An investigation of rhinovirus infection on cellular uptake of poly (glycerol-adipate) nanoparticles

A novel nanocomposite drug delivery system for SARS-CoV-2 infections

To develop an inhalable drug delivery system, we synthesized poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles with Remdesivir (RDV NPs) as an antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 replication and formulated Remdesivir-loaded nanocomposites (RDV NCs) via coating of RDV NPs with novel supramolecular cell-penetrating peptide nanofibers (NFs) to enhance cellular uptake and intracellular drug delivery. RDV NPs and RDV NCs were characterized using variou techniques, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and fluorescent microscopy. The cytotoxicity of RDV NCs was assessed in Vero E6 cells and primary human lung epithelial cells, with no significant cytotoxicity observed up to 1000 μg mL-1 and 48 h. RDV NCs were spherically shaped with a size range of 200-300 nm and a zeta potential of ∼+31 mV as well as indicating the presence of coated nanofibers. Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence and plaque assays of SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 treated with RDV NCs showed significantly higher antiviral activities compared to those of free drug and uncoated RDV NPs. RDV NCs exhibited high antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, and the nanocomposite platform has the potential to be developed into an inhalable drug delivery system for other viral infections in the lungs.

Novel green-based polyglycerol polymeric nanoparticles loaded with ferulic acid: A promising approach for hepatoprotection

In the pursuit of eco-friendly and sustainable materials, polyglycerol diacid polymers hold immense promise for drug delivery compared to those derived from fossil fuels. Harnessing this potential, we aimed to prepare nanoparticles (NPs) derived from sustainable polymers, loaded with ferulic acid (FA), a natural polyphenolic compound known for its shielding effect against liver-damaging agents, including carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Glycerol was esterified with renewable monomers, such as succinic acid, adipic acid, and/or FA, resulting in the creation of a novel class of polyglycerol diacid polymers. Characterization via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the successful synthesis of these polymers with <7 % residual monomers. FA-loaded NPs were fabricated using the newly synthesized polymers. To further augment their potential, the NPs were coated with chitosan. The chitosan-coated NPs boasted an optimal PS of 290 ± 5.03 nm, showing superior physical stability, and a commendable EE% of 58.79 ± 0.43%w/v. The cytotoxicity was examined on fibroblast cells using the SRB assay. In-vivo experiments employing a CCl4-induced liver injury model yielded compelling evidence of the heightened hepatoprotective effects conferred by chitosan-coated particles. This demonstrates the benefits of incorporating sustainable polymers into innovative composites for efficient drug delivery, indicating their potential for creating versatile platforms for various therapeutic applications.

Preparation and characterization of Sorafenib nano-emulsion: impact on pharmacokinetics and toxicity; an in vitro and in vivo study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Current treatment strategies include surgical resection, liver transplantation, liver-directed therapy, and systemic therapy. Sorafenib (Sor) is the first systemic drug authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HCC treatment. Nevertheless, the conventional oral administration of Sor presents several limitations: poor solubility, low bioavailability, drug resistance development, and off-target tissue accumulation, leading to numerous adverse effects. Nano-emulsion, a nano-delivery system, is a viable carrier for poorly water-soluble drugs. It aims to enhance drug bioavailability, target organ accumulation, and reduce off-target tissue exposure, thus improving therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects. This study formulated Sor nano-emulsion (Sor NanoEm) using the homogenization technique. The resultant nano-emulsion was characterized by particle size (121.75 ± 12 nm), polydispersity index (PDI; 0.310), zeta potential (-12.33 ± 1.34 mV), viscosity (34,776 ± 3276 CPs), and pH (4.38 ± 0.3). Transmission Electron Microscopy exhibited spherical nano-droplets with no aggregation signs indicating stability. Furthermore, the encapsulation of Sor within the nano-emulsion sustained its release, potentially reducing the frequency of therapeutic doses. Cytotoxicity assessments on the HepG2 cell line revealed that Sor NanoEm had a significantly (P < 0.05) more potent cytotoxic effect compared to Sor suspension. Subsequent tests highlighted superior pharmacokinetic parameters and reduced dosage requirements of Sor NanoEm in mice. It exhibited an enhanced safety profile, particularly in behavior, brain, and liver, compared to its suspended form. These findings underscore the enhanced pharmacological and toxicological attributes of Sor Nano-emulsion, suggesting its potential utility in HCC treatment.

