Novel targeting liposomes with enhanced endosomal escape for co-delivery of doxorubicin and curcumin

Effective endosomal escape is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of nanodrug delivery systems. In this study, we developed a novel liposomal system utilizing acid-sensitive N-(3-amino-propyl) imidazole cholesterol (IM-Chol), specifically designed for the targeted co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and curcumin (CUR) to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Designated as GA-IM-LIP@DOX/CUR, this liposomal system incorporates glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) to improve target specificity toward HCC cells. Notably, both drugs exhibited pH-sensitive release profiles, facilitating precise drug release within acidic environments. Our investigation into cellular uptake demonstrated that modified liposomes, GA-IM-LIP@FITC and IM-LIP@FITC, achieved progressively enhanced intracellular accumulation of FITC compared to unmodified liposomes. Competitive inhibition assays utilizing free GA further validated the targeting efficacy of GA. Moreover, the GA-IM-LIP@FITC and IM-LIP@FITC groups exhibited rapid endosomal escape of FITC within the first two hours, in contrast to delayed escape observed in the LIP@FITC group, confirming that the protonation of IM-Chol promotes drug release into the cytosol. In vivo studies substantiated that GA-IM-LIP@DOX/CUR effectively inhibited tumor growth. This research provides significant insights into the design and functionality of the GA-IM-LIP@DOX/CUR liposomal system, underscoring its potential to enhance drug delivery strategies in the treatment of HCC.

Cholesterol sulfate-mediated ion-pairing facilitates the self-nanoassembly of hydrophilic cationic mitoxantrone

HYPOTHESIS

Hydrophilic cationic drugs such as mitoxantrone hydrochloride (MTO) pose a significant delivery challenge to the development of nanodrug systems. Herein, we report the use of a hydrophobic ion-pairing strategy to enhance the nano-assembly of MTO.

EXPERIMENTS

We employed biocompatible sodium cholesteryl sulfate (SCS) as a modification module to form stable ion pairs with MTO, which balanced the intermolecular forces and facilitated nano-assembly. PEGylated MTO-SCS nanoassemblies (pMS NAs) were prepared via nanoprecipitation. We systematically evaluated the effect of the ratio of the drug module (MTO) to the modification module (SCS) on the nanoassemblies.

FINDINGS

The increased lipophilicity of MTO-SCS ion pair could significantly improve the encapsulation efficiency (∼97 %) and cellular uptake efficiency of MTO. The pMS NAs showed prolonged blood circulation, maintained the same level of tumor antiproliferative activity, and exhibited reduced toxicity compared with the free MTO solution. It is noteworthy that the stability, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior of the pMS NAs increased in proportion to the molar ratio of SCS to MTO. This study presents a self-assembly strategy mediated by ion pairing to overcome the challenges commonly associated with the poor assembly ability of hydrophilic cationic drugs.

Herb-Nanoparticle Hybrid System for Improved Oral Delivery Efficiency to Alleviate Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis

Background

Metastasis is a complex process involving multiple factors and stages, in which tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) play significant roles. A combination of orally bioavailable therapeutic agents that target both tumor cells and TME is conducive to prevent or impede the progression of metastasis, especially when undetectable. However, sequentially overcoming intestinal barriers, ensuring biodistribution in tumors and metastatic tissues, and enhancing therapeutic effects required for efficient therapy remain challenging.

Methods

Inspired by the unique chemical features of natural herbs, we propose an oral herb-nanoparticle hybrid system (HNS) formed through the self-binding of Platycodon grandiflorum-Curcuma zedoaria (HG), a herb pair/group used in clinical practice to treat breast cancer metastasis, to lipid-polymer nanoparticles (LPNs) loaded with silibinin. The molecular structure responsible for HG association with LPNs was assessed using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for HNS surface chemistry characterization. Moreover, the molecular class of HG was identified using UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS to further confirm the surface binding. Mucus diffusion and in vivo biodistribution were evaluated using in vitro multiple-particle tracking and environment-responsive fluorescence probe in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, respectively. The alleviation of breast cancer metastasis was assessed in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, and the underlying mechanism was investigated.

Results

The HNS reduced particle-mucus interactions by altering hydrophilicity and surface characteristics compared to LPNs. The epithelium transportation of HNS and absorption through Peyer's patch in mice were improved, promoting their biodistribution in the lung and tumor tissues. Furthermore, the HNS alleviated lung metastasis by inducing cell apoptosis and regulating the expression of MMP-9 and TGF-β1, which altered the TME in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice.

Conclusion

HNS provides an appealing system with multi-component binding of herbal medicine to facilitate both oral nanoparticle delivery efficiency and the alleviation of lung metastasis. This strategy may potentially help improve treatment for patients with breast cancer.

