Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)-Based Nanoniosome for Enhanced in vitro Delivery and Anticancer Activity of Thymol

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of prepared thymol@UIO-66 and thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66 nanoparticles against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A synergistic approach

This study introduces a novel approach to enhance the antibacterial properties of UIO-66 by incorporating both Thymol and ZnO nanoparticles within its framework which represents a significant advancement like exhibiting a synergistic antibacterial effect, providing a prolonged and controlled release, and mitigating cytotoxicity associated with the release of free ZnO nanoparticles by combining these two antimicrobial agents within a single, well-defined metal-organic framework. UIO-66 frameworks are investigated as carriers for the natural antimicrobial agent, Thymol, and ZnONPs offering a novel drug delivery system for antibacterial applications. Results demonstrated 132, 90, 184, and 223 nm sizes for UIO-66, ZnONPs, UIO-66 encapsulated Thymol, and UIO-66 encapsulated both Thymol and ZnONPs, respectively. Successful encapsulation of the antibacterial drug with a high entrapment efficiency of 64 % for Thymol was approved, and 49 % in-vitro release of Thymol was achieved for 72 hours. In-vitro antibacterial assays revealed promising results, with the drug-loaded nanoparticles exhibiting significantly lower MIC values and enhanced bactericidal activity against S. Aureus bacterial strains compared to the free drug, as demonstrated by agar disk diffusion and time-kill assays. MIC values reduced from a range of 31.25-250 µg/ml for free Thymol and 12.5-100 µg/ml for free ZnONPs to 3.9-62.5 µg/ml for Thymol@UIO-66 and 1.95-15.63 µg/ml for Thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66. According to the results, the mixture of both Thymol and ZnONPs had 41 % and 16 % more antibiofilm activities in comparison with free Thymol and free ZnONPs, respectively. Furthermore, Thymol@UIO-66 had 25 % higher antibiofilm activities relative to not-encapsulated Thymol and ZnONPs, and this improvement was even 46 % more in Thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66 in comparison with Thymol@UIO-66. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of Thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66 frameworks as a promising drug delivery platform for effective antibacterial therapy. This approach to overcome antibiotic resistance and improve treatment efficacy potentially.

Molecular mechanisms of antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of essential oil active constituents in MCF7 and T24 cancer cell lines: in vitro insights and in silico modelling of proapoptotic gene product-compound interactions

This study aims to investigate the in vitro antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic/apoptotic potential of active constituents of essential oils on two cancer cell lines; namely, breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and urinary bladder cancer (T24). Essential oils active constituents (EO-ACs) entail a spectrum of phytochemicals with widely demonstrated anticancer potential. We assessed the effects of eight essential oils active constituents on T24 and MCF-7 cell lines in both dose- (16-1024 µg/mL) and time-dependent manners. Among these, five EO-ACs (citral, carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, and thymol) exhibited IC50 values, ranging from 24 µg/mL to 34 µg/mL, as determined by the MTT assay over 72 h. It was observed that the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased while ROS generation increased substantially in treated cells compared to the control. The underlying apoptotic pathway with regard to pro-apoptotic/apoptotic genes was explored through qRT-PCR and western blotting, which showed significant (p < 0.05) upregulation of Bax, Bak, caspase 7, caspase 9, and downregulation of Bcl-2, pERK, and pAkt. The in-silico study showed strong interaction of thymol and carvacrol with Caspase 9, with complex binding energies of -6.1 Kcal/mol and - 6.3 Kcal/mol, respectively. In conclusion, EO-ACs, particularly thymol and carvacrol, effectively reduced cell viability, and triggered caspase-dependent apoptosis in both MCF-7 and T-24 cell lines. These findings categorically underscore EO-ACs as promising active compounds for anticancer therapy, warranting further in-depth exploration through in vivo studies.

