Sclareol-loaded hyaluronan-coated PLGA nanoparticles: Physico-chemical properties and in vitro anticancer features

Enhanced Efficacy against Drug-Resistant Tumors Enabled by Redox-Responsive Mesoporous-Silica-Nanoparticle-Supported Lipid Bilayers as Targeted Delivery Vehicles

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is frequently induced after long-term exposure to reduce the therapeutic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs, which is always associated with the overexpression of efflux proteins, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Nano-delivery technology can be used as an efficient strategy to overcome tumor MDR. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized and linked with a disulfide bond and then coated with lipid bilayers. The functionalized shell/core delivery systems (HT-LMSNs-SS@DOX) were developed by loading drugs inside the pores of MSNs and conjugating with D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on the outer lipid surface. HT-LMSNs-SS and other carriers were characterized and assessed in terms of various characteristics. HT-LMSNs-SS@DOX exhibited a dual pH/reduction responsive drug release. The results also showed that modified LMSNs had good dispersity, biocompatibility, and drug-loading capacity. In vitro experiment results demonstrated that HT-LMSNs-SS were internalized by cells and mainly by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, with higher uptake efficiency than other carriers. Furthermore, HT-LMSNs-SS@DOX could effectively inhibit the expression of P-gp, increase the apoptosis ratios of MCF-7/ADR cells, and arrest cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, with enhanced ability to induce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cells. In tumor-bearing model mice, HT-LMSNs-SS@DOX similarly exhibited the highest inhibition activity against tumor growth, with good biosafety, among all of the treatment groups. Therefore, the nano-delivery systems developed herein achieve enhanced efficacy towards resistant tumors through targeted delivery and redox-responsive drug release, with broad application prospects.

Sclareol exerts synergistic antidepressant effects with quercetin and caffeine, possibly suppressing GABAergic transmission in chicks

This study evaluated the effects of sclareol (SCL) with or without caffeine (CAF) and quercetin (QUR) using in-vivo and in-silico studies. For this, 5-day-old chicks weighing between 45 and 48 g were randomly divided into five groups and treated accordingly. The chicks were monitored to compare the occurrence, latency, and duration of sleep as well as the loss and gain of righting reflex in response to SCL-10 mg/kg, CAF-10 mg/kg, and QUR-50 mg/kg using a thiopental sodium (TS)-induced sleeping model. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by t-Student-Newman-Keuls' as a posthoc test at 95% confidence intervals with multiple comparisons. An in-silico study was also performed to investigate the possible antidepressant mechanisms of the test and/or standard drugs with different subunits of GABAA receptors. In comparison to the SCL, CAF, and QUR individual groups, SCL+CAF+QUR significantly increased the latency while decreasing the length of sleep. The incidence of loss and gain of the righting reflex was also modulated in the combination group. SCL showed better interaction with GABAA (α2 and α5) subunits than QUR with α2, α3, and α5. All these compounds showed stronger interactions with the GABAA receptor subunits than the standard CAF. Taken together, SCL, CAF, and QUR reduced the TS-induced righting reflex and sleeping time in the combination group more than in the individual treatments. SCL may show its antidepressant effects, possibly through interactions with GABAA receptor subunits.

PLGA-based drug delivery systems in treating bone tumors

Bone tumor has become a common disease that endangers human health. Surgical resection of bone tumors not only causes biomechanical defects of bone but also destroys the continuity and integrity of bone and cannot completely remove the local tumor cells. The remaining tumor cells in the lesion bring a hidden danger of local recurrence. To improve the chemotherapeutic effect and effectively clear tumor cells, traditional systemic chemotherapy often requires higher doses, and high doses of chemotherapeutic drugs inevitably cause a series of systemic toxic side effects, often intolerable to patients. PLGA-based drug delivery systems, such as nano delivery systems and scaffold-based local delivery systems, can help eliminate tumors and promote bone regeneration and therefore have more significant potential for application in bone tumor treatment. In this review, we summarize the research progress of PLGA nano drug delivery systems and PLGA scaffold-based local delivery systems in bone tumor treatment applications, expecting to provide a theoretical basis for developing novel bone tumor treatment strategies.

