Preparation, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of liposomes containing Brucea javanica oil

Intraperitoneal administration of doxorubicin-encapsulated Brucea javanica oil nanoemulsion against malignant ascites

Malignant ascites is a common complication of advanced cancers, which reduces survival rates and diminishes patients' quality of life. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a conventional method for treating cancer-related ascites, but the poor drug retention of conventional drugs requires frequent administration to maintain sustained anti-tumor effects. In this study, we encapsulated doxorubicin (DOX) into Brucea javanica oil (BJO) to develop a water-in-oil (W/O) nanoemulsion called BJO@DOX for the treatment of malignant ascites through in-situ intraperitoneal administration. BJO significantly induced apoptosis of S180 cells by upregulating the expression of p53 and caspase-3 (cleaved). Additionally, BJO notably downregulated the expression of Bcl-2, further promoting apoptosis of S180 cells. Cell apoptosis significantly inhibited ascites formation and tumor cell proliferation in a mouse model. The combination of DOX and BJO exhibited satisfactory synergistic effects, consequently prolonging the survival period of mice. Histological examination of major organs indicated that the nanoemulsion had excellent biosafety in vivo. The BJO@DOX nanoemulsion represents a promising platform for in-situ chemotherapy of malignant ascites.

A review of Brucea javanica: metabolites, pharmacology and clinical application

This review examines advances in the metabolites, pharmacological research, and therapeutic applications of the medicinal fruit of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. Brucea javanica (BJ) is derived from the fruit of the Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. There are nearly 200 metabolites present in BJ, and due to the diversity of its metabolites, BJ has a wide range of pharmacological effects. The traditional pharmacological effects of BJ include anti-dysentery, anti-malaria, etc. The research investigating the contemporary pharmacological impacts of BJ mainly focuses on its anti-tumor properties. In the article, the strong monomeric metabolites among these pharmacological effects were preliminarily screened. Regarding the pharmacological mechanism of action, current research has initially explored BJ's pharmacological agent and molecular signaling pathways. However, a comprehensive system has yet to be established. BJ preparations have been utilized in clinical settings and have demonstrated effectiveness. Nevertheless, clinical research is primarily limited to observational studies, and there is a need for higher-quality research evidence to support its clinical application. There are still many difficulties and obstacles in studying BJ. However, it is indisputable that BJ is a botanical drugs with significant potential for application, and it is expected to have broader global usage.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Primary Liver Cancer Therapy: Perspectives and Challenges

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most common solid malignancies. However, PLC drug development has been slow, and first-line treatments are still needed; thus, studies exploring and developing alternative strategies for effective PLC treatment are urgently needed. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has long been applied in the clinic due to its advantages of low toxicity and targeting of multiple factors and pathways, and it has great potential for the development of novel natural drugs against PLC.

Purpose: This review aims to provide an update on the pharmacological mechanisms of Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) and the latest CHM-derived compounds for the treatment of PLC and relevant clinical evaluations.

Materials and Methods: A systematic search of English literature databases, Chinese literature, the Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry for studies of CHMs for PLC treatment was performed.

Results: In this review, we summarize the clinical trials and mechanisms of CPMs for PLC treatment that have entered the clinic with the approval of the Chinese medicine regulatory authority. These CPMs included Huaier granules, Ganfule granules, Fufang Banmao capsules, Jinlong capsules, Brucea javanica oil emulsions, and compound kushen injections. We also summarize the latest in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies of CHM-derived compounds against PLC: icaritin and ginsenoside Rg3. Dilemmas facing the development of CHMs, such as drug toxicity and low oral availability, and future developments are also discussed.

Conclusion: This review provides a deeper the understanding of CHMs as PLC treatments and provides ideas for the development of new natural drugs against PLC.

