A liposome preparation based on β-CD-LPC molecule and its application as drug-delivery system

Anti-Allergic Effects of Quercetin and Quercetin Liposomes in RBL-2H3 Cells

BACKGROUND

Quercetin is a kind of flavonoid with important bioactivities, such as hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties. Although it is unstable, it is worth exploring how to better exert its anti-allergic effect.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to elucidate the anti-allergic effect of quercetin liposomes on RBL-2H3 cells in vitro.

METHODS

Quercetin liposomes were prepared to improve the anti-allergic activity of quercetin through a green thin-film dispersion method. We compared the anti-allergic effects of quercetin and quercetin liposomes in RBL-2H3 cells. The anti-allergic activity of the quercetin liposomes was evaluated by the level of β-hexosaminidase, histamine, Ca2+, IL-4, IL-8, and MCP-1.

RESULTS

The results showed that quercetin liposomes could significantly restrain the release of β-hexosaminidase and histamine, calcium influx, and the expression of inflammatory factors, whose effect is stronger than quercetin.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our research suggests that the quercetin liposome can be used as a potential allergy antagonist.

Application of molecular docking in elaborating molecular mechanisms and interactions of supramolecular cyclodextrin

The cyclodextrin (CD)-based supramolecular nanomedicines have attracted growing interest because of their superior characteristics, including desirable biocompatibility, low toxicity, unique molecular structure and easy functionalization. The smart structures of CD impart host-guest interaction for meeting the multifunctional needs of disease therapy. However, it faces challenges in formulation design and inclusion mechanism clarification of the functional supramolecular assemblies owing to the complicated structures and mechanisms. Fortunately, molecular docking helps the researchers to comprehend the interaction between the drug and the target molecule for achieving high-through screening from the database. In this review, we summarized the category and characteristics of molecular docking along with the properties and applications of CD. Significantly, we highlighted the application of molecular docking in elaborating molecular mechanisms and simulating complex structures at molecular levels. The issues and development of CD and molecular docking were also presented to provide beneficial reference and new insights for supramolecular nano-systems.

Development of Anticancer Peptides with Low Hemolysis, High Penetrating Membrane Activity, Certain Analgesic Activity and the Synergistic Anticancer Effect

Herein, an amphiphilic cationic α-helical anticancer lipopeptide P10 with the low toxicity and high penetrating membrane activity was developed. The lipopeptide could self-assemble into stable spherical aggregates in aqueous solution,...

A cocktail of betulinic acid, parthenolide, honokiol and ginsenoside Rh2 in liposome systems for lung cancer treatment

Aim: Lung cancer has a very high incidence rate, and thus, there is an urgent need for novel and effective therapies. Materials & methods: In this study, we proposed a potential treatment option by combining four natural products in liposome systems. Results: In vitro studies indicated that the combination of betulinic acid, parthenolide, honokiol and ginsenoside Rh2 exhibited a synergistic action. When these four natural products were loaded into liposome systems, we observed an increased effect. The relative action was also observed in vivo. The cisplatin group presented obvious kidney damage, whereas both cocktail therapy and cocktail liposome therapy were safer. Conclusion: Therefore, we propose cocktail liposome systems may provide a more efficient and safer treatment for lung cancer.

Cyclodextrin-based delivery systems for in vivo-tested anticancer therapies

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are naturally occurring macromolecules widely used as excipients on pharmaceutical formulations, evidencing a large spectrum of applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Their unique ability to act as molecular containers by entrapping a wide range of guest molecules in their internal cavity makes them a remarkable excipient to improve drug apparent solubility, stability, and bioavailability, and a valuable tool for the assembly of new drug delivery systems. These features are especially useful when it comes to chemotherapy, as most of the anticancer drugs present both low permeability and reduced water solubility. Therefore, guest-host inclusion complexes offer several potential advantages not only regarding the improvement of pharmaceutical formulations characteristics but also considering the reduction of drug toxic side effects. The combination of CDs with additional technologies and materials constitutes a potential strategy towards the development of advanced and multifunctional CD-based delivery systems. Paclitaxel, curcumin, camptothecin, doxorubicin, and cisplatin are among the most studied molecules with anticancer activities and have been successfully incorporated in such nanosystems. Exciting results using CDs and CD-based delivery systems have been obtained so far, paving the way towards the attainment of intelligent delivery systems to possibly address cancer therapeutics' unmet needs. In this review, a comprehensive exposition concerning in vivo-tested CD and CD-based delivery systems for anticancer therapy is undertaken. Additionally, the authors address the multivalent functionalities of CD-based delivery systems, namely the incorporation of active target ligands, stimuli-responsiveness components, surface functionalization, or further associations with other delivery systems, aiming at improved in vivo anticancer therapies. Graphical abstract.

Interactions Between Tumor Biology and Targeted Nanoplatforms for Imaging Applications

Although considerable efforts have been conducted to diagnose, improve, and treat cancer in the past few decades, existing therapeutic options are insufficient, as mortality and morbidity rates remain high. Perhaps the best hope for substantial improvement lies in early detection. Recent advances in nanotechnology are expected to increase the current understanding of tumor biology, and will allow nanomaterials to be used for targeting and imaging both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Owing to their intrinsic physicochemical characteristics, nanostructures (NSs) are valuable tools that have received much attention in nanoimaging. Consequently, rationally designed NSs have been successfully employed in cancer imaging for targeting cancer-specific or cancer-associated molecules and pathways. This review categorizes imaging and targeting approaches according to cancer type, and also highlights some new safe approaches involving membrane-coated nanoparticles, tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNAs, and cancer stem cells in the hope of developing more precise targeting and multifunctional nanotechnology-based imaging probes in the future.

Preparation of β-CD-DPPE-Dox Nanomedicine and Its' Application as the Anticancer and Antitumor Drug

β-CD-DPPE molecule was synthesized through the conjugation of β-CD-NH2 and the DPPE molecule, and its' water-solubility was more excellent than the traditional phospholipid molecule. The spherical micelles was formed by β-CD-DPPE molecule in aqueous solution, and the β-CD-DPPE-Dox nanomedicine can be prepared through loading Dox (Doxorubicin) into the micelles, and the Dox loading ratio was about 82.3 ± 7.27%. At the same time the Dox release behavior from the nanomedicine was sustained-release and pH controlled release, and the release test in vitro showed that the release rate of the Dox at the lower pH was faster than that of normal pH (pH = 7.4), which indicated that the rate of release in the tumor microenvironment is faster than in the normal tissue. Biological test showed that the micelles was low cytotoxicity, and the cytotoxicity of β-CD-DPPE-Dox nanomedicine was lower than the Dox under the same Dox concentration, and the β-CD-DPPE-Dox nanomedicine could effectively induce cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit the tumor growth.