Nanotechnology-based Strategies for Molecular Imaging, Diagnosis, and Therapy of Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation is the preferred paradigm for patients with end-stage organ failures. Despite unprecedented successes, complications such as immune rejection, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and graft dysfunction remain significant barriers to long-term recipient survival after transplantation. Conventional immunosuppressive drugs have limited efficacy because of significant drug toxicities, high systemic immune burden, and emergence of transplant infectious disease, leading to poor quality of life for patients. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has emerged as a promising medical technology and offers several advantages by enhancing the delivery of drug payloads to their target sites, reducing systemic toxicity, and facilitating patient compliance over free drug administration. In addition, nanotechnology-based imaging approaches provide exciting diagnostic methods for monitoring molecular and cellular changes in transplanted organs, visualizing immune responses, and assessing the severity of rejection. These noninvasive technologies are expected to help enhance the posttransplantation patient survival through real time and early diagnosis of disease progression. Here, we present a comprehensive review of nanotechnology-assisted strategies in various aspects of organ transplantation, including organ protection before transplantation, mitigation of ischemia-reperfusion injury, counteraction of immune rejection, early detection of organ dysfunction posttransplantation, and molecular imaging and diagnosis of immune rejection.

Proteomics approach to discovering non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers and understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological diseases, yet it lacks efficient biomarkers for early detection and unravels disease mechanisms. Proteomic profiling has revealed diverse patterns of protein changes in various clinical samples. Integrating and systematically analysing proteomics data can facilitate the development of biomarkers, expediting diagnosis and providing insights for potential clinical and therapeutic applications. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers in various biological samples and therapeutic targets for endometriosis.

METHODS

Online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase via Ovid, and Google Scholar, were searched using MeSH terms. Two independent authors screened the articles, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. GO and KEGG analyses were performed to identify the pathways that were significantly enriched. Protein‑protein interaction and hub gene selection analyses were also conducted to identify biomarker networks for endometriosis.

RESULTS

Twenty-six observational studies with a total of 2,486 participants were included. A total of 644 differentially expressed proteins (180 upregulated and 464 downregulated) were identified from 9 studies. Proteins in peripheral blood exhibited a sensitivity and specificity of 38-100% and 59-99%, respectively, for detecting endometriosis, while proteins in urine had a sensitivity of 58-91% and specificity of 76-93%. Alpha-1-antitrypsin, albumin, and vitamin D binding proteins were significantly DEPs in both serum and urine. Complement C3 is commonly expressed in serum, menstrual blood, and cervical mucus. Additionally, S100-A8 is commonly expressed in both menstrual blood and cervical mucus. Haptoglobin is commonly detected in both serum and plasma, whereas cathepsin G is found in urine, serum, and plasma. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that proteoglycans in cancer pathways, which regulate cell-to-cell interactions, modulate the extracellular matrix, and promote the proliferation and invasion of endometrial cells, are commonly enriched in serum and urine.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive study revealed potential proteomes that were significantly differentially expressed in women with endometriosis utilizing various non-invasive clinical samples. Exploring common differentially expressed proteins in various biological samples provides insights into the diagnosis and pathophysiology of endometriosis, as well as potential clinical and therapeutic applications.

Cyclo(L-Pro-L-Trp) from Chilobrachys jingzhao alleviates formalin-induced inflammatory pain by suppressing the inflammatory response and inhibiting TRAF6-mediated MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways

Chronic pain has emerged as a significant public health issue, seriously affecting patients' quality of life and psychological well-being, with a lack of effective pharmacological treatments. Numerous studies have indicated that macrophages play a crucial role in inflammatory pain, and targeting neuro-immune interactions for drug development may represent a promising direction for pain management. Chilobrachys jingzhao (C. jingzhao) is used as a folk medicine of the Li nationality with the efficacy of eliminating swelling, detoxicating, and relieving pain, and the related products are widely used in the market. However, the chemical constituents of C. jingzhao have not been reported, and the pharmacodynamic substance and the precise functional mechanism are unrevealed. Here we isolated a cyclic dipeptide, cyclo(L-Pro-L-Trp) (CPT) from C. jingzhao for the first time. CPT remarkably alleviated formalin-induced inflammatory pain and significantly inhibited inflammatory responses. In vivo, CPT attenuated neutrophil infiltration and plantar tissue edema and suppressed the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory molecules. In vitro, CPT suppressed inflammation triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in both RAW 264.7 and iBMDM cells, reducing expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), superoxide, and pro-inflammatory molecules. A mechanistic study revealed that CPT exerted an anti-inflammatory activity by blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways, as well as alleviating the ubiquitination of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Our results elucidated the pharmacodynamic material basis of C. jingzhao, and CPT can be a promising lead for alleviating inflammation and inflammatory pain.

pH-responsive self-assembled nanoparticles for tumor-targeted drug delivery

Recent advances in the field of drug delivery have opened new avenues for the development of novel nanodrug delivery systems (NDDS) in cancer therapy. Self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) based on tumour microenvironment have great advantages in improving antitumor effect, and pH-responsive SANPs prepared by the combination of pH-responsive nanomaterials and self-assembly technology can effectively improve the efficacy and reduce the systemic toxicity of antitumor drugs. In this review, we describe the characteristics of self-assembly and its driving force, the mechanism of pH-responsive NDDS, and the nanomaterials for pH-responsive SANPs type. A series of pH-responsive SANPs for tumour-targeted drug delivery are discussed, with an emphasis on the relation between structural features and theranostic performance.

