Vitamin B12-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles as a drug carrier in cancer therapy

Enhancement in Biological Availability of Vitamins by Nano-engineering and its Applications: An Update

Vitamin nano-engineering has been accomplished by synthesizing various nanostructures to improve their stability, bioavailability, shelf life, and functioning. This review provides a detailed description of recent advances in the art of encapsulation with high efficiency through the use of practical and logistic nano-engineering techniques such as nanofibres, nanogels, nanobeads, nanotubes, nanoparticles, nanoliposomes, and many other nanostructures. To demonstrate the interaction of molecules with nano-forms, the bioavailability of several vitamins such as B, C, E, A, D, and others in the form of nanostructures is explored. This review will provide a thorough understanding of how to improve bioavailability and nanostructure selection to extend the utility, shelf life, and structural stability of vitamins. While nanoencapsulation can improve vitamin stability and distribution, the materials employed in nanotechnologies may offer concerns if they are not sufficiently tested for safety. If nanoparticles are not adequately designed and evaluated, they may cause inflammation, oxidative stress, or other unwanted effects. Researchers and makers of nanomaterials and medication delivery systems should adhere to established rules and regulations. Furthermore, long-term studies are required to monitor any negative consequences that may result from the use of nanostructure.

Lipid Nanoparticles: An Effective Tool to Improve the Bioavailability of Nutraceuticals

Nano-range bioactive colloidal carrier systems are envisaged to overcome the challenges associated with treatments of numerous diseases. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), one of the extensively investigated drug delivery systems, not only improve pharmacokinetic parameters, transportation, and chemical stability of encapsulated compounds but also provide efficient targeting and reduce the risk of toxicity. Over the last decades, nature-derived polyphenols, vitamins, antioxidants, dietary supplements, and herbs have received more attention due to their remarkable biological and pharmacological health and medical benefits. However, their poor aqueous solubility, compromised stability, insufficient absorption, and accelerated elimination impede research in the nutraceutical sector. Owing to the possibilities offered by various LNPs, their ability to accommodate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules and the availability of various preparation methods suitable for sensitive molecules, loading natural fragile molecules into LNPs offers a promising solution. The primary objective of this work is to explore the synergy between nature and nanotechnology, encompassing a wide range of research aimed at encapsulating natural therapeutic molecules within LNPs.

Nano Functional Food: Opportunities, Development, and Future Perspectives

A functional food is a kind of food with special physiological effects that can improve health status or reduce illness. However, the active ingredients in functional foods are usually very low due to the instability and easy degradation of some nutrients. Therefore, improving the utilization rate of the effective ingredients in functional food has become the key problem. Nanomaterials have been widely used and studied in many fields due to their small size effect, high specific surface area, high target activity, and other characteristics. Therefore, it is a feasible method to process and modify functional food using nanotechnology. In this review, we summarize the nanoparticle delivery system and the food nanotechnology in the field of functional food. We also summarize and prospect the application, basic principle, and latest development of nano-functional food and put forward corresponding views.

The effects of L-carnitine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on performance, antioxidant parameters, and expression of genes associated with cholesterol metabolism in laying hens

The purpose of this study was to investigate the production performance, antioxidant parameters, egg yolk cholesterol content, and expression of genes related to cholesterol metabolism in laying hens fed L-carnitine (LC) and L-carnitine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (LC-SLNs). A total of 350 Hy-Line (w-36) laying hens at 50 wk of age (1520.0 ± 0.7 g) were randomly assigned to 35 units (5 replicates and 50 hens in each treatment) with seven dietary treatments as a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based diets, including 1) Control (basal diet); 2) Basal diet +50 mg/kg LC (50LC); 3) Basal diet +100 mg/kg LC (100LC); 4) Basal diet +150 mg/kg LC (150LC); 5) Basal diet +50 mg/kg LC-SLNs (50LC-SLNs); 6) Basal diet +100 mg/kg LC-SLNs (100LC-SLNs) and 7) Basal diet +150 mg/kg LC-SLNs (150LC-SLNs). Results showed that the 50LC-SLNs had the least feed conversion ratio (FCR) in all groups (P < 0.05). The dietary supplementation of 100LC-SLNs decreased (P < 0.01) the egg yolk cholesterol concentration from 14.71 to 11.76 mg/g yolk (25%). The 50LC-SLNs group produced the most total antioxidant capacity with a difference of 58.44% compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The greatest amount of total superoxide dismutase was found for 50LC-SLNs (P < 0.05), while the glutathione peroxidase was not affected by the experimental treatments (P > 0.05). Serum malondialdehyde levels were reduced by 50.52% in laying hens fed 50LC-SLNs compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The transcript level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the LC and LC-SLNs groups. The expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase was significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the plain LC (∼83%) and LC-SLNs (∼91%) groups. The inclusion of LC-SLNs in the diet increased (P < 0.05) the villus height and decreased villus width in all three parts of the small intestine. Dietary inclusion of LC was found to reduce egg yolk and serum cholesterol content by improving the production performance and antioxidant status. The LC-SLNs groups were more affected than the plain LC groups, which may be attributed to the increased bioavailability of LC.