Dual-action of clotrimazole loaded - nanosponges vaginal gel for spermicidal action and treatment of vaginal candidiasis: Optimization, in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo experiments

Clotrimazole (CLO) is a strong antifungal drug approved to treat vaginal candidiasis (VC). Nanosponges (NSs) were developed to maintain providing CLO in a steady pattern with amplified accumulation in the vaginal mucosa. The quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method was utilized to prepare NSs. The optimized NSs selected by Design Expert® exhibited a production yield percent (PY%) of 60.10 ± 0.39 %, encapsulation efficiency percent (EE%) of 91.21 ± 0.59 %, particle size (PS) 275.50 ± 0.97 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) 0.425 ± 0.01, and zeta potential (ZP) of -27.40 ± 0.25 mV. The morphological results confirmed a spongy, porous structure. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy ensured the drug encapsulation. Differential scanning calorimetric studies showed no interaction between the excipients and CLO. The prepared NSs-loaded gel of optimized CLO-NSs was evaluated, the mucoadhesive strength (6065.85 ± 52.03 dyne/cm2) with spermicidal activity of (0 % sperm motility/60 s). The ex-vivo deposition depicted significantly increased vaginal retention of CLO by 2.44-fold compared to Candistan® 2 % vaginal cream (the market product). Finally, the in-vivo study on rats demonstrated thesuperior efficacy of CLO-NSs gel relative to Candestan®, with significantly reduced inflammatory biomarkers and minimal histopathological alterations in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis with a high safety profile.

Dietary monoterpenoids and human health: Unlocking the potential for therapeutic use

Natural products are widely used in different aspects of our lives - from household cleaners and food production, via cosmetics and aromatherapy, to both alternative and traditional medicine. In our research group, we have recently described several monoterpenoids with potential in the antiviral and anticancer therapy by allosteric targeting of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Prior to any practical application, biological effects on human organism must be taken in concern. This review article is focused on the biological effects of 5 monoterpenoids on the human health previously identified as AhR antagonists with a therapeutic potential as antiviral and anticancer agents. We have thoroughly described cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anticancer effects, as well as known interactions with nuclear receptors. As clearly demonstrated, monoterpenoids in general represent almost an inexhaustible reservoir of natural compounds possessing the ability to influence, modulate and improve human health.

Thymol as a Potential Neuroprotective Agent: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Prospects

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a growing global health challenge, with limited effective therapeutic options. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy are common underlying mechanisms in these diseases. Thymol is a phenolic monoterpene compound that has gained attention for its diverse biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Thymol supplementation could provide potential neuroprotection and improve cognitive deficits, depressant-like effects, learning, and memory impairments in rodents. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the neuroprotective effects of thymol involve the improvement of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory response. Several signaling pathways, including mitochondrial apoptotic, NF-κB, AKT, Nrf2, and CREB/BDNF pathways are also involved. In this review, the neuroprotective effects of thymol, the potential molecular mechanisms, safety, applications, and current challenges toward development as a neuroprotective agent were summarized and discussed. We hope that this review provides valuable insights for the further development of this promising natural product as a promising neuroprotective agent.

Combination drug therapy by herbal nanomedicine prevent multidrug resistance protein 1: promote apoptosis in Lung Carcinoma

Given the numerous adverse effects of lung cancer treatment, more research on non-toxic medications is urgently needed. Curcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) combat drug resistance by controlling the expression of multidrug resistant pump (MDR1). Fascinatingly, combining these medications increases the effectiveness of preventing lung cancer. Their low solubility and poor stability, however, restrict their therapeutic efficacy. Because of the improved bioavailability and increased encapsulation effectiveness of water-insoluble medicines, surfactant-based nanovesicles have recently received a great deal of attention. The current study sought to elucidate the Combination drug therapy by herbal nanomedicine prevent multidrug resistance protein 1: promote apoptosis in Lung Carcinoma. The impact of several tween (20, 60, and 80) types with varied hydrophobic tails on BBR/CUR-TNV was evaluated. Additionally, the MDR1 activity and apoptosis rate of the BBR/CUR-TNV combination therapy were assessed. The encapsulation effectiveness of TNV was affected by the type of tween. With the TNV made from tween 60, cholesterol, and PEG (47.5: 47.5:5), more encapsulation effectiveness was attained. By combining CUR with BBR, especially when given in TNV, apoptosis increased. Additionally, when CUR and BBR were administered in combination, they significantly reduced the risk of MDR1 development. The current work suggests that the delivery of berberine and curcumin as a combination medication therapy via tween-based nanovesicles may be a potential lung cancer treatment.

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.