bioavailability of resveratrol. Thus, this article aimed to review the recent advances of resveratrol nanodelivery systems, specifically on the types of nanodelivery systems, the corresponding preparation principles, advantages, as well as potential limitations associated. Meanwhile, studies have also found that coupled with nanodelivery systems, the functional properties of resveratrol could trigger apoptosis in cancer cells and inflammatory cells through various signaling pathways. Therefore, this article will also lead into discussions on the application aspects of resveratrol nanodelivery systems, emphasizing toward the fields of biomedical and food sciences. Potential pitfalls of resveratrol nanodelivery systems, such as issues with toxicity and target release, as well as outlooks regarding resveratrol nanodelivery systems are included in the Conclusion section, in the hope to provide insights for relevant future research.

Comparative Neuroprotective Potential of Nanoformulated and Free Resveratrol Against Cuprizone-Induced Demyelination in Rats

Demyelination is a frequent yet crippling neurological disease associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). The cuprizone (CZ) model, which causes demyelination through oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, is a popular tool used by researchers to examine this process. The polyphenol resveratrol (RESV) has become a promising neuroprotective agent in seeking for efficient therapies. In a rat model given CZ, we created and examined iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) loaded with RESV (IONP-RESV) to see how effective they were as a therapeutic agent against free RESV. According to molecular mechanisms, exposure to CZ resulted in a marked downregulation of myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) expression and an overexpression of the inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and S100β, which are indicators of demyelination and neuroinflammation. It is remarkable that these CZ-induced alterations could be reversed by therapy with either RESV or IONP-RESV. Interestingly, IONP-RESV showed even stronger anti-inflammatory activity, as shown by a more noticeable downregulation of TNF-α and S100β expression. These results were confirmed by histopathological examination of the cerebral cortices. Our findings support the better neuroprotective benefits of RESV-loaded IONPs over free RESV in reducing demyelination and neuroinflammation brought on by CZ. Owing to their pro-remyelinating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, RESV-loaded IONPs show promise as a neurotherapeutic intervention in the future for neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Transdermal delivery of resveratrol loaded solid lipid nanoparticle as a microneedle patch: a novel approach for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting millions of people worldwide and expected to impact 10 million by 2030, manifests a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms linked to the decline of dopaminergic neurons. Current therapies manage PD symptoms but lack efficacy in slowing disease progression, emphasizing the urgency for more effective treatments. Resveratrol (RSV), recognized for its neuroprotective and antioxidative properties, encounters challenges in clinical use for PD due to limited bioavailability. Researchers have investigated lipid-based nanoformulations, specifically solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), to enhance RSV stability. Oral drug delivery via SLNs faces obstacles, prompting exploration into transdermal delivery using SLNs integrated with microneedles (MNs) for improved patient compliance. In this study, an RSV-loaded SLNs (RSV -SLNs) incorporated into the MN patch was developed for transdermal RSV delivery to improve its stability and patient compliance. Characterization studies demonstrated favorable physical properties of SLNs with a sustained drug release profile of 78.36 ± 0.74%. The developed MNs exhibited mechanical robustness and skin penetration capabilities. Ex vivo permeation studies displayed substantial drug permeation of 68.39 ± 1.4% through the skin. In an in vivo pharmacokinetic study, the RSV-SLNs delivered through MNs exhibited a significant increase in Cmax, Tmax, and AUC0 - t values, alongside a reduced elimination rate in blood plasma in contrast to the administration of pure RSV via MNs. Moreover, an in vivo study showcased enhanced behavioral functioning and increased brain antioxidant levels in the treated animals. In-vivo skin irritation study revealed no signs of irritation till 24 h which permits long-term MNs application. Histopathological analysis showed notable changes in the brain regions of the rat, specifically the striatum and substantia nigra, after the completion of the treatment. Based on these findings, the development of an RSV-SLN loaded MNs (RSVSNLMP) patch presents a novel approach, with the potential to enhance the drug's efficiency, patient compliance, and therapeutic outcomes for PD, offering a promising avenue for advanced PD therapy.

Combination of plant metabolites hinders starch digestion and glucose absorption while facilitating insulin sensitivity to diabetes

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrine disease resulting from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Type II DM (T2DM) accounts for approximately 90% of all DM cases. Current medicines used in the treatment of DM have some adverse or undesirable effects on patients, necessitating the use of alternative medications.

Methods

To overcome the low bioavailability of plant metabolites, all entities were first screened through pharmacokinetic, network pharmacology, and molecular docking predictions. Experiments were further conducted on a combination of antidiabetic phytoactive molecules (rosmarinic acid, RA; luteolin, Lut; resveratrol, RS), along with in vitro evaluation (α-amylase inhibition assay) and diabetic mice tests (oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT; oral starch tolerance test, OSTT) for maximal responses to validate starch digestion and glucose absorption while facilitating insulin sensitivity.

Results

The results revealed that the combination of metabolites achieved all required criteria, including ADMET, drug likeness, and Lipinski rule. To determine the mechanisms underlying diabetic hyperglycemia and T2DM treatments, network pharmacology was used for regulatory network, PPI network, GO, and KEGG enrichment analyses. Furthermore, the combined metabolites showed adequate in silico predictions (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase for improving starch digestion; SGLT-2, AMPK, glucokinase, aldose reductase, acetylcholinesterase, and acetylcholine M2 receptor for mediating glucose absorption; GLP-1R, DPP-IV, and PPAR-γ for regulating insulin sensitivity), in vitro α-amylase inhibition, and in vivo efficacy (OSTT versus acarbose; OGTT versus metformin and insulin) as nutraceuticals against T2DM.

Discussion

The results demonstrate that the combination of RA, Lut, and RS could be exploited for multitarget therapy as prospective antihyperglycemic phytopharmaceuticals that hinder starch digestion and glucose absorption while facilitating insulin sensitivity.

Exploiting Natural Niches with Neuroprotective Properties: A Comprehensive Review

Natural products from mushrooms, plants, microalgae, and cyanobacteria have been intensively explored and studied for their preventive or therapeutic potential. Among age-related pathologies, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) represent a worldwide health and social problem. Since several pathological mechanisms are associated with neurodegeneration, promising strategies against neurodegenerative diseases are aimed to target multiple processes. These approaches usually avoid premature cell death and the loss of function of damaged neurons. This review focuses attention on the preventive and therapeutic potential of several compounds derived from natural sources, which could be exploited for their neuroprotective effect. Curcumin, resveratrol, ergothioneine, and phycocyanin are presented as examples of successful approaches, with a special focus on possible strategies to improve their delivery to the brain.

