In vitro anti-inflammatory potential of phloretin microemulsion as a new formulation for prospective treatment of vaginitis

Tannic acid coated nanosuspension for oral delivery of chrysin intended for anti-schizophrenic effect in mice

Chrysin is a flavonoid drug with numerous therapeutic activities. It suffers from low intestinal absorption owing to its hydrophobicity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to exploit the efficient technique of nanosuspension (NSP) to formulate chrysin-NSP coated with tannic acid (TA) to improve the solubility and anti-schizophrenic activity of chrysin. A 23 full factorial design was constructed where the independent factors were type of polymer, surfactant concentration (0.5 or 1 %) and the aqueous phase volume (5 or 15 mL), while the dependent responses were the particle size (PS) of the obtained formulation as well as the % chrysin dissolved after 2 h (Q2h). The optimum formulation (NSP-4) composed of 1 % PEG 400 and 1 % Cremophor RH40 in 15 mL aqueous phase. It achieved a PS and Q2h values of 108.00 nm and 38.77 %, respectively. NSP-4 was then coated with TA (TA-coated NSP-4) for further enhancement of chrysin solubility. TA-coated NSP-4 revealed PS and zeta potential values of 150 ± 14 nm and -32.54 ± 2.45 mV, respectively. After 6 h, chrysin dissolved % were 53.97 and 80.22 for uncoated NSP-4 and TA-coated NSP-4, respectively, compared with only 9.47 for free chrysin. The developed formulations and free chrysin were assessed regarding their effect on schizophrenia induced in mice by cuprizone (CPZ). Treatment with the developed formulations and free chrysin ameliorated demyelination and behavioral deficit induced by CPZ via elevating MBP and PI3K/PKC activities as well as reducing GFAP expression levels. The developed formulations and free chrysin inhibited Galactin-3 and TGF-β expressions and stimulated GST antioxidant enzyme. Furthermore, they maintained the balances in glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission via modulation on neuregulin-1 and alleviated nuclear pyknosis and degeneration in the neurons. The order of activity was: TA-coated NSP-4 > NSP-4 > free chrysin.

Ferulic acid nanoemulsion as a promising anti-ulcer tool: in vitro and in vivo assessment

OBJECTIVE

Ferulic acid (FA) is a promising nutraceutical molecule which exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but it suffers from poor solubility and bioavailability. In the presented study, FA nanoemulsions were prepared to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of FA in prevention of gastric ulcer.

METHODS

FA nanoemulsions were prepared, pharmaceutically characterized, and the selected nanoemusion was tested for its ulcer-ameliorative properties in rats after induction of gastric ulcer using ethanol, by examination of stomach tissues, assessment of serum IL-1β and TNF-α, assessment of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, glutathione, catalase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in stomach homogenates, as well as histological and immunohistochemical evaluation.

RESULTS

Results revealed that the selected FA nanoemulsion showed a particle size of 90.43 nm, sustained release of FA for 8 h, and better in vitro anti-inflammatory properties than FA. Moreover, FA nanoemulsion exhibited significantly better anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in vivo, and the gastric tissue treated with FA nanoemulsion was comparable to the normal control upon histological and immunohistochemical evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that the prepared ferulic acid nanoemulsion is an ideal anti-ulcer system, which is worthy of further investigations.

Folic/lactobionic acid dual-targeted polymeric nanocapsules for potential treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that affects many patients diagnosed with hepatic cell inflammation and liver cirrhosis. Targeted polymeric nanocapsules could facilitate the internalization and accumulation of anticancer drugs. Dual-targeted folic acid/lactobionic acid-poly lactic co-glycolic acid nanocapsules (NCs) were prepared and loaded with pterostilbene (PTN) and characterized for their physicochemical properties, as well as in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity. NCs displayed a size of 222 nm, zeta potential of - 16.5 mV, and sustained release for 48 h. The IC50 of PTN NCs (5.87 ± 0.8 µg/mL) was 20 times lower than unencapsulated PTN (121.26 ± 9.42 µg/mL) on HepG2 liver cancer cells owing to the enhanced cellular uptake of the former, as delineated by flow cytometry. In vivo study on HCC-induced animals delineated the superiority of the dual-targeted NCs over the unencapsulated PTN, which significantly reduced the liver markers ALT, AST, and ALP, as well as the tumor-related markers AFP and Bcl2, and elevated the anti-apoptotic marker caspase 3. Furthermore, the NCs significantly reduced the oxidative stress and exhibited almost comparable histological features to the normal group. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dual-ligated folic acid/lactobionic acid nanocapsules can be considered a promising potential treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A comprehensive review on lipid nanocarrier systems for cancer treatment: fabrication, future prospects and clinical trials