Brusatol has therapeutic efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting Skp1 to inhibit cancer growth and metastasis

Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein (SCF) ubiquitin E3 ligases play important roles in cancer development and serve as a promising therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Brusatol (Bru), a known Nrf2 inhibitor, holds promise for treating a wide range of tumors; however, the direct targets of Bru and its anticancer mode of action remain unclear. In our study, 793 Bru-binding candidate proteins were identified by using a biotin-brusatol conjugate (Bio-Bru) followed by streptavidin-affinity pull down-based mass spectrometry. We found that Bru can directly bind to Skp1 and disrupt the interactions of Skp1 with the F-box protein Skp2, leading to the inhibition of the Skp2-SCF E3 ligase. Bru inhibited both proliferation and migration via promoting the accumulation of the substrates p27 and E-cadherin; Skp1 overexpression attenuated while Skp1 knockdown enhanced these effects of Bru in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Moreover, Bru binding to Skp1 also inhibited the β-TRCP-SCF E3 ligase. In both subcutaneous and orthotopic NSCLC xenografts, Bru significantly inhibited the growth and metastasis of NSCLC through targeting SCF complex and upregulating p27 and E-cadherin protein levels. These data demonstrate that Bru is a Skp1-targeting agent that may have therapeutic potentials in lung cancer.

Anti-inflammatory effects of brucea javanica oil via inhibition of NF-κB activation

OBJECTIVE

As a traditional herbal medicine extracted from the seeds of Brucea javanica, Brucea javanica oil (BJO) has been clinically used to treat wart, chronic gastroenteritis and a variety of malignant tumors, including gastrointestinal cancer and lung cancer. We have recently reported the anti-tumor role and possible molecular mechanisms of BJO in treatment of lung cancer. However, it remains elusive whether BJO also has an anti-inflammatory effect.

METHODS

The pneumonia-related inflammatory factors of macrophages under LPS treatment were investigated by real-time PCR and ELISA assays. LPS-induced acute pneumonia rat model was established. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) examination was performed to detect histopathological changes in the lung tissues. Real-time PCR and ELISA assays were also used to detect the pneumonia-related inflammatory factors in lung tissues.

RESULTS

LPS-induced expression and secretion of pneumonia-related inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) were significantly suppressed by BJO in a concentration-dependent manner in RAW264.7 cells. However, BJO did not affect cell proliferation and survival rate. Further mechanistic studies revealed that BJO down-regulated the phosphorylation of IκB and p65, thereby inhibiting NF-κB pathway of macrophages and exerting its anti-inflammatory function. Western blot analysis showed that the phosphorylation levels of IκB and p65 were significantly up-regulated while the protein level of IκB was inhibited upon LPS stimulation in RAW264.7 cells and in lung tissue. Notably, LPS stimulation levels of IκB and p65 were effectively reversed under BJO co-treatment. The expression level of p65 was not influenced by LPS and BJO treatment. HE staining results showed that BJO can reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung.

CONCLUSION

BJO can reduce the level of inflammatory factors in lung tissue, which provides a theoretical basis for BJO emulsion as an adjuvant therapy for pneumonia.

Recent Advances in pH- or/and Photo-Responsive Nanovehicles

The combination of nanotechnology and chemotherapy has resulted in more effective drug design via the development of nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) for tumor targeting. Stimulus-responsive DDSs in response to internal or external signals can offer precisely controlled delivery of preloaded therapeutics. Among the various DDSs, the photo-triggered system improves the efficacy and safety of treatment through spatiotemporal manipulation of light. Additionally, pH-induced delivery is one of the most widely studied strategies for targeting the acidic micro-environment of solid tumors. Accordingly, in this review, we discuss representative strategies for designing DDSs using light as an exogenous signal or pH as an endogenous trigger.

Plant oils: From chemical composition to encapsulated form use

The last decade has witnessed a burgeoning global movement towards essential and vegetable oils in the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and textile industries thanks to their natural and safe status, broad acceptance by consumers, and versatile functional properties. However, efforts to develop new therapy or functional agents based on plant oils have met with challenges of limited stability and/or reduced efficacy. As a result, there has been increased research interest in the encapsulation of plant oils, whereby the nanocarriers serve as barrier between plant oils and the environment and control oil release leading to improved efficacy, reduced toxicity and enhanced patient compliance and convenience. In this review, special concern has been addressed to the encapsulation of essential and vegetable oils in three types of nanocarriers: polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles. First, the chemical composition of essential and vegetable oils was handled. Moreover, we gather together the research findings reported by the literature regarding the different techniques used to generate these nanocarriers with their significant findings. Finally, differences and similarities between these nanocarriers are discussed, along with current and future applications that are warranted by their structures and properties.

