Preparation and in vitro evaluation of vaginal formulations including siRNA and paclitaxel-loaded SLNs for cervical cancer

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals: A Review of Opportunities, Challenges, and Delivery Applications

Biopharmaceuticals such as nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides constitute a new array of treatment modalities for chronic ailments. Invasive routes remain the mainstay of administering biopharmaceuticals due to their labile nature in the biological environment. However, it is not preferred for long-term therapy due to the lack of patient adherence and clinical suitability. Therefore, alternative routes of administration are sought to utilize novel biopharmaceutical therapies to their utmost potential. Nanoparticle-mediated pulmonary delivery of biologics can facilitate both local and systemic disorders. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) afford many opportunities as pulmonary carriers due to their physicochemical stability and ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties, thus allowing novel combinatorial drug/gene therapies. These applications include pulmonary infections, lung cancer, and cystic fibrosis, while systemic delivery of biomolecules, like insulin, is also attractive for the treatment of chronic ailments. This Review explores physiological and particle-associated factors affecting pulmonary delivery of biopharmaceuticals. It compares the advantages and limitations of SLNs as pulmonary nanocarriers along with design improvements underway to overcome these limitations. Current research illustrating various SLN designs to deliver proteins, peptides, plasmids, oligonucleotides, siRNA, and mRNA is also summarized.

Novel Drug Delivery Approaches for the Localized Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading cancer type in females globally. Being an ailment of the birth canal, primitive treatment strategies, including surgery, radiation, or laser therapy, bring along the risk of infertility, neonate mortality, premature parturition, etc. Systemic chemotherapy led to systemic toxicity. Therefore, delivering a smaller cargo of therapeutics to the local site is more beneficial in terms of efficacy as well as safety. Due to the regeneration of cervicovaginal mucus, conventional dosage forms come with the limitations of leaking, the requirement of repeated administration, and compromised vaginal retention. Therefore, these days novel strategies are being investigated with the ability to combat the limitations of conventional formulations. Novel carriers can be engineered to manipulate bioadhesive properties and sustained release patterns can be obtained thus leading to the maintenance of actives at therapeutic level locally for a longer period. Other than the purpose of CC treatment, these delivery systems also have been designed as postoperative care where a certain dose of antitumor agent will be maintained in the cervix postsurgical removal of the tumor. Herein, the most explored localized delivery systems for the treatment of CC, namely, nanofibers, nanoparticles, in situ gel, liposome, and hydrogel, have been discussed in detail. These carriers have exceptional properties that have been further modified with the aid of a wide range of polymers in order to serve the required purpose of therapeutic effect, safety, and stability. Further, the safety of these delivery systems toward vital organs has also been discussed.

Innovative strategies for effective paclitaxel delivery: Recent developments and prospects

PURPOSE

Paclitaxel is an effective chemotherapeutic agent against a variety of cancer types. However, the clinical utility of paclitaxel is restricted by its poor solubility in water and high toxicity, resulting in low drug tolerance. These difficulties could be resolved by using suitable pharmacological carriers. Hence, it is essential to determine innovative methods of administering this effective medication to overcome paclitaxel's inherent limitations.

METHODS

An extensive literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases to identify relevant studies published.

RESULTS

In this comprehensive analysis, many different paclitaxel delivery systems are covered and discussed, such as albumin-bound paclitaxel, polymeric micelles, paclitaxel-loaded liposomes, prodrugs, cyclodextrins, and peptide-taxane conjugates. Moreover, the review also covers various delivery routes of conventional paclitaxel or novel paclitaxel formulations, such as oral administration, local applications, and intraperitoneal delivery.

CONCLUSION

In addition to albumin-bound paclitaxel, polymeric micelles appear to be the most promising formulations for innovative drug delivery systems at present. A variety of variants of polymeric micelles are currently undergoing advanced phases of clinical trials.

Codelivery of Que and BCL-2 siRNA with Lipid-Copolymer Hybrid Nanocomplexes for Efficient Tumor Regression

The efficacy of chemotherapy is often reduced due to the chemotherapy resistance of tumor cells, which is usually caused by abnormal gene overexpression. Herein, multifunctional nanocomplexes (Que/siBCL2@BioMICs) were developed to deliver quercetin (Que) and BCL-2 siRNA (siBCL2) to synergistically inhibit tumor growth. The nanocomplexes were composed of an amphiphilic triblock copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-poly[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate]-polycaprolactone (PEGMA-PDMAEA-PCL) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol)-biotin (DSPE-PEG-biotin). Que was encapsulated into the cores through hydrophobic interactions, while negatively charged siBCL2 was loaded through electrostatic interactions. The nanocomplexes could effectively facilitate cellular uptake via biotin-mediated active targeting and cytosolic release of cargos by the "proton sponge effect" of PDMAEA. Que/siBCL2@BioMICs achieved enhanced cytotoxicity and anti-metastasis activity due to a synergistic effect of Que and siBCL2 in vitro. More importantly, superior anti-tumor efficacy was observed in orthotopic 4T1 tumor-bearing mice with reduced primary tumor burden and lung metastatic nodules, while no obvious side effects to major organs were observed. In conclusion, the biotin-targeted nanocomplexes with chemotherapeutic and nucleotide agent entrapment provide a promising strategy for efficient triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) therapy.

