Prophylactic effect of topical (slow-release) and systemic curcumin nano-niosome antioxidant on oral cancer in rat

Formulation, development and evaluation of hyaluronic acid-conjugated liposomal nanoparticles loaded with regorafenib and curcumin and their in vitro evaluation on colorectal cancer cell lines

Colorectal cancer is one of the major causes of global cancer, with chemotherapy and radiation therapy being effective but limited due to low specificity. Regorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, provides hope to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and was approved by the FDA in 2012. However, due to resistance issues and adverse events, its efficacy is compromised, necessitating further refinement. Meanwhile, curcumin, a compound of turmeric, exhibits anticancer effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, induction of the apoptosis, arrest of cell cycle, inhibition of angiogenesis, and modulation of signaling pathways. Unfortunately, its clinical utility is limited by its poor bioavailability, pointing towards innovative drug delivery strategies for enhanced efficacy in colorectal cancer treatment. Hyaluronic acid (HA)-decorated liposomes (LIPO) have been developed to target colorectal cells through an overexpressed CD44 receptor, increasing antitumor and antimetastasis efficacy. This study investigates the possibility of loading curcumin (CUR) or regorafenib (REGO) into a liposomal formulation for passive and HA-actively targeted treatment, evaluating its critical quality attributes (CQA) (size, zeta potential, polydispersity index) and cytotoxic activity in the HT29 colorectal cancer cell line. The average particle size of the plain liposomes and those decorated with HA was 144.00 ± 0.78 nm and 140.77 ± 1.64 nm, respectively. In contrast, curcumin-loaded plain liposomes and HA-decorated liposomes had 140 ± 2.46 nm and 164.53 ± 15.13 nm, respectively. The prepared liposomes had a spherical shape with a narrow size distribution and an acceptable zeta potential of less than -30 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was 99.2 % ± 0.3 and 99.9 ± 0.2 % for HA-decorated and bare regorafenib loaded. The % EE was 98.9 ± 0.2 % and 97.5 ± 0.2 % for bare liposomal nanoparticles loaded with curcumin and coated with curcumin. The IC50 of free REGO, CUR, REGO-LIPO, CUR-LIPO, REGO-LIPO-HA and CUR-LIPO-HA were 20.17 ± 0.78, 64.4 ± 0.33, 224.8 ± 0.06, 49.66 ± 0.22, 73.66 ± 0.6, and 27.86 ± 0.49 µM, respectively. The MTT assay in HT29 cells showed significant cytotoxic activity of the HA-decorated liposomal formulation compared to the base uncoated formulation, indicating that hyaluronic acid-targeted liposomes loaded with regorafenib or curcumin could be a promising targeted formulation against colorectal cancer cells.

Preparation, characterization, and ex-vivo evaluation of curcumin-loaded niosomal nanoparticles on the equine sperm quality during cooled storage

Oxidative damage to sperm during cooled storage is a significant issue, and curcumin, with its antioxidant properties, could be a solution. However, its low bioavailability presents a challenge that this study aims to address. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential of curcumin-loaded niosomal nanoparticles (Cur-LNN) to enhance the antioxidant properties of curcumin and its effect on sperm quality during 72 h cooled storage. The thin-film hydration procedure was applied to prepare Cur-LNN. The fabricated noisomal nanocarriers were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the encapsulation and loading efficiency, in vitro release study, and ex-vivo antioxidant functionality of Cur-LNN on the stallion sperm preserved under cooled storage conditions were assessed. The fabricated Cur-LNN was spherical in shape and had an average particle size of 163.1 ± 1.8 nm, a zeta potential of -34.1 ± 1.9 mV, a poly-dispersity index of 0.339 ± 0.045, an encapsulation efficiency of 92.34 ± 0.18 %, and a loading efficiency of 35.57 ± 1.36 %. Ex-vivo evaluation revealed that supplementation of the semen extender with Cur-LNN has the potential to enhance sperm quality by improving total and progressive motility, plasma membrane functionality, and lipid peroxidation. These results demonstrate that Cur-LNN exhibited stronger antioxidant and protective effects than curcumin. Although further in vivo investigations are warranted, our ex-vivo results suggest that Cur-LNN has the potential to attenuate oxidative damage and can be used to fortify the antioxidant capacity of equine semen under cooled storage conditions.

