Hispolon-Loaded Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles: Development, Stability, In Vitro Delivery Profile, and Assessment of Hepatoprotective Activity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase, and anti-amyloid-β peptide aggregations of hispolon and its analogs in vitro and improved learning and memory functions in scopolamine-induced ICR mice

BACKGROUND

Hispolon, one of bioactive phenolic compounds from a medicinal mushroom of sang-huang (Phellinus linteus) has been reported to exhibit anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The Alzheimer's disease (AD) is ranked one of the top ten leading causes of death worldwide. Little is known about the effects of hispolon on delaying AD progression.

RESULTS

The hispolon (No.1) and its six structural analogs (No.2 to No.7) were assayed by antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase activities and anti-amyloid-β1-42-peptide aggregations. The No.1, No.6, and No.7 were selected for further molecular docking with acetylcholinesterase and core fragments of amyloid-β-peptide, and also showed capacities to recover cell viabilities in methylglyoxal-treated SH-SY5Y cells and also to enhance neurite outgrowths in PC12 cells. The daily pre-treatments of No.1, No.6, and No.7 for 10-days (40 mg/kg/day) showed to improve learning dysfunctions in scopolamine-induced ICR mice by passive avoidance tests.

CONCLUSION

The hispolon in the fungus sang-huang might be beneficial to develop functional foods or as lead compounds for treating degenerative disorders.

Preparation of cubic liquid crystal nanoparticles of puerarin and its protective effect on ischemic stroke

The low oral bioavailability of puerarin (Pur) affects its efficacy. Preparation of puerarin cubic liquid crystal nanoparticles (Pur-Cub) enhances the protective effect of Pur against ischemic stroke (IS) by increasing its bioavailability. The average particle size, PDI, and zeta potential of Pur-Cub were 274.70 ± 16.20 nm, 0.24 ± 0.05 and -25.30 ± 2.34 mV, respectively. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) and Small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS) identified Pur-Cub as a cubic phase (Pn3m). The in vitro release of Pur-Cub was fast and then slow, in accordance with the biphasic kinetic equation. Pur-Cub increased the penetration of Pur in the intestine (mainly the duodenum) and significantly improved the bioavailability of Pur in the blood (304.16 %) and its distribution in the brain (1.69-fold) compared to Pur suspension. Pur-Cub narrowed down cerebral infarcts and significantly reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Hispolon-loaded lipid nanocapsules for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparative study with solid lipid nanoparticles and suspension

Aim: The present study aims to develop, optimize and assess hispolon (HPN) lipid nanocapsules (LNCs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and suspension for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials & methods: It included UPLC-MS/MS, solubility, optimization, characterization, stability, in vitro and in vivo studies.Results: HPN-loaded LNCs were developed using phase-inversion and temperature cycling, while SLNs and suspension using hot homogenization and trituration methods. HPN-LNCs had a particle size (PS) of 196.9 nm, a PDI of 0.315 and a zeta potential of -24.3 mV. HPN-S2 had a PS of 199.90 nm, a PDI of 0.381 and a zeta potential of -19.1 mV. HPN-SPN3 showed a PS of 946.60 nm, a PDI of 0.31 and a zeta potential of -0.1945 mV. Stability tests over 3 months and gastric stability testing in different media showed no significant changes in PS, PDI, entrapment efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC). HPN-LNCs demonstrated 96.22% sustained drug release over 25 h, outperforming HPN-S2 (87.12%) and HPN-SPN3 (22% within 2 h). HPN-loaded LNCs improved oral bioavailability by 2.03-times, the most effective hepatoprotective action and higher localization in liver tumors over HPN-S2 and HPN-SPN3.Conclusion: HPN-Loaded LNCs results are promising, but more safety data needed in the future.

