Novel nanoemulsion based lipid nanosystems for favorable in vitro and in vivo characteristics of curcumin

Nanoemulsion based lipid nanoparticles for effective demethylcantharidin delivery to cure liver cancer

Demethylcantharidin (DEM) is a widely used antitumor drug; however, its poor tumor targeting and serious organotoxicity limit its application. The aim of this study was to develop a new drug delivery system for efficient delivery of DEM. Nanoemulsion based lipid nanoparticles containing demethylcantharidin (DNLNs) were prepared by loading nanoemulsions into lipid nanoparticles. The cells proliferation, apoptosis, cycle, and uptake were investigated by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and in situ fluorescence assays, respectively. Then, we established the H22 tumor-bearing mouse model to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of DNLNs and further studied its organ toxicity and distribution. DNLNs significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of H22 cells, and H22 cells could take up more DNLNs. Compared with DEM, DNLNs had certain tumor-targeting properties, and the tumor inhibition rate increased by 23.24%. Moreover, DNLNs can increase white blood cell count and reduce organ toxicity. This study paves the way for nanoemulsion-based lipid nanoparticle (NLNs)-efficient DEM delivery to treat liver cancer.

Applications and advancements of nanoparticle-based drug delivery in alleviating lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Lung cancer (LC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Cigarette smoking is among the main aetiologic factors for both ailments. These diseases share common pathogenetic mechanisms including inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue remodelling. Current therapeutic approaches are limited by low efficacy and adverse effects. Consequentially, LC has a 5-year survival of < 20%, while COPD is incurable, underlining the necessity for innovative treatment strategies. Two promising emerging classes of therapy against these diseases include plant-derived molecules (phytoceuticals) and nucleic acid-based therapies. The clinical application of both is limited by issues including poor solubility, poor permeability, and, in the case of nucleic acids, susceptibility to enzymatic degradation, large size, and electrostatic charge density. Nanoparticle-based advanced drug delivery systems are currently being explored as flexible systems allowing to overcome these limitations. In this review, an updated summary of the most recent studies using nanoparticle-based advanced drug delivery systems to improve the delivery of nucleic acids and phytoceuticals for the treatment of LC and COPD is provided. This review highlights the enormous relevance of these delivery systems as tools that are set to facilitate the clinical application of novel categories of therapeutics with poor pharmacokinetic properties.

Dual strategy to improve the oral bioavailability of efavirenz employing nanomicelles and curcumin as a bio-enhancer

The present investigation was focused on the development of Soluplus®-based nanomicelles (NMs) (10 % w/v) loaded with Efavirenz (EFV) (5 mg/mL) and Curcumin (natural bio-enhancer) (CUR) (5, 10 and 15 mg/mL) to improve the oral bioavalability of EFV. Micellar formulations were obtained employing an acetone-diffusion technique. Apparent aqueous solubility was increased up to ∼1250-fold and 25,000-fold for EFV and CUR, respectively. Drug-loaded nanoformulations showed an excellent colloidal stability with unimodal size distribution and PDI values < 0.30. In vitro drug release was 41.5 % (EFV) and 2.6 % (CUR) from EFV-CUR-NMs over 6 h in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. EFV-CUR-loaded NMs resulted as safe nanoformulations according to the in vitro cytocompatibility assays in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, CUR bio-enhancer activity was demonstrated for those nanoformulations. A CUR concentration of 15 mg/mL produced a significant (p < 0.05) increment (2.64-fold) of relative EFV oral bioavailability. Finally, the active role of the lymphatic system in the absorption process of EFV, after its oral administration was assessed in a comparative pharmacokinetic study in presence and absence of cycloheximide, a lymphatic transport inhibitor. Overall our EFV-CUR-NMs denoted their potential as a novel nanotechnological platform, representing a step towards an optimized "nano-sized" therapy for AIDS patients.