Ion exchange column technique as a novel method for evaluating the release of docetaxel from different lipid nanoparticles

Lipid nanoparticles with their unique characters showed many advantages as carriers for anticancer drugs. To compare between these nanoparticles as carriers for anticancer drugs, it was important to evaluate and characterize their drug retention and release properties. In this study, ion exchange column is used as a new evaluation technique. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), and cubic nanoparticles were prepared using the homogenization technique. Characterization of these nanoparticles was carried out by measuring particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The ion exchange column was used to evaluate docetaxel release from the different nanoparticles as donors to acceptor liposomes that mimic the cell membranes. Both populations were mixed and at different time points, separated using the columns. The amounts of docetaxel in the eluted nanoparticles and retained liposomes were calculated. The particle size of all donors was in the nanometer range with almost neutral zeta potential. The particle size of the acceptor liposomes was 135 nm with a high negative zeta potential -55 mV. Ion exchange columns showed excellent retention of the negative acceptor liposomes while less than 1% of the different donors were retained on the columns. Cubic nanoparticles showed the highest entrapment efficiency (95%) and the slowest drug transfer in comparison with SLN and NLC. In conclusion, the ion exchange column technique can be applied successfully to evaluate the release of docetaxel from the different lipid nanoparticles to acceptor liposomes. Cubic nanoparticles showed advantageous docetaxel incorporation and transfer over SLN and NLC.

Lipid-Based Nanostructures for the Delivery of Natural Antimicrobials

Encapsulation can be a suitable strategy to protect natural antimicrobial substances against some harsh conditions of processing and storage and to provide efficient formulations for antimicrobial delivery. Lipid-based nanostructures, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid nanocarriers (NLCs), are valuable systems for the delivery and controlled release of natural antimicrobial substances. These nanostructures have been used as carriers for bacteriocins and other antimicrobial peptides, antimicrobial enzymes, essential oils, and antimicrobial phytochemicals. Most studies are conducted with liposomes, although the potential of SLNs and NLCs as antimicrobial nanocarriers is not yet fully established. Some studies reveal that lipid-based formulations can be used for co-encapsulation of natural antimicrobials, improving their potential to control microbial pathogens.

Current Nanocarrier Strategies Improve Vitamin B12 Pharmacokinetics, Ameliorate Patients' Lives, and Reduce Costs

Vitamin B12 (VitB12) is a naturally occurring compound produced by microorganisms and an essential nutrient for humans. Several papers highlight the role of VitB12 deficiency in bone and heart health, depression, memory performance, fertility, embryo development, and cancer, while VitB12 treatment is crucial for survival in inborn errors of VitB12 metabolism. VitB12 is administrated through intramuscular injection, thus impacting the patients’ lifestyle, although it is known that oral administration may meet the specific requirement even in the case of malabsorption. Furthermore, the high-dose injection of VitB12 does not ensure a constant dosage, while the oral route allows only 1.2% of the vitamin to be absorbed in human beings. Nanocarriers are promising nanotechnology that can enable therapies to be improved, reducing side effects. Today, nanocarrier strategies applied at VitB12 delivery are at the initial phase and aim to simplify administration, reduce costs, improve pharmacokinetics, and ameliorate the quality of patients’ lives. The safety of nanotechnologies is still under investigation and few treatments involving nanocarriers have been approved, so far. Here, we highlight the role of VitB12 in human metabolism and diseases, and the issues linked to its molecule properties, and discuss how nanocarriers can improve the therapy and supplementation of the vitamin and reduce possible side effects and limits.