Innovative Encapsulation Strategies for Food, Industrial, and Pharmaceutical Applications

Bioactive metabolites obtained from fruits and vegetables as well as many drugs have various capacities to prevent or treat various ailments. Nevertheless, their efficiency, in vivo, encounter many challenges resulting in lower efficacy as well as different side effects when high doses are used resulting in many challenges for their application. Indeed, demand for effective treatments with no or less unfavorable side effects is rising. Delivering active molecules to a particular site of action within the human body is an example of targeted therapy which remains a challenging field. Developments of nanotechnology and polymer science have great promise for meeting the growing demands of efficient options. Encapsulation of active ingredients in nano-delivery systems has become as a vitally tool for protecting the integrity of critical biochemicals, improving their delivery, enabling their controlled release and maintaining their biological features. Here, we examine a wide range of nano-delivery techniques, such as niosomes, polymeric/solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nano-emulsions. The advantages of encapsulation in targeted, synergistic, and supportive therapies are emphasized, along with current progress in its application. Additionally, a revised collection of studies was given, focusing on improving the effectiveness of anticancer medications and addressing the problem of antimicrobial resistance. To sum up, this paper conducted a thorough analysis to determine the efficacy of encapsulation technology in the field of drug discovery and development.

Food-grade hexosomes as efficient vehicles for delivery of fish-purified antioxidant peptide

Herein, we describe the potential use of food-grade hexosomes (HEXs) for delivering fish-purified antioxidant peptide (PF10). Using a binary lipid mixture of Dimodan U/citrem, the nanocarriers were produced with a size range of 202.7-569.8 nm and peptide encapsulation efficiency of 64.6-89.3%. These HEXs were also characterized by SAXS and cryo-TEM, and were able to sustain the release of PF10, where only 32.2% released in PBS after 24 h. SAXS findings verified that PF10 modulate the internal structure of HEXs in a pH-dependent manner. Antioxidant assays proved the efficacy of such nano-self-assemblies in maintaining the bioactivity of the loaded peptide. Moreover, the in vitro gastrointestinal stability test indicated that the antioxidant capacity of the free- and PF10-loaded HEXs decreased under SGF/SIF conditions with the reduction in activity being greater for the free PF10. The present findings may provide a useful basis for development of pH-responsive nano-self-assemblies for delivery of antioxidant peptides.

Co-Delivery of Naringin and Ciprofloxacin by Oleic Acid Lipid Core Encapsulated in Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Alginate Nanoparticle Composite for Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity

A novel combination of antibiotic, ciprofloxacin (CIP) with herbal counterpart naringin (NAR) was encapsulated by an oleic acid lipid core and carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-CS)/Alginate (AG) nanoparticle composite (CIP + NAR-CM-CS/AG-NPs) for improved antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotic. Herein, this study explored the design and preparation of a composite system that enables to deliver both CIP and NAR from the oleic acid lipid core of CM-CS/AG nanoparticles using a nonsolvent ionic gelation technique. The nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated with improved long-acting antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. The optimized composition was investigated for physicochemical properties particle size, particle distribution, and ζ-potential. A diverse array of analytical tools was employed to characterize the optimized formulation including DSC, XRD, Malvern Zetasizer for particle size, ζ-potential, TEM, and SEM. Further, the preparation was investigated for % drug release, flux determination, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity. The formulation stability was tested for 90 days and also evaluated formulation stability in fetal bovine serum to inspect the modification in physicochemical characteristics. NPs size was determined at 85 nm, PDI, and ζ-potential was recorded at 0.318, and 0.7 ± 0.4 mV. The % CIP and NAR entrapment efficiency and % loading were incurred as 91 ± 1.9, and 89.5 ± 1.2; 11.5 ± 0.6, and 10.8 ± 0.5%, respectively. The drug release erupted in the beginning phase followed by sustained and prolonged release for 48 h. The analytical experiments by DSC ensured the noninteracting and safe use of excipients in combination. X-ray studies demonstrated the amorphous state of the drug in the formulation. The insignificant alteration of formulation characteristics in FBS suggested stable and robust preparation. Storage stability of the developed formulation ensured consistent and uniform stability for three months. The DPPH assays demonstrated that NAR had good antioxidant capacity and supported improving antimicrobial activity of CIP. The hemolytic test suggested the developed formulation was compatible and caused insignificant RBC destruction. The in-house built formulation CIP + NAR-CM-CS/AG-NPs significantly improved the antimicrobial activity compared to CIP alone, offering a novel choice in antimicrobial application.