Over the last few decades, cancer has been considered a clinical challenge, being among the leading causes of mortality all over the world. Although many treatment approaches have been developed for cancer, chemotherapy is still the most utilized in the clinical setting. However, the available chemotherapeutics-based treatments have several caveats including their lack of specificity, adverse effects as well as cancer relapse and metastasis which mainly explains the low survival rate of patients. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been utilized as promising nanocarrier systems for chemotherapeutics to overcome the challenges of the currently applied therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Loading chemotherapeutic agent(s) into LNPs improves drug delivery at different aspects including specific targeting of tumours, and enhancing the bioavailability of drugs at the tumour site through selective release of their payload, thus reducing their undesired side effects on healthy cells. This review article delineates an overview of the clinical challenges in many cancer treatments as well as depicts the role of LNPs in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, the review contains a comprehensive description of the many LNPs categories used as nanocarriers in cancer treatment to date, as well as the potential of LNPs for future applications in other areas of medicine and research.

Gastroprotective Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with Oleuropein: An In Vivo Proof of Concept

Oleuropein is the main constituent of olive leaf extract, and it has shown antioxidant and gastroprotective properties against gastric ulcers. Chitosan nanoparticles are known for their mucoadhesive abilities, and consequently, they can increase the retention time of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, loading oleuropein onto chitosan nanoparticles is expected to enhance its biological efficiency. Oleuropein-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and characterized for particle size, surface charge, in vitro release, and anti-inflammatory activity. Their in vivo efficacy was assessed by measuring specific inflammatory and protective biomarkers, along with histopathological examination. The optimum oleuropein chitosan nanoparticles were cationic, had a size of 174.3 ± 2.4 nm and an entrapment efficiency of 92.81%, and released 70% of oleuropein within 8 h. They recorded a lower IC50 in comparison to oleuropein solutions for membrane stabilization of RBCs (22.6 vs. 25.6 µg/mL) and lipoxygenase inhibition (7.17 vs. 15.6 µg/mL). In an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in vivo model, they decreased IL-1β, TNF-α, and TBARS levels by 2.1, 1.7, and 1.3 fold, respectively, in comparison to increments caused by exposure to ethanol. Moreover, they increased prostaglandin E2 and catalase enzyme levels by 2.4 and 3.8 fold, respectively. Immunohistochemical examination showed that oleuropein chitosan nanoparticles markedly lowered the expression of IL-6 and caspase-3 in gastric tissues in comparison to oleuropein solution. Overall, oleuropein chitosan nanoparticles showed superior gastroprotective effects to oleuropein solution since comparable effects were demonstrated at a 12-fold lower drug dose, delineating that chitosan nanoparticles indeed enhanced the potency of oleuropein as a gastroprotective agent.

Novel anti-psoriatic nanostructured lipid carriers for the cutaneous delivery of luteolin: A comprehensive in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation

