Clathrin-mediated endocytic uptake of PUFA enriched self-nanoemulsifying lipidic systems (SNELS) of an anticancer drug against triple negative cancer and DMBA induced preclinical tumor model

Formulation and development of novel lipid-based combinatorial advanced nanoformulation for effective treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer is one of the most common malignancies reported with high number of morbidities, demanding an advanced treatment option with superior chemotherapeutic effects. Due to high degree of drug resistance, conventional therapy fails to meet the desired therapeutic efficacy. To break the bottleneck, nanoparticles have been used as next generation vehicles that facilitate the efficient interaction with the cancer cells. Here, we developed combined therapy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cannabidiol (CBD)-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel (FU-CBD-NLCs gel). The NLCs were optimized using central composite design that showed an average particle size of 206 nm and a zeta potential of -34 mV. In addition, in vitro and ex vivo drug permeations studies demonstrated the effective delivery of both drugs in the skin layers via lipid structured nanocarriers. Also, the prepared FU-CBD-NLCs showed promising effect in-vitro cell studies including MTT assays, wound healing and cell cycle as compared to the conventional formulation. Moreover, dermatokinetic studies shows there was superior deposition of drugs at epidermal and the dermal layer when treated with FU-CBD-NLCs. In the end, overall study offered a novel combinatorial chemotherapy that could be an option for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Folic acid engineered sulforaphane loaded microbeads for targeting breast cancer

Non-targeted cancer therapy poses a huge risk to the cancer patients' life due to high toxicity offered by chemotherapy. Breast carcinoma is one of such deleterious disease, demanding a highly effectual treatment option which could reduce the toxicity and extend survival rate. Since, folate receptors extensively display themselves on the cancer cell surface, targeting them would help to ameliorate the progression and metastasis. Considering this, we envisaged and developed sulforaphane loaded folate engineered microbeads to target breast cancer cells over-expressing folate receptors. The surface engineered microbeads were optimized and developed using emulsion gelation technique, among which the best developed preparation demonstrated the particle size of 1302 ± 3.98 µm, % EE of 84.1 ± 3.32% and in vitro drug release of 98.1 ± 4.42%@24h. The spherical sized microbead showed controlled release with improved haem-compatibility in comparison to the bare drug. Free radical scavenging activity by ABTS assay showed strong anti-oxidant activity (IC₅₀ 20.62 µg/ml) of the targeted microbeads with profound cancer cell sup pressing effect (IC₅₀ 17.48 ± 3.5 µM) as observed in MCF-7 cells by MTT assay. Finally, in comparison to lone SFN, the targeted therapy showed enhanced uptake by the intestinal villi indicating a suitable oral targeted therapy against breast carcinoma.

Emerging trends of nanotechnology in advanced cosmetics

The cosmetic industry is dynamic and ever-evolving. Especially with the introduction and incorporation of nanotechnology-based approaches into cosmetics for evincing novel formulations that confers aesthetic as well as therapeutic benefits. Nanocosmetics acts via numerous delivery mechanisms which involves lipid nanocarrier systems, polymeric or metallic nanoparticles, nanocapsules, dendrimers, nanosponges,etc. Each of these, have particular characteristic properties, which facilitates increased drug loading, enhanced absorption, better cosmetic efficacy, and many more. This article discusses the different classes of nanotechnology-based cosmetics and the nanomaterials used for their formulation, followed by outlining the categories of nanocosmetics and the scope of their utility pertaining to skin, hair, nail, lip, and/or dental care and protection thereof. This review also highlights and discusses about the key drivers of the cosmetic industry and the impending need of corroborating a healthy regulatory framework, refocusing attention towards consumer needs and trends, inculcating sustainable techniques and tenets of green ecological principles, and lastly making strides in nano-technological advancements which will further propel the growth of the cosmetic industry.

Aerosolizable Lipid-Nanovesicles Encapsulating Voriconazole Effectively Permeate Pulmonary Barriers and Target Lung Cells

The entire world has recently been witnessing an unprecedented upsurge in microbial lung infections. The major challenge encountered in treating the same is to ensure the optimum drug availability at the infected site. Aerosolization of antimicrobials, in this regard, has shown immense potential owing to their localized and targeted effect. Efforts, therefore, have been undertaken to systematically develop lung-phosphatidylcholine-based lipid nanovesicles of voriconazole for potential management of the superinfections like aspergillosis. LNVs, prepared by thin-film hydration method, exhibited a globule size of 145.4 ± 19.5 nm, polydispersity index of 0.154 ± 0.104 and entrapment efficiency of 71.4 ± 2.2% with improved in vitro antifungal activity. Aerodynamic studies revealed a microdroplet size of ≤5 μm, thereby unraveling its promise to target the physical barrier of lungs effectively. The surface-active potential of LNVs, demonstrated through Langmuir-Blodgett troughs, indicated their ability to overcome the biochemical pulmonary surfactant monolayer barrier, while the safety and uptake studies on airway-epithelial cells signified their immense potential to permeate the cellular barrier of lungs. The pharmacokinetic studies showed marked improvement in the retention profile of voriconazole in lungs following LNVs nebulization compared to pristine voriconazole. Overall, LNVs proved to be safe and effective delivery systems, delineating their distinct potential to efficiently target the respiratory fungal infections.

