Preparation and antitumor effect evaluation of composite microparticles co-loaded with siRNA and paclitaxel by a supercritical process

Ultrasound-enhanced nano catalyst with ferroptosis-apoptosis combined anticancer strategy for metastatic uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary ocular tumor owing to its highly invasive and metastatic characteristics. Currently, standard clinical treatment has an unsatisfied curative effect due to the lack of an effective approach to inhibit the tumor metastasis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new strategy that can both restraint local tumors and suppress the ocular tumor metastasis. Herein, we developed ultrasound-responsive nanoparticles (FeP NPs) that can both hinder the growth of in situ ocular tumor and prevent the tumor metastasis through the ferroptosis-apoptosis combined-anticancer strategy. The FeP NPs were assembling by stimulating gallic acid-Fe (III) and paclitaxel, then could be internalized into tumor cells under the cooperative effect of ultrasound, which further activates the intracellular Fenton reaction and generates high reactive oxygen species levels, ultimately leading to mitochondrial damage, lipid per-oxidation, and apoptosis. The FeP NPs can efficiently inhibit the tumor growth in an orthotopic uveal melanoma model. More importantly, the level of the promoting-metastatic factor nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) secreted by cancer cells is significantly reduced, further limits cancer metastasis to the cervical lymph node and finally inhibits lung metastasis of uveal melanoma. We believe that these designed ultrasound-enhanced nanoparticles possess potential clinical application for preventing the regeneration and metastasis of uveal melanoma.

An approach to enhance carbon/polymer interface compatibility for lithium-ion supercapacitors

Developing high-efficiency and easy machining components, as well as high-performance energy storage components, is a pressing issue on the road to economic and social progress. Optimizing the interface compatibility between composites and promoting the efficient utilization of the electrochemical active sites are crucial factors in improving the electrochemical performance of composite electrode materials. To address this challenge, a carbon-based flexible lithium-ion supercapacitor positive material (Polyaniline @ Carbon Foam-Supercritical carbon dioxide (P@C-SC)) is synthesized using commercial melamine foam and aniline monomer. The synthesis process utilizes supercritical fluid technology, effectively solving the interface compatibility problem between the composite materials. Consequently, the electrochemical performance of the composite electrode materials is significantly improved. The supercapacitive properties of this material are investigated in 1 mol/L sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and lithium sulfate (Li2SO4) electrolytes using a three-electrode system. In H2SO4 electrolyte, the material exhibits a working voltage of up to 2.2 V and a specific capacitance of 898F/g (at 1 A/g), resulting in a maximum energy density of 50.8 Wh kg-1. Furthermore, this electrode demonstrates superior lithium storage performance, with a specific capacity of approximately 900 mAh/g (at 1 A/g) and a retention of about 400 mAh/g after 200 cycles, along with a coulomb efficiency of 100%. This work offers insights into the integrated design of composite materials with improved electrochemical properties and interface compatibility, thus providing potential applicability of supercritical fluids in the field of lithium-ion supercapacitors.

Supercritical Fluids and Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy

Nanoparticles are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. Among the many techniques used to obtain nanoparticles, those based on supercritical fluids ensure reduced dimensions, narrow particle size distributions, and a very low or zero solvent residue in the powders. This review focuses on using supercritical carbon dioxide-based processes to obtain the nanoparticles of compounds used for the treatment or prevention of cancer. The scientific literature papers have been classified into two groups: nanoparticles consisting of a single active principle ingredient (API) and carrier/API nanopowders. Various supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) based techniques for obtaining the nanoparticles were considered, along with the operating conditions and advantages and disadvantages of each process.

