Co-Loaded Curcumin and Methotrexate Nanocapsules Enhance Cytotoxicity against Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at 30: A Legacy of Pioneering Research in Natural Products and Dietary Supplements

Since its establishment in 1994, the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi has made notable contributions to the field of natural product research, coinciding with the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Over the past three decades, the Center has focused on studying plants, herbs, and other natural materials for applications in medicine, agriculture, and nutraceuticals, particularly in the area of botanical dietary supplements. NCNPR scientists have been actively engaged in developing and improving quality control measures to help ensure the safety of dietary supplements in response to a growing market. The Center's research efforts have led to its designation as a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center of Excellence, reflecting its role in advancing scientific understanding of natural products. Through collaborations with various stakeholders and regulators, NCNPR has contributed to shaping the regulatory landscape for botanical dietary supplements, highlighting both their potential health benefits and associated risks, such as product adulteration. The Center's influence is also evident internationally, as demonstrated by its annual International Conference on the Science of Botanicals, which will mark its 26th year in April 2025. This overview outlines NCNPR's role in supporting research, regulation, and safety in the natural products field.

Comparative In Vitro Study between Biocompatible Chitosan-Based Magnetic Nanocapsules and Liposome Formulations with Potential Application in Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

This study describes the comparison between the interaction of a series of peptide-functionalized chitosan-based nanocapsules and liposomes with two cell lines, i.e., mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 and human endothelial cells EA.hy926. Both types of nanocarriers are loaded with magnetic nanoparticles and designed for anti-inflammatory therapy. The choice of these magnetic nanostructures is argued based on their advantages in terms of size, morphology, chemical composition, and the multiple possibilities of modifying their surface. Moreover, active targeting might be ensured by using an external magnetic field. To explore the impact of chitosan-based nanocapsules and liposomes on cell cytophysiology, the cell viability, using the MTT assay, and cell morphology were investigated. The results revealed low to moderate cytotoxicity of free nanocapsules and significant cytotoxicity induced by chitosan-coated liposomes loaded with dexamethasone, confirming its release from the delivery system. Thus, after 48 h of treatment with nanocapsules, the viability of RAW 264.7 cells varied between 88.18% (OCNPM-1I, 3.125 µg/mL) and 76.37% (OCNPM-1, 25 µg/mL). In the same conditions, EA.hy926 cell viability was between 99.91% (OCNPM-3, 3.125 µg/mL) and 75.15% (OCNPM-3, 25 µg/mL) at the highest dose (25 µg/mL), the values being comparable for both cell lines. Referring to the cell reactivity after dexamethasone-loaded liposome application, the lowest viability of RAW 264.7 cells was 41.25% (CLDM5CP-1, 25 µg/mL) and 58.20% (CLDMM2CP-1 1.25 µg/mL) in the endothelial cell line, proving a selective character of action of nanocarriers. The cell morphology test, performed to support and confirm the results obtained by the MTT test, revealed a differentiated response for the two types of nano-carriers. As expected, an intense cytotoxic effect in the case of dexamethasone-loaded liposomes and a lack of cytotoxicity for drug-free nanocapsules were noticed. Therefore, our study demonstrated the biocompatible feature of the studied nanocarriers, which highlights them for future research as potential drug delivery systems for pharmacological applications, including anti-inflammatory therapy.

Computational simulation on the study of Tacrolimus and its improved dermal retention using Poly(Ԑ-caprolactone) nanocapsules