Lipid-core nanoparticles: Classification, preparation methods, routes of administration and recent advances in cancer treatment

Nanotechnological drug delivery platforms represent a new paradigm for cancer therapeutics as they improve the pharmacokinetic profile and distribution of chemotherapeutic agents over conventional formulations. Among nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoplatforms possessing a lipid core, that is, lipid-core nanoparticles (LCNPs), have gained increasing interest due to lipid properties such as high solubilizing potential, versatility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, due to the wide spectrum of morphologies and types of LCNPs, there is a lack of consensus regarding their terminology and classification. According to the current state-of-the-art in this critical review, LCNPs are defined and classified based on the state of their lipidic components in liquid lipid nanoparticles (LLNs). These include lipid nanoemulsions (LNEs) and lipid nanocapsules (LNCs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid nanocarriers (NLCs). In addition, we present a comprehensive and comparative description of the methods employed for their preparation, routes of administration and the fundamental role of physicochemical properties of LCNPs for efficient antitumoral drug-delivery application. Market available LCNPs, clinical trials and preclinical in vivo studies of promising LCNPs as potential treatments for different cancer pathologies are summarized.

Nanoparticle-Based Inhalation Therapy for Pulmonary Diseases

The lung is exposed to various pollutants and is the primary site for the onset of various diseases, including infections, allergies, and cancers. One possible treatment approach for such pulmonary diseases involves direct administration of therapeutics to the lung so as to maintain the topical concentration of the drug. Particles with nanoscale diameters tend to reach the pulmonary region. Nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered significant interest for applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical industries because of their unique physicochemical properties and biological activities. In this article, we describe the biological and pharmacological activities of NPs as well as summarize their potential in the formulation of drugs employed to treat pulmonary diseases. Recent advances in the use of NPs in inhalation chemotherapy for the treatment of lung diseases have also been highlighted.

Oral supramolecular nanovectors for dual natural medicine codelivery to prevent gastric mucosal lesion

The oral administration of a single formulation loaded with more than one natural medicine to treat chronic diseases has advantages such as convenience, effectiveness, and economy. Here, using biomaterials approved by the drug administration, we fabricated supramolecular nanovectors containing dual natural medicines to prevent gastric mucosal lesions. Nanovectors exhibited superior intestinal absorption and bioavailability, which might be due to their high dispersion, good muco-adhesiveness, blood-lymph circulation transport, lipid sensing, and protective effects. Molecular docking results clarified the possible mechanisms in aspects of efflux pump (p-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance protein 1) inhibition effects, metabolic enzyme (cytochrome P450 3A4/1A2) blocking effects, serum albumin deposit effects, and dual drug interaction effects. Nanovectors decreased ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions by lowering the gastric ulcer index, preventing oxidative damage, decreasing interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde, increasing glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and prostaglandin E2 levels. The interactions of inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB or κB kinase-related proteins and dual drugs or nanovector components were simulated computationally to provide an understanding of the gastro-protective action mechanism. In all, industrializable supramolecular nanovectors could effectively co-deliver dual natural medicines via the oral route by improving the pharmacokinetic behavior and exerting protective efficacy of the gastric mucosa by decreasing the oxidative stress and inflammatory level.

Recent exploration of nanoemulsions for drugs and cosmeceuticals delivery

BACKGROUND

Nanoemulsions (NEs) have been explored as nanocarriers for the delivery of many drugs and cosmeceuticals. The extraordinary expansion of using NEs is due to their capability to conquer the main challenges of conventional delivery systems such as short residence time with low patient acceptance, poor stability, low aqueous solubility, permeability, and hence bioavailability.

METHODS

This review recapitulated the most recent pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications of NEs as effective delivery nanocarriers. The outputs of our research studies and the literature review on the latest NEs applications were assessed to highlight the NEs components, preparations, applications, and the improved quality and elegance of the used product.

RESULTS

NEs are stable submicronic translucent dispersions with narrow droplet size distribution. They exhibited excellent ability to efficiently encapsulate therapeutics of diverse nature of drugs and cosmeceuticals. NE formulations showed superiority over conventional delivery approaches with overabundances of advantages through different routes of administration. This novel technology exhibited better aesthetic appeal, higher bioavailability, and a longer duration compared to the conventional delivery systems.

CONCLUSION

This novel technology holds promise for different therapeutics fields. However, the success of NEs use advocated the development of robust formulations, proper choice of equipment, ample process characterization, and assurance of their efficacy, stability, safety and cosmetic appeal.

