Ursolic acid liposomes with chitosan modification: Promising antitumor drug delivery and efficacy

Baicalein loaded liposome with hyaluronic acid and Polyhexamethylene guanidine modification for anti methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection

Targeting delivery to the infection site and good affinity of vehicle to the bacterial are two main concerns in therapy of bacterial infection, and on-demand release of drug is another important issue. In this work, a liposome drug delivery system (HA/P/BAI-lip) incorporated with baicalein and modified by PHMG and HA was prepared. Several characterizations were conducted to examine the physical properties of liposome. Then it was applied to treatments of MRSA induced dorsal subcutaneous abscess model and the thigh muscle infected model. The presence of guanidine group in HA/P/BAI-lip rendered the liposome satisfactory bacterial target ability and good pH sensitive properties. The lipase secreted by bacterial could promote the hydrolysis of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) in liposome. The modification of HA in HA/P/BAI-lip could lead the drug system to the exact infected site where CD44 was abundant because of inflammation. The low pH microenvironment characteristic of bacterial infection could induce the swelling of liposome following by degradation. Taken together, baicalein could be released selectively at the infected site to exert antibacterial capacity. HA/P/BAI-lip showed impressive antibacterial ability and dramatically decrease the bacterial burden of infection site and alleviate the infiltration of inflammatory cells, facilitating the recovery of infection.

Unlocking the potential of flavonoid-infused drug delivery systems for diabetic wound healing with a mechanistic exploration

Diabetes is one of the common endocrine disorders generally characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar. It can originate either from the inability of the pancreas to synthesize insulin, which is considered as an autoimmune disorder, or the reduced production of insulin, considered as insulin resistivity. A wound can be defined as a condition of damage to living tissues including skin, mucous membrane and other organs as well. Wounds get complicated with respect to time based on specific processes like diabetes mellitus, obesity and immunocompromised conditions. Proper growth and functionality of the epidermis gets sustained due to impaired diabetic wound healing which shows a sign of dysregulated wound healing process. In comparison with synthetic medications, phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and glycosides have gained enormous importance relying on their distinct potential to heal diabetic wounds. Flavonoids are one of the most promising and important groups of natural compounds which can be used to treat acute as well as chronic wounds. Flavonoids show excellent properties due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in their chemical structure, which makes this class of compounds different from others. Based on the novel principles of nanotechnology via utilizing suitable drug delivery systems, the delivery of bioactive constituents from plant source amplifies the wound-healing mechanism, minimizes complexities and enhances bioavailability. Hence, the encapsulation and applicability of flavonoids with an emphasis on mechanistic route and wound-healing therapeutics have been highlighted in the subsequent study with focus on multiple drug delivery systems.

Biopolymer-Based Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy: Opportunities and Challenges

Cancer, as the foremost challenge among human diseases, has plagued medical professionals for many years. While there have been numerous treatment approaches in clinical practice, they often cause additional harm to patients. The emergence of nanotechnology has brought new directions for cancer treatment, which can deliver anticancer drugs specifically to tumor areas. This article first introduces the application scenarios of nanotherapies and treatment strategies of nanomedicine. Then, the noteworthy characteristics exhibited by biopolymer materials were described, which make biopolymers stand out in polymeric nanomedicine delivery. Next, we focus on summarizing the state-of-art studies of five categories of proteins (Albumin, Gelatin, Silk fibroin, Zein, Ferritin), nine varieties of polysaccharides (Chitosan, Starch, Hyaluronic acid, Dextran, cellulose, Fucoidan, Carrageenan, Lignin, Pectin) and liposomes in the field of anticancer drug delivery. Finally, we also provide a summary of the advantages and limitations of these biopolymers, discuss the prevailing impediments to their application, and discuss in detail the prospective research directions. This review not only helps readers understand the current development status of nano anticancer drug delivery systems based on biopolymers, but also is helpful for readers to understand the properties of various biopolymers and find suitable solutions in this field through comparative reading.

Ceftazidime and Usnic Acid Encapsulated in Chitosan-Coated Liposomes for Oral Administration against Colorectal Cancer-Inducing Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli has been associated with the induction of colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, combined therapy incorporating usnic acid (UA) and antibiotics such as ceftazidime (CAZ), co-encapsulated in liposomes, could be an alternative. Coating the liposomes with chitosan (Chi) could facilitate the oral administration of this nanocarrier. Liposomes were prepared using the lipid film hydration method, followed by sonication and chitosan coating via the drip technique. Characterization included particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, pH, encapsulation efficiency, and physicochemical analyses. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined against E. coli ATCC 25922, NCTC 13846, and H10407 using the microdilution method. Antibiofilm assays were conducted using the crystal violet method. The liposomes exhibited sizes ranging from 116.5 ± 5.3 to 240.3 ± 3.5 nm and zeta potentials between +16.4 ± 0.6 and +28 ± 0.8 mV. The encapsulation efficiencies were 51.5 ± 0.2% for CAZ and 99.94 ± 0.1% for UA. Lipo-CAZ-Chi and Lipo-UA-Chi exhibited antibacterial activity, inhibited biofilm formation, and preformed biofilms of E. coli. The Lipo-CAZ-UA-Chi and Lipo-CAZ-Chi + Lipo-UA-Chi formulations showed enhanced activities, potentially due to co-encapsulation or combination effects. These findings suggest potential for in vivo oral administration in future antibacterial and antibiofilm therapies against CRC-inducing bacteria.

Marine polysaccharides: Biological activities and applications in drug delivery systems

The ocean is the common home of a large number of marine organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Researchers can extract thousands of important bioactive components from the oceans and use them extensively to treat and prevent diseases. In contrast, marine polysaccharide macromolecules such as alginate, carrageenan, Laminarin, fucoidan, chitosan, and hyaluronic acid have excellent physicochemical properties, good biocompatibility, and high bioactivity, which ensures their wide applications and strong therapeutic potentials in drug delivery. Drug delivery systems (DDS) based on marine polysaccharides and modified marine polysaccharide molecules have emerged as an innovative technology for controlling drug distribution on temporal, spatial, and dosage scales. They can detect and respond to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, and electric fields. These properties have led to their wide application in the design of novel drug delivery systems such as hydrogels, polymeric micelles, liposomes, microneedles, microspheres, etc. In addition, marine polysaccharide-based DDS not only have smart response properties but also can combine with the unique biological properties of the marine polysaccharide base to exert synergistic therapeutic effects. The biological activities of marine polysaccharides and the design of marine polysaccharide-based DDS are reviewed. Marine polysaccharide-based responsive DDS are expected to provide new strategies and solutions for disease treatment.

