Controlled release of raloxifene by nanoencapsulation: effect on in vitro antiproliferative activity of human breast cancer cells

Novel fabrication of Cu(II)-incorporated chiral d-penicillamine-chitosan nanocomposites enantio-selectively inhibit the induced amyloid β aggregation for Alzheimer's disease therapy

It is well known that the chiral materials combined with metal ion's structure have been identified as promising candidate for the nursing Alzheimer Disease (AD) treatment, particularly to inhibit amyloid (Aβ) due to their significant pharmacological effect on the living bodies. In the present study, Cu(II)/Chitosan nanocomposite caped with chiral penicillamine (Cu@D-PEN/Chitosan) have been synthesized and used as an effective amyloid-β (Aβ) inhibitor. The composite formations of the samples were confirmed from the FTIR and XRD, studies. FE-SEM, TEM and AFM studies have been carried out to depict the morphological analysis of the nanocomposites. The prepared samples have also been subjected to various in vitro studies such as encapsulation efficiency, drug loading capacity, drug release and biodegrading or compatibility of the nanocomposites to support the Aβ aggregation inhibiting ability investigations. It was observed that the increase in the concentration of the Cu@D-PEN/Chitosan enhancing the Aβ inhibiting ability. Thus, the Cu(II)@D-PEN/Chitosan showed improving memory effect suggesting that Cu(II)@D-PEN/Chitosan nanocomposites may be a potential candidate for inhibiting the Aβ aggregation in nursing AD treatment.

Investigation of the treatment potential of Raloxifene-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in osteoporosis: In-vitro and in-vivo analyses

Osteoporosis (OP), is a systemic bone disorder associated with low bone mass and bone tissue corrosion. Worsening of the disease condition leads to bone delicacy and fracture. Various drugs are available for the treatment of OP, however they have limitations including poor solubility, bioavailability and toxicity. Herein, Raloxifene-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (RLX-PNPs) were developed and investigated for the treatment of OP with possible solutions to the above mentioned problems. RLX-PNPs were prepared by modified ionic gelation method followed by determining their particle properties. FTIR, DSC and PXRD analysis of the RLX-PNPs were performed to check chemical interaction, thermal behavior and crystallinity, respectively. In-vitro release profile of RLX-PNPs was checked in lab setting, whereas its pharmacokinetics was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats, in-vivo. Finally, the treatment potential of RLX-PNPs was analyzed in OP induced animal model. The optimized PNPs formulation indicated 134.5 nm particle size, +24.4 mV charge and 91.73% % EE. TEM analysis showed spherical and uniform sized particles with no interactions observed in FTIR analysis. In-vitro release of RLX from RLX-PNPs showed more sustained release behavior as compared to RLX-suspension. Moreover, pharmacokinetic investigations showed a significantly enhanced bioavailability of the RLX-PNPs as well as reduced serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and calcium in OP induced rats when compared with RLX-Suspension after oral administration. Findings of this study suggested that the developed RLX-PNPs have the potential to treat OP due to sustained release and improved bioavailability of the incorporated drug.

Toltrazuril-Loaded Polymeric Nanocapsules as a Promising Approach for the Preventive Control of Coccidiosis in Poultry

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria that affect the intestinal tract of poultry. However, strain resistance and drug residue in the carcass have drawn the attention of the productive sector. The nanotechnology can improve the biological effect of drugs, reducing of administered doses and toxic effects. Due to this, toltrazuril-load polymeric nanoparticles based on Eudragit® S100 (NCt) or poly-ε-caprolactone (LNCt) were developed to prevent coccidiosis in broilers. Nanoformulations were produced and showed homogeneous particle diameter distribution in the nanometer range (z-average and D (4.3) < 200 nm), negative zeta potential (<−8.93 mV), drug content ~100%, and encapsulation efficiency >90%. Cell viability assays using avian fibroblasts showed that LNCt presented no relevant toxicity up to 72 h. LNCt was then prophylactically administrated to chicken followed by challenge with Eimeria oocysts. The evaluation of the small intestine and cecum showed that the treatment with LNCt (3.5 mg/kg/day) in drinking water reduced the lesion scores and oocysts excretion, similar to the reference medicine containing toltrazuril (Baycox®, 7 mg/kg/day). The current study shows the potential protective use of nanoencapsulating anticoccidial drugs as a promising approach for the control of coccidiosis in poultry.

Eudragit®: A Versatile Family of Polymers for Hot Melt Extrusion and 3D Printing Processes in Pharmaceutics

Eudragit® polymers are polymethacrylates highly used in pharmaceutics for the development of modified drug delivery systems. They are widely known due to their versatility with regards to chemical composition, solubility, and swelling properties. Moreover, Eudragit polymers are thermoplastic, and their use has been boosted in some production processes, such as hot melt extrusion (HME) and fused deposition modelling 3D printing, among other 3D printing techniques. Therefore, this review covers the studies using Eudragit polymers in the development of drug delivery systems produced by HME and 3D printing techniques over the last 10 years. Eudragit E has been the most used among them, mostly to formulate immediate release systems or as a taste-masker agent. On the other hand, Eudragit RS and Eudragit L100-55 have mainly been used to produce controlled and delayed release systems, respectively. The use of Eudragit polymers in these processes has frequently been devoted to producing solid dispersions and/or to prepare filaments to be 3D printed in different dosage forms. In this review, we highlight the countless possibilities offered by Eudragit polymers in HME and 3D printing, whether alone or in blends, discussing their prominence in the development of innovative modified drug release systems.

