Nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with resveratrol modulate human dendritic cells

Anticancer drug delivery: Investigating the impacts of viscosity on lipid-based formulations for pulmonary targeting

Pulmonary drug delivery via aerosolization is a non-intrusive method for achieving localized and systemic effects. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of viscosity as a novel aspect (i.e., low, medium and high) using various lipid-based formulations (including liposomes (F1-F3), transfersomes (F4-F6), micelles (F7-F9) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs; F10-F12)) as well as to investigate their impact on in-vitro nebulization performance using Trans-resveratrol (TRES) as a model anticancer drug. Based on the physicochemical properties, micelles (F7-F9) elicited the smallest particle size (12-174 nm); additionally, all formulations tested exhibited high entrapment efficiency (>89 %). Through measurement using capillary viscometers, NLC formulations exhibited the highest viscosity (3.35-10.04 m2/sec). Upon using a rotational rheometer, formulations exhibited shear-thinning (non-Newtonian) behaviour. Air jet and vibrating mesh nebulizers were subsequently employed to assess nebulization performance using an in-vitro model. Higher viscosity formulations elicited a prolonged nebulization time. The vibrating mesh nebulizer exhibited significantly higher emitted dose (ED), fine particle fraction (FPF) and fine particle dose (FPD) (up to 97 %, 90 % and 64 µg). Moreover, the in-vitro release of TRES was higher at pH 5, demonstrating an alignment of the release profile with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Thus, formulations with higher viscosity paired with a vibrating mesh nebulizer were an ideal combination for delivering and targeting peripheral lungs.

Feasibility of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Loaded with Alpha-Mangostin and Clove Oil for Canine Periodontal Therapy

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) represent the second generation of nanoparticles, offering numerous advantages over conventional delivery systems. These include improved stability, enhanced drug-loading capacity, and controlled release profiles, making them highly attractive candidates for a wide range of therapeutic applications. Their suitability for hydrophobic drugs like a traditional medicinal plant of Thailand as clove oil and alpha-mangostin. We investigated into nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with Alpha-Mangostin and clove oil (NLC-AMCO) into the physicochemical and biological characteristics to identify the formulation with the highest efficacy for treatment. The particle size, charge, polydispersity index, and other characterizations were recorded. The realtime ex vivo penetration was explored using canine gingival tissue. Drug sustained release was assessed by HPLC. Moreover, the antibacterial properties were tested by conventional methods. The NLC-AMCO can be stored at up to 40 °C for 60 days without any alterations in particle characteristics. Gingival tissue penetration and sustained drug release were superior compared to unencapsulated counterparts. It exhibited greater effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth than the antibiotics tested, particularly against bacteria from the oral cavities of dogs. Therefore, this alternative treatment approach offers cost-effectiveness and ease of administration for pet owners and reduces discomfort for the animals during restraint.

Advances in engineered nanosystems: immunomodulatory interactions for therapeutic applications

Advances in nanotechnology have led to significant progress in the design and fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs) with improved therapeutic properties. NPs have been explored for modulating the immune system, serving as carriers for drug delivery or vaccine adjuvants, or acting as therapeutics themselves against a wide range of deadly diseases. The combination of NPs with immune system-targeting moieties has facilitated the development of improved targeted immune therapies. Targeted delivery of therapeutic agents using NPs specifically to the disease-affected cells, distinguishing them from other host cells, offers the major advantage of concentrating the therapeutic effect and reducing systemic side effects. Furthermore, the properties of NPs, including size, shape, surface charge, and surface modifications, influence their interactions with the targeted biological components. This review aims to provide insights into these diverse emerging and innovative approaches that are being developed and utilized for modulating the immune system using NPs. We reviewed various types of NPs composed of different materials and their specific application for modulating the immune system. Furthermore, we focused on the mechanistic effects of these therapeutic NPs on primary immune components, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and complement systems. Additionally, a recent overview of clinically approved immunomodulatory nanomedicines and potential future perspectives, offering new paradigms of this field, is also highlighted.

