Development, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of kaempferol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in glioblastoma multiforme cells

Demystifying the potential of lipid-based nanocarriers in targeting brain malignancies

Drug targeting for brain malignancies is restricted due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB), which act as barriers between the blood and brain parenchyma. Certainly, the limited therapeutic options for brain malignancies have made notable progress with enhanced biological understanding and innovative approaches, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies. These advancements significantly contribute to improving patient prognoses and represent a promising shift in the landscape of brain malignancy treatments. A more comprehensive understanding of the histology and pathogenesis of brain malignancies is urgently needed. Continued research focused on unraveling the intricacies of brain malignancy biology holds the key to developing innovative and tailored therapies that can improve patient outcomes. Lipid nanocarriers are highly effective drug delivery systems that significantly improve their solubility, bioavailability, and stability while also minimizing unwanted side effects. Surface-modified lipid nanocarriers (liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, lipid nanocapsules, lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers, lipoproteins, and lipoplexes) are employed to improve BBB penetration and uptake through various mechanisms. This systematic review illuminates and covers various topics related to brain malignancies. It explores the different methods of drug delivery used in treating brain malignancies and delves into the benefits, limitations, and types of brain-targeted lipid-based nanocarriers. Additionally, this review discusses ongoing clinical trials and patents related to brain malignancy therapies and provides a glance into future perspectives for treating this condition.

Fabrication of pH-responsive temozolomide (TMZ)-clacked tannic acid-altered zeolite imidazole nanoframeworks (ZIF-8) enhance anticancer activity and apoptosis induction in glioma cancer cells

Glioma cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related fatalities globally for both men and women. Traditional chemotherapy treatments for this condition frequently result in reduced efficacy and significant adverse effects. This investigation developed a new drug delivery system for the chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide (TMZ) using pH-sensitive drug delivery zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8). These nanoplatforms demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and hold potential for cancer therapy. Utilizing the favorable reaction milieu offered by ZIFs, a 'one-pot method' was employed for the fabrication and loading of drugs, leading to a good capacity for loading. TMZ@TA@ZIF-8 NPs exhibit a notable response to an acidic milieu, resulting in an enhanced drug release pattern characterized by a controlled release outcome. The effectiveness of TMZ@TA@ZIF-8 NPs in inhibiting the migration and invasion of U251 glioma cancer cells, as well as promoting apoptosis, was confirmed through various tests, including MTT (3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)) assay, DAPI/PI dual staining, and cell scratch assay. The biochemical fluorescent staining assays showed that TMZ@TA@ZIF-8 NPs potentially improved ROS, reduced MMP, and triggered apoptosis in U251 cells. In U251 cells treated with NPs, the p53, Bax, Cyt-C, caspase-3, -8, and -9 expressions were significantly enhanced, while Bcl-2 expression was diminished. These outcomes show the potential of TMZ@TA@ZIF-8 NPs as a therapeutic agent with anti-glioma properties. Overall, the pH-responsive drug delivery systems we fabricated using TMZ@TA@ZIF-8 NPs show great potential for cancer treatment. This approach has the potential to make significant contributions to the improvement of cancer therapy by overcoming the problems associated with TMZ-based treatments.

The Role of Phytonutrient Kaempferol in the Prevention of Gastrointestinal Cancers: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives

In recent years, kaempferol, a natural flavonoid present in various fruits and vegetables, has received significant attention in gastrointestinal cancer research due to its varied therapeutic effects. Kaempferol has been proven to alter several molecular mechanisms and pathways, such as the PI3/Akt, mTOR, and Erk/MAPK pathway involved in cancer progression, showing its inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, and migration. Kaempferol is processed in the liver and small intestine, but limited bioavailability has been a major concern in the clinical implications of kaempferol. Nano formulations have been proven to enhance kaempferol's efficacy in cancer prevention. The synergy of nanotechnology and kaempferol has shown promising results in in vitro studies, highlighting the importance for more in vivo research and clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy. This review aims to focus on the role of kaempferol in various types of gastrointestinal cancer and how the combination of kaempferol with nanotechnology helps in improving therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment.

Natural-based edible nanocomposite coating for beef meat packaging

Researchers have made significant discoveries in addressing the limitations of essential oils (EOs) in food packaging using encapsulation systems combined with nanoparticles (NPs). This study aimed to develop a unique coating for beef preservation using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The optimal formulation of NLCs was determined based on size, zeta potential, and loading rate, achieving a content of 71.4% savory EO. A composite coating containing NPs was then created using different concentrations of NLCs (0, 0.85%, 1.7%, 2.55%, and 3.4%). The antimicrobial effectiveness of the coatings was assessed using well-diffusion assays to identify the best coating (17 mm). This optimized coating was applied to beef samples for 12 days, and extensive evaluation was conducted over time. The results demonstrated that the encapsulation percentage was higher than 98.7%. The optimal coating (CMC-OM-ZnO NPs-NLCs 3.4%) significantly reduced microbial growth (total count: over 1.6 log CFU/g), pH, thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), and total volatile nitrogen (TVN) compared with the control samples (P < 0.05). Overall, this novel bioactive packaging enriched with lipidic and inorganic nanomaterials represents an innovative way to improve meat products' oxidative and microbial stability.

Bioactive compounds from Actinidia arguta fruit as a new strategy to fight glioblastoma

In recent years, there has been a significant demand for natural products as a mean of disease prevention or as an alternative to conventional medications. The driving force for this change is the growing recognition of the abundant presence of valuable bioactive compounds in natural products. On recent years Actinia arguta fruit, also known as kiwiberry, has attracted a lot of attention from scientific community due to its richness in bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, organic acids, vitamins, carotenoids and fiber. These bioactive compounds contribute to the fruit's diverse outstanding biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer properties. Due to these properties, the fruit may have the potential to be used in the treatment/prevention of various types of cancer, including glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, displaying 90 % of recurrence rate within a span of 2 years. Despite the employment of an aggressive approach, the prognosis remains unfavorable, emphasizing the urgent requirement for the development of new effective treatments. The preclinical evidence suggests that kiwiberry has potential impact on glioblastoma by reducing the cancer self-renewal, modulating the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of the cell phenotype and metabolism, and influencing the consolidation of the tumor microenvironment. Even though, challenges such as the imprecise composition and concentration of bioactive compounds, and its low bioavailability after oral administration may be drawbacks to the development of kiwiberry-based treatments, being urgent to ensure the safety and efficacy of kiwiberry for the prevention and treatment of glioblastoma. This review aims to highlight the potential impact of A. arguta bioactive compounds on glioblastoma, providing novel insights into their applicability as complementary or alternative therapies.

Lipid Nanoparticles: An Effective Tool to Improve the Bioavailability of Nutraceuticals

Nano-range bioactive colloidal carrier systems are envisaged to overcome the challenges associated with treatments of numerous diseases. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), one of the extensively investigated drug delivery systems, not only improve pharmacokinetic parameters, transportation, and chemical stability of encapsulated compounds but also provide efficient targeting and reduce the risk of toxicity. Over the last decades, nature-derived polyphenols, vitamins, antioxidants, dietary supplements, and herbs have received more attention due to their remarkable biological and pharmacological health and medical benefits. However, their poor aqueous solubility, compromised stability, insufficient absorption, and accelerated elimination impede research in the nutraceutical sector. Owing to the possibilities offered by various LNPs, their ability to accommodate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules and the availability of various preparation methods suitable for sensitive molecules, loading natural fragile molecules into LNPs offers a promising solution. The primary objective of this work is to explore the synergy between nature and nanotechnology, encompassing a wide range of research aimed at encapsulating natural therapeutic molecules within LNPs.