Micelle nanovehicles for co-delivery of Lepidium meyenii Walp. (maca) polysaccharide and chloroquine to tumor-associated macrophages for synergistic cancer immunotherapy

Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review of the effects of maca

Maca (Lepidium meyenii), a biennial herbaceous plant indigenous to the Andes Mountains, has a rich history of traditional use for its purported health benefits. Maca's chemical composition varies due to ecotypes, growth conditions, and post-harvest processing, contributing to its intricate phytochemical profile, including, macamides, macaenes, and glucosinolates, among other components. This review provides an in-depth revision and analysis of Maca's diverse bioactive metabolites, focusing on the pharmacological properties registered in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Maca is generally safe, with rare adverse effects, supported by preclinical studies revealing low toxicity and good human tolerance. Preclinical investigations highlight the benefits attributed to Maca compounds, including neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory properties, immunoregulation, and antioxidant effects. Maca has also shown potential for enhancing fertility, combating fatigue, and exhibiting potential antitumor properties. Maca's versatility extends to metabolic regulation, gastrointestinal health, cardio protection, antihypertensive activity, photoprotection, muscle growth, hepatoprotection, proangiogenic effects, antithrombotic properties, and antiallergic activity. Clinical studies, primarily focused on sexual health, indicate improved sexual desire, erectile function, and subjective wellbeing in men. Maca also shows promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms in women and enhancing physical performance. Further research is essential to uncover the mechanisms and clinical applications of Maca's unique bioactive metabolites, solidifying its place as a subject of growing scientific interest.

Oral delivery of pectin-chitosan hydrogels entrapping macrophage-targeted curcumin-loaded liposomes for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

The oral delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs has been a promising strategy for enhancing the clinical efficacy of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment strategies. However, achieving site specific drug delivery to colon tissues and target cells is a challenging task for formulation scientists. In this study, macrophages-targeted liposome-loaded pectin-chitosan hydrogels were developed for UC treatment via oral administration. Folate-functionalized cholesterol was synthesized as lipid membrane materials for the liposomes containing curcumin (CUR). The incorporation of the liposomal CUR within pectin-chitosan hydrogels resulted in a matrix that exhibited considerable sensitivity to colonic enzymes during in vitro release. The targeted delivery of hybrids was able to effectively reach macrophages. They also showed enhanced capability to downregulate TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the lipopolysaccharide-induced Raw 264.7 cells model. DSS-induced mice modelshowed improved anti-UC effects, including accelerated mucosal repair and decreased inflammation and modulate the immune balance in the intestinal tissue of mice with colitis, which may be attributable to increased drug accumulation in the colonic lumen and improved internalization to target cells. Therefore, the incorporation of folate-modified liposomes containing CUR and pectin-chitosan physical hydrogels could potentially serve as a favorable approach for treating UC through an oral colon-targeted drug delivery system.

Polysaccharide-based tumor microenvironment-responsive drug delivery systems for cancer therapy

The biochemical indicators of tumor microenvironment (TME) that are different from normal tissues provide the possibility for constructing intelligent drug delivery systems (DDSs). Polysaccharides with good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique biological properties are ideal materials for constructing DDSs. Nanogels, micelles, organic-inorganic nanocomposites, hydrogels, and microneedles (MNs) are common polysaccharide-based DDSs. Polysaccharide-based DDSs enable precise control of drug delivery and release processes by incorporating TME-specific biochemical indicators. The classification and design strategies of polysaccharide-based TME-responsive DDSs are comprehensively reviewed. The advantages and challenges of current polysaccharide-based DDSs are summarized and the future directions of development are foreseen. The polysaccharide-based TME-responsive DDSs are expected to provide new strategies and solutions for cancer therapy and make important contributions to the realization of precision medicine.