A Novel Strategy for Topical Administration by Combining Chitosan Hydrogel Beads with Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation

The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate NLC-chitosan hydrogel beads for topical administration. The feasibility of the preparation technology was verified by investigating various formulation factors and the impact of chitosan hydrogel beads on the NLC. The encapsulation efficiency of NLC-chitosan hydrogel beads was above 95% in optimized process conditions. The physical characterization of the NLC-chitosan hydrogel beads showed that the NLC was distributed within the network of the chitosan hydrogel beads. Furthermore, the incorporation of NLC into the chitosan hydrogel beads was related to the electrostatic interaction between the surface of the NLC and chitosan, which influenced the lipid ordering degree of the NLC and contributed to the stability. The stability studies showed that the retention rate of quercetin in the NLC-chitosan hydrogel beads was 88.63 ± 2.57% after 10 months of storage under natural daylight. An in vitro permeation study showed that NLC-chitosan hydrogel beads exhibited superior ability in enhancing skin permeation by hydrophobic active ingredients compared to the NLC and significantly increased skin accumulation. These studies demonstrated that the use of NLC-chitosan hydrogel beads might be a promising strategy for the delivery of hydrophobic active ingredients in topical administration.

Multifunctional Liposomes Co-Modified with Ginsenoside Compound K and Hyaluronic Acid for Tumor-Targeted Therapy

Liposomes show promise for anti-cancer drug delivery and tumor-targeted therapy. However, complex tumor microenvironments and the performance limitations of traditional liposomes restrict clinical translation. Hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified nanoliposomes effectively target CD44-overexpressing tumor cells. Combination therapy enhances treatment efficacy and delays drug resistance. Here, we developed paclitaxel (PTX) liposomes co-modified with ginsenoside compound K (CK) and HA using film dispersion. Compared to cholesterol (Ch), CK substantially improved encapsulation efficiency and stability. In vitro release studies revealed pH-responsive behavior, with slower release at pH 7.4 versus faster release at pH 5. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that replacing Ch with CK in modified liposomes considerably decreased HCT-116 cell viability. Furthermore, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy showed a higher cellular uptake of PTX-CK-Lip-HA in CD44-high cells, reflected in the lower half maximal inhibitory concentrations. Overall, CK/HA-modified liposomes represent an innovative, targeted delivery system for enhanced tumor therapy via pH-triggered drug release and CD44 binding.

Simply and Cheaply Prepared Liposomal Membrane for Nanocarriers: High Encapsulation Efficiency Based on Broad Regulation of Surface Charges and pH-Switchable Performance

The zeta potential of nanoparticles impacts their distribution and metabolism in the body as well as their interaction with medications of varying charges, hence altering therapeutic efficacy and safety. In this paper, the external charges of liposomes were regulated by utilizing a simple and economical method based on competition for protons of cationic chitosan (CS) and anion hyaluronic acid (HA). The charge regulation of a liposomal membrane is generally accomplished by adjusting the ratio of charged lipids within a liposome (e.g., cationic DOTAP or anionic DOPS), the stability of which was maintained by the coating materials of cationic chitosan (CS) or anion hyaluronic acid (HA). A series of nanoparticles could respond to pH-stimulation with adjustable surface charge. Moreover, the sizes of liposomes coated with CS and HA remain within a narrow range. In vitro cytotoxicity tests revealed that the nanocarriers were safe, and the nanoparticles containing antitumor medicines were efficient in tumor therapy. Considering liposomes with different external surface charges could be aimed at diverse therapy purposes. The strategies for regulating liposomal surface charges with high encapsulation rates and certain release cycles reported here could provide a versatile platform as carriers for the delivery of drugs and other macromolecules into human bodies.

Bioavailability and systemic transport of oleanolic acid in humans, formulated as a functional olive oil

Evidence of the pharmacological activity of oleanolic acid (OA) suggests its potential therapeutic application. However, its use in functional foods, dietary supplements, or nutraceuticals is hindered by limited human bioavailability studies. The BIO-OLTRAD trial is a double-blind, randomized controlled study with 22 participants that received a single dose of 30 mg OA formulated as a functional olive oil. The study revealed that the maximum serum concentration of OA ranged from 500 to 600 ng mL-1, with an AUC0-∞ value of 2862.50 ± 174.50 ng h mL-1. Furthermore, we discovered a physiological association of OA with serum albumin and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL). UV absorption spectra showed conformational changes in serum albumin due to the formation of an adduct with OA. Additionally, we demonstrated that TRL incorporate OA, reaching a maximum concentration of 140 ng mL-1 after 2-4 hours. We conjecture that both are efficient carriers to reach target tissues and to yield high bioavailability.

Chitosan-Coated Niosomes Loaded with Ellagic Acid Present Antiaging Activity in a Skin Cell Line

The polyphenol compound ellagic acid (EA) extracted from pomegranate has potential bioactivity against different types of chronic diseases. Skin aging is a long-term physiological process caused by many environmental factors, the most important of which is exposure to sun ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV-induced chronic photodamage of the skin results in extrinsic aging. This study aimed to evaluate the photoprotective effects of EA on the human fibroblast skin cell line HFB4 and investigate its capacity to protect collagen from UV-induced deterioration. EA was encapsulated into chitosan-coated niosomes to reduce the skin aging effect of UV radiation in vitro. The tested formulations (niosomes loaded with EA and chitosan-coated niosomes loaded with EA) were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the in vitro release of EA was determined. The HFB4 cell line samples were split into five groups: control, UV, UV-EA, UV-NIO-EA, and UV-CS-NIO-EA. UV irradiation was applied to the cell line groups via a UV-emitting lamp for 1 h, and then cell viability was measured for each group. The expression of genes implicated in skin aging (Co1A1, TERT, Timp3, and MMP3) was also assessed to quantify the impact of the loaded EA. The findings showed that EA-loaded chitosan-coated niosomes improved cell survival, upregulated Col1A1, TERT, and Timp3 genes, and downregulated MMP3. Thus, nanoparticles encapsulating EA are potent antioxidants that can preserve collagen levels and slow down the aging process in human skin.