The interactions of docetaxel with tumor microenvironment

There are several interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that affect the response of cancer cells to therapy. There are also a large number of cells and secretions in TME that increase resistance to therapy. Following the release of immunosuppressive, pro-angiogenic, and metastatic molecules by certain cells such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and cancer cells, immune evasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis may be induced. However, natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic CD8 + T lymphocytes (CTLs) can responsively release anticancer molecules. In addition, anticancer drugs can modulate these cells and their interactions in favor of either cancer resistance or therapy. Docetaxel belongs to taxanes, a class of anti-tumor drugs, which acts through the polymerization of tubulin and the induction of cell cycle arrest. Also, it has been revealed that taxanes including docetaxel affect cancer cells and the other cells within TME through some other mechanisms such as modulation of immune system responses, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In this paper, we explain the basic mechanisms of docetaxel interactions with malignant cells. Besides, we review the diverse effects of docetaxel on TME and cancer cells in consequence. Lastly, the modulatory effects of docetaxel alone or in conjunction with other anticancer agents on anti-tumor immunity, cancer cell resistance, angiogenesis, and metastasis will be discussed.

Characterization and Preliminary In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of a New Multidrug Formulation Based on the Co-Encapsulation of Rutin and the α-Acylamino-β-Lactone NAAA Inhibitor URB894 within PLGA Nanoparticles

A biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric matrix made up of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was used for the simultaneous delivery of rutin and the (S)-N-(2-oxo-3-oxetanyl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide derivative (URB894). The goal was to exploit the well-known radical scavenging properties of rutin and the antioxidant features recently reported for the molecules belonging to the class of N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitors, such as URB894. The use of the compounds, both as single agents or in association promoted the development of negatively-charged nanosystems characterized by a narrow size distribution and an average diameter of ~200 nm when 0.2-0.6 mg/mL of rutin or URB894 were used. The obtained multidrug carriers evidenced an entrapment efficiency of ~50% and 40% when 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL of rutin and URB894 were associated during the sample preparation, respectively. The multidrug formulation evidenced an improved in vitro dose-dependent protective effect against H₂O₂-related oxidative stress with respect to that of the nanosystems containing the active compounds as a single agent, confirming the rationale of using the co-encapsulation approach to obtain a novel antioxidant nanomedicine.

Diclofenac Loaded Biodegradable Nanoparticles as Antitumoral and Antiangiogenic Therapy

Cancer is identified as one of the main causes of death worldwide, and an effective treatment that can reduce/eliminate serious adverse effects is still an unmet medical need. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has demonstrated promising antitumoral properties. However, the prolonged use of this NSAID poses several adverse effects. These can be overcome by the use of suitable delivery systems that are able to provide a controlled delivery of the payload. In this study, Diclofenac was incorporated into biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles based on PLGA and the formulation was optimized using a factorial design approach. A monodisperse nanoparticle population was obtained with a mean size of ca. 150 nm and negative surface charge. The release profile of diclofenac from the optimal formulation followed a prolonged release kinetics. Diclofenac nanoparticles demonstrated antitumoral and antiangiogenic properties without causing cytotoxicity to non-tumoral cells, and can be pointed out as a safe, promising and innovative nanoparticle-based formulation with potential antitumoral effects.

Infrared spectroscopy and flow cytometry studies on the apoptotic effect of nano-chrysin in HeLa cells

Mapping the structural changes in membrane lipids, proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids has opened new channels for understanding the mode of action of anticancer natural products. Earlier, we synthesized chrysin nanoparticles (NChr) with good bioavailability, and characterized its size, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, and drug release pattern using PLGA polymer. NChr induced concentration dependent cytotoxicity in HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ of 61.54 ± 1.2 µM in comparison with free chrysin with IC₅₀ of 86.51 ± 2.9 µM. Since nanoparticles interact dynamically with cell membranes, organelles, proteins and DNA, it is necessary to understand the interplay of nanodrug induced macromolecular changes in cancer cells. In this work, we obtained signatures of NChr-induced biochemical changes in HeLa cells by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy technique coupled with flow cytometry. NChr induced cell membrane disruption, G1 phase cell cycle arrest, and increased externalization of phosphatidylserine leading to apoptosis indicating the biochemical perturbations in membrane lipids and DNA of HeLa cells in comparison with untreated cells. The 1300-1000 cm^-1 spectral region indicated NChr interaction with the ribose sugar backbone and DNA denaturation. Spectral range 1800-1400 cm^-1 indicated a concentration dependent decrease in α helical and β sheet structures which may lead to protein degradation during apoptosis. The spectral range 3000-2800 cm^-1 indicated the lipid peroxidation in response to NChr treatment. This is the first study describing the bio-macromolecular changes induced by a nano encapsulated drug and can pave the way to investigate unconventional modes of action for bioactive formulations.