Recognition on pharmacodynamic ingredients of natural products

Natural products (NPs) play an irreplaceable role in the intervention of various diseases and have been considered a critical source of drug development. Many new pharmacodynamic compounds with potential clinical applications have recently been derived from NPs. These compounds range from small molecules to polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, self-assembled nanoparticles, and extracellular vesicles. This review summarizes various active substances found in NPs. The investigation of active substances in NPs can potentiate new drug development and promote the in-depth comprehension of the mechanism of action of NPs that can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Biomimetic nanodrug blocks CD73 to inhibit adenosine and boosts antitumor immune response synergically with photothermal stimulation

Combination of tumor immunotherapy with photothermal therapy (PTT) is a feasible tactic to overcome the drawback of immunotherapy such as poor immune response. Via triggering the immunogenic cells death (ICD), PTT can stimulate the activity of immune cells, but meanwhile, the level of adenosine is elevated via the CD73-induced decomposition of ATP which is overexpressed accompanying with the PTT process, resulting in negative feedback to impair the immune stimulation. Herein, we developed a novel biomimetic photothermal nanodrug to specifically block CD73 for inhibition of adenosine production and more efficient priming of the suppressive immune microenvironments. The nanodrug, named as AptEM@CBA, is constructed by encapsulation of photothermal agent black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) and selective CD73 inhibitor α, β-Methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate (AMPCP) in chitosan nanogels, which are further covered with aptamer AS1411 modified erythrocyte membrane (EM) for biomimetic camouflage. With AS1411 induced active targeting and EM induced long blood circulation time, the enrichment of the nanodrug tumor sites is promoted. The photothermal treatment promotes the maturation of dendritic cells. Meanwhile, the release of AMPCP suppress the adenosine generation via CD73 blockade, alleviating the impairment of adenosine to dendritic cells and suppressing regulatory T cells, synergically stimulate the activity of T cells. The combination of CD73 blockade with PTT, not only suppresses the growth of primary implanted tumors, but also boosts strong antitumor immunity to inhibit the growth of distal tumors, providing good potential for tumor photoimmunotherapy.

Lipid-based nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers for cancer therapy

Cancer is a severe disease that results in death in all countries of the world. A nano-based drug delivery approach is the best alternative, directly targeting cancer tumor cells with improved drug cellular uptake. Different types of nanoparticle-based drug carriers are advanced for the treatment of cancer, and to increase the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of cancer therapy, many substances have been looked into as drug carriers. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs) have significantly attracted interest recently. These natural biomolecules that alternate to other polymers are frequently recycled in medicine due to their amphipathic properties. Lipid nanoparticles typically provide a variety of benefits, including biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review covers different classes of LBNPs, including their characterization and different synthesis technologies. This review discusses the most significant advancements in lipid nanoparticle technology and their use in medicine administration. Moreover, the review also emphasized the applications of lipid nanoparticles that are used in different cancer treatment types.

Oral Curcumin-Thioketal-Inulin Conjugate Micelles against Radiation-Induced Enteritis

Radiation-induced enteritis is an unavoidable complication associated with pelvic tumor radiotherapy, significantly influencing the prognosis of cancer patients. The limited availability of commercial gastrointestinal radioprotectors in clinical settings poses a substantial challenge in preventing radiation enteritis. Despite the inherent radioprotective characteristics of Cur in vitro, its poor solubility in water, instability, and low bioavailability lead to inferior therapeutic effects in vivo. Herein, we developed novel ROS-responsive micelles (CTI) from inulin and curcumin, aimed at mitigating radiation enteritis. CTI micelles had excellent solubility and stability. Importantly, CTI improved the cytotoxicity and bioavailability of curcumin, thereby showing enhanced effectiveness in neutralizing ROS induced by radiation, safeguarding against DNA damage, and reducing radiation-induced cellular mortality. Moreover, in a radiation enteritis mice model, CTI not only alleviated severe radiation-induced intestinal injury but also improved redox-related indicators and reduced inflammatory cytokine expression. Furthermore, CTI effectively increased gut microbiota abundance and maintained gut homeostasis. In conclusion, CTI could be a promising candidate for the clinical management of radiation enteritis. Our study provides a new perspective for radioprotection using natural antioxidants.

