Resveratrol-loaded proniosomes: Formulation, characterization and fortification

Engineering 5-flourouracil and leucovorin-loaded vesicular systems for possible colon specific delivery: In vitro evaluation and real time cell assay against HCT-116 colon cell lines

5-flourouracil (5-FU) is typically modulated with leucovorin (LEU) in clinical practice to improve clinical efficacy and patient survival rates. However, this combination has undesirable side effects and makes 5-FU more toxic. Hence, integrating a vesicular system (proniosomes) with another delivery vehicle may improve drug targeting, while resolving the aforementioned drawbacks. This study aimed to engineer 5-FU/LEU proniosomes for possible delivery to the colon. The modified slurry approach was used to create drug-loaded proniosomes (150 mg/9 g of carrier) using both water-soluble (dextrin (DEX) and lactose (LAC)) and insoluble (Neusilin FH2 (NEU)) carriers. The powdered formulations were filled into Eudragit S100 (10 %)-coated capsules or Eudragit FS 30D capsules for enteric- or colon-specific delivery. In vitro evaluations (flow properties, powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis, particle size analysis, entrapment efficiency, drug release, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polydispersity index, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and stability studies) were performed on the formulations. An in vitro cytotoxicity test [real-time cell assay (RTCA)] against HCT-116 colon cancer cell lines was performed using the optimized formulation. In vitro evaluations showed that the nanoparticles had good physicochemical properties. RTCA studies showed sustained cell death with the formulations compared to the pure drug and placebo. The sequential drug release of the colon-targeted capsules containing 5-FU and LEU- loaded proniosomes showed negligible drug release in SGF (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) (approximately 11 %) but profound drug release (>80 %) at pH 7.4. Drug-loaded proniosomes engineered for colon targeting (Eudragit S100 (10 %) capsules or Eudragit FS 30D capsules) showed good colon-specific targeting and favorable in vitro cytotoxicity profiles.

Advancements in application of chitosan and cyclodextrins in biomedicine and pharmaceutics: recent progress and future trends

The global community is faced with numerous health concerns such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, diabetes, joint pain, osteoporosis, among others. With the advancement of research in the fields of materials chemistry and medicine, pharmaceutical technology and biomedical analysis have entered a new stage of development. The utilization of natural oligosaccharides and polysaccharides in pharmaceutical/biomedical studies has gained significant attention. Over the past decade, several studies have shown that chitosan and cyclodextrin have promising biomedical implications in background analysis, ongoing development, and critical applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical research fields. This review introduces different types of saccharides/natural biopolymers such as chitosan and cyclodextrin and discusses their wide-ranging applications in the biomedical/pharmaceutical research area. Recent research advances in pharmaceutics and drug delivery based on cyclodextrin, and their response to smart stimuli, as well as the biological functions of cyclodextrin and chitosan, such as the immunomodulatory effects, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, have also been discussed, along with their applications in tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery systems. Finally, the innovative applications of chitosan and cyclodextrin in the pharmaceutical/biomedicine were reviewed, and current challenges, research/technological gaps, and future development opportunities were surveyed.

Characterization of withanolides and bacoside A-loaded proniosomes: effect on oxidative stress and survival under hypergravity in rodent model

OBJECTIVE

This work provides characterization of withanolides and bacoside A proniosomes, and evaluating their potency in rat model for combating oxidative stress-induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage and their survival under hypergravity.

SIGNIFICANCE

The delivery system was aimed for sustained drug release in plasma and brain, which could improve their efficiency and provide a therapeutic approach to combat oxidative damage and restore BBB integrity.

METHODS

Proniosomes were prepared using withanolides extracted from the roots of W. somnifera and bacoside A derived from the leaf extract of B. monnieri by thin film hydration technique. In vitro release of withanolides and bacoside A from the proniosomes was studied. In vivo experiments were conducted in Wistar Albino rat model to evaluate the efficacy of drug-loaded proniosomes in improving the antioxidant activity in plasma and brain, restoring BBB integrity and combating hypergravity conditions.

RESULTS

The withanolides and bacoside A-loaded proniosomes showed slow and sustained release of just 62.0 ± 2.87 and 62.9 ± 3.41%, respectively, in 9 h period against the release of 98-99% for the extracts that served as control. Trials conducted in vivo revealed a significant (p < .05) increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes in both plasma and brain. Also, minimal extravasation of Evans blue dye into the brain (15 ± 0.03 and 16 ± 0.03 ng/g in treated groups against 110 ± 0.01 ng/g in control) of the rats fed with drug-loaded proniosomes was indicative of minimal damage to BBB. Rats fed with drug-loaded proniosomes survived to the extent of 75-83.3% against simulated hypergravity as compared to the control group in which only 50% survived.

CONCLUSION

Proniosomes provided sustained release of drugs, which helped to protect BBB integrity, thereby combating hypergravity.

