Impact of Quercetin Encapsulation with Added Phytosterols on Bilayer Membrane and Photothermal-Alteration of Novel Mixed Soy Lecithin-Based Liposome

Therapeutic Applications of Nanoformulated Resveratrol and Quercetin Phytochemicals in Colorectal Cancer-An Updated Review

Natural compounds such as polyphenols play several positive roles in maintaining the oxidative and inflammatory capacity of cells, which leads to their potential use as anticancer therapeutics. There is promising evidence for the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of many polyphenols, including resveratrol and quercetin, specifically in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). There is a clear association between resveratrol and quercetin in interfering with the mechanistic pathways involved in CRC, such as Wnt, P13K/AKT, caspase-3, MAPK, NF-κB, etc. These molecular pathways establish the role of resveratrol and quercetin in controlling cancer cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting metastasis. The major bottleneck in the progression of the use of resveratrol and quercetin as anticancer therapeutics is their reduced bioavailability in vivo because of their rapid metabolism in humans. Recent advancements in various nanotechnological formulations are promising for overcoming these bioavailability issues. Various nanoformulations of resveratrol and quercetin have shown an optimistic impact on reducing the solubility and improving the stability of resveratrol and quercetin in vivo. A combinatorial approach using nanoformulations of resveratrol with quercetin could potentially increase the impact of resveratrol in controlling CRC cell proliferation. This review discusses the mechanism of resveratrol and quercetin, the two bioactive polyphenolics, in colon cancer, with an emphasis on various types of nanoformulations of the two molecules targeting colon cancer. It also explores the synergistic effect of combining resveratrol and quercetin in various nanoformulations, targeting colon cancer. This research delves into the enhanced pharmacokinetics and potential chemotherapeutic benefits of these bioactive polyphenolics when used together in innovative ways.

Enzymatic formation of cyclic maltooligosaccharides for the application of quercetin inclusion complex

To improve the applicability of quercetin (QCT), we produced a QCT and cycloamylose (CA-QCT) inclusion complex based on the cyclization activity of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase; EC 2.4.1.19). The encapsulated QCT was purified using recycling preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, and its formation was analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The water solubility of CA-QCT was 55,000-fold higher than that of QCT. CA-QCT had 97 % stability for one week at pH 8 in a 4 °C water bath. According to a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity assay, CA-QCT activity in aqueous solution was 24 times higher than that of an equal amount of QCT in aqueous solution. In an anti-inflammatory assay using lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages, CA-QCT in aqueous solution decreased nitric oxide production in a similar manner to QCT in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Additionally, even under aqueous conditions, CA-QCT more effectively inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase, compared with QCT dissolved in DMSO.

Advances on nanoformulation approaches for delivering plant-derived antioxidants: A case of quercetin

Oxidative stress has been implicated in tumorigenic, cardiovascular, neuro-, and age-related degenerative changes. Antioxidants minimize the oxidative damage through neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other causative agents. Ever since the emergence of COVID-19, plant-derived antioxidants have received enormous attention, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. Quercetin (QCT), a bio-flavonoid, exists in the glycosylated form in fruits, berries and vegetables. The antioxidant potential of QCT analogs relates to the number of free hydroxyl groups in their structure. Despite presence of these groups, QCT exhibits substantial hydrophobicity. Formulation scientists have tested nanotechnology-based approaches for its improved solubilization and delivery to the intended site of action. By the virtue of its hydrophobicity, QCT gets encapsulated in nanocarriers carrying hydrophobic domains. Apart from passive accumulation, active uptake of such formulations into the target cells can be facilitated through well-studied functionalization strategies. In this review, we have discussed the approaches of improving solubilization and bioavailability of QCT with the use of nanoformulations.

The potential biological effects of quercetin based on pharmacokinetics and multi-targeted mechanism in vivo

Quercetin is a plant-derived polyphenol flavonoid that has been proven to be effective for many diseases. However, the mechanism and in vivo metabolism of quercetin remains to be clarified. It achieves a wide range of biological effects through various metabolites, gut microbiota and its metabolites, systemic mediators produced by inflammation and oxidation, as well as by multiple mechanisms. The all-round disease treatment of quercetin is achieved through the organic combination of multiple channels. Therefore, this article clarifies the metabolic process of quercetin in the body, and explores the new pattern of action of quercetin in the treatment of diseases.