Lutein–stachyose (LS) amphiphilic oligosaccharide derivatives improve the oral bioavailability of lutein

A new amphiphilic oligosaccharide derivative, based on lutein modification onto the OH position of stachyose with facile and mild esterification, was prepared and used to improve the oral bioavailability of lutein. The structures of lutein-stachyose derivative (LS) were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance, indicating that one stachyose is connected to one lutein through succinic acid. The critical micelle concentration of LS was approximately 6.86 ± 0.24 mg/mL, corresponding to the free lutein concentration of approximately 2.96 mg/mL. LS has better digestive stability and free radical scavenging ability, and it could inhibit the degradation of lutein in the gastrointestinal tract. Importantly, LS is nontoxic to cells and zebrafish embryos. In terms of oral bioavailability in rats, the AUC_0-12h values of LS were 2.26 times higher than those of free lutein. Therefore, stachyose modification is a promising strategy for improving the oral bioavailability of fat-soluble lutein.

Effect of different cooking methods on saponin content and hematopoietic effects of Panax notoginseng-steamed chicken on mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax notoginseng-steamed chicken (PNSC) is a medicinal food with ethnic characteristics developed by the Miao ethnic group in the southeast of Yunnan Province, China. PNSC has been eaten for hundreds of years, and its tonic effect has been widely recognized by the people. However, its cooking conditions and scientific connotation of its effect of toning blood and supplementing deficiency are also lack of in-depth analysis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To optimize the cooking conditions of Panax notoginseng-steamed chicken (PNSC) and to explore its anemia-improving effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ratio of P. notoginseng (PN) to chicken and the steaming time were systematically altered, and the PNSC cooking conditions was optimized with the response surface method. By establishing animal models of postpartum blood-deficiency anemia, acute hemorrhagic anemia and myelosuppressive anemia, the blood replenishing effect of PNSC was explored, and the blood replenishing mechanism of PNSC on myelosuppressive anemia was revealed by immunoblotting analyses and histopathological sectioning.

RESULTS

The optimal processing conditions included a ratio of chicken to P. notoginseng of 100:5 and a steaming time of 5.5 h. The amounts of P. notoginseng polysaccharides (PNPS), total protein and blood-enriching P. notoginseng saponins were 44.3 mg/g, 2.48% and 2.04%, respectively. Freeze-dried powder of P. notoginseng steamed chicken soup (FPSC) was found to promote the recovery of routine blood factors and organ indexes in the three models of anemia and to activate the JAK2-STAT5 signaling pathway, induce phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT5 and normalize the secretion of hematopoietic regulators EPO, IL-3, and TNF-α.

CONCLUSION

FPSC improves the symptoms of anemia in mice, and it plays a role in tonifying blood by activating the JAK2-STAT5 signaling pathway and altering the expression of hematopoiesis-related factors.

Extraction of polysaccharides from Maca enhances the treatment effect of 5-FU by regulating CD4+T cells

In our previous studies, we used a graded alcohol precipitation method to extract four maca polysaccharide components (MCP1, MCP2, MCP3, and MCP4) from maca with various molecular weights. Compared to other three components, MCP2 had stronger immunoregulatory abilities on CD4⁺T cells. To avoid the immunosuppressive effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), maca polysaccharides in combination with 5-FU treatment were investigated in this study. The results show that 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg MCP2 could significantly delay the growth of tumor and enhance the anti-tumor effect of 5-FU in vivo. Furthermore, MCP2 can partly recover the proliferation of CD4⁺T cells after being suppressed by 5-FU in vitro. Additionally, in order to explore the mechanism in which MCP2 acts on CD4⁺T cells, the MCP2 is marked with FITC fluorescence and synthesis MCP2-Tyr-FITC for the first time. Confocal microscope results show that MCP2-Tyr-FITC can directly bind to the surface of CD4⁺T cells. Together, our work demonstrates that maca polysaccharides could enhance the anti-tumor effect when combined with 5-FU by regulating CD4⁺T cells, suggesting a novel potential immunomodulator in tumor therapy.