Cytotoxic activity of poly-ɛ-caprolactone lipid-core nanocapsules loaded with lycopene-rich extract from red guava (Psidium guajava L.) on breast cancer cells

The aims of this study were to produce poly-ɛ-caprolactone lipid-core nanocapsules containing lycopene-rich extract from red guava (LEG), to characterize those nanoparticles and to evaluate their cytotoxic effects on human breast cancer cells. Lipid-core nanocapsules containing the extract (nanoLEG) were produced by the method of interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer. The nanoparticles were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Polydispersity Index, Zeta Potential, pH, Encapsulation Efficiency, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Cell viability was evaluated by the MTT dye reduction method in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line and inhibition of ROS and NF-κB was assayed in living human microglial cell line (HMC3) by time-lapse images microscopy. A hemolytic activity assay was carried out with sheep blood. Data showed that nanoparticles average size was around 200 nm, nanoparticles concentration/mL was around 0.1 µM, negative zeta potential, pH < 5.0 and spherical shape, with low variation during a long storage period (7 months) at 5 °C, indicating stability of the system and protection against lycopene degradation. The percentage of encapsulation varied from 95% to 98%. The nanoLEG particles significantly reduced the viability of the MCF-7 cells after 24 h (61.47%) and 72 h (55.96%) of exposure, even at the lowest concentration tested (6.25-200 μg/ml) and improved on the cytotoxicity of free LEG to MCF-7. NanoLEG inhibited LPS-induced NF-kB activation and ROS production in microglial cells. The particles did not affect the membrane integrity of sheep blood erythrocytes at the concentrations tested (6.25-200 μg/mL). Thus, the formulation of lipid-core nanocapsules with a polysorbate 80-coated poly-ɛ-caprolactone wall was efficiently applied to stabilize the lycopene-rich extract from red guava, generating a product with satisfactory physico-chemical and biological properties for application as health-promoting nanotechnology-based nutraceutical, emphasizing its potential to be used as a cancer treatment.

A systematic review on nanoencapsulation of food bioactive ingredients and nutraceuticals by various nanocarriers

Today, there is an ever-growing interest on natural food ingredients both by consumers and producers in the food industry. In fact, people are looking for those products in the market which are free from artificial and synthetic additives and can promote their health. These food bioactive ingredients should be formulated in such a way that protects them against harsh process and environmental conditions and safely could be delivered to the target organs and cells. Nanoencapsulation is a perfect strategy for this situation and there have been many studies in recent years for nanoencapsulation of food components and nutraceuticals by different technologies. In this review paper, our main goal is firstly to have an overview of nanoencapsulation techniques applicable to food ingredients in a systematic classification, i.e., lipid-based nanocarriers, nature-inspired nanocarriers, special-equipment-based nanocarriers, biopolymer nanocarriers, and other miscellaneous nanocarriers. Then, application of these cutting-edge nanocarriers for different nutraceuticals including phenolic compounds and antioxidants, natural food colorants, antimicrobial agents and essential oils, vitamins, minerals, flavors, fish oils and essential fatty acids will be discussed along with presenting some examples in each field.

Trimethyl Lock: A Multifunctional Molecular Tool for Drug Delivery, Cellular Imaging, and Stimuli-Responsive Materials

Trimethyl lock (TML) systems are based on ortho-hydroxydihydrocinnamic acid derivatives displaying increased lactonization reactivity owing to unfavorable steric interactions of three pendant methyl groups, and this leads to the formation of hydrocoumarins. Protection of the phenolic hydroxy function or masking of the reactivity as benzoquinone derivatives prevents lactonization and provides a trigger for controlled release of molecules attached to the carboxylic acid function through amides, esters, or thioesters. Their easy synthesis and possible chemical adaption to several different triggers make TML a highly versatile module for the development of drug-delivery systems, prodrug approaches, cell-imaging tools, molecular tools for supramolecular chemistry, as well as smart stimuliresponsive materials.