Nano-Drug Delivery Systems in Oral Cancer Therapy: Recent Developments and Prospective

Oral cancer (OC), characterized by malignant tumors in the mouth, is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment for OC; however, it often leads to severe side effects on human bodies. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising solution for managing OC using nanomaterials and nanoparticles (NPs). Nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDSs) that employ various NPs as nanocarriers have been extensively developed to enhance current OC therapies by achieving controlled drug release and targeted drug delivery. Through searching and analyzing relevant research literature, it was found that certain nano-DDSs can improve the therapeutic effect of drugs by enhancing drug accumulation in tumor tissues. Furthermore, they can achieve targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs through adjustments in particle size, surface functionalization, and drug encapsulation technology of nano-DDSs. The application of nano-DDSs provides a new tool and strategy for OC therapy, offering personalized treatment options for OC patients by enhancing drug delivery, reducing toxic side effects, and improving therapeutic outcomes. However, the use of nano-DDSs in OC therapy still faces challenges such as toxicity, precise targeting, biodegradability, and satisfying drug-release kinetics. Overall, this review evaluates the potential and limitations of different nano-DDSs in OC therapy, focusing on their components, mechanisms of action, and laboratory therapeutic effects, aiming to provide insights into understanding, designing, and developing more effective and safer nano-DDSs. Future studies should focus on addressing these issues to further advance the application and development of nano-DDSs in OC therapy.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with dendrosomal curcumin and blue laser against Porphyromonas gingivalis

BACKGROUND

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the loss of tooth-supporting structures. Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the main pathogens responsible for periodontitis. Because of the limitations of antibiotic use, various alternative approaches have been developed. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy uses photosensitizers and light to eliminate pathogens. Curcumin is a promising photosensitizer, but has low bioavailability and water solubility. However, dendrosomes can efficiently encapsulate curcumin, overcoming these obstacles. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with blue laser and dendrosomal curcumin against Porphyromonas gingivalis.

METHODS

In this in vitro experiment, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of dendrosomal curcumin was determined using a serial dilution approach. Porphyromonas gingivalis suspensions were subjected to blue laser irradiation (447 nm, output power 100 mW) for 30 to 180 s. Finally, several subMIC dendrosomal curcumin concentrations and blue laser irradiation periods were applied to the bacterial suspensions. The negative control group received no therapy, whereas the positive control group was treated with 0.2% chlorhexidine. Consequently, the colony count of each group was calculated.

RESULTS

Treatment of Porphyromonas gingivalis with dendrosomal Curcumin at concentrations of 8-250 μg/mL significantly reduced bacterial growth compared to untreated group. 90 second exposure to a blue laser (31.8 J/cm2) completely inhibited the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Blue laser irradiation for 60 s (21.2 J/cm2) markedly reduced bacterial growth but did not completely prevent its survival. Photodynamic therapy using dendrosomal curcumin at concentrations of 2-4 μg/mL and irradiation for 30-90 s resulted in complete eradication of Porphyromonas gingivalis compared to controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The reduction in survival of Porphyromonas gingivalis following photodynamic therapy with dendrosomal curcumin and blue laser indicates that this technique could be a useful approach to eradicate Porphyromonas gingivalis infections.

Current appraises of therapeutic applications of nanocurcumin: A novel drug delivery approach for biomaterials in dentistry

Curcumin is a natural herb and polyphenol that is obtained from the medicinal plant Curcuma longa. It's anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and antifungal properties can be leveraged to treat a myriad of oral and systemic diseases. However, natural curcumin has weak solubility, limited bioavailability and undergoes rapid degradation, which severely limits its therapeutic potential. To overcome these drawbacks, nanocurcumin (nCur) formulations have been developed for improved biomaterial delivery and enhanced treatment outcomes. This novel biomaterial holds tremendous promise for the treatment of various oral diseases, the majority of which are caused by dental biofilm. These include dental caries, periodontal disease, root canal infection and peri-implant diseases, as well as other non-biofilm mediated oral diseases such as oral cancer and oral lichen planus. A number of in-vitro studies have demonstrated the antibacterial efficacy of nCur in various formulations against common oral pathogens such as S. mutans, P. gingivalis and E. faecalis, which are strongly associated with dental caries, periodontitis and root canal infection, respectively. In addition, some clinical studies were suggestive of the notion that nCur can indeed enhance the clinical outcomes of oral diseases such as periodontitis and oral lichen planus, but the level of evidence was very low due to the small number of studies and the methodological limitations of the available studies. The versatility of nCur to treat a diverse range of oral diseases augurs well for its future in dentistry, as reflected by rapid pace in which studies pertaining to this topic are published in the scientific literature. In order to keep abreast of the latest development of nCur in dentistry, this narrative review was undertaken. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a contemporaneous update of the chemistry, properties, mechanism of action, and scientific evidence behind the usage of nCur in dentistry.