Tacrolimus (TAC) is a drug from natural origin that can be used for topical application to control autoimmune skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Computational simulation based on quantum mechanics theory by solving Schrödinger Equation for n-body problem may allow the theoretical calculation of drug geometry, charge distribution and dipole moment, electronic levels and molecular orbitals, electronic transitions, and vibrational transitions. Additionally, the development of novel nanotechnology-based delivery systems containing TAC can be an approach for reducing the dose applied topically, increasing dermal retention, and reducing the reported side effects due to the controlled release pattern. Firstly, this paper was devoted to obtaining the molecular, electronic, and vibrational data for TAC by using five semi-empirical (SE) methods and one Density Functional Theory (DFT) method in order to expand the knowledge about the drug properties by computational simulation. Then, this study was carried out to prepare TAC-loaded poly(ԑ-caprolactone) nanocapsules by interfacial polymer deposition following solvent displacement and investigate the in vitro drug permeation using the Franz diffusion cell and the photoacoustic spectroscopy. Computational simulations were compared in the three schemes SE/SE, SE/DFT, and DFT/DFT, where the first method represented the procedure used for geometry optimization and the second one was performed to extract electronic and vibrational properties. Computational data showed correspondence with TAC geometry description and electronic properties, with few differences in HOMO - LUMO gap (Δ) and dipole values. The SE/DFT and DFT/DFT methods presented a better drug description for the UV-Vis, Infrared, and Raman spectra with low deviation from experimental values. Franz cell model demonstrated that TAC was more delivered across the Strat-M® membrane from the solution than the drug-loaded poly(ԑ-caprolactone) nanocapsules. Photoacoustic spectroscopy assay revealed that these nanocapsules remained more retained into the Strat-M® membranes, which is desirable for the topical application.

Challenges and advances for glioma therapy based on inorganic nanoparticles

Glioma is one of the most serious central nervous system diseases, with high mortality and poor prognosis. Despite the continuous development of existing treatment methods, the median survival time of glioma patients is still only 15 months. The main treatment difficulties are the invasive growth of glioma and the obstruction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to drugs. With rapid advancements in nanotechnology, inorganic nanoparticles (INPs) have shown favourable application prospects in the diagnosis and treatment of glioma. Due to their extraordinary intrinsic features, INPs can be easily fabricated, while doping with other elements and surface modification by biological ligands can be used to enhance BBB penetration, targeted delivery and biocompatibility. Guided glioma theranostics with INPs can improve and enhance the efficacy of traditional methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and gene therapy. New strategies, such as immunotherapy, photothermal and photodynamic therapy, magnetic hyperthermia therapy, and multifunctional inorganic nanoplatforms, have also been facilitated by INPs. This review emphasizes the current state of research and clinical applications of INPs, including glioma targeting and BBB penetration enhancement methods, in vivo and in vitro biocompatibility, and diagnostic and treatment strategies. As such, it provides insights for the development of novel glioma treatment strategies.

Nano-drug co-delivery system of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment: a review

Chemotherapy drugs have been used for a long time in the treatment of cancer, but serious side effects are caused by the inability of the drug to be solely delivered to the tumor when treating cancer with chemotherapy. Natural products have attracted more and more attention due to the antitumor effect in multiple ways, abundant resources and less side effects. Therefore, the combination of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs may be an effective antitumor strategy, which can inhibit the growth of tumor and multidrug resistance, reduce side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Nano-drug co-delivery system (NDCDS) can play an important role in the combination of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the research status and application prospect of nano-delivery strategies for the combination of natural active ingredients and chemotherapy drugs, aiming to provide a basis for the development of anti-tumor drugs.

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Methotrexate-Loaded Electrospun Patch to Alleviate Psoriasis Plaques

OBJECTIVE

To achieve an effective topical formulation of Methotrexate (MTX) as a first-line treatment of psoriasis, we formulated three MTX-loaded electrospun nanofibrous patches composed of polycaprolactone (PCL), Eudragit L100, and a mixture of them.

SIGNIFICANCE

Topical delivery of MTX provides an appropriate therapeutic performance while circumventing the life-threatening side effects of systemic administration.

METHODS

Three MTX-loaded electrospun nanofibrous patches were prepared and characterized in terms of size and morphology (using SEM), thermal behavior (by TGA and DSC), and crystalline structure (using XRD). Furthermore, the wettability and mechanical strength of samples were investigated through water contact angle and tensile strength tests. Also, the encapsulation efficiency of MTX was calculated. Subsequently, in vitro drug release profile of each formulation was obtained and different kinetic models were fitted to achieve the best-matched model. Accordingly, the ex vivo skin permeation of MTX was studied for the optimum formulation.