An Overview of Antitumour Activity of Polysaccharides

Cancer incidence and mortality are rapidly increasing worldwide; therefore, effective therapies are required in the current scenario of increasing cancer cases. Polysaccharides are a family of natural polymers that hold unique physicochemical and biological properties, and they have become the focus of current antitumour drug research owing to their significant antitumour effects. In addition to the direct antitumour activity of some natural polysaccharides, their structures offer versatility in synthesizing multifunctional nanocomposites, which could be chemically modified to achieve high stability and bioavailability for delivering therapeutics into tumor tissues. This review aims to highlight recent advances in natural polysaccharides and polysaccharide-based nanomedicines for cancer therapy.

The bioactivities of sclareol: A mini review

Sclareol, a diterpene alcohol isolated from the herbal and flavor plant clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), is far-famed as the predominant ingredient in the refined oil of Salvia sclarea (L.). The empirical medicine of Salvia sclarea L. focused on various diseases, such as arthritis, oral inflammation, digestive system diseases, whereas the sclareol possessed more extensive and characteristic bioactivities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation and anti-pathogenic microbes, even anti-diabetes and hypertension. However, there is a deficiency of literature to integrate and illuminate the pharmacological attributes of sclareol based on well-documented investigations. Interestingly, sclareol has been recently considered as the potential candidate against COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease. Accordingly, the bioactive attributes of sclareol in cancer, inflammation, even pharmacochemistry and delivery systems are reviewed for comprehensively dissecting its potential application in medicine.

Advances on Natural Abietane, Labdane and Clerodane Diterpenes as Anti-Cancer Agents: Sources and Mechanisms of Action

Extensive research over the past decades has identified numerous phytochemicals that could represent an important source of anti-cancer compounds. There is an immediate need for less toxic and more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer. Natural compounds are considered suitable candidates for the development of new anti-cancer drugs due to their pleiotropic actions on target events with multiple manners. This comprehensive review highlighted the most relevant findings achieved in the screening of phytochemicals for anticancer drug development, particularly focused on a promising class of phytochemicals such as diterpenes with abietane, clerodane, and labdane skeleton. The chemical structure of these compounds, their main natural sources, and mechanisms of action were critically discussed.

α-Acylamino-β-lactone N-Acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing Acid Amidase Inhibitors Encapsulated in PLGA Nanoparticles: Improvement of the Physical Stability and Protection of Human Cells from Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress

N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is an N-terminal cysteine hydrolase that preferentially catalyzes the hydrolysis of endogenous lipid mediators such as palmitoylethanolamide, which has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective and antinociceptive properties by engaging peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α. A few potent NAAA inhibitors have been developed, including α-acylamino-β-lactone derivatives, which are very strong and effective, but they have limited chemical and plasmatic stability, compromising their use as systemic agents. In the present study, as an example of a molecule belonging to the chemical class of N-(2-oxo-3-oxetanyl)amide NAAA inhibitors, URB866 was entrapped in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles in order to increase its physical stability. The data show a monomodal pattern and a significant time- and temperature-dependent stability of the molecule-loaded nanoparticles, which also demonstrated a greater ability to effectively retain the compound. The nanoparticles improved the photostability of URB866 with respect to that of the free molecule and displayed a better antioxidant profile on various cell lines at the molecule concentration of 25 μM. Overall, these results prove that the use of polymeric nanoparticles could be a useful strategy for overcoming the instability of α-acylamino-β-lactone NAAA inhibitors, allowing the maintenance of their characteristics and activity for a longer time.