New Data on Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Potential of Transgenic Senna obtusifolia Hairy Roots: In Vitro Studies

Asthma is an inflammatory disease whose etiology remains unclear. Its characteristics encompass a wide range of clinical symptoms, inflammatory processes, and reactions to standard therapies. Plants produce a range of constitutive products and secondary metabolites that may have therapeutic abilities. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Senna obtusifolia transgenic hairy root extracts on virus-induced airway remodeling conditions. Three cell lines were incubated with extracts from transformed (SOA4) and transgenic (SOPSS2, with overexpression of the gene encoding squalene synthase 1) hairy roots of Senna obtusifolia in cell lines undergoing human rhinovirus-16 (HRV-16) infection. The effects of the extracts on the inflammatory process were determined based on the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1α and IFN-γ) and total thiol content. The transgenic Senna obtusifolia root extract reduced virus-induced expression of TNF, IL-8 and IL-1 in WI-38 and NHBE cells. The SOPSS2 extract reduced IL-1 expression only in lung epithelial cells. Both tested extracts significantly increased the concentration of thiol groups in epithelial lung cells. In addition, the SOPPS2 hairy root extract yielded a positive result in the scratch test. SOA4 and SOPPS2 Senna obtusifolia hairy root extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects or wound healing activity. The SOPSS2 extract had stronger biological properties, which may result from a higher content of bioactive secondary metabolites.

Leonotis nepetifolia Transformed Root Extract Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Promotes Tissue Repair In Vitro

Inflammation is closely related to asthma and its defining feature: airway remodeling. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of extracts of normal (NR) and transformed (TR) Leonotis nepetifolia roots on respiratory cells and against the gingival epithelium. Extracts from NR and TR roots were added to lung fibroblast, bronchial epithelial and gingival fibroblast cell lines, in the presence of HRV-16 infection, to determine their impact on inflammation. The expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, GM-CSF and MCAF) as well as total thiol contents were assessed. The TR extract inhibited rhinovirus-induced IL-6 and IL-1β expression in all tested airway cells (p < 0.05). Additionally, the extract decreased GM-CSF expression in bronchial epithelial cells. The tested extracts had positive effects on total thiol content in all tested cell lines. The TR root extract demonstrated wound healing potential. While both tested extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, they were stronger for the TR extract, possibly due to higher concentrations of beneficial metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids. Additionally, wound healing activity was demonstrated for the TR root extract. These results suggest that TR root extract may become a promising therapeutic agent in the future.

Supramolecular Peptide Nanofiber/PLGA Nanocomposites for Enhancing Pulmonary Drug Delivery

Effective drug delivery to pulmonary sites will benefit from the design and synthesis of novel drug delivery systems that can overcome various tissue and cellular barriers. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have shown promise for intracellular delivery of various imaging probes and therapeutics. Although CPPs improve delivery efficacy to a certain extent, they still lack the scope of engineering to improve the payload capacity and protect the payload from the physiological environment in drug delivery applications. Inspired by recent advances of CPPs and CPP-functionalized nanoparticles, in this work, we demonstrate a novel nanocomposite consisting of fiber-forming supramolecular CPPs that are coated onto polylactic-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles to enhance pulmonary drug delivery. These nanocomposites show a threefold higher intracellular delivery of nanoparticles in various cells including primary lung epithelial cells, macrophages, and a 10-fold increase in endothelial cells compared to naked PLGA nanoparticles or a twofold increase compared to nanoparticles modified with traditional monomeric CPPs. Cell uptake studies suggest that nanocomposites likely enter cells through mixed macropinocytosis and passive energy-independent mechanisms, which is followed by endosomal escape within 24 h. Nanocomposites also showed potent mucus permeation. More importantly, freeze-drying and nebulizing formulated nanocomposite powder did not affect their physiochemical and biological activity, which further highlights the translative potential for use as a stable drug carrier for pulmonary drug delivery. We expect nanocomposites based on peptide nanofibers, and PLGA nanoparticles can be custom designed to encapsulate and deliver a wide range of therapeutics including nucleic acids, proteins, and small-molecule drugs when employed in inhalable systems to treat various pulmonary diseases.