Chitosan Surface-Modified PLGA Nanoparticles Loaded with Cranberry Powder Extract as a Potential Oral Delivery Platform for Targeting Colon Cancer Cells

Nutraceutical cranberry powder extract (CBPE) has distinct polyphenols inhibiting colon cancer growth and proliferation. However, its oral therapeutic efficacy is hindered because of its low permeability. This study aims to formulate chitosan surface-modified PLGA nanoparticles (CS-PLGA NPs) for encapsulating CBPE and modulating its release rate, permeation, cell targeting, and, therefore, its cytotoxicity. A full 2³ factorial design is employed to scrutinize the effect of lactide/glycolide ratio, PLGA weight, and stabilizer concentrations on entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP). The optimum formula (F4) shows spherical particles with a relatively high EE% (72.30 ± 2.86%), an appropriate size of 370.10 ± 10.31 nm, PDI; 0.398 ± 0.001, and ZP; -5.40 ± 0.21 mV. Alongside the ATR-FTIR outcomes, the chitosan surface-modified formula (CS-F4) demonstrates a significant increase in particle size (417.67 ± 6.77 nm) and a shift from negative to positive zeta potential (+21.63 ± 2.46 mV), confirming the efficiency of surface modification with chitosan. The intestinal permeability of F4 and CS-F4 is significantly increased by 2.19- and 3.10-fold, respectively, compared to the CBPE solution, with the permeability coefficient (P_app) being 2.05 × 10^-4 cm/min and 2.91 × 10^-4 cm/min, for F4 and CS-F4, respectively, compared to the CBPE solution, 9.36 × 10^-5 cm/min. Moreover, CS-F4 evidences significant caspase-3 protein level expression stimulation and significant inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) protein expression levels, confirming the superiority of CS-F4 for targeting HT-29 cells. Briefly, CS-PLGA NPs could be regarded as a prosperous delivery system of CBPE with enhanced permeation, cell targeting, and antitumor efficacy.

Evaluation of Cell Proliferation and Wound Healing Effects of Vitamin A Palmitate-Loaded PLGA/Chitosan-Coated PLGA Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, Release, and Release Kinetics

In this study, vitamin A palmitate (VAP)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticle (NP) systems were prepared by the nanoprecipitation technique. The prepared systems were characterized by parameters such as particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro dissolution, and release kinetic study. Then, the cytotoxicity and wound healing profiles of the designed NP formulations in HaCaT (human keratinocyte skin cell lines) were determined. The particle size of VAP-loaded NPs was obtained between 196.33 ± 0.65 and 669.23 ± 5.49 nm. PDI data proved that all NPs were prepared as high quality and monodisperse. While negative ζ-potential values of Blank-NP-1 and NP-1 encoded PLGA NP formulations were obtained, positive ζ-potential was obtained in chitosan-coated NPs. In vitro release studies of NPs observed rapid dissolution in the first 1-6 h, but prolonged dissolution of VAP after rapid dissolution. As a result of cell culture studies and wound healing activity studies, it was determined that NP-7 was the most effective. It was thought that the reason for this was that the NP-7 coded formulation was a chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticle with the smallest particle size, and it was concluded that the efficiency of VAP was increased with its nanoparticle structure. This study demonstrated the similar wound healing effects of VAP-loaded nanoparticle systems, in particular NP-7, which increases keratinocyte cell proliferation at lower concentrations (10 μg·mL^-1) than vitamin A alone (100 μg·mL^-1). VAP-loaded nanocarriers that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry have been successfully produced and the results obtained have been evaluated as promising for this industry.

Progresses in Nano-Enabled Platforms for the Treatment of Vaginal Disorders

BACKGROUND

The most common vaginal disorders are within the uterus. According to the latest statistics, vaginal disorders occur in 50% to 60% of females. Although curative treatments rely on surgical therapy, still first-line treatment is a non invasive drug. Conventional therapies are available in the oral and parenteral route, leading to nonspecific targeting, which can cause dose-related side effects. Vaginal disorders are localized uterine disorders in which intrauterine delivery via the vaginal site is deemed the preferable route to mitigate clinical drug delivery limitations.

OBJECTIVE

This study emphasizes the progress of site-specific and controlled delivery of therapeutics in the treatment of vaginal disorders and systemic adverse effects as well as the therapeutic efficacy.

METHODS

Related research reports and patents associated with topics are collected, utilized, and summarized the key findings.

RESULTS

The comprehensive literature study and patents like (US 9393216 B2), (JP6672370B2), and (WO2018041268A1) indicated that nanocarriers are effective above traditional treatments and have some significant efficacy with novelty.