Recent advances in oral delivery systems of resveratrol: foreseeing their use in functional foods

Herein, we review the current state-of-the-art on the use of micro- and nano-delivery systems, a possible solution to some of the drawbacks associated with the incorporation of resveratrol in foods. Specifically, we present an overview of a wide range of micro-nanostructures, namely, lipidic and polymeric, used for the delivery of resveratrol. Also, the gastrointestinal fate of resveratrol-loaded micro-nanostructures, as a critical parameter for their use as functional food, is explored in terms of stability, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability. Different micro-nanostructures are of interest for the development of functional foods given that they can provide different advantages and properties to these foods and even be tailor-made to address specific issues (e.g., controlled or targeted release). Therefore, we discuss a wide range of micro-nanostructures, namely, lipidic and polymeric, used to deliver resveratrol and aimed at the development of functional foods. It has been reported that the use of some production methodologies can be of greater interest than others, for example, emulsification, solvent displacement and electrohydrodynamic processing (EHDP) enable a greater increase in bioaccessibility. Additionally, the use of coatings facilitates further improvements in bioaccessibility, which is likely due to the increased gastric stability of the coated micro-nanostructures. Other properties, such as mucoadhesion, can also help improve bioaccessibility due to the increase in gut retention time. Additionally, cytotoxicity (e.g., biocompatibility, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory) and possible sensorial impact of resveratrol-loaded micro- and nano-systems in foods are highlighted.

Food-grade encapsulated polyphenols: recent advances as novel additives in foodstuffs

A growing inclination among consumers toward the consumption of natural products has propelled the usage of natural compounds as novel additives. Polyphenols are among the most popular candidates of natural food additives with multiple functionalities and bioactivities but are limited by instability. In this regard, a series of food-grade encapsulated polyphenols has been tailored for incorporating into food formulations as novel additives, which could better satisfy the complicated industry processing. This review seeks to present the most recent discussions regarding their application status in diverse foodstuffs as novel additives, involving functionalities, action mechanisms, and relevant encapsulation technologies. The scientific findings confirm that such novel additives show positive effects on physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional properties as well as the shelf life of diverse food matrices. However, poor heat resistance is still the major defect that restricts their application in thermal processes. Future research should focus on the evaluation of the compatibility and applicability of encapsulated polyphenols in real food processes as well as track and deepen their molecular action mechanisms in the context of complex foodstuffs. Innovation of existing encapsulation technologies should also be concerned in the future to bridge the gap between lab and scale-up production.

Improving the Bioavailability and Efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 on Alzheimer's Disease Through the Arginine Based Proniosomes

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble vitamin-with a benzoquinone-like structure. CoQ10 plays a role in membrane stability, energy conversion, and ATP production. It is also one of the important antioxidants in the body. The bioavailability of exogenous CoQ10 is extremely low due to its poor aqueous solubility and large molecular mass. In this study, mixed proniosomal drug delivery systems have been used to increase solubility and bioavailability of CoQ10. Arginine (semi-essential amino acid) was incorporated in the formulation composition to achieve higher efficacy by boosting nitric oxide presence, endothelial dysfunction, and cellular uptake. Proniosomes were investigated in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and process yield, and optimization studies were carried on by utilizing STATISTICA 8.0 software considering dependent factors (carrier amount, drug amount, and surfactant ratio). Optimum proniosome formulation (particle size 187.5 ± 16.35 nm, zeta potential: -44.7 ± 12.8 mV, encapsulation efficiency 99.05±0.30%, and product yield: 90.55%) was evaluated for thermal analysis, in-vitro drug release using microcentrifuge method. In-vitro cytotoxicity studies of proniosomes were performed on intestinal Epithelial Cells (Cellartis®, ChiPSC18) and no cytotoxic effects was seen during the 72 h. Besides, anti Alzheimer effect was investigated on APPSL-GFP lentivirus-infected human neural cells (APPSL-GFP-l-HNC) and Alzheimer biomarkers (p-tau181 and p-tau217). While CoQ10's relative bioavailability was statistically increased by proniosome compared to CoQ10 suspension (p<0.01, Grubb test). PK parameters of proniosome formulation, obtained with non-compartmental modeling, were fitting to the data (R2=0.956±0.026). The study results proved that proniosomal formulation has a high potential drug delivery system for both increasing bioavailability and anti-Alzheimer effect of CoQ10.

Encapsulation of resveratrol within size-controlled nanoliposomes: Impact on solubility, stability, cellular permeability, and oral bioavailability

This study examined the influence of the nanoliposomes (LPs) particle size on the solubility, antioxidant stability, in vitro release profile, Caco-2 cellular transport activity, cellular antioxidant activity, and in vivo oral bioavailability of resveratrol (RSV). LPs with sizes of 300, 150, and 75 nm were prepared using the thin-lipid film hydration method, followed by ultrasonication for 0, 2, and 10 min, respectively. Formulating small LPs (< 100 nm) was effective to enhance the solubility, in vitro release profile, cellular permeability, and cellular antioxidant activity of RSV. A similar pattern was observed for in vivo oral bioavailability. However, the size reduction of RSV-loaded LPs did not promote the antioxidant stability of RSV, owing to their large surface area used to interact with harsh environments. This study provides the better understanding of the appropriate particle size range of LPs to improve their in vitro and in vivo performances of RSV as an effective carrier for oral administration.

