Celecoxib-Loaded Cubosomal Nanoparticles as a Therapeutic Approach for Staphylococcus aureus In Vivo Infection

Nicardipine-chitosan nanoparticles alleviate thioacetamide-induced acute liver injury by targeting NFκB/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling in rats: Unraveling new roles beyond calcium channel blocking

Liver inflammatory diseases are marked by serious complications. Notably, nicardipine (NCD) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, but its benefits in liver inflammation have not been studied yet. However, the therapeutic efficacy of NCD is limited by its short half-life and low bioavailability. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the potential of NCD-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) to improve its pharmacokinetic profile and hepatic accumulation. Four formulations of NCD-ChNPs were synthesized and characterized. The optimal formulation (NP2) exhibited a mean particle diameter of 172.6 ± 1.94 nm, a surface charge of +25.66 ± 0.93 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 88.86 ± 1.17 %. NP2 showed good physical stability as a lyophilized powder over three months. It displayed pH-sensitive release characteristics, releasing 77.15 ± 5.09 % of NCD at pH 6 (mimicking the inflammatory microenvironment) and 52.15 ± 3.65 % at pH 7.4, indicating targeted release in inflamed liver tissues. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies revealed that NCD-ChNPs significantly prolonged NCD circulation time and enhanced its concentration in liver tissues compared to plain NCD. Additionally, the study investigated the protective effects of NCD-ChNPs in thioacetamide-induced liver injury in rats by modulating the NFκB/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling axis. NCD-ChNPs effectively inhibited NFκB activation, reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and subsequent release of IL-1β, which correlated with improved hepatic function and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings highlight the potential of NCD-ChNPs as a promising nanomedicine strategy for the treatment of liver inflammatory diseases, warranting further investigation into their clinical applications, particularly in hypertensive patients with liver inflammatory conditions.

Neuroprotective efficiency of celecoxib vesicular bilosomes for the management of lipopolysaccharide-induced Alzheimer in mice employing 23 full factorial design

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate bilosomes loaded with Celecoxib (CXB) for the efficient treatment of Alzheimer. The thin-film hydration approach was utilized in the formulation of CXB bilosomes (CXB-BLs). The study used a 23-factorial design to investigate the impact of several formulation variables. Three separate parameters were investigated: bile salt type (X1), medication amount (X2), and lipid-bile salt ratio (X3). The dependent responses included entrapment efficiency (Y1: EE %), particle size (Y2: PS), and zeta potential (Y3: ZP). The formulation factors were statistically optimized using the Design-Expert® program. The vesicles demonstrated remarkable CXB encapsulation efficiency, ranging from 94.16 ± 1.91 to 98.38 ± 0.85%. The vesicle sizes ranged from 241.8 ± 6.74 to 352 ± 2.34 nm. The produced formulations have high negative zeta potential values, indicating strong stability. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the optimized vesicles had a spherical form. CXB release from BLs was biphasic, with the release pattern following Higuchi's model. In vivo studies confirmed the efficiency of CXB-BLs in management of lipopolysaccharide-induced Alzheimer as CXB-BLs ameliorated cognitive dysfunction, decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and inhibited neuro-inflammation and neuro-degeneration through reducing Toll-like receptor (TLR4), and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels. The findings suggested that the created CXB-BLs could be a potential drug delivery strategy for Alzheimer's treatment.