Dual-targeting of artesunate and chloroquine to tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages by a biomimetic PLGA nanoparticle for colorectal cancer treatment

The regimens on colorectal cancer (CRC) are clinically limited due to the ignorance of tumor-supportive microenvironments. To combine the therapeutic effects on both tumor cells growth and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME), we propose the artesunate (AS) and chloroquine (CQ) combination and develop a poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-based biomimetic nanoparticle for dual-targeting delivery of the drug combination. Hydroxymethyl phenylboronic acid conjugated PLGA (HPA) is synthesized to form a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive core of biomimetic nanoparticles. A mannose-modified erythrocyte membrane (Man-EM) obtained by a novel surface modification method is cloaked on the AS and CQ-loaded HPA core to receive a biomimetic nanoparticle-HPA/AS/CQ@Man-EM. It holds a strong promise in inhibiting the proliferation of CRC tumor cells and reversing the phenotypes of TAMs via targeting both tumor cells and M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Verifying in an orthotopic CRC mouse model, the biomimetic nanoparticles showed improved accumulation at tumor tissues and effectively suppressed the tumor growth via both inhibition of tumor cell growth and repolarization of TAMs. Notably, unbalanced distribution to the tumor cells and TAMs is the key to realize the remarkable anti-tumor effects. This work proposed an effective biomimetic nanocarrier for the CRC treatment.

Rhodiola rosea polysaccharides-based nanoparticles loaded with DOX boosts chemo-immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer by re-educating tumor-associated macrophages

Efficient encapsulation and tumor targeting ability are the key issues for hydrophobic drugs delivery vectors in cancer therapy. In the current study, Rhodiola rosea polysaccharides (RHPs) serve as an immunoactive vector for drug delivery with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) modulating ability and typical structural characteristics. Firstly, Folic acid (FA) and stearic acid (SA) were chemically modified to the backbone of RHPs to obtain the self-assemble and tumor targeting behaviors. Then, the hydrophobic drug (Doxorubicin, DOX) was encapsulated in the RHPs derivatives (FA-RHPs-SA) with high efficiency. Moreover, the optimal formed DOX@FA-RHPs-SA were around 196 nm with uniform size distribution and a pH-sensitive release capacity in different acidic conditions. In vitro experiments demonstrated that DOX@FA-RHPs-SA could efficiently uptake by tumor cells. Furthermore, the modulatory function of the FA-RHPs-SA on RAW264.7 macrophages was also demonstrated in the transition from M0 to M1 phenotypes, and the M2 differentiated into the M1. Finally, in vivo antitumor study revealed that the inhibitory effect of DOX@FA-RHPs-SA was superior to the DOX monotherapy treatment, and the new preparation worked synergistically by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and modulating immune cell function. In summary, this study describes a RHPs-based hydrophobic delivery vector and achieved an additional helpful antitumor effect by modulating TAMs.

Immunoregulatory effects of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum polysaccharide via TLR4-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in Raw264.7 macrophages

Polysaccharide of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum (THP) exert antioxidant, antibacterial, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory properties, especially some evidences have highlighted the efficiency of it as an anti-tumor agent. However, as a biological macromolecule with bidirectional immune regulation, the immunological enhancement effects of THP on macrophages and its underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. In the present study, THP was prepared and characterized, and then the effect of THP on Raw264.7 cell activation was investigated. Structural characteristics of THP showed that the average molecular weight was 370.26 kDa, and the main monosaccharide composition was galactose, glucuronic acid, mannose, and glucose at a ratio of 31.56: 25.15: 19.44: 12.60, with high viscosity causing by relative high uronic acid. For immunomodulatory activity investigation, THP promoted the production of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the expression of IL-1β, MCP-1, iNOS and COX-2, which were almost completely inhibited by TLR4 antagonist. Further study showed that THP could activate NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, and thus enhanced the phagocytic activity of Raw264.7 macrophages. In conclusion, the present study provided evidences that THP could be served as a new immunomodulator in both functional foods and the pharmaceutical field.

Antitumor therapy for breast cancer: Focus on tumor-associated macrophages and nanosized drug delivery systems

BACKGROUND

In breast cancer (BC), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important component of the tumor microenvironment and are closely related to poor prognosis. A growing number of studies have focused on the role of TAMs in BC progression and therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs. As an emerging treatment, the application of nanosized drug delivery systems (NDDSs) in the treatment of BC by targeting TAMs has attracted much attention.