CONCLUSION

Nowadays, site-specific and controlled delivery of therapeutics for the treatment of vaginal disorders is essential to prevent systemic adverse effects and therapeutic efficacy would be more effective. Nanocarriers have therefore been used to bypass the problems associated with traditional delivery systems for the vaginal disorder.

HDL-Chitosan Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery as an SR-B1 Receptor Targeted System

AIMS

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is a complex structure unique to the human body. ApoA-1 protein is a significant structural/functional protein of HDL and provides a natural interaction with the SR-B1 receptors on the cell membrane. The overexpression of the SR-B1 receptor in the membrane of malignant cells suggests that targeting cancer cells can be possible using HDL. The objective of this study was to prepare HDL-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles containing a genetic material that can be used for liver cancer.

METHODS

HDL used in the preparation of the formulations have been obtained by isolating from blood samples taken from healthy volunteers. Bcl-2 siRNA inhibiting BCL-2 oncogene was selected as the genetic material. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using the ionic gelation method utilizing low molecular weight chitosan. Physicochemical properties of formulations, transfection efficacy, and cytotoxicity of them on 3T3 and HepG2 cell lines were examined.

RESULTS

The average diameters of the selected formulations were below 250 nm with a positive zeta potential value between +36 ± 0.1 and +34 ± 0.5 mV. All formulations protected Bcl-2 siRNA from enzymatic degradation in the presence of serum. Cellular uptake ratios of particles by HepG2 cells were found to be between 76% and 98%. HDL/chitosan nanoparticles/Bcl-2 siRNA complex was found to be more toxic when compared to chitosan nanoparticles/Bcl-2 siRNA complex and naked Bcl-2 siRNA.

CONCLUSION

According to attained results, the HDL-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles can bring advantages for targeted siRNA delivery to malignant cells that overexpress SR-B1 receptors, such as HepG2.

Nanogels as Novel Nanocarrier Systems for Efficient Delivery of CNS Therapeutics

Nanogels have come out as a great potential drug delivery platform due to its prominently high colloidal stability, high drug loading, core-shell structure, good permeation property and can be responsive to environmental stimuli. Such nanoscopic drug carriers have more excellent abilities over conventional nanomaterials for permeating to brain parenchyma in vitro and in vivo. Nanogel-based system can be nanoengineered to bypass physiological barriers via non-invasive treatment, rendering it a most suitable platform for the management of neurological conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders, brain tumors, epilepsy and ischemic stroke, etc. Therapeutics of central nervous system (CNS) diseases have shown marked limited site-specific delivery of CNS by the poor access of various drugs into the brain, due to the presences of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). Hence, the availability of therapeutics delivery strategies is considered as one of the most major challenges facing the treatment of CNS diseases. The primary objective of this review is to elaborate the newer advances of nanogel for CNS drugs delivery, discuss the early preclinical success in the field of nanogel technology and highlight different insights on its potential neurotoxicity.

Noncoding RNAs and their therapeutics in paclitaxel chemotherapy: Mechanisms of initiation, progression, and drug sensitivity

The identification of agents that can reverse drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy, and enhance the overall efficacy is of great interest. Paclitaxel (PTX) belongs to taxane family that exerts an antitumor effect by stabilizing microtubules and inhibiting cell cycle progression. However, PTX resistance often develops in tumors due to the overexpression of drug transporters and tumor-promoting pathways. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are modulators of many processes in cancer cells, such as apoptosis, migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis. In the present study, we summarize the effects of ncRNAs on PTX chemotherapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can have opposite effects on PTX resistance (stimulation or inhibition) via influencing YES1, SK2, MRP1, and STAT3. Moreover, miRNAs modulate the growth and migration rates of tumor cells in regulating PTX efficacy. PIWI-interacting RNAs, small interfering RNAs, and short-hairpin RNAs are other members of ncRNAs regulating PTX sensitivity of cancer cells. Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are similar to miRNAs and can modulate PTX resistance/sensitivity by their influence on miRNAs and drug efflux transport. The cytotoxicity of PTX against tumor cells can also be affected by circular RNAs (circRNAs) and limitation is that oncogenic circRNAs have been emphasized and experiments should also focus on onco-suppressor circRNAs.