Lyotropic liquid crystalline phases: Drug delivery and biomedical applications

Liquid crystal (LC)-based nanoformulations may efficiently deliver drugs and therapeutics to targeted biological sites. Lyotropic liquid crystalline phases (LLCPs) have received much interest in recent years due to their unique structural characteristics of both isotropic liquids and crystalline solids. These LLCPs can be utilized as promising drug delivery systems to deliver drugs, proteins, peptides and vaccines because of their improved drug loading, stabilization, and controlled drug release. The effects of molecule shape, microsegregation, and chirality are very important in the formation of liquid crystalline phases (LCPs). Homogenization of self-assembled amphiphilic lipids, water and stabilizers produces LLCPs with different types of mesophases, bicontinuous cubic (cubosomes) and inverse hexagonal (hexosomes). Moreover, many studies have also shown higher bioadhesivity and biocompatibility of LCs due to their structural resemblance to biological membranes, thus making them more efficient for targeted drug delivery. In this review, an outline of the engineering aspects of LLCPs and polymer-based LLCPs is summarized. Moreover, it covers parenteral, oral, transdermal delivery and medical imaging of LC in targeting various tissues and is discussed with a scope to design more efficient next-generation novel nanosystems. In addition, a detailed overview of advanced liquid crystal-based drug delivery for vaccines and biomedical applications is reviewed.

The cubosome-based nanoplatforms in cancer therapy: Seeking new paradigms for cancer theranostics

Lyotropic liquid crystals are self-assembled, non-lamellar, and mesophase nanostructured materials that have garnered significant attention as drug carriers. Cubosomes, a subtype of lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles, possess three-dimensional structures that display bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline patterns. These patterns are formed through the self-organization of unsaturated monoglycerides (amphphilic lipids such as glyceryl monooleate or phytantriol), followed by stabilization using steric polymers (poloxamers). Owing to their bicontinuous structure and steric polymer-based stabilization, cubosomes have been demonstrated to possess greater entrapment efficiency for hydrophobic drugs compared to liposomes, while also exhibiting high stability. In the past decade, there has been significant interest in cubosomes due to their ability to deliver therapeutic and contrast agents for cancer treatment and imaging with minimal side effects, establishing them as a safe and effective approach. Concerning these advantages, the present review elaborates on the general aspects, composition, and preparation techniques of cubosomes, followed by explanations of their mechanisms of drug loading and release patterns. Furthermore, the review provides meticulous discussions on the use of cubosomes in the treatment and imaging of various types of cancer, culminating in the enumeration of patents related to cubosome-based drug delivery systems.

Design-of-Experiment-Assisted Fabrication of Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles: In Vitro Characterization, Biological Activity, and In Vivo Assessment

