Dexamethasone-loaded H2O2-activatable anti-inflammatory nanoparticles for on-demand therapy of inflammatory respiratory diseases

Appraisal terpenoids rich Boswellia carterri ethyl acetate extract in binary cyclodextrin oligomer nano complex for improving respiratory distress

Boswellia carterii (BC) resins plants have a long historical background as a treatment for inflammation, as indicated by information originating from multiple countries. Twenty-seven diterpenoids have been identified in ethyl acetate and total methanol BC, comprising seventeen boscartins of the cembrane-type diterpenoids and ten boscartols of the prenylaromadendrane-type diterpenoids. Moreover, twenty-one known triterpenoids have also been found, encompassing nine tirucallane-type, six ursane-type, four oleanane-type, and two lupane-type. The cembrane-type diterpenoids hold a significant position in pharmaceutical chemistry and related industries due to their captivating biological characteristics and promising pharmacological potentials. Extraction of BC, creation and assessment of nano sponges loaded with either B. carterii plant extract or DEX, are the subjects of our current investigation. With the use of ultrasound-assisted synthesis, nano sponges were produced. The entrapment efficiency (EE%) of medications in nano sponges was examined using spectrophotometry. Nano sponges were characterized using a number of methods. Within nano sponges, the EE% of medicines varied between 98.52 ± 0.07 and 99.64 ± 1.40%. The nano sponges' particle sizes varied from 105.9 ± 15.9 to 166.8 ± 26.3 nm. Drugs released from nano sponges using the Korsmeyer-Peppas concept. In respiratory distressed rats, the effects of BC plant extract, DEX salt and their nano formulations (D1, D5, P1 and P1), were tested. Treatment significantly reduced ICAM-1, LTB4, and ILβ 4 levels and improved histopathologic profiles, when compared to the positive control group. Boswellia extract and its nano sponge formulation P1 showed promising therapeutic effects. The effect of P1 may be due to synergism between both the extract and the formulation. This effect was achieved by blocking both ICAM-1 and LTB4 pathways, therefore counteracting the effects of talc powder.

Airway epithelial-targeted nanoparticle reverses asthma in inhalation therapy

Despite extensive research on corticosteroids for treating asthma, their short residence time in the lungs has limited their therapeutic effects in vivo. Nanoparticles have been widely investigated for inhaled drug delivery due to their potential benefits in prolonging drugs' residence time in the lungs. However, the retention of nanoparticles may be limited by mucus and ciliated epithelium clearance mechanisms in the airway. Herein, we anchored a neonatal-Fc-receptor-targeted peptide (FcBP) onto "mucus-penetrating" polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles (PEG-NP). Interestingly, the mucus-permeability of PEG-NP was not impaired by FcBP-functionalization. Moreover, FcBP modification enhanced cellular internalization and exocytosis via specific receptor-mediated processes, which subsequently ameliorated transepithelial transport and prolonged pulmonary retention. Importantly, after loading dexamethasone, FcBP-functionalization could effectively help nanoparticles cross the airway epithelial layer and be endocytosed by inflammatory cells, resulting in a marked decrease in inflammatory cytokines. Finally, FcBP modification significantly enhanced the therapeutic effect of dexamethasone-loaded nanoparticles in asthma mice. This study demonstrates that FcBP-functionalized PEG-NP can overcome multiple obstacles in the airway to prolong the pulmonary retention of drugs, providing a promising strategy for inhalation therapy.

MRI-visible mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles with enhanced antioxidant capacity for osteoarthritis therapy

Since the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) is closely associated with synovitis and cartilage destruction, the inhibition of inflammatory responses in synovial macrophages and reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced apoptosis in chondrocytes is crucial for OA amelioration. However, most of the current anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drugs are small molecules apt to be eliminated in vivo. Herein, mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles (DAMM NPs) doped with arginine and manganese (Mn) ions were prepared to load dexamethasone (DEX) for OA intervention. A series of in vitro studies showed that the sustained release of DEX from DAMM NPs suppressed synovial inflammation and simultaneously inhibited toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3) production in chondrocytes, contributing to prevention of chondrocyte apoptosis through the inflammatory factor-dependent TLR-3/NF-κB signaling pathway via modulation of macrophage-chondrocyte crosstalk. In addition, DAMM NPs exerted a predominant role in removal of ROS generated in chondrocytes. Therefore, the DEX-loaded DAMM NPs significantly attenuated OA development in mice model. Importantly, the T1-T2 magnetic contrast capabilities of DAMM NPs allowed an MRI-trackable delivery, manifesting a distinct feature widely regarded to boost the potential of nanomedicines for clinical applications. Together, our developed antioxidant-enhanced DAMM NPs with MRI-visible signals may serve as a novel multifunctional nanocarriers for prevention of OA progression.

PLGA-Based Micro/Nanoparticles: An Overview of Their Applications in Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are critical areas of medical research, as millions of people are affected worldwide. In fact, more than 9 million deaths worldwide were associated with respiratory diseases in 2016, equivalent to 15% of global deaths, and the prevalence is increasing every year as the population ages. Due to inadequate treatment options, the treatments for many respiratory diseases are limited to relieving symptoms rather than curing the disease. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies for respiratory diseases are urgently needed. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) micro/nanoparticles (PLGA M/NPs) have good biocompatibility, biodegradability and unique physical and chemical properties, making them one of the most popular and effective drug delivery polymers. In this review, we summarized the synthesis and modification methods of PLGA M/NPs and their applications in the treatment of respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis (CF), etc.) and also discussed the research progress and current research status of PLGA M/NPs in respiratory diseases. It was concluded that PLGA M/NPs are the promising drug delivery vehicles for the treatment of respiratory diseases due to their advantages of low toxicity, high bioavailability, high drug loading capacity, plasticity and modifiability. And at the end, we presented an outlook on future research directions, aiming to provide some new ideas for future research directions and hopefully to promote their widespread application in clinical treatment.