Physicochemical Features and Applicability of Newly Fabricated Phytopharmaceutical-Loaded Hydrogel Alginate Microcarriers with Viscoelastic Polyelectrolyte Coatings

The design of novel polymeric carrier systems with functional coatings is of great interest for delivering various bioactive molecules. Microcapsules coated with polyelectrolyte (PE) films provide additional functionality and fine-tuning advantages essential for controlled drug release. We developed hydrogel microcarriers coated with functional PE films with encapsulated substances of natural origin, resveratrol (RES), curcumin (CUR), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have cytotoxic and chemopreventive properties. Alginate (ALG) based microparticles were loaded with phytopharmaceuticals using the emulsification method, and then their surface was modified with PE coatings, such as chitosan (CHIT) or poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). The morphology and mean diameter of microcarriers were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, encapsulation efficiency was determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy, whereas the physicochemical properties of functional PE layers were studied using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and streaming potential measurements. The release profiles of active compounds from the hydrogel microparticles were described using the Peppas-Sahlin model. The cytotoxic effect of designed delivery systems was studied by evaluating their impact on the proliferation, mitochondrial metabolic function, and lipid peroxidation level of 5637 human bladder cancer cells. The present work demonstrates that the physicochemical and biological features of fabricated microcarriers can be controlled by the type of encapsulated anti-cancer agent and PE coating.

Intra-articular administration of PLGA resveratrol sustained-release nanoparticles attenuates the development of rat osteoarthritis

Our previous studies have confirmed that resveratrol (RSV) can prevent the development of osteoarthritis through a variety of mechanisms, such as apoptosis inhibition, autophagy induction and SIRT 1 activation. However, the pharmaceutical application of RSV is mainly limited by its low bioavailability. Here, we designed and synthesized RSV-loaded poly (D, l-lactide-coglycolide acid) (PLGA)-nanoparticles (NPs). The average particle size, polydispersity index and positive charge of RSV-loaded PLGA NPs were 50.40 nm, 0.217 and 12.57 mV, respectively. These nanoparticles had marked encapsulation efficiency (92.35 %) and drug loading (15.1 %) for RSV. It was found that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs not only inhibited the apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by IL-1, but also rescued GAG loss in vitro. Pharmacokinetic data showed that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs demonstrated a significantly profound and prolonged concentration profile in joint tissues, with quantifiable RSV concentrations over 35 days. The therapeutic effects of RSV-loaded PLGA NPs were then examined in rat osteoarthritis models. In vitro magnetic resonance imaging results showed that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs treatment dramatically reduced both T1ρ and T2 relaxation times at 4, 8, 12 weeks during administration, implying that cartilage destruction was alleviated. Histological assessments showed that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs significantly improved osteoarthritis symptoms. Gene expression analysis revealed that osteoarthritis mediator genes were downregulated in rats treated with RSV-PLGA NPs. Mechanistic studies indicated that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs inhibit apoptosis and promote autophagy. Collectively, this study demonstrates that intra-articular delivery of RSV via PLGA NPs might be an effective therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis.

Fabrication of magnetic niosomal platform for delivery of resveratrol: potential anticancer activity against human pancreatic cancer Capan-1 cell

Recently, the presence of different nanoparticles (NPs) has developed targeting drug delivery in treatment of cancer cell. Targeted drug delivery systems using NPs have shown great promise in improving the efficacy of intracellular uptake as well as local concentration of therapeutics with minimizing side effects. The current study planned to synthesized resveratrol-loaded magnetic niosomes nanoparticles (RSV-MNIONPs) and evaluate their cytotoxicity activity in pancreatic cancer cells. For this aim, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and loaded into niosomes (NIOs) by the thin film hydration technique and then characterized via DLS, FT-IR, TEM, SEM and VSM techniques. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of the RSV-MNIONPs on the Capan-1 cells line was assessed by the MTT test. The distribution number of RSV-MNIONPs was gained about 80 nm and 95 nm with surface charge of - 14.0 mV by SEM and TEM analysis, respectively. RSV loading efficacy in NIOs was about 85%, and the drug releases pattern displayed a sustained discharge with a maximum amount about 35% and 40%, within 4 h in pH = 7.4 and pH = 5.8, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the RSV-MNIONPs in the presence of an external magnetic field is higher than that of the RSV, indicating enhanced cellular uptake in their encapsulated states. Furthermore, RSV loaded MNNPs were found to induce more cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 checkpoint than free RSV. Compared with RSV-treated cells, the mRNA expression levels of BAX, Bcl2, FAS, P 53, Cyclin D and hTERT, were significantly changed in cells treated with RSV loaded MNNPs. The niosomes NPs approaches have been widely used to attain higher solubility, improved bioavailability, enhanced stability, and control delivery of RSV. Our formulation displayed antitumor activity and can be considered an appropriate carrier with a great potential for future usage in cancer therapy.

Molecular mechanisms of resveratrol as chemo and radiosensitizer in cancer

One of the primary diseases that cause death worldwide is cancer. Cancer cells can be intrinsically resistant or acquire resistance to therapies and drugs used for cancer treatment through multiple mechanisms of action that favor cell survival and proliferation, becoming one of the leading causes of treatment failure against cancer. A promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance and radioresistance is the co-administration of anticancer agents and natural compounds with anticancer properties, such as the polyphenolic compound resveratrol (RSV). RSV has been reported to be able to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy, promoting cancer cell death. This review describes the reported molecular mechanisms by which RSV sensitizes tumor cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

Resveratrol and Its Derivatives in Inflammatory Skin Disorders-Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis: A Review

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis are inflammatory skin diseases whose prevalence has increased worldwide in recent decades. These disorders contribute to patients' decreased quality of life (QoL) and constitute a socioeconomic burden. New therapeutic options for AD and psoriasis based on natural compounds are being investigated. These include resveratrol (3,5,40-trihydroxystilbene) and its derivatives, which are produced by many plant species, including grapevines. Resveratrol has gained interest since the term "French Paradox", which refers to improved cardiovascular outcomes despite a high-fat diet in the French population, was introduced. Resveratrol and its derivatives have demonstrated various health benefits. In addition to anti-cancer, anti-aging, and antibacterial effects, there are also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can affect the molecular pathways of inflammatory skin disorders. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms may help develop new therapies. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have been conducted on the therapeutic properties of natural compounds. However, regarding resveratrol and its derivatives in treating AD and psoriasis, there are still many unexplained mechanisms and a need for clinical trials. Considering this, in this review, we discuss and summarize the most critical research on resveratrol and its derivatives in animal and cell models mimicking AD and psoriasis.

ENHANCED EFFICACY OF RESVERATROL-LOADED SILVER NANOPARTICLE IN ATTENUATING SEPSIS-INDUCED ACUTE LIVER INJURY: MODULATION OF INFLAMMATION, OXIDATIVE STRESS, AND SIRT1 ACTIVATION

ABSTRACT

Sepsis-induced acute liver injury is a life-threatening condition involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, the preventive effects of resveratrol (RV) alone and RV-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs + RV) against sepsis-induced damage were investigated and compared in a rat model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats were divided into four groups: Sham, CLP, RV, and AgNPs + RV. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation, presepsin, procalcitonin (PCT), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) levels were assessed to determine the treatments' effects. AgNPs + RV treatment significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, NF-κB activation, presepsin, PCT, 8-OHDG, and VEGF levels compared with the CLP group, indicating attenuation of sepsis-induced liver injury. Both RV and AgNPs + RV treatments increased SIRT1 levels, suggesting a potential role of SIRT1 activation in mediating the protective effects. In conclusion, AgNPs + RV treatment demonstrated extremely enhanced efficacy in alleviating sepsis-induced liver injury by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, potentially mediated through SIRT1 activation. In this study, the effect of AgNPs + RV on sepsis was evaluated for the first time, and these findings highlight AgNPs + RV as a promising therapeutic strategy for managing sepsis-induced liver injury, warranting further investigation.

