Novel rhein integrate transphytosomes as non-invasive local therapy for osteoarthritis to ameliorate cartilage deterioration in MIA-arthritic rats

Rhein alleviates MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease by suppressing neuroinflammation via MAPK/IκB pathway

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease with a rapid increase in incidence in recent years. Existing treatments cannot slow or stop the progression of PD. It was proposed that neuroinflammation leads to neuronal death, making targeting neuroinflammation a promising therapeutic strategy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that rhein protects neurons in vitro by inhibiting neuroinflammation, and it has been found to exhibit neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy, but its neuroprotective mechanisms and effects on PD are still unclear.

Methods

PD animal model was induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). ELISA, RT-qPCR, western blot and Immunofluorescence were used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines and M1 polarization markers. The protein expression levels of signaling pathways were measured by western blot. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed that rhein did not damage the liver and kidney. Two behavioral tests, pole test and rotarod test, were used to evaluate the improvement effect of rhein on movement disorders. The number of neurons in the substantia nigra was evaluated by Nissl staining. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and α-synuclein.

Results

Rhein inhibited the activation of MAPK/IκB signaling pathway and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and M1 polarization markers of microglia in vivo. In a mouse model of PD, rhein ameliorated movement disorders, reduced dopaminergic neuron damage and α-synuclein deposition.

Conclusion

Rhein inhibits neuroinflammation through MAPK/IκB signaling pathway, thereby reducing neurodegeneration, α-synuclein deposition, and improving movement disorders in Parkinson's disease.

Rhein inhibits M1 polarization of BV2 microglia through MAPK/IκB signalling pathway and reduces neurotoxicity caused by neuroinflammation

BACKGROUND

Rhein is an anthraquinone compound with anti-inflammatory pharmacological activity. It has been found to play a neuroprotective role in neurological diseases, but the neuroprotective mechanism of rhein remains unclear.

METHODS

SH-SY5Y cells serving as neuron-like cells and BV2 microglia were used. The toxicity of rhein on BV2 microglia and the viability of SH-SY5Y cells were measured by CCK-8 assay. The mRNA expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by qPCR and ELISA. Iba1, CD86 and pathway signalling protein in BV2 microglia were assessed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells exposed to neuroinflammation was analysed through flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Rhein inhibited MAPK/IκB signalling pathways. Further studies revealed that rhein inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and iNOS in BV2 cells and also inhibited the expression of M1 polarization markers Iba1 and CD86 in BV2 cells. Furthermore, rhein reduced the apoptotic rate and restored cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells exposed to neuroinflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that rhein inhibited microglia M1 polarization via MAPK/IκB signalling pathway and protected nerve cells through suppressing neuroinflammation.

Food liposomes: Structures, components, preparations, and applications

This review explores liposomes, focusing on their structure, components, the characteristics influencing their stability and applicability in foods, and preparation methods. The role of phospholipids and liposome modulators in preparing liposomes of desired structure and size is emphasized. The potential of liposomes to enhance food value through liposomal encapsulation and delivery of functional substances is reviewed. Conventional and advanced liposome preparation methods are reviewed, underscoring their impact on the marketability of liposomes. The review highlights the need for research into lecithin properties and modulators that enhance liposome stability. The need to develop cost-effective and rapid liposome preparation methods is identified as a key factor in improving the marketability of food liposomes and promoting their use in foods.

Transferosomes as a transdermal drug delivery system: Dermal kinetics and recent developments

The development of innovative approaches to deliver medications has been growing now for the last few decades and generates a growing interest in the dermatopharmaceutical field. Transdermal drug delivery in particular, remains an attractive alternative route for many therapeutics. However, due to the limitations posed by the barrier properties of the stratum corneum, the delivery of many pharmaceutical dosage forms remains a challenge. Most successful therapies using the transdermal route have been ones containing smaller lipophilic molecules with molecular weights of a few hundred Daltons. To overcome these limitations of size and lipophilicity of the drugs, transferosomes have emerged as a successful tool for transdermal delivery of a variety of therapeutics including hydrophilic actives, larger molecules, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Transferosomes exhibit a flexible structure and higher surface hydrophilicity which both play a critical role in the transport of drugs and other solutes using hydration gradients as a driving force to deliver the molecules into and across the skin. This results in enhanced overall permeation as well as controlled release of the drug in the skin layers. Additionally, the physical-chemical properties of the transferosomes provide increased stability by preventing degradation of the actives by oxidation, light, and temperature. Here, we present the history of transferosomes from solid lipid nanoparticles and liposomes, their physical-chemical properties, dermal kinetics, and their recent advances as marketed dosage forms. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

The Effects of the Combination of Rhein and Platelet-Rich Plasma on Human Articular Chondrocytes

BACKGROUND

The presence of side effects and low bioavailability of rhein has limited its use in the treatment of osteoarthritis. We aimed to evaluate the in vitro response of human articular chondrocytes to the presence of the combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and rhein.

METHODS

Solutions of rhein were prepared to assess solubility and select a working concentration. A stimulus with interleukin-1β (IL-β, 10 ng/mL) was induced for 24 h on human chondrocytes. Five treatment groups were established: control, IL-β control, PRP, rhein, and PRP + rhein. Cell viability, cell migration, nitric oxide (NO) production, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and gene expression analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

A concentration of 50 mg/L was selected after a dose-response curve assay. Both NO and tumor TNF-α production significantly decreased after PRP and PRP + rhein treatments at 24 and 48 h. The wound healing assay revealed a significant stimulation of migration after 72 h with the PRP and PRP + rhein treatments. Expression of IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 was significantly downregulated, particularly after treatment with the combination of PRP + rhein.