Psoriasis is a prevalent laborious inflammation in skin with alternate phases of remission and relapses. The current study sought to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) having enhanced skin deposition as well as augmented anti-inflammatory potential, to repurpose the use of luteolin (Lut), a flavonoid, in the treatment of psoriasis. NLCs were prepared using different oils having reported anti-inflammatory activity and evaluated in terms of size, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, stability upon storage, in-vitro anti-inflammatory potential, surface morphology, in-vitro release profile and release kinetics, and ex-vivo skin deposition. In-vivo animal studies were conducted on the optimized formula using imiquimod-induced psoriasis rat model. The prepared NLCs were nanosized ranging from 202 to 538 nm, negatively charged with values having the range of -13.10 to -19.26 mV with high entrapment efficiency values ranging from 84.21 to 96.53% and high in-vitro anti-inflammatory potential compared to the blank and control formulations. Furthermore, NLCs demonstrated adequate storage stability demonstrated by slightly significant change in their colloidal properties. The prepared nanoparticles exhibited sustained drug release up to 24 h and succeeded in enhancing the skin deposition of Lut by 3.4-fold higher in stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis compared to Lut suspension with minimum transdermal delivery. In-vivo assessment of psoriasis was carried out morphologically, histopathologically and biochemically and results revealed significant augmentation of the anti-psoriatic efficacy of Lut upon its encapsulation in NLCs compared to free Lut suspension. The developed system proved to be an influential drug delivery system providing potent anti-psoriatic therapy, paving the way for futuristic clinical investigations.

The Molecular Pharmacology of Phloretin: Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Action

The isolation of phlorizin from the bark of an apple tree in 1835 led to a flurry of research on its inhibitory effect on glucose transporters in the intestine and kidney. Using phlorizin as a prototype drug, antidiabetic agents with more selective inhibitory activity towards glucose transport at the kidney have subsequently been developed. In contrast, its hydrolysis product in the body, phloretin, which is also found in the apple plant, has weak antidiabetic properties. Phloretin, however, displays a range of pharmacological effects including antibacterial, anticancer, and cellular and organ protective properties both in vitro and in vivo. In this communication, the molecular basis of its anti-inflammatory mechanisms that attribute to its pharmacological effects is scrutinised. These include inhibiting the signalling pathways of inflammatory mediators' expression that support its suppressive effect in immune cells overactivation, obesity-induced inflammation, arthritis, endothelial, myocardial, hepatic, renal and lung injury, and inflammation in the gut, skin, and nervous system, among others.

Intranasal ondansetron microemulsion counteracting the adverse effects of cisplatin: animal study

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin is considered one of the most effective and commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs, but despite its high therapeutic effectiveness, most patients treated with cisplatin suffer from nausea and vomiting, neurotoxic side effects, and cerebral psychiatric disorders such as depression. Therefore, the aim of the current work was to explore whether a selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist (Ondansetron) administered via the oral route or intranasally in microemulsion form would alleviate cisplatin's adverse effects.

METHODS

The selected ondansetron microemulsion was characterized in vitro for particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, morphology, and nasal permeation, and in vivo in terms of anti-emetic and antidepressant activity, with the assessment of biochemical markers in brain homogenates.

RESULTS

Results revealed that both orally administered ondansetron and intranasally administered microemulsion were able to counteract the pica effect by increasing food consumption, water intake, and decreasing kaolin intake. They were also able to increase BDNF, normalize IL-6, increase serotonin, and normalize NOx, MDA, GSSH/GSH as well as 8OHdG levels in rats' brain homogenates. The intranasal ondansetron microemulsion displayed superiority compared to oral conventional ondansetron in terms of increasing food intake, reduction of stomach content, and normalization of serotonin turnover.

CONCLUSION

Ondansetron microemulsion can be administered by an alternative route of administration (intranasal) rather than oral, for patients on cisplatin chemotherapy.

Protective Effect of Phloretin against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage by Enhancing Autophagic Flux in DF-1 Cells

Phloretin (PHL) is a dihydrochalcone flavonoid isolated from the peel and root bark of apples, strawberries, and other plants with antioxidative characteristic. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect and the potential mechanism of PHL on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage in DF-1 cells. The results showed that PHL exhibited no cytotoxic effect on DF-1 cells at concentration below 20 μM. PHL markedly increased H₂O₂-reduced cell viability, decreased H₂O₂-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by reduced apoptosis rate, the upregulation of gene and protein level of Bcl-2, and the downregulation of gene and protein level of Bax and Cleaved caspase3. In addition, PHL reduced H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and restored antioxidant enzymes activities as well as mitochondrial membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PHL prior to H₂O₂ further increased LC3-II level, promoted p62 turnover and improved lysosomal function. Importantly, autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) reversed the protective effect of PHL, and increased H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, PHL inhibited the phosphorylation levels of ERK, p38, and JNK. Collectively, these results indicate that PHL could attenuate H₂O₂-induced oxidative injury and apoptosis by maintaining lysosomal function and promoting autophagic flux, and MAPKs pathway may be involved in this process. Our study provides evidence that PHL could as a new strategy to against oxidative damage in poultry industry.