Signaling Pathway Inhibitors, miRNA, and Nanocarrier-Based Pharmacotherapeutics for the Treatment of Lung Cancer: A Review

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and is responsible for a large number of deaths worldwide. The pathogenic mechanism of lung cancer is complex and multifactorial in origin. Thus, various signaling pathways as targets for therapy are being examined, and many new drugs are in the pipeline. However, both conventional and target-based drugs have been reported to present significant adverse effects, and both types of drugs can affect the clinical outcome in addition to patient quality of life. Recently, miRNA has been identified as a promising target for lung cancer treatment. Therefore, miRNA mimics, oncomiRs, or miRNA suppressors have been developed and studied for possible anticancer effects. However, these miRNAs also suffer from the limitations of low stability, biodegradation, thermal instability, and other issues. Thus, nanocarrier-based drug delivery for the chemotherapeutic drug delivery in addition to miRNA-based systems have been developed so that existing limitations can be resolved, and enhanced therapeutic outcomes can be achieved. Thus, this review discusses lung cancer's molecular mechanism, currently approved drugs, and their adverse effects. We also discuss miRNA biosynthesis and pathogenetic role, highlight pre-clinical and clinical evidence for use of miRNA in cancer therapy, and discussed limitations of this therapy. Furthermore, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs and miRNAs are described in detail. In brief, the present review describes the mechanism and up-to-date possible therapeutic approaches for lung cancer treatment and emphasizes future prospects to bring these novel approaches from bench to bedside.

Nanoscale Formulations: Incorporating Curcumin into Combination Strategies for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains the most common cancer worldwide. Although significant advances in screening have been made and early diagnosis strategies and therapeutic regimens have been developed, the overall survival rate remains bleak. Curcumin is extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric and exhibits a wide range of biological activities. In lung cancer, evidence has shown that curcumin can markedly inhibit tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, overcome resistance to therapy, and even eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs). Herein, the underlying molecular mechanisms of curcumin were summarized by distinct biological processes. To solve the limiting factors that curtail the clinical applications of curcumin, nanoformulations encapsulating curcumin were surveyed in detail. Nanoparticles, including liposomes, micelles, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanosuspensions, and nanoemulsions, were explored as proper carriers of curcumin. Moreover, it was firmly verified that curcumin has the ability to sensitize lung cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, and to various targeted therapies. Regarding the advantages and drawbacks of curcumin, we concluded that combination therapy based on nanoparticles would be the optimal approach to broaden the application of curcumin in the clinic in the near future.

Design and Characterization of Spray-Dried Proliposomes for the Pulmonary Delivery of Curcumin

Purpose

The goal was to directly deliver curcumin, a natural polyphenolic anticancer and anti-inflammatory compound, to the lung tissues with minimal systemic exposure through the fabrication of proliposomes, overcoming its poor aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability.

Methods

Nano-spray drying was employed to prepare proliposomes using hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin as a carrier. Lecithin and cholesterol were used as lipids, stearylamine and Poloxamer 188 were added as positive charge inducer and a surfactant, respectively. Different characterization parameters were evaluated like percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, aerodynamic particle size, in vitro release besides morphological examination. Cytotoxicity studies on cell line A549 lung tumor cells as well as in vivo lung pharmacokinetic studies were also carried.

Results

The optimized formulations showed superior aerosolization properties coupled their enhanced ability to reach deep lung tissues with a high % of fine particle fraction. Cytotoxicity studies using MTT assay demonstrated enhanced growth inhibitory effect on lung tumor cells A549 and significant reduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 compared to the pure drug. Results of lung pharmacokinetic tests confirmed the superiority of proliposomal curcumin over curcumin powder in both, the rate and extent of lung tissue absorption, as well as the mean residence time within the lung tissues.

Conclusion

The pulmonary delivery of curcumin-loaded proliposomes as dry powder provides a direct approach to lung tissues targeting while avoiding the limitations of the oral route and offering a non-invasive alternative to the parenteral one.