A, Alkhamiss AS, Hamad RS, Abdel-Reheim MA, Ellethy AT, Elsisi HA, Alsharidah M, Elghandour SR, Elnawawy T, Abdelhady R. Hedgehog signaling is a promising target for the treatment of hepatic fibrogenesis: a new management strategy using itraconazole-loaded nanoparticles

Liver fibrosis is a disease with a great global health and economic burden. Existing data highlights itraconazole (ITRCZ) as a potentially effective anti-fibrotic therapy. However, ITRCZ effect is hindered by several limitations, such as poor solubility and bioavailability. This study aimed to formulate and optimize chitosan nanoparticles (Cht NPs) loaded with ITRCZ as a new strategy for managing liver fibrosis. ITRCZ-Cht NPs were optimized utilizing a developed 22 full factorial design. The optimized formula (F3) underwent comprehensive in vitro and in vivo characterization. In vitro assessments revealed that F3 exhibited an entrapment efficiency of 89.65% ± 0.57%, a 169.6 ± 1.77 nm particle size, and a zeta potential of +15.93 ± 0.21 mV. Furthermore, in vitro release studies indicated that the release of ITRCZ from F3 adhered closely to the first-order model, demonstrating a significant enhancement (p-value < 0.05) in cumulative release compared to plain ITRCZ suspension. This formula increased primary hepatocyte survival and decreased LDH activity in vitro. The in vivo evaluation of F3 in a rat model of liver fibrosis revealed improved liver function and structure. ITRCZ-Cht NPs displayed potent antifibrotic effects as revealed by the downregulation of TGF-β, PDGF-BB, and TIMP-1 as well as decreased hydroxyproline content and α-SMA immunoexpression. Anti-inflammatory potential was evident by reduced TNF-α and p65 nuclear translocation. These effects were likely ascribed to the modulation of Hedgehog components SMO, GLI1, and GLI2. These findings theorize ITRCZ-Cht NPs as a promising formulation for treating liver fibrosis. However, further investigations are deemed necessary.

Emerging strategies and therapeutic innovations for combating drug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus strains: A comprehensive review

In recent years, antibiotic therapy has encountered significant challenges due to the rapid emergence of multidrug resistance among bacteria responsible for life-threatening illnesses, creating uncertainty about the future management of infectious diseases. The escalation of antimicrobial resistance in the post-COVID era compared to the pre-COVID era has raised global concern. The prevalence of nosocomial-related infections, especially outbreaks of drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, have been reported worldwide, with India being a notable hotspot for such occurrences. Various virulence factors and mutations characterize nosocomial infections involving S. aureus. The lack of proper alternative treatments leading to increased drug resistance emphasizes the need to investigate and examine recent research to combat future pandemics. In the current genomics era, the application of advanced technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), machine learning (ML), and quantum computing (QC) for genomic analysis and resistance prediction has significantly increased the pace of diagnosing drug-resistant pathogens and insights into genetic intricacies. Despite prompt diagnosis, the elimination of drug-resistant infections remains unattainable in the absence of effective alternative therapies. Researchers are exploring various alternative therapeutic approaches, including phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, photodynamic therapy, vaccines, host-directed therapies, and more. The proposed review mainly focuses on the resistance journey of S. aureus over the past decade, detailing its resistance mechanisms, prevalence in the subcontinent, innovations in rapid diagnosis of the drug-resistant strains, including the applicants of NGS and ML application along with QC, it helps to design alternative novel therapeutics approaches against S. aureus infection.

Cubosomal nanoformulation increase invitro dissolution and anticancer activity of Fisetin in A549 lung cancer cells

Aim: To prepare fisetin (FIS) cubosomal nanoformulation to increase aqueous solubility and anticancer activity. Methods: Top-down method using glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and Pluronic F-127. Results: Optimized using 2% GMO and 1% Pluronic F-127, reported 93.07 nm particle size, 80.10% drug entrapment, and reports more than 50% enhanced in vitro drug release than native FIS. MTT assay reports IC50 Values of FIS 16.59 μg/ml and optimized cubosomal FIS nanoformulation (FISCUB) 12.18 μg/ml. The colony numbers observed in clonogenic assay for FISCUB were 8.33 ± 0.58 and FIS 11.67 ± 1.15. In flow cytometry study, apoptotic cells in FISCUB and FIS-treated A549 cells were found to be 33.4 and 6.83% respectively. Conclusion: A stable cubosomal nanoformulation of FIS showed enhanced aqueous solubility and anticancer activity.