RESULTS

All samples showed appropriate morphology, thermal behavior, and encapsulation efficiency. Also, XRD results showed that MTX is dispersed within the polymeric matrices in the amorphous state (with no crystalline region). Release studies demonstrated that MTX-loaded Eudragit L100-PCL formulation outperformed in terms of mechanical behavior and in vitro drug release. This formulation also exhibited better skin permeation.

CONCLUSION

The obtained controlled-release MTX-loaded electrospun patches seem promising to provide a long-acting topical treatment of psoriatic plaques with minimized systemic side effects.

Drug repositioning in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using gene co-expression and drug–gene interaction networks analysis

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men and women. This cancer is divided into two main types, namely non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Around 85 to 90 percent of lung cancers are NSCLC. Repositioning potent candidate drugs in NSCLC treatment is one of the important topics in cancer studies. Drug repositioning (DR) or drug repurposing is a method for identifying new therapeutic uses of existing drugs. The current study applies a computational drug repositioning method to identify candidate drugs to treat NSCLC patients. To this end, at first, the transcriptomics profile of NSCLC and healthy (control) samples was obtained from the GEO database with the accession number GSE21933. Then, the gene co-expression network was reconstructed for NSCLC samples using the WGCNA, and two significant purple and magenta gene modules were extracted. Next, a list of transcription factor genes that regulate purple and magenta modules' genes was extracted from the TRRUST V2.0 online database, and the TF–TG (transcription factors–target genes) network was drawn. Afterward, a list of drugs targeting TF–TG genes was obtained from the DGIdb V4.0 database, and two drug–gene interaction networks, including drug-TG and drug-TF, were drawn. After analyzing gene co-expression TF–TG, and drug–gene interaction networks, 16 drugs were selected as potent candidates for NSCLC treatment. Out of 16 selected drugs, nine drugs, namely Methotrexate, Olanzapine, Haloperidol, Fluorouracil, Nifedipine, Paclitaxel, Verapamil, Dexamethasone, and Docetaxel, were chosen from the drug-TG sub-network. In addition, nine drugs, including Cisplatin, Daunorubicin, Dexamethasone, Methotrexate, Hydrocortisone, Doxorubicin, Azacitidine, Vorinostat, and Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, were selected from the drug-TF sub-network. Methotrexate and Dexamethasone are common in drug-TG and drug-TF sub-networks. In conclusion, this study proposed 16 drugs as potent candidates for NSCLC treatment through analyzing gene co-expression, TF–TG, and drug–gene interaction networks.

The long and short non-coding RNAs modulating EZH2 signaling in cancer

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a large family of RNA molecules with no capability in encoding proteins. However, they participate in developmental and biological processes and their abnormal expression affects cancer progression. These RNA molecules can function as upstream mediators of different signaling pathways and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is among them. Briefly, EZH2 belongs to PRCs family and can exert functional roles in cells due to its methyltransferase activity. EZH2 affects gene expression via inducing H3K27me3. In the present review, our aim is to provide a mechanistic discussion of ncRNAs role in regulating EZH2 expression in different cancers. MiRNAs can dually induce/inhibit EZH2 in cancer cells to affect downstream targets such as Wnt, STAT3 and EMT. Furthermore, miRNAs can regulate therapy response of cancer cells via affecting EZH2 signaling. It is noteworthy that EZH2 can reduce miRNA expression by binding to promoter and exerting its methyltransferase activity. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) are synthetic, short ncRNAs capable of reducing EZH2 expression and suppressing cancer progression. LncRNAs mainly regulate EZH2 expression via targeting miRNAs. Furthermore, lncRNAs induce EZH2 by modulating miRNA expression. Circular RNAs (CircRNAs), like lncRNAs, affect EZH2 expression via targeting miRNAs. These areas are discussed in the present review with a focus on molecular pathways leading to clinical translation.