Levofloxacin in nanostructured lipid carriers: Preformulation and critical process parameters for a highly incorporated formulation

The first step of a successful nanoformulation development is preformulation studies, in which the best excipients, drug-excipient compatibility and interactions can be identified. During the formulation, the critical process parameters and their impact must be studied to establish the stable system with a high drug entrapment efficiency (EE). This work followed these steps to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to deliver the antibiotic levofloxacin (LV). The preformulation studies covered drug solubility in excipients and thorough characterization using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy. A design of experiment based on the process parameters identified nanoparticles with < 200 nm in size, polydispersity <= 0.3, zeta potential -21 to -24 mV, high EE formulations (>71 %) and an acceptable level of LV degradation products (0.37-1.13 %). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a drug degradation is reported and studied in work on nanostructured lipids. LV impurities following the NLC production were detected, mainly levofloxacin N-oxide, a degradation product that has no antimicrobial activity and could interfere with LV quantification in spectrophotometric experiments. Also, the achievement of the highest EE in lipid nanoparticles than those described in the literature to date and the apparent protective action of NLC of entrapped-LV against degradation are important findings.

Recent advances in mRNA-LNP therapeutics: immunological and pharmacological aspects

In the last decade, the development of messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics by lipid nanoparticles (LNP) leads to facilitate clinical trial recruitment, which improves the efficacy of treatment modality to a large extent. Although mRNA-LNP vaccine platforms for the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated high efficiency, safety and adverse effects challenges due to the uncontrolled immune responses and inappropriate pharmacological interventions could limit this tremendous efficacy. The current study reveals the interplay of immune responses with LNP compositions and characterization and clarifies the interaction of mRNA-LNP therapeutics with dendritic, macrophages, neutrophile cells, and complement. Then, pharmacological profiles for mRNA-LNP delivery, including pharmacokinetics and cellular trafficking, were discussed in detail in cancer types and infectious diseases. This review study opens a new and vital landscape to improve multidisciplinary therapeutics on mRNA-LNP through modulation of immunopharmacological responses in clinical trials.

Enhanced uptake and anti-maturation effect of celastrol-loaded mannosylated liposomes on dendritic cells for psoriasis treatment

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease in which dendritic cells (DCs) trigger the progression of psoriasis by complex interactions with keratinocytes and other immune cells. In the present study, we aimed to load celastrol, an anti-inflammatory ingredient isolated from Chinese herbs, on mannosylated liposomes to enhance DC uptake as well as to induce DC tolerance in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Mannose was grafted onto liposomes to target mannose receptors on DCs. The results demonstrated that compared with unmodified liposomes, DCs preferred to take up more fluorescence-labeled mannosylated liposomes. After loading celastrol into mannose-modified liposomes, they effectively inhibited the expression of maturation markers, including CD80, CD86 and MHC-II, on DCs both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, after intradermal injection with a microneedle, celastrol-loaded mannose-modified liposomes (CEL-MAN-LPs) achieved a superior therapeutic effect compared with free drug and celastrol-loaded unmodified liposomes in the psoriasis mouse model in terms of the psoriasis area and severity index, histology evaluation, spleen weight, and expression of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our results clearly revealed that CEL-MAN-LPs was an effective formulation for psoriasis treatment and suggested that this treatment has the potential to be applied to other inflammatory diseases triggered by activated DCs.

Combinatorial lipid-nanosystem for dermal delivery of 5-fluorouracil and resveratrol against skin cancer: Delineation of improved dermatokinetics and epidermal drug deposition enhancement analysis

In the present study, combinatorial nanostructured lipid carrier gel of 5-fluorouracil and resveratrol was formulated, optimized and characterized to enhance permeation in between epidermis and dermis layers of the skin to obtain a synergistic effect against skin cancer. After extensive trials, a newly modified emulsiosonication method was developed and additionally, for the first time, stability studies were done in the beginning to optimize formulation technique, which exhibited two major benefits simultaneously; first, it provided best-optimized technique for preparation of combinatorial lipid-nanosystem, and secondly, it also demonstrated a detailed report card of durability of formulations. In vitro release study showed a significantly improved, slow and prolonged release of drugs from the optimized lipid-nanosystem (***p < 0.05), which followed non-Fickian Higuchi kinetics. Besides, mechanism of skin permeation enhancement study, dermatokinetic assessment, and depth analysis of optimized formulation on skin exhibited improved permeation and well distribution of drugs up to the dermis layer of skin. Moreover, combinatorial linogel possessed significantly greater efficacy (**p < 0.01) on the A431 cell line, as compared to the conventional formulation. Thus, findings revealed that modified method of preparation for dual drug-loaded lipid-nanosystem lead to the production of a stable formulation that also improved the retention of both 5-fluorouracil and resveratrol in between the epidermis and dermis region of skin thereby helping in the management and treatment of skin cancer.