Oral Nanotherapeutics of Andrographolide/Carbon Monoxide Donor for Synergistically Anti-inflammatory and Pro-resolving Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology affecting the colon and rectum. Current therapeutics are focused on suppressing inflammation but are ineffective. Combining anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches with pro-resolution might be a superior strategy for UC treatment. Andrographolide (AG), an active compound from the plant Andrographis paniculata, presented anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory diseases. Gaseous mediators, such as carbon monoxide (CO), have a role in inflammatory resolution. Herein, we developed a dextran-functionalized PLGA nanocarrier for efficient delivery of AG and a carbon monoxide donor (CORM-2) for synergistically anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving treatment of UC (AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex) based on PLGA with good biocompatibility, slow drug release, efficient targeting, and biodegradability. The resulting nanocarrier had a nano-scaled diameter of ∼200 nm and a spherical shape. After being coated with dextran (Dex), the resulting AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex could be efficiently internalized by Colon-26 and Raw 264.7 cells in vitro and preferentially localized to the inflamed colon with chitosan/alginate hydrogel protection by gavage. AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex performed anti-inflammatory effects by eliminating the over-production of pro-inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide (NO), and down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), while it showed pro-resolving function by accelerating M1 to M2 macrophage conversion and up-regulating resolution-related genes (IL-10, TGF-β, and HO-1). In the colitis model, oral administration of AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex in a chitosan/alginate hydrogel also showed synergistically anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving effects, therefore relieving UC effectively. Without appreciable systemic toxicity, this bifunctional nanocarrier represents a novel therapeutic approach for UC and is expected to achieve long-term inflammatory remission.

Synthesis and characterization of innovative resveratrol nanobelt-like particles and assessment of their bioactivity, antioxidative and antibacterial properties

Recently, many studies have shown various beneficial effects of polyphenol resveratrol (Res) on human health. The most important of these effects include cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, osteoinductive, and anti-microbial effects. Resveratrol has cis and trans isoforms, with the trans isoform being more stable and biologically active. Despite the results of in vitro experiments, resveratrol has limited potential for application in vivo due to its poor water solubility, sensitivity to oxygen, light, and heat, rapid metabolism, and therefore low bioavailability. The possible solution to overcome these limitations could be the synthesis of resveratrol in nanoparticle form. Accordingly, in this study, we have developed a simple, green solvent/non-solvent physicochemical method to synthesize stable, uniform, carrier-free resveratrol nanobelt-like particles (ResNPs) for applications in tissue engineering. UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) was used to identify the trans isoform of ResNPs which remained stable for at least 63 days. The additional qualitative analysis was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while X-ray diffraction (XRD) determined the monoclinic structure of resveratrol with a significant difference in the intensity of diffraction peaks between commercial and nano-belt form. The morphology of ResNPs was evaluated by optical microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) that revealed a uniform nanobelt-like structure with an individual thickness of less than 1 μm. Bioactivity was confirmed using Artemia salina in vivo toxicity assay, while 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylhydrate (DPPH) reduction assay showed the good antioxidative potential of concentrations of 100 μg/ml and lower. Microdilution assay on several reference strains and clinical isolates showed promising antibacterial potential on Staphylococci, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) being 800 μg/ml. Bioactive glass-based scaffolds were coated with ResNPs and characterized to confirm coating potential. All of the above make these particles a promising bioactive, easy-to-handle component in various biomaterial formulations.

Therapeutic Potential of Nanomedicine in Management of Alzheimer's Disease and Glioma

Neoplasm (Glioblastoma) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) comprise two of the most chronic psychological ailments. Glioblastoma is one of the aggressive and prevalent malignant diseases characterized by rapid growth and invasion resulting from cell migration and degradation of extracellular matrix. While the latter is characterized by extracellular plaques of amyloid and intracellular tangles of tau proteins. Both possess a high degree of resistance to treatment owing to the restricted transport of corresponding drugs to the brain protected by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Development of optimized therapies using advanced technologies is a great need of today. One such approach is the designing of nanoparticles (NPs) to facilitate the drug delivery at the target site. The present article elaborates the advances in nanomedicines in treatment of both AD as well as Gliomas. The intention of this review is to provide an overview of different types of NPs with their physical properties emphasizing their importance in traversing the BBB and hitting the target site. Further, we discuss the therapeutic applications of these NPs along with their specific targets. Multiple overlapping factors with a common pathway in development of AD and Glioblastoma are discussed in details that will assist the readers in developing the conceptual approach to target the NP for an aging population in the given circumstances with limitations of currently designed NPs, and the challenges to meet and the future perspectives.

Norcantharidin Nanoemulsion Development, Characterization, and In Vitro Antiproliferation Effect on B16F1 Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is a highly lethal type of cancer that has had an increase in incidence in the last decades. Nevertheless, current therapies lack effectiveness and have highly disabling side effects, which calls for new therapeutic strategies. Norcantharidin (NCTD) is an acid derivative with potential antitumor activity isolated from natural blister beetles. However, its solubility limitations restrict its use. To address this issue, we developed an oil-in-water nanoemulsion using commonly available cosmetic ingredients, which increased NCTD solubility 10-fold compared to water. The developed nanoemulsion showed a good droplet size and homogeneity, with adequate pH and viscosity for skin application. In vitro drug release studies showed a sustained release profile, ideal for prolonged therapeutic effects. Accelerated stability studies proved that the formulation was reasonably stable under stress conditions, with particle separation fingerprints, instability index, particle size, and sedimentation velocity analyses being conducted. To assess the therapeutic potential of the developed formulation, in vitro studies were conducted on melanoma B16F1 cells; results showed an IC50 of 1.026 +/− 0.370 mg/kg, and the cells’ metabolic activity decreased after exposure to the NCTD nanoemulsion. Hence, a new “easy-to-make” nanoformulation with therapeutic potential on melanoma cells was developed, as a possible adjuvant for future melanoma treatment.

Microparticles in the Development and Improvement of Pharmaceutical Formulations: An Analysis of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Microparticulate systems such as microparticles, microspheres, microcapsules or any particle in a micrometer scale (usually of 1–1000 µm) are widely used as drug delivery systems, because they offer higher therapeutic and diagnostic performance compared to conventional drug delivery forms. These systems can be manufactured with many raw materials, especially polymers, most of which have been effective in improving the physicochemical properties and biological activities of active compounds. This review will focus on the in vivo and in vitro application in the last decade (2012 to 2022) of different active pharmaceutical ingredients microencapsulated in polymeric or lipid matrices, the main formulation factors (excipients and techniques) and mostly their biological activities, with the aim of introducing and discussing the potential applicability of microparticulate systems in the pharmaceutical field.