Self-assembled nanodrug delivery systems for anti-cancer drugs from traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a combination of raw herbs and herbal extracts with a plethora of documented beneficial bioactivities, which has unique advantages in anti-tumor therapy, and many of its major bioactive molecules have been identified in recent years due to advances in chemical separation and structural analysis. However, the major chemical classes of plant-derived bioactive compounds frequently possess chemical properties, including poor water solubility, stability, and bioavailability, that limit their therapeutic application. Alternatively, natural small molecules (NSMs) containing these components possess modifiable groups, multiple action sites, hydrophobic side chains, and a rigid skeleton with self-assembly properties that can be exploited to construct self-assembled nanoparticles with therapeutic effects superior to their individual constituents. For instance, the construction of a self-assembled nanodrug delivery system can effectively overcome the strong hydrophobicity and poor in vivo stability of NSMs, thereby greatly improving their bioavailability and enhancing their anti-tumor efficacy. This review summarizes the self-assembly methods, mechanisms, and applications of a variety of NSMs, including terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and saponins, providing a theoretical basis for the subsequent research on NSMs and the development of SANDDS.

Folate-Targeted Nanocarriers Co-Deliver Ganciclovir and miR-34a-5p for Combined Anti-KSHV Therapy

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) can cause a variety of malignancies. Ganciclovir (GCV) is one of the most efficient drugs against KSHV, but its non-specificity can cause other side effects in patients. Nucleic acid miR-34a-5p can inhibit the transcription of KSHV RNA and has great potential in anti-KSHV therapy, but there are still problems such as easy degradation and low delivery efficiency. Here, we constructed a co-loaded dual-drug nanocomplex (GCV@ZIF-8/PEI-FA+miR-34a-5p) that contains GCV internally and adsorbs miR-34a-5p externally. The folic acid (FA)-coupled polyethyleneimine (PEI) coating layer (PEI-FA) was shown to increase the cellular uptake of the nanocomplex, which is conducive to the enrichment of drugs at the KSHV infection site. GCV and miR-34a-5p are released at the site of the KSHV infection through the acid hydrolysis characteristics of ZIF-8 and the "proton sponge effect" of PEI. The co-loaded dual-drug nanocomplex not only inhibits the proliferation and migration of KSHV-positive cells but also decreases the mRNA expression level of KSHV lytic and latent genes. In conclusion, this co-loaded dual-drug nanocomplex may provide an attractive strategy for antiviral drug delivery and anti-KSHV therapy.

Peptide-Mediated Nanocarriers for Targeted Drug Delivery: Developments and Strategies

Effective drug delivery is essential for cancer treatment. Drug delivery systems, which can be tailored to targeted transport and integrated tumor therapy, are vital in improving the efficiency of cancer treatment. Peptides play a significant role in various biological and physiological functions and offer high design flexibility, excellent biocompatibility, adjustable morphology, and biodegradability, making them promising candidates for drug delivery. This paper reviews peptide-mediated drug delivery systems, focusing on self-assembled peptides and peptide-drug conjugates. It discusses the mechanisms and structural control of self-assembled peptides, the varieties and roles of peptide-drug conjugates, and strategies to augment peptide stability. The review concludes by addressing challenges and future directions.

Current paradigms in employing self-assembled structures: Drug delivery implications with improved therapeutic potential

Recent efforts have focused on developing improved drug delivery systems with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and minimal side effects. Micelles, self-assembled from amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous solutions, have gained considerable attention for drug delivery. However, there is a need to further enhance their efficiency. These micelles offer benefits like biodegradability, biocompatibility, sustained drug release, and improved patient compliance. Yet, researchers must address stability issues and reduce toxicity. Nanoscale self-assembled structures have shown promise as efficient drug carriers, offering an alternative to conventional methods. Fine-tuning at the monomeric and molecular levels, along with structural modifications, is crucial for optimal drug release profiles. Various strategies, such as entrapping hydrophobic drugs and using polyethylene oxide diblock copolymer micelles to resist protein adsorption and cellular adhesion, protect the hydrophobic core from degradation. The polyethylene oxide corona also provides stealth properties, prolonging blood circulation for extended drug administration. Amphiphilic copolymers are attractive for drug delivery due to their adjustable properties, allowing control over micelle size and morphology. Emerging tools promise complex and multifunctional platforms. This article summarizes about the challenges as far as the use of micelles is concerned, including optimizing performance, rigorous pre-clinical and clinical research, and suggests further improvement for drug delivery efficacy.

Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Based on Natural Products

Natural products have proven to have significant curative effects and are increasingly considered as potential candidates for clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Compared with synthetic drugs, natural products not only have diverse structures but also exhibit a range of biological activities against different disease states and molecular targets, making them attractive for development in the field of medicine. Despite advancements in the use of natural products for clinical purposes, there remain obstacles that hinder their full potential. These challenges include issues such as limited solubility and stability when administered orally, as well as short durations of effectiveness. To address these concerns, nano-drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising solution to overcome the barriers faced in the clinical application of natural products. These systems offer notable advantages, such as a large specific surface area, enhanced targeting capabilities, and the ability to achieve sustained and controlled release. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have provided further evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle-based systems in delivering natural products in preclinical disease models. This review describes the limitations of natural product applications and the current status of natural products combined with nanotechnology. The latest advances in nano-drug delivery systems for delivery of natural products are considered from three aspects: connecting targeting warheads, self-assembly, and co-delivery. Finally, the challenges faced in the clinical translation of nano-drugs are discussed.