Fabrication, characterization and optimization of nanostructured lipid carrier formulations using Beclomethasone dipropionate for pulmonary drug delivery via medical nebulizers

Aerosolization is a non-invasive approach in drug delivery for localized and systemic effect. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are new generation versatile carriers, which offer protection from degradation and enhance bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. The aim of this study was to develop and optimize NLC formulations in combination with optimized airflow rates (i.e. 60 and 15 L/min) and choice of medical nebulizers including Air jet, Vibrating mesh and Ultrasonic nebulizer for superior aerosolization performance, assessed via a next generation impactor (NGI). Novel composition and combination of NLC formulations (F1 - F15) were prepared via ultrasonication method, employing five solid lipids (glycerol trimyristate (GTM), glycerol trilaurate (GTL), cetyl palmitate (CP), glycerol monostearate (GMS) and stearic acid (SA)); and three liquid lipids (glyceryl tributyrate (GTB), propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate (PGD) and isopropyl palmitate (IPP)) in 1:3 w/w ratios (i.e. combination of one solid and one liquid lipid), with Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) incorporated as the model drug. Out of fifteen BDP-NLC formulations, the physicochemical properties of formulations F7, F8 and F10 exhibited desirable stability (one week at 25 °C), with associated particle size of ~241 nm, and >91% of drug entrapment. Post aerosolization, F10 was observed to deposit notably smaller sized particles (from 198 to 136 nm, 283 to 135 nm and 239 to 157 nm for Air jet, Vibrating mesh and Ultrasonic nebulizers, respectively) in all stages (i.e. from stage 1 to 8) of the NGI, when compared to F7 and F8 formulations. Six week stability studies conducted at 4, 25 and 45 °C, demonstrated F10 formulation stability in terms of particle size, irrespective of temperature conditions. Nebulizer performance study using the NGI for F10 identified the Air jet to be the most efficient nebulizer, depositing lower concentrations of BDP in the earlier stages (1-3) and higher (circa 82 and 85%) in the lateral stages (4-8) using 60 and 15 L/min airflow rates, when compared to the Vibrating mesh and Ultrasonic nebulizers. Moreover, at both airflow rates, the Air jet nebulizer elicited a longer nebulization time of ~42 min, facilitating aerosol inhalation for prophylaxis of asthma with normal tidal breathing. Based on characterization and nebulizer performance employing both 60 and 15 L/min airflow rates, the Air jet nebulizer offered enhanced performance, exhibiting a higher fine particle dose (FPD) (90 and 69 µg), fine particle fraction (FPF) (70 and 54%), respirable fraction (RF) (92 and 69%), and lower mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) (1.15 and 1.62 µm); in addition to demonstrating higher drug deposition in the lateral parts of the NGI, when compared to its counterpart nebulizers. The F10 formulation used with the Air jet nebulizer was identified as being the most suitable combination for delivery of BDP-NLC formulations.

Improvement of the multi-performance biocharacteristics of cordycepin using BiloNiosome-core/chitosan-shell hybrid nanocarriers

Cordycepin, a derivative of the nucleotide adenosine, has displayed several pharmacological activities including enhanced apoptosis and cancer cells inhibition. However, oral administration of cordycepin has limited practical use due to its poor bioavailability in the intestine. Herein, we developed and demonstrated a hybrid nanocarrier system in the form of biloniosome-core/chitosan-shell hybrid nanocarriers (HNCs) in order to improve the bio-characteristics of cordycepin. In this study, HNCs were prepared by using a solvent (ethanol) injection method involving cordycepin as the biloniosome core and mucoadhesive chitosan biopolymer as a coating shell. Our results showed that the cordycepin-loaded HNCs were positively charged with enhanced mucoadhesive characteristics and highly stable in gastric fluid. The increased permeability of cordycepin-loaded HNCs compared with standard cordycepin was confirmed by in vitro intestinal permeation study across the human intestinal barrier. In addition, we demonstrated that the cordycepin-loaded HNCs are able to release their components in an active form resulting in enhanced anti-cancer activity in two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures as well as in three-dimensional (3D) multi-cellular spheroids of colon cancer cells. Further, quantitative real time PCR analysis of apoptotic gene expression revealed that cordycepin HNCs can induce apoptosis in cancer cells by negatively regulating the expression of B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-XL). I Overall our results showed that the hybrid nanocarrier systems represent a promising strategy for improving the bio-characteristics of cordycepin which can be considered as a potential anti-cancer agent for colorectal cancer chemotherapy.