Nanoparticle-mediated active and passive drug targeting in oral squamous cell carcinoma: current trends and advances

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an invasive and highly malignant cancer with significant morbidity and mortality. Existing treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation have poor overall survival rates and prognosis. The intended therapeutic effects of chemotherapy are limited by drug resistance, systemic toxicity and adverse effects. This review explores advances in OSCC treatment, with a focus on lipid-based platforms (solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, lipid-polymer hybrids, cubosomes), polymeric nanoparticles, self-assembling nucleoside nanoparticles, dendrimers, magnetic nanovectors, graphene oxide nanostructures, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, gene therapy, folic acid receptor targeting, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor targeting, fibroblast activation protein targeting, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor targeting, biotin receptor targeting and transferrin receptor targeting. This review also highlights oncolytic viruses as OSCC therapy candidates.

Curcumin and analogues against head and neck cancer: From drug delivery to molecular mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most life-threatening diseases which also causes economic burden worldwide. To overcome the limitations of traditional therapies, investigation into alternative adjuvant treatments is crucial.

PURPOSE

Curcumin, a turmeric-derived compound, demonstrates significant therapeutic potential in diverse diseases, including cancer. Furthermore, research focuses on curcumin analogues and novel drug delivery systems, offering approaches for improved efficacy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of curcumin's current findings, emphasizing its mechanisms of anti-HNSCC effects and potential for clinical application.

METHOD

An electronic search of Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Embase was conducted to identify literature about the application of curcumin or analogues in HNSCC. Titles and abstracts were screened to identify potentially eligible studies. Full-text articles will be obtained and independently evaluated by two authors to make the decision of inclusion in the review.

RESULTS

Curcumin's clinical application is hindered by poor bioavailability, prompting the exploration of methods to enhance it, such as curcumin analogues and novel drug delivery systems. Curcumin could exhibit anti-cancer effects by targeting cancer cells and modulating the tumor microenvironment in HNSCC. Mechanisms of action include cell cycle arrest, apoptosis promotion, reactive oxygen species induction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, attenuation of extracellular matrix degradation, and modulation of tumor metabolism in HNSCC cells. Curcumin also targets various components of the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, innate and adaptive immunity, and lymphovascular niches. Furthermore, curcumin enhances the anti-cancer effects of other drugs as adjunctive therapy. Two clinical trials report its potential clinical applications in treating HNSCC.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin has demonstrated therapeutic potential in HNSCC through in vitro and in vivo studies. Its effectiveness is attributed to its ability to modulate cancer cells and interact with the intricate tumor microenvironment. The development of curcumin analogues and novel drug delivery systems has shown promise in improving its bioavailability, thereby expanding its clinical applications. Further research and exploration in this area hold great potential for harnessing the full therapeutic benefits of curcumin in HNSCC treatment.