Anthocyanin-Loaded Polymers as Promising Nature-Based, Responsive, and Bioactive Materials

Anthocyanins are a specific group of molecules found in nature that have recently received increasing attention due to their interesting biological and colorimetric properties that have been successfully applied in several fields such as food preservation and biomedicine. Consequently, reviews devoted to a general overview of these flavonoids have proliferated in recent years. Meanwhile, the incorporation of anthocyanins into polymeric systems has become an interesting strategy to widen the applicability of these molecules and develop new smart and functional polymers in the above cited areas. However, anthocyanin-based polymers have been scarcely reviewed in the literature. Accordingly, this review aims to be a systematic summary of the most recent approaches for the incorporation of anthocyanins into macro-, micro-, or nanostructured polymers. Moreover, this work describes the fundamentals of the applicability of smart anthocyanin-based polymers and offers an updated review of their most interesting applications as sensors, biological regulators, and active materials.

Advances in embedding techniques of anthocyanins: Improving stability, bioactivity and bioavailability

The health benefits of anthocyanins have attracted extensive research interest. However, anthocyanins are sensitive to certain environmental and gastrointestinal conditions and have low oral bioavailability. It has been reported that delivery systems made in different ways could improve the stability, bioavailability and bioactivity of anthocyanins. This present review summarizes the factors affecting the stability of anthocyanins and the reasons for poor bioavailability, and various technologies for encapsulation of anthocyanins including microcapsules, nanoemulsions, microemulsions, Pickering emulsions, nanoliposomes, nanoparticles, hydrogels and co-assembly with amphiphilic peptides were discussed. In particular, the effects of these encapsulation technologies on the stability, bioavailability and bioactivities of anthocyanins in vitro and in vivo experiments are reviewed in detail, which provided scientific insights for anthocyanins encapsulation methods. However, the application of anthocyanins in food industry as well as the biological fate and functional pathways in vivo still need to be further explored.

Enhancing the Biopharmacological Characteristics of Asperosaponin VI: Unveiling Dynamic Self-Assembly Phase Transitions in the Gastrointestinal Environment

Purpose

Asperosaponin VI (ASP VI) as an active ingredient of Dipsacus asperoides, which has a wide range of biological and pharmacological activity. However, its development and application are restricted due to the poor gastrointestinal permeability and oral bioavailability. This investigation aims to reveal the influence of the self-assembled structure by the interaction between ASP VI and endogenous components NaTC and/or DOPC in the gastrointestinal environment on its biopharmaceutical properties, and novelty elucidated the molecular mechanism for the formation of self-assembled nanomicelles.

Methods

This change in phase state in gastrointestinal fluids is characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the composition of phase components and the exposure of nanomicelles in vivo. Molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) was applied to preliminarily elucidate the self-assembly mechanism of ASP VI in the gastrointestinal environment. Furthermore, theS8 promoting absorption mechanism of nanomicelles were investigated through in vivo pharmacokinetic experiments, parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA), quadruple single-pass intestinal perfusion in rats, and Caco-2 cell monolayer model.

Results

We demonstrated that the ASP VI could spontaneously form dynamic self-assembled structures with sodium taurocholate (NaTC) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) during gastrointestinal solubilization, which promoted the gastrointestinal absorption and permeability of ASP VI and increased its exposure in vivo, thus improving the biopharmacological characteristics of ASP VI. Moreover, ASP VI-NaTC-DOPC-self-assembled nanostructures (ASP VI-NaTC-DOPC-SAN) manifested higher cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells as evidenced by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and this study also preliminarily revealed the mechanism of self-assembly formation of ASP VI with endogenous components NaTC and DOPC driven by electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that the dynamic self-assembled phase transition may play a key role in improving the biopharmacological characteristics of insoluble or low permeability active ingredients during the gastrointestinal dissolution of Chinese medicines.

Overcoming challenges in the delivery of STING agonists for cancer immunotherapy: A comprehensive review of strategies and future perspectives

STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) agonists have emerged as promising agents in the field of cancer immunotherapy, owing to their excellent capacity to activate the innate immune response and combat tumor-induced immunosuppression. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the strategies employed to develop effective formulations for STING agonists, with particular emphasis on versatile nano-delivery systems. The recent advancements in delivery systems based on lipids, natural/synthetic polymers, and proteins for STING agonists are summarized. The preparation methodologies of nanoprecipitation, self-assembly, and hydrogel, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are also discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities in developing next-generation STING agonist delivery systems are elaborated. This review aims to serve as a reference for researchers in designing novel and effective STING agonist delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy.