RNAi-based therapeutics and tumor targeted delivery in cancer

Over the past decade, non-coding RNA-based therapeutics have proven as a great potential for the development of targeted therapies for cancer and other diseases. The discovery of the critical function of microRNAs (miRNAs) has generated great excitement in developing miRNA-based therapies. The dysregulation of miRNAs contributes to the pathogenesis of various human diseases and cancers by modulating genes that are involved in critical cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and tumorigenesis. miRNA (miRNA mimic, anti-miRNA/antagomir) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) can inhibit the expression of any cancer-related genes/mRNAs with high specificity through RNA interference (RNAi), thus representing a remarkable therapeutic tool for targeted therapies and precision medicine. siRNA and miRNA-based therapies have entered clinical trials and recently three novel siRNA-based therapeutics were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), indicating the beginning of a new era of targeted therapeutics. The successful clinical applications of miRNA and siRNA therapeutics rely on safe and effective nanodelivery strategies for targeting tumor cells or tumor microenvironment. For this purpose, promising nanodelivery/nanoparticle-based approaches have been developed using a variety of molecules for systemic administration and improved tumor targeted delivery with reduced side effects. In this review, we present an overview of RNAi-based therapeutics, the major pharmaceutical challenges, and the perspectives for the development of promising delivery systems for clinical translation. We also highlight the passive and active tumor targeting nanodelivery strategies and primarily focus on the current applications of nanoparticle-based delivery formulations for tumor targeted RNAi molecules and their recent advances in clinical trials in human cancers.

siRNA nanohybrid systems: false hope or feasible answer in cancer management

Finding out predisposition and makeup alterations in cancer cells has prompted the exploration of exogenous small interference RNA (siRNA) as a therapeutic agent to deal with cancer. siRNA is subjected to many limitations that hinders its cellular uptake. Various nanocarriers have been loaded with siRNA to improve their cellular transportation and have moved to clinical trials. However, many restrictions as low encapsulation efficiency, nanocarrier cytotoxicity and premature release of siRNA have impeded the single nanocarrier use. The realm of nanohybrid systems has emerged to overcome these limitations and to synergize the criteria of two or more nanocarriers. Different nanohybrid systems that were developed as cellular pathfinders for the exogenous siRNA to target cancer will be illustrated in this review.

Formulation and Characterization Studies of Inclusion Complexes of Voriconazole for Possible Ocular Application

In our study Voriconazole (VOR) was selected as an active agent to be used for the treatment of ocular fungal infections. To overcome low aqueous solubility of VOR, inclusion complexes with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin (HP-CD), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD), methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) and sulfabutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) were formulated. Characterization studies revealed that inclusion complexes were formulated successfully with lyophilization method. Aqueous solubility of VOR was enhanced up to 86 fold with the formation of the inclusion complexes. MTT analyses results revealed the safety of the complexes on 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell lines while Microbroth Dilution Method revealed the remarkable antifungal activities of the complexes. Analyses results revealed that inclusion complexes will overcome the poor ocular bioavailability of VOR resulting in efficient treatment of severe ocular fungal infections.

Nanotechnology lights up the antitumor potency by combining chemotherapy with siRNA

Nanotechnology-based combination anticancer therapy offers novel approaches to overcome the limitations of single-agent administration. The emerging siRNA technology combined with chemotherapy has shown considerable promise in anticancer therapy. There are three main challenges in the fabrication of siRNA/chemotherapeutic drug co-loaded nanovectors: adequate cargo protection, precise targeted delivery, and site-specific cargo release. This review presents a summary of the nanosystems that have recently been developed for co-delivering siRNA and chemotherapeutic drugs. Their combined therapeutic effects are also discussed.

Preparation and Characterization of Palladium Derivate-Loaded Micelle Formulation in Vitro as an Innovative Therapy Option against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Nanoparticles have been used in cancer treatments to target tumor and reduce side effects. In this study, we aimed to increase the effectiveness of palladium(II) complex [PdCl(terpy)](sac) ⋅ 2H₂ O, which previously showed anticancer potential, by preparing the nanoparticle formulation. An inhalable micellar dispersion containing a palladium(II) complex (PdNP) was prepared and its physicochemical characteristics were evaluated using in vitro tests. Morphology, size and surface charges of particle and loading/encapsulation efficiency of PdNP were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, zeta sizer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry while aerosol properties of PdNP were measured by the next generation impactor. A549 and H1299 non-small lung cancer cell types were used for cytotoxicity using SRB and ATP assays. Fluorescent staining and M30 antigen assay were carried out for cell death evaluation. Apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry analyses. SEM, particle size, and zeta potential results showed the particles have inhalable properties. The amount of the palladium(II) complex loaded into the particles was quantified which indicated high encapsulation efficiencies (97 %). The micellar dispersion expected to reach the alveolar region and the brachial region was determined 35 % and 47 %, respectively. PdNP showed an anti-growth effect by increasing reactive oxygen species that is followed by the induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis that is evidenced by pyknotic nuclei and M30 antigen level increments and disruption of polarization of membrane in mitochondria (Δψm). The results show that PdNP might be a promising inhalable novel complex to be used in non-small cell lung cancer, which warrants animal studies in further.

