Essential oil loaded pectin/chitosan nanoparticles preparation and optimization via Box–Behnken design against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines

Transporter targeted-carnitine modified pectin-chitosan nanoparticles for inositol hexaphosphate delivery to the colon: An in silico and in vitro approach

Orally targeted delivery systems have attracted ample interest in colorectal cancer management. In this investigation, we developed Inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) loaded Tripolyphosphate (Tr) crosslinked Pectin (Pe) Chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles (IHP@Tr*Pe-Ch-NPs) and modified them with l-Carnitine (CE) (CE-IHP@Tr*Pe-Ch-NPs) to improve uptake in colon cells. The formulated CE-IHP@Tr*Pe-Ch-NPs displayed a monodisperse distribution with 219.3 ± 5.5 nm diameter and 30.17 mV surface charge. Cell-line studies revealed that CE-IHP@Tr*Pe-Ch-NPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility in J774.2 and decreased cell viability in DLD-1, HT-29, and MCF7 cell lines. More cell internalization was seen in HT-29 and MCF7 due to overexpression of the OCTN2 and ATB0,+ transporter (CE transporters) compared to DLD-1. The cell cycle profile, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential assays were performed to explore the chemo-preventive mechanism of CE-IHP@Tr*Pe-Ch-NPs. Moreover, the in-silico docking studies revealed enhanced interactive behavior of CE-IHP@Tr*Pe-Ch-NPs, thereby proving their targeting ability. All the findings suggested that CE-IHP@Tr*Pe-Ch-NPs could be a promising drug delivery approach for colon cancer targeting.

Versatile Nanoparticulate Systems as a Prosperous Platform for Targeted Nose-Brain Drug Delivery

The intranasal route has proven to be a reliable and promising route for delivering therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS), averting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and avoiding extensive first-pass metabolism of some drugs, with minimal systemic exposure. This is considered to be the main problem associated with other routes of drug delivery such as oral, parenteral, and transdermal, among other administration methods. The intranasal route maximizes drug bioavailability, particularly those susceptible to enzymatic degradation such as peptides and proteins. This review will stipulate an overview of the intranasal route as a channel for drug delivery, including its benefits and drawbacks, as well as different mechanisms of CNS drug targeting using nanoparticulate drug delivery systems devices; it also focuses on pharmaceutical dosage forms such as drops, sprays, or gels via the nasal route comprising different polymers, absorption promoters, CNS ligands, and permeation enhancers.

Cytotoxic and epigenetic effects of berberine-loaded chitosan/pectin nanoparticles on AGS gastric cancer cells: Role of the miR-185-5p/KLF7 axis, DNMTs, and global DNA methylation

Poor bioavailability, solubility, and absorption of berberine (Ber) limit its widespread application. Here, we formulated novel chitosan/pectin nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with Ber to address delivery problems and promote the anticancer properties of Ber in AGS gastric cancer cells. The ionic gelification method was used to synthesize NPs-Ber. Physicochemical characterization of NPs-Ber was performed using FE-SEM, DLS, PDI, ζ potential, and FTIR. The cytotoxic effects of NPs-Ber on AGS cells were evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were examined by flow cytometry. The gene expression levels of miR-185-5p, KLF7, caspase-3, and DNMTs were determined using RT-qPCR. In addition, the 5-methylcytosine level in the genomic DNA was quantified using ELISA. FE-SEM images revealed a denser and more packed matrix for NPs-Ber, and FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of NPs-Ber. The size (550.39 nm), PDI (0.134), and ζ potential (-16.52 mV) confirmed the stability of the prepared NPs-Ber. NPs-Ber showed a continuous release pattern following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model such that 81.36 % of Ber was released from the formulation after 240 min. Compared to NPs and free Ber, NPs-Ber was found to possess higher anticancer activity in AGS cells. This result was indicated by the viability test and further clarified by augmented apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. The IC50 value of NP-Ber against AGS cells was significantly lower than those of free Ber and NPs. Interestingly, our results showed that NPs-Ber considerably changed the expression levels of miR-185-5p, KLF7, caspase-3, and DNMTs (DNMT1, 3A, and 3B) compared with unloaded NPs and free Ber. Additionally, 5-methylated cytosine (5-mC) levels in cells treated with NPs-Ber were significantly higher than those in cells treated with unloaded NPs or free Ber. In summary, the present study demonstrated that Ber encapsulation in NPs enhances its cytotoxic and epigenetic effects on AGS cells, suggesting the promising potential of NPs-Ber in GC therapy.

Essential oils and their nanoformulations for breast cancer therapy

Breast Cancer (BC) is the most prevalent type of cancer in the world. Current treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy but often are associated with high toxicity to normal tissues, chemoresistance, and relapse. Thus, developing novel therapies which could combat these limitations is essential for effective treatment. In this context, phytochemicals are increasingly getting popular due to their safety profile, ability to efficiently target tumors, and circumvent limitations of existing treatments. Essential Oils (EOs) are mixtures of various phytochemicals which have shown potential anticancer activity in preclinical BC models. However, their clinical translation is limited by factors such as high volatility, low stability, and poor solubility. Nanotechnology has facilitated their encapsulation in a variety of nanostructures and proven to overcome these limitations. In this review, we have efficiently summarized the current knowledge on the anticancer effect of EOs and constituents in both in in vitro and in in vivo BC models. Further, we also provide a descriptive account on the potential of nanotechnology in enhancing the anti-BC activity of EOs and their constituents. The papers discussed in this review were selected using the keywords "antiproliferative Essential Oils in breast cancer," "anticancer activity of Essential Oil in breast cancer," and "cytotoxicity of Essential Oils in breast cancer" performed in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases.

