Design of Lamivudine Loaded Nanoparticles for Oral Application by Nano Spray Drying Method: A New Approach to use an Antiretroviral Drug for Lung Cancer Treatment

Plant-Derived Vesicle-like Nanoparticles: The Next-Generation Drug Delivery Nanoplatforms

A wide variety of natural bioactive compounds derived from plants have demonstrated significant clinical relevance in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, chronic disease, and inflammation. An increasing number of studies have surfaced that give credence to the potential of plant-derived vesicle-like nanoparticles (PDVLNs) as compelling candidates for a drug delivery system (DDS). PDVLNs are cost-effective production, non-toxicity and non-immunogenicity and fascinating bi-ocompatibility. In this review, we attempt to comprehensively review and consolidate the position of PDVLNs as next-generation drug delivery nanoplatforms. We aim to give a quick glance to readers of the current developments of PDVLNs, including their biogenesis, characteristic features, composition, administration routes, advantages, and application. Further, we discuss the advantages and limitations of PDVLNs. We expect that the role of PDVLNs in drug delivery will be significantly enhanced, thus positioning them as the next generation of therapeutic modalities in the foreseeable future.

Preparation, Characterization, Antioxidant Activities, and Determination of Anti-Alzheimer Effects of PLGA-Based DDSs Containing Ferulic Acid

Nanoparticle (NP) systems have attracted the attention of researchers in recent years due to their advantages, such as modified release features, increased therapeutic efficacy, and reduced side effects. Ferulic acid (FA) has therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer's, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, and antidiabetic. In this study, FA-loaded PLGA-based NPs were prepared by a nanoprecipitation method and the effect of varying concentrations of Poloxamer 188 and Span 60 on NP properties was investigated. FA-loaded A-FA coded formulation was chosen as optimum. High encapsulation efficiency has been achieved due to the low affinity of FA to the water phase and, therefore, its lipophilic nature, which tends to migrate to the organic phase. It was determined that the release of FA from the A-FA was slower than pure FA and prolonged release in 24 h. Antioxidant and anti-Alzheimer's effects of A-FA coded NP formulation were investigated by biological activity studies. A-FA coded NP formulation showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging, ABTS cation decolorizing, and reducing antioxidant activity. Since it has both AChE inhibitor and antioxidant properties according to the results of its anti-Alzheimer activity, it was concluded that the formulation prepared in this study shows promise in the treatment of both oxidative stress-related diseases and Alzheimer's.

Lamivudine, Doravirine, and Cabotegravir Downregulate the Expression of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), Inhibit Cell Growth, and Reduce Invasive Capability in Melanoma Cell Lines

This study explores the impact of antiretroviral administration on the expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), cell growth, and invasive capability of human melanoma cell lines in culture. We investigated three antiretrovirals-lamivudine, doravirine, and cabotegravir-in A375, FO-1, and SK-Mel-28, BRAF-mutated, and in MeWo, P53-mutated, melanoma cell lines. The findings indicate a general capability of these drugs to downregulate the expression of HERV-K Pol and Env genes and hinder cell viability, mobility, and colony formation capacity of melanoma cells. The antiretroviral drugs also demonstrate selectivity against malignant cells, sparing normal human epithelial melanocytes. The study reveals that the integrase inhibitor cabotegravir is particularly effective in inhibiting cell growth and invasion across different cell lines in comparison with lamivudine and doravirine, which are inhibitors of the viral reverse transcriptase enzyme. The investigation further delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects, highlighting the potential induction of ferroptosis, apoptosis, and alterations in cell cycle regulatory proteins. Our findings showed cytostatic effects principally revealed in A375, and SK-Mel-28 cell lines through a downregulation of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and/or cyclin D1 expression. Signs of ferroptosis were detected in both A375 cells and FO-1 cells by a decrease in glutathione peroxidase 4 and ferritin expression, as well as by an increase in transferrin protein levels. Apoptosis was also detected in FO-1 and SK-Mel-28, but only with cabotegravir treatment. Moreover, we explored the expression and activity of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein and its correlation with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Both the STING activity and PD-L1 expression were decreased, suggesting that the antiretroviral treatments may counteract the detrimental effects of PD-L1 expression activation through the STING/interferon pathway triggered by HERV-K. Finally, this study underscores the potential therapeutic significance of cabotegravir in melanoma treatment. The findings also raise the prospect of using antiretroviral drugs to downregulate PD-L1 expression, potentially enhancing the therapeutic responses of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Elemi essential oil nanocapsulated drug ameliorates lung cancer via oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation pathway