Allergy Modulation by N-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Fat Soluble Nutrients of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet, containing valuable nutrients such as n-3 long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and other fat-soluble micronutrients, is known for its health promoting and anti-inflammatory effects. Its valuable elements might help in the battle against the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD), including the development of allergic diseases and other (chronic) inflammatory diseases. The fat fraction of the Mediterranean diet contains bioactive fatty acids but can also serve as a matrix to dissolve and increase the uptake of fat-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals, such as luteolin, quercetin, resveratrol and lycopene with known immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacities. Especially n-3 LCPUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from marine oils can target specific receptors or signaling cascades, act as eicosanoid precursors and/or alter membrane fluidity and lipid raft formation, hereby exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties. Beyond n-3 LCPUFAs, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K1/2 have the potential to affect pro-inflammatory signaling cascades by interacting with receptors or activating/inhibiting signaling proteins or phosphorylation in immune cells (DCs, T-cells, mast cells) involved in allergic sensitization or the elicitation/effector phase of allergic reactions. Moreover, fat-soluble plant-derived phytochemicals can manipulate signaling cascades, mostly by interacting with other receptors or signaling proteins compared to those modified by fat-soluble vitamins, suggesting potential additive or synergistic actions by applying a combination of these nutrients which are all part of the regular Mediterranean diet. Research concerning the effects of phytochemicals such as polyphenols has been hampered due to their poor bio-availability. However, their solubility and uptake are improved by applying them within the dietary fat matrix. Alternatively, they can be prepared for targeted delivery by means of pharmaceutical approaches such as encapsulation within liposomes or even unique nanoparticles. This review illuminates the molecular mechanisms of action and possible immunomodulatory effects of n-3 LCPUFAs and fat-soluble micronutrients from the Mediterranean diet in allergic disease development and allergic inflammation. This will enable us to further appreciate how to make use of the beneficial effects of n-3 LCPUFAs, fat-soluble vitamins and a selection of phytochemicals as active biological components in allergy prevention and/or symptom reduction.

Recent discoveries in dendritic cell tolerance-inducing pharmacological molecules

Dendritic cells (DCs) represent one of the most important biological tools for cellular immunotherapy purposes. There are an increasing number of phase I and II studies, where regulatory or tolerogenic DCs (TolDCs) are utilized as negative vaccines, with the aim of inducing tolerogenic outcomes in patients with various autoimmune or chronic-inflammatory diseases, as well as in transplant settings. The induction of tolerogenic properties in DCs can be achieved by altering their activation state toward expression of immunosuppressive elements and/or by achieving resistance to maturation, which leads to insufficient co-stimulatory signal delivery and inability to efficiently present antigens. In the past, one of the most efficient ways to induce DC tolerance has been the application of selected pharmacological agents which actively induce a tolerogenic transcription program or inhibit major pro-inflammatory transcription factors such as Nf-κB. Important examples include immunosuppressants such as different corticosteroids, vitamin D₃, rapamycin and others. The quality of TolDCs induced by different approaches is becoming a vital issue and recent evidence suggests substantial heterogeneity between variously-generated TolDCs as evidenced by their transcriptomic profile and function. The possibility of various "flavors" of TolDCs encourages future research in discovery of Tol-DC inducing agents to enrich various ways of DC manipulation. This would enable a broader range of tools to manipulate DC toward specific characteristics desirable in different disease settings. In recent years, several novel small molecules have been identified with the capacity to promote DC tolerogenic characteristics. In this review, we will present and discuss these novel findings and also highlight novel understandings of tolerogenic mechanisms by which DC tolerogenicity is induced by already established agents.