Research on preparation and antitumor activity of redox-responsive polymer micelles co-loaded with sorafenib and curcumin

A novel redox-responsive mPEG-SS-PLA (PSP) polymeric micelle was synthesized and prepared for the delivery of sorafenib (SAF) and curcumin (CUR). And a series of validations were conducted to confirm the structure of the synthesized polymer carriers. Using the Chou-Talalay approach, the combination indexes (CI) of SAF and CUR were determined, and explore the inhibitory effects of the two drugs on HepG2R cells at different ratios. SAF/CUR-PSP polymeric micelles were prepared by thin film hydration method, and the physicochemical properties of nanomicelles were evaluated. The biocompatibility, cell uptake, cell migration, and cytotoxicity assays were assessed in HepG2R cells. The expression of the phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot assay. Additionally, the tumor suppressive effect of SAF/CUR-PSP micelles was clearly superior to free drug monotherapy or their physical combination in HepG2 cell-induced tumor xenografts. The current study revealed that mPEG-SS-PLA polymer micelles loaded with SAF and CUR showed the enhanced therapeutic effects against hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo models. It has promising applications for cancer therapy.

The nano-revolution in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful gynecological disease with a high prevalence, affecting millions of women worldwide. Innovative, non-invasive treatments, and new patient follow-up strategies are needed to deal with the harmful social and economic effects. In this scenario, considering the recent, very promising results already reported in the literature, a commitment to new research in the field of nanomedicine is urgently needed. Study findings clearly show the potential of this approach in both the diagnostic and therapeutic phases of endometriosis. Here, we offer a brief review of the recent exciting and effective applications of nanomedicine in both the diagnosis and therapy of endometriosis. Special emphasis will be placed on the emerging theranostic application of nanoproducts, and the combination of phototherapy and nanotechnology as new therapeutic modalities for endometriosis. The review will also provide interested readers with a guide to the selection process and parameters to consider when designing research into this type of approach.

Rationally designed block copolymer-based nanoarchitectures: An emerging paradigm for effective drug delivery

Various polymeric materials have been investigated to produce unique modes of delivery for drug modules to achieve either temporal or spatial control of bioactives delivery. However, after intravenous administration, phagocytic cells quickly remove these nanostructures from the systemic circulation via the reticuloendothelial system (RES). To overcome these concerns, ecofriendly block copolymers are increasingly being investigated as innovative carriers for the delivery of bioactives. In this review, we discuss the design, fabrication techniques, and recent advances in the development of block copolymers and their applications as drug carrier systems to improve the physicochemical and pharmacological attributes of bioactives.

Progress in construction and release of natural polysaccharide-platinum nanomedicines: A review

Natural polysaccharides are natural biomaterials that have become candidate materials for nano-drug delivery systems due to their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. Platinum (Pt) drugs have been widely used in the clinical therapy for various solid tumors. However, their extensive systemic toxicity and the drug resistance acquired by cancer cells limit the applications of platinum drugs. Modern nanobiotechnology provides the possibility for targeted delivery of platinum drugs to the tumor site, thereby minimizing toxicity and optimizing the efficacies of the drugs. In recent years, numerous natural polysaccharide-platinum nanomedicine delivery carriers have been developed, such as nanomicelles, nanospheres, nanogels, etc. Herein, we provide an overview on the construction and drug release of natural polysaccharide-Pt nanomedicines in recent years. Current challenges and future prospectives in this field are also put forward. In general, combining with irradiation and tumor microenvironment provides a significant research direction for the construction of natural polysaccharide-platinum nanomedicines and the release of responsive drugs in the future.

The Spicy Science of Dendrimers in the Realm of Cancer Nanomedicine: A Report from the COST Action CA17140 Nano2Clinic

COST Action CA17140 Cancer Nanomedicine-from the bench to the bedside (Nano2Clinic,) is the first, pan-European interdisciplinary network of representatives from academic institutions and small and medium enterprises including clinical research organizations (CROs) devoted to the development of nanosystems carrying anticancer drugs from their initial design, preclinical testing of efficacy, pharmacokinetics and toxicity to the preparation of detailed protocols needed for the first phase of their clinical studies. By promoting scientific exchanges, technological implementation, and innovative solutions, the action aims at providing a timely instrument to rationalize and focus research efforts at the European level in dealing with the grand challenge of nanomedicine translation in cancer, one of the major and societal-burdening human pathologies. Within CA17140, dendrimers in all their forms (from covalent to self-assembling dendrons) play a vital role as powerful nanotheranostic agents in oncology; therefore, the purpose of this review work is to gather and summarize the major results in the field stemming from collaborative efforts in the framework of the European Nano2Clinic COST Action.

Nanomaterials in tumor immunotherapy: new strategies and challenges

Tumor immunotherapy exerts its anti-tumor effects by stimulating and enhancing immune responses of the body. It has become another important modality of anti-tumor therapy with significant clinical efficacy and advantages compared to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy. Although various kinds of tumor immunotherapeutic drugs have emerged, the challenges faced in the delivery of these drugs, such as poor tumor permeability and low tumor cell uptake rate, had prevented their widespread application. Recently, nanomaterials had emerged as a means for treatment of different diseases due to their targeting properties, biocompatibility and functionalities. Moreover, nanomaterials possess various characteristics that overcome the defects of traditional tumor immunotherapy, such as large drug loading capacity, precise tumor targeting and easy modification, thus leading to their wide application in tumor immunotherapy. There are two main classes of novel nanoparticles mentioned in this review: organic (polymeric nanomaterials, liposomes and lipid nanoparticles) and inorganic (non-metallic nanomaterials and metallic nanomaterials). Besides, the fabrication method for nanoparticles, Nanoemulsions, was also introduced. In summary, this review article mainly discussed the research progress of tumor immunotherapy based on nanomaterials in the past few years and offers a theoretical basis for exploring novel tumor immunotherapy strategies in the future.