Ligand-free high loading capacity ursolic acid self-carried nanovesicles enable hepatocyte targeting via absorbing apolipoproteins

Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic terpenoid carboxylic acid that can exert a potent hepatoprotective activity, has been developed into various types of nanoparticles to improve its pharmacological effects, however, the phagocytosis of nanoparticles by Kupffer cells greatly limits its efficacy. Herein, UA/Tween 80 nanovesicles (V-UA) were constructed and despite its simple composition, it fulfills multiple functions simultaneously: UA served as not only an active ingredient in the nanovesicle drug delivery system, but also acts as part of the carrier to stabilize UA/Tween 80 nanostructure; with a molar ratio of UA to Tween 80 up to 2:1, the formulation possesses a significant advantage of higher drug loading capacity; relative to liposomal UA (Lipo-UA), a conditional cellular uptake and higher accumulation of V-UA in hepatocytes provide insights into the hepatocytes targeting mechanisms of this nanovesicles. Favorable hepatocyte targeting ability also facilitates the treatment of liver diseases, which was well validated in three liver disease models.

Polysaccharide-modified liposomes and their application in cancer research

Nanodrug delivery systems have been widely used in cancer treatment. Among these, liposomal drug carriers have gained considerable attention due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. However, conventional liposomes have several shortcomings, such as poor stability, rapid clearance, aggregation, fusion, degradation, hydrolysis, and oxidation of phospholipids. Polysaccharides are natural polymers of biological origin that exhibit structural stability, excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, flexibility, non-immunogenicity, low toxicity, and targetability. Therefore, they represent a promising class of polymers for the modification of the surface properties of liposomes to overcome their shortcomings. In addition, polysaccharides can be readily combined with other materials to develop new composite materials. Hence, they represent the optimal choice for liposomal modification to improve pharmacokinetics and clinical utility. Polysaccharide-coated liposomes exhibit better stability, drug release kinetics, and cellular uptake than conventional liposomes. The oncologic application of polysaccharide-coated liposomes has become a research hotspot. We summarize the preparation, physicochemical properties, and antineoplastic effects of polysaccharide-coated liposomes to facilitate antitumor drug development.

Conventional and PEGylated Liposomes as Vehicles of Copaifera sabulicola

Traditional medicine uses resin oils extracted from plants of the genus Copaifera for several purposes. Resin oils are being studied to understand and profile their pharmacological properties. The aim of this work was to prepare and to characterize conventional and pegylated liposomes incorporating resin oils or the hexanic extract obtained from Copaifera sabulicola (copaiba) leaves. The cytotoxic effect of these products was also investigated. Conventional and stealth liposomes with copaiba extract showed similar average diameters (around 126 nm), encapsulation efficiencies greater than 75% and were stable for 90 days. A cytotoxicity test was performed on murine glioma cells and the developed liposomes presented antiproliferative action against these cancer cells at the average concentration of 30 μg/mL. Phytochemicals encapsulated in PEGylated liposomes induced greater reduction in the viability of tumor cells. In addition, bioassay-s measured the cytotoxicity of copaiba resin oil (Copaifera sabulicola) in liposomes (conventional and PEGylated), which was also checked against pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Its safety was verified in normal rat astrocytes. The results indicate that liposomes encapsulating copaiba oil showed cytotoxic activity against the studied tumor strains in a dose-dependent fashion, demonstrating their potential applications as a chemotherapeutic bioactive formulation.

Curcumin-Loaded Platelet Membrane Bioinspired Chitosan-Modified Liposome for Effective Cancer Therapy

Cancer is a serious threat to human health, and chemotherapy for cancer is limited by severe side effects. Curcumin (CUR) is a commonly used natural product for antitumor treatment without safety concerns. However, low bioavailability and poor tumor accumulation are great obstacles for its clinical application. Our previous research has demonstrated that platelet membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles can efficiently ameliorate the in vivo kinetic characteristics and enhance the tumor affinity of payloads. Nevertheless, the antitumor efficiency of this formulation still needs to be thoroughly investigated, and its drug release behavior is limited. Herein, CUR-loaded platelet membrane bioinspired chitosan-modified liposome (PCLP-CUR) was constructed to improve CUR release. PCLP-CUR was shown to have long retention time, improved bioavailability, strong tumor targeting capacity and effective cellular uptake. The incorporation of chitosan enabled PCLP-CUR to release cargoes quickly under mild acidic tumor conditions, leading to more complete drug release and favoring subsequent treatment. Both in vitro and in vivo investigations showed that PCLP-CUR could significantly enhance the anticancer efficacy of CUR with minimal side effects through biomimetic membrane and chitosan modification. In summary, this developed delivery system can provide a promising strategy for tumor-targeting therapy and phytochemical delivery.

Progress in research and development of temozolomide brain-targeted preparations: a review

Gliomas are a heterogeneous group of brain tumours with high malignancy, for which surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment at present. However, the overall prognosis of gliomas remains poor because of their aggressiveness and high recurrence. Temozolomide (TMZ) has anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects and is indicated for glioblastoma multiforme and recurrent mesenchymal astrocytoma. However, TMZ is disadvantaged by low efficacy and drug resistance, and therefore it is necessary to enhance the brain drug concentration of TMZ to improve its effectiveness and reduce the toxic and adverse effects from systemic administration. There have been many nano-formulations developed for the delivery of TMZ to gliomas that overcome the limitations of TMZ penetration to tumours and increase brain targeting. In this paper, we review the research progress of TMZ nano-formulations, and also discuss challenges and opportunities in the research and development of drug delivery systems, hoping that the data and information summarised herein could provide assistance for the clinical treatment of gliomas.