Antimicrobial Activity of Azithromycin Encapsulated into PLGA NPs: A Potential Strategy to Overcome Efflux Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance represents a public health problem with a major negative impact on health and socioeconomic development, and is one of the biggest threats in the modern era. This requires the discovery of new approaches to control microbial infections. Nanomedicine could be one of the promising strategies to improve the treatment of microbial infections. Polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) were reported to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism toward chemotherapeutic agents. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies were performed to explore their ability to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism in bacteria. In the current study, azithromycin (AZI), a macrolide antibiotic, was encapsulated into a biocompatible polymer, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) using the nano-precipitation method. The effect of the drug to polymer ratio, surfactant, and pH of the aqueous medium on particle size and drug loading percentage (DL%) were investigated in order to maximize the DL% and control the size of NPs to be around 100 nm. The antibacterial activity of AZI-PLGA NPs was investigated against AZI-resistant bacteria; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), where the efflux mechanism was demonstrated to be one of the resistant mechanisms. AZI-PLGA NPs were safer than free AZI, as revealed from the cytotoxicity test, and were able to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism, as revealed by decreasing the MIC of AZI-PLGA NPs by four times than free AZI. The MIC value reduced from 256 to 64 µg/mL and from >1000 to 256 µg/mL for MRSA and E. faecalis, respectively. Therefore, encapsulation of AZI into PNPs was shown to be a promising strategy to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism towards AZI and improve its antibacterial effect. However, future investigations are necessary to explore the effect (if any) of particle size, surface charge, and material composition of PNPs on antibacterial activity. Moreover, it is essential to ascertain the safety profiles of these PNPs, the possibility of their large-scale manufacture, and if this concept could be extended to other antibiotics.

Investigating the Antibacterial Activity and Safety of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles versus a Commercial Alcohol-Based Hand-Sanitizer: Can Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Be Useful for Hand Sanitation?

Hand hygiene is the key factor to control and prevent the spread of infections, for example, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). People commonly use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to assure hand hygiene. However, frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in a pandemic situation (e.g., COVID-19) was associated with serious drawbacks such as skin toxicity including irritation, skin dermatitis, and skin dryness or cracking, along with peeling, redness, or itching with higher possibility of infection. This demands the development of alternative novel products that are effective as alcohol-based hand sanitizers but have no hazardous effects. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are known to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, be compatible with the biological system and the environment, and have applicable and economic industrial-scale production. Thus, ZnO-NPs might be a good candidate for hand sanitation. To the best of our knowledge, the antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs in comparison to alcohol-based hand sanitizers has not yet been studied. In the present work, a comparative study of the antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs vs. Sterillium, a commercial alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is commonly used in Egyptian hospitals, was performed against common microorganisms known to cause HAIs in Egypt, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Staphylococcus aureus. The safety profiles of ZnO-NPs and Sterillium were also assessed. The obtained results demonstrated the superior antibacterial activity and safety of ZnO-NPs compared to Sterillium. Therefore, ZnO-NPs could be a promising candidate for hand sanitation in comparison to alcohol-based hand sanitizers; however, several studies related to long-term toxicity and stability of ZnO-NPs and investigations into their antimicrobial activity and safety in healthcare settings are still required in the future to ascertain their antimicrobial activity and safety.

Rhamnolipid Nano-Micelles Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Have No Dermal or Eye Toxic Effects in Rabbits

