Co-loading of Temozolomide with Oleuropein or rutin into polylactic acid core-shell nanofiber webs inhibit glioblastoma cell by controlled release

Glioblastoma (GB) has susceptibility to post-surgical recurrence. Therefore, local treatment methods are required against recurrent GB cells in the post-surgical area. In this study, we developed a nanofiber-based local therapy against GB cells using Oleuropein (OL), and rutin and their combinations with Temozolomide (TMZ). The polylactic acid (PLA) core-shell nanofiber webs were encapsulated with OL (PLAOL), rutin (PLArutin), and TMZ (PLATMZ) by an electrospinning process. A SEM visualized the morphology and the total immersion method determined the release characteristics of PLA webs. Real-time cell tracking analysis for cell growth, dual Acridine Orange/Propidium Iodide staining for cell viability, a scratch wound healing assay for migration capacity, and a sphere formation assay for tumor spheroid aggressiveness were used. All polymeric nanofiber webs had core-shell structures with an average diameter between 133 ± 30.7-139 ± 20.5 nm. All PLA webs promoted apoptotic cell death, suppressed cell migration, and spheres growth (p < 0.0001). PLAOL and PLATMZ suppressed GB cell viability with a controlled release that increased over 120 h, while PLArutin caused rapid cell inhibition (p < 0.0001). Collectively, our findings suggest that core-shell nano-webs could be a novel and effective therapeutic tool for the controlled release of OL and TMZ against recurrent GB cells.

Lithium co-administration with rutin improves post-stroke neurological outcomes via suppressing Gsk-3β activity in a rat model

Cerebral ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability worldwide. Reperfusion is the only therapeutic option with a lot of side effects. In the current study, we investigated the efficacy of rutin and lithium co-treatment in improving post-stroke neurological outcomes in a transient global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rat model. Middle-aged male rats were subjected to transient global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. NORT and Y-maze were used to assess the cognitive processes. Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and nitric oxide assays were performed to study oxidative stress. The excitotoxicity index was calculated by HPLC. Real time-PCR and western blotting were performed to study gene and protein expressions. The co-administration of rutin and lithium improved the overall survival, recognition memory, spatial working memory, and neurological score following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Further, a marked decrease in malonaldehyde, protein carbonyls, and nitric oxide levels was observed following combined treatment. The mRNA expression of antioxidant (Hmox1 and Nqo1) and pro-inflammatory (Il2, Il6, and Il1β) markers were significantly attenuated in the rutin and lithium co-administrated group. The treatment inhibited the Gsk-3β and maintained a normal pool of the downstream β-catenin and Nrf2 proteins. The results revealed that co-administration of rutin and lithium had a neuroprotective potential, suggesting it to be a viable treatment to overcome post-stroke deaths and neurological complications.

Modulating Inflammation-Mediated Diseases via Natural Phenolic Compounds Loaded in Nanocarrier Systems

The global increase and prevalence of inflammatory-mediated diseases have been a great menace to human welfare. Several works have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory potentials of natural polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoid derivatives (EGCG, rutin, apigenin, naringenin) and phenolic acids (GA, CA, etc.), among others (resveratrol, curcumin, etc.). In order to improve the stability and bioavailability of these natural polyphenolic compounds, their recent loading applications in both organic (liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, etc.) and inorganic (mesoporous silica, heavy metals, etc.) nanocarrier technologies are being employed. A great number of studies have highlighted that, apart from improving their stability and bioavailability, nanocarrier systems also enhance their target delivery, while reducing drug toxicity and adverse effects. This review article, therefore, covers the recent advances in the drug delivery of anti-inflammatory agents loaded with natural polyphenolics by the application of both organic and inorganic nanocarriers. Even though nanocarrier technology offers a variety of possible anti-inflammatory advantages to naturally occurring polyphenols, the complexes' inherent properties and mechanisms of action have not yet been fully investigated. Thus, expanding the quest on novel natural polyphenolic-loaded delivery systems, together with the optimization of complexes' activity toward inflammation, will be a new direction of future efforts.