AIMS

This review is to summarize the characteristics and treatment strategies targeting TAMs in BC and to clarify the applications of NDDSs targeting TAMs in the treatment of BC by targeting TAMs.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The existing results related to characteristics of TAMs in BC, BC treatment strategies by targeting TAMs, and the applications of NDDSs in these strategies are described. Through analyzing these results, the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment strategies using NDDSs are discussed, which could provide advices on designing NDDSs for BC treatment.

RESULTS

TAMs are one of the most prominent noncancer cell types in BC. TAMs not only promote angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis but also lead to therapeutic resistance and immunosuppression. Mainly four strategies have been used to target TAMs for BC therapy, which include depleting macrophages, blocking recruitment, reprogramming to attain an anti-tumor phenotype, and increasing phagocytosis. Since NDDSs can efficiently deliver drugs to TAMs with low toxicity, they are promising approaches for targeting TAMs in tumor therapy. NDDSs with various structures can deliver immunotherapeutic agents and nucleic acid therapeutics to TAMs. In addition, NDDSs can realize combination therapies.

DISCUSSION

TAMs play a critical role in the progression of BC. An increasing number of strategies have been proposed to regulate TAMs. Compared with free drugs, NDDSs targeting TAMs improve drug concentration, reduce toxicity and realize combination therapies. However, in order to achieve better therapeutic efficacy, there are still some disadvantages that need to be considered in the design of NDDSs.

CONCLUSION

TAMs play an important role in the progression of BC, and targeting TAMs is a promising strategy for BC therapy. In particular, NDDSs targeting TAMs have unique advantages and are potential treatments for BC.

Overexpression of phosphomannomutase increases the production and bioactivities of Ganoderma exopolysaccharides

In this study, we explored a novel approach to enhancing the production and bioactivities of Ganoderma exopolysaccharides. The homologous phosphomannomutase gene (PMM1) was cloned and overexpressed in Ganoderma for the first time. As a result, the maximum production of exopolysaccharides by the PMM1 transformant was 1.53 g/L, which was 1.41-fold higher than of a wild-type (WT) strain in a 5-L bioreactor. The transcription levels of PMM1 and PMM2 increased 40.5- and 2.4-fold, respectively, whereas the value of the GDP-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase gene did not change significantly in this transgenic strain. Furthermore, the major exopolysaccharide fractions from PMM1 transformants contained higher amounts of mannose (56.5 % and 21.1 %) than those from a WT strain (26.7 % and 9.3 %). Moreover, the major fractions from PMM1 transformants exhibited stronger regulation effects on macrophage. In conclusion, this study is helpful for the efficient production and application of Ganoderma exopolysaccharides and facilitates an understanding of polysaccharide biosynthesis regulation.

Herb Polysaccharide-Based Drug Delivery System: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications for Immunotherapy

Herb polysaccharides (HPS) have been studied extensively for their healthcare applications. Though the toxicity was not fully clarified, HPS were widely accepted for their biodegradability and biocompatibility. In addition, as carbohydrate polymers with a unique chemical composition, molecular weight, and functional group profile, HPS can be conjugated, cross-linked, and functionally modified. Thus, they are great candidates for the fabrication of drug delivery systems (DDS). HPS-based DDS (HPS-DDS) can bypass phagocytosis by the reticuloendothelial system, prevent the degradation of biomolecules, and increase the bioavailability of small molecules, thus exerting therapeutic effects. In this review, we focus on the application of HPS as components of immunoregulatory DDS. We summarize the principles governing the fabrication of HPS-DDS, including nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, microemulsions, hydrogels, and microneedles. In addition, we discuss the role of HPS in DDS for immunotherapy. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights that could guide the design of effective HPS-DDS.