Development of carboxymethyl chitosan-coated zein/soy lecithin nanoparticles for the delivery of resveratrol

The objective of this work is to formulate a zein-based nanocomposite for the delivery of natural polyphenols. A proprietary atomizing/antisolvent precipitation (AAP) process was used to prepare carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-coated zein/soy lecithin (SL) nanoparticles (ZLC NPs). At a suitable mass ratio of zein/SL/CMC (100 : 30 : 30), ZLC NPs with desirable redispersibility and physicochemical stability were successfully fabricated. After that, resveratrol (Res) as the representative natural polyphenol was encapsulated in ZLC NPs. The optimized Res/ZLC NPs exhibited a spherical morphology, small size (259.43 ± 2.47 nm), large zeta potential (-47.7 ± 0.66 mV), and high encapsulation efficiency (91.32 ± 4.01%) and loading capacity (5.27 ± 0.35%). Further characterization indicated that Res was encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the ZLC matrix in an amorphous state. Compared to free Res, Res/ZLC NPs showed a 2.55-fold increase in the Res dissolution rate, a 2.27-fold increase in bioaccessibility, and a 1.69-fold increase in ABTS˙⁺ scavenging activity. Also, Res/ZLC NPs showed a higher Res retention rate (>68.0%) than free Res (<35.0%) over 45 days of storage. Therefore, ZLC NPs have promising potential as vehicles for natural polyphenols.

Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Containing Resveratrol-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles as an Adjuvant in Atopic Dermatitis Treatment

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease-causing skin inflammation, redness, and irritation, which can eventually result in infection that drastically impacts patient quality of life. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural phytochemical famed for its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, it is poorly bioavailable. Thus, a drug delivery system is needed to enhance in vivo bioactivity. Herein, we report the preparation of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels containing resveratrol-loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles, their physicochemical analysis, and their potential therapeutic effects in the treatment of AD. Positively charged CS nanoparticles prepared by tripolyphosphate (TPP) gelation showed sizes ranging from 120 to around 500 nm and Res encapsulation efficiency as high as 80%. Embedding the nanoparticles in HA retarded their hydrolytic degradation and also slowed resveratrol release. Resveratrol released from nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel counteracted the oxidative damage induced by ROS generation in TNF-α/INF-γ-treated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) used as an AD in vitro model. Moreover, pre-treatment with Res@gel reduced secretion and gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in HaCaT cells. The physicochemical analysis and in vitro assay confirmed that the formulated hydrogel could be considered an efficient and sustained resveratrol delivery vector in AD treatment.

Myocardial Cell Preservation from Potential Cardiotoxic Drugs: The Role of Nanotechnologies

Cardiotoxic therapies, whether chemotherapeutic or antibiotic, represent a burden for patients who may need to interrupt life-saving treatment because of serious complications. Cardiotoxicity is a broad term, spanning from forms of heart failure induction, particularly left ventricular systolic dysfunction, to induction of arrhythmias. Nanotechnologies emerged decades ago. They offer the possibility to modify the profiles of potentially toxic drugs and to abolish off-target side effects thanks to more favorable pharmacokinetics and dynamics. This relatively modern science encompasses nanocarriers (e.g., liposomes, niosomes, and dendrimers) and other delivery systems applicable to real-life clinical settings. We here review selected applications of nanotechnology to the fields of pharmacology and cardio-oncology. Heart tissue-sparing co-administration of nanocarriers bound to chemotherapeutics (such as anthracyclines and platinum agents) are discussed based on recent studies. Nanotechnology applications supporting the administration of potentially cardiotoxic oncological target therapies, antibiotics (especially macrolides and fluoroquinolones), or neuroactive agents are also summarized. The future of nanotechnologies includes studies to improve therapeutic safety and to encompass a broader range of pharmacological agents. The field merits investments and research, as testified by its exponential growth.

Trends in Drug Delivery Systems for Natural Bioactive Molecules to Treat Health Disorders: The Importance of Nano-Liposomes

Drug delivery systems are believed to increase pharmaceutical efficacy and the therapeutic index by protecting and stabilizing bioactive molecules, such as protein and peptides, against body fluids' enzymes and/or unsuitable physicochemical conditions while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues from toxicity. Liposomes are biocompatible and biodegradable and do not cause immunogenicity following intravenous or topical administration. Still, their most important characteristic is the ability to load any drug or complex molecule uncommitted to its hydrophobic or hydrophilic character. Selecting lipid components, ratios and thermo-sensitivity is critical to achieve a suitable nano-liposomal formulation. Nano-liposomal surfaces can be tailored to interact successfully with target cells, avoiding undesirable associations with plasma proteins and enhancing their half-life in the bloodstream. Macropinocytosis-dynamin-independent, cell-membrane-cholesterol-dependent processes, clathrin, and caveolae-independent mechanisms are involved in liposome internalization and trafficking within target cells to deliver the loaded drugs to modulate cell function. A successful translation from animal studies to clinical trials is still an important challenge surrounding the approval of new nano-liposomal drugs that have been the focus of investigations. Precision medicine based on the design of functionalized nano-delivery systems bearing highly specific molecules to drive therapies is a promising strategy to treat degenerative diseases.

ROS-responsive resveratrol-loaded cyclodextrin nanomicelles reduce inflammatory osteolysis

Bone loss in inflammatory disorders such as osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and periodontitis is caused by excessive osteoclastic activity. Meanwhile, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as contributors to osteoclast differentiation, and the application of ROS scavengers has emerged as a promising strategy to protect against bone loss. Recently, resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenolic phytoalexin, has been demonstrated to inhibit osteoclastogenesis by scavenging ROS; however, the application of RSV as an antioxidant is limited by its low water solubility, structural instability, and short elimination half-life. In this study, we developed a PEGylated cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanoplatform (PCP) for local delivery of RSV as nanomicelles (RSV-NMs). In addition, polymer functionalization with phenylboronic acid ester in RSV-NMs successfully achieved ROS-responsive release of RSV. The RSV-NMs in a well-dispersed state possessed good biocompatibility as well as improved solubility and stability compared with RSV compound. In vitro, RSV-NMs significantly inhibited the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinuclear cells and suppressed F-actin (filamentous actin) ring formation. Additionally, the mRNA expressions of osteoclastic marker genes, including matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), TRAP, and cathepsin K, were consequently downregulated in the presence of RSV-NMs. In vivo, RSV-NMs provided protection against LPS-induced bone destruction, as evidenced by a decreased number of osteoclasts, increased bone density, and reduced area of bone resorption. Taken together, these results indicate that our ROS-responsive RSV-NMs can be employed as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory osteolysis.