Curcumin encapsulation in nanostructures for cancer therapy: A 10-year overview

Curcumin (CUR) is a phenolic compound present in some herbs, including Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric rhizome), with a high bioactive capacity and characteristic yellow color. It is mainly used as a spice, although it has been found that CUR has interesting pharmaceutical properties, acting as a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumoral agent. Nonetheless, CUR is a hydrophobic compound with low water solubility, poor chemical stability, and fast metabolism, limiting its use as a pharmacological compound. Smart drug delivery systems (DDS) have been used to overcome its low bioavailability and improve its stability. The current work overviews the literature from the past 10 years on the encapsulation of CUR in nanostructured systems, such as micelles, liposomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, hydrogels, and nanocomplexes, emphasizing its use and ability in cancer therapy. The studies highlighted in this review have shown that these nanoformulations achieved higher solubility, improved tumor cytotoxicity, prolonged CUR release, and reduced side effects, among other interesting advantages.

Catanionic Hybrid Lipid Nanovesicles for Improved Bioavailability and Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Catanionic nanovesicles are attractive as a novel class of delivery vehicle because they can increase the stability, adsorption, and cellular uptake of a broad range of drugs. These hybrid lipid nanocarriers consist of solid and liquid lipids, which are biocompatible and biodegradable. Since liquid lipid is added to the nanocarrier, the lipids are present in a crystalline defect or amorphous structure state. As a result, hybrid lipid nanocarriers have a higher drug loading capability and suffer less drug leakage during preparation and storage compared to the pure lipid nanocarriers. Catanionic nanovesicles have been shown to increase stability, adsorption, cellular uptake, apoptosis induction, tumor cell cytotoxicity, and antitumorigenic effect, making it a highly desirable vehicle for drug delivery. For example, the anticancer compound curcumin (CC) have shown great promise to cure cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer. However, like many potential antitumor drugs, CC on its own has poor water solubility, easy photodegradation, chemical instability, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and fast systematic clearance, which severely limits its clinical applications. In this chapter, we demonstrate the use of catanionic nanovesicles to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of CC for anticancer applications. This technique can be easily adapted for delivery and evaluation of other bioactive compounds.

Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of antioxidant activity and bioavailability of a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for buckwheat flavonoids

The self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system has shown many advantages in drug delivery. In this study, a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of buckwheat flavonoids was prepared for enhancing its antioxidant activity and oral bioavailability. A nanoemulsion of buckwheat flavonoids was developed and characterized, and its antioxidant, in vitro release, and in vivo bioavailability were determined. The nanoemulsion was optimized by the central composite design response surface experiment, and its particle size, polymer dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and stability were evaluated. The antioxidant activity was tested by measuring its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and superoxide anion scavenging ability. In vitro release of buckwheat flavonoids nanoemulsion showed a higher cumulative release than the suspension, and the release fitting model followed the Ritger-Peppas and Weibull models. The effective concentration of the nanoemulsion was evaluated in vivo using a Wistar rat model, and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of the buckwheat flavonoids nanoemulsion was 2.2-fold higher than that of the buckwheat flavonoid suspension. The Cmax of the nanoemulsion was 2.6-fold greater than that of the suspension. These results indicate that the nanoemulsion is a promising oral drug delivery system that can improve the oral bioavailability to satisfy the clinical requirements.

Formulation Design, Statistical Optimization, and In Vitro Evaluation of a Naringenin Nanoemulsion to Enhance Apoptotic Activity in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Naringenin (NAR), a flavonoid mainly found in citrus and grapefruits, has proven anti-cancer activities. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of NAR limits its use as a therapeutic agent. The aim of this study was to develop and optimize stable naringenin nanoemulsions (NAR-NE) using a Box-Behnken experimental design to obtain a formulation with a higher efficiency. Anticancer activity of optimized NAR-NE was evaluated in A549 lung cancer cells using cell viability, flow-cytometric assays, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The stabilized nanoemulsion, which showed a spherical surface morphology, had a globule size of 85.6 ± 2.1 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.263 ± 0.02, a zeta potential of -9.6 ± 1.2 mV, and a drug content of 97.34 ± 1.3%. The NAR release from the nanoemulsion showed an initial burst release followed by a stable and controlled release for a longer period of 24 h. The nanoemulsion exhibited excellent thermodynamic and physical stability against phase separation and storage. The NAR-NE showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in A549 lung cancer cells, which was greater than that of free NAR. The percentage of apoptotic cells and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M and pre-G1 phases induced by NAR-NE were significantly higher than those produced by free NAR (p < 0.05). NAR-NEs were more effective than the NAR solution in reducing Bcl2 expression, while increasing pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase-3 activity. Therefore, stabilized NAR-NE could be a suitable drug delivery system to enhance the effects of NAR in the treatment of lung cancer.