Rutin-loaded polymeric nanorods alleviate nephrolithiasis by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro

Polycrystalline aggregates formed in the glomerulus or other components of the urinary system represent the most critical step in kidney stone formation. The most common form of these crystals is calcium oxalate monohydrate (CaC₂O₄·H₂O). Rutin is a potent antioxidant phytochemical, however, hydrophobicity and limited bioavailability restrain it from clinical applications. We developed a biocompatible amphiphilic triblock copolymer, PLGA-PEG-PLGA-loaded rutin nanorods, by simple and efficient self-assembly. Incorporation of polymer changed the topology of crystalline rutin into nanorods with non-Fickian sustained drug release kinetics by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and thermodynamically non-spontaneous release of rutin. Rutin nanorods changed the growth and morphology of CaC₂O₄ crystals from the monohydrate to dihydrate form by increased adsorption and specific surface area from 0.8027 to 5.4233 m² g^-1, respectively. Rutin nanorods restored cell viability and oxidative stress in MDCK cells by modulating OPN expression and counteracts the proinflammatory signaling in THP-1 macrophages triggered by CaC₂O₄ crystals (80 μg cm^-2). Rutin nanorods resulted in significant protection in serum and urinary biochemistry with reduced calcifications and increased tissue viability of kidneys without any toxicity and achieved high bioavailability. Our data provide a facile strategy for the use of rutin nanorods as a targeted drug system to treat and prevent renal stone formations.

Phytosomes as Innovative Delivery Systems for Phytochemicals: A Comprehensive Review of Literature

Nowadays, medicinal herbs and their phytochemicals have emerged as a great therapeutic option for many disorders. However, poor bioavailability and selectivity might limit their clinical application. Therefore, bioavailability is considered a notable challenge to improve bio-efficacy in transporting dietary phytochemicals. Different methods have been proposed for generating effective carrier systems to enhance the bioavailability of phytochemicals. Among them, nano-vesicles have been introduced as promising candidates for the delivery of insoluble phytochemicals. Due to the easy preparation of the bilayer vesicles and their adaptability, they have been widely used and approved by the scientific literature. The first part of the review is focused on introducing phytosome technology as well as its applications, with emphasis on principles of formulations and characterization. The second part provides a wide overview of biological activities of commercial and non-commercial phytosomes, divided by systems and related pathologies. These results confirm the greater effectiveness of phytosomes, both in terms of biological activity or reduced dosage, highlighting curcumin and silymarin as the most formulated compounds. Finally, we describe the promising clinical and experimental findings regarding the applications of phytosomes. The conclusion of this study encourages the researchers to transfer their knowledge from laboratories to market, for a further development of these products.

Formulation and characterization of rutin loaded chitosan-alginate nanoparticles: Antidiabetic and cytotoxicity studies

BACKGROUND

The rutin loaded chitosan-alginate nanoparticles (RCANP) were prepared using an ion gelation method. The optimized RCANP4 formulation composed of rutin: alginate: chitosan with the ratio of 1.24:5:2. The particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency of RCANP4 formulation were found to be 168.4 ± 11.23 nm, -24.7 ± 1.5 mV, and 91.23 ± 1.1%, respectively. The in vitro drug release of RCANP4 formulation was found to be 88.89 ± 2.9% within 24 h. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of RCANP4 revealed all characteristic groups of rutin, confirming the successful loading of rutin into the nanoparticles. <P> Background: The rutin loaded chitosan-alginate nanoparticles (RCANP) were prepared using an ion gelation method. The optimized RCANP4 formulation composed of rutin: alginate: chitosan with the ratio of 1.24:5:2. The particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency of RCANP4 formulation were found to be 168.4 ± 11.23 nm, -24.7 ± 1.5 mV, and 91.23 ± 1.1%, respectively. The in vitro drug release of RCANP4 formulation was found to be 88.89 ± 2.9% within 24 h. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of RCANP4 revealed all characteristic groups of rutin, confirming the successful loading of rutin into the nanoparticles. <P> Results: The results obtained for glucose uptake in HepG2 cells, the RCANP4 caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in glucose uptake in contrast to rutin. In vitro cytotoxicity results explained that RCANP4 could significantly (P < 0.05) reduce the cells viability rate compared with rutin. It may be due to the internalization of RCANP4 formulations in systemic circulation. <P> Conclusion: The results also showed that RCANP4 could significantly reduce cell viability over 24 h and 48 h compared to free rutin.

Characterization and Evaluation of the Solubility and Oral Bioavailability of Rutin-Ethanolate Solvate

Rutin has many biological activities, but poor solubility and absorption limit its oral application. This study aimed to investigate the characterization of metastable rutin-ethanolate and its solubility and oral bioavailability. In this research, a soluble rutin/CH₃CH₂OH solvate (Form Π) was prepared by solvent crystallization. High-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatograph, and ¹H-NMR showed that Form Π was formed by rutin and ethanol in a molar ratio of 1:1. The changes of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H-NMR spectrum and the density functional theory (DFT) calculation predicted hydrogen bond formation between 4'-O of rutin and -OH of ethanol. The results of morphology, solid state CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that Form Π is a novel polymorph that differs from Form Ι (rutin trihydrate). Form Π can be stored for a long time under sealed and dry conditions at 40°C but would gradually transform into Form Ι under humid conditions. Although Form Π is a new metastable polymorph relative to Form Ι, Form Π has better solubility and faster dissolution rate. Moreover, the bioavailability of Form Π was 2.04 times higher than that of Form Ι. This outcome implied that Form Π would be a prospective raw material of oral preparation.