Enhanced mucosal penetration and efficient inhibition efficacy against cervical cancer of PEGylated docetaxel nanocrystals by TAT modification

To investigate the potential of cell penetrating peptide (CPP) modification on nanomedicine for improving mucosal penetration and effective therapy of cervical cancer, docetaxel nanocrystals modified with trans-activator of transcription (TAT) peptide were designed for treatment of cervical cancer via vaginal administration. Docetaxel nanocrystals were coated by polymerization of dopamine to form polydopamine (PDA) coating which facilitated TAT modification and PEGylation for less mucus entrapment to get PEGylated nanocrystals modified with TAT (NC@PDA-PEG-TAT). Enhanced cellular drug uptake and cytotoxicity of NC@PDA-PEG-TAT was observed in cervical cancer-related TC-1 cells than that of PEGylated nanocrystals (NC@PDA-PEG). Intravaginally administered NC@PDA-PEG-TAT dispersed in poloxamer 407-based thermosensitive gel exhibited prolonged in vivo intravaginal retention, deeper mucosal penetration and more potent inhibition on the growth of murine orthotopic cervical cancer than NC@PDA-PEG, PDA-coated nanocrystals or unmodified nanocrystals. All data suggested the significance of CPP-modification on nanocrystals in the local treatment of vaginal mucosa-related diseases by vaginal administration.

Novel formulations and drug delivery systems to administer biological solids

Recent advances in formulation sciences have expanded the previously limited design space for biological modalities, including peptide, protein, and vaccine products. At the same time, the discovery and application of new modalities, such as cellular therapies and gene therapies, have presented formidable challenges to formulation scientists. We explore these challenges and highlight the opportunities to overcome them through the development of novel formulations and drug delivery systems as biological solids. We review the current progress in both industry and academic laboratories, and we provide expert perspectives in those settings. Formulation scientists have made a tremendous effort to accommodate the needs of these novel delivery routes. These include stability-preserving formulations and dehydration processes as well as dosing regimes and dosage forms that improve patient compliance.

Progress in Natural Compounds/siRNA Co-delivery Employing Nanovehicles for Cancer Therapy

Chemotherapy using natural compounds, such as resveratrol, curcumin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, etoposide, doxorubicin, and camptothecin, is of importance in cancer therapy because of the outstanding therapeutic activity and multitargeting capability of these compounds. However, poor solubility and bioavailability of natural compounds have limited their efficacy in cancer therapy. To circumvent this hurdle, nanocarriers have been designed to improve the antitumor activity of the aforementioned compounds. Nevertheless, cancer treatment is still a challenge, demanding novel strategies. It is well-known that a combination of natural products and gene therapy is advantageous over monotherapy. Delivery of multiple therapeutic agents/small interfering RNA (siRNA) as a potent gene-editing tool in cancer therapy can maximize the synergistic effects against tumor cells. In the present review, co-delivery of natural compounds/siRNA using nanovehicles are highlighted to provide a backdrop for future research.

Pectin co-functionalized dual layered solid lipid nanoparticle made by soluble curcumin for the targeted potential treatment of colorectal cancer

The investigation is to increase the cytotoxicity of soluble curcumin (SC) by loading it onto pectin and skimmed milk powder (SMP) dual layered solid lipid nanoparticles (DL-SLN). The DL-SLN exhibited significantly higher encapsulation efficiency (83.94 ± 6.16), better stability (90 days), and sustained the drug release in different gastro intestional (GI) environments upto 72 h. Molecular docking revealed that the Vander Waals (57420.669 Kcal^-mol^-1) and electrostatic (-197.533) bonds were involved in the DL-SLN complex formation. The in vivo toxicity of DL-SLN was performed by the zebrafish model, the cell cycle arrest at G₂/M phase (64.34 %) by flow cytometry, and western blot investigation was recognized molecular level cell death using SW480 cells. Pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluation (Cmax-5.78 ± 3.26 μg/mL; Tmax-24 h) and organ distribution studies confirmed that the co-functionalized pectin based SLN could efficiently improve the oral bioavailability (up to 72 h) of curcumin (CMN) on colon-targeted release.

Preparation and in vitro characterization of rosuvastatin calcium incorporated methyl beta cyclodextrin and Captisol® inclusion complexes

Despite being the most effective hypolipidemic agent, poor physicochemical properties of Rosuvastatin calcium (RCa) remain challenging obstacles in the development of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Inclusion complexes (ICs) of RCa with cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives; methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD; Captisol^®) were formulated by kneading and freeze-drying (lyophilization) methods. Pysicochemical properties of ICs were evaluated by SEM, DSC, XRD, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR analyses. Entrapment efficiency (EE), water solubility, in vitro release analyses were also performed. Safety and efficacy of the ICs were analyzed by cytotoxicity and permeation studies on Caco-2 cell lines. Both CDs indicated A_L type phase solubility diagrams showing that [1:1] molar ratio. Apparent stability constants (K_1:1) were found to be 60.93 M^-1 for M-β-CD and 158.07 M^-1 for Captisol^®. High EE in the range of 93.50-105.40% was achieved. Molar solubility of RCa was increased 3.7- and 4.1-fold with M-β-CD and Captisol^® ICs, respectively. In vitro release analyses have indicated the equivalence of dissolution profiles for M-β-CD and Captisol^® based ICs to that of pure RCa (f₂ > 50). Cytotoxicity studies on Caco-2 cell lines have revealed the safety of ICs for oral use. Permeability studies demonstrated that selected lyophilized F6 formulation has shown the best permeation rate with P_app value of 3.08 × 10^-7 cm·s^-1. Considering greater water solubility, lower toxicity, high efficiency of complexation as well as, RCa-like permeability and in vitro release behavior at pH 6.8; Captisol^® based lyophilized F6 formulation was selected as the best IC to be used in oral dosage forms of RCa.