The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of Brucea javanica oil in ascitic tumor-bearing mice: The detection of brusatol and its role

Brucea javanica oil (BJO), one of the main products of Brucea javanica, has been widely used in treating different kinds of malignant tumors. Quassinoids are the major category of anticancer phytochemicals of B. javanica. However, current researches on the anti-cancer effect of BJO mainly focused on oleic acid and linoleic acid, the common major components of dietary edible oils, essential and characteristic components of B. javanica like quassinoids potentially involved remained unexplored. In the current investigation, we developed an efficient HPLC method to detect brusatol, a characteristic quassinoid, and comparatively scrutinized the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (anti-HCC) effect of BJO, brusatol-free BJO (BF-BJO), and brusatol-enriched BJO (BE-BJO) against hepatoma 22 (H22) in mice. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to identify the components in BJO. BE-BJO was extracted with 95 % ethanol. The anti-tumor effect of BJO, BF-BJO and BE-BJO was comparatively investigated, and the potential underlying mechanism was explored in H22 ascites tumor-bearing mice. The results indicated that BJO and BE-BJO significantly prolonged the survival time of H22 ascites tumor-bearing mice, while BF-BJO exhibited no obvious effect. BJO and BE-BJO exhibited pronounced anti-HCC activity by suppressing the growth of implanted hepatoma H22 in mice, including ascending weight, abdominal circumference, ascites volume and cancer cell viability, with a relatively wide margin of safety. BJO and BE-BJO significantly induced H22 cell apoptosis by upregulating the miRNA-29b gene level and p53 expression. Furthermore, BJO and BE-BJO treatment substantially downregulated Bcl-2 and mitochondrial Cytochrome C protein expression, and upregulated expression levels of Bax, Bad, cytosol Cytochrome C, caspase-3 (cleaved), caspase‑9 (cleaved), PARP and PARP (cleaved) to induce H22 cells apoptosis. Brusatol was detected in BJO and found to be one of its major active anti-HCC components, rather than fatty acids including oleic acid and linoleic acid. The anti-HCC effect of BJO and BE-BJO was intimately associated with the activation of miRNA-29b, p53-associated apoptosis and mitochondrial-related pathways. Our study gained novel insight into the material basis of BJO in the treatment of HCC, and laid a foundation for a novel specific standard for the quality evaluation of BJO and its commercial products in terms of its anti-cancer application.

Medicinal Activities and Nanomedicine Delivery Strategies for Brucea javanica Oil and Its Molecular Components

Brucea javanica oil (BJO) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various types of cancer and inflammatory diseases. There is significant interest in understanding the medicinal activities of BJO and its molecular components, especially quassinoids, and in exploring how they can be incorporated into nanomedicine delivery strategies for improved application prospects. Herein, we cover the latest progress in developing different classes of drug delivery vehicles, including nanoemulsions, liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, and spongosomes, to encapsulate BJO and purified quassinoids. An introduction to the composition and medicinal activities of BJO and its molecular components, including quassinoids and fatty acids, is first provided. Application examples involving each type of drug delivery vehicle are then critically presented. Future opportunities for nanomedicine delivery strategies in the field are also discussed and considered within the context of translational medicine needs and drug development processes.

The Impact of Javanica Oil Emulsion Injection on Chemotherapy Efficacy and Cellular Immune Indicators in Patients with Advanced NSCLC: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Javanica oil emulsion injection (JOI) combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Electronic databases including EMBASE, PUBMED, the Cochrane library, and Chinese Biological Medical disc (CBM) were searched until May 2018. The clinical trials reporting efficacy and immune function of JOI combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stata 11 and RevMan 5.3 were used for meta-analysis.

Results

Twenty-four studies involving 2089 cases were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that there were significant differences in objective response rate (risk ratio (RR) = 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.29; P < 0.05), improvement in Karnofsky Performance Status (standard mean difference (SMD) = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.41–1.77; P < 0.01), incidence of adverse events (RR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.7–0.87; P < 0.05), percentage changes of CD₃⁺ cells (SMD = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.49–2.50; P < 0.01), CD₄⁺ cells (SMD = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.2–1.9; P < 0.01), natural killer cells (SMD = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.15–2.82; P < 0.01), but not CD₈⁺ (SMD = −1.44; 95% CI: −4.53–1.65; P=0.36), and value of CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ (SMD = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.28–0.36; P < 0.01) between the JOI combination group and control group. Funnel plot and Begg's and Egger's analysis indicated that there was no significant publication bias (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

JOI may be effective to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients, accompanied with better levels of immune cells.