Design and Characterization of Lipid-Surfactant-Based Systems for Enhancing Topical Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ursolic Acid

Skin inflammation is a symptom of many skin diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, which cause rashes, redness, heat, or blistering. The use of natural products with anti-inflammatory properties has gained importance in treating these symptoms. Ursolic acid (UA), a promising natural compound that is used to treat skin diseases, exhibits low aqueous solubility, resulting in poor absorption and low bioavailability. Designing topical formulations focuses on providing adequate delivery via application to the skin surface. The aim of this study was to formulate and characterize lipid-surfactant-based systems for the delivery of UA. Microemulsions and liquid crystalline systems (LCs) were characterized by polarized light microscopy (PLM), rheology techniques, and textural and bioadhesive assays. PLM supported the self-assembly of these systems and elucidated their formation. Rheologic examination revealed pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior appropriate, and assays confirmed the ability of these formulations to adhere to the skin. In vivo studies were performed, and inflammation induced by croton oil was assessed for response to microemulsions and LCs. UA anti-inflammatory activities of ~60% and 50% were demonstrated by two microemulsions and 40% and 35% by two LCs, respectively. These data support the continued development of colloidal systems to deliver UA to ameliorate skin inflammation.

The effectiveness of ursolic acid niosomes with chitosan coating for prevention of liver damage in mice induced by n-nitrosodiethylamine

Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpene carboxylic acid which produces various effects, including anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. However, UA demonstrates poor water solubility and permeability. Niosomes have been reported to improve the bioavailability of low water-soluble drugs. This study aimed to investigate the protective action of UA-niosomes with chitosan layers against liver damage induced by N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). UA niosomes were prepared using a thin layer hydration method, with chitosan being added by vortexing the mixtures. For the induction of liver damage, the mice were administered NDEA intraperitoneally (25 mg/kgBW). They were given niosomes orally (11 mg UA/kgBW) seven and three days prior to NDEA induction and subsequently once a week with NDEA induction for four weeks. The results showed that chitosan layers increased the particle sizes, PDI, and ζ-potentials of UA niosomes. UA niosomes with chitosan coating reduced the SGOT and SGPT level. The histopathological evaluation of liver tissue showed an improvement with reduced bile duct inflammation and decreasing pleomorphism and enlargement of hepatocyte cell nuclei in UA niosomes with the chitosan coating treated group. It can be concluded that UA niosomes with chitosan coating improved the efficacy of preventive UA therapy in liver-damaged mice induced with NDEA.

Edible pentacyclic triterpenes: A review of their sources, bioactivities, bioavailability, self-assembly behavior, and emerging applications as functional delivery vehicles

Edible pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) are a group of nutraceutical ingredients commonly distributed in human diets. Existing evidence has proven that they have various biological functions, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities, making them as "functional factor" for a long time. However, their properties of strong hydrophobicity, poor permeability, poor absorption, and rapid metabolism result in low oral bioavailability, which dramatically hinders their efficacy for use. Recently, free PTs have successively been found to self-assemble or co-assemble into self-contained nanostructures with enhanced water dispersibility and oral bioavailability, which seems to be an efficient processing method for increased oral efficacy. Of particular interest, formulating them into nanostructures can also be introduced as functional delivery carriers for bioactive compounds or drugs with various advantages, such as improved stability, controlled release, enhanced oral bioavailability, synergistic bioactivity, and targeted delivery. This review systematically summarized the chemical structures, plant sources, bioactivities, absorption, metabolism, and oral bioavailability of PTs. Notably, we emphasized their self-assembly properties and emerging role as functional delivery carriers for nutrients, suggesting that PT nanostructures are not only efficient oral forms when introduced into foods but also functional delivery materials for nutrients to expand their commercial food applications.

Cervical cancer and novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches using chitosan as a carrier: A review

In our knowledge, using appropriate carriers in delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs, would result in better targeting and therefore it would increase the effectiveness and decrease the side effects of drugs. Chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin, has attracted the attention of pharmaceutical industries recently. New research show that chitosan not only can be used in drug delivery but it can also have some usages in prevention and diagnosis of cancer. This means that using chitosan Nanoformulations can be a promising approach for prevention, diagnosis, and specially treatment of cervical cancer, fourth common cancer among the women of the world. We aim to investigate the related papers to find a novel method and preventing more women from suffering.

Targeted drug delivery in cervical cancer: Current perspectives

Cervical cancer is preventable yet one of the most prevalent cancers among women around the globe. Though regular screening has resulted in the decline in incidence, the disease claims a high number of lives every year, especially in the developing countries. Owing to rather aggressive and non-specific nature of the conventional chemotherapeutics, there is a growing need for newer treatment modalities. The advent of nanotechnology has assisted in this through the use of nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. A number of nanocarriers are continuously being developed and studied for their application in drug delivery. The present review summarises the different drug delivery approaches and nanocarriers that can be useful, their advantages and limitation.

Inhibitory Effect of Ursolic Acid on the Migration and Invasion of Doxorubicin-Resistant Breast Cancer

The cause of death in most breast cancer patients is disease metastasis and the occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR). Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which is involved into multiple pathways, is closely related to carcinogenesis and development. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural triterpenoid compound, has been shown to reverse the MDR characteristics of tumor cells. However, the effect of UA on the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells with MDR is not known. Therefore, we investigated the effects of UA on invasion and metastasis, ODC-related polyamine metabolism, and MAPK-Erk-VEGF/MMP-9 signaling pathways in a doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cell (MCF-7/ADR) model. The obtained results showed that UA significantly inhibited the adhesion and migration of MCF-7/ADR cells, and had higher affinities with key active cavity residues of ODC compared to the known inhibitor di-fluoro-methyl-ornithine (DFMO). UA could downregulate ODC, phosphorylated Erk (P-Erk), VEGF, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity. Meanwhile, UA significantly reduced the content of metabolites of the polyamine metabolism. Furthermore, UA increased the intracellular accumulation of Dox in MCF-7/ADR cells. Taken together, UA can inhibit against tumor progression during the treatment of breast cancer with Dox, and possibly modulate the Erk-VEGF/MMP-9 signaling pathways and polyamine metabolism by targeting ODC to exert these effects.