Recent advances in natural small molecules as drug delivery systems

Drug delivery systems (DDSs) are a multidisciplinary approach toward the effective delivery of drugs to their target sites. Natural small molecule (NSM) compounds with anticancer activity, self-assembly and co-assembly functions show great potential for application as novel DDSs in the biomedical field. NSMs are widely sourced, have many modification sites, and readily form hydrogen bonds, π-π interactions, van der Waals interactions, and other non-covalent bonds in solvents, resulting in ordered structures. Moreover, their good biocompatibility and bioactivity allow compositions based on these compounds to be used in life science applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery and cell imaging, showing the potential medical value of NSMs as DDSs. In this review, we summarise the role, assembly principles and applications of natural products such as triterpenoids, diterpenoids, sterols, alkaloids and polysaccharides in the construction of small molecule systems, which are expected to provide an important reference for the development of more active natural nanomaterials and the study of single or multi-component interactions.

Redox-dual-sensitive multiblock copolymer vesicles with disulfide-enabled sequential drug delivery

Based on disulfide-enriched multiblock copolymer vesicles, we present a straightforward sequential drug delivery system with dual-redox response that releases hydrophilic doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX·HCl) and hydrophobic paclitaxel (PTX) under oxidative and reductive conditions, respectively. When compared to concurrent therapeutic delivery, the spatiotemporal control of drug release allows for an improved combination antitumor effect. The simple and smart nanocarrier has promising applications in the field of cancer therapy.

Lipophilic NO-Driven Nanomotors as Drug Balloon Coating for the Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Drug-coated balloons (DCB) intervention is an important approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). However, this therapeutic approach has the drawbacks of poor drug retention and penetration at the lesion site. Here, a lipophilic drug-loaded nanomotor as a modified balloon coating for the treatment of AS is reported. First, a lipophilic nanomotor PMA-TPP/PTX loaded with drug PTX and lipophilic triphenylphosphine (TPP) compounds is synthesized. The PMA-TPP/PTX nanomotors use nitric oxide (NO) as the driving force, which is produced from the reaction between arginine on the motor substrate and excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the AS microenvironment. The final in vitro and in vivo experimental results confirm that the introduction of the lipophilic drug-loaded nanomotor technology can greatly enhance the drug retention and permeability in atherosclerotic lesions. In particular, NO can also play an anti-AS role in improving endothelial cell function and reducing oxidative stress. The chemotherapeutic drug PTX loaded onto the nanomotors can inhibit cell division and proliferation, thereby exerting the effect of inhibiting vascular intimal hyperplasia, which is helpful for the multiple therapies of AS. Using nanomotor technology to solve cardiovascular diseases may be a promising research direction.

pH and GSH dual-responsive drug-controlled nanomicelles for breast cancer treatment

We developed a pH/glutathione (GSH) dual-responsive smart nano-drug delivery system to achieve targeted release of a chemotherapeutic drug at breast tumor site. Doxorubicin (DOX) was linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG) through cis-aconitic anhydride (CA) and disulfide bonds (SS) to obtain the PEG-SS-CA-DOX prodrug, which spontaneously assembled into nanomicelles with a particle size of 48 ± 0.45 nm. PEG-SS-CA-DOX micelles achieved an efficient and rapid release of DOX under dual stimulation by weak acidic pH and high GSH content of tumors, with the release amount reaching 88.0% within 48 h. Cellular uptake experiments demonstrated that PEG-SS-CA-DOX micelles could efficiently transport DOX into cells and rapidly release it in the tumor microenvironment. In addition,in vivoantitumor experiments showed that PEG-SS-CA-DOX had a high inhibition rate of 70% against 4T1 breast cancer cells along with good biosafety. In conclusion, dual-responsive smart nanomicelles can achieve tumor-targeted drug delivery and specific drug release, thus improving therapeutic efficacy of drugs.