Potential of Fatty Oils from Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Therapy: A Review for Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Studies

Cancer management is a worldwide challenge. In addition to effective cancer therapies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and combined TCM with western medicine has gradually gained attention in Oriental countries. One potential TCM approach using extracted fatty oils, containing fatty acids which are important active ingredients with a variety of pharmacological activities, makes significant contributions to cancer treatment. The strategies of treating cancer with the fatty oils of TCM were classified into “Fuzheng”, which usually associates with improving immunity, represented by coix seed oil. The other classification is “Quxie”, which relates to inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, and is represented by Brucea javanica oil. Compared with other active substances, the literature about anticancer fatty oils is relatively limited, and most of them focus on the composition and other biological activities without a systematic review. Therefore, based on the theories of “Fuzheng” and “Quxie” in TCM, in this paper, the anticancer effects of fatty oils have been reviewed. The chemical composition, anticancer mechanism, listed drugs, studying dosage form and clinical application of fatty oils have also been discussed. In summary, since there are different types and abundance of fatty oils among botanicals, anticancer effects of fatty oils can be achieved through two TCM theory-based strategies. We hoped that this review paper can reveal the anticancer potential of fatty oils and provide a reference for future related studies.

Therapeutic effect of Brucea javanica oil emulsion on experimental Crohn's disease in rats: Involvement of TLR4/ NF-κB signaling pathway

Brucea javanica is an important Chinese folk medicine traditionally used for the treatment of dysentery (also known as inflammatory bowel diseases). Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE), the most common preparation of Brucea javanica, has a variety of pharmacological activities. In this follow-up investigation, we endeavored to illuminate the potential benefit of BJOE on 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced Crohn's disease (CD) in rats and decipher the mechanism of action. The result illustrated that BJOE treatment significantly reduced the body weight loss, disease activity index and macroscopic scores, ameliorated shortening of colon length, arrested colonic histopathological deteriorations, lowered the histological scores in parallel to the model group. Furthermore, BJOE also decreased the levels of MPO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and IFN-γ), and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β) as compared with the model group. In addition, the elevated mRNA expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and RAGE induced by TNBS was remarkably inhibited by BJOE, SASP or AZA treatments, while the mRNA expression of PPAR-γ was significantly enhanced. Furthermore, the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was significantly inhibited by AZA and BJOE treatment when compared with that of TNBS-treated rats. Our study suggested that BJOE exerted superior therapeutic effect to SASP and AZA in treating TNBS-induced colitis in rats. The protective effect of BJOE may involve the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses. These results indicated that BJOE held promising potential to be further developed into a novel candidate for the treatment of CD.

Enhanced gastric therapeutic effects of Brucea javanica oil and its gastroretentive drug delivery system compared to commercial products in pharmacokinetics study

Background

Brucea javanica oil (BJO), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has a variety of pharmacological activities and several BJO-related patent drugs have been widely used in China.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the gastric therapeutic effects of self-made BJO and its pharmaceutical potential to formulate novel BJO gastroretentive floating bead by comparing with commercial products.

Methods

BJO was extracted from the seeds of B. javanica, and its therapeutic effects were evaluated by comparing with commercial products in the treatment of human gastric cancer and gastric ulcer. Furthermore, the developed gastroretentive drug delivery system was evaluated by in vivo tests. A high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for detecting the concentration of glycerol trioleate in the pharma-cokinetic study was applied.

Results

The antitumor activity of BJO was stronger than that of the marketed preparation; the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of BJO extracts on HGC27, SGC7901 and BGC823 gastric carcinoma were 0.3091, 1.736 and 2.743 μg/mL, respectively, whereas the values of marked BJO preparation were 15.26, 32.60 and 7.456 μg/mL, respectively. Histopathological studies demonstrated the ability of BJO to locally prevent and treat absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. Developed BJO gastroretentive floating bead showed a satisfactory in vivo study. The highest glycerol trioleate concentration in the stomach after taking BJO gastroretentive floating bead was nearly two times higher when compared to the marketed BJO soft capsule.