The effective components of herbal medicines used for prevention and control of fish diseases

The increasing demand for fish consumption has promoted the rapid development of fish aquaculture. With the continuous expansion of culture scale and the deterioration of culture environment, various diseases have broken out frequently, leading to huge economic losses to fish farming. Antibiotics and chemicals are common options to prevent and control of fish diseases, but their use is now restricted or even banned due to serious problems such as drug residues, pathogen resistance, and environmental pollution. Herbs and their extracts have increasingly become promising supplements and alternatives, because of their effectiveness, safety, environmental friendliness and less drug resistance. The application of herbal medicines in prevention and control of fish diseases is mainly attributed to the powerful immune enhancement, antioxidation or direct anti-pathogenic efficacies of their effective components, including mainly polyphenols, polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and essential oils. Recently these herbal active ingredients have been extensively studied for their efficacies in prevention and control of viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal diseases in fish. In the present paper, we comprehensively summarize the research progress of the active ingredients of herbal medicines used for prevention and control of fish diseases, especially of their action mechanisms, and highlight the potential application of the herbal medicines in fish aquaculture.

Nano Drug Delivery System for Tumor Immunotherapy: Next-Generation Therapeutics

Tumor immunotherapy is an artificial stimulation of the immune system to enhance anti-cancer response. It has become a powerful clinical strategy for treating cancer. The number of immunotherapy drug approvals has been increasing in recent years, and many treatments are in clinical and preclinical stages. Despite this progress, the special tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors made immunotherapy in the majority of cancer cases difficult. Therefore, understanding how to improve the intratumoral enrichment degree and the response rate of various immunotherapy drugs is key to improve efficacy and control adverse reactions. With the development of materials science and nanotechnology, advanced biomaterials such as nanoparticle and drug delivery systems like T-cell delivery therapy can improve effectiveness of immunotherapy while reducing the toxic side effects on non-target cells, which offers innovative ideas for improving immunity therapeutic effectiveness. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of tumor cell immune escape and focus on current immunotherapy (such as cytokine immunotherapy, therapeutic monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, CAR-T therapy, tumor vaccine, oncolytic virus, and other new types of immunity) and its challenges as well as the latest nanotechnology (such as bionic nanoparticles, self-assembled nanoparticles, deformable nanoparticles, photothermal effect nanoparticles, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, and other types) applications in cancer immunotherapy.

Dual-Targeting of Tumor Cells and Tumor-Associated Macrophages by Palmitic Acid Modified Albumin Nanoparticles for Antitumor and Antimetastasis Therapy

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), profoundly affect the occurrence and development of tumors. To overcome the common limitations of TAMs-targeted delivery systems, such as off-target toxicity, high cost, and transformation probability, we fabricated pirarubicin (THP)-loaded palmitic acid modified human serum albumin nanoparticles (THP-PSA NPs) for dual-targeting of tumor cells and TAMs via acidic secretory proteins rich in cysteine (SPARC) and scavenger receptor-A (SR-A), respectively. In vitro, the THP-PSA NPs exhibit stronger cytotoxicity against 4T1 and M2 macrophages compared with THP-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles (THP-HSA NPs). In vivo, the infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines significantly decrease after effective elimination of the TAMs through the THP-PSA NPs treatment; this is accompanied by an increase in the immunostimulatory cytokine expression level. Moreover, the antitumor and antimetastasis experimental results indicate that the tumor volumes in mice treated with the THP-PSA NPs are effectively controlled, resulting in an inhibition rate of 81.0% and almost no metastases in the lung tissues. Finally, in terms of biological safety, the THP-PSA NPs perform similar to THP-HSA NPs, causing no damage to the liver or kidney.

Review on design strategies and considerations of polysaccharide-based smart drug delivery systems for cancer therapy

The unique natural advantages of polysaccharide materials have attracted attention in biomedical applications. The abundant modifiable functional groups on the polysaccharide materials surface can facilitate the synthesis of various multifunctional drug delivery carriers. Especially in tumor therapy, the designs of polysaccharide-based drug delivery carriers are diverse. Therefore, this review summarized several latest types of polysaccharide-based drug carriers designs, and focused on the latest design strategies and considerations of drug carriers with polysaccharides as the main structure. It is expected to provide some design ideas and inspiration for subsequent polysaccharide-based drug delivery systems.