Fabrication and In Vitro/Vivo Evaluation of Drug Nanocrystals Self-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion for Oral Delivery of Quercetin

The aim of this study was to develop a new drug nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion (NSSPE) for improving oral bioavailability of quercetin (QT). Quercetin nanocrystal (QT–NC) was fabricated by high pressure homogenization method, and QT–NSSPE was then prepared by ultrasound method with QT–NC as solid particle stabilizer and optimized by Box-Behnken design. The optimized QT–NSSPE was characterized by fluorescence microscope (FM), scanning electron micrograph (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The stability, in vitro release, and in vivo oral bioavailability of QT–NSSPE were also investigated. Results showed that the droplets of QT–NSSPE with the size of 10.29 ± 0.44 μm exhibited a core-shell structure consisting of a core of oil and a shell of QT–NC. QT–NSSPE has shown a great stability in droplets shape, size, creaming index, zeta potential, and QT content during 30 days storage at 4, 25, and 40 °C. In vitro release studies showed that QT–NSSPE performed a better dissolution behavior (65.88% within 24 h) as compared to QT–NC (50.71%) and QT coarse powder (20.15%). After oral administration, the AUC_0–t of QT–NSSPE was increased by 2.76-times and 1.38 times compared with QT coarse powder and QT–NC. It could be concluded that NSSPE is a promising oral delivery system for improving the oral bioavailability of QT.

Liposomes Loaded with Unsaponifiable Matter from Amaranthus hypochondriacus as a Source of Squalene and Carrying Soybean Lunasin Inhibited Melanoma Cells

Amaranthus hypochondriacus is a source of molecules with reported health benefits such as antioxidant activity and cancer prevention. The objective of this research was to optimize the conditions for preparing a liposome formulation using amaranth unsaponifiable matter as a source of squalene in order to minimize the particle size and to maximize the encapsulation efficiency of liposomes for carrying and delivering soybean lunasin into melanoma cell lines. Amaranth oil was extracted using supercritical dioxide carbon extraction (55.2 MPa pressure, 80 °C temperature, solvent (CO₂)-to-feed (oil) ratio of 20). The extracted oil from amaranth was used to obtain the unsaponifiable enriched content of squalene, which was incorporated into liposomes. A Box–Behnken response surface methodology design was used to optimize the liposome formulation containing the unsaponifiable matter, once liposomes were optimized. Soybean lunasin was loaded into the liposomes and tested on A-375 and B16-F10 melanoma cells. The squalene concentration in the extracted oil was 36.64 ± 0.64 g/ 100 g of oil. The particle size in liposomes was between 115.8 and 163.1 nm; the squalene encapsulation efficiency ranged from 33.14% to 76.08%. The optimized liposome formulation contained 15.27 mg of phospholipids and 1.1 mg of unsaponifiable matter. Cell viability was affected by the liposome formulation with a half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) equivalent to 225 μM in B16-F10 and 215 μM in A-375. The liposomes formulated with lunasin achieved 82.14 ± 3.34% lunasin encapsulation efficiency and improved efficacy by decreasing lunasin IC₅₀ by 31.81% in B16-F10 and by 41.89% in A-375 compared with unencapsulated lunasin.

Nanoemulsions for Enhancement of Curcumin Bioavailability and Their Safety Evaluation: Effect of Emulsifier Type

This work aimed at evaluating the effects of different emulsifiers on curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions’ behavior during digestion, its safety and absorption, to develop nanoemulsions that provide safety and improved curcumin functionality. Nanoemulsions (NEs) were produced using two bio-based (lecithin (LEC) and rhamnolipids (RHAM)) and one synthetic (Tween^®80 (TWE)) emulsifier at similar concentrations. Different NEs were subjected to in vitro digestion. The cytotoxicity and permeability tests were performed in Caco-2 cells. NE_TWE were stable during all phases of in vitro digestion, whereas NE_LEC and NE_RHAM were found to be unstable from the gastric phase. NE_TWE showed 100% of free fatty acids released, followed by NE_RHAM and NE_LEC. Curcumin’s bioaccessibility and stability increased in the following order: NE_LEC > NE_RHAM > NE_TWE. NE_LEC and NE_TWE did not show cytotoxic effects in any of the concentrations tested, while NE_RHAM presented high cytotoxicity in all concentrations tested. The apparent permeability coefficients were determined for NE_LEC and NE_TWE; however, the results were not statistically different. These results showed that the emulsifier used has a high impact on nanoemulsions’ behavior under the digestion process and on their cytotoxicity. This work contributed to the state-of-the-art’s progress on the development of safer curcumin delivery systems with improved functionality, particularly regarding the proper selection of ingredients to produce said systems.