Novel method of niosome generation using supercritical carbon dioxide part I: process mechanics

Nano-vesicular formulation of propolis and cytotoxic effects in a 3D spheroid model of lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Propolis exhibits therapeutic properties due to the presence of phenolic acids, esters, and flavonoids. The scope of this study was to develop a nano-vesicular formulation and establish a three-dimensional (3D) spheroid model in which lung cancer is recapitulated.

RESULTS

Niosome vesicles doped with galangin-rich propolis extract were synthesized by the ether injection method using a cholesterol : surfactant mass ratio of 1 : 3 at 40 °C for 1 h. Formulated niosomes were administered to 3D lung cancer spheroid model and the cytotoxicity was compared with that of a two-dimensional (2D) setting. The galangin content was determined as 86 μg mg^-1 propolis extract by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The particle size of loaded niosome was 151 ± 2.84 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of about 0.232, and an encapsulation efficiency of 70% was achieved.

CONCLUSION

The decrease in cell viability and the scattering in the 3D spheroids of A549 lung cancer cells treated with propolis-loaded niosomes were notable, indicating a profound cytotoxic effect and suggesting that they can be utilized as an effective nano-vesicle. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Why, Where, Who, How, and What of the vesicular delivery systems

Though vesicular delivery systems have been widely explored and reviewed, no comprehensive review exists that covers their development from the inception of the concept to its culmination in the form of regulated marketed formulations. With the advancement of scientific research in the field of nanomedicine, certain category of vesicular delivery systems have successfully reached the global market. Despite extensive research and highly encouraging results in a plethora of pathological conditions in the preclinical studies, translation of these nanomedicines from laboratory to market has been very limited. Aim of this review is to describe comprehensively the various colloidal delivery systems, focusing mainly on their conventional and advanced methods of preparation, different characterization techniques and main success stories of their journey from bench to bedside of the patient. The review also touches the finer nuances of the use of modern formulation approach of DoE (Design of Experiments) in their formulation and the status of regulatory guidelines for the approval of these nanomedicines.

Automated and reconfigurable platform for niosome generation based on a microfluidic architecture

Drug delivery at the nano-scale is becoming an important topic in nano and regenerative medicine as it can offer a very localized therapy. Therefore, niosomes are one of the most important vehicles to release drug at the nanoscale. In this paper, we present a new automated microsystem for niosome generation on-demand. Used niosome were based on a mixture of cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate with chloroform. Three compact micropumps are connected to a microfluidic substrate in order to generate 100 nm noisome vesicles. Through this paper we also investigated the impact of using 150 μm pseudo-Y and cross shape microchannel on the diameter of vesicles. We have observed reliable results with Y-shaped microchannel, which was able to generate vesicles down to 91 nm. All the system is based on a low-cost fabrication process using dry photo resist.