Anticancer evaluation of methotrexate and curcumin coencapsulated niosomes against colorectal cancer cell line

Aim: The aim of the present investigation was to develop niosomes containing both curcumin (CUR) and methotrexate (MTX). Also, the combinational effect of CUR and MTX in both free and niosomal forms on growth inhibition potential and induction of apoptosis in the HCT-116 cell line were exploited. Materials & methods: Niosomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method and their physicochemical properties were determined by various techniques. Cellular uptake, cell apoptosis, wound healing and MTT assay were conducted to ascertain niosomes' feasibility for cancer therapy. Results: The combination of CUR and MTX in niosomal formulation showed more toxicity than their combination in free form. Conclusion: The nanocarrier-based approach was effective for the codelivery of CUR and MTX against cancer cells in vitro.

Characterization and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Tacrolimus-Loaded Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nanocapsules for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Tacrolimus (TAC) is a drug of natural origin used in conventional topical dosage forms to control atopic dermatitis. However, direct application of the drug often causes adverse side effects in some patients. Hence, drug nanoencapsulation could be used as an improved novel therapy to mitigate the adverse effects and enhance bioavailability of the drug.

METHODS

Physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release experiments, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity studies were performed.

RESULTS

TAC-loaded nanocapsules were successfully prepared by the interfacial deposition of preformed polymer using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The nanoparticulate systems presented a spherical shape with a smooth and regular surface, adequate diameter (226 to 250 nm), polydispersity index below 0.3, and suitable electrical stability (-38 to -42 mV). X-ray diffraction confirmed that the encapsulation method provided mainly the drug molecular dispersion in the nanocapsule oily core. Fourier-transform infrared spectra suggested that nanoencapsulation did not result in chemical bonds between drug and polymer. In vitro drug dissolution experiments showed a controlled release with a slight initial burst. The release kinetics showed zero-order kinetics. As per the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, anomalous transport features were observed. TAC-loaded PCL nanocapsules exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity when compared to the free drug.

CONCLUSIONS

TAC-loaded PCL nanocapsules can be suitably used as a novel nano-based dosage form to control atopic dermatitis.

Current Insight into the Therapeutic Potential of Phytocompounds and their Nanoparticle-based Systems for Effective Management of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the primary cause of cancer-related death in both men and women worldwide. Due to diagnosis at an advanced stage, it is associated with high mortality in the majority of patients. At present, various treatment approaches are available such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. However, all these approaches usually cause serious side effects like degeneration of normal cells, bone marrow depression, alopecia, extensive vomiting, etc. To overcome the aforementioned problems, researchers have focused on the alternative therapeutic approach in which various natural compounds are reported, which possessed anti-lung cancer activity. Phytocompounds exhibit their anti-lung cancer activity via targeting various cell-signaling pathways, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and regulating antioxidant status and detoxification. Apart from the excellent anti-cancer activity, clinical administration of phytocompounds is confined because of their high lipophilicity and low bioavailability. Therefore, researchers show their concern in the development of a stable, safe, and effective approach of treatment with minimal side effects by the development of nanoparticle-based delivery of these phytocompounds to the target site. Targeted delivery of phytocompound through nanoparticles overcomes the aforementioned problems. In this article, the molecular mechanism of phytocompounds, their emerging combination therapy, and their nanoparticles-based delivery systems in the treatment of lung cancer have been discussed.

Nanoscale Formulations: Incorporating Curcumin into Combination Strategies for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains the most common cancer worldwide. Although significant advances in screening have been made and early diagnosis strategies and therapeutic regimens have been developed, the overall survival rate remains bleak. Curcumin is extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric and exhibits a wide range of biological activities. In lung cancer, evidence has shown that curcumin can markedly inhibit tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, overcome resistance to therapy, and even eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs). Herein, the underlying molecular mechanisms of curcumin were summarized by distinct biological processes. To solve the limiting factors that curtail the clinical applications of curcumin, nanoformulations encapsulating curcumin were surveyed in detail. Nanoparticles, including liposomes, micelles, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanosuspensions, and nanoemulsions, were explored as proper carriers of curcumin. Moreover, it was firmly verified that curcumin has the ability to sensitize lung cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, and to various targeted therapies. Regarding the advantages and drawbacks of curcumin, we concluded that combination therapy based on nanoparticles would be the optimal approach to broaden the application of curcumin in the clinic in the near future.