Oral administration of natural polyphenol-loaded natural polysaccharide-cloaked lipidic nanocarriers to improve efficacy against small-cell lung cancer

Oral administration shows good tolerance in patients. Botanic anticancer drugs without serious side effects have attracted increased attention worldwide. However, oral delivery of natural anticancer drugs faces great challenges due to low solubility, gastrointestinal side effects, first-pass effects, and P-glycoprotein efflux. Here, we loaded the natural polyphenol curcumin (Cc) into natural polysaccharide-cloaked lipidic nanocarriers (Cc@CLNs) to improve the efficacy in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) associated with oral administration. Compared to other nanoformulations, Cc@CLNs have advantages of simple operation, easy scale-up, low cost, and high safety. Cc@CLNs improve bioavailability by inducing synergistic effects (efficient cell membrane penetration, inherent muco-adhesiveness, resistance to pepsin and trypsin degradation, promoted dissolution, enhanced epithelia/M cellular uptake and inhibition of efflux transporters) and countering the tendency of nanocarriers to aggregate and fuse, which limit lipid-based nanosystems. In this study, we first evaluated the oral bioavailability of Cc@CLNs in rats and their efficacy in H446 tumor-bearing mice. The oral bioavailability increased by 8.94-fold, and the tumor growth inhibition rate doubled compared to that achieved with free Cc. We investigated the action of Cc against SCLC stem cells, and Cc@CLNs greatly enhanced this action. The expression of CD133 and ABCG2 in the Cc@CLNs group decreased by 38.05% and 32.57%, respectively, compared to the respective expression levels in the control.

Natural Oral Anticancer Medication in Small Ethanol Nanosomes Coated with a Natural Alkaline Polysaccharide

Oral medication is the most acceptable therapy to treat chronic diseases. Natural drugs and excipients have unique advantages, such as low cost and high safety. We first investigated modified ethanol nanosomes for tumor treatment via oral administration. We loaded curcumin (CM) into small ethanol nanosomes coated with the natural alkaline polysaccharide chitosan (CCSET) for increased absorption and bioavailability and enhanced efficacy against small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Compared to CM and noncoated ethanol nanosomes, CCSETs exhibited superior physicochemical, in vitro-in vivo kinetic, and absorptive properties and treatment efficacy at the cellular and animal levels. The interaction of CM and serum albumin (the quantitative binding force) was analyzed. The bioavailability of CCSET increased by 11.84-fold and the tumor growth inhibition rate increased markedly compared to CM. We first confirmed the effect of CM on SCLC stem cells, and CCSET greatly enhanced this action. We first reported that CM had an antitumor effect on SCLC at the animal level and that CCSET enhanced this effect. Natural alkaline polysaccharide-coated small ethanol nanosomes delivering natural medicine may be a potential oral anticancer strategy.

Immune cell engineering: opportunities in lung cancer therapeutics

Engineered immune cells offer a prime therapeutic alternate for some aggressive and frequently occurring malignancies like lung cancer. These therapies were reported to result in tumor regression and overall improvement in patient survival. However, studies also suggest that the presence of cancer cell-induced immune-suppressive microenvironment, off-target toxicity, and difficulty in concurrent imaging are some prime impendent in the success of these approaches. The present article reviews the need and significance of the currently available immune cell-based strategies for lung cancer therapeutics. It also showcases the utility of incorporating nanoengineered strategies and details the available formulations of nanocarriers. In last, it briefly discussed the existing methods for nanoparticle fuctionalization and challenges in translating basic research to the clinics. Graphical Abstract.

Contemporary Formulations for Drug Delivery of Anticancer Bioactive Compounds

BACKGROUND

The immense development in the field of anticancer research has led to an increase in the research of bioactive compounds with anticancer potential. It has been known that many bioactive natural compounds have low solubility (and low bioavailability) as their main drawback when it comes to the formulation and drug delivery to specific sites.