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Considering the severe side effects, toxicity and high costs of chemotherapeutics used in cancer treatment, there is a need for more economical and natural treatment methods such as essential oils. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of Canarium commune (Elemi) essential oil (EO) and nanoparticles. Elemi EO is analysed by GC-FID/MS. The antiproliferative effect of Elemi EO and prepared nanoparticles on human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and their effect on normal fibroblast cells (CCD-19Lu) were determined by the MTT test. The levels of TAS, TOS, CYCS, CASP3, TNF-α and IL-6 parameters of the experimental groups were determined using specific ELISA. BAX and Bcl-2 genes were studied with qRT-PCR to investigate the different ways that cancer cells undergo apoptosis. Limonene (53.7%), a-phellandrene (14.5%) and elemol (10.1%) were the major components of Elemi EO. 24-Hour IC₅₀ values in the cells were measured for Elemi EO; A549: 1199 μg/mL, CCD-19Lu: 37.181 μg/mL. TAS and TOS values were found to be higher in cancer cells than in normal cells, and it was found that cancerous cells were dragged into stress and that cancer cells were directed to apoptosis. BAX genes stimulation supported the results. It was determined that Elemi EO and nanoparticles showed anticancer activity without damaging normal cells. Based on these promising results, potential drug candidate Elemi EO loaded nanoparticles may be cell-specific targeted, oral use possible, new generation nanoparticular drugs.

Nano Spray-Dried Drugs for Oral Administration: A Review

Spray drying is an important technology that is fast, simple, reproducible, and scalable. It has a wide application range, that is, in food, chemicals, and encapsulation of pharmaceuticals. The technology can be divided into conventional spray drying and nano spray drying. The key advantage of nano spray drying is the production of drug-loaded nanosized particles for various drug delivery applications. The recent developments in nano spray dryer technology and the market launch of the Nano Spray Dryer B-90 by Büchi Labortechnik AG in 2009 enabled the production of submicron spray-dried particles. This review focuses on nanosized drug delivery systems intended for oral administration produced by nano spray drying. First, the nano spray drying concept, the basic technologies implemented in the equipment, and the effects of the various process parameters on the final dry submicron powder properties are presented. Then, the topics of new formulation strategies of oral drugs are highlighted with examples that have entered the research literature in recent years. Next, the subjects of direct conversion of poorly water-soluble drugs, encapsulation of drugs, and drying of preformed nanoparticles are considered. Finally, topics such as morphology, particle size, size distribution, surface analysis, bioavailability, drug release, release kinetics, and solid-state characterization (by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance) of oral drug delivery systems produced by nano spray drying are discussed. The review attempts to provide a comprehensive knowledge base with current literature and foresight to researchers working in the field of pharmaceutical technology and nanotechnology and especially in the field of nano spray drying.

Oseltamivir phosphate loaded pegylated-Eudragit nanoparticles for lung cancer therapy: Characterization, prolonged release, cytotoxicity profile, apoptosis pathways and in vivo anti-angiogenic effect by using CAM assay

The target of the current investigation was the delivery of oseltamivir phosphate (OSE) into the lung adenocarcinoma tissues by means of designing nanosized, non-toxic and biocompatible pegylated Eudragit based NPs and investigating their anticancer and antiangiogenic activity. The rationale for this strategy is to provide a novel perspective to cancer treatment with OSE loaded pegylated ERS NPs under favor of smaller particle size, biocompatible feature, cationic characteristic, examining their selective effectiveness on lung cell lines (A549 lung cancer cell line and CCD-19Lu normal cell line) and examining antiangiogenic activity by in vivo CAM analysis. For this purpose, OSE encapsulated pegylated ERS based NPs were developed and investigated for zeta potential, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, morphology, DSC, FT-IR, ¹H NMR analyses. In vitro release, cytotoxicity, determination apoptotic pathways and in vivo CAM assay were carried out. Considering characterizations, NPs showed smaller particle size, cationic zeta potential, relatively higher EE%, nearly spherical shape, amorphous matrix formation and prolonged release pattern (Peppas-Sahlin and Weibull model with Fickian and non-Fickian release mechanisms). Flow cytometry was used to assess the apoptotic pathways using the Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay, FITC Active Caspase-3 staining assay, and mitochondrial membrane potential detection tests. Activations on caspase-3 pathways made us think that OSE loaded pegylated ERS NPs triggered to apoptosis using intrinsic pathway. As regards to the in vivo studies, OSE loaded pegylated ERS based NPs demonstrated strong and moderate antiangiogenic activity for ERS-OSE 2 and ERS-OSE 3, respectively. With its cationic character, smaller particle size, relative superior EE%, homogenous amorphous polymeric matrix constitution indicated using solid state tests, prolonged release manner, highly selective to the human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, could trigger apoptosis intrinsically and effectively, possess good in vivo antiangiogenic activity, ERS-OSE 2 formulation is chosen as a promising candidate and a potent drug delivery system to treat lung cancer.

Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles and their therapeutic activities

Nanotechnologies have been successfully applied to the treatment of various diseases. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) are expected to become effective therapeutic modalities for treating disease or in drug-delivery. PENs are minimally cytotoxic to healthy tissues, with which they show excellent biocompatibility, and are biased towards tumors by targeting specific tissues through special endocytosis mechanisms. Thus, the use of these PENs may expand the scope of drug therapies while reducing the off-target effects. In this review, we summarize the fundamental features and bioactivities of PENs extracted from the grape, grapefruit, ginger, lemon, and broccoli and discuss the applications of these particles as therapeutics and nanocarriers.

Design, synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies of some novel thiazole-dihydrofuran derivatives as aromatase inhibitors

Aromatase inhibitors used against hormone-dependent breast cancer, especially in post-menopausal women, are very susceptible to the development of resistance due to their limited number and long-term use. In this study, it is aimed to obtain new aromatase inhibitors including thiazole and dihydrofuran ring systems. Synthesis of compounds (2a-2l) were performed according to literature methods. Their structures were elucidated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and APCI-MS spectroscopic methods. MTT test was carried out to assess the cell proliferation effects of the different compounds on two different pulmonary cell lines (A549, CCD-19Lu) and mammary cell line (MCF7). According to MTT assay, it was observed that the calculated IC₅₀ values of some compounds for the CCD-19Lu cell line were found higher than for the A549 and MCF7 cell lines. Considering the viability results, it was found that the selected compounds (2a, 2c, 2e, 2g, 2h, 2l) showed favourable safety profile and have anticancer activities. Apoptotic activities of the selected compounds were investigated by flow cytometry analysis. And were found that have apoptotic effects on cancerous cell lines. In the light of this information, the aromatase inhibition potentials of 2g and 2l compounds, which are the most active derivatives, were examined in vitro and it was determined that they showed a similar inhibition profile with letrazole. Interaction modes between aromatase enzyme and compounds 2g and 2l were investigated by docking studies. In conclusion, findings of these study indicate that compounds 2g and 2l possess significant anticancer activity.

Cefaclor Monohydrate-Loaded Colon-Targeted Nanoparticles for Use in COVID-19 Dependent Coinfections and Intestinal Symptoms: Formulation, Characterization, Release Kinetics, and Antimicrobial Activity

Corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Although there is no complete treatment protocol for COVID-19, studies on this topic are ongoing, and it is known that broad-spectrum antibiotics such as cephalosporins are used for coinfections and symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown that Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and coinfections accompanying COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, colon-targeted cefaclor monohydrate (CEF)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-Eudragit S100 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a nanoprecipitation technique. The particle sizes of the CEF-loaded NPs were between 171.4 and 198.8 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was in the range of 58.4%-81.2%. With dissolution studies, it has been concluded that formulations prepared with Eudragit S100 (E-coded) and Eudragit S100+PLGA (EP-coded) are pH-sensitive formulations and they are targetable to the colon, whereas the formulation prepared only with PLGA (P-coded) can release a higher CEF rate in the colon owing to the slow release properties of PLGA. The release kinetics were fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull models. The antibacterial activity of E-, EP-, and P-coded formulations was 16-fold, 16-fold, and 2-fold higher than CEF, respectively, for S. aureus and E. coli according to the microdilution results. As a result of the time killing experiment, all formulations prepared were found to be more effective than the antibiotic itself for long periods. Consequently, all formulations prepared in this study hope to guide researchers/clinicians in treating both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria-induced infections, as well as COVID-19 associated coinfections and symptoms.