Oxaliplatin-loaded nanoemulsion containing Teucrium polium L. essential oil induces apoptosis in Colon cancer cell lines through ROS-mediated pathway

Ferroptosis and HMGB2 induced calreticulin translocation required for immunogenic cell death are controlled by the nuclear exporter XPO1

Cisplatin and oxaliplatin cause the secretion of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) from cancer cells, which is necessary for initiation of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Calreticulin (CRT) translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane is also required; oxaliplatin induces this translocation but cisplatin does not. We have discovered that oxaliplatin causes the secretion of both HMGB1 and HMGB2 from the nucleus into the extracellular milieu. We previously showed that cisplatin mediated secretion of HMGB1 is controlled by the nuclear exporter XPO1 (chromosomal maintenance 1; CRM1). We now find that XPO1 regulates oxaliplatin mediated secretion of both HMGB1 and HMGB2. XPO1 inhibition causes nuclear accumulation of both proteins, inhibition of oxaliplatin-mediated ferroptosis of colon cancer cells, and inhibition of CRT translocation to the plasma membrane of lung and colon cancer cells. Incubation of cancer cells with cell targeted (CT)-HMGB2 confirmed that HMGB2 is responsible for translocation of CRT to the plasma membrane. CT-HMGB2 is three orders of magnitude more potent than oxaliplatin at inducing CRT translocation. Inhibition of HMGB1 and HMGB2 secretion and/or their activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) has potential utility for treating cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases; whereas CT-HMGB2 could augment therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment.

Progress of nanopreparation technology applied to volatile oil drug delivery systems

Traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil has a long history and possesses extensive pharmacological activity. However, volatile oils have characteristics such as strong volatility, poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and poor targeting, which limit their application. The use of volatile oil nano drug delivery systems can effectively improve the drawbacks of volatile oils, enhance their bioavailability and chemical stability, and reduce their volatility and toxicity. This article first introduces the limitations of the components of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils, discusses the main classifications and latest developments of volatile oil nano formulations, and briefly describes the preparation methods of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil nano formulations. Secondly, the limitations of nano formulation technology are discussed, along with future challenges and prospects. A deeper understanding of the role of nanotechnology in traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils will contribute to the modernization of volatile oils and broaden their application value.

Nanostructures for site-specific delivery of oxaliplatin cancer therapy: Versatile nanoplatforms in synergistic cancer therapy

As a clinically approved treatment strategy, chemotherapy-mediated tumor suppression has been compromised, and in spite of introducing various kinds of anticancer drugs, cancer eradication with chemotherapy is still impossible. Chemotherapy drugs have been beneficial in improving the prognosis of cancer patients, but after resistance emerged, their potential disappeared. Oxaliplatin (OXA) efficacy in tumor suppression has been compromised by resistance. Due to the dysregulation of pathways and mechanisms in OXA resistance, it is suggested to develop novel strategies for overcoming drug resistance. The targeted delivery of OXA by nanostructures is described here. The targeted delivery of OXA in cancer can be mediated by polymeric, metal, lipid and carbon nanostructures. The advantageous of these nanocarriers is that they enhance the accumulation of OXA in tumor and promote its cytotoxicity. Moreover, (nano)platforms mediate the co-delivery of OXA with drugs and genes in synergistic cancer therapy, overcoming OXA resistance and improving insights in cancer patient treatment in the future. Moreover, smart nanostructures, including pH-, redox-, light-, and thermo-sensitive nanostructures, have been designed for OXA delivery and cancer therapy. The application of nanoparticle-mediated phototherapy can increase OXA's potential in cancer suppression. All of these subjects and their clinical implications are discussed in the current review.

Tumor-homing bacterium-adsorbed liposomes encapsulating perfluorohexane/doxorubicin enhance pulsed-focused ultrasound for tumor therapy

Objective: To make up for the insufficient ultrasound ablation of tumors, the energy output or synergist is increased but faces the big challenge of normal tissue damage. In this study, we report a tumor-homing bacterium, Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum), adsorbing liposomes that encapsulate perfluorohexane (PFH) and doxorubicin (DOX) to enhance the pulsed-focused ultrasound (PFUS) for tumor therapy, so as to improve the efficacy, safety and controllability of ultrasound treatment. Methods: The PFH and DOX co-loaded cationic liposomal nanoparticles (CL-PFH-DOX-NPs) were prepared for ultrasound (US) imaging, cell-killing, and B. bifidum adsorption for the reactive oxygen species (ROS) testing. The aggregation of B. bifidum and CL-PFH-DOX-NPs is called tumor-homing aggregation (B. bifidum@CL-PFH-DOX-NPs) in this study, and the synergistic effects of B. bifidum@CL-PFH-DOX-NPs were analyzed in vivo. Results: Comprehensive studies validated that CL-PFH-DOX-NPs can enhance US imaging and cell-killing and B. bifidum can promote ROS, and B. bifidum@CL-PFH-DOX-NPs achieve PFUS synergism in vivo. Importantly, active homing of B. bifidum facilitated the delivery and retention of CL-PFH-DOX-NPs in tumors, reducing dispersion in normal tissues, achieving the targeting ability of B. bifidum@CL-PFH-DOX-NPs. The best sonication time was chosen according to the distribution of CL-PFH-DOX-NPs in vivo to achieve efficient therapy. Especially, B. bifidum@CL-PFH-DOX-NPs amplified cavitation and the immune-boosting effects. Conclusion: Multifunctional B. bifidum@CL-PFH-DOX-NPs were successfully constructed with well targeting, which not only realized US imaging monitoring, strong cavitation and complementary killing during PFUS, but also achieved immunity enhancement after PFUS. The combination of PFUS, B. bifidum and CL-PFH-DOX-NPs provides a new idea for the potential application of ultrasound therapy in solid tumors.