Aerosolizable Pyrazinamide-Loaded Biodegradable Nanoparticles for the Management of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background: Pyrazinamide is a Biopharmaceutical Classification System class III antibiotic indicated for active tuberculosis. Methods: In the present work, pyrazinamide-loaded biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) based dry powder inhaler were developed using the double emulsion solvent evaporation technique and optimized using design of experiments to provide direct pulmonary administration with minimal side effects. Batches were characterized for various physicochemical and aerosol performance properties. Results: Optimized batch exhibited particle size of 284.5 nm, % entrapment efficiency of 71.82%, polydispersibility index of 0.487, zeta potential of -17.23 mV, and in vitro drug release at 4 hours of 79.01%. Spray-dried PNPs were evaluated for drug content, in vitro drug release, and kinetics. The particle mass median aerodynamic diameter was within the alveolar region's range (2.910 μm). In the trachea and lung, there was a 2.5- and 1.2-fold increase in in vivo deposition with respect to pure drug deposition, respectively. In vitro drug uptake findings showed that alveolar macrophages with pyrazinamide PNPs had a considerably higher drug concentration. Furthermore, accelerated stability studies were carried out for the optimized batch. Results indicated no significant change in the evaluation parameters, which showed stability of the formulation for at least a 6-month period. Conclusion: PNPs prepared using biodegradable polymers exhibited efficient pulmonary drug delivery with decent stability.

"Review of strategic methods for encapsulating essential oils into chitosan nanosystems and their applications"

Essential oils (EOs) are hydrophobic, concentrated extracts of botanical origin containing diverse bioactive molecules that have been used for their biomedical properties. On the other hand, the volatility, toxicity, and hydrophobicity limited their use in their pure form. Therefore, nano-encapsulation of EOs in a biodegradable polymeric platform showed a solution. Chitosan (CS) is a biodegradable polymer that has been intensively used for EOs encapsulation. Various approaches such as homogenization, probe sonication, electrospinning, and 3D printing have been utilized to integrate EOs in CS polymer. Different CS-based platforms were investigated for EOs encapsulation such as nanoparticles (NPs), nanofibers, films, nanoemulsions, 3D printed composites, and hydrogels. Biological applications of encapsulating EOs in CS include antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer functions. This review explores the principles for nanoencapsulation strategies, and the available technologies are also reviewed, in addition to an in-depth overview of the current research and application of nano-encapsulated EOs.

Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking reveals the anticancer mechanism of Jasminum sambac Linn. essential oil against human breast cancer and experimental validation by in vitro and in vivo studies

Jasminum sambac L. (J. sambac) belongs to the family Oleaceae and it is an ornamental subtropical evergreen shrub used in traditional treatments of certain ailments and diseases. This study aimed at devising an integrated strategy attempts to evaluate the bioactive components in the J. sambac essential oil (JEO) against human breast cancer. JEO extracted by distillation process and analyzed by GC-MS was subjected to screening of therapeutic components in their allegiance to the drug-likeness index. The utility and efficacy of its molecular mechanism relating to anticancer potential were probed with network pharmacology analysis. Gene ontology, pathway enrichment, and compound-target-pathway network by Cytoscape helped to harp on hub targets and pathways involved in curative action. Drawing from the network data, molecular docking analysis of selected compounds on breast cancer targets was approached. The anti-proliferative study was carried out in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 to evaluate the cytotoxicity of JEO. Finally, in vivo anticancer activity was verified using rat models. The results showed MDA-MB-231 cell growth was highly inhibited than the MCF-7 cell line. Alongside this in vitro trial, in situ effectiveness of JEO was evaluated using female Sprague-Dawley rat animal models. In vivo experiments and histopathological analysis showed convincing results in DMBA tumor-induced rats. The larger aim of this study is to identify the potential ingredients of the JEO in cancer apoptosis by integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation achieved to certain extent confers credence to the concept of hiring J. sambac as floral therapy in dealing with the disastrous disease.

Modified pectin with anticancer activity in breast cancer: A systematic review

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. The current pharmacological treatments for breast cancer have numerous adverse effects and are not always effective. Recently, the anticancer activity of modified pectins (MPs) against various types of cancers, including breast cancer, has been investigated. This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model, including scientific articles from the last 22 years that measured the anticancer activity of MPs on breast cancer. The articles were searched in four databases with the terms: "modified pectin" and "breast cancer". Nine articles were included, five in vitro and four mixed (in vitro and in vivo). Different models and methods by which anticancer activity was measured were analyzed. All the studies reported positive results in both cell lines and in vivo murine models of breast cancer. The extracted data suggest a positive effect and provide mechanistic evidence of MPs in the treatment of breast cancer. However, as limited number of studies were included, further in vivo studies are required to obtain more conclusive preclinical evidence.