Liposomal-Based Formulations: A Path from Basic Research to Temozolomide Delivery Inside Glioblastoma Tissue

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain cancer with a very difficult therapeutic approach and ultimately frustrating results. Currently, therapeutic success is mainly limited by the high degree of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, the blood brain barrier (BBB), as well as increased drug resistance. Temozolomide (TMZ), a monofunctional alkylating agent, is the first line chemotherapeutic drug for GBM treatment. Yet, the therapeutic efficacy of TMZ suffers from its inability to cross the BBB and very short half-life (~2 h), which requires high doses of this drug for a proper therapeutic effect. Encapsulation in a (nano)carrier is a promising strategy to effectively improve the therapeutic effect of TMZ against GBM. Although research on liposomes as carriers for therapeutic agents is still at an early stage, their integration in GBM treatment has a great potential to advance understanding and treating this disease. In this review, we provide a critical discussion on the preparation methods and physico-chemical properties of liposomes, with a particular emphasis on TMZ-liposomal formulations targeting GBM developed within the last decade. Furthermore, an overview on liposome-based formulations applied to translational oncology and clinical trials formulations in GBM treatment is provided. We emphasize that despite many years of intense research, more careful investigations are still needed to solve the main issues related to the manufacture of reproducible liposomal TMZ formulations for guaranteed translation to the market.

The Optimized Delivery of Triterpenes by Liposomal Nanoformulations: Overcoming the Challenges

The last decade has witnessed a sustained increase in the research development of modern-day chemo-therapeutics, especially for those used for high mortality rate pathologies. However, the therapeutic landscape is continuously changing as a result of the currently existing toxic side effects induced by a substantial range of drug classes. One growing research direction driven to mitigate such inconveniences has converged towards the study of natural molecules for their promising therapeutic potential. Triterpenes are one such class of compounds, intensively investigated for their therapeutic versatility. Although the pharmacological effects reported for several representatives of this class has come as a well-deserved encouragement, the pharmacokinetic profile of these molecules has turned out to be an unwelcomed disappointment. Nevertheless, the light at the end of the tunnel arrived with the development of nanotechnology, more specifically, the use of liposomes as drug delivery systems. Liposomes are easily synthesizable phospholipid-based vesicles, with highly tunable surfaces, that have the ability to transport both hydrophilic and lipophilic structures ensuring superior drug bioavailability at the action site as well as an increased selectivity. This study aims to report the results related to the development of different types of liposomes, used as targeted vectors for the delivery of various triterpenes of high pharmacological interest.

Nanoparticles use for Delivering Ursolic Acid in Cancer Therapy: A Scoping Review

Ursolic acid is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid that exerts a potent anticancer effect. Furthermore, it is classified as a BCS class IV compound possessing low permeability and water solubility, consequently demonstrating limited bioavailability in addition to low therapeutic effectiveness. Nanoparticles are developed to modify the physical characteristics of drug and can often be produced in the range of 30–200 nm, providing highly effective cancer therapy due to the Enhanced Permeation and Retention (EPR) Effect. This study aims to provide a review of the efficacy and safety of various types of Ursolic Acid-loading nanoparticles within the setting of preclinical and clinical anticancer studies. This literature study used scoping review method, where the extracted data must comply with the journal inclusion criteria of within years of 2010–2020. The identification stage produced 237 suitable articles. Duplicate screening was then conducted followed by the initial selection of 18 articles that had been reviewed and extracted for data analysis. Based on this review, the use of nanoparticles can be seen to increase the anticancer efficacy of Ursolic Acid in terms of several parameters including pharmacokinetic data, survival rates and inhibition rates, as well as the absence of serious toxicity in preclinical and clinical trials in terms of several parameters including body weight, blood clinical chemistry, and organ histipathology. Based on this review, the use of nanoparticles has been able to increase the anticancer efficacy of Ursolic Acid, as well as show the absence of serious toxicity in preclinical and clinical trials. Evenmore, the liposome carrier provides development data that has reached the clinical trial phase I. The use of nanoparticle provides high potential for Ursolic Acid delivery in cancer therapy.

Strategies for Liposome Drug Delivery Systems to Improve Tumor Treatment Efficacy

In the advancement of tumor therapy, in addition to the search for new antitumor compounds, the development of nano-drug delivery systems has opened up new pathways for tumor treatment by addressing some of the limitations of traditional drugs. Liposomes have received much attention for their high biocompatibility, low toxicity, high inclusivity, and improved drug bioavailability. They are one of the most studied nanocarriers, changing the size and surface characteristics of liposomes to better fit the tumor environment by taking advantage of the unique pathophysiology of tumors. They can also be designed as tumor targeting drug delivery vehicles for the precise delivery of active drugs into tumor cells. This paper reviews the current development of liposome formulations, summarizes the characterization methods of liposomes, and proposes strategies to improve the effectiveness of tumor treatment. Finally, it provides an outlook on the challenges and future directions of the field. Graphical abstract.

Recent Advancement in Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles for Improved Oral Bioavailability and Bioactivity of Phytochemicals: Challenges and Perspectives

The excellent therapeutic potential of a variety of phytochemicals in different diseases has been proven by extensive studies throughout history. However, most phytochemicals are characterized by a high molecular weight, poor aqueous solubility, limited gastrointestinal permeability, extensive pre-systemic metabolism, and poor stability in the harsh gastrointestinal milieu. Therefore, loading of these phytochemicals in biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) might be an effective approach to improve their bioactivity. Different nanocarrier systems have been developed in recent decades to deliver phytochemicals. Among them, NPs based on chitosan (CS) (CS-NPs), a mucoadhesive, non-toxic, and biodegradable polysaccharide, are considered the best nanoplatform for the oral delivery of phytochemicals. This review highlights the oral delivery of natural products, i.e., phytochemicals, encapsulated in NPs prepared from a natural polymer, i.e., CS, for improved bioavailability and bioactivity. The unique properties of CS for oral delivery such as its mucoadhesiveness, non-toxicity, excellent stability in the harsh environment of the GIT, good solubility in slightly acidic and alkaline conditions, and ability to enhance intestinal permeability are discussed first, and then the outcomes of various phytochemical-loaded CS-NPs after oral administration are discussed in detail. Furthermore, different challenges associated with the oral delivery of phytochemicals with CS-NPs and future directions are also discussed.