The Anticancer Potential of Plant-Derived Nutraceuticals via the Modulation of Gene Expression

Current studies show that approximately one-third of all cancer-related deaths are linked to diet and several cancer forms are preventable with balanced nutrition, due to dietary compounds being able to reverse epigenetic abnormalities. An appropriate diet in cancer patients can lead to changes in gene expression and enhance the efficacy of therapy. It has been demonstrated that nutraceuticals can act as powerful antioxidants at the cellular level as well as anticarcinogenic agents. This review is focused on the best studies on worldwide-available plant-derived nutraceuticals: curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol, quercetin, astaxanthin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and lycopene. These compounds have an enhanced effect on epigenetic changes such as histone modification via HDAC (histone deacetylase), HAT (histone acetyltransferase) inhibition, DNMT (DNA methyltransferase) inhibition, and non-coding RNA expression. All of these nutraceuticals are reported to positively modulate the epigenome, reducing cancer incidence. Furthermore, the current review addresses the issue of the low bioavailability of nutraceuticals and how to overcome the drawbacks related to their oral administration. Understanding the mechanisms by which nutraceuticals influence gene expression will allow their incorporation into an “epigenetic diet” that could be further capitalized on in the therapy of cancer.

Lipid-Coated Nanocrystals as a Tool for Improving the Antioxidant Activity of Resveratrol

Trans-resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in various plant sources, has been the focus of increasing attention in recent years because of its role in the prevention of many human diseases, and particularly because of its antioxidant properties. However, the in vivo effect of trans-resveratrol after oral administration is negligible when compared to its efficacy in vitro, due to its low bioavailability. Moreover, it presents stability issues as it is an extremely photosensitive compound when exposed to light. This work aims to develop lipid-coated nanocrystals in order to improve the antioxidant activity and bioavailability of trans-resveratrol. Lipid-coated trans-resveratrol nanocrystals with sizes lower than 500 nm, spherical shapes and smooth surfaces were obtained via a milling method. They showed a faster dissolution rate than the coarse trans-resveratrol powder. The antioxidant properties of trans-resveratrol were not impaired by the milling process. The in vivo pharmacokinetics of lipid-coated trans-resveratrol nanocrystals were evaluated after oral administration to rats, with a commercial Phytosome^® formulation being used for comparison purposes. An increase in the trans-resveratrol area under the curve was observed and the lipid-coated nanocrystal formulation led to an enhancement in the oral bioavailability of the compound.

GSH-responsive poly-resveratrol based nanoparticles for effective drug delivery and reversing multidrug resistance

Cancer poses a serious threat to human health and is the most common cause of human death. Polymer-based nanomedicines are presently used to enhance the treatment effectiveness and decrease the systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. However, the disadvantage of currently polymeric carriers is without therapy procedure. Herein, for the first time, glutathione (GSH)-responsive polymer (PRES) with anti-cancer effect was synthesized following the condensation–polymerization method using resveratrol (RES) and 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid. PRES can not only suppress the tumor cells growth but can also self-assemble into nanoparticles (∼93 nm) for delivering antitumor drugs, such as paclitaxel (PTX@PRES NPs). The system could achieve high drug loading (∼7%) and overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). The results from the in vitro studies revealed that the NPs formed of PRES were stable in the systemic circulation, while could be efficiently degraded in tumor cells high GSH environment. Results from cytotoxicity tests confirmed that PTX@PRES NPs could effectively suppress the growth of cancer cells (A549) and drug-resistant cells (A549/PTX). The NPs could also be used to significantly increase the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs in A549/PTX tumor-bearing mice. In vivo investigations also demonstrated that the PRES-based NPs exhibited tumor inhibition effects. In summary, we report that the GSH-responsive polymer synthesized by us exhibited multiple interesting functions and could be used for effective drug delivery. The polymer exhibited good therapeutic effects and could be used to overcome MDR. Thus, the synthesized system can be used to develop a new strategy for treating cancer.

Nano- and microparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsions designed for topical therapeutics and cosmetic applications

Pickering emulsions are systems composed of two immiscible fluids, which are stabilized by solid organic or inorganic particles. These solid particles include a broad range of particles that can be used to stabilize Pickering emulsions. An improved resistance against coalescence and lower toxicity, against conventional emulsions stabilized by surfactants, make Pickering emulsions suitable candidates for numerous applications, such as catalysis, food, oil recovery, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. In this article, we give an overview of Pickering emulsions focusing on topical applications. First, we reference the parameters that influence the stabilization of Pickering emulsions. Second, we discuss some of the already investigated topical applications of nano- and microparticles used to stabilize Pickering emulsions. Afterwards, we consider some of the most promising stabilizers of Pickering emulsions for topical applications. Ultimately, we carried out a brief analysis of toxicity and advances in future perspectives, highlighting the promising use of these emulsions in cosmetics and dermopharmaceutical formulations.

Resveratrol and its nanocrystals: A promising approach for cancer therapy?

There has been a significant research interest in nanocrystals as a promising technology for improving the therapeutic efficacy of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as resveratrol. Little is known about the interaction of nanocrystals with biological tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of resveratrol (RSV) and its nanocrystals (NANO-RSV) as antitumor agents in Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT)-bearing mice and the interaction of nanocrystals with biological tissue through biochemical and histological changes of kidney, liver and EAT cells. After intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 × 10⁶ cells into the abdominal cavity of mice, treatment of animals was started next day by injecting RSV or NANO-RSV at a dose of either 25 or 50 mg/kg every other day for 14 days. The results show that the administration of resveratrol and its nanocrystals lead to significant reductions in the proliferation of tumour cells in the abdominal cavity, and a reduction of the number of blood vessels in the peritoneum, with low systemic toxicity. In histopathological examinations, greater hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis, hepatic fibrosis around the central vein and degeneration with minor fatty change were observed with RSV than with NANO-RSV. Inflammation with proximal tubular necrosis and renal glomerulus swelling were also observed, together with slight elevation of several biochemical parameters in both the RSV and NANO-RSV groups. In order to increase the beneficial effects and reduce risks associated with resveratrol nanocrystals, additional factors such as dose, genetic factors, health status, and the nature of the target cells should also be considered.

Formation and Physical Stability of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Essential Oil Based Nanoemulsions Co-Stabilized with Tea Saponin and Synthetic Surfactant

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the possibility of adding tea saponin (TS) to reduce the synthetic surfactant concentration, and maintain or improve the shelf stability of nanoemulsions. The Zanthoxylum bungeanum essential oil (2.5 wt%) loaded oil-in-water nanoemulsions were co-stabilized by Tween 40 (0.5–2.5 wt%) and TS (0.1–5 wt%). A combination of several analytical techniques, such as dynamic laser scattering, interfacial tension, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscope, were used for the characterization of nanoemulsions. Low levels of TS (0.1–0.5 wt%) with Tween 40 had significant effects on the emulsification, and a nanoemulsion with the smallest droplet diameter of 89.63 ± 0.67 nm was obtained. However, in the presence of high TS concentration (0.5–5 wt%), micelles generated by the non-adsorbed surfactants in the aqueous lead to droplets growth. In addition, the combinations of Tween 40 and TS at the high level (>3.5 wt%) exerted a synergistic effect on stabilizing the nanoemulsions and preventing both Ostwald ripening and coalescence. The negative charged TS endowed the droplets with electrostatic repulsion and steric hinderance appeared to prevent flocculation and coalescence. These results would provide a potential application of natural TS in the preparation and stabilization of nanoemulsions containing essential oil.