Chitosan-functionalized bioplatforms and hydrogels in breast cancer: immunotherapy, phototherapy and clinical perspectives

Breast cancer is the most common and malignant tumor among women. Chitosan (CS)-based nanoparticles have been introduced into breast cancer therapy as a way to increase the targeted delivery of drugs and genes to the tumor site. CS nanostructures suppress tumorigenesis by enhancing both the targeted delivery of cargo (drug and gene) and its accumulation in tumor cells. The tumor cells internalize CS-based nanoparticles through endocytosis. Moreover, chitosan nanocarriers can also induce phototherapy-mediated tumor ablation. Smart and multifunctional types of CS nanoparticles, including pH-, light- and redox-responsive nanoparticles, can be used to improve the potential for breast cancer removal. In addition, the acceleration of immunotherapy by CS nanoparticles has also been achieved, and there is potential to develop CS-nanoparticle hydrogels that can be used to suppress tumorigenesis.

Novel delivery system with a dual–trigger release of savory essential oil by mesoporous silica nanospheres and its possible targets in leukemia cancer cells: in vitro study

Introduction

Essential oils (EOs) are complex structures and possess several pharmacological effects. Nanomedicine offers a solution for their major limitations, including poor solubility, volatility, and non–controlled release, preventing their clinical use.

Methods

Here, we developed a novel delivery system by nanoformulations that were prepared by impregnating savory essential oil (SA) into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). The nanoformulations were characterized and examined for their anticancer activities on cancer cells (HepG2 liver and HL60 leukemia cells) and MRC5 normal cells. We further tested the mechanisms of action and possible molecular targets against HL60 cells.

Results

The results demonstrated that SA was governed by nanoformulations under the dual–trigger release of pH/glutathione, and it typically fit the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. The nanoformulations enhanced the anticancer effect against HepG2 cells and HL60 cells compared to SA but were less cytotoxic to MRC5 normal cells and regulated various molecular pathways of apoptosis. Most importantly, new results were obtained on the genetic regulation principle through the high inhibition of long noncoding RNAs (HOTAIR, HULC, CCAT1, and H19) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP–2 and MMP–9), providing a novel leukemia target.

Conclusions

These results suggest potential impacts for nanoformulations composed of SA with a sustained release pattern controlled by dual–trigger release of pH/GSH that enhanced anticancer cells. This approach may offer a new route for using EOs as new targets for cancers and open the door for deep preclinical investigations.

Stabilization of Essential Oil: Polysaccharide-Based Drug Delivery System with Plant-like Structure Based on Biomimetic Concept

Essential oils (EOs) have stability problems, including volatility, oxidation, photosensitivity, heat sensitivity, humidity sensitivity, pH sensitivity, and ion sensitivity. A drug delivery system is an effective way to stabilize EOs, especially due to the protective effect of polymeric drug carriers. Polysaccharides are frequently employed as drug carrier materials because they are highly safe, come in a variety of forms, and have plentiful sources. Interestingly, the EO drug delivery system is based on the biomimetic concept since it corresponds to the structure of plant tissue. In this paper, we associate the biomimetic plant-like structures of the EO drug delivery system with the natural forms of EO in plant tissues, and summarize the characteristics of polysaccharide-based drug carriers for EO protection. Thus, we highlight the research progress on polysaccharides and their modified materials, including gum arabic, starch, cellulose, chitosan, sodium alginate, pectin, and pullulan, and their use as biomimetic drug carriers for EO preparations due to their abilities and potential for EO protection.

Anti-Candida and Anti-Leishmanial Activities of Encapsulated Cinnamomum verum Essential Oil in Chitosan Nanoparticles

Nanoencapsulation is widely considered as a highly effective strategy to enhance essential oils' (EO) stability by protecting them from oxidative deterioration and evaporation. The present study aims to optimize and characterize an efficient technique for encapsulating Cinnamomum (C.) verum essential oil into chitosan nanoparticles using response surface methodology (RSM). Moreover, the optimized C. verum EO nanoparticle was investigated for its antibacterial (against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria), antifungal (against Candida albicans), and antiparasitic activity (against Leishmania parasites). Five parameters were investigated using a Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken statistical design: the chitosan molecular weight, TPP concentration, C. verum EO/chitosan ratio, mixing method, and the duration of the reaction. Encapsulation efficiency and anti-candida activity were considered as responses. The antibacterial, anticandidal, and anti-leishmanial activities were also assessed using a standard micro-broth dilution assay and the cytotoxicity assay was assessed against the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. The optimized nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopy. The study results indicated that under optimal conditions, the nanoencapsulation of C. verum EO into chitosan nanoparticles resulted in an encapsulation efficiency of 92.58%, with a regular distribution, a nanoparticle size of 480 ± 14.55 nm, and a favorable Zeta potential of 35.64 ± 1.37 mV. The optimized C. verum EO/chitosan nanoparticles showed strong antifungal activity against C. albicans pathogens (CMI = 125 µg mL-1), notable antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (ranging from 125 to 250 µg mL-1), high leishmanicidal potential against the promastigotes form of L. tropica and L. major (IC50 = 10.47 and 15.09 µg mL-1, respectively), and a four-fold cytotoxicity reduction compared to non-encapsulated essential oil. These results suggest that C. verum EO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles could be a promising delivery system for the treatment of cutaneous Candida albicans infections.

