Hydroxypropyl-β-CD vs. its α-homologue for a 3D modified polyrotaxane network formation and properties: the relationship between modified CD and polymer revealed through comparison

β-Cyclodextrin-based nanoassemblies for the treatment of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, a chronic and progressive condition characterized by the accumulation of inflammatory cells and lipids within artery walls, remains a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases globally. Despite considerable advancements in drug therapeutic strategies aimed at managing atherosclerosis, more effective treatment options for atherosclerosis are still warranted. In this pursuit, the emergence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a promising therapeutic agent offers a novel therapeutic approach to drug delivery targeting atherosclerosis. The hydrophobic cavity of β-CD facilitates its role as a carrier, enabling the encapsulation and delivery of various therapeutic compounds to affected sites within the vasculature. Notably, β-CD-based nanoassemblies possess the ability to reduce cholesterol levels, mitigate inflammation, solubilize hydrophobic drugs and deliver drugs to affected tissues, making these nanocomponents promising candidates for atherosclerosis management. This review focuses on three major classes of β-CD-based nanoassemblies, including β-CD derivatives-based, β-CD/polymer conjugates-based and polymer β-CD-based nanoassemblies, highlighting a variety of formulations and assembly methods to improve drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. These β-CD-based nanoassemblies exhibit a variety of therapeutic mechanisms for atherosclerosis and offer systematic strategies for overcoming barriers to drug delivery. Finally, we discuss the present obstacles and potential opportunities in the development and application of β-CD-based nanoassemblies as novel therapeutics for managing atherosclerosis and addressing cardiovascular diseases.

Aggregation-Induced Emission-Active Gels: Fabrications, Functions, and Applications

Chromophores that exhibit aggregation-induced emission (i.e., aggregation-induced emission luminogens [AIEgens]) emit intense fluorescence in their aggregated states, but show negligible emission as discrete molecular species in solution due to the changes in restriction and freedom of intramolecular motions. As solvent-swollen quasi-solids with both a compact phase and a free space, gels enable manipulation of intramolecular motions. Thus, AIE-active gels have attracted significant interest owing to their various distinctive properties and promising application potential. Herein, a comprehensive overview of AIE-active gels is provided. The fabrication strategies employed are detailed, and the applications of AIEgens are summarized. In addition, the gel functions arising from the AIE moieties are revealed, along with their structure-property relationships. Furthermore, the applications of AIE-active gels in diverse areas are illustrated. Finally, ongoing challenges and potential means to address them are discussed, along with future perspectives on AIE-active gels, with the overall aim of inspiring research on novel materials and ideas.

pH/Reduction Dual-Responsive Oxidized Alginate-Doxorubicin (mPEG-OAL-DOX/Cys) Prodrug Nanohydrogels: Effect of Complexation with Cyclodextrins

Novel biocompatible and biodegradable pH/reduction dual-responsive oxidized alginate-doxorubicin (mPEG-OAL-DOX/Cys) prodrug nanohydrogels were designed for tumor-specific intracellular triggered release of anticancer drug DOX by conjugating DOX via acid-labile Schiff base linkage into the PEGylated oxidized alginate (mPEG-OAL) cross-linked with bioreducible disulfide bond. The effect of the complexation with cyclodextrins (α-CD and β-CD) before or after the cross-linking of the mPEG-OAL on the DOX content and controlled release performance was investigated. It was found that the cyclodextrin inclusion complex prodrug nanohydrogels mPEG(CD)-OAL-DOX/Cys, prepared by cross-linking of the mPEG-OAL after complexation with cyclodextrins, exhibited better pH/reduction dual-responsive controlled release performance than the mPEG-OAL-DOX/Cys(CD) ones prepared by cross-linking of the mPEG-OAL before complexation with cyclodextrins, owing to the supramolecular cross-linking of the adjacent pseudopolyrotaxanes. Especially for the cyclodextrin inclusion complex prodrug nanohydrogels mPEG(α-CD)-OAL-DOX/Cys, DOX was released rapidly under lower pH media mimicking the tumor microenvironment and completely released within 48 h, while the premature leakage under the simulated physiological condition was ∼40%, without burst release in both cases. The cellular toxicity and uptake results demonstrated that the mPEG(α-CD)-OAL-DOX/Cys prodrug nanohydrogels possessed similar inhibition against cancer cell growth in comparison with the free DOX and enhanced drug intracellular accumulation.