Enhanced Cellular Uptake and Gene Silencing Activity of Survivin-siRNA via Ultrasound-Mediated Nanobubbles in Lung Cancer Cells

PURPOSE

Paclitaxel is a first-line drug for the therapy of lung cancer, however, drug resistance is a serious limiting factor, related to overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins like survivin. To overcome this phenomenon, developing novel ultrasound responsive nanobubbles - nanosized drug delivery system- for the delivery of paclitaxel and siRNA in order to silence survivin expression in the presence of ultrasound was aimed.

METHODS

Paclitaxel-carrying nanobubble formulation was obtained by modifying the multistep method. Then, the complex formation of the nanobubbles - paclitaxel formulation with survivin-siRNA, was examined in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology. Furthermore, siRNA binding and protecting ability, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, gene silencing, and induction of apoptosis studies were investigated in terms of lung cancer cells.

RESULTS

Developed nanobubbles have particle sizes of 218.9-369.6 nm, zeta potentials of 27-34 mV, were able to protect siRNA from degradation and delivered siRNA into the lung cancer cells. Survivin expression was significantly lower compared with the control groups and enhanced apoptosis was induced by the co-delivery of survivin-siRNA and paclitaxel. Furthermore, significantly higher effects were obtained in the presence of ultrasound induction.

CONCLUSION

The ultrasound responsive nanobubble system carrying paclitaxel and survivin-siRNA is a promising and effective approach against lung cancer cells.

Nanomedicine for Gene Delivery for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Background:

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most severe ischemic heart disease and di-rectly leads to heart failure till death. Target molecules have been identified in the event of MI including increasing angiogenesis, promoting cardiomyocyte survival, improving heart function and restraining inflammation and myocyte activation and subsequent fibrosis. All of which are substantial in cardiomy-ocyte protection and preservation of cardiac function.

Methodology:

To modulate target molecule expression, virus and non-virus-mediated gene transfer have been investigated. Despite successful in animal models of MI, virus-mediated gene transfer is hampered by poor targeting efficiency, low packaging capacity for large DNA sequences, immunogenicity induced by virus and random integration into the human genome.

Discussion:

Nanoparticles could be synthesized and equipped on purpose for large-scale production. They are relatively small in size and do not incorporate into the genome. They could carry DNA and drug within the same transfer. All of these properties make them an alternative strategy for gene transfer. In the review, we first introduce the pathological progression of MI. After concise discussion on the current status of virus-mediated gene therapy in treating MI, we overview the history and development of nanoparticle-based gene delivery system. We point out the limitations and future perspective in the field of nanoparticle vehicle.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, we hope that this review could help to better understand how far we are with nanoparticle-facilitated gene transfer strategy and what obstacles we need to solve for utilization of na-nomedicine in the treatment of MI.

Targeted siRNA Delivery Using Lipid Nanoparticles

Efficient intracellular delivery of small-interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) to the target organ or tissues in the body is assumed as the main hurdle for a widespread use of siRNAs in the clinics. Solid lipid-based nanoparticles (SLNs) and derivatives can potentially fit this purpose by enabling to overcome the extracellular and intracellular physiological barriers affecting the delivery. For that, rational formulations and rational process designs are needed. This chapter addresses a comprehensive description and critical appraisal of the main production methods of this particular type of lipid nanoparticles and the leading strategies to prompt a targeted delivery of siRNA.

Co-delivery of curcumin and Bcl-2 siRNA by PAMAM dendrimers for enhancement of the therapeutic efficacy in HeLa cancer cells

Co-delivery of therapeutic agents and small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be achieved by a suitable nanovehicle. In this work, the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin (Cur) were enhanced by entrapment in a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer, and a polyplex was formed by grafting Bcl-2 siRNA onto the surface amine groups to produce PAMAM-Cur/Bcl-2 siRNA nanoparticles (NPs). The synthesized polyplex NPs had a particle size of ∼180 nm, and high Cur loading content of ∼82 wt%. Moreover, the PAMAM-Cur/Bcl-2 siRNA NPs showed more effective cellular uptake, and higher inhibition of tumor cell proliferation compared to PAMAM-Cur nanoformulation and free Cur, due to the combined effect of co-delivery of Cur and Bcl-2 siRNA. The newly described PAMAM-Cur/Bcl-2 siRNA polyplex NPs could be a promising co-delivery nanovehicle.