Optimization of layering technique and secondary structure analysis during the formulation of nanoparticles containing lysozyme by quality by design approach

In our study, core-shell nanoparticles containing lysozyme were formulated with precipitation and layering self-assembly. Factorial design (DoE) was applied by setting the process parameters during the preparation with Quality by Design (QbD) approach. The factors were the concentration of lysozyme and sodium alginate, and pH. Our aim was to understand the effect of process parameters through the determination of mathematical equations, based on which the optimization parameters can be predicted under different process parameters. The optimization parameters were encapsulation efficiency, particle size, enzyme activity and the amount of α-helix structure. The nanoparticles were analysed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Based on our results, we found that pH was the most important factor and pH 10 was recommended during the formulation. Enzyme activity and α-helix content correlated with each other very well, and particle size and encapsulation efficiency also showed very good correlation with each other. The results of the α-helix content of FTIR and CD measurements were very similar for the precipitated lysozyme due to the solid state of lysozyme. The mixing time had the best influence on the encapsulation efficiency and the particle size, which leads to the conclusion that a mixing time of 1 h is recommended. The novelty in our study is the presentation of a mathematical model with which the secondary structure of the protein and other optimization parameters can be controlled in the future during development of nanoparticle based on the process parameters.

Fabrication and application of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine biomaterial-based nanocochleates dry powder inhaler for controlled release resveratrol delivery

Background

Resveratrol, a bioactive phytoconstituent, is used to treat chronic respiratory diseases. However, its clinical application was hampered due to its poor bioavailability. In the present study, controlled release of resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder inhaler was investigated to improve its biopharmaceutical properties for pulmonary drug delivery. The in vivo toxicity study was performed in the healthy male albino Wistar rats by intracheal administration.

Results

Resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder inhaler was prepared by lyophilizing the resveratrol loaded dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine sodium and calcium ion-based nanocochleates using mannitol as cryoprotectant. Resveratrol loaded nanocochleates showed a particle size and encapsulation efficiency of 329.18 ± 9.43 nm and 76.35 ± 3.65%, respectively. Resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder exhibited a particle size of 102.21 ± 9.83 μm and satisfactory flowability with initial burst release followed by extended release up to 96 h. The in vitro drug deposition pattern using multistage cascade impactor showed 1.28-fold improvement in fine particle dose, and the in vivo toxicity potential by histopathological study in albino rats revealed safety of formulation.

Conclusions

Resveratrol loaded nanocochleate-based dry powder inhaler could serve as an efficient delivery system for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases.

Graphical abstract

Polymeric Micelles: A Promising Pathway for Dermal Drug Delivery

Nanotechnology is an area in great development and with application in the most varied fields of science, including cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Because conventional formulations for topical application are not always able to effectively penetrate the physical barrier that human skin exerts against factors and compounds of the external environment, polymeric micelles appear as alternative carriers for drugs and active ingredients delivery, also allowing ingredients with lower solubility and higher lipophilicity to be delivered. In fact, the augmented bioavailability of drugs, greater efficacy even at a lower dose, and selective drug delivery in specific organelles are very interesting advantages of the polymeric micelles usage in cutaneous application. As a consequence, they show a reduction in many of the local and systemic adverse effects, which might lead to an increase in patient compliance to the therapeutics, constituting a promising alternative to conventional topical formulations.

Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of trans-Resveratrol and cis-Resveratrol in an Injectable Solution

trans-Resveratrol, a phytochemical compound with antioxidant power and various therapeutic effects, such as cardioprotective, chemopreventive, and neuroprotective, among others, has disadvantages of poor solubility and limited stability, creating difficulties for the development of new strategies for its quantification. This study developed and validated an analytical stability method for trans-resveratrol by high-pressure liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-PDA), which allowed its quantification in the presence of its degradation products. The quantification of trans-resveratrol occurred at a retention time of 2.6 min, with ammonium formate (10 mM, pH = 4)/acetonitrile, 70/30 v/v, as mobile phase. The validation met the ICH Q2 criteria of specificity, method linearity (2.8-4.2 μg/ml), precision and accuracy, robustness, quantification limit (0.176 μg/ml), and detection (0.058 μg/ml). As degradation products, cis-resveratrol was observed at 3.9 min, which could be resveratrone in 3.2 min and five unidentified products in 0.7, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, and 5 min. Some solutions subjected to temperature stress of 40 and 60°C, UV light, and acidic and basic hydrolysis exhibited colour changes. An analytical method was obtained by HPLC-PDA, which allowed quantifying the stability of trans-resveratrol in a fast and specific manner in the presence of its degradation products.

Advances in smart delivery of food bioactive compounds using stimuli-responsive carriers: Responsive mechanism, contemporary challenges, and prospects

Many important food bioactive compounds are plant secondary metabolites that have traditional applications for health promotion and disease prevention. However, the chemical instability and poor bioavailability of these compounds represent major challenges to researchers. In the last decade, therefore, major impetus has been given for the research and development of advanced carrier systems for the delivery of natural bioactive molecules. Among them, stimuli-responsive carriers hold great promise for simultaneously improving stability, bioavailability, and more importantly delivery and on-demand release of intact bioactive phytochemicals to target sites in response to certain stimuli or combination of them (e.g., pH, temperature, oxidant, enzyme, and irradiation) that would eventually enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce side effects. Hybrid formulations (e.g., inorganic-organic complexes) and multi-stimuli-responsive formulations have demonstrated great potential for future studies. Therefore, this review systematically compiles and assesses the recent advances on the smart delivery of food bioactive compounds, particularly quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol through stimuli-responsive carriers, and critically reviews their functionality, underlying triggered-release mechanism, and therapeutic potential. Finally, major limitations, contemporary challenges, and possible solutions/future research directions are highlighted. Much more research is needed to optimize the processing parameters of existing formulations and to develop novel ones for lead food bioactive compounds to facilitate their food and nutraceutical applications.

Bergenin - a biologically active scaffold: Nanotechnological perspectives

Bergenin, 4-O-methyl gallic acid glucoside, is a bioactive compound present in various plants belonging to different families. The present work compiles scattered information on pharmacology, structure activity relationship and nanotechnological aspects of bergenin, collected from various electronic databases such as Sci Finder, PubMed, Google scholar, etc. Bergenin has been reported to exhibit hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, antiviral and antimicrobial activities. Molecular docking studies have shown that isocoumarin pharmacophore of bergenin is essential for its bioactivities. Bergenin holds a great potential to be used as lead molecule and also as a therapeutic agent for development of more efficacious and safer semisynthetic derivatives. Nanotechnological concepts can be employed to overcome poor bioavailability of bergenin. Finally, it is concluded that bergenin can be emerged as clinically potential medicine in modern therapeutics.

Chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles designed to encapsulate polyphenolic compounds for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications - A review

Plant-based polyphenols are natural compounds, present in fruits and vegetables. During recent years, polyphenols have gained special attention due to their nutraceutical and pharmacological activities for the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Nevertheless, their photosensitivity and low bioavailability, rapid metabolism and short biological half-life represent the major limitations for their use, which could be overcome by polyphenols encapsulation (flavonoids and non-flavonoids) into chitosan (CS)-tripolyphosphate (TPP) based nanoparticles (NP). In this review, we particularly focused on the ionic gelation method for the NP design. This contribution exhaustively discusses and compares results of scientific reports published in the last decade referring to ionic gelation applied for the protection, controlled and site-directed delivery of polyphenols. As a consequence, CS-TPP NP would constitute true platforms to transport polyphenols, or a combination of them, to be used for the designing of a new generation of drugs or nutraceuticals.

Zein nanoparticles as low-cost, safe, and effective carriers to improve the oral bioavailability of resveratrol

The clinical translation of the multiple pharmacological effects of resveratrol (RSV) found in preclinical studies has been impaired by its poor bioavailability, due to poor solubility and rapid metabolism and elimination. The inclusion of this molecule in medicines or functional food products will be ineffective unless suitable systems are developed. Zein protein may constitute an inexpensive, safe, and effective choice to produce nanoparticles (NPs) to incorporate hydrophobic molecules and overcome the bioavailability issues of RSV. In this work, we loaded RSV into zein NPs by using a nanoprecipitation method. Unloaded and RSV-loaded NPs presented average diameter values in the range of 120-180 nm, narrow size distribution (polydispersity index < 0.150), and zeta potential of around + 20 mV. The association efficiency of the drug was equal to or greater than 77% for different initial drug loads. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed that zein NPs were round-shaped and presented a smooth surface. Aqueous suspensions of zein NPs were stable for at least 1 month when stored at 4 °C. The freeze-drying of zein NPs using sucrose as cryoprotectant allowed an easy re-suspension of NPs in water without significantly changing the initial colloidal properties. RSV-loaded NPs presented low cytotoxicity to the human colorectal Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cell lines. Finally, permeability studies of RSV across Caco-2 and Caco-2/HT29-MTX evidenced some ability of zein NPs to protect RSV from metabolism events. However, further investigation is needed in order to confirm the possible role of zein NPs in the metabolic stability of RSV. Overall, zein NPs may present the potential to circumvent bioavailability issues of RSV. Graphical abstract.

Design of Lamivudine Loaded Nanoparticles for Oral Application by Nano Spray Drying Method: A New Approach to use an Antiretroviral Drug for Lung Cancer Treatment

AIMS

To prepare lamivudine (LAM)-loaded-nanoparticles (NPs) that can be used in lung cancer treatment. To change the antiviral indication of LAM to anticancer.

BACKGROUND

The development of anticancer drugs is a difficult process. One approach to accelerate the availability of drugs is to reclassify drugs approved for other conditions as anticancer. The most common route of administration of anticancer drugs is intravenous injection. Oral administration of anticancer drugs may considerably change current treatment modalities of chemotherapy and improve the life quality of cancer patients. There is also a potentially significant economic advantage.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the LAM-loaded-NPs and examine the anticancer activity.

METHODS

LAM-loaded-NPs were prepared using Nano Spray-Dryer. Properties of NPs were elucidated by particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), SEM, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), dissolution, release kinetics, DSC and FT-IR. Then, the anticancer activity of all NPs was examined.

RESULTS

The PS values of the LAM-loaded-NPs were between 373 and 486 nm. All NPs prepared have spherical structure and positive ZP. EE% was in a range of 61-79%. NPs showed prolonged release and the release kinetics fitted to the Weibull model. NPs structures were clarified by DSC and FT-IR analysis. The results showed that the properties of NPs were directly related to the drug:polymer ratio of feed solution. NPs have potential anticancer properties against A549 cell line at low concentrations and non-toxic to CCD 19-Lu cell line.

CONCLUSION

NPs have potential anticancer properties against human lung adenocarcinoma cells and may induce cell death effectively and be a potent modality to treat this type of cancer. These experiments also indicate that our formulations are non-toxic to normal cells. It is clear that this study would bring a new perspective to cancer therapy.

A comprehensive review of the therapeutic potential of curcumin nanoformulations

Today, due to the prevalence of various diseases such as the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), diabetes, central nervous system diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and so on, extensive studies have been conducted on therapeutic properties of natural and synthetic agents. A literature review on herbal medicine and commercial products in the global market showed that curcumin (Cur) has many therapeutic benefits compared to other natural ingredients. Despite the unique properties of Cur, its use in clinical trials is very limited. The poor biopharmaceutical properties of Cur such as short half-life in plasma, low bioavailability, poor absorption, rapid metabolism, very low solubility (at acidic and physiological pH), and the chemical instability in body fluids are major concerns associated with the clinical applications of Cur. Recently, nanoformulations are emerging as approaches to develop and improve the therapeutic efficacy of various drugs. Many studies have shown that Cur nanoformulations have tremendous therapeutic potential against various diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, cancer, inflammatory, osteoporosis, and so on. These nanoformulations can inhibit many diseases through several cellular and molecular mechanisms. However, successful long-term clinical results are required to confirm their safety and clinical efficacy. The present review aims to update and explain the therapeutic potential of Cur nanoformulations.

Ethosomes as Nanocarriers for the Development of Skin Delivery Formulations

The use of nanotechnology has been extensively explored for developing efficient drug delivery systems towards topical and transdermal applications. Ethosomes constitute a vesicular nanocarrier containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol (20-45%). Ethanol is a well-known permeation enhancer, which confers ethosomes unique features, including high elasticity and deformability, allowing them to penetrate deeply across the skin and enhance drug permeation and deposition. The improved composition of ethosomes offer, thereby, significant advantages in the delivery of therapeutic agents over particularly the conventional liposomes regarding different pathologies, including acne, psoriasis, alopecia, skin infections, hormonal deficiencies, among others. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the ethosomal system and an assessment of its potential as an efficient nanocarrier towards the skin delivery of active ingredients. Special attention is given to the composition of ethosomes and the mechanism of skin permeation, as well as their potential applications in different pathologies, particularly skin pathologies (acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, skin cancer and skin infections). Some examples of ethosome-based formulations for the management of skin disorders are also highlighted. Besides the need for further studies, particularly in humans, ethosomal-based formulations hold great promise in the skin delivery of active ingredients, which increasingly asserts oneself as a viable alternative to the oral route.