Radiation-synthesis of chitosan/poly (acrylic acid) nanogel for improving the antitumor potential of rutin in hepatocellular carcinoma

The current study aimed to investigate the ability of chitosan/poly (acrylic acid) nanogel (CAN) to improve the bioavailability and anticancer potential of rutin. Synthesis of CAN was carried out by gamma radiation-induced polymerization of acrylic acid in an aqueous solution of chitosan. The relationship between the hydrodynamic radius of CAN and the absorbed radiation doses was also investigated. The prepared nanogels were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques, and then, it was used as a nano-drug carrier for rutin. The developed formulation was evaluated for its antitumor activity against chemically induced hepatocarcinoma in rats. The following parameters were measured: aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, and total bilirubin as liver function test; vascular endothelial growth factor as an angiogenesis marker; α-fetoprotein as a tumor marker; and P53, caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 as apoptosis markers. Histopathological examination was also confirmed. Significant enhanced anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, and apoptotic effects were observed for rutin-loaded CAN than free rutin, indicating that this formulation could provide a novel therapeutic approach to serve as a promising agent for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Graphical abstract.

A novel rutin-fucoidan complex based phytotherapy for cervical cancer through achieving enhanced bioavailability and cancer cell apoptosis

Recent studies on flavonoids forming complexes with macromolecules attract researchers due to their enhanced bioavailability as well as chemo-preventive efficacy. In this study, a flavonoid rutin (Ru) is non-covalently complexed with fucoidan (Fu) using the functional groups to obtain a therapeutic polymeric complex overcoming the limitations of bioavailability of rutin. The prepared novel rutin-fucoidan (Ru-Fu) complex is characterized for spectroscopic features, particle size and distribution analysis by DLS. It is shown that the complex displayed the nanostructural features that are different from that of the usual rutin-fucoidan mixture. The studies on drug release profiles at different pH (5.5, 6.8 and 7.4) show that the sustained release of compounds from complex occurs preferentially at the desired endosomal pH (5.5). Further, the chemopreventive potential of Ru-Fu complex is investigated against HeLa cells by cellular apoptotic assays and flow cytometric analysis. It showed that the complex is able to disrupt cell cycle regulation and has the ability to induce cellular apoptosis via nuclear fragmentation, ROS generation and mitochondrial potential loss. In vitro cell viability assay with Ru-Fu complex shows that the complex is biocompatible on normal cells. The hemolysis assay also reveals that the complex does not release hemoglobin from human red blood cells (RBCs). Thus, the study is envisaged to open up interests for developing such formulations against cervical cancer and other cancers.

Stealth lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles loaded with rutin for effective brain delivery - comparative study with the gold standard (Tween 80): optimization, characterization and biodistribution

The blood–brain barrier is considered the leading physiological obstacle hindering the transport of neurotherapeutics to brain cells. The application of nanotechnology coupled with surfactant coating is one of the efficacious tactics overcoming this barrier. The aim of this study was to develop lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs), composed of a polymeric core and a phospholipid shell entangled, for the first time, with PEG-based surfactants (SAA) viz. TPGS or Solutol HS 15 in comparison with the gold standard Tween 80, aiming to enhance brain delivery and escape opsonization. LPHNPs were successfully prepared using modified single-step nanoprecipitation technique, loaded with the flavonoid rutin (RU), extracted from the flowers of Calendula officinalis L., and recently proved as a promising anti-Alzheimer. The effect of the critical process parameters (CPP) viz. PLGA amount, W_lecithin/W_PLGA ratio, and Tween 80 concentration on critical quality attributes (CQA); entrapment, size and size distribution, was statistically analyzed via design of experiments, and optimized using the desirability function. The optimized CPP were maintained while substituting Tween 80 with other PEG-SAA. All hybrid particles exhibited spherical shape with perceptible lipid shells. The biocompatibility of the prepared NPs was confirmed by hemolysis test. The pharmacokinetic assessments, post-intravenous administration to rats, revealed a significant higher RU bioavailability for NPs relative to drug solution. Biodistribution studies proved non-significant differences in RU accumulation within brain, but altered phagocytic uptake among various LPHNPs. The present study endorses the successful development of LPHNPs using PEG-SAA, and confirms the prospective applicability of TPGS and Solutol in enhancing brain delivery.