Exploring new Horizons in overcoming P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug-resistant breast cancer via nanoscale drug delivery platforms

The high probability (13%) of women developing breast cancer in their lifetimes in America is exacerbated by the emergence of multidrug resistance after exposure to first-line chemotherapeutic agents. Permeation glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug efflux is widely recognized as the major driver of this resistance. Initial in vitro and in vivo investigations of the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and P-gp inhibitors have yielded satisfactory results; however, these results have not translated to clinical settings. The systemic delivery of multiple agents causes adverse effects and drug-drug interactions, and diminishes patient compliance. Nanocarrier-based site-specific delivery has recently gained substantial attention among researchers for its promise in circumventing the pitfalls associated with conventional therapy. In this review article, we focus on nanocarrier-based co-delivery approaches encompassing a wide range of P-gp inhibitors along with chemotherapeutic agents. We discuss the contributions of active targeting and stimuli responsive systems in imparting site-specific cytotoxicity and reducing both the dose and adverse effects.

Nanotechnology-based siRNA delivery strategies for treatment of triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer characterized by absence of estrogen (ER) receptor, progesterone (PR) receptor, and human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER-2) receptor. TNBC is an aggressive disease that develops early Chemoresistance. The major pitfall associated is its poor prognosis, low overall survival, high relapse, and mortality as compared to other types of breast cancer. Chemotherapy could be helpful but do not contribute to an increase in survival of patient. To overcome such obstacles, in our article we explored advanced therapy using genes and nanocarrier along with its conjugation to achieve high therapeutic profile with reduced side effect. siRNAs are one of the class of RNA associated with gene silencing. They also regulate the expression of certain proteins that are involved in development of tumor cells. But they are highly unstable. So, for efficient delivery of siRNA, very intelligent, efficient delivery systems are required. Several nanotechnologies based non-viral vectors such as liposome, micelles, nanoparticles, dendrimers, exosomes, nanorods and nanobubbles etc. offers enormous unique properties such as nanometric size range, targeting potential with the capability to link with several targeting moieties for the gene delivery. These non-viral vectors are much safer, effective and efficient system for the delivery of genes along with chemotherapeutics. This review provides an overview of TNBC, conventional and advanced treatment approach of TNBC along with understanding of current status of several nanocarriers used for the delivery of siRNA for the treatment of TNBC.

Nebulised surface-active hybrid nanoparticles of voriconazole for pulmonary Aspergillosis demonstrate clathrin-mediated cellular uptake, improved antifungal efficacy and lung retention

BACKGROUND

Incidence of pulmonary aspergillosis is rising worldwide, owing to an increased population of immunocompromised patients. Notable potential of the pulmonary route has been witnessed in antifungal delivery due to distinct advantages of direct lung targeting and first-pass evasion. The current research reports biomimetic surface-active lipid-polymer hybrid (LPH) nanoparticles (NPs) of voriconazole, employing lung-specific lipid, i.e., dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and natural biodegradable polymer, i.e., chitosan, to augment its pulmonary deposition and retention, following nebulization.

RESULTS

The developed nanosystem exhibited a particle size in the range of 228-255 nm and drug entrapment of 45-54.8%. Nebulized microdroplet characterization of NPs dispersion revealed a mean diameter of  ≤ 5 μm, corroborating its deep lung deposition potential as determined by next-generation impactor studies. Biophysical interaction of LPH NPs with lipid-monolayers indicated their surface-active potential and ease of intercalation into the pulmonary surfactant membrane at the air-lung interface. Cellular viability and uptake studies demonstrated their cytocompatibility and time-and concentration-dependent uptake in lung-epithelial A549 and Calu-3 cells with clathrin-mediated internalization. Transepithelial electrical resistance experiments established their ability to penetrate tight airway Calu-3 monolayers. Antifungal studies on laboratory strains and clinical isolates depicted their superior efficacy against Aspergillus species. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed nearly 5-, 4- and threefolds enhancement in lung AUC, Tmax, and MRT values, construing significant drug access and retention in lungs.

CONCLUSIONS

Nebulized LPH NPs were observed as a promising solution to provide effective and safe therapy for the management of pulmonary aspergillosis infection with improved patient compliance and avoidance of systemic side-effects.

Nano-Zn Increased Zn Accumulation and Triglyceride Content by Up-Regulating Lipogenesis in Freshwater Teleost, Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The present study was conducted to explore the mechanism of nano-Zn absorption and its influence on lipid metabolism in the intestine of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Compared to ZnSO₄, dietary nano-Zn addition increased the triglyceride (TG) content, enzymatic activities of malic enzyme (ME) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), and up-regulated mRNA levels of 6pgd, fas, acca, dgat1, pparγ, and fatp4. Using primary intestinal epithelial cells of yellow catfish, compared to the ZnSO₄ group, nano-Zn incubation increased the contents of TG and free fatty acids (FFA), the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6GPD), ME, and FAS, up-regulated mRNA levels of lipogenic genes (6pgd, g6pd, fas, dgat1, and pparγ), genes of lipid transport (fatp4 and ifabp), and Zn transport genes (znt5, znt7, mt, and mtf1), and increased the protein expression of fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Further studies found that nano-Zn absorption was via the clathrin-dependent endocytic mechanism. PPARγ mediated the nano-Zn-induced increase in TG, and nano-Zn increased Zn accumulation and induced TG accumulation by activating the PPARγ pathway and up-regulating lipogenesis.