Berberine (BER) is an alkaloid obtained from berberis plant having broad biological activities including anticancer. BER-encapsulated alginate (ALG)/chitosan (CHS) nanoparticles (BER-ALG/CHS-NPs) were developed for long-acting improved treatment in breast cancer. The surface of the NPs was activated by a conjugation reaction, and thereafter, the BER-ALG/CHS-NP surface was grafted with folic acid (BER-ALG/CHS-NPs-F) for specific targeting in breast cancer. BER-ALG/CHS-NPs-F was optimized by applying the Box-Behnken design using Expert design software. Moreover, formulations are extensively evaluated in vitro for biopharmaceutical performances and tested for cell viability, cellular uptake, and antioxidant activity. The comparative pharmacokinetic study of formulation and free BER was carried out in animals for estimation of bioavailability. The particle size recorded for the diluted sample using a Malvern Zetasizer was 240 ± 5.6 nm. The ζ-potential and the predicted % entrapment efficiency versus (vs) observed were +18 mV and 83.25 ± 2.3% vs 85 ± 3.5%. The high % drug release from the NPs was recorded. The analytical studies executed using infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction expressed safe combinations of the components in the formulation and physical state of the drug revealed to be amorphous in the formulation. Cytotoxicity testing demonstrated that the formulation effectively lowered the cell viability and IC50 of the tested cell line in comparison to a raw drug. The cellular uptake of BER-ALG/CHS-NPs-F was 5.5-fold higher than that of BER-suspension. The antioxidant capacities of BER-ALG/CHS-NPs-F vs BER-suspension by the DPPH assay were measured to be 62.3 ± 2.5% vs 30 ± 6%, indicating good radical scavenging power of folate-conjugated NPs. The developed formulation showed a 4.4-fold improved oral bioavailability compared to BER-suspension. The hemolytic assay intimated <2% destruction of erythrocytes by the developed formulation. The observed experimental characterization results such as cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, antioxidant activity, and improved absorption suggested the effectiveness of BER-ALG/CHS-NPs-F toward breast cancer.

Natural Oils Enhance the Topical Delivery of Ketoconazole by Nanoemulgel for Fungal Infections

Nanoemulgel (NEG) pharmaceutical formulations are gaining popularity because of their ability to serve both as a nanoemulsion and as a gel. These products are well-known for their ease of use, spreadability, controlled release, and ability to hydrate dry skin. Natural essential oils have been shown to promote the cutaneous permeability of topical formulations, enhancing medication safety and efficacy. Herein, we developed NEG for the enhanced permeation of ketoconazole against candidiasis using clove oil (clove-oil-NEG) or eucalyptus oil (eucalyptus-oil-NEG), using the gelling agents carbopol 943 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). We tested various excipients to increase the solubility of ketoconazole and formulate a nanoemulsion (NE). We measured the NE droplet particle size, shape, entrapment efficiency, and drug release. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the optimized nanoemulsion formulation were characterized by techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The NEs were loaded into gels to form NEGs. NEGs were characterized for drug content, homogeneity, rheology, spreadability, and antifungal activity against Candida albicans, both in vitro and in vivo. Optimized ketoconazole NEG preparations consisted of either 15% clove oil or 20% eucalyptus oil. Droplet sizes in the optimized NEs were <100 nm, and the polydispersity indexes were 0.24 and 0.26. The percentages of ketoconazole released after 24 h from the clove-oil-NEG and eucalyptus-oil-NEGs were 91 ± 4.5 and 89 ± 7%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the NEGs had a smooth, uniform, and consistent shape and internal structural organization. The drug contents in the clove-oil-NEG and eucalyptus-oil-NEG were 98.5 ± 2.2 and 98.8 ± 3.4%, respectively. Permeation values of ketoconazole from clove-oil-NEG and eucalyptus-oil-NEG were 117 ± 7 and 108.34 ± 6 μg cm-2, respectively. The ketoconazole NEG formulations also had higher levels of fungal growth inhibition than a marketed formulation. Finally, in vivo studies showed that the NEGs do not irritate the skin. Ketoconazole NEG with either 15% clove oil or 20% eucalyptus oil is stable with better efficacy than ketoconazole alone due to excellent dispersion, drug dissolution, and permeability and thus might be recommended for the effective and safe treatment of candidiasis.