Fabrication and characterization of core-shell gliadin/tremella polysaccharide nanoparticles for curcumin delivery: Encapsulation efficiency, physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility

The objectives of the present study were to synthesize gliadin/tremella polysaccharide nanoparticles (Gli/TP NPs) as well as curcumin-loaded gliadin/tremella polysaccharide nanoparticles (Cur-Gli/TP NPs) and evaluate the encapsulation efficiency (EE), physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility of Cur-Gli/TP NPs. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles depended on the mass ratio of Gli to TP and pH values. The characterization of the Gli/TP NPs indicated that the prepared nanoparticles were the most stable when the Gli/TP mass ratio was 1:1 and pH was at 4.0-7.0. Afterward, prepared Cur-Gli/TP NPs at different pH values were studied. Compared with the EE of Cur (58.2%) in Cur-Gli NPs at pH 5.0, the EE of Cur (90.6%) in Cur-Gli/TP NPs at pH 5.0 was increased by 32.4%. Besides, the Cur-Gli/TP NPs possessed excellent physical stability, photostability, thermal stability and re-dispersibility than Cur-Gli NPs. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of Cur reached 83.5% after encapsulation of Cur into Gli/TP NPs after in vitro digestion, indicating that Cur-Gli/TP NPs could improve curcumin bioaccessibility significantly. In summary, this study demonstrates that the new food-grade Gli/TP NPs possess high encapsulation efficiency, excellent stability and prominent nutraceutical bioaccessibility. Meanwhile, it contributes to expanding the application of TP in food-grade delivery systems.

SCLAREIN (SCLAREol contained in zeIN) nanoparticles: Development and characterization of an innovative natural nanoformulation

Sclareol is a labdane diterpene which carries on a broad range of biological activities. However, its poor water solubility and bioavailability are the foremost drawbacks that limit its application in therapeutics. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a natural nanoformulation made up of a biopolymer i.e. zein and sclareol in order to address this issue and to enhance the pharmacological efficacy of the drug. The sclarein nanoparticles (sclareol-loaded zein nanosystems) showed a typical monomodal pattern, characterized by a mean diameter of ~120 nm, a narrow size distribution and a surface charge of ~-30 mV. The evaluation of the entrapment efficiency and the drug-loading capacity of the nanosystems demonstrated the noteworthy ability of the protein matrix to hold sclareol while allowing a gradual release of the compound over time. The nanosystems increased the cytotoxicity of sclareol at a drug concentration of ≥5 μM with respect to the free compound after just 24 h incubation against various cancer cell lines. Indeed, the interaction of tritiated sclarein formulations with cells showed a time-dependent cell uptake of the nanosystems commencing as early as 1 h from the onset of incubation, favouring a significant decrease of the efficacious concentration of the drug.

Polymeric Nanoparticles: Exploring the Current Drug Development and Therapeutic Insight of Breast Cancer Treatment and Recommendations

This manuscript aims to provide the latest update on polymeric nanoparticle drug delivery system for breast cancer treatment after 2015 and how research-oriented it is based on the available research data. Therefore, the authors have chosen breast cancer which is the most frequent and common reason for mortality in women worldwide. The first-line treatment for breast cancer treatment is chemotherapy, apart from surgery, radiation and hormonal therapy. Chemotherapy is associated with lesser therapeutics and undesirable side effects and hence. In addition, drug resistance affects the therapeutic dose to the target site. Although various nano-based formulations have been developed for effective treatment, the polymeric nanoparticles effectively avoid the lacunae of conventional chemotherapy. There has been an effort made to understand the chemotherapy drugs and their conventional formulation-related problems for better targeting and effective drug delivery for breast cancer treatment. Thus, the polymeric nanoparticles as a strategy overcome the associated problems with resulting dose reduction, enhanced bioavailability, reduced side effects, etc. This present review has compiled the research reports published from 2015 to 2021 from different databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, which are related to breast cancer treatment in which the drug delivery of numerous chemotherapeutic agents alone or in combination, including phytoconstituents formulated into various polymer-based nanoparticles.

Nanoformulations of α-Mangostin for Cancer Drug Delivery System

Natural compounds are emerging as effective agents for the treatment of malignant diseases. The active constituent of α-mangostin from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana L. has earned significant interest as a plant base compound with anticancer properties. Despite α-mangostin's superior properties as an anticancer agent, its applications are limited due to its poor solubility and physicochemical stability, rapid systemic clearance, and low cellular uptake. Our review aimed to summarize and discuss the nanoparticle formulations of α-mangostin for cancer drug delivery systems from published papers recorded in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. We investigated various types of α-mangostin nanoformulations to improve its anticancer efficacy by improving bioavailability, cellular uptake, and localization to specific areas These nanoformulations include nanofibers, lipid carrier nanostructures, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanomicelles, liposomes, and gold nanoparticles. Notably, polymeric nanoparticles and nanomicelles can increase the accumulation of α-mangostin into tumors and inhibit tumor growth in vivo. In addition, polymeric nanoparticles with the addition of target ligands can increase the cellular uptake of α-mangostin. In conclusion, nanoformulations of α-mangostin are a promising tool to enhance the cellular uptake, accumulation in cancer cells, and the efficacy of α-mangostin as a candidate for anticancer drugs.