Crosslinked and PEGylated Pectin Chitosan Nanoparticles for Delivery of Phytic Acid to Colon

Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles (NPs) such as pectin/ chitosan (PN/CN) had always been of greatest interest because of their excellent solubility, biocompatibility, and higher suitability for oral drug delivery. This study employed blending-crosslinking of polymers (PN&CN) followed by emulsification-solvent evaporation to prepare and compare two sets of PEGylated NPs to deliver phytic acid (IP6) to colon orally as it has potential to manage colon cancer but fails to reach colon when ingested in pure form. The first set was crosslinked with Glutaraldehyde (GE) (GE*PN-CN-NPs) while the second set was crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) (TPP*PN-CN-NPs). IP6-loaded-GE/TPP*PN-CN-NPs were optimized using a central composite design. Developed TPP*PN-CN-NPs had a smaller size (210.6±7.93nm) than GE*PN-CN-NPs (557.2±5.027nm). Prepared NPs showed <12% IP6 release at pH 1.2 whereas >80% release was observed at pH 7.4. Further, NPs were explored for cytocompatibility in J774.2 cell lines, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake in HT-29 and DLD-1 cell lines. While exhibiting substantial cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in HT-29 and DLD-1, the NPs were deemedsafe in J774.2. The PEGylated-TPP*PN-CN-NPs showed time-dependent uptake in J774.2 cell lines. Conclusively, the employed NP development method successfully delivered IP6 to colon and may also open avenues for the oral delivery of other drugs to colon.

Advances and trends in encapsulation of essential oils

There is a huge concern regarding the potential carcinogenic and mutagenic risks associated with the usage of synthetic chemicals as preservatives in various consumer products such as food and pharmaceutical formulations. In this aspect, there is a need for the development of alternative natural preservatives to replace these synthetic chemicals. More recently, naturally occurring essential oils have emerged as popular ingredients owing to their unique characteristics like antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, to enrich and enhance the functional properties of consumer products. However, due to their high volatility and hydrophobicity, their functionality is lost and their incorporation in aqueous products is challenging. One of the promising strategies to overcome this challenge is encapsulation which involves the entrapment of the essential oil inside a biocompatible material for its controlled release and increased bioavailability. Also, the choice of encapsulation method depends on the component to be encapsulated and the shell material. In this review, encapsulation in various colloidal systems that facilitate the potential delivery of essential oils is discussed. The focus is on encapsulation techniques along with their advantages and disadvantages, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release studies.

Simple preparation of POxylated nanomaterials for cancer chemo-PDT/PTT

Near infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanomaterials hold potential to mediate combinatorial therapies targeting several cancer hallmarks. When irradiated, these nanomaterials produce reactive oxygen species (photodynamic therapy) and/or a temperature increase (photothermal therapy). These events can damage cancer cells and trigger the release of drugs from the nanomaterials' core. However, engineering nanomaterials for cancer chemo-photodynamic/photothermal therapy is a complex process. First, nanomaterials with photothermal capacity are synthesized, being then loaded with photosensitizers plus chemotherapeutics, and, finally functionalized with polymers for achieving suitable biological properties. To overcome this limitation, in this work, a novel straightforward approach to attain NIR light-responsive nanosystems for cancer chemo-photodynamic/photothermal therapy was established. Such was accomplished by synthesizing poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-IR780 amphiphilic conjugates, which can be assembled into nanoparticles with photodynamic/photothermal capabilities that simultaneously encapsulate Doxorubicin (DOX/PEtOx-IR NPs). The DOX/PEtOx-IR NPs presented a suitable size and surface charge for cancer-related applications. When irradiated with NIR light, the DOX/PEtOx-IR NPs produced singlet oxygen as well as a smaller thermic effect that boosted the release of DOX by 1.7-times. In the in vitro studies, the combination of DOX/PEtOx-IR NPs and NIR light could completely ablate breast cancer cells (viability ≈ 4 %), demonstrating the enhanced outcome arising from the nanomaterials' chemo-photodynamic/photothermal therapy.

Pectin-based nanoencapsulation strategy to improve the bioavailability of bioactive compounds

Pectin is one of the polysaccharides to be used as a coating nanomaterial. The characteristics of pectin are suitable to form nanostructures for protection, increased absorption, and bioavailability of different active compounds. This review aims to point out the structural features of pectins and their use as nanocarriers. It also indicates the principal methodologies for the elaboration and application of foods. The research carried out shows that pectin is easily extracted from natural sources, biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic. The mechanical resistance and stability in different pH ranges and the action of digestive enzymes allow the nanostructures to pass intact through the gastrointestinal system and be effectively absorbed. Pectin can bind to macromolecules, especially proteins, to form stable nanostructures, which can be formed by different methods; polyelectrolyte complexes are the most frequent ones. The pectin-derived nanoparticles could be added to foods and dietary supplements, demonstrating a promising nanocarrier with a broad technological application.

Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles with Optimized Parameters for Targeted Delivery of a Specific Anticancer Drug-A Comprehensive Review

Chitosan is a positively charged polysaccharide obtained through chitin deacetylation. It belongs to a group of biodegradable, bioavailable, and non-toxic materials of natural origin; thus, it is a promising matrix for creating delivery systems of different active agents. Recently, much attention has been paid to nanodelivery systems as carriers to enable better bioavailability, and thus higher efficiency of the loaded drug. The present review is focused on the progress in chitosan-based nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of antitumor drugs. The paper discusses literature reports from the last three years in which chitosan nanoparticles were applied as carriers for active substances used in antitumor therapy and potential new drugs with anticancer properties. Special attention was paid to the different treatments applied to increase the therapeutic effectiveness and minimize the side effects of a specific active substance.