Efficacy of Ursolic Acid-Enriched Water-Soluble and Not Cytotoxic Nanoparticles against Enterococci

Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid acid found in many medicinal plants and aromas, is known for its antibacterial effects against multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Gram-positive bacteria, which seriously threaten human health. Unfortunately, UA water-insolubility, low bioavailability, and systemic toxicity limit the possibilities of its application in vivo. Consequently, the beneficial activities of UA observed in vitro lose their potential clinical relevance unless water-soluble, not cytotoxic UA formulations are developed. With a nano-technologic approach, we have recently prepared water-soluble UA-loaded dendrimer nanoparticles (UA-G4K NPs) non-cytotoxic on HeLa cells, with promising physicochemical properties for their clinical applications. In this work, with the aim of developing a new antibacterial agent based on UA, UA-G4K has been tested on different strains of the Enterococcus genus, including marine isolates, toward which UA-G4K has shown minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) very low (0.5-4.3 µM), regardless of their resistance to antibiotics. Time-kill experiments, in addition to confirming the previously reported bactericidal activity of UA against E. faecium, also established it for UA-G4K. Furthermore, cytotoxicity experiments on human keratinocytes revealed that nanomanipulation of UA significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of UA, providing UA-G4K NPs with very high LD50 (96.4 µM) and selectivity indices, which were in the range 22.4-192.8, depending on the enterococcal strain tested. Due to its physicochemical and biological properties, UA-G4K could be seriously evaluated as a novel oral-administrable therapeutic option for tackling difficult-to-treat enterococcal infections.

Characterization and distribution of niosomes containing ursolic acid coated with chitosan layer

Background and purpose

Ursolic acid (UA) exhibits anti-hepatocarcinoma and hepatoprotective activities, thus promising as an effective oral cancer therapy. However, its poor solubility and permeability lead to low oral bioavailability. In this study, we evaluated the effect of different ratios of Span^® 60-cholesterol-UA and also chitosan addition on physical characteristics and stability of niosomes to improve oral biodistribution.

Experimental approach

UA niosomes (Nio-UA) were composed of Span^® 60-cholesterol-UA at different molar ratios and prepared by using thin layer hydration method, and then chitosan solution was added into the Nio-UA to prepare Nio-CS-UA.

Findings/Results

The results showed that increasing the UA amount increased the particle size of Nio-UA. However, the higher the UA amount added to niosomes, the lower the encapsulation efficiency. The highest physical stability was achieved by preparing niosomes at a molar ratio of 3:2:10 for Span^® 60, cholesterol, and UA, respectively, with a zeta-potential value of -41.99 mV. The addition of chitosan increased the particle size from 255 nm to 439 nm, as well as the zeta-potential value which increased from -46 mV to -21 mV. Moreover, Nio-UA-CS had relatively higher drug release in PBS pH 6.8 and 7.4 than Nio-UA. In the in vivo study, the addition of chitosan produced higher intensities of coumarin-6-labeled Nio-UA-CS in the liver than Nio-UA.

Conclusion and implications

It can be concluded that the ratio of Span^® 60-cholesterol-UA highly affected niosomes physical properties. Moreover, the addition of chitosan improved the stability and drug release as well as oral biodistribution of Nio-UA.

Antiinfective properties of ursolic acid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus

The present study aimed to synthesize ursolic acid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (UA-Ch-NPs) as an antiinfective agent against 21 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The UA-Ch-NPs were synthesized by a simple method and then characterized by TEM, FTIR, DLS-zeta potential, and XRD analyses. According to the characterization results, highly dispersed spherical nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 258 nm and a zeta potential of + 40.1 mV were developed. The antibacterial properties of UA-Ch-NPs were investigated and their inhibitory effect on biofilm formation was demonstrated by AFM. Finally, the expression levels of icaA and icaD were measured using real-time PCR. Results indicated that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of UA and UA-Ch-NPs against S. aureus was 64 and 32 µg/mL, respectively. The treatment of bacterial cells with UA-Ch-NPs significantly decreased the expression of icaA and icaD genes which are engaged in biofilm formation. Our results indicated that UA-Ch-NPs could be a promising material for antibacterial and antibiofilm applications.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Ursolic Acid PLGA Nanoparticles against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines

Among all the types of cancer, Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma remains one of the deadliest and hardest to fight and there is a critical unmet need for new drugs and therapies for its treatment. Naturally derived compounds, such as pentacyclic triterpenoids, have gathered attention because of their high cytotoxic potential towards pancreatic cancer cells, with a wide biological activity spectrum, with ursolic acid (UA) being one of the most interesting. However, due to its minimal water solubility, it is necessary to prepare a nanocarrier vehicle to aid in the delivery of this compound. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) or PLGA polymeric nanocarriers are an essential tool for ursolic acid delivery and can overcome the lack in its biological activity observed after incorporating within liposomes. We prepared UA-PLGA nanoparticles with a PEG modification, to achieve a long circulation time, by using a nanoprecipitation method and subsequently performed an MTT cytotoxicity assay towards AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells, with TEM visualization of the nanoparticles and their cellular uptake. We established repeatable preparation procedures of the nanoparticles and achieved biologically active nanocarriers with an IC50 below 30 µM, with an appropriate size for intravenous dosage (around 140 nm), high sample homogeneity (below 0.2) and reasonable encapsulation efficiency (up to 50%). These results represent the first steps in the development of potentially effective PDAC therapies based on novel biologically active and promising triterpenoids.

New Nanocarrier System for Liposomes Coated with Lactobacillus acidophilus S-Layer Protein to Improve Leu-Gln-Pro-Glu Absorption through the Intestinal Epithelium

The present study describes the development of a novel liposome nanocarrier system. The liposome was coated with Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 6074 S-layer protein (SLP) to improve the intestinal absorption of the cholesterol-lowering peptide Leu-Gln-Pro-Glu (LQPE). The SLP-coated liposomes were prepared and characterized with morphology, particle size, zeta potential, membrane stability, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and dual-channel surface plasma resonance. The results showed that SLP could successfully self-assemble on liposomes. Then, LQPE liposomes and SLP-coated LQPE liposomes (SLP-L-LQPE) were prepared. SLP-L-LQPE not only showed better sustained release properties and gastrointestinal tolerance in vitro but also increased the retention time in mice intestine. Transepithelial transport experiment indicates that the transshipment of LQPE increased significantly after being embedded by liposomes and coated with SLP. The research provides a theoretical basis for the study of SLP-coated liposomes and a potential drug delivery system for improving the intestinal absorption of peptides.