Optimization and Formulation of Nanostructured and Self-Assembled Caseinate Micelles for Enhanced Cytotoxic Effects of Paclitaxel on Breast Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a widely used anti-cancer drug for treating various types of solid malignant tumors including breast, ovarian and lung cancers. However, PTX has a low therapeutic response and is linked with acquired resistance, as well as a high incidence of adverse events, such as allergic reactions, neurotoxicity and myelosuppression. The situation is compounded when its complex chemical structure contributes towards hydrophobicity, shortening its circulation time in blood, causing off-target effects and limiting its therapeutic activity against cancer cells. Formulating a smart nano-carrier may overcome the solubility and toxicity issues of the drug and enable its more selective delivery to the cancerous cells. Among the nano-carriers, natural polymers are of great importance due to their excellent biodegradability, non-toxicity and good accessibility. The aim of the present research is to develop self-assembled sodium caseinate nanomicelles (NaCNs) with PTX loaded into the hydrophobic core of NaCNs for effective uptake of the drug in cancer cells and its subsequent intracellular release.

METHODS

The PTX-loaded micelle was characterized with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR), High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX). Following treatment with PTX-loaded NaCNs, cell viability, cellular uptake and morphological changes were analyzed using MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

We found that PTX-loaded NaCNs efficiently released PTX in an acidic tumor environment, while showing an enhanced cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and in-vivo anti-tumor efficacy in a mouse model of breast cancer when compared to free drug and blank micelles. Additionally, the nanomicelles also presented improved colloidal stability for three months at 4 °C and -20 °C and when placed at a temperature of 37 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the newly developed NaCNs is a promising carrier of PTX to enhance tumor accumulation of the drug while addressing its toxicity issues as well.

Supercritical Fluid Technology: An Emphasis on Drug Delivery and Related Biomedical Applications

During the past few decades, supercritical fluid (SCF) has emerged as an effective alternative for many traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Operating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) alone or in combination with various biodegradable polymeric carriers in high-pressure conditions provides enhanced features with respect to their physical properties such as bioavailability enhancement, is of relevance to the application of SCF in the pharmaceutical industry. Herein, recent advances in drug delivery systems manufactured using the SCF technology are reviewed. We provide a brief description of the history, principle, and various preparation methods involved in the SCF technology. Next, we aim to give a brief overview, which provides an emphasis and discussion of recent reports using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2 ) for fabrication of polymeric carriers, for applications in areas related to drug delivery, tissue engineering, bio-imaging, and other biomedical applications. We finally summarize with perspectives.

Acoustic cavitation induced generation of stabilizer-free, extremely stable reduced graphene oxide nanodispersion for efficient delivery of paclitaxel in cancer cells

Graphene is one of the highly explored nanomaterials due to its unique and extraordinary properties. In this study, by utilizing a hydrothermal reduction method, graphene oxide (GO) was successfully converted to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) without using any toxic reducing agents. Following this, with the use of ultrasonic cavitation, profoundly stable few layer thick RGO nanodispersion was generated without employing any stabilizers or surfactants. During ultrasonication, shockwaves from the collapse of bubbles cause a higher dispersing energy to the graphene nanosheets which surpass the forces of Van der Waal's and π-π stacking and thus pave the way to form a stable aqueous nanodispersion of graphene. Ultrasonication systems with different power intensity have been employed to determine the optimum conditions for obtaining the most stable RGO dispersion. The optimised conditions of ultrasonic treatments led to the development of a very stable reduced graphene oxide (RGO) aqueous dispersion. The stability was observed for two years and was analyzed by using Zetasizer by measuring the particle size and zeta potential at regular intervals and found to have exceptional stability. The excellent stability at physiological pH promotes its utilization in nano drug delivery application as a carrier for Paclitaxel (Ptx), an anticancer drug. The in vitro cytotoxicity analysis of Ptx loaded RGO nanodispersion by MTT assay performed on the cell lines revealed the potential of the nanodispersion as a suitable drug carrier. Studies on normal lung cells, MRC-5 and nasopharyngeal cancer cells, HK-1 supported the biocompatibility of RGO-Ptx towards normal cell line. This investigation shows the potential of exceptionally stable RGO-Ptx nanodispersion in nano drug delivery applications.