Polyarginine and PEG-AEYLR comodified nanostructured lipid carrier: 10mol% uncleavable PEG-AEYLR showed no shielding effect to polyarginine in vitro while maintaining good tumor targeting in vivo

Development of an electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/collagen-based human amniotic membrane powder scaffold for culturing retinal pigment epithelial cells

The common retinal diseases are age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). They are usually associated with the dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and degeneration of underlying Bruch’s membrane. The RPE cell transplantation is the most promising therapeutic option to restore lost vision. This study aimed to construct an ultrathin porous fibrous film with properties similar to that of native Bruch’s membrane as carriers for the RPE cells. Human amniotic membrane powder (HAMP)/Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds containing different concentrations of HAMP were fabricated by electrospinning technique. The results showed that with increasing the concentration of HAMP, the diameter of fibers increased. Moreover, hydrophilicity and degradation rate were improved from 119° to 92° and 14 to 56% after 28 days immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, respectively. All scaffolds had a porosity above 85%. Proper cell adhesion was obtained one day after culture and no toxicity was observed. However, after seven days, the rate of growth and proliferation of ARPE-19 cells, a culture model of RPE, on the PCL-30HAMP scaffold (HAMP concentration in PCL 7.2% by weight) was higher compared to other scaffolds. These results indicated that PCL-30HAMP fibrous scaffold has a great potential to be used in retinal tissue engineering applications.

Development and Evaluation of 1'-Acetoxychavicol Acetate (ACA)-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Prostate Cancer Therapy

1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) extracted from the rhizomes of Alpinia conchigera Griff (Zingiberaceae) has been shown to deregulate the NF-ĸB signaling pathway and induce apoptosis-mediated cell death in many cancer types. However, ACA is a hydrophobic ester, with poor solubility in an aqueous medium, limited bioavailability, and nonspecific targeting in vivo. To address these problems, ACA was encapsulated in a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) anchored with plerixafor octahydrochloride (AMD3100) to promote targeted delivery towards C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)-expressing prostate cancer cells. The NLC was prepared using the melt and high sheer homogenization method, and it exhibited ideal physico-chemical properties, successful encapsulation and modification, and sustained rate of drug release. Furthermore, it demonstrated time-based and improved cellular uptake, and improved cytotoxic and anti-metastatic properties on PC-3 cells in vitro. Additionally, the in vivo animal tumor model revealed significant anti-tumor efficacy and reduction in pro-tumorigenic markers in comparison to the placebo, without affecting the weight and physiological states of the nude mice. Overall, ACA-loaded NLC with AMD3100 surface modification was successfully prepared with evidence of substantial anti-cancer efficacy. These results suggest the potential use of AMD3100-modified NLCs as a targeting carrier for cytotoxic drugs towards CXCR4-expressing cancer cells.

Combined using of paclitaxel and salinomycin active targeting nanostructured lipid carriers against non-small cell lung cancer and cancer stem cells

The existing of avidity cancer stem cells (CSCs) made it an optical strategy to kill cancer cells and CSCs at the same time. Here, we constructed a CSCs specific nanocarrier naming T-S-NLC using the CD133+ targeting peptide TISWPPR (TR) as the targeting moiety attached to the distal end of PEG on salinomycin (Sal) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), its pharmaceutical characteristics proved it 128.73 ± 2.09 nm, anionic spheroid with sustained release profile. It's in vitro targeting effect in CD133+ CSCs indicated that it exhibited superior CSCs internalization over non-modified NLC or free drug. Afterwards, it was used in combination with previously designed EGFR specific A-P-NLC (AEYLR peptide-PEG-modified paclitaxel loaded NLC) to achieve the goal to kill the cancer cells and CSCs, simultaneously. The in vitro tumor targeting effect of T-S-NLC + A-P-NLC was affirmed by cellular uptake and proliferation inhibition effect in NCI-H1299 and S180 cell lines showing advanced results over single preparation groups. In vivo tumor targeting effect in S180 tumor-bearing mice also validated the better tumor accumulative effect of the combined group. Last but not least, the in vivo antitumor effect strongly identified the greater tumor suppression effect of T-S-NLC + A-P-NLC than single preparation groups or combined use of free drugs while maintaining a good living state of the mice. To sum up, the combined usage of PTX and Sal active targeting NLC naming A-P-NLC + T-S-NLC which killed cancer cells and CSCs at the same time was a promising drug delivery system.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) delivery to retina: an overview of current research advancements

The intraocular administration of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been found to attenuate the photoreceptor degeneration and preserve retinal functions in the animal research models of the inherited or induced retinal disease. Studies with the aim of CNTF transfer to the posterior segment inside the eye have been directed to determine the best method for its administration. An ideal delivery method would overcome the eye drug elimination mechanisms or barriers and provide the sustained release of the CNTF into retina in the safest fashion with the minimum harm to the quality of life. This review focuses on the present state of CNTF delivery to retina, also provides an overview of available technologies and their challenges.