Nanoformulations of Ursolic Acid: A Modern Natural Anticancer Molecule

Background: Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpene derived from fruit, herb, and other plants. UA can act on molecular targets of various signaling pathways, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, promote cycle stagnation, and induce apoptosis, thereby exerting anticancer activity. However, its poor water-solubility, low intestinal mucosal absorption, and low bioavailability restrict its clinical application. In order to overcome these deficiencies, nanotechnology, has been applied to the pharmacological study of UA.

Objective: In this review, we focused on the absorption, distribution, and elimination pharmacokinetics of UA in vivo, as well as on the research progress in various UA nanoformulations, in the hope of providing reference information for the research on the anticancer activity of UA.

Methods: Relevant research articles on Pubmed and Web of Science in recent years were searched selectively by using the keywords and subheadings, and were summarized systematically.

Key finding: The improvement of the antitumor ability of the UA nanoformulations is mainly due to the improvement of the bioavailability and the enhancement of the targeting ability of the UA molecules. UA nanoformulations can even be combined with computational imaging technology for monitoring or diagnosis.

Conclusion: Currently, a variety of UA nanoformulations, such as micelles, liposomes, and nanoparticles, which can increase the solubility and bioactivity of UA, while promoting the accumulation of UA in tumor tissues, have been prepared. Although the research of UA in the nanofield has made great progress, there is still a long way to go before the clinical application of UA nanoformulations.

Nanoparticle-based applications for cervical cancer treatment in drug delivery, gene editing, and therapeutic cancer vaccines

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of gynecological tumor related deaths worldwide. The applications of conventional approaches such as chemoradiotherapy and surgery are restricted due to their side effects and drug resistances. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as novel choices, their clinical response rates are rather limited. To date there is a lack of effective treatment regimens for patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. Recently nanomaterials like liposomes, dendrimers, and polymers are considered as promising delivery carriers with advantages of tumor‐specific administration, reduced toxicity, and improved biocompatibility. Here, we review the applications of nanoparticles in the fields of drug delivery, CRISPR based genome‐editing and therapeutic vaccines in cervical cancer treatment.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Recent Biomedical Approaches for Chitosan Based Materials as Drug Delivery Nanocarriers

In recent decades, drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on nanotechnology have been attracting substantial interest in the pharmaceutical field, especially those developed based on natural polymers such as chitosan, cellulose, starch, collagen, gelatin, alginate and elastin. Nanomaterials based on chitosan (CS) or chitosan derivatives are broadly investigated as promising nanocarriers due to their biodegradability, good biocompatibility, non-toxicity, low immunogenicity, great versatility and beneficial biological effects. CS, either alone or as composites, are suitable substrates in the fabrication of different types of products like hydrogels, membranes, beads, porous foams, nanoparticles, in-situ gel, microparticles, sponges and nanofibers/scaffolds. Currently, the CS based nanocarriers are intensely studied as controlled and targeted drug release systems for different drugs (anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anticancer etc.) as well as for proteins/peptides, growth factors, vaccines, small DNA (DNAs) and short interfering RNA (siRNA). This review targets the latest biomedical approaches for CS based nanocarriers such as nanoparticles (NPs) nanofibers (NFs), nanogels (NGs) and chitosan coated liposomes (LPs) and their potential applications for medical and pharmaceutical fields. The advantages and challenges of reviewed CS based nanocarriers for different routes of administration (oral, transmucosal, pulmonary and transdermal) with reference to classical formulations are also emphasized.

Nanoformulations for Delivery of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in Anticancer Therapies

The search for safe and effective anticancer therapies is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The ineffective treatment of cancers, classified as civilization diseases, contributes to a decreased quality of life, health loss, and premature mortality in oncological patients. Many natural phytochemicals have anticancer potential. Pentacyclic triterpenoids, characterized by six- and five-membered ring structures, are one of the largest class of natural metabolites sourced from the plant kingdom. Among the known natural triterpenoids, we can distinguish lupane-, oleanane-, and ursane-types. Pentacyclic triterpenoids are known to have many biological activities, e.g., anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Unfortunately, they are also characterized by poor water solubility and, hence, low bioavailability. These pharmacological properties may be improved by both introducing some modifications to their native structures and developing novel delivery systems based on the latest nanotechnological achievements. The development of nanocarrier-delivery systems is aimed at increasing the transport capacity of bioactive compounds by enhancing their solubility, bioavailability, stability in vivo and ensuring tumor-targeting while their toxicity and risk of side effects are significantly reduced. Nanocarriers may vary in sizes, constituents, shapes, and surface properties, all of which affect the ultimate efficacy and safety of a given anticancer therapy, as presented in this review. The presented results demonstrate the high antitumor potential of systems for delivery of pentacyclic triterpenoids.

Chitosan modified poly (lactic acid) nanoparticles increased the ursolic acid oral bioavailability

Ursolic acid (UA) is a naturally occurring triterpene that has been investigated for its antitumor activity. However, its lipophilic character hinders its oral bioavailability, and therapeutic application. To overcome these limitations, chitosan (CS) modified poly (lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles containing UA were developed, characterized, and had their oral bioavailability assessed. The nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation technique and presented a mean diameter of 330 nm, zeta potential of +28 mV, spherical shape and 90% encapsulation efficiency. The analysis of XRD and DSC demonstrated that the nanoencapsulation process induced to UA amorphization. The in vitro release assay demonstrated that 53% of UA was released by diffusion after 144 h, following a second-order release kinetics. In simulated gastrointestinal fluids and mucin interaction tests, CS played an important role in stability and mucoadhesiveness improvement of PLA nanoparticles, respectively. In the presence of erythrocytes, nanoparticles proved their hemocompatibility. In tumor cells, nanoparticles presented lower cytotoxicity than free UA, due to slow UA release. After a single oral dose in rats, CS modified PLA nanoparticles increased the UA absorption, reduced its clearance and elimination, resulting in increased bioavailability. The results show the potential application of these nanoparticles for UA oral delivery for cancer therapy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and orthopedic biomaterials: Host of opportunities from herbal extracts

The role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), especially herbs or herbal extracts, in treating diseases has received increasing attention. This review focuses on the use of herbal extracts as signaling molecules and functional materials in the field of orthopedics, biomaterial science and bone tissue engineering strategies. A literature review using both Chinese and English references on herbs and herbal extracts based on TCM theory used in orthopedics and biomaterial science was performed. We discuss the efficacy of herbs, the active extracts from these herbs, the combination of herbal extracts and biomaterials and, finally, the application of herbal extracts to the biomaterials specific to orthopedics. Only a few studies have confirmed the feasibility of applying herbal extracts to biomaterials to improve the role of biomaterials and/or optimize drug delivery and release in orthopedics. In this context, this review reveals a new and promising direction for herbal extracts, where the use of herbal extracts based on TCM systemic treatment, can change the limited modern medicine view of biomaterials as "only for local treatment" when considering its efficacy.