OBJECTIVE

As many attempts have been made to overcome this issue, this review gives a summary of the current accomplishments regarding the development of new Drug Delivery Systems (DDSs) represented by nanoparticles (NPs) and exosomes.

METHODS

We analyzed the published data concerning selected compounds that present the most prominent plant secondary metabolites with anticancer potential, specifically flavone (quercetin), isoflavone (genistein and curcumin) and stilbene (resveratrol) groups that have been formulated as NPs and exosomes. In addition, we summarized the patent literature published from 2015-2018 that address these formulations.

RESULTS

Although the exact mechanism of action for the selected natural compounds still remains unclear, the anticancer effect is evident and the main research efforts are directed to finding the most suitable delivery systems. Recent patents in this field serve as evidence that these newly designed natural compound delivery systems could be powerful new anticancer agents in the very near future if the noted difficulties are overcome.

CONCLUSION

The focus of recent research is not only to clarify the exact mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects, but also to answer the issue of suitable delivery systems that can transport sufficient doses of bioactive compounds to the desired target.

Lipid-Based Nanoparticles: Application and Recent Advances in Cancer Treatment

Many therapeutically active molecules are non-soluble in aqueous systems, chemically and biologically fragile or present severe side effects. Lipid-based nanoparticle (LBNP) systems represent one of the most promising colloidal carriers for bioactive organic molecules. Their current application in oncology has revolutionized cancer treatment by improving the antitumor activity of several chemotherapeutic agents. LBNPs advantages include high temporal and thermal stability, high loading capacity, ease of preparation, low production costs, and large-scale industrial production since they can be prepared from natural sources. Moreover, the association of chemotherapeutic agents with lipid nanoparticles reduces active therapeutic dose and toxicity, decreases drug resistance and increases drug levels in tumor tissue by decreasing them in healthy tissue. LBNPs have been extensively assayed in in vitro cancer therapy but also in vivo, with promising results in some clinical trials. This review summarizes the types of LBNPs that have been developed in recent years and the main results when applied in cancer treatment, including essential assays in patients.

Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Curcumin Nanodispersions Using Three Different Methods – Novel Subcritical Water Conditions, Spontaneous Emulsification and Solvent Displacement

Curcumin as a lipophilic bioactive compound can be incorporated into water-based formulations when it turns into curcumin nanodispersions. In fact, nanodispersion systems, increase curcumin bioavailability, solubility and stability, and furthermore increase curcumin uses in aqueous food and pharmaceutical formulations. Present study focuses on the preparation of curcumin nanodispersions under subcritical water conditions (temperature of 120 °C and pressure of 1.5 bar for 2 h) and using selected another two different methods namely, spontaneous emulsification and solvent displacement. Lecithin as carrier oil, Tween 80 as emulsifier and polyethylene glycol as co-surfactant, with a ratio of 1:8:1, were used in all the preparation techniques. Obtained results indicated that curcumin nanodispersions with smallest mean particle size (70 nm), polydispersity index (0.57), curcumin loss (5.5%) and turbidity (0.04 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit), and maximum loading ability (0.189 g/L), loading efficiency (94.5%) and conductivity (0.157 mS/cm) were obtained under subcritical water conditions. The results also exhibited that the prepared spherical curcumin nanoparticles in the water by this technique had desirable physical stability as their mean zeta potential value was (−12.6 mV). It also observed that, as compared to spontaneous emulsification and solvent displacement methods, the prepared curcumin nanodispersions via subcritical water method had highest anti-oxidant and antibacterial activities.

Preparation, physicochemical and pharmacological study of curcumin solid dispersion with an arabinogalactan complexation agent

Pharmaceutical solid dispersions (SD) of curcumin (Cur) with macromolecule polysaccharide arabinogalactan (AG) from wood of Larix sibirica were prepared by mechanical ball milling. The physical properties of the dispersed curcumin mixture in solid state were characterized by scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction studies. These methods showed a strong decrease in the degree of crystallinity of Cur and its transformation to amorphization state, accompanied by the formation of the guest-host type complexes. The behavior of the samples in solutions was characterized by reverse phase HPLC, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Mechanochemically prepared complexes demonstrated the increased solubility of Cur up to ~10.5 times in contrast to pure curcumin. The rapid storage test showed high chemical stability of Cur, which depended on mass relations of Cur-AG. Besides, improved membrane permeability of Cur-AG SD was tested by parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. Pharmacokinetic study of Cur-AG SD formulation in rat demonstrated a significant~8-fold enhancement of bioavailability in comparison to pure curcumin. In MTT tests, Cur-AG SD showed moderate cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma cells and immortalized human fibroblasts. Therefore, Cur-AG solid dispersion was a more promising and efficacious formulation for application in oral drug delivery.

