Synthesis, physicochemical characterisation and biological activity of anandamide/ɛ-polycaprolactone nanoparticles obtained by electrospraying

Polymeric Nanomicelles Loaded with Anandamide and Their Renal Effects as a Therapeutic Alternative for Hypertension Treatment by Passive Targeting

We have previously demonstrated significant in vitro natriuretic effects of anandamide (AEA) nanoformulation in polymeric nanoparticles, whose size prevents their accumulation in organs, such as the kidneys. Therefore, it is of particular interest to design and test nanostructures that can pharmacologically accumulate in these organs. In this regard, we prepared and characterized polymeric nanomicelles (~14 and 40 nm). Likewise, their biodistribution was determined. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive rats (WKY), n = 3 per group, were divided into five treatment conditions: control, sham, free AEA freshly dispersed in aqueous solution or 24 h after its dispersion, and AEA encapsulated in nanomicelles. The kidneys were the main site of accumulation of the nanoformulation after 24 h. Freshly dispersed free AEA showed its classical triphasic response in SHR, which was absent from all other treatments. Nanoformulated AEA produced a sustained antihypertensive effect over 2 h, accompanied by a significant increase in fractional sodium excretion (FSE %). These effects were not observed in WKY, sham, or free AEA-treated rats after 24 h of its aqueous dispersion. Without precedent, we demonstrate in vivo natriuretic, diuretic, and hypotensive effects of AEA nanoformulation in polymeric nanomicelles, suggesting its possible use as a new antihypertensive agent with intravenous administration and passive renal accumulation.

Protective actions of vitamin D, anandamide and melatonin during vascular inflammation: Epigenetic mechanisms involved

Vascular inflammation is one of the main activating stimuli of cardiovascular disease and its uncontrolled development may worsen the progression and prognosis of these pathologies. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic options to treat this condition is undoubtedly needed. In this regard, it may be better to repurpose endogenous anti-inflammatory compounds already known, in addition to synthesizing new compounds for therapeutic purposes. It is well known that vitamin D, anandamide, and melatonin are promising endogenous substances with powerful and wide-spread anti-inflammatory properties. Currently, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying these effects are often unknown. This review summarizes the potential epigenetic mechanisms by which vitamin D, anandamide, and melatonin attenuate vascular inflammation. This information could contribute to the improvement in the therapeutic management of multiple pathologies associated with blood vessel inflammation, through the pharmacological manipulation of new target sites that until now have not been addressed.

Melatonin-Loaded Nanocarriers: New Horizons for Therapeutic Applications

The use of nanosized particles has emerged to facilitate selective applications in medicine. Drug-delivery systems represent novel opportunities to provide stricter, focused, and fine-tuned therapy, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemical agents at the molecular level while reducing their toxic effects. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytriptamine) is a small indoleamine secreted essentially by the pineal gland during darkness, but also produced by most cells in a non-circadian manner from which it is not released into the blood. Although the therapeutic promise of melatonin is indisputable, aspects regarding optimal dosage, biotransformation and metabolism, route and time of administration, and targeted therapy remain to be examined for proper treatment results. Recently, prolonged release of melatonin has shown greater efficacy and safety when combined with a nanostructured formulation. This review summarizes the role of melatonin incorporated into different nanocarriers (e.g., lipid-based vesicles, polymeric vesicles, non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles, charge carriers in graphene, electro spun nanofibers, silica-based carriers, metallic and non-metallic nanocomposites) as drug delivery system platforms or multilevel determinations in various in vivo and in vitro experimental conditions. Melatonin incorporated into nanosized materials exhibits superior effectiveness in multiple diseases and pathological processes than does free melatonin; thus, such information has functional significance for clinical intervention.

Central nervous system, peripheral and hemodynamic effects of nanoformulated anandamide in hypertension

PURPOSE

Hypertensive lesions induce alterations at hemodynamic, peripheral, and central levels. Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine; AEA) protects neurons from inflammatory damage, but its free administration may cause central adverse effects. AEA controlled release by nanoformulations could reduce/eliminate its side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of nanoformulated AEA (nf-AEA) on systolic blood pressure (SBP), behavior, and central/peripheral inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic state in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Male rats were used, both Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and SHR (n ​= ​10 per group), with/without treatment with nf-AEA (obtained by electrospraying) at a weekly dose of 5 ​mg/kg IP for 4 weeks. SBP was measured and behavioral tests were performed. Inflammatory/oxidative markers were quantified at the central (brain cortex) and peripheral (serum) level.