Conclusion

Self-made BJO has a strong therapeutic effect on the stomach, and gastroretentive drug delivery system can be a promising approach to prolong and enhance its therapy ability when treating gastric diseases.

Advancements and Challenges in Multidomain Multicargo Delivery Vehicles

Reparative and regenerative processes are well-orchestrated temporal and spatial events that are governed by multiple cells, molecules, signaling pathways, and interactions thereof. Yet again, currently available implantable devices fail largely to recapitulate nature's complexity and sophistication in this regard. Herein, success stories and challenges in the field of layer-by-layer, composite, self-assembly, and core-shell technologies are discussed for the development of multidomain/multicargo delivery vehicles.

Activity of Brucea javanica oil emulsion against gastric ulcers in rodents

The present study aims to investigate the gastroprotective effect of Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE) in animals. Gastroprotective potential of BJOE was studied on absolute ethanol, aspirin, reserpine and restraint plus water immersion-induced gastric ulcers in mice as well as glacial acetic acid (GAA) and pyloric ligation (PL)-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Except for ulcer scores, total acidity as well as pepsin activity as for the PL-induced gastric ulcer model and ulcer incidence as for the GAA-induced gastric ulcer model were also determined. Histopathological evaluation as for aspirin, reserpine, PL-induced models was conducted. Results showed that BJOE significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ulcer index in the mouse and rat models in a dose-dependent manner. It had significant (P < 0.05) suppressive effect on total activity of gastric juice as well in PL-induced model. Histopathological examination for the stomach samples confirmed the findings in the aspirin, reserpine or PL-induced gastric lesion models, which showed relatively complete mucosa structure and less inflammation. It is concluded that BJOE could be effective on gastric ulcer in rodents and its gastroprotective activity might be related to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory ability and promote gastric mucus secreted. The results may provide beneficial basis for increasing BJOE's clinical indication in future.

Advances in structural design of lipid-based nanoparticle carriers for delivery of macromolecular drugs, phytochemicals and anti-tumor agents

The present work highlights recent achievements in development of nanostructured dispersions and biocolloids for drug delivery applications. We emphasize the key role of biological small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) investigations for the nanomedicine design. A focus is given on controlled encapsulation of small molecular weight phytochemical drugs in lipid-based nanocarriers as well as on encapsulation of macromolecular siRNA, plasmid DNA, peptide and protein pharmaceuticals in nanostructured nanoparticles that may provide efficient intracellular delivery and triggered drug release. Selected examples of utilisation of the BioSAXS method for characterization of various types of liquid crystalline nanoorganizations (liposome, spongosome, cubosome, hexosome, and nanostructured lipid carriers) are discussed in view of the successful encapsulation and protection of phytochemicals and therapeutic biomolecules in the hydrophobic or the hydrophilic compartments of the nanocarriers. We conclude that the structural design of the nanoparticulate carriers is of crucial importance for the therapeutic outcome and the triggered drug release from biocolloids.

Oleic acid induces apoptosis and autophagy in the treatment of Tongue Squamous cell carcinomas

Oleic acid (OA), a main ingredient of Brucea javanica oil (BJO), is widely known to have anticancer effects in many tumors. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect of OA and its mechanism in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). We found that OA effectively inhibited TSCC cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. OA treatment in TSCC significantly induced cell cycle G0/G1 arrest, increased the proportion of apoptotic cells, decreased the expression of CyclinD1 and Bcl-2, and increased the expression of p53 and cleaved caspase-3. OA also obviously induced the formation of autolysosomes and decreased the expression of p62 and the ratio of LC3 I/LC3 II. The expression of p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-S6K, p-4E-BP1 and p-ERK1/2 was significantly decreased in TSCC cells after treatment with OA. Moreover, tumor growth was significantly inhibited after OA treatment in a xenograft mouse model. The above results indicate that OA has a potent anticancer effect in TSCC by inducing apoptosis and autophagy via blocking the Akt/mTOR pathway. Thus, OA is a potential TSCC drug that is worthy of further research and development.