Resveratrol solid lipid nanoparticles to trigger credible inhibition of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX), a broad-spectrum chemotherapy drug, is clinically employed to treat cancers especially for breast cancer and lung cancer. But its clinical applications are limited by the dose-dependent cardiac toxicity. Resveratrol (Res), a polyphenolic antitoxin, has been proved to be capable of improving the cardiomyocyte calcium cycling by up-regulating SIRT-1-mediated deacetylation to inhibit DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) loaded with Res to trigger inhibition of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Methods: Res-SLN was prepared by emulsification-diffusion method followed by sonication and optimized using central composite design/response surface method. The Res-SLN was further evaluated by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy for morphology and high performance liquid chromatography for drug loading and release profile. And the Res distribution in vivo was determined on rats while the effect of inhibit DOX-induced cardiotoxicity was investigated on mice.

Results: Res-SLN with homogeneous particle size of 271.13 nm was successfully formulated and optimized. The prepared Res-SLN showed stable under storage and sustained release profile, improving the poor solubility of Res. Heart rate, ejection fractions and fractional shortening of Res-SLN treating mice were found higher than those on mice with cardiac toxicity induced by single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of DOX. And the degree of myocardial ultrastructural lesions on mice was also observed.

Conclusion: Res-SLN has a certain therapeutic effect for protecting the myocardium and reducing DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in mice.

Comparative Study of Glyceryl Behenate or Polyoxyethylene 40 Stearate-Based Lipid Carriers for Trans-Resveratrol Delivery: Development, Characterization and Evaluation of the In Vitro Tyrosinase Inhibition

Trans-resveratrol (RSV) is a natural compound with several properties, such as the ability to inhibit the tyrosinase enzyme, with potential application as a skin-lightning agent and for the treatment of skin disorders associated with hyperpigmentation and melanogenesis. However, the drug faces several drawbacks which altogether limit its therapeutic application. Thus, drug loading into nanocarriers emerge as an alternative to circumvent these problems. Herein, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have been employed for RSV encapsulation, with comparison of two different lipids, glyceryl behenate (more hydrophobic), and polyoxyethylene 40 (PEG 40) stearate. PEG 40 stearate-containing NLCs presented smaller particle size and polydispersity compared with glyceryl behenate, attributed to better emulsification and nanoparticle formation, resulting in higher RSV encapsulation efficiency. Drug was loaded in both carriers as a molecular dispersion. Furthermore, the formulations had very low RSV release, which occurred due to the crystallinity degree of lipid matrix, in accordance with the DSC data. Moreover, RSV cytotoxicity against L-929 cells was not increased when loaded into nanocarriers. Interestingly, RSV-loaded formulation prepared with PEG-40 stearate resulted on greater tyrosinase inhibition than RSV solution and formulation containing glyceryl behenate, equivalent to 1.31 and 1.83 times higher, respectively, demonstrating that the incorporation of RSV into NLC allowed an enhanced tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Overall, the results obtained herein evidence potential for future in vivo evaluation of RSV-loaded NLCs.

Nanocarrier-mediated delivery of α-mangostin for non-surgical castration of male animals

The overpopulation of abandoned and stray companion animals has become a global crisis. The main purpose of this study was to develop a novel nanomedicine-based antifertility compound for non-surgical castration of male animals. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L) pericarp extract has been shown to exhibit anti-fertility property. α-mangostin (AM)-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (AM-NLC) was developed to improve male germ cell apoptosis. This study was conducted to investigate physicochemical properties of AM-NLC and determine the biological effects of AM-NLC on spermatogonia cells and testicular explants obtained from castrated testes. AM-NLC was produced through a hot homogenization technique. The negatively charged particle of AM-NLC was nano-sized with a narrow dispersity. AM-NLC exhibited antiproliferative activity towards spermatogonium cells. It induced apoptosis in the cells. In addition, AM-NLC exhibited anti-inflammatory activities in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Abnormal anatomy of seminiferous tubule was noted following treatment of testicular explant with AM-NLC. This nanomedicine-based sterilant would be a promising platform that may have utility in non-surgical castration of male animals by intra-testicular injection.

Nanoparticles for immune system targeting

Nanoparticles (NPs) are found in numerous applications used to modulate the immune system. They serve as drug delivery carriers or vaccine adjuvants and are utilized as therapeutics against a variety of diseases. NPs can be engineered to target distinct cellular components representing multiple pathways of immunity. The combination of NPs with immune system-targeting moieties has paved the way for improved targeted immune therapies. Here we provide an update of recent progress in this field.