Thiolated pectin-chitosan composites: Potential mucoadhesive drug delivery system with selective cytotoxicity towards colorectal cancer

Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems (DDS) may promote safer chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) by maximizing local drug distribution and residence time. Carbohydrate polymers, e.g. pectin (P) and chitosan (CS), are potential biomaterials for CRC-targeted DDS due to their gelling ability, mucoadhesive property, colonic digestibility, and anticancer activity. Polymer mucoadhesion is augmentable by thiolation, e.g. pectin to thiolated pectin (TP). Meanwhile, P-CS polyelectrolyte complex has been shown to improve structural stability. Herein, we fabricated, characterized, and evaluated 5-fluorouracil-loaded primary DDS combining TP and CS as a composite (TPCF) through triple crosslinking actions (calcium pectinate, polyelectrolyte complex, disulfide). Combination of these crosslinking yields superior mucoadhesion property relative to single- or dual-crosslinked counterparts, with comparable drug release profile and drug compatibility. PCF and TPCF exhibited targeted cytotoxicity towards HT29 CRC cells with milder cytotoxicity towards HEK293 normal cells. In conclusion, TP-CS composites are promising next-generation mucoadhesive and selectively cytotoxic biomaterials for CRC-targeted DDS.

Development and Characterization of Thermal Water Gel Comprising Helichrysum italicum Essential Oil-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles for Skin Care

Helichrysum italicum essential oil (H. italicum EO) is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. The main goal of the present work was the development and characterization of a gel formulation comprising H. italicum EO loaded in chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) for dermatological applications. H. italicum EO-loaded chitosan NPs presented hydrodynamic diameter and PdI of about 300 nm and 0.28, respectively, and a surface charge of +19 mV. The H. italicum EO-loaded chitosan NPs were prepared by means of ionic gelation and then incorporated into a thermal water gel formulation. The organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the developed gel were studied. The gel remained stable under accelerated test conditions, maintaining pH, viscosity and organoleptic properties. In addition, the formulation presented pH, viscosity and spreadability properties suitable for topical application. Finally, the performance of the gel in topical application was evaluated on the skin of volunteers using non-invasive methods, particularly, by means of biometric evaluation. These assays showed that the properties of the developed thermal water-based gel formulation with H. italicum EO-loaded chitosan NPs can improve skin hydration and maintain healthy skin conditions, demonstrating its putative role for distinct dermatological applications.

Antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Cichorium intybus extract embedded in chitosan nanocomposite nanofibers

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria acquired serious bacterial resistance against antibiotics. Untreated dangerous infections can cause death. We proposed nanofibers (NFs) of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Chitosan (CS) nanocomposite embedded with Chicory root extract (CRE) as a safe solution. We determined the best extraction solvent and drying method, 70 % ethanol and freeze-drying, respectively. We investigated the optimal electrospinner parameters for a smooth PVA/CS NFs. Finally, we discovered PVA/CS/CRE-50 mg (F4) to be the most effective antibacterial and antioxidant CRE concentration. Interestingly, it was found that ethanolic extract had the highest yield % at 24.7 % with Total Phenolic Contents (TPC) of 4 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/1 g, 80 % antioxidant activity at 25 mg with an IC50 of 4.15 mg/mL and a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of 100 mg against S. aureus and 25 mg against E. coli. Remarkably, F4 NFs had an IC50 33.32 mg/mL, Entrapment Efficiency 64.89 %, Loading Capacity 4.41 %, obeying Noyes-Whitney release model. F4 had an MBC of 2 mg with both bacterial strains, which proved to be potent antibacterial material that surpasses the pure extract 50 times. F4 has also shown an extraordinary antioxidant activity that exceeds PVA/CS NF activity 23 times.

Nanomedicine as an Emerging Technology to Foster Application of Essential Oils to Fight Cancer

Natural prodrugs extracted from plants are increasingly used in many sectors, including the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Among these prodrugs, essential oils (EOs) are of particular importance. These biologically active volatile oily liquids are produced by medicinal and aromatic plants and characterized by a distinctive odor. EOs possess high anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant potential but often are associated with low stability; high volatility; and a high risk of deterioration with exposure to heat, humidity, light, or oxygen. Furthermore, their bioavailability is limited because they are not soluble in water, and enhancements are needed to increase their potential to target specific cells or tissues, as well as for controlled release. Nanomedicine, the application of nanotechnology in medicine, may offer efficient solutions to these problems. The technology is based on creating nanostructures in which the natural prodrug is connected to or encapsulated in nanoparticles or submicron-sized capsules that ensure their solubility in water and their targeting properties, as well as controlled delivery. The potential of EOs as anticancer prodrugs is considerable but not fully exploited. This review focusses on the recent progress towards the practical application of EOs in cancer therapy based on nanotechnology applications.