CONCLUSIONS

Much of the determinations denoted a better performance of the combination of PRP and rhein in decreasing the levels of the different targets evaluated; however, this was not great enough to detect a significant difference in comparison with the PRP treatment alone.

Self-assembled fisetin-phospholipid complex: Fisetin-integrated phytosomes for effective delivery to breast cancer

Nowadays, fisetin (FIS) is extensively studied as potent anticancer surrogate with a multitarget actions against various types of cancers including breast cancer. However, its poor aqueous solubility handicapped its clinical utility. The current work endeavored, for the first time, to develop FIS phytosomes (FIS-PHY) for improving its physicochemical properties and subsequently its anticancer activity. Optimization of FIS- phytosomes involved different preparation techniques (Thin film hydration and ethanol injection) and different FIS: phospholipid molar ratios (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3). Complex formation was confirmed by complexation efficiency, infrared spectroscopy (IR), solubility studies and transmission electron microscope. The optimized FIS-PHY of 1:1 M ratio (PHY1) exhibited a nanometric particle size of 233.01 ± 9.46 nm with homogenous distribution (PDI = 0.27), negative zeta potential of - 29.41 mV, 100% complexation efficiency and controlled drug release over 24 h. In-vitro cytotoxicity study showed 2.5-fold decrease in IC50 of PHY1 compared with free FIS. Also, pharmacodynamic studies confirmed the promoted cytotoxicity of PHY1 against breast cancer through modulating TGF-β1/MMP-9 molecular pathways of tumorigenesis. Overall, overcoming FIS drawbacks were successfully achieved through development of innovative biocompatible phytosomal system.

Recent advances on transdermal delivery systems for the treatment of arthritic injuries: From classical treatment to nanomedicines

Arthritic injuries happen frequently during a lifetime due to accidents, sports, aging, diseases, etc. Such injuries can be cartilage/bone injuries, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, inflammation, pain, and/or synovitis. Oral and injective administration of therapeutics are typically used but cause many side effects. Transdermal administration is an alternative route for safe and efficient delivery. Transdermal formulations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been available on market for years and show promising efficacy in pain relieving, inflammation alleviation, infection control, and so on. Innovative transdermal patches, gels/films, and microneedles have also been widely explored as formulations to deliver therapeutics to combat arthritic injuries. However, transdermal formulations that halt disease progression and promote damage repair are translated slowly from lab bench to clinical applications. One major reason is that the skin barrier and synovial capsule barrier limit the efficacy of transdermal delivery. Recently, many nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles, nanolipids, nanoemulsions, nanocrystals, exosomes, etc., have been incorporated into transdermal formulations to advance drug delivery. The combined transdermal formulations show promising safety and efficacy. Therefore, this review will focus on stating the current development of nanomedicine-based transdermal formulations for the treatment of arthritic injuries. The advances, limitations, and future perspectives in this field will also be provided to inspire future studies and accelerate clinical translational studies. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures.

Chondroitin sulfate-functionalized lipid nanoreservoirs: a novel cartilage-targeting approach for intra-articular delivery of cassic acid for osteoarthritis treatment

Novel intra-articular nanoreservoirs were implemented employing different cartilage targeting approaches to improve cartilage bioavailability of a chondroprotective drug, cassic acid (CA), for effective amelioration of cartilage deterioration off-targeting CA gastrointestinal disorders. Herein, we compared active cartilage-targeting approach via chondroitin sulfate (CHS) functionalization versus passive targeting using positively charged nanoparticles to target negatively charged cartilage matrix. Firstly, CA integrated nanoreservoirs (CA-NRs) were fabricated based on ionic conjugation between CA and cationic hydrophobic surface modifier octadecylamine (ODA) and were further functionalized with CHS to develop CHS-CA-NRs. Confocal laser microscope was used to visualize the accumulation of nanoparticles into the cartilage tissue. Both targeting approaches promoted CA local cartilage availability and prolonged its residence time. Compared to passive targeted CA-NRs, active targeted CHS-CA-NRs showed higher fluorescence signals in proximity to and inside chondrocytes which lasted for up to 21 days. In MIA-osteoarthritic rats, CHS-CA-NRs showed superior antiosteoarthritic activity, exhibiting highest cartilage repair compared to CA-NRs. Additionally, CHS-CA-NRs significantly inhibited OA inflammatory cytokine, degradation enzyme and oxidative stress and improved cartilage matrix biosynthesis. Conclusively, CHS-CA-NRs improved OA repair showing a superior efficacy for articular cartilage targeting with CHS which could be a potential advance for OA therapy.

Cationic nanocarrier of rhein based on hydrophobic ion pairing approach as intra-articular targeted regenerative therapy for osteoarthritis

Cartilage deterioration is the hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA). Rapid clearance of intra-articularly injected drugs and inherent cartilage barrier properties represent enormous challenges facing the effective local OA therapy. Rhein (RH), a dihydroxy-anthraquinone acid molecule, possess a potential chondroprotective effect. However, RH suffers from poor oral bioavailability besides its gastrointestinal side effects. Herein, for the first time, we exploited cationic carriers to target anionic cartilage matrix to create a RH-reservoir within the cartilage matrix, improving RH therapeutic efficacy with reduced side effects. Firstly, we improved RH lipophilic characteristics employing hydrophobic ion pairing (HIP) to be efficiently loaded within lipid nanoparticles with slow-release properties. RH-HIP integrated solid lipid nanoparticles (RH-SLNs) rapidly penetrated through cartilage tissue and lasted for 3 weeks into healthy and arthritic rat joints. Furthermore, RH-SLNs significantly inhibited inflammatory response, oxidative stress and cartilage deterioration in MIA-arthritic rats. In conclusion, intra-articular cationic RH-SLNs represented a meaningful step towards OA therapy.