Self-assembled stable sponge-type nanocarries for Brucea javanica oil delivery

Sponge-type nanocarriers (spongosomes) are produced upon dispersion of a liquid crystalline sponge phase formed by self-assembly of an amphiphilic lipid in excess aqueous phase. The inner organization of the spongosomes is built-up by randomly ordered bicontinuous lipid membranes and their surfaces are stabilized by alginate chains providing stealth properties and colloidal stability. The present study elaborates spongosomes for improved encapsulation of Brucea javanica oil (BJO), a traditional Chinese medicine that may strongly inhibit proliferation and metastasis of various cancers. The inner structural organization and the morphology characteristics of BJO-loaded nanocarriers at varying quantities of BJO were determined by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Additionally, the drug loading and drug release profiles for BJO-loaded spongosome systems also were determined. We found that the sponge-type liquid crystalline lipid membrane organization provides encapsulation efficiency rate of BJO as high as 90%. In vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis study of BJO spongosome nanoparticles with A549 cells demonstrated enhanced anti-tumor efficiency. These results suggest potential clinical applications of the obtained safe spongosome formulations.

Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of LHRHa-targeted brucea javanica oil liposomes for ovarian cancer

Background

Although brucea javanica oil liposomes (BJOLs) have been used clinically to treat ovarian cancer, its clinical efficacy is often limited by systemic side effects due to non-specific distribution. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone receptor (LHRHR) is overexpressed in most ovarian cancers but negligibly expressed in most of the other visceral organs. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel LHRHa targeted and BJO-loaded liposomes (LHRHa-BJOLs), and investigate its characteristics, targeting ability and anti-ovarian cancer efficiency both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The LHRHa-BJOLs were prepared by film-dispersion and biotin-streptavidin linkage methods, and characterized in terms of its morphology, particle size, zeta potential, ligand conjugation, encapsulation efficiency and stability. The targeting nature and antitumor effects of the liposomes were evaluated in vitro using cultured human ovarian cancer A2780/DDP cells, and in vivo using ovarian cancer-bearing nude mice.

Results

The LHRHa-BJOLs were successfully synthesized, with a uniformly spherical shape, appropriate particle size and zeta potential, as well as a high encapsulation efficiency. Compared to non-targeted liposomes and BJO emulsion, the LHRHa-BJOLs could significantly increase specific intracellular uptaking rate, enhance cell inhibitory effect and induce cell apoptosis in A2780/DDP cells in vitro. Meanwhile, LHRHa-BJOLs also had a significantly stronger activity of targeting tumor tissue, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing tumor apoptosis and prolonging survival time in ovarian cancer-bearing mice in vivo.

Conclusions

Our experiment suggests that LHRHa-BJOLs may be a useful targeted drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of antitumor effect of Brucea javanica oil cationic nanoemulsions

The purpose of this study was to prepare Brucea javanica oil cationic nanoemulsions (BJO-CN) with BJO as drug as well as oil phase and chitosan as cationic inducer, to explore the practical suitability of using cationic nanoemulsions for oral delivery of mixed oil, and to test its bioavailability and antitumor effect. BJO-CN was prepared by chitosan solution stirring method and then characterized physicochemically. The obtained BJO-CN had a spherical morphology with a positive zeta potential of 18.9 mV and an average particle size of 42.36 nm, showing high colloidal stability. The drug loading of BJO-CN was 91.83 mg·mL⁻¹, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that, compared with BJO emulsion (BJO-E) (the dosage of BJO-CN and BJO-E was equal to 505 mg·kg⁻¹, calculated by oleic acid), BJO-CN exhibited a significant increase in the area under the plasma drug concentration–time curve over the period of 24 hours and relative bioavailability was 1.6-fold. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of BJO-CN in the orthotopic mouse model of lung cancer was evaluated by recording the median survival time and the weight of lung tissue with tumor, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical technique. Results of anticancer experiments illustrated that, even though the administrated dosage in the BJO-CN group was half of that in the BJO-E group, BJO-CN exhibited similar antitumor effect to BJO-E. Moreover, BJO-CN had good synergistic effect in combination therapy with vinorelbine. These results suggested that cationic nanoemulsions are an effective and promising delivery system to enhance the oral bioavailability and anticancer effect of BJO.