A Paclitaxel-Based Mucoadhesive Nanogel with Multivalent Interactions for Cervical Cancer Therapy

Cervical cancer treatment is subject to limited drug access to locally diseased targets and generally resistant to chemotherapy, thus it is essential to develop a local drug delivery system to overcome these problems, premised on guaranteeing drug efficacy. With this goal in mind, a multivalent interactions-based mucoadhesive nanogel for vaginal delivery is proposed. Briefly, the nanogel is constructed with mucoadhesive poly(acrylic acid) as the backbone and multiple inclusions between β-cyclodextrin and paclitaxel as the crosslinking points. The in vitro experiments demonstrate that nanogel exerts high cytotoxicity to cancer cells, reverses multidrug resistance effectively, and successfully promotes the permeation of drugs. More to the point, as proved in the in vivo experiments, the retention time in the vagina is prolonged and the tumor growth is effectively suppressed by the nanogel without any side effects in the orthotopic cervical cancer model. As mentioned above, this novel mucoadhesive nanogel is believed to be a useful tool toward designing drug delivery systems for cervical cancer treatment.

Clarithromycin-Loaded Poly (Lactic-co-glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles for Oral Administration: Effect of Polymer Molecular Weight and Surface Modification with Chitosan on Formulation, Nanoparticle Characterization and Antibacterial Effects

Clarithromycin (CLR) is a member of the macrolide antibiotic group. CLR has low systemic oral bioavailability and is a drug of class II of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System. In many studies, using nanoparticles (NPs) as a drug delivery system has been shown to increase the effectiveness and bioavailability of active drug substances. This study describes the development and evaluation of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs and chitosan (CS)-coated PLGA NPs for oral delivery of CLR. NPs were obtained by nanoprecipitation technique and characterized in detail, and the effect of three molecular weights (Mw1: 7.000-17.000, Mw2: 38.000-54.000, Mw3: 50.000-190.000) of PLGA and CS coating on particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE%), and release properties etc. were elucidated. Gastrointestinal stability and cryoprotectant effect tests were performed on the NPs. The PS of the prepared NPs were in the range of 178 to 578 nm and they were affected by the Mw and CS coating. In surface-modified formulations with CS, the ZP of the NPs increased significantly to positive values. EE% varied from 62% to 85%, depending upon the Mw and CS coating. In vitro release studies of CLR-loaded NPs showed an extended release up to 144 h. Peppas-Sahlin and Weibull kinetic model was found to fit best for CLR release from NPs. By the broth microdilution test method, the antibacterial activity of the formulations was determined on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 1911), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603). The structures of the formulations were clarified by thermal (DSC), FT-IR, and 1H-NMR analysis. The results showed that PS, ZP, EE%, and dissolution rates of NPs were directly related to the Mw of PLGA and CS coating.

Sanguinarine exhibits potent efficacy against cervical cancer cells through inhibiting the STAT3 pathway in vitro and in vivo

Background

Cervical cancer is the third most common malignancy among female cancer patients worldwide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor which regulates a variety of cancer cellular physiological activities including cervical cancer. Sanguinarine (SNG) is a natural plant-derived benzophenanthridine alkaloid that possesses antitumor activities in several cancer cells. However, its anticancer effect on human cervical cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully defined.

Methods

In this study, the inhibitory effect of SNG on the proliferation and growth of HeLa cell was detected by MTT assay. Next, cell cycle and apoptosis of HeLa cells was analyzed using Annexin-V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. Then, we measured intracellular ROS generation induced by SNG in HeLa cells by DCFH-DA (10 μM) staining, and the expression level of p-STAT3 and STAT3 was detected by Western blot. Finally, in order to study the effect of SNG on tumor growth in vivo, athymic nude mice were used in the vivo experiments.

Result

This study showed that SNG dose-dependently decreased the tumor cell proliferation and induced a marked increase in cell apoptosis in HeLa cells. Western blot analysis results revealed that SNG-induced antitumor effect might be mediated by STAT3 inhibition. SNG increased the expression of the proapoptotic protein Bax and reduced the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. We further found that SNG dose-dependently increased ROS level in Hela cells. Moreover, pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine, a scavenger of ROS, almost reversed the SNG-induced anticancer effect. In addition, SNG inhibited human cervical cancer xenograft growth without exhibiting toxicity in vivo.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight STAT3 as a promising therapeutic target. We also demonstrate that SNG is a novel anticancer drug for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Enhanced Delivery of Imatinib into Vaginal Mucosa via a New Positively Charged Nanocrystal-Loaded in Situ Hydrogel Formulation for Treatment of Cervical Cancer