Developing Actively Targeted Nanoparticles to Fight Cancer: Focus on Italian Research

Active targeting is a valuable and promising approach with which to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of nanodelivery systems, and the development of tumor-targeted nanoparticles has therefore attracted much research attention. In this field, the research carried out in Italian Pharmaceutical Technology academic groups has been focused on the development of actively targeted nanosystems using a multidisciplinary approach. To highlight these efforts, this review reports a thorough description of the last 10 years of Italian research results on the development of actively targeted nanoparticles to direct drugs towards different receptors that are overexpressed on cancer cells or in the tumor microenvironment. In particular, the review discusses polymeric nanocarriers, liposomes, lipoplexes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, squalene nanoassemblies and nanobubbles. For each nanocarrier, the main ligands, conjugation strategies and target receptors are described. The literature indicates that polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes stand out as key tools for improving specific drug delivery to the site of action. In addition, solid lipid nanoparticles, squalene nanoparticles and nanobubbles have also been successfully proposed. Taken together, these strategies all offer many platforms for the design of nanocarriers that are suitable for future clinical translation.

Meglumine Antimoniate-Loaded Aqueous-Core PLA Nanocapsules: Old Drug, New Formulation against Leishmania-Related Diseases

Leishmaniasis is a human and animal disease endemic in tropical and subtropical areas treated by means of pentavalent antimony as first-line approach. Unfortunately, the formulations available on the market are characterized by significant side effects and a total remission of the disease is difficult to be obtained. The aim of this investigation is to describe the development and characterization of aqueous-core poly-l-lactide (PLA) nanocapsules containing glucantime (meglumine antimoniate, MA) with the aim of increasing the pharmacological efficacy of the active compound. The polymeric systems characterized by a mean diameter of ≈300 nm exert a great interaction with murine macrophages. MA-loaded PLA nanocapsules show a great antileishmanial activity on mice infected with Leishmania infantum with respect to the free drug, favoring a decrease of the administration times. The biodistribution profiles demonstrate a lower renal accumulation of MA after its nanoencapsulation and a significant increase of its plasmatic half-life. The parasite load evaluated by immunohistochemistry shows a significant decrease in liver, spleen, and kidneys when mice are treated with MA-loaded PLA nanocapsules especially after 45 days. The obtained results demonstrate the potential application of MA-loaded PLA nanocapsules as novel nanomedicine for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Development of polyoxyethylene (2) oleyl ether-gliadin nanoparticles: Characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity

Natural polymers have been widely investigated as materials for the delivery of active compounds as a consequence of their biocompatibility, low-cost and the opportunity they furnish to obtain micro- and nanostructures. In this investigation, commercial wheat gliadin was used as raw material with the aim of obtaining a vegetal protein-based nanoformulation to be used for various applications. The influence of non-ionic and anionic surfactants on the physico-chemical properties of gliadin nanoparticles was evaluated in order to propose a suitable candidate able to stabilize the colloidal structure. The use of Super Refined polyoxyethylene (2) oleyl ether gave the best results, promoting the formation of spherical-shaped nanosystems with a narrow size distribution. The oleyl ether-based emulsifier prevented the destabilization of the colloidal systems when pH- and temperature-dependent stress was applied. A freeze-dried formulation was obtained when mannose was used as a cryoprotectant. Polyoxyethylene (2) oleyl ether-stabilized nanosystems were shown to retain and release both hydrophilic and lipophilic model compounds in a controlled manner. The cytotoxicity of the surfactant-free and polyoxyethylene (2) oleyl ether-stabilized gliadin based nanosystems was assessed on human cells, both normal and tumoural, in order to investigate the concentrations of particles that can be used during in vitro experiments. Polyoxyethylene (2) oleyl ether-stabilized gliadin-based nanosystems are promising carriers for the delivery of several active compounds.