The Formation of Chitosan-Coated Rhamnolipid Liposomes Containing Curcumin: Stability and In Vitro Digestion

There is growing interest in developing biomaterial-coated liposome delivery systems to improve the stability and bioavailability of curcumin, which is a hydrophobic nutraceutical claimed to have several health benefits. The curcumin-loaded rhamnolipid liposomes (Cur-RL-Lips) were fabricated from rhamnolipid and phospholipids, and then chitosan (CS) covered the surface of Cur-RL-Lips by electrostatic interaction to form CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips. The influence of CS concentration on the physical stability and digestion of the liposomes was investigated. The CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips with RL:CS = 1:1 have a relatively small size (412.9 nm) and positive charge (19.7 mV). The CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips remained stable from pH 2 to 5 at room temperature and can effectively slow the degradation of curcumin at 80 °C; however, they were highly unstable to salt addition. In addition, compared with Cur-RL-Lips, the bioavailability of curcumin in CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips was relatively high due to its high transformation in gastrointestinal tract. These results may facilitate the design of a more efficacious liposomal delivery system that enhances the stability and bioavailability of curcumin in nutraceutical-loaded functional foods and beverages.

Hyaluronan-Loaded Liposomal Dexamethasone-Diclofenac Nanoparticles for Local Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) remains one of the common degenerative joint diseases and a major cause of pain and disability in older adult individuals. Oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as diclofenac, DIC) or intra-articular injected gluco-corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone, DEX) were the conventional treatment strategies for OA to reduce joint pain. Current limitations for both drugs including severe adverse effects with risks of toxicity were noted. The aim of the present study was to generate a novel OA treatment formulation hyaluronic acid (HA)-Liposomal (Lipo)-DIC/DEX to combat joint pain. The formulation was prepared by constructing DIC with DEX-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers Lipo-DIC/DEX mixed with hyaluronic acid (HA) for prolonged OA application. The prepared Lipo-DIC/DEX nanoparticles revealed the size as 103.6 ± 0.3 nm on average, zeta potential as −22.3 ± 4.6 mV, the entrapment efficiency of 90.5 ± 5.6%, and the DIC and DEX content was 22.5 ± 4.1 and 2.5 ± 0.6%, respectively. Evidence indicated that HA-Lipo-DIC/DEX could reach the effective working concentration in 4 h and sustained the drug-releasing time for at least 168 h. No significant toxicities but increased cell numbers were observed when HA-Lipo-DIC/DEX co-cultured with articular chondrocytes cells. Using live-animal In vivo imaging system (IVIS), intra-articular injection of each HA-Lipo-DIC/DEX sufficed to reduce knee joint inflammation in OA mice over a time span of four weeks. Single-dose injection could reduce the inflammation volume down to 77.5 ± 5.1% from initial over that time span. Our results provided the novel drug-releasing formulation with safety and efficiency which could be a promising system for osteoarthritis pain control.

Chitosan caged liposomes for improving oral bioavailability of rivaroxaban: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

In this study, chitosan (CS) caged classic liposomes (CLs) and flexible liposomes (FLs) were developed to enhance the oral bioavailability of rivaroxaban (RVX) in the fasted condition. The prepared formulations were subjected to physicochemical characterization included: FTIR, DSC, zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, in vitro dissolution, and transmission electron microscope imaging. The selected formulation (RVX-TFL2) composed of PL S100/Tween 80 (85/15% w/w) and coated with CS solution in the strength of (0.2% w/v) had a particle size of 105.67 nm, a zeta potential of +5.67 mV and EE of 96.07%. Compared to RXV suspension, the pharmacokinetic parameters (C _max, AUC_0-24, and AUC_0-∞) of RVX-TFL2 showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in the fasted and fed test animals. Besides, RVX bioavailability with RVX-TFL2 was improved by 59.66% and 26.97% in the fed and fasted states, respectively, compared to RVX suspension in the fed state. The result highlighted the efficacy of the prepared liquid formulation comprising CS coated liposomes in improving the oral bioavailability of RVX regardless of the fed state. Moreover, the studied liquid formulation could be utilized in developing a liquid dosage form that might be useful as a pediatric formulation of RVX.

A smart dual-drug nanosystem based on co-assembly of plant and food-derived natural products for synergistic HCC immunotherapy

Nanotechnology has emerged as an ideal approach for achieving the efficient chemo agent delivery. However, the potential toxicity and unclear internal metabolism of most nano-carriers was still a major obstacle for the clinical application. Herein, a novel “core‒shell” co-assembly carrier-free nanosystem was constructed based on natural sources of ursolic acid (UA) and polyphenol (EGCG) with the EpCAM-aptamer modification for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) synergistic treatment. As the nature products derived from food-plant, UA and EGCG had good anticancer activities and low toxicity. With the simple and “green” method, the nanodrugs had the advantages of good stability, pH-responsive and strong penetration of tumor tissues, which was expected to increase tumor cellular uptake, long circulation and effectively avoid the potential defects of traditional carriers. The nanocomplex exhibited the low cytotoxicity in the normal cells in vitro, good biosafety of organic tissues and efficient tumor accumulation in vivo. Importantly, UA combined with EGCG showed the immunotherapy by activating the innate immunity and acquired immunity resulting in significant synergistic therapeutic effect. The research could provide new ideas for the research and development of self-assembly delivery system in the future, and offer effective intervention strategies for clinical HCC treatment.