Design, fabrication, and evaluation of keratin and pectin incorporated supramolecular structured zero-oxidation state selenium nanogel blended 3D printed transdermal patch

This study investigates the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), owing to the low cost and abundance of selenium. However, the toxicity of SeNP prompts the development of a selenium nanocomposite (SeNC) containing pectin, keratin, and ferulic acid to improve the bioactivity of Se[0]. Further, incorporating the SeNC in a suitable formulation for drug delivery as a transdermal patch was worth studying. Accordingly, various analytical techniques were used to characterize the SeNPs and the SeNC, confirming successful synthesis and encapsulation. The SeNC exhibited notable particle size of 448.2 ± 50.2 nm, high encapsulation efficiency (98.90 % ± 2.4 %), 28.1 ± 0.45 drug loading, and sustained drug release at pH 5.5. Zeta potential and XPS confirmed the zero-oxidation state. The supramolecular structure was evident from spectral analysis endorsing the semi-crystalline nature of the SeNC and SEM images showcasing flower-shaped structures. Further, the SeNC demonstrated sustained drug release (approx. 22 % at 48 h) and wound-healing potential in L929 fibroblast cells. Subsequently, the SeNC loaded into a gelling agent exhibited shear thinning properties and improved drug release by nearly 58 %. A 3D printed reservoir-type transdermal patch was developed utilizing the SeNC-loaded gel, surpassing commercially available patches in characteristics such as % moisture uptake, tensile strength, and hydrophobicity. The patch, evaluated through permeation studies and CAM assay, exhibited controlled drug release and angiogenic properties for enhanced wound healing. The study concludes that this patch can serve as a smart dressing with tailored functionality for different wound stages, offering a promising novel drug delivery system for wound healing.

Influence of Padina gymnospora on Apoptotic Proteins of Oral Cancer Cells-a Proteome-Wide Analysis

Oral carcinoma is one of the most vicious forms of cancer with a very low survival rate, as its patients often respond poorly to conventional chemotherapy. Presently several researchers are attempting to pursue an alternative to this therapy using natural products. Considering the promising strategy and induction of apoptosis to target the cancer cells, we evaluated the influence of a seaweed Padina gymnospora (15 µg/ml and 20 µg/ml) in enhancing apoptosis of oral cancer cells (KB-CHR-8-5) after 24-h incubation. The morphological changes indicating apoptosis were primarily assessed using a light microscope after which the apoptosis was confirmed by performing AO/EB staining method. Subsequently, MMP and ROS levels in the cells were assessed using Rh 123 and DCFH-DA staining procedures, respectively. All the above tests confirmed the ability of P. gymnospora to accelerate apoptosis in the oral cancer cells. As a next step, wide proteome analysis was performed where the proteins from P. gymnospora-treated cells were separated using the 2D electrophoresis technique and compared with that of control cells to isolate the differentially expressed proteins. This procedure resulted in the isolation of 10 proteins which were identified using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, which established that most of the isolated proteins were part of the apoptotic process of the cell. The proteins identified are part of huge and complex pathways where it gets linked with many more genes which are also associated with apoptosis. Bioinformatics of these identified proteins was analyzed using STRING and PANTHER databases. These proteins contribute to cell apoptosis by affecting various functions, biological processes, and the synthesis of cellular components. PANTHER also demonstrated that these proteins belong to the classes of proteins that take part in several vital pathways of the cell among which the apoptotic pathway is the predominant one.

Anticancer effect of petroleum ether extract from Bidens pilosa L and its constituent's analysis by GC-MS

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bidens pilosa L, belonging to the family of Acanthaceae, has been used as an anticancer medicine in folk in China. In our preliminary experiments, the petroleum ether extract from B. pilosa showed good cytotoxic activity to human lung cancer A549 cell. However, to date, it's lack of the further study on antitumor effect, mechanism and active substances composition of the petroleum ether extract of B. pilosa.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to evaluate the anti-lung cancer efficacy of the petroleum ether extract from B. pilosa (PEEBP) in vitro and in vivo, explore the possible anticancer mechanisms, and further disclose the chemical composition of the extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

B. pilosa was extracted with 75% ethanol (v/v), followed by extracted with petroleum ether to obtain the objective fraction. Antiproliferation effect of the petroleum ether extract in HepG2, A549, CNE and B16 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The in vivo anticancer effect was examined by A549 cells nude mice xenograft tumor model. The possible effect mechanism was studied by western blot assay. The chemical constituents of the extract was analyzed by GC-MS.

RESULTS

The petroleum ether extract showed favorable antiproliferation activity against the four human cancer cell lines, especially for A549 cells with an IC₅₀ of 49.11 ± 2.72 μg/mL. The extract inhibited the growth of A549 cell in mice with the inhibitory rates of 24.76%, 35.85% and 53.07% for 90, 180 and 360 mg/kg oral dosages, respectively. The B. pilosa extract could significantly down-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 and up-regulate the protein expression of Bax and Caspase-3. 138 compounds were identified by GC-MS in the extract and the main chemical components were triterpenes, including 4,22-cholestadien-3-one (4.82%), stigmasterol (4.56%), friedelan-3-one (3.28%), etc.

CONCLUSION

The PEEBP is abundant of triterpenes and has significant anti-tumor activities against human A549 cells in vitro and in vivo, indicating it a potential anticancer agent.

Marine natural products

Covering: 2016. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2017, 34, 235-294This review covers the literature published in 2016 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 757 citations (643 for the period January to December 2016) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1277 in 432 papers for 2016), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that led to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Folate/N-acetyl glucosamine conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeting breast cancer cells: A comparative study

Folate receptors (FR) have been well recognized as a marker to target nano-sized carriers for cancer diagnosis and therapy. In contrast, influx transport systems (e.g. GLUT transporters) that transport essential amino acids and nutrients to cancer cells have not been exploited much for targeted delivery. In this study, folic acid- or n-acetyl glucosamine- functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin (DOX-FA-MSNPs or DOX-NAG-MSNPs) were prepared, characterized and compared for targeting along with cytotoxicity towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Cellular uptake of FITC tagged FA-MSNPs and NAG-MSNPs were evaluated by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry in above-mentioned cancer cell lines. The result suggested higher cellular uptake of NAG-MSNPs than FA-MSNPs for both the cell lines. Cytotoxicity of free DOX, DOX-MSNPs, DOX-FA-MSNPs and DOX-NAG-MSNPs were evaluated on both the breast cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity results showed that DOX-loaded NAG-MSNPs exerted significant higher cytotoxicity effect on both the cell lines than DOX-FA-MSNPs. Moreover, both the targeted formulations were more effective than free DOX. Our results suggested that GLUT transporters can be effectively utilized for nanoparticles internalization in breast cancer cells.