The copper (II) complex of salicylate phenanthroline inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect and associated molecular mechanisms of the copper (II) complex of salicylate phenanthroline [Cu(sal)(phen)] against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cu(sal)(phen) inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells (HepG2 and HCC-LM9) and induced apoptosis of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner by upregulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The expression of the antiapoptotic proteins survivin and Bcl-2 was decreased, while the expression of the DNA damage marker γ-H₂ AX and the apoptotic marker cleaved PARP was upregulated with Cu(sal)(phen) treatment. In vivo, the growth of HepG2 subcutaneous xenograft tumors was greatly attenuated by Cu(sal)(phen) treatment. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the expression of survivin, Bcl-2, and Ki67 in the tumor was downregulated by Cu(sal)(phen). Toxicity experiments with BALB/c mice revealed that Cu(sal)(phen) is a relatively safe drug. Our results indicate that Cu(sal)(phen) possesses great potential as a therapeutic drug for HCC.

Co-Delivery of Ylang Ylang Oil of Cananga odorata and Oxaliplatin Using Intelligent pH-Sensitive Lipid-Based Nanovesicles for the Effective Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Smart pH-responsive niosomes loaded with either Oxaliplatin (Ox), Ylang ylang essential oil (Y-oil), or co-loaded with both compounds (Ox-Y) (Ox@NSs, Y@NSs, and Ox-Y@NSs, respectively) were formulated utilizing the thin film method. The developed nanocontainers had a spherical morphology with mean particle sizes lower than 170 nm and showed negative surface charges, high entrapment efficiencies, and a pH-dependent release over 24 h. The prepared pH-responsive niosomes' cytotoxicity was tested against the invasive triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells, compared to free OX and Y-oil. All niosomal formulations loaded with Ox and/or Y-oil significantly improved cytotoxic activity relative to their free counterparts. The Ox-Y@NSs demonstrated the lowest IC50 (0.0002 µg/mL) when compared to Ox@NSs (0.006 µg/mL) and Y@NSs (18.39 µg/mL) or unloaded Ox (0.05 µg/mL) and Y-oil (29.01 µg/mL). In addition, the percentages of the MDA-MB-231 cell population in the late apoptotic and necrotic quartiles were profoundly higher in cells treated with the smart Ox-Y@NSs (8.38% and 5.06%) than those exposed to free Ox (7.33% and 1.93%) or Y-oil (2.3% and 2.13%) treatments. Gene expression analysis and protein assays were performed to provide extra elucidation regarding the molecular mechanism by which the prepared pH-sensitive niosomes induce apoptosis. Ox-Y@NSs significantly induced the gene expression of the apoptotic markers Tp53, Bax, and Caspase-7, while downregulating the antiapoptotic Bcl2. As such, Ox-Y@NSs are shown to activate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Moreover, the protein assay ascertained the apoptotic effects of Ox-Y@NSs, generating a 4-fold increase in the relative protein quantity of the late apoptotic marker Caspase-7. Our findings suggest that combining natural essential oil with synthetic platinum-based drugs in pH-responsive nanovesicles is a promising approach to breast cancer therapy.

Anticancer Applications of Essential Oils Formulated into Lipid-Based Delivery Nanosystems

The use of natural compounds is becoming increasingly popular among patients, and there is a renewed interest among scientists in nature-based bioactive agents. Traditionally, herbal drugs can be taken directly in the form of teas/decoctions/infusions or as standardized extracts. However, the disadvantages of natural compounds, especially essential oils, are their instability, limited bioavailability, volatility, and often irritant/allergenic potential. However, these active substances can be stabilized by encapsulation and administered in the form of nanoparticles. This brief overview summarizes the latest results of the application of nanoemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers used as drug delivery systems of herbal essential oils or used directly for their individual secondary metabolites applicable in cancer therapy. Although the discussed bioactive agents are not typical compounds used as anticancer agents, after inclusion into the aforesaid formulations improving their stability and bioavailability and/or therapeutic profile, they indicated anti-tumor activity and became interesting agents with cancer treatment potential. In addition, co-encapsulation of essential oils with synthetic anticancer drugs into nanoformulations with the aim to achieve synergistic effect in chemotherapy is discussed.