Mucus Penetration of Surface-Engineered Nanoparticles in Various pH Microenvironments

The penetration behavior of nanoparticles in mucous depends on physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles and the mucus microenvironment, due to particle-mucin interactions and the presence of the mucin mesh space filtration effect. To date, it is still unclear how the surface properties of nanoparticles influence their mucus penetration behaviors in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In this study, we have prepared a comprehensive library of amine-, carboxyl-, and PEG-modified silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with controlled surface ligand densities. Using multiple particle tracking, we have studied the mechanism responsible for the mucus penetration behaviors of these SNPs. It was found that PEG- and amine-modified SNPs exhibited pH-independent immobilization under iso-density conditions, while carboxyl-modified SNPs exhibited enhanced movement only in weakly alkaline mucus. Biophysical characterizations demonstrated that amine- and carboxyl-modified SNPs were trapped in mucus due to electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding with mucin. In contrast, high-density PEGylated surface formed a brush conformation that shields particle-mucin interactions. We have further investigated the surface property-dependent mucus penetration behavior using a murine airway distribution model. This study provides insights for designing efficient transmucosal nanocarriers for prevention and treatment of pulmonary diseases.

Recent Advances in Nanomaterials for Asthma Treatment

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease with complex mechanisms, and these patients often encounter difficulties in their treatment course due to the heterogeneity of the disease. Currently, clinical treatments for asthma are mainly based on glucocorticoid-based combination drug therapy; however, glucocorticoid resistance and multiple side effects, as well as the occurrence of poor drug delivery, require the development of more promising treatments. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that has been extensively researched in the medical field. Several studies have shown that drug delivery systems could significantly improve the targeting, reduce toxicity and improve the bioavailability of drugs. The use of multiple nanoparticle delivery strategies could improve the therapeutic efficacy of drugs compared to traditional delivery methods. Herein, the authors presented the mechanisms of asthma development and current therapeutic methods. Furthermore, the design and synthesis of different types of nanomaterials and micromaterials for asthma therapy are reviewed, including polymetric nanomaterials, solid lipid nanomaterials, cell membranes-based nanomaterials, and metal nanomaterials. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of these nanomaterials are discussed to provide guidance for further research directions and hopefully promote the clinical application of nanotherapeutics in asthma treatment.

Nanotechnology-based therapeutics for targeting inflammatory lung diseases

The physiochemical properties of drugs used in treating inflammation-associated lung diseases (i.e., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis) play an important role in determining the effectiveness of formulations. Most commonly used drugs are associated with low solubility, low stability and rapid clearance, thus resulting in low bioavailability and therapeutic index. This review focuses on current trends and development of drugs (i.e., corticosteroids, long-acting β-agonists and biomacromolecules such as DNA, siRNA and mRNA) employed to treat inflammatory lung diseases. In addition, this review includes the current challenges of and future perspective with regard to nanotechnology in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.

Packaging and Delivery of Asthma Therapeutics

Asthma is a life-altering, chronic disease of heterogenous origin that features a complex interplay of immune and environmental signaling. Although very little progress has been made in prevention, diverse types of medications and delivery systems, including nanoscale systems, have been or are currently being developed to control airway inflammation and prevent exacerbations and fibrosis. These medications are delivered through mechanical methods, with various inhalers (with benefits and drawbacks) existing, and new types offering some variety in delivery. Of particular interest is the progress being made in nanosized materials for efficient penetration into the epithelial mucus layer and delivery into the deepest parts of the lungs. Liposomes, nanoparticles, and extracellular vesicles, both natural and synthetic, have been explored in animal models of asthma and have produced promising results. This review will summarize and synthesize the latest developments in both macro-(inhaler) and micro-sized delivery systems for the purpose of treating asthma patients.

Hyaluronic Acid-Dexamethasone Nanoparticles for Local Adjunct Therapy of Lung Inflammation

The delivery of a dexamethasone formulation directly into the lung appears as an appropriate strategy to strengthen the systemic administration, reducing the dosage in the treatment of lung severe inflammations. For this purpose, a hyaluronic acid-dexamethasone formulation was developed, affording an inhalable reconstituted nanosuspension suitable to be aerosolized. The physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties of the formulation were tested: size, stability, loading of the spray-dried dry powder, reconstitution capability upon redispersion in aqueous media. Detailed structural insights on nanoparticles after reconstitution were obtained by light and X-ray scattering techniques. (1) The size of the nanoparticles, around 200 nm, is in the proper range for a possible engulfment by macrophages. (2) Their structure is of the core-shell type, hosting dexamethasone nanocrystals inside and carrying hyaluronic acid chains on the surface. This specific structure allows for nanosuspension stability and provides nanoparticles with muco-inert properties. (3) The nanosuspension can be efficiently aerosolized, allowing for a high drug fraction potentially reaching the deep lung. Thus, this formulation represents a promising tool for the lung administration via nebulization directly in the pipe of ventilators, to be used as such or as adjunct therapy for severe lung inflammation.