Nanonutraceuticals: The New Frontier of Supplementary Food

In the last few decades, the combination between nanotechnology and nutraceutics has gained the attention of several research groups. Nutraceuticals are considered as active compounds, abundant in natural products, showing beneficial effects on human health. Unfortunately, the uses, and consequently the health benefits, of many nutraceutical products are limited by their unsuitable chemico-physical features. For example, many nutraceuticals are characterized by low water solubility, low stability and high susceptibility to light and oxygen, poor absorption and potential chemical modifications after their administration. Based on the potential efficacy of nutraceuticals and on their limiting features, nanotechnology could be considered a revolutionary innovation in empowering the beneficial properties of nutraceuticals on human health, thus enhancing their efficacy in several diseases. For this reason, nanotechnology could represent a new frontier in supplementary food. In this review, the most recent nanotechnological approaches are discussed, focusing on their ability to improve the bioavailability of the most common nutraceuticals, providing an overview regarding both the advantages and the possible limitations of the use of several nanodelivery systems. In fact, although the efficacy of smart nanocarriers in improving health benefits deriving from nutraceuticals has been widely demonstrated, the conflicting opinions on the mechanism of action of some nanosystems still reduce their applicability in the therapeutic field.

Brij-stabilized zein nanoparticles as potential drug carriers

The current study was designed to provide a preliminary physico-chemical characterization of zein nanosystems prepared with various Brij surfactants (for the first time to the best of our knowledge) as a function of various external stimuli such as temperature, pH, serum incubation and the freeze-drying process. The results demonstrate that when Brijs are characterized by unsaturation (C18), considerable stabilization of the colloidal structure is promoted while the length of the polyethylene glycol fraction does not significantly modulate the physico-chemical properties of the nanosystems. Specifically, dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis demonstrated that the use of 0.2 % w/v of Brij O10 promoted the formation of stable zein nanosystems with mean sizes of ∼150 nm and a narrow size distribution, preserving their structures at various pHs and temperatures. The use of mannitol as cryoprotectant resulted in a formulation that can easily be re-suspended in water after the freeze-drying process. This nanoformulation demonstrated that it efficiently retained different amounts of both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds and showed a prolonged release of the entrapped molecules. In addition, the nanosystems showed a favorable degree of in vitro safety on various cell lines when a concentration <50 μg/mL of protein was used, demonstrating the potential application of Brij O10-stabilized zein nanoparticles as innovative nanocarriers of several active compounds.

Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to Solid Tumors

Advances in nanotechnology have favored the development of novel colloidal formulations able to modulate the pharmacological and biopharmaceutical properties of drugs. The peculiar physico-chemical and technological properties of nanomaterial-based therapeutics have allowed for several successful applications in the treatment of cancer. The size, shape, charge and patterning of nanoscale therapeutic molecules are parameters that need to be investigated and modulated in order to promote and optimize cell and tissue interaction. In this review, the use of polymeric nanoparticles as drug delivery systems of anticancer compounds, their physico-chemical properties and their ability to be efficiently localized in specific tumor tissues have been described. The nanoencapsulation of antitumor active compounds in polymeric systems is a promising approach to improve the efficacy of various tumor treatments.

Design and Characterization of Glyceryl Monooleate-Nanostructures Containing Doxorubicin Hydrochloride

Glyceryl monooleate (GMO) is one of the most popular amphiphilic lipids, which, in the presence of different amounts of water and a proper amount of stabilizer, can promote the development of well defined, thermodynamically stable nanostructures, called lyotropic liquid crystal dispersions. The aim of this study is based on the design, characterization, and evaluation of the cytotoxicity of lyotropic liquid crystal nanostructures containing a model anticancer drug such as doxorubicin hydrochloride. The drug is efficiently retained by the GMO nanosystems by a remote loading approach. The nanostructures prepared with different non-ionic surfactants (poloxamers and polysorbates) are characterized by different physico-chemical features as a function of several parameters, i.e., serum stability, temperature, and different pH values, as well as the amount of cryoprotectants used to obtain suitable freeze-dried systems. The nanostructures prepared with poloxamer 407 used as a stabilizer show an increased toxicity of the entrapped drug on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) due to their ability to sensitize multidrug-resistant (MDR) tumor cells through the inhibition of specific drug efflux transporters. Moreover, the interaction between the nanostructures and the cells occurs after just a few hours, evidencing a huge cellular uptake of the nanosystems.