Hand hygiene is considered to be the key factor in controlling and preventing infection, either in hospital care settings or in the community. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are commonly used due to their rapid action and broad spectrum of microbicidal activity, offering protection against bacteria and viruses. However, their frequent administration during COVID-19 pandemic was associated with serious hazards, such as skin toxicity, including irritation, skin dermatitis, skin dryness or cracking, along with peeling redness or itching, with the higher possibility of getting infections. Thus, there is a need to find alternative and novel approaches for hand sanitation. In our previous publications, we reported that rhamnolipids nano-micelles had a comparable antibacterial activity to alcohol-based hand sanitizer and a lower cytotoxicity against human dermal fibroblast cells. In the current study, we investigated the antiviral activity of rhamnolipids nano-micelles against SARS-CoV-2. There was no cytotoxic effect on Vero cells noted at the tested concentrations of rhamnolipids nano-micelles. The rhamnolipids nano-micelles solution at 20, 78, and 312 µg/mL all demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of virus infectivity compared to the virus only and the blank vehicle sample. In addition, an acute irritation test was performed on rabbits to further ascertain the biosafety of rhamnolipids nano-micelles. In the eye and skin irritation tests, no degree of irritation was recorded after topical application of rhamnolipids nano-micelles. In addition, histopathological, biomarker, and hematological analyses from animals treated with rhamnolipids nano-micelles were identical to those recorded for untreated animal. From the above, we can conclude that rhamnolipids nano-micelles are a good candidate to be used as a hand sanitizer instead of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. However, they must still be tested in the future among healthcare workers (HCW) in a health care setting to ascertain their antimicrobial efficacy and safety compared to alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Therapeutic potential of selenium nanoparticles

Diseases have always been a disconcerting issue and have changed into being an inevitable member of the world’s population. Medical advancements have brought in improved treatments for particular ailments, but unfortunately those betterments have resulted in either side effects or turned out futile to a certain extent. The emergence of nanotechnology has considerably benefitted medical experts in disease diagnosis and therapeutics. Currently, an expansive range of nanoparticles is being explored for their effectiveness in therapies, and one among them is selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Nano-selenium exhibits significant properties which make it best suited for this purpose. The article highlights the key role of SeNPs in treating major diseases like cancer, diabetes, and microbial infections.

Rhamnolipid Nano-Micelles versus Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer: A Comparative Study for Antibacterial Activity against Hospital-Acquired Infections and Toxicity Concerns

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are considered to be a major global healthcare challenge, in large part because of the development of microbial resistance to currently approved antimicrobial drugs. HAIs are frequently preventable through infection prevention and control measures, with hand hygiene as a key activity. Improving hand hygiene was reported to reduce the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens and HAIs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are commonly used due to their rapid action and broad spectrum of microbicidal activity, offering protection against bacteria and viruses. However, their frequent administration has been reported to be associated with many side effects, such as skin sensitivity, skin drying, and cracks, which promote further skin infections. Thus, there is an essential need to find alternative approaches to hand sanitation. Rhamnolipids are glycolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and were shown to have broad antimicrobial activity as biosurfactants. We have previously demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of rhamnolipid nano-micelles against selected drug-resistant Gram-negative (Salmonella Montevideo and Salmonella Typhimurium) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae). To the best of our knowledge, the antimicrobial activity of rhamnolipid nano-micelles in comparison to alcohol-based hand sanitizers against microorganisms commonly causing HAIs in Egypt—such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus—has not yet been studied. In the present work, a comparative study of the antibacterial activity of rhamnolipid nano-micelles versus alcohol-based hand sanitizers was performed, and their safety profiles were also assessed. It was demonstrated that rhamnolipid nano-micelles had a comparable antibacterial activity to alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with a better safety profile, i.e., rhamnolipid nano-micelles are unlikely to cause any harmful effects on the skin. Thus, rhamnolipid nano-micelles could be recommended to replace alcohol-based hand sanitizers; however, they must still be tested by healthcare workers in healthcare settings to ascertain their antimicrobial activity and safety.