A "Trojan Horse" Strategy: The Preparation of Bile Acid-Modifying Irinotecan Hydrochloride Nanoliposomes for Liver-Targeted Anticancer Drug Delivery System Study

The bile acid transport system is a natural physiological cycling process between the liver and the small intestine, occurring approximately 6-15 times during the day. There are various bile acid transporter proteins on hepatocytes that specifically recognize bile acids for transport. Therefore, in this paper, a novel liposome, cholic acid-modified irinotecan hydrochloride liposomes (named CA-CPT-11-Lip), was prepared based on the "Trojan horse" strategy. The liposomes preparation process was optimized, and some important quality indicators were investigated. The distribution of irinotecan hydrochloride in mice was then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the toxicity of liposomes to hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2) was evaluated in vitro. As a result, CA-CPT-11-Lip was successfully prepared. It was spherical with a particle size of 154.16 ± 4.92 nm, and the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 3.72 ± 0.04% and 82.04 ± 1.38%, respectively. Compared with the conventional liposomes (without cholic acid modification, named CPT-11-Lip), CA-CPT-11-Lip had a smaller particle size and higher encapsulation efficiency, and the drug accumulation in the liver was more efficient, enhancing the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity of irinotecan hydrochloride. The novel nanoliposome modified by cholic acid may help to expand the application of irinotecan hydrochloride in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and construct the drug delivery system mode of drug liver targeting.

Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Curcumin-Graphene Oxide Complex-Loaded Liposomes against Staphylococcus aureus in Topical Disease

This study describes the development and characterization of curcumin with graphene oxide complex (CUR + GO) loaded into liposomes for treating skin disease. The developed complex was characterized by X-ray diffraction and showed a broad halo pattern, confirming the amorphous nature of the resulting complex. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed the irregular porous morphology of the complex-highlighting loss of the crystallinity and the emergence of the amorphous phase. Additionally, the liposomes showed long-term stability at 2-8 °C and 25 ± 2 °C/60 ± 5%RH with nonsignificant variations in the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. Overall, optical and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of liposomes showed a consistent shape, and no aggregation with uniform particle size distribution was observed. Furthermore, the cumulative drug release in the first 6 h was 71.24 and 64.24% for CUR-loaded liposomes and CUR-GO-loaded liposomes, respectively. The lower value of drug release might be attributed to the complex development. The drug release model found the first order with non-Fickian diffusion process, which is often observed at higher n > 0.5. The antibacterial activity of the CUR with GO-loaded liposome (D2) offered higher anti-microbial activity over other formulations against the mentioned bacterial microorganism that causes skin diseases.

Hispolon Cyclodextrin Complexes and Their Inclusion in Liposomes for Enhanced Delivery in Melanoma Cell Lines

Hispolon, a phenolic pigment isolated from the mushroom species Phellinus linteus, has been investigated for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties; however, low solubility and poor bioavailability have limited its potential clinical translation. In this study, the inclusion complex of hispolon with Sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBEβCD) was characterized, and the Hispolon-SBEβCD Complex (HSC) was included within the sterically stabilized liposomes (SL) to further investigate its anticancer activity against melanoma cell lines. The HSC-trapped-Liposome (HSC-SL) formulation was investigated for its sustained drug delivery and enhanced cytotoxicity. The inclusion complex in the solid=state was confirmed by a Job’s plot analysis, molecular modeling, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The HSC-SL showed no appreciable deviation in size (<150 nm) and polydispersity index (<0.2) and improved drug encapsulation efficiency (>90%) as compared to control hispolon liposomes. Individually incorporated hispolon and SBEβCD in the liposomes (H-CD-SL) was not significant in loading the drug in the liposomes, compared to HSC-SL, as a substantial amount of free drug was separated during dialysis. The HSC-SL formulation showed a sustained release compared to hispolon liposomes (H-SLs) and Hispolon-SBEβCD liposomes (H-CD-SLs). The anticancer activity on melanoma cell lines (B16BL6) of HSC and HSC-SL was higher than in H-CD-SL and hispolon solution. These findings suggest that HSC inclusion in the HSC-SL liposomes stands out as a potential formulation approach for enhancing drug loading, encapsulation, and chemotherapeutic efficiency of hispolon and similar water insoluble drug molecules.