Preparation of curcumin self-micelle solid dispersion with enhanced bioavailability and cytotoxic activity by mechanochemistry

An amorphous solid dispersion (SD) of curcumin (Cur) with disodium glycyrrhizin (Na2GA) was prepared by mechanical ball milling. Curcumin loaded micelles were self-formed by Na2GA when SD dissolved in water. The physical properties of Cur SD in solid state were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction studies, and scanning electron microscope. The characteristics of the sample solutions were analyzed by reverse phase HPLC, UV-visible spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation LC, and transmission electron microscopy. In vitro cytotoxic tests demonstrated that Cur SD induced higher cytotoxicity against glioblastoma U-87 MG cells than free Cur. Besides, an improvement of membrane permeability of Cur SD was confirmed by parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. Further pharmacokinetic study of this SD formulation in rat showed a significant ∼19-fold increase of bioavailability as comparing to free Cur. Thus, Cur SD provide a more potent and efficacious formulation for Cur oral delivery.

Enhanced oral absorption of pemetrexed by ion-pairing complex formation with deoxycholic acid derivative and multiple nanoemulsion formulations: preparation, characterization, and in vivo oral bioavailability and anticancer effect

Objective

The current study sought to design an oral delivery system of pemetrexed (PMX), a multitargeted antifolate antimetabolite, by enhancing its intestinal membrane permeability.

Materials and methods

PMX was ionically complexed with a permeation enhancer such as N^α-deoxycholyl-l-lysyl-methylester (DCK) and prepared as an amorphous solid dispersion by mixing with dispersants such as 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) and poloxamer 188 (P188), forming an HP-beta-CD/PMX/DCK/P188; the complex was incorporated into multiple water-in-oil-in-water nanoemulsions in a supersaturated state (HP-beta-CD/PMX/DCK/P188-NE).

Results

After complex formation, the partition coefficient and in vitro membrane permeability of PMX were markedly increased, but it showed similar cytotoxic and inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation/migration. Furthermore, the intestinal membrane permeability and epithelial cell uptake of PMX were synergistically improved after HP-beta-CD/PMX/DCK/P188 was incorporated into a nanoemulsion with a size of 14.5±0.45 nm. The in vitro permeability of HP-beta-CD/PMX/DCK/P188-NE across a Caco-2 cell monolayer was 9.82-fold greater than that of free PMX, which might be attributable to the partitioning of PMX to the epithelial cells being facilitated via specific interaction of DCK with bile acid transporters, as well as the enhanced lipophilicity accompanied by surfactant-induced changes in the intestinal membrane structure and fluidity. Therefore, the oral bioavailability of HP-beta-CD/PMX/DCK/P188-NE in rats was evaluated as 26.8%±2.98% which was 223% higher than that of oral PMX. Moreover, oral HP-beta-CD/PMX/DCK/P188-NE significantly suppressed tumor growth in Lewis lung carcinoma cell-bearing mice, and the tumor volume was maximally inhibited by 61% compared with that in the control group.

Conclusion

These results imply that HP-beta-CD/PMX/DCK/P188-NE is an effective and promising delivery system for enhancing the oral absorption of PMX. Thus, there is the potential for new medical applications, including applications in metronomic cancer treatment.