Novel Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester-Mortalin Antibody Nanoparticles Offer Enhanced Selective Cytotoxicity to Cancer Cells

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a key bioactive ingredient of honeybee propolis and is claimed to have anticancer activity. Since mortalin, a hsp70 chaperone, is enriched in a cancerous cell surface, we recruited a unique cell internalizing anti-mortalin antibody (MotAb) to generate mortalin-targeting CAPE nanoparticles (CAPE-MotAb). Biophysical and biomolecular analyses revealed enhanced anticancer activity of CAPE-MotAb both in in vitro and in vivo assays. We demonstrate that CAPE-MotAb cause a stronger dose-dependent growth arrest/apoptosis of cancer cells through the downregulation of Cyclin D1-CDK4, phospho-Rb, PARP-1, and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2. Concomitantly, a significant increase in the expression of p53, p21^WAF1, and caspase cleavage was obtained only in CAPE-MotAb treated cells. We also demonstrate that CAPE-MotAb caused a remarkably enhanced downregulation of proteins critically involved in cell migration. In vivo tumor growth assays for subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice also revealed a significantly enhanced suppression of tumor growth in the treated group suggesting that these novel CAPE-MotAb nanoparticles may serve as a potent anticancer nanomedicine.

Antitumor Features of Vegetal Protein-Based Nanotherapeutics

The introduction of nanotechnology into pharmaceutical application revolutionized the administration of antitumor drugs through the modulation of their accumulation in specific organs/body compartments, a decrease in their side-effects and their controlled release from innovative systems. The use of plant-derived proteins as innovative, safe and renewable raw materials to be used for the development of polymeric nanoparticles unlocked a new scenario in the drug delivery field. In particular, the reduced size of the colloidal systems combined with the peculiar properties of non-immunogenic polymers favored the characterization and evaluation of the pharmacological activity of the novel nanoformulations. The aim of this review is to describe the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles composed of vegetal proteins used to retain and deliver anticancer drugs, together with the most important preparation methods and the pharmacological features of these potential nanomedicines.

Nanoparticles Loaded with the BET Inhibitor JQ1 Block the Growth of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Inhibition of bromo-and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins, epigenetic regulators of genes involved in cell viability, has been efficiently tested in preclinical models of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the use of the selective BET-inhibitor JQ1 on humans is limited by its very short half-life. Herein, we developed, characterized and tested a novel formulation of nanoparticles containing JQ1 (N-JQ1) against TNBC in vitro and in vivo. N-JQ1, prepared using the nanoprecipitation method of preformedpoly-lactid-co-glycolic acid in an aqueous solution containing JQ1 and poloxamer-188 as a stabilizer, presented a high physico-chemical stability. Treatment of MDA-MB 157 and MDA-MB 231 TNBC cells with N-JQ1 determined a significant decrease in cell viability, adhesion and migration. Intra-peritoneal administration (5 days/week for two weeks) of N-JQ1 in nude mice hosting a xenograft TNBC after flank injection of MDA-MB-231 cells determined a great reduction in the growth and vascularity of the neoplasm. Moreover, the treatment resulted in a minimal infiltration of nearby tissues. Finally, the encapsulation of JQ1 in nanoparticles improved the anticancer efficacy of this epigenetic compound against TNBC in vitro and in vivo, opening the way to test it in the treatment of TNBC.

Folic Acid Receptor-Mediated Targeting Enhances the Cytotoxicity, Efficacy, and Selectivity of Withania somnifera Leaf Extract: In vitro and in vivo Evidence

Nanomedicine holds great potential for drug delivery to achieve more effective and safer cancer treatment. Earlier, we reported that the alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera leaves (i-Extract) has selective cancer cell killing activity. Herein, we developed a folate receptor-targeting i-Extract nanocomplex (FRi-ExNC) that suspends well in water and possesses enhanced selective anticancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Comparative analyses of folate receptor (FR)-positive and -negative cells revealed that FRi-ExNC caused a stronger decrease in Cyclin D/Cdk4 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, as well as a higher increase in the growth arrest regulating protein p21^WAF1 and pro-apoptotic protein PARP-1, in FR-enriched cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that FRi-ExNC could be a natural source-based nanomedicine for targeted cancer therapy.