Nanospanlastics as a Novel Approach for Improving the Oral Delivery of Resveratrol in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endotoxicity in Mice

Purpose

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenolic compound that has numerous biological effects. Owing to its poor bioavailability, only trace concentrations of RSV could be found at the site of action. Therefore, the present study was aimed at developing RSV-loaded nanospanlastics to improve its oral delivery and therapeutic activity.

Methods

RSV-loaded nanospanlastics were prepared using the thin film hydration technique. The developed formulations were characterized via vesicular size (VS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) measurements, fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro release profile was carried out using dialysis bag diffusion technique. In vivo study was carried out using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxicity model in mice to evaluate the formulations activity.

Results

The results revealed the successful development of RSV-loaded nanospanlastics which exhibited EE% ranging from 45 to 85%, particle sizes ranging from 260.5 to 794.3 nm; negatively charged zeta potential (≤ − 20 mV) and TEM revealed their spherical shape. An in vitro release study showed biphasic pattern with sustained release of drug up to 24 h. In vivo results showed the superiority of RSV-loaded nanospanlastics over conventional niosomes in attenuating serum levels of liver and kidney functions (aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatinine) in LPS-induced endotoxic mice. Furthermore, both of them suppressed the elevated oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)) estimated in the liver and kidney tissues. However, the nanospanlastics showed a prevalence effect over conventional niosomes in kidney measurements and the histopathological examinations.

Conclusions

These findings reveal the potential of nanospanlastics in improving the oral delivery and therapeutic efficacy of RSV.

Nutraceutical Concepts and Dextrin-Based Delivery Systems

Nutraceuticals are bioactive or chemical compounds acclaimed for their valuable biological activities and health-promoting effects. The global community is faced with many health concerns such as cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, etc. The effect of nutraceuticals is similar to pharmaceuticals, even though the term nutraceutical has no regulatory definition. The usage of nutraceuticals, to prevent and treat the aforementioned diseases, is limited by several features such as poor water solubility, low bioavailability, low stability, low permeability, low efficacy, etc. These downsides can be overcome by the application of the field of nanotechnology manipulating the properties and structures of materials at the nanometer scale. In this review, the linear and cyclic dextrin, formed during the enzymatic degradation of starch, are highlighted as highly promising nanomaterials- based drug delivery systems. The modified cyclic dextrin, cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanosponges (NSs), are well-known delivery systems of several nutraceuticals such as quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, thyme essential oil, melatonin, and appear as a more advanced drug delivery system than modified linear dextrin. CD-based NSs prolong and control the nutraceuticals release, and display higher biocompatibility, stability, and solubility of poorly water-soluble nutraceuticals than the CD-inclusion complexes, or uncomplexed nutraceuticals. In addition, the well-explored CD-based NSs pathways, as drug delivery systems, are described. Although important progress is made in drug delivery, all the findings will serve as a source for the use of CD-based nanosystems for nutraceutical delivery. To sum up, our review introduces the extensive literature about the nutraceutical concepts, synthesis, characterization, and applications of the CD-based nano delivery systems that will further contribute to the nutraceutical delivery with more potent nanosystems based on linear dextrins.

Emerging Trends in the Delivery of Resveratrol by Nanostructures: Applications of Nanotechnology in Life Sciences

Resveratrol (RES) is a stilbene group of natural polyphenolic compounds in trees, peanuts, and grapes. RES is revealed with anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. Though it is proven with prominent therapeutic activity, low aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, and short half-life had hindered its use to exploit the potential. Also, the first-pass metabolism and undergoing enterohepatic recirculation are obscure in the minds of researchers for their in vitro studies. Many approaches have been investigated and shown promising results in manipulating their physicochemical properties to break this barrier. Nanocarriers are one of them to reduce the first-pass metabolism and to overcome other hurdles. This article reviews and highlights such encapsulation technologies. Nanoencapsulated RES improves in vitro antioxidant effect, and this review also highlights the new strategies and the concept behind how resveratrol can be handled and implemented with better therapeutic efficacy.

Lipid-Based Nanovesicular Drug Delivery Systems

In designing a new drug, considering the preferred route of administration, various requirements must be fulfilled. Active molecules pharmacokinetics should be reliable with a valuable drug profile as well as well-tolerated. Over the past 20 years, nanotechnologies have provided alternative and complementary solutions to those of an exclusively pharmaceutical chemical nature since scientists and clinicians invested in the optimization of materials and methods capable of regulating effective drug delivery at the nanometer scale. Among the many drug delivery carriers, lipid nano vesicular ones successfully support clinical candidates approaching such problems as insolubility, biodegradation, and difficulty in overcoming the skin and biological barriers such as the blood-brain one. In this review, the authors discussed the structure, the biochemical composition, and the drug delivery applications of lipid nanovesicular carriers, namely, niosomes, proniosomes, ethosomes, transferosomes, pharmacosomes, ufasomes, phytosomes, catanionic vesicles, and extracellular vesicles.