Chemically characterized nanoencapsulated Homalomena aromatica Schott. essential oil as green preservative against fungal and aflatoxin B1 contamination of stored spices based on in vitro and in situ efficacy and favorable safety profile on mice

Present study deals with the efficacy of nanoencapsulated Homalomena aromatica essential oil (HAEO) as a potent green preservative against toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain (AF-LHP-NS 7), storage fungi, AFB1, and free radical-mediated deterioration of stored spices. GC-MS analysis revealed linalool (68.51%) as the major component of HAEO. HAEO was encapsulated into chitosan nanomatrix (CS-HAEO-Ne) and characterized through SEM, FTIR, and XRD. CS-HAEO-Ne completely inhibited A. flavus growth and AFB1 biosynthesis at 1.25 μL/mL and 1.0 μL/mL, respectively in comparison to unencapsulated HAEO (1.75 μL/mL and 1.25 μL/mL, respectively). CS-HAEO-Ne caused significant reduction in ergosterol content in treated A. flavus and provoked leakage of cellular ions (Ca+2, Mg+2, and K+) as well as 260 nm and 280 nm absorbing materials. Depletion of methylglyoxal level in treated A. flavus cells illustrated the novel antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of CS-HAEO-Ne. CS-HAEO-Ne exhibited superior antioxidant efficacy (IC50 (DPPH) = 4.5 μL/mL) over unencapsulated HAEO (IC50 (DPPH) = 15.9 μL/mL) and phenolic content. CS-HAEO-Ne depicted excellent in situ efficacy by inhibiting fungal infestation, AFB1 contamination, lipid peroxidation, and mineral loss with acceptable sensorial profile. Moreover, broad safety paradigm (LD50 value = 7150.11 mg/kg) of CS-HAEO-Ne also suggests its application as novel green preservative to enhance shelf life of stored spices.

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) essential oil as an anticancer agent on MCF-7 cell line

Essential oils (EOs) of greater celandine (GC) roots and leaves were extracted, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for analyzing them. Then they were loaded into chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) using emulsion-ionic gelation method. CNPs loaded with greater celandine root essential oil (GCREO) and leave essential oil (GCLEO) were synthesized (size 76.5-115.3 nm) using an emulsion-ionic gelation method. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used for characterization of the formed NPs. Good encapsulation efficiency was confirmed for GCREO (62.5%) and GCLEO (69.1%) in CNPs. According to the MTT results, the synthesized NPs showed a dose-dependent effect on MCF-7 cell line. The inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for GCREO, GCLEO, CSNRs-GCREO and CNPs-GCLEO samples were 126.4, 90.2, 77.6, and 41.5 μg/mL, respectively. The highest rate of apoptosis was obtained in the CNPs-GCLEO group (63.73%). The results revealed that the cytotoxicity of CSNRs-GCREO and CNPs-GCLEO against MCF-7 cell line was significantly higher than that of their free form, implying that encapsulation of GCREO and GCLEO in CNPs is an efficient technique for improving their anti-cancer activity against MCF-7 cell line.

Applying Box-Behnken Design for Formulation and Optimization of PLGA-Coffee Nanoparticles and Detecting Enhanced Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities

In an attempt to prove biological activity enhancement upon particle size reduction to the nanoscale, coffee (Cf) was chosen to be formulated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) using the single emulsion-solvent evaporation (SE-SE) method via Box-Behnken Design (BBD) to study the impact of certain process and formulation parameters on the particle size and size homogeneity, surface stability and encapsulation efficiency (EE%). The coffee-loaded PLGA (PLGA-Cf) NPs were characterized by different methods to aid in selecting the optimum formulation conditions. The desirable physicochemical characteristics involved small particle sizes with an average of 318.60 ± 5.65 nm, uniformly distributed within a narrow range (PDI of 0.074 ± 0.015), with considerable stability (Zeta Potential of -20.50 ± 0.52 mV) and the highest EE% (85.92 ± 4.01%). The antioxidant and anticancer activities of plain PLGA NPs, pure Cf and the optimum PLGA-Cf NPs, were evaluated using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, respectively. As a result of nano-encapsulation, antioxidant activity was enhanced by 26.5%. Encapsulated Cf showed higher anticancer potency than pure Cf against different cancerous cell lines with an increase of 86.78%, 78.17%, 85.84% and 84.84% against MCF-7, A-549, HeLa and HepG-2, respectively. The in vitro release followed the Weibull release model with slow and biphasic release profile in both tested pH media, 7.4 and 5.5.

Essential oils as anticancer agents: Potential role in malignancies, drug delivery mechanisms, and immune system enhancement

Cancer retains a central place in fatality rates among the wide variety of diseases known world over, and the conventional synthetic medicaments, albeit used until now, produce numerous side effects. As a result, newer, better, and safer alternatives such as natural plant products, are gravely required. Essential oils (EOs) offer a plethora of bioactivities including antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, therefore, the use of EOs in combination with synthetic drugs or aromatherapy continues to be popular in many settings. In view of the paramount importance of EOs and their potential bioactivities, this review summarizes the current knowledge on the interconnection between EOs and cancer treatment. In particular, the current review presents an updated summary of the chemical composition of EOs, their current applications in cancer treatments based on clinical studies, and the mechanism of action against the cancer cell lines. Similarly, an overview of using EOs in aromatherapy and enhancing immunity during cancer treatment is provided. Further, this review focuses on the recent technological advancements such as the loading of EOs using protein microspheres, ligands, or nanoemulsions/nanoencapsulation, which offer multiple benefits in cancer treatment via site-specific and target-oriented delivery of drugs. The continuing clinical studies of EOs implicate that their pharmacological applications are a rewarding research area.