RESULTS

SHR showed hyperactivity, low anxiety, and high concentrations of central/peripheral inflammatory/oxidative markers, also higher apoptosis of brain cortical cells compared to WKY. As opposed to this group, treatment with nf-AEA in SHR significantly reduced SBP, peripheral/central inflammatory/oxidative makers, and central apoptosis. Nf-AEA also increased neuroprotective mechanisms mediated by intracellular heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), which were attenuated in untreated SHR. Additionally, nf-AEA reversed the abnormal behaviors observed in SHR without producing central adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest protective properties of nf-AEA, both peripherally and centrally, through a signaling pathway that would involve the type I angiotensin II receptor, Wilms tumor transcription factor 1, Hsp70, and iNOS. Considering non-nf-AEA limitations, this nanoformulation could contribute to the development of new antihypertensive and behavioral disorder treatments associated with neuroinflammation.

Biologically-synthesised ZnO/CuO/Ag nanocomposite using propolis extract and coated on the gauze for wound healing applications

Wound healing has long been recognised as a major clinical challenge for which stablishing more effective wound therapies is necessary. The generation of metallic nanocomposites using biological compounds is emerging as a new promising strategy for this purpose. In this study, four metallic nanoparticles (NPs) with propolis extract (Ext) and one without propolis including ZnO/Ext, ZnO/Ag/Ext, ZnO/CuO/Ext, ZnO/Ag/CuO/Ext and ZnO/W were prepared by microwave method and assessed for their wound healing activity on excision experimental model of wounds in rats. The developed nanocomposites have been characterised by physico-chemical methods such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analyses. The wounded animals treated with the NPs/Ext in five groups for 18 days. Every 6 days, for measuring wound closure rate, three samples of each group were examined for histopathological analysis. The prepared tissue sections were investigated by haematoxylin and Eosin stainings for the formation of epidermis, dermis and muscular and Masson's trichrome staining for the formation of collagen fibres. These findings toughly support the probability of using this new ZnO/Ag/Ext materials dressing for a wound care performance with significant effect compared to other NPs.

An Intelligent Multi-Sensor Variable Spray System with Chaotic Optimization and Adaptive Fuzzy Control

During the variable spray process, the micro-flow control is often held back by such problems as low initial sensitivity, large inertia, large hysteresis, nonlinearity as well as the inevitable difficulties in controlling the size of the variable spray droplets. In this paper, a novel intelligent double closed-loop control with chaotic optimization and adaptive fuzzy logic is developed for a multi-sensor based variable spray system, where a Bang-Bang relay controller is used to speed up the system operation, and adaptive fuzzy nonlinear PID is employed to improve the accuracy and stability of the system. With the chaotic optimization of controller parameters, the system is globally optimized in the whole solution space. By applying the proposed double closed-loop control, the variable pressure control system includes the pressure system as the inner closed-loop and the spray volume system as the outer closed-loop. Thus, the maximum amount of spray droplets deposited on the plant surface may be achieved with the minimum medicine usage for plants. Multiple sensors (for example: three pressure sensors and two flow rate sensors) are employed to measure the system states. Simulation results show that the chaotic optimized controller has a rise time of 0.9 s, along with an adjustment time of 1.5 s and a maximum overshoot of 2.67% (in comparison using PID, the rise time is 2.2 s, the adjustment time is 5 s, and the maximum overshoot is 6.0%). The optimized controller parameters are programmed into the hardware to control the established variable spray system. The experimental results show that the optimal spray pressure of the spray system is approximately 0.3 MPa, and the flow rate is approximately 0.08 m³/h. The effective droplet rate is 89.4%, in comparison to 81.3% using the conventional PID control. The proposed chaotically optimized composite controller significantly improved the dynamic performance of the control system, and satisfactory control results are achieved.