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential of cationic functionalization on imatinib nanocrystals to improve the mucoadhesiveness and, thus, delivery to the lesion of cervicovaginal tumors. Amino-group-functionalized imatinib nanocrystals (NC@PDA-NH₂) were prepared with near-spheroid shape, nanoscale size distribution, positive zeta potential, and relatively high drug content with the aid of the polydopamine-coating technique. Efficient interaction between NC@PDA-NH₂ and mucin was proven by mucin adsorption which was related to the positive zeta-potential value of NC@PDA-NH₂ and the change in the size distribution on mixing of NC@PDA-NH₂ and mucin. Cellular uptake, growth inhibition, and apoptosis induction in cervicovaginal cancer-related cells demonstrated the superiority of NC@PDA-NH₂ over unmodified nanocrystals. For practical intravaginal administration, NC@PDA-NH₂ was dispersed in Pluronic F127-based thermosensitive in situ hydrogel, which showed suitable gelation temperature and sustained-release profiles. In comparison with unmodified nanocrystals, NC@PDA-NH₂ exhibited extended residence on ex vivo murine vaginal mucosa, prolonged in vivo intravaginal residence, and enhanced inhibition on the growth of murine orthotopic cervicovaginal model tumors indicated by smaller tumor size, longer median survival time, and more intratumor apoptosis with negligible mucosal toxicity. In conclusion, cationic functionalization endowed NC@PDA-NH₂ significant mucoadhesiveness and, thus, good potential against cervicovaginal cancer via intravaginal administration.

Vaginal Suppositories with siRNA and Paclitaxel-Incorporated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Cervical Cancer: Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation

The objective of this study is to prepare vaginal suppository containing chemotherapeutic agent and genetic material that can be applied locally for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most life-threatening types of cancer among women and is generally resistant to chemotherapy. Paclitaxel has been selected as chemotherapeutic agent, and siRNA that inhibits the Bcl-2 oncogene has been selected as the genetic material for simultaneous vaginal delivery. For this purpose, three different solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared that include Bcl-2 siRNA and paclitaxel and paclitaxel/Bcl-2 siRNA combination separately, and these SLN formulations were dispersed in vaginal suppositories prepared with PEG 6000. First, the physicochemical properties of SLNs, their cytotoxicities on HeLa cell lines, and the transfection ability of siRNA-incorporated SLN on the cells have been examined. Afterward, the release of SLNs from the three different vaginal suppositories prepared has been determined via horizontal diffusion chamber system. The loaded amount to the SLNs and release amount from suppositories of paclitaxel have been determined via HPLC, whereas stability, loading, and release amount of siRNA has been determined via gel retardation system and UV spectrophotometer.

Current development in the formulations of non-injection administration of paclitaxel

Paclitaxel (PTX) belongs to a class of taxane anti-tumor drug used for the clinic treatment of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and so on. PTX has poor water solubility and oral bioavailability. It is generally administered via intravenous (i.v.) infusion. Traditional PTX injectable preparations contain Cremophor-EL and ethanol to improve its solubility, which would result in adverse reactions like severe hypersensitivity, neutropenia, etc. Adverse reactions can be reduced only by complicated pretreatment with glucocorticoid and antihistamines drugs and followed by PTX slow infusion for three hours, which has brought significant inconvenience to the patients. Though, a new-generation PTX formulation, Abraxane, free of Cremophor-EL and ethanol, is still being administrated by frequent i.v. infusions and extremely expensive. Therefore, non-injection administration of PTX is urgently needed to avoid the side effects as well as reduce inconvenience to the patients. Recently, a variety of non-injection drug delivery systems (DDSs) of PTX have been developed. This review aims to discuss the progress of non-injectable administration systems of PTX, including oral administration systems, vaginal administration systems, implantable DDSs, transdermal DDSs and intranasal administration for the future study and clinical applications.

Co-delivery of hypoxia inducible factor-1α small interfering RNA and 5-fluorouracil to overcome drug resistance in gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells

BACKGROUND

Drug resistance cancer cells have become a major problem in chemotherapy. To solve this problem, the co-delivery of small interefering RNA (siRNA) and 5-fluorouracil chitosan nanoparticles was employed, aiming to reverse the multidrug resistance of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells in vitro.

METHODS

Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using an ionic gel method. siRNA nanoparticles were characterized by gel retardation assays. Particle size and zeta potential were measured to confirm nanoparticle formation. The transfection efficiency of siRNA was determined by flow cytometry and high-content screening. Western blotting and a quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction were used to assess the silencing efficiency of siRNA. Accumulation and efflux experiments for rhodamine-123, cell migration experiments, cell sensitivity analyses and cell apoptosis assays were used to determine whether siRNA could reverse multidrug resistance. A systemic toxicity assay was used to evaluate the safety of nanoparticles.

RESULTS

Compared to naked siRNA, the co-delivery system demonstrated a higher transfection efficiency and gene silencing efficiency by inhibiting the efflux of P-glycoprotein and cell migration. Moreover, the combination treatment with siRNA and 5-fluorouracil co-delivered by chitosan nanoparticles can increase the sensitivity of drug resistance cells and cell apoptosis. Finally, the safety of nanoparticles was evaluated in vivo and the results obtained suggested that nanoparticles did not have any obvious toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-delivery of siRNA and 5-fluorouracil chitosan nanoparticles is an attractive strategy for overcoming multidrug resistance.