Essential oils loaded-chitosan nanocapsules incorporation in biodegradable starch films: A strategy to improve fruits shelf life

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) films filled with chitosan nanocapsules (CN) containing essential oils (EO) were prepared aiming active packaging. Two different EOs were studied: Ho wood (H) and Cinnamon (C). Besides, different capsules concentrations were investigated (1, 3, and 5 wt%), and the films were evaluated by chemical structure, thermal stability, crystallinity, water vapor permeability, antimicrobial assays, and potential application for strawberry packaging. The TPS/CN-Ho wood films showed a strong interaction between chitosan-starch, mainly for 3 and 5 wt%, confirmed by XRD. The FT-Raman spectra of TPS/CN-Cinnamon film indicated that Cinnamon EO quickly migrated to starch films, probably due to the new crystal structure, named C-type, affecting the film's water permeability. The addition of 1 and 3 wt% CN loaded with Ho wood or Cinnamon EO to the films decreased the water permeability. 3 wt% CN was the optimum concentration to inhibit the Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtillis growth on the films, confirming their biological activity. The films' preservation properties were evaluated using strawberries, and films with 1 or 3 wt% loaded-CN could extend the strawberries' shelf life without fungi contamination. The developed TPS films can be used as active food packaging or other films for biomedical or pharmaceutical applications.

Green tea essential oil encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles-based radiopharmaceutical as a new trend for solid tumor theranosis

The existing study is embarked on investigating the antineoplastic activity of green tea essential oil (GTO) as a natural product. In this regard, GTO was encapsulated in cationic chitosan, nitrogenous-polysaccharide derived by partial deacetylation of chitin, nanoparticles (CS NPs) with entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 81.4 ± 5.7% and a mean particle-size of 30.7 ± 1.13 nm. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect of CS/GTO NPs was evaluated versus human liver (HepG-2), breast (MCF-7) and colon (HCT-116) cancer cell-lines and exhibited a positive impact when compared to bare CS NPs by 3, 2.3 and 1.7 fold for the three cell lines, respectively. More interestingly, CS/GTO NPs were complexed with technethium-99m (^99mTc) radionuclide. With a view to achieve a successful radiolabeling process, different parameters were optimized resulting in a radiolabeling efficiency (RE%) of 93.4 ± 1.2%. Radiopharmacokinetics of the radiolabeled NPs in healthy mice demonstrated a reticuloendothelial system (RES) evading and long blood circulation time up to 4 h. On the other hand, the biodistribution profile in solid tumor models showed 20.3 ± 2.1% localization and cancer cell targeting within just 30 min. On the whole, the reported results encourage the potential use of CS/GTO NPs as a side effect-free anticancer agent and its ^99mTc-analogue as a novel CS/GTO NPs-based diagnostic-radiopharmaceutical for cancer.

Chitin and chitosan on the nanoscale

In a matter of decades, nanomaterials from biomass, exemplified by nanocellulose, have rapidly transitioned from once being a subject of curiosity to an area of fervent research and development, now reaching the stages of commercialization and industrial relevance. Nanoscale chitin and chitosan, on the other hand, have only recently begun to raise interest. Attractive features such as excellent biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, immunogenicity, as well as the tuneable handles of their acetylamide (chitin) or primary amino (chitosan) functionalities indeed display promise in areas such as biomedical devices, catalysis, therapeutics, and more. Herein, we review recent progress in the fabrication and development of these bio-nanomaterials, describe in detail their properties, and discuss the initial successes in their applications. Comparisons are made to the dominant nanocelluose to highlight some of the inherent advantages that nanochitin and nanochitosan may possess in similar application.

Microencapsulation of Essential Oils by Spray-Drying and Influencing Factors

Essential oils (EOs) are known as any aromatic oily organic substances which are naturally synthesized in plants. Exhibiting a broad range of biological activities, EOs have played a key role in numerous industries for ages, including pharmaceutical, textile, and food. However, the volatility and high sensitivity to environmental influences pose challenges to the application of EOs on industrial scale. Microencapsulation via the spray-drying method is one of the promising techniques to overcome these challenges, thanks to the presence of wall materials that properly protect the core EOs from oxidation and evaporation. By optimization of key factors related to the infeed emulsion properties and spray-drying process, the encapsulation efficiency and retention of encapsulated EOs could be significantly improved, thus allowing a wide range of EO applications. This review attempts to discuss on different determining factors of the spray-drying process to develop an effective encapsulation formula for EOs. Furthermore, recent applications of encapsulated EOs in the fields of foods, pharmaceuticals, and textile industries are also thoroughly addressed.

Evaluation of Antitumor Efficacy of Chitosan-Tamarind Gum Polysaccharide Polyelectrolyte Complex Stabilized Nanoparticles of Simvastatin

PURPOSE

The present study was intended to fabricate chitosan (Ch)-tamarind gum polysaccharide (TGP) polyelectrolyte complex stabilized cubic nanoparticles of simvastatin and evaluate their potential against human breast cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antisolvent precipitation method was used for formulation of nanoparticles. Factorial design (32) was utilized as a tool to analyze the effect of Ch and TGP concentration on particle size and entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles.