VitD3-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: stability, cytotoxicity and cytokine levels

Vitamin D3 (VitD3) has several beneficial effects on many metabolic pathways such as immunity system, bone development. The aim of the study, encapsulation of VitD3 with solid lipids, determine encapsulation efficiency and biocompatibility of nanoparticles. Therefore, VitD3-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNPs) were developed by optimising ratios of VitD3, stearic acid, beeswax and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Thermal stability, degradation profile, crystallinity rate, encapsulation efficiency and release profile of SLNPs were determined. Cytotoxicity of SLNPs on HaCaT, L929 and HUVEC cells were investigated. Negatively charged and VitD3-loaded nanoparticles with diameters between 30 and 60 nm were obtained. SLNPs containing up to 5.1 mg VitD3 per 10 mg powder samples were obtained. Cell proliferations were stimulated after exposure with VitD3-loaded SLNPs. Besides, inflammatory response after exposure to VitD3-loaded SLNPs was evaluated via determining IL10 and TNF-alpha levels on THP-1 cells. According to the results, no inflammatory response was observed.

A novel [Mn2(μ-(C6H5)2CHCOO)2(bipy)4](bipy)(ClO4)2 complex loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Manganese (Mn)-based complexes have been drawing attention due to the fact that they are more effective than other metal complexes. However, the use of Mn(II)-based complexes in medicine remains limited because of certain side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of a novel Mn(II) complex [Mn₂(μ-(C₆H₅)₂CHCOO)₂(bipy)₄](bipy)(ClO₄)₂ and Mn(II) complex loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) on MCF-7 and HUVEC control cells. The average diameter of Mn(II) complex was about 1120 ± 2.43 nm, while the average particle size of Mn(II) complex-SLNs was ∼340 ± 2.27 nm. The cytotoxic effects of Mn(II) complex and Mn(II)-SLNs were 86.8 and 66.4%, respectively (p < .05). Additionally, both Mn(II) complex (39.25%) and Mn(II)-SLNs (38.05%) induced apoptosis and increased the arrest of G₀/G₁ phase. However, Mn(II) complex exerted toxic effects on the HUVEC control cell (63.4%), whereas no toxic effects was observed when treated with Mn(II)-SLNs at 150 μM. As a consequence, SLNs might be potentially used for metal-based complexes in the treatment of cancer due to reducing size and toxic effects of metal-based complexes.

Preclinical safety of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: Current evidence from in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were designed as exceptionally safe colloidal carriers for the delivery of poorly soluble drugs. SLN/NLC have the particularity of being composed of excipientsalready approved for use in medicines for human use, which offers a great advantage over any other nanoparticulate system developed from novel materials. Despite this fact, any use of excipients in new route of administration or in new dosage form requires evidence of safety. After 25 years of research on SLN and NLC, enough evidence on their preclinical safety has been published. In the present work, published data on in vitro and in vivo compatibility of SLN/NLC have been surveyed, in order to provide evidence of high biocompatibility distinguished by intended administration route. We also identified critical factors and possible weak points in SLN/NLC formulations, such as the effect of surfactants on the cell viability in vitro, which should be considered for further development.

Preparation and characterization of ascorbic acid loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and investigation of their apoptotic effects

In this paper, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C, AA) known as an antioxidant was successfully incorporated in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) by hot homogenization and efficient delivery of AA to cancer cells. The obtained SLN formulations were characterized by Nano Zetasizer ZS and HPLC with the particle size being less than 250nm. AA-SLNs exhibited sustained release and high entrapment efficiency. According to MTT test results, AA-SLNs showed high cytotoxic activity compared to the free AA against H-Ras 5RP7 cells without damaging NIH/3T3 control cells. These results were supported by the Annexin V-PI and caspase-3 assay. Furthermore, as compared to the AA, AA-SLNs exhibited more efficient cellular uptake, accumulated in the cytoplasm and induced apoptosis which was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thus, the results of this study suggest that SLNs can be a potential nanocarrier system for AA.