Mechanisms and biomaterials in pH-responsive tumour targeted drug delivery: A review

As the mainstay in the treatment of various cancers, chemotherapy plays a vital role, but still faces many challenges, such as poor tumour selectivity and multidrug resistance (MDR). Targeted drug delivery using nanotechnology has provided a new strategy for addressing the limitations of the conventional chemotherapy. In the last decade, the volume of research published in this area has increased tremendously, especially with functional nano drug delivery systems (nanocarriers). Coupling a specific stimuli-triggered drug release mechanism with these delivery systems is one of the most prevalent approaches for improving therapeutic outcomes. Among the various stimuli, pH triggered delivery is regarded as the most general strategy, targeting the acidic extracellular microenvironment and intracellular organelles of solid tumours. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of pH-sensitive nanocarriers for tumour-targeted drug delivery. The review focuses on the chemical design of pH-sensitive biomaterials, which are used to fabricate nanocarriers for extracellular and/or intracellular tumour site-specific drug release. The pH-responsive biomaterials bring forth conformational changes in these nanocarriers through various mechanisms such as protonation, charge reversal or cleavage of a chemical bond, facilitating tumour specific cell uptake or drug release. A greater understanding of these mechanisms will help to design more efficient drug delivery systems to address the challenges encountered in conventional chemotherapy.

Antitumor Efficacy and Mechanism in Hepatoma H22-Bearing Mice of Brucea javanica Oil

Brucea javanica is a traditional herbal medicine in China, and its antitumor activities are of research interest. Brucea javanica oil, extracted with ether and refined with 10% ethyl alcohol from Brucea javanica seed, was used to treat hepatoma H22-bearing mice in this study. The antitumor effect and probable mechanisms of the extracted Brucea javanica oil were studied in H22-bearing mice by WBC count, GOT, GPT levels, and western blotting. The H22 tumor inhibition ratio of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/kg bw Brucea javanica oil were 15.64%, 23.87%, and 38.27%. Brucea javanica oil could inhibit the involution of thymus induced by H22 tumor-bearing, but it could not inhibit the augmentation of spleen and liver. Brucea javanica oil could decrease the levels of WBC count and GOT and GPT in H22-bearing mice. The protein levels of GAPDH, Akt, TGF-β1, and α-SMA in tumor tissues decreased after being treated with Brucea javanica oil. Disturbing energy metabolism and neoplastic hyperplasia controlled by Akt and immunoregulation activity were its probable antitumor mechanisms in hepatoma H22-bearing mice.

Suppression of human hepatocellular cancer cell proliferation by Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes via induction of apoptosis

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of malignancy with high incidence and poor prognosis. Brucea javanica is extracted from Simaroubaceae plants. It is found to have low toxicity but high anti-cancer efficiency. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes (BJOL) on human hepatocellular cancer cell line HepG2. The related molecular mechanisms were determined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Morphologic changes of HepG2 cells were observed by transmission electron microscope after treatment with BJOL in vitro. Cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after cell treatment with different doses of BJOL. Flow cytometry was performed. Nude mice were divided into 4 groups randomly and treated with different doses of BJOL. The apoptosis hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by TUNEL.

RESULTS

Proliferation of HepG2 was inhibited significantly by BJOL in a dose-dependent manner (2.5 mg/l or 5 mg/l). Compared with the animal models treated with the negative control, the animal models in the BJOL group had higher weight and lower metastasis rates (p < 0.01). The rate of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue of the BJOL groups was increased when compared with the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes inhibits proliferation of HepG2. The effect appears to be dose-dependent, possibly by inducing apoptosis of cancer cells.

Sterically stabilized spongosomes for multidrug delivery of anticancer nanomedicines

SAXS patterns of drug-loaded lipid nanocarriers stabilized by polysorbate P80 (left); cryo-TEM image of BAI-BJO-spongosomes-2 (right).

Strategies to maximize liposomal drug loading for a poorly water-soluble anticancer drug

PURPOSE

To develop a liposomal system with high drug loading (DL) for intravenous (i.v.) delivery of a poorly water-soluble basic drug, asulacrine (ASL).

METHODS

A thin-film hydration and extrusion method was used to fabricate the PEGylated liposomal membranes followed by a freeze and thaw process. A novel active drug loading method was developed using ammonium sulphate gradient as an influx driving force of ASL solubilized with sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD). DL was maximized by optimizing liposomal preparation and loading conditions. Pharmacokinetics was evaluated following i.v. infusion in rabbits.