Polymeric nanoparticles as therapeutic agents against coronavirus disease

Nanotechnology has the potential to improve the combat against life-threatening conditions. Considering the COVID-19 scenario, and future outbreaks, nanotechnology can play a pivotal role in several steps, ranging from disinfection protocols, manufacture of hospital clothes, to implementation of healthcare settings. Polymeric nanoparticles are colloidal particles with size ranging from 10 to 999 nm, composed of natural or synthetic polymers. The versatility of polymeric-based nanoparticle engineering can provide (i) specificity, (ii) tunable release kinetics, and (iii) multimodal drug composition, making it possible to overcome common limitations encountered during traditional drug development. Consequently, these particles have been widely used as drug delivery systems against several diseases, such as cancer. Due to inherent competitive advantages, polymeric-based nanoparticles hold astonishing potential to counteract the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). For this reason, in the present study, the latest advancements in polymer-based nanotechnology approaches used to fight against SARS-CoV-2 are compiled and discussed. Moreover, the importance of forefront in vitro technologies - such as 3D bioprinting and organ-on-chip - to evaluate the efficacy of nanotherapeutic agents is also highlighted. Polymeric nanoparticles can be functionalized to enhance its potential as a nanotherapeutic agent. Due to its many advantages, polymeric-based nanoparticles systems are a promising approach against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Curcumin modulates airway remodelling-contributing genes-the significance of transcription factors

Bronchial epithelial cells and fibroblasts play an essential role in airway remodelling, due to their protective and secretory functions. There are many studies proving that infection caused by human rhinovirus may contribute to the process of airway remodelling. The beneficial properties of curcumin, the basic ingredient of turmeric, have been proved in many studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of curcumin immunomodulatory properties in development of airway remodelling. Fibroblasts (WI‐38 and HFL1) and epithelial cells (NHBE) were incubated with curcumin. Additionally, remodelling conditions were induced with rhinovirus (HRV). Airway remodelling genes were determined by qPCR and immunoblotting. Moreover, NF‐κB, c‐Myc and STAT3 were silenced to analyse the pathways involved in airway remodelling. Curcumin reduced the expression of the genes analysed, especially MMP‐9, TGF‐β and collagen I. Moreover, curcumin inhibited the HRV‐induced expression of MMP‐9, TGF‐β, collagen I and LTC4S (p < 0.05). NF‐κB, c‐Myc and STAT3 changed their course of expression. Concluding, our study shows that curcumin significantly downregulated gene expression related to the remodelling process, which is dependent on NF‐κB and, partially, on c‐Myc and STAT3. The results suggest that the remodelling process may be limited and possibly prevented, however this issue requires further research.

The Potential Contribution of Biopolymeric Particles in Lung Tissue Regeneration of COVID-19 Patients

The lung is a vital organ that houses the alveoli, which is where gas exchange takes place. The COVID-19 illness attacks lung cells directly, creating significant inflammation and resulting in their inability to function. To return to the nature of their job, it may be essential to rejuvenate the afflicted lung cells. This is difficult because lung cells need a long time to rebuild and resume their function. Biopolymeric particles are the most effective means to transfer developing treatments to airway epithelial cells and then regenerate infected lung cells, which is one of the most significant symptoms connected with COVID-19. Delivering biocompatible and degradable natural biological materials, chemotherapeutic drugs, vaccines, proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, and diagnostic agents are all examples of these molecules' usage. Furthermore, they are created by using several structural components, which allows them to effectively connect with these cells. We highlight their most recent uses in lung tissue regeneration in this review. These particles are classified into three groups: biopolymeric nanoparticles, biopolymeric stem cell materials, and biopolymeric scaffolds. The techniques and processes for regenerating lung tissue will be thoroughly explored.

Rhamnolipids Nano-Micelles as a Potential Hand Sanitizer

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2, which continues to cause global health and economic problems since emerging in China in late 2019. Until now, there are no standard antiviral treatments. Thus, several strategies were adopted to minimize virus transmission, such as social distancing, face covering protection and hand hygiene. Rhamnolipids are glycolipids produced formally by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and as biosurfactants, they were shown to have broad antimicrobial activity. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of rhamnolipids against selected multidrug resistant bacteria and SARS-CoV-2. Rhamnolipids were produced by growing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain LeS3 in a new medium formulated from chicken carcass soup. The isolated rhamnolipids were characterized for their molecular composition, formulated into nano-micelles, and the antibacterial activity of the nano-micelles was demonstrated in vitro against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive drug resistant bacteria. In silico studies docking rhamnolipids to structural and non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 was also performed. We demonstrated the efficient and specific interaction of rhamnolipids with the active sites of these proteins. Additionally, the computational studies suggested that rhamnolipids have membrane permeability activity. Thus, the obtained results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 could be another target of rhamnolipids and could find utility in the fight against COVID-19, a future perspective to be considered.