Decrypting the Potential of Nanotechnology-Based Approaches as Cutting-Edge for Management of Hyperpigmentation Disorder

The abundant synthesis and accretion of melanin inside skin can be caused by activation of melanogenic enzymes or increase in number of melanocytes. Melasma is defined as hyperpigmented bright or dark brown spots which are symmetrically distributed and have serrated and irregular borders. The three general categories of pigmentation pattern include centro facial pattern, malar pattern, and mandibular pattern. Exposure to UV rays, heat, use of cosmetics and photosensitizing drugs, female sex hormonal therapies, aberrant production of melanocyte stimulating hormone, and increasing aesthetic demands are factors which cause the development of melasma disease. This review gives a brief overview regarding the Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification system, life cycle of melanin, mechanism of action of anti-hyperpigmenting drugs, and existing pharmacotherapy strategies for the treatment of melasma. The objectives of this review are focused on role of cutting-edge nanotechnology-based strategies, such as lipid-based nanocarriers, i.e., lipid nanoparticles, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, liposomes, ethosomes, niosomes, transfersomes, aspasomes, invasomes penetration-enhancing vesicles; inorganic nanocarriers, i.e., gold nanoparticles and fullerenes; and polymer-based nanocarriers i.e., polymeric nanoparticles, polymerosomes, and polymeric micelles for the management of hyperpigmentation.

Phloretin, as a Potent Anticancer Compound: From Chemistry to Cellular Interactions

Phloretin is a natural dihydrochalcone found in many fruits and vegetables, especially in apple tree leaves and the Manchurian apricots, exhibiting several therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. In this review article, the diverse aspects of the anticancer potential of phloretin are addressed, presenting its antiproliferative, proapoptotic, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenic activities in many different preclinical cancer models. The fact that phloretin is a planar lipophilic polyphenol and, thus, a membrane-disrupting Pan-Assay Interference compound (PAIN) compromises the validity of the cell-based anticancer activities. Phloretin significantly reduces membrane dipole potential and, therefore, is expected to be able to activate a number of cellular signaling pathways in a non-specific way. In this way, the effects of this minor flavonoid on Bax and Bcl-2 proteins, caspases and MMPs, cytokines, and inflammatory enzymes are all analyzed in the current review. Moreover, besides the anticancer activities exerted by phloretin alone, its co-effects with conventional anticancer drugs are also under discussion. Therefore, this review presents a thorough overview of the preclinical anticancer potential of phloretin, allowing one to take the next steps in the development of novel drug candidates and move on to clinical trials.

Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Development of a Multitargeted Flavonoid Phloretin

Phloretin is a flavonoid of the dihydrogen chalcone class, present abundantly in apples and strawberries. The beneficial effects of phloretin are mainly associated with its potent antioxidant properties. Phloretin modulates several signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms to exhibit therapeutic benefits against various diseases including cancers, diabetes, liver injury, kidney injury, encephalomyelitis, ulcerative colitis, asthma, arthritis, and cognitive impairment. It ameliorates the complications associated with diabetes such as cardiomyopathy, hypertension, depression, memory impairment, delayed wound healing, and peripheral neuropathy. It is effective against various microbial infections including Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Considering the therapeutic benefits, it generated interest for the pharmaceutical development. However, poor oral bioavailability is the major drawback. Therefore, efforts have been undertaken to enhance its bioavailability by modifying physicochemical properties and molecular structure, and developing nanoformulations. In the present review, we discussed the pharmacological actions, underlying mechanisms and molecular targets of phloretin. Moreover, the review provides insights into physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics, and approaches to promote the pharmaceutical development of phloretin for its therapeutic applications in the future. Although convincing experimental data are reported, human studies are not available. In order to ascertain its safety, further preclinical studies are needed to encourage its pharmaceutical and clinical development.

