Development and in vitro evaluation of pH-sensitive naringenin@ZIF-8 polymeric micelles mediated by aptamer

In Vitro Tracking of Sporozoites via Fluorescence Imaging and MRI Using Multifunctional Micelles

Early detection could increase the treatment efficiency and prevent the recurrence of malaria disease. To track and detect malarial sporozoites, novel drug delivery systems have been explored for their ability to target these parasites specifically. This study investigates the potential of micelles to track Plasmodium vivax by targeting the Plasmodium vivax hexose transporter using glucose-based interactions. In vitro experiments were conducted using glucose/SPIO/Nile red (targeted) micelles and methoxy/SPIO/Nile red (nontargeted) micelles, revealing that the targeted micelles exhibited stronger fluorescence with the sporozoites and higher relative R2* values compared to the nontargeted micelles. These findings suggest that targeted micelles could be used for the specific detection of Plasmodium sporozoites using fluorescence imaging and MRI techniques, offering a promising approach for efficient malaria parasite detection.

Current status and prospect of ZIF-based materials for breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer, one of the three most life-threatening cancers in modern times, must be explored for treatments with low side effects and practical efficacy. Metal organic framework materials (MOFs) is made by metal ions as the center for point and organic ligands as a bridge connecting a new type of porous nano-materials, among them, the zinc base zeolite imidazole skeleton material series (ZIFs) because of its excellent biocompatibility and pH slow controlled release ability, is widely used in the tumor microenvironment in basic research and achieved remarkable curative effect. Inspired by this, in this review, we focus on the recent research progress on the application of ZIFs in the treatment of breast cancer, mainly studying the structure of ZIFs such as ZIF-8, ZIF-90 and ZIF-67 and their application in novel therapies for breast cancer treatment, such as targeted drug delivery, photothermal therapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy.We will more fully demonstrate the potential of zif in breast cancer treatment, hoping to provide an avenue for exploring breast cancer treatment.

Recent Strategies for Cancer Therapy: Polymer Nanoparticles Carrying Medicinally Important Phytochemicals and Their Cellular Targets

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the world today. In addition to the side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancer, the development of resistance to the drugs renders the existing drugs ineffective. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel anticancer agents. Medicinally important phytochemicals such as curcumin, naringenin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, thymoquinone, kaempferol, resveratrol, genistein, and apigenin have some drawbacks, including low solubility in water, stability and bioavailability issues, despite having significant anticancer effects. Encapsulation of these natural compounds into polymer nanoparticles (NPs) is a novel technology that could overcome these constraints. In comparison to the free compounds, phytochemicals loaded into nanoparticles have greater activity and bioavailability against many cancer types. In this review, we describe the preparation and characterization of natural phytochemical-loaded polymer NP formulations with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, their in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities, as well as their possible cellular targets.

Metal-organic frameworks as a therapeutic strategy for lung diseases

Lung diseases remain a global burden today. Lower respiratory tract infections alone cause more than 3 million deaths worldwide each year and are on the rise every year. In particular, with coronavirus disease raging worldwide since 2019, we urgently require a treatment for lung disease. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have a broad application prospect in the biomedical field due to their remarkable properties. The unique properties of MOFs allow them to be applied as delivery materials for different drugs; diversified structural design endows MOFs with diverse functions; and they can be designed as various MOF-drug synergistic systems. This review concentrates on the synthesis design and applications of MOF based drugs against lung diseases, and discusses the possibility of preparing MOF-based inhalable formulations. Finally, we discuss the chances and challenges of using MOFs for targeting lung diseases in clinical practice.