Functionalized Fluorescent Nanostructures Generated from Self-Assembly of a Cationic Tripeptide Direct Cell-Selective Chemotherapeutic Drug Delivery

Nanodrug delivery systems (NDDs) capable of conveying chemotherapeutics directly into malignant cells without harming healthy ones are of significant interest in the field of cancer therapy. However, the development of nanostructures with the requisite biocompatibility, inherent optical properties, cellular penetration ability, encapsulation capability, and target selectivity has remained elusive. In an effort to develop cell-selective NDDs, we have synthesized a cationic tripeptide Boc-Arg-Trp-Phe-OMe (PA1), which self-assembles into well-ordered spheres in 100% aqueous medium. The inherent fluorescence properties of the peptide PA1 were shifted from the ultraviolet to the visible region by the self-assembly. These fluorescent nanostructures are proteolytically stable, photostable, and biocompatible, with characteristic blue fluorescence signals that permit us to monitor their intracellular entry in real time. We also demonstrate that these tripeptide spherical structures (TPSS) have the capacity to entrap the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (Dox), shuttle the encapsulated drug within cancerous cells, and initiate the DNA damage signaling cascade, which culminates in apoptosis. Next, we functionalized the TPSS with an epithelial-cell-specific epithelial cell adhesion molecule aptamer. Aptamer-conjugated PA1 (PA1-Apt) facilitated efficient Dox delivery into the breast cancer epithelial cell line MCF7, resulting in cell death. However, cells of the human cardiomyocyte cell line AC16 were resistant to the cell killing actions of PA1-Apt. Together, these data demonstrate that not only can the self-assembly of cationic tripeptides like PA1 be exploited for efficient drug encapsulation and delivery but their unique chemistry also allows for functional modifications, which can improve the selectivity of these versatile NDDs.

Recent Progress in Carrier-Free Nanomedicine for Tumor Phototherapy

Safe and effective strategies are urgently needed to fight against the life-threatening diseases of various cancers. However, traditional therapeutic modalities, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, exhibit suboptimal efficacy for malignant tumors owing to the serious side effects, drug resistance and even relapse. Phototherapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), are emerging therapeutic strategies for localized tumor inhibition, which can produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or elevate the temperature to initiate cell death by non-invasive irradiation. In consideration of the poor bioavailability of phototherapy agents (PTAs), lots of drug delivery systems have been developed to enhance the tumor targeted delivery. Nevertheless, the carriers of drug delivery systems inevitably bring biosafety concerns on account of their metabolism, degradation, and accumulation. Of note, carrier-free nanomedicine attracts great attention for clinical translation with synergistic antitumor effect, which is characterized by high drug loading, simplified synthetic method and good biocompatibility. In this review, the latest advances of phototherapy with various carrier-free nanomedicines are summarized, which may provide a new paradigm for the future development of nanomedicine and tumor precision therapy.

Allium sativum@AgNPs and Phyllanthus urinaria@AgNPs: a comparative analysis for antibacterial application

Although medicinal herbs contain many biologically active ingredients that can act as antibiotic agents, most of them are difficult to dissolve in lipids and absorb through biofilms in the gastrointestinal tract. Besides, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used as a potential antibacterial agent, however, to achieve a bactericidal effect, high concentrations are required. In this work, AgNPs were combined into plant-based antibiotic nanoemulsions using biocompatible alginate/carboxyl methylcellulose scaffolds. The silver nanoparticles were prepared by a green method with an aqueous extract of Allium sativum or Phyllanthus urinaria extract. The botanical antibiotic components in the alcoholic extract of these plants were encapsulated with emulsifier poloxamer 407 to reduce the particle size, and make the active ingredients both water-soluble and lipid-soluble. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis showed that the prepared nanosystems were spherical with a size of about 20 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the interaction of the extracts and the alginate/carboxyl methylcellulose carrier. In vitro drug release kinetics of allicin and phyllanthin from the nanosystems exhibited a retarded release under different biological pH conditions. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized nanoformulations were tested against Escherichia coli. The results showed that the nanosystem based on Allium sativum possesses a significantly higher antimicrobial activity against the tested organisms. Therefore, the combination of AgNPs with active compounds from Allium sativum extract is a good candidate for in vivo infection treatment application.

Accurate delivery of pristimerin and paclitaxel by folic acid-linked nano-micelles for enhancing chemosensitivity in cancer therapy

Chemoresistance remains a huge challenge for effective treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previous studies have shown Chinese herbal extracts possess great potential in ameliorating tumor chemoresistance, however, the efficacy is clinically limited mainly because of the poor tumor-targeting and in vivo stability. The construction of nano-delivery systems for herbal extracts has been shown to improve drug targeting, enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxic and side effects. In this study, a folic acid (FA)-modified nano-herb micelle was developed for codelivery of pristimerin (PRI) and paclitaxel (PTX) to enhance chemosensitivity of NSCLC, in which PRI could synergistically enhance PTX-induced growth inhibition of A549 cancer cell. PTX was firstly grafted with the FA-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) and then encapsulated with PRI to construct the PRI@FA-PEG-PTX (P@FPP) nano-micelles (NMs), which exhibited improved tumor-targeting and in vivo stability. This active-targeting P@FPP NMs displayed excellent tumor-targeting characteristics without obvious toxicity. Moreover, inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis induced by P@FPP NMs were significantly enhanced compared with the combined effects of the two drugs (PRI in combination of PTX), which associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition inhibition to some extent. Overall, this active-targeting NMs provides a versatile nano-herb strategy for improving tumor-targeting of Chinese herbal extracts, which may help in the promotion of enhancing chemosensitivity of NSCLC in clinical applications.