Emulsion-Based Multicompartment Vaginal Drug Carriers: From Nanoemulsions to Nanoemulgels

In order to overcome the limitations associated with vaginal administration of drugs, e.g., the short contact time of the drug form with the mucosa or continuous carrier wash-out, the development of new carriers for gynecological use is necessary. Furthermore, high individual anatomical and physiological variability resulting in unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy of lipophilic active substances requires application of multicompartment drug delivery systems. This manuscript provides an up-to-date comprehensive review of the literature on emulsion-based vaginal dosage forms (EVDF) including macroemulsions, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, multiple emulsions and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems. The first part of the paper discusses (i) the influence of anatomical-physiological conditions on therapeutic efficacy of drug forms after local and systemic administration, (ii) characterization of EVDF components and the manufacturing techniques of these dosage forms and (iii) methods used to evaluate the physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties of emulsion-based vaginal dosage forms. The second part of the paper presents (iv) the results of biological and in vivo studies as well as (v) clinical evaluation of EVDF safety and therapeutic efficacy across different indications.

Recent Advances in Nanomaterials for Dermal and Transdermal Applications

The stratum corneum, the most superficial layer of the skin, protects the body against environmental hazards and presents a highly selective barrier for the passage of drugs and cosmetic products deeper into the skin and across the skin. Nanomaterials can effectively increase the permeation of active molecules across the stratum corneum and enable their penetration into deeper skin layers, often by interacting with the skin and creating the distinct sites with elevated local concentration, acting as reservoirs. The flux of the molecules from these reservoirs can be either limited to the underlying skin layers (for topical drug and cosmeceutical delivery) or extended across all the sublayers of the epidermis to the blood vessels of the dermis (for transdermal delivery). The type of the nanocarrier and the physicochemical nature of the active substance are among the factors that determine the final skin permeation pattern and the stability of the penetrant in the cutaneous environment. The most widely employed types of nanomaterials for dermal and transdermal applications include solid lipid nanoparticles, nanovesicular carriers, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles. The recent advances in the area of nanomaterial-assisted dermal and transdermal delivery are highlighted in this review.

Biological and Pharmacological Characterization of Ascorbic Acid and Nicotinamide Chitosan Nanoparticles against Insulin-Resistance-Induced Cognitive Defects: A Comparative Study

High consumption of industrialized food with high fat content is generally associated with insulin resistance, which in turn causes memory impairment and cognitive decline. Nicotinamide and ascorbic acid are among the promising neuroprotective molecules; however, an appreciable therapeutic activity necessitates the administration of a large dose of either. Therefore, the study aimed to assess if loading them in chitosan nanoparticles in doses 5-10 times lower than the unencapsulated forms would achieve comparable therapeutic results. Animals were fed a high-fat-high-fructose (HFHF) diet for 75 days. The vitamins in their conventional form (100 mg/kg) and the nanoparticles under investigation (10 and 20 mg/kg) were given orally concomitantly with the diet in the last 15 days. The intake of HFHF diet for 75 days led to an insulin-resistant state, with memory impairment, which was verified behaviorally through the object recognition test. This was accompanied by significant reduction in brain insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), increased acetylcholine esterase activity, increase in the serotonin and dopamine turnover ratio, and increase in oxidative stress and 8-OHdG, indicating cellular DNA fragmentation. Cellular energy was also decreased, and immunohistochemical examination verified the high immunoreactivity in both the cortex and hippocampus of the brain. The administration of nanoparticulated nicotinamide or ascorbic acid with a 10 times lesser dose than the unencapsulated forms managed to reverse all aforementioned harmful effects, with an even lesser immunoreactivity score than the unencapsulated form. Therefore, it can be concluded that nicotinamide or ascorbic acid chitosan nanoparticles can be recommended as daily supplements for neuroprotection in patients suffering from insulin resistance after conduction of clinical investigations.