Mg,Si-Co-Substituted Hydroxyapatite/Alginate Composite Beads Loaded with Raloxifene for Potential Use in Bone Tissue Regeneration

Osteoporosis is a worldwide chronic disease characterized by increasing bone fragility and fracture likelihood. In the treatment of bone defects, materials based on calcium phosphates (CaPs) are used due to their high resemblance to bone mineral, their non-toxicity, and their affinity to ionic modifications and increasing osteogenic properties. Moreover, CaPs, especially hydroxyapatite (HA), can be successfully used as a vehicle for local drug delivery. Therefore, the aim of this work was to fabricate hydroxyapatite-based composite beads for potential use as local carriers for raloxifene. HA powder, modified with magnesium and silicon ions (Mg,Si-HA) (both of which play beneficial roles in bone formation), was used to prepare composite beads. As an organic matrix, sodium alginate with chondroitin sulphate and/or keratin was applied. Cross-linking of beads containing raloxifene hydrochloride (RAL) was carried out with Mg ions in order to additionally increase the concentration of this element on the material surface. The morphology and porosity of three different types of beads obtained in this work were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively. The Mg and Si released from the Mg,Si-HA powder and from the beads were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). In vitro RAL release profiles were investigated for 12 weeks and studied using UV/Vis spectroscopy. The beads were also subjected to in vitro biological tests on osteoblast and osteosarcoma cell lines. All the obtained beads revealed a spherical shape with a rough, porous surface. The beads based on chondroitin sulphate and keratin (CS/KER-RAL) with the lowest porosity resulted in the highest resistance to crushing. Results revealed that these beads possessed the most sustained drug release and no burst release effect. Based on the results, it was possible to select the optimal bead composition, consisting of a mixture of chondroitin sulphate and keratin.

Fabrication of cRGD-modified reduction-sensitive nanocapsule via Pickering emulsion route to facilitate tumor-targeted delivery

Purpose: To fabricate multifunctional nanocapsule via Pickering emulsion route to facilitate tumor-targeted delivery. Methods: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) nanoparticles (PNA) stabilized nanocapsules were fabricated by Pickering emulsion (PE) technology. For controllable drug-release and enhancing targeted antitumor effects, the nanocapsules were crosslinked with cystamine and coupled on cell-surface molecule markers (cRGDfK) to achieve on-demand drug release and targeted delivery. Results: The fabricated PE and nanocapsules with average particle sizes (250 and 150 nm) were obtained. Encapsulation efficiency of hydrophobic anticancer drug (DOX) was determined as >90%. Release kinetic profiles for encapsulated nanocapsules displayed circulation stability and redox-sensitive releasing behavior with the supposed increase bioavailability. Both cytotoxicity assay, cellular uptake analysis and anticancer efficacy in B16F10 murine model demonstrated these redox-responsive drug-release and active targeted delivery. Conclusion: The results clearly demonstrated nanocapsule via PE route as promising candidate to provide an effective platform for incorporating hydrophobic drug for targeted cancer chemotherapy.

Preparation and characterization of the Adriamycin-loaded amphiphilic chitosan nanoparticles and their application in the treatment of liver cancer

In the present study, two nanoparticles including lactose myristoyl carboxymethyl chitosan (LMCC) and algal polysaccharide myristoyl carboxymethyl chitosan (AMCC), were obtained for hepatic-targeted Adriamycin (ADM) drug delivery systems. ADM was successfully loaded into the LMCC or AMCC nanoparticle by dialysis. The release function and liver targeting of the nanoparticles was explored, and it was revealed that ADM release from the nanoparticles was greatest at acidic pH 5.5. ADM-conjugated nanoparticles were readily taken up by HU7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, relative to HT22 mouse hippocampal neuron cells in vitro. In vivo, ADM-loaded nanoparticles had significant antitumor efficacy with a 62.7% inhibition rate, followed by ADM and ADM-AMCC (51.2 and 42.5%, respectively). The tissue distribution study confirmed that ADM-LMCC had an improved liver delivery efficacy, by comparison with ADM. Furthermore, a series of safety studies, including hemolysis, acute toxicity and organ toxicity, revealed that the ADM-loaded LMCC and AMCC nanoparticles had advantages over the commercially available injectable preparation of Adriamycin hydrochloride, in terms of low toxicity levels and increased tolerated dose. These results indicated that LMCC is a promising carrier for injectable ADM nanoparticle and ADM-conjugated nanoparticles may improve the efficacy of ADM by hepatic targeting.

Inhibition of breast cancer with transdermal tamoxifen-encapsulated lipoplex

Background

Tamoxifen is currently used for the treatment of both early and advanced estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer in pre- and post-menopausal women. However, using tamoxifen routinely to inhibit endogenous or exogenous estrogen effects is occasionally difficult because of its potential side effects.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to design a local drug delivery system to encapsulate tamoxifen for observing their efficacy of skin penetration, drug accumulation and cancer therapy.

Methods

A cationic liposome-PEG-PEI complex (LPPC) was used as a carrier for the encapsulation of tamoxifen and forming ‘LPPC/TAM’ for transdermal release. The cytotoxicity of LPPC/TAM was analyzed by MTT. The skin penetration, tumor growth inhibition and organ damages were measured in xenograft mice following transdermal treatment.

Results

LPPC/TAM had an average size less than 270 nm and a zeta-potential of approximately 40 mV. LPPC/TAM displayed dramatically increased the cytotoxic activity in all breast cancer cells, especially in ER-positive breast cancer cells. In vivo, LPPC drug delivery helped the fluorescent dye penetrating across the skim and accumulating rapidly in tumor area. Administration of LPPC/TAM by transdermal route inhibited about 86 % of tumor growth in mice bearing BT474 tumors. This local treatment of LPPC/TAM did not injury skin and any organs.

Conclusion

LPPC-delivery system provided a better skin penetration and drug accumulation and therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, LPPC/TAM drug delivery maybe a useful transdermal tool of drugs utilization for breast cancer therapy.