RESULTS

Formulated nanoparticles showed high entrapment efficiency (67.19±0.42-83.36±0.23%) and small size (53.3-383.1 nm). The present investigation involved utilization of two biological membranes (egg and tomato) as biological barriers for drug release. The study revealed that drug release from tomato membranes was retarded (as compared to egg membranes) but the release pattern matched that of egg membranes. All formulations followed the Baker-Lansdale model of drug release irrespective of the two different biological barriers. Stability studies were carried out for 45 days and exhibited less variation in particle size as well as a reduction in entrapment efficiency. Simvastatin loaded PEC stabilized nanoparticles exhibited better control on growth of human breast cancer cell lines than simple simvastatin. An unusual anticancer effect of simvastatin nanoparticles is also supported by several other research studies.

CONCLUSION

The present study involves first-time synthesis of Ch-TGP polyelectrolyte complex stabilized nanoparticles of simvastatin against MCF-7 cells. It recommends that, in future, theoretical modeling and IVIVC should be carried out for perfect designing of delivery systems.

Delivery of Natural Agents by Means of Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres as a Promising Anticancer Strategy

Natural prodrugs derived from different natural origins (e.g., medicinal plants, microbes, animals) have a long history in traditional medicine. They exhibit a broad range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. They have potential as safe, cost-effective treatments with few side effects, but are lacking in solubility, bioavailability, specific targeting and have short half-lives. These are barriers to clinical application. Nanomedicine has the potential to offer solutions to circumvent these limitations and allow the use of natural pro-drugs in cancer therapy. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of various morphology have attracted considerable attention in the search for targeted drug delivery systems. MSNs are characterized by chemical stability, easy synthesis and functionalization, large surface area, tunable pore sizes and volumes, good biocompatibility, controlled drug release under different conditions, and high drug-loading capacity, enabling multifunctional purposes. In vivo pre-clinical evaluations, a significant majority of results indicate the safety profile of MSNs if they are synthesized in an optimized way. Here, we present an overview of synthesis methods, possible surface functionalization, cellular uptake, biodistribution, toxicity, loading strategies, delivery designs with controlled release, and cancer targeting and discuss the future of anticancer nanotechnology-based natural prodrug delivery systems.

Targeted Nanoparticles Harboring Jasmine-Oil-Entrapped Paclitaxel for Elimination of Lung Cancer Cells

Selectively targeted drug delivery systems are preferable chemotherapeutic platforms, as they specifically deliver the drug cargo into tumor cells, while minimizing untoward toxic effects. However, these delivery systems suffer from insufficient encapsulation efficiency (EE), encapsulation capacity (EC), and premature drug release. Herein, we coencapsulated paclitaxel (PTX) and Jasmine oil (JO) within PEG-PCL nanoparticles (NPs), with an average diameter < 50 nm, selectively targeted to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, via S15-aptamer (APT) decoration. JO was selected as an "adhesive" oily core to enhance PTX entrapment, as JO and PTX share similar hydrophobicity and terpenoid structure. JO markedly enhanced EE of PTX from 23% to 87.8% and EC from 35 ± 6 to 74 ± 8 µg PTX/mg PEG-PCL. JO also markedly increased the residual amount of PTX after 69 h, from 18.3% to 65%. Moreover, PTX cytotoxicity against human NSCLC A549 cells was significantly enhanced due to the co-encapsulation with JO; the IC50 value for PTX encapsulated within JO-containing APT-NPs was 20-fold lower than that for APT-NPs lacking JO. Remarkably, JO-containing APT-NPs displayed a 6-fold more potent cell-killing, relatively to the free-drug. Collectively, these findings reveal a marked synergistic contribution of JO to the cytotoxic activity of APT-NP-based systems, for targeted PTX delivery against NSCLC, which may be readily applied to various hydrophobic chemotherapeutics.

Proapoptotic Activity of Achillea membranacea Essential Oil and Its Major Constituent 1,8-Cineole against A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells

Among the hundreds of reported Achillea species, A. membranacea (Labill.) DC. is one of the six that grow in Jordan. Many species of this genus are used in folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments and several biological and pharmacological activities have been ascribed to their essential oil (EO). For this study, the EO obtained from a specimen of A. membranacea grown in Jordan was analyzed by GC-MS. Ninety-six compounds were detected, of which oxygenated monoterpenes was the predominant class (47.9%), followed by non-terpene derivatives (27.9%), while sesquiterpenes represented 14.2% of the total composition. The most abundant compound in the EO was 1,8-cineole (21.7%). The cytotoxic activity of the EO was evaluated against three cancer cell lines (MCF7, A2780 and HT29), and one normal fibroblast cell line (MRC5) by MTT assay. Significant growth inhibition was observed in EO-exposed A2780 and HT29 cells (IC50 = 12.99 and 14.02 μg/mL, respectively), while MCF7 and MRC5 were less susceptible. The EO induced apoptosis and increased the preG1 events in A2780 cells. 1,8-Cineole, the major constituent of the EO, exhibited submicromolar cytotoxicity against A2780 cells, and was 42 times more selective against MRC5 cells. Its cytotoxicity against A2780 cells was comparable with that of doxorubicin, but 1,8-cineole was more selective for MRC5 normal cells. Interestingly, 1,8-cineole enhanced apoptosis in A2780, and caused a remarkable dose-dependent increase in preG1 events. Thus, 1,8-cineole has demonstrated promising cytotoxic and proapoptotic properties.