Inhalation treatment of primary lung cancer using liposomal curcumin dry powder inhalers

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Traditional chemotherapy causes serious toxicity due to the wide bodily distribution of these drugs. Curcumin is a potential anticancer agent but its low water solubility, poor bioavailability and rapid metabolism significantly limits clinical applications. Here we developed a liposomal curcumin dry powder inhaler (LCD) for inhalation treatment of primary lung cancer. LCDs were obtained from curcumin liposomes after freeze-drying. The LCDs had a mass mean aerodynamic diameter of 5.81 μm and a fine particle fraction of 46.71%, suitable for pulmonary delivery. The uptake of curcumin liposomes by human lung cancer A549 cells was markedly greater and faster than that of free curcumin. The high cytotoxicity on A549 cells and the low cytotoxicity of curcumin liposomes on normal human bronchial BEAS-2B epithelial cells yielded a high selection index partly due to increased cell apoptosis. Curcumin powders, LCDs and gemcitabine were directly sprayed into the lungs of rats with lung cancer through the trachea. LCDs showed higher anticancer effects than the other two medications with regard to pathology and the expression of many cancer-related markers including VEGF, malondialdehyde, TNF-α, caspase-3 and BCL-2. LCDs are a promising medication for inhalation treatment of lung cancer with high therapeutic efficiency.

Nanoparticle formulations to enhance tumor targeting of poorly soluble polyphenols with potential anticancer properties

Polyphenols have been extensively studied for their relevant anticancer activity. Quite often however their instability, extensive metabolization, low bioavailability and poor solubility limit their application in cancer prevention and therapy. Formulation in nanoparticles has been widely proposed as a means to overcome these limits, maximize localization and specific activity at tumor site. The present review is intended as an update of literature regarding nanoparticulate carriers aimed to deliver polyphenols to the cancer site. Three molecules were chosen, all of which were hydrophobic and poorly soluble, representative of different polyphenol classes: quercetin (QT) among the flavonoid group, curcumin (CUR) as representative of curcuminoids, and resveratrol (RSV) among the stilbenes. In particular, nanoparticulate systems suitable for poorly soluble drugs will be described and attention will be paid to characteristics designed to improve tumor targeting, specific delivery and interaction with tumor cells.

Efficient intracellular delivery makes cancer cells sensitive to nanoemulsive chemodrugs

Evodiamine has been documented to possess activities in numerous cancer cells. Our preliminary study showed that A549 cells were insensitive to evodiamine. In this paper, A549 cells are sensitive to nanoemulsive evodiamine (EVONE) through an efficient intracellular and systematic delivery. EVONE entered tumor cells by energy-dependent and mainly through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. EVONE exerted a higher cytotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The enhanced induction of cell cycle arrest was ascribed to the down-regulation of cyclin B and cyclin dependent kinase 1, while the enhanced induction of apoptosis was due to the activation of caspase −3, −8 and −9 and the decreased B-cell lymphoma 2/ assaciated X protein ratio. Furthermore, the in vivo kinetic, bioavailability and in situ absorption characteristics of EVONE were much better than those of free evodiamine. The cancer cells insensitive to free chemodrugs became sensitive to nanoemulsive chemodrugs.

Stable curcumin-loaded polymeric micellar formulation for enhancing cellular uptake and cytotoxicity to FLT3 overexpressing EoL-1 leukemic cells

The present study aims to develop a stable polymeric micellar formulation of curcumin (CM) with improved solubility and stability, and that is suitable for clinical applications in leukemia patients. CM-loaded polymeric micelles (CM-micelles) were prepared using poloxamers. The chemical structure of the polymers influenced micellar properties. The best formulation of CM-micelles, namely CM-P407, was obtained from poloxamer 407 at drug to polymer ratio of 1:30 and rehydrated with phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4. CM-P407 exhibited the smallest size of 30.3±1.3nm and highest entrapment efficiency of 88.4±4.1%. When stored at -80°C for 60days, CM-P407 retained high protection of CM and had no significant size change. In comparison with CM solution in dimethyl sulfoxide (CM-DMSO), CM kinetic degradation in both formulations followed a pseudo-first-order reaction, but the half-life of CM in CM-P407 was approx. 200 times longer than in CM-DMSO. Regarding the activity against FLT3 overexpressing EoL-1 leukemic cells, CM-P407 showed higher cytotoxicity than CM-DMSO. Moreover, intracellular uptake to leukemic cells of CM-P407 was 2-3 times greater than that of CM-DMSO. These promising results for CM-P407 will be further investigated in rodents and in clinical studies for leukemia treatment.