Neuroprotective Effect for Cerebral Ischemia by Natural Products: A Review

Natural products have a significant role in the prevention of disease and boosting of health in humans and animals. Stroke is a disease with high prevalence and incidence, the pathogenesis is a complex cascade reaction. In recent years, it’s reported that a vast number of natural products have demonstrated beneficial effects on stroke worldwide. Natural products have been discovered to modulate activities with multiple targets and signaling pathways to exert neuroprotection via direct or indirect effects on enzymes, such as kinases, regulatory receptors, and proteins. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the established pharmacological effects and multiple target mechanisms of natural products for cerebral ischemic injury in vitro and in vivo preclinical models, and their potential neuro-therapeutic applications. In addition, the biological activity of natural products is closely related to their structure, and the structure-activity relationship of most natural products in neuroprotection is lacking, which should be further explored in future. Overall, we stress on natural products for their role in neuroprotection, and this wide band of pharmacological or biological activities has made them suitable candidates for the treatment of stroke.

Nanoemulsion-based delivery approaches for nutraceuticals: fabrication, application, characterization, biological fate, potential toxicity and future trends

In the modern food industry, people are paying more and more attention to the use of edible nanoemulsions to encapsulate, protect and deliver lipophilic functional ingredients, such as volatile additives, polyphenols, aromas, pigments, proteins, vitamins, oil-soluble flavors, preservatives, etc., which are the current global needs. Nanoemulsions are constructed with droplets of nano range size and they offer many potential advantages over conventional emulsions including the delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds, higher stability, better antibacterial properties, good taste experience, higher affinity, longer shelf-life and improvement of the bioavailability of components. Moreover, they are highly capable of improving the wettability and/or solubility of poorly water-soluble compounds, which may result in better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of nutraceutical compounds. On the other hand, oral nanoemulsions also have certain risks, such as their ability to change the biological fate of biologically active ingredients in the gastrointestinal tract and the potential toxicity of certain ingredients used in their production. This review article summarizes the manufacturing, application, characterization, biological fate, potential toxicity, and future challenges and trends of nanoemulsions, and focuses on nanoemulsion-based nutraceutical delivery approaches suitable for the food industry.

Role of Flavonoids in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Limitations and Future Perspectives

BACKGROUND

Flavonoids, a group of natural dietary polyphenols, are known for their beneficial effects on human health. By virtue of their various pharmacological effects, like anti-oxidative, antiinflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and neuroprotective effects, flavonoids have now become an important component of herbal supplements, pharmaceuticals, medicinals and cosmetics. There has been enormous literature supporting neuroprotective effect of flavonoids. Recently their efficacy in various neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson diseases, has received particular attention.

OBJECTIVE

The mechanism of flavanoids neuroprotection might include antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antineuroinflammatory and modulation of various cellular and intracellular targets. In in-vivo systems, before reaching to brain, they have to cross barriers like extensive first pass metabolism, intestinal barrier and ultimately blood brain barrier. Different flavonoids have varied pharmacokinetic characteristics, which affect their pharmacodynamic profile. Therefore, brain accessibility of flavonoids is still debatable.

METHODS

This review emphasized on current trends of research and development on flavonoids, especially in neurodegenerative diseases, possible challenges and strategies to encounter using novel drug delivery system.

RESULTS

Various flavonoids have elicited their therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative diseases, however by using nanotechnology and novel drug delivery systems, the bioavailability of favonoids could be enhanced.

CONCLUSION

This study bridges a significant opinion on medicinal chemistry, ethanopharmacology and new drug delivery research regarding use of flavonoids in management of neurodegeneration.

Polyphenols as a versatile component in tissue engineering

The fabrication of functional tissue or organs substitutes has always been the pursuit of goals in the field of tissue engineering. But even biocompatible tissue-engineered scaffolds still suffer from immune rejection, subsequent long-term oxidative stress and inflammation, which can delay normal tissue repair and regeneration. As a well-known natural antioxidant, polyphenols have been widely used in tissue engineering in recent years. The introduced polyphenols not only reduce the damage of oxidative stress to normal tissues, but show specific affinity to functional molecules, such as receptors, enzyme, transcription and transduction factors, etc. Therefore, polyphenols can promote the recovery process of damaged tissues by both regulating tissue microenvironment and participating in cell events, which embody specifically in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and growth-promoting properties. In addition, based on its hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties, polyphenols have been widely used to improve the mechanical properties and anti-degradation properties of tissue engineering scaffolds. In this review, the research advances of tissue engineering scaffolds containing polyphenols is discussed systematically from the aspects of action mechanism, introduction method and regulation effect of polyphenols, in order to provide references for the rational design of polyphenol-related functional scaffolds.

Liposomes-In-Hydrogel Delivery System Enhances the Potential of Resveratrol in Combating Vaginal Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and causes serious reproductive tract complications among women. The limitations of existing oral antibiotics and treatment of antimicrobial resistance require alternative treatment options. We are proposing, for the first time, the natural polyphenol resveratrol (RES) in an advanced delivery system comprising liposomes incorporated in chitosan hydrogel, for the localized treatment of C. trachomatis infection. Both free RES and RES liposomes-in-hydrogel inhibited the propagation of C. trachomatis in a concentration-dependent manner, assessed by the commonly used in vitro model comprising McCoy cells. However, for lower concentrations, the anti-chlamydial effect of RES was enhanced when incorporated into a liposomes-in-hydrogel delivery system, with inhibition of 78% and 94% for 1.5 and 3 µg/mL RES, respectively for RES liposomes-in-hydrogel, compared to 43% and 72%, respectively, for free RES. Furthermore, RES liposomes-in-hydrogel exhibited strong anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, in a concentration-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide production in the LPS-induced macrophages (RAW 264.7). The combination of a natural substance exhibiting multi-targeted pharmacological properties, and a delivery system that provides enhanced activity as well as applicability for vaginal administration, could be a promising option for the localized treatment of C. trachomatis infection.

Preparation, evaluation and metabolites study in rats of novel amentoflavone-loaded TPGS/soluplus mixed nanomicelles

Amentoflavone (AMF) is a kind of biflavonoids existing in Ginkgo biloba leaves. It has many biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor and inducing apoptosis. However, its solubility and bioavailability are poor and there are a few studies on it in vivo. In this study, to improve its solubility and bioavailability, the nanomicelles were prepared with TPGS and soluplus as carriers for the first time. The particle size, Zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, stability, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and metabolites in rats were studied. Cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and metabolites in rats of AMF-loaded TPGS/soluplus mixed micelles were compared with those of AMF. As a result, AMF-loaded TPGS/soluplus mixed micelles with a particle size of 67.33 ± 2.01 nm and Zeta potential of -0.84133 ± 0.041405 mV were successfully prepared. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of the mixed nanomicelles were 99.18 ± 0.76% and 2.47 ± 0.01%, respectively. The physical and chemical properties of the mixed micelles were stable within 60 d, and the cytotoxicity of the mixed micelles was much greater than that of AMF monomers. Thirty-four kinds of metabolites of AMF were identified in rats. The metabolites were mainly distributed in rat feces. No metabolites were detected in bile and plasma. 14 kinds of metabolites of the mixed micelles in rats were detected, including 11 in feces, 6 in urine, and 3 in plasma, which indicated that the bioavailability of AMF has been improved. And the toxicity to cancer cells was enhanced, which laid a foundation for the development of new drugs.