RESULTS

Freeze-thaw resulted in unilamellar liposome formation (180 nm) free of micelles. Higher DL was obtained when dialysis was used to remove the untrapped ammonium sulphate compared to ultracentrifuge. The pH and SBE-β-CD level in the loading solution played key roles in enhancing DL. High DL ASL-liposomes (8.9%w/w, drug-to-lipid mole ratio 26%) were obtained with some drug "bundles" in the liposomal cores and were stable in a 5% glucose solution for >80 days with minimal leakage (<2%). Surprisingly, following administration of ASL-liposomes prepared with or without SBE-β-CD, the half-lives were similar to the drug solution despite an increased area under the curve, indicating drug leakage from the carriers.

CONCLUSIONS

High liposomal DL was achieved with multiple strategies for a poorly-water soluble weak base. However, the liposomal permeability needed to be tailored to improve drug retention.

Development and evaluation of self-microemulsifying liquid and granule formulations of Brucea javanica oil

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of Brucea javanica oil (BJO) and transform the liquid formulation into solid granules. Solubility studies of BJO and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were used to identify the most efficient self-emulsification region. A methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to identify cell apoptosis. Antitumor activity studies were also employed to evaluate the BJO SMEDDS. The optimized BJO SMEDDS in liquid and granule formulations rapidly formed fine oil-in-water microemulsions with particle sizes <50 nm. Additionally, the MTT assay demonstrated that BJO SMEDDS had a significant effect on cancer cells, and antitumor activity studies showed remarkable inhibition of S180 tumors. The BJO SMEDDS, optimized to have good characteristics, was successfully transformed into solid granules by adsorbing onto crospovidone. The studies of the release of the BJO SMEDDS of liquid and granules in vitro suggested that the release of BJO was enhanced by the SMEDDS. These studies revealed that the new self-microemulsifying systems of liquid and granule forms might be promising strategies for the oral delivery of the poorly water-soluble drug BJO.

Chemical components, pharmacological properties, and nanoparticulate delivery systems of Brucea javanica

Brucea javanica has demonstrated a variety of antitumoral, antimalarial, and anti- inflammatory properties. As a Chinese herbal medicine, Brucea javanica is mainly used in the treatment of lung and gastrointestinal cancers. Pharmacological research has identified the main antitumor components are tetracyclic triterpene quassinoids. However, most of these active components have poor water solubility and low bioavailability, which greatly limit their clinical application. Nanoparticulate delivery systems are urgently needed to improve the bioavailability of Brucea javanica. This paper mainly focuses on the chemical components in Brucea javanica and its pharmacological properties and nanoparticulate formulations, in an attempt to encourage further research on its active components and nanoparticulate drug delivery systems to expand its clinical applications. It is expected to improve the level of pharmaceutical research and provide a strong scientific foundation for further study on the medicinal properties of this plant.

Liposomes containing (-)-gossypol-enriched cottonseed oil suppress Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression in breast cancer cells

PURPOSE

We have demonstrated that (-)-gossypol-enriched cottonseed oil [(-)-GPCSO] can down-regulate Bcl-2 expression in MCF-7 and primary cultured human breast cancer epithelial cells (PCHBCECs). However, this agent has not been evaluated in vivo due to its limited solubility. We aimed to develop liposomes containing (-)-GPCSO to suppress Bcl-2/Bcl-xL expression.

METHODS

(-)-GPCSO liposomes were prepared and evaluated for effects on breast cancer cell viability, MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumor growth, cellular Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA levels, and chemosensitivity to paclitaxel.

RESULTS

(-)-GPCSO liposomes prepared had excellent stability. Cytotoxicity of (-)-GPCSO liposomes was significantly reduced compared to (-)-GPCSO in culture medium. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA expression was down-regulated by (-)-GPCSO in culture medium or (-)-GPCSO liposomes in MDA-MB-231 cells. In PCHBCECs, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression were down-regulated by (-)-GPCSO liposomes. (-)-GPCSO in culture medium induced only a mild reduction in Bcl-xL. In the MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumor model, (-)-GPCSO liposomes exhibited tumor-suppressive activity and significantly reduced intratumoral Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression. Cytotoxicity of paclitaxel was increased by pretreatment with (-)-GPCSO liposomes in MDA-MB-231 and PCHBCECs.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that (-)-GPCSO liposomes warrant continued investigation as a chemosensitizer for breast cancers exhibiting Bcl-2-/Bcl-xL-mediated drug resistance.