Therapeutic potential of curcumin and its nanoformulations for treating oral cancer

The global incidence of oral cancer has steadily increased in recent years and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Oral cancer is the most common cancer in the head and neck region, and is predominantly of epithelial origin (i.e. squamous cell carcinoma). Oral cancer treatment modalities mainly include surgery with or without radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Though proven effective, chemotherapy has significant adverse effects with possibilities of tumor resistance to anticancer drugs and recurrence. Thus, there is an imperative need to identify suitable anticancer therapies that are highly precise with minimal side effects and to make oral cancer treatment effective and safer. Among the available adjuvant therapies is curcumin, a plant polyphenol isolated from the rhizome of the turmeric plant Curcuma longa. Curcumin has been demonstrated to have anti-infectious, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. Curcumin has poor bioavailability, which has been overcome by its various analogues and nanoformulations, such as nanoparticles, liposome complexes, micelles, and phospholipid complexes. Studies have shown that the anticancer effects of curcumin are mediated by its action on multiple molecular targets, including activator protein 1, protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, mitogen-activated protein kinase, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, and EGFR downstream signaling pathways. These targets play important roles in oral cancer pathogenesis, thereby making curcumin a promising adjuvant treatment modality. This review aims to summarize the different novel formulations of curcumin and their role in the treatment of oral cancer.

Novel Strategies for the Bioavailability Augmentation and Efficacy Improvement of Natural Products in Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is emerging as a major cause of mortality globally. Oral cancer occupies a significant proportion of the head and neck, including the cheeks, tongue, and oral cavity. Conventional methods in the treatment of cancer involve surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, and these have not proven to completely eradicate cancerous cells, may lead to the reoccurrence of oral cancer, and possess numerous adverse side effects. Advancements in novel drug delivery approaches have gained popularity in cancer management with an increase in the number of cases associated with oral cancer. Natural products are potent sources for drug discovery, especially for anticancer drugs. Natural product delivery has major challenges due to its low solubility, poor absorption, inappropriate size, instability, poor permeation, and first-pass metabolism. Therefore, it is of prime importance to investigate novel treatment approaches for the delivery of bioactive natural products. Nanotechnology is an advanced method of delivering cancer therapy with minimal damage to normal cells while targeting cancer cells. Therefore, the present review elaborates on the advancements in novel strategies for natural product delivery that lead to the significant enhancement of bioavailability, in vivo activity, and fewer adverse events for the prevention and treatment of oral cancer. Various approaches to accomplish the desired results involve size reduction, surface property modification, and polymer attachment, which collectively result in the higher stability of the formulation.

Perspectives of using microRNA-loaded nanocarriers for epigenetic reprogramming of drug resistant colorectal cancers

Epigenetic regulation by microRNAs (miRs) demonstrated a promising therapeutic potential of these molecules to regulate genetic activity in different cancers, including colorectal cancers (CRCs). The RNA-based therapy does not change genetic codes in tumor cells but can silence oncogenes and/or reactivate inhibited tumor suppressor genes. In many cancers, specific miRs were shown to promote or stop tumor progression. Among confirmed and powerful epigenetic regulators of colon carcinogenesis and development of resistance are onco-miRs, which include let-7, miR-21, miR-22, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34, miR-92, miR-96, miR-125b, miR-135b, miR-182, miR-200c, miR-203, miR-221, miR-421, miR-451, and others. Moreover, various tumor-suppressor miRs (miR-15b-5b, miR-18a, miR-20b, miR-22, miR-96, miR-139-5p, miR-145, miR-149, miR-197, miR-199b, miR-203, miR-214, miR-218, miR-320, miR-375-3p, miR-409-3p, miR-450b-5p, miR-494, miR-577, miR-874, and others) were found silenced in drug-resistant CRCs. Re-expression of tumor suppressor miR is complicated by the chemical nature of miRs that are not long-lasting compounds and require protection from the enzymatic degradation. Several recent studies explored application of miRs using nanocarrier complexes. This study critically describes the most successfully tested nanoparticle complexes used for intracellular delivery of nuclear acids and miRs, including micelles, liposomes, inorganic and polymeric NPs, dendrimers, and aptamers. Nanocarriers shield incorporated miRs and improve the agent stability in circulation. Attachment of antibodies and/or specific peptide or ligands facilitates cell-targeted miR delivery. Addressing in vivo challenges, a broad spectrum of non-toxic materials has been tested and indicated reliable advantages of lipid-based (lipoplexes) and polymer-based liposomes. Recent cutting-edge developments indicated that lipid-based complexes with multiple cargo, including several miRs, are the most effective approach to eradicate drug-resistant tumors. Focusing on CRC-specific miRs, this review provides a guidance and insights towards the most promising direction to achieve dramatic reduction in tumor growth and metastasis using miR-nanocarrier complexes.