Codelivery of Phytochemicals with Conventional Anticancer Drugs in Form of Nanocarriers

Mitochondrial signaling pathways and their role in cancer drug resistance

Mitochondria, traditionally known as cellular powerhouses, now emerge as critical signaling centers influencing cancer progression and drug resistance. The review highlights the role that apoptotic signaling, DNA mutations, mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism play in the development of resistance mechanisms and the advancement of cancer. Targeted approaches are discussed, with an emphasis on managing mitophagy, fusion, and fission of the mitochondria to make resistant cancer cells more susceptible to traditional treatments. Additionally, metabolic reprogramming can be used to effectively target metabolic enzymes such GLUT1, HKII, PDK, and PKM2 in order to avoid resistance mechanisms. Although there are potential possibilities for therapy, the complex structure of mitochondria and their subtle role in tumor development hamper clinical translation. Novel targeted medicines are put forth, providing fresh insights on combating drug resistance in cancer. The study also emphasizes the significance of glutamine metabolism, mitochondrial respiratory complexes, and apoptotic pathways as potential targets to improve treatment effectiveness against drug-resistant cancers. Combining complementary and nanoparticle-based techniques to target mitochondria has demonstrated encouraging results in the treatment of cancer, opening doors to reduce resistance and enable individualized treatment plans catered to the unique characteristics of each patient. Suggesting innovative approaches such as drug repositioning and mitochondrial drug delivery to enhance the efficacy of mitochondria-targeting therapies, presenting a pathway for advancements in cancer treatment. This thorough investigation is a major step forward in the treatment of cancer and has the potential to influence clinical practice and enhance patient outcomes.

An overview on recent approaches for colonic drug delivery systems

Colon-targeted drug delivery systems have garnered significant interest as potential solutions for delivering various medications susceptible to acidic and catalytic degradation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or as a means of treating colonic diseases naturally with fewer overall side effects. The increasing demand for patient-friendly drug administration underscores the importance of colonic drug delivery, particularly through noninvasive methods like nanoparticulate drug delivery technologies. Such systems offer improved patient compliance, cost reduction, and therapeutic advantages. This study places particular emphasis on formulations and discusses recent advancements in various methods for designing colon-targeted drug delivery systems and their medicinal applications.

Phytochemically analysed extract of Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) R.M.King & H. Rob. initiates caspase 3-dependant apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell: A synergistic approach with chemotherapeutic drugs

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) R.M.King & H.Rob. has been used as traditional indigenous medicine all across the globe for its diverse therapeutic applications such as anticancer, analgesic, antipyretic, thermogenic, antiseptic, antimicrobial as well as astringent. The various ethnic groups of India use plant parts to treat cuts and wounds, venomous insect bites, skin lesions, blisters, scabies and other skin irritations, gastritis and indigestion problems, cough, stomach ache and dysentery. The Portuguese traditionally extract the juice from the plant and use it for cancer, diabetes, liver disorder, gallbladder and stomach ailments. Nigerian healers use different parts of the plant to treat diabetes, fever and inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic potential of A. adenophora hydroalcoholic leaves extract (AHL) on Colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines (HCT-116, HCT-15 and HT-29), synergistic potential with chemotherapeutic drugs 5FU and Cisplatin as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, based on the sample collected from Mao district of Manipur, India. Identification of bioactive phytocompounds in AHL was also performed by HRLCMS.

METHODS

The AHL was evaluated for its cytotoxic as well as antiproliferative activities by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, clonogenic and cell migration assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were quantified by Folin-ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride assays respectively. Caspase 3 activation was evaluated using Caspase-3 Assay Kit. Apoptosis detection by flow cytometry was carried out using annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit. The apoptotic cells were also visualized by Giemsa and 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. The intracellular Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was also evaluated using fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein di-acetate (H2DCFDA) in flow cytometry. The combination effects of AHL with chemotherapeutic drugs 5FU and Cisplatin were also evaluated. The identification of phytochemical constituents of AHL were analysed by HR-LCMS.

RESULTS

The AHL induced cytotoxic activity significantly in HCT-116 with IC50 of 65.65 ± 2.10 μg/mL, but non-cancerous cell HeK-293 was least cytotoxic. Colony formation and cell migration were inhibited in a dose and time dependent manner. The cell morphology upon AHL treatment was significantly altered with apoptotic features. The extract was rich in total phenolic (82.09 ± 0.35mgGAE/g) and total flavonoid (58.31 ± 0.55 mgQAE/g) contents. AHL induced apoptosis as detected by AnnexinV/PI, via activation of caspase 3 and elevated production of Reactive oxygen species (ROS). AHL in combination with 5FU and Cisplatin acts synergistically and potentiates the therapeutic properties of the extract. Sesquiterpenes, phenolic as well as flavonoid derivatives with anticancer properties were detected in AHL by HRLCMS, and these phytoconstituents may be attributed for anticancer property of AHL.

CONCLUSION

The present study evaluates the effectiveness of AHL against Colorectal cancer cell lines. AHL is cytotoxic and induces apoptosis in HCT-116 cells by caspase 3 activation and increased ROS production that can be attributed to sesquiterpenoids. Thus, the plant A. adenophora has therapeutic potential for Colorectal cancer and can be further exploited for developing anticancer drug.

Integrating natural compounds and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems: A novel strategy for enhanced efficacy and selectivity in cancer therapy

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, necessitating the development of innovative and more effective treatment strategies. Conventional cancer treatments often suffer from limitations such as systemic toxicity, poor pharmacokinetics, and drug resistance. Recently, there has been growing attention to utilizing natural compounds derived from various sources as possible cancer therapeutics. Natural compounds have demonstrated diverse bioactive properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects, making them attractive candidates for cancer treatment. However, their limited solubility and bioavailability present challenges for effective delivery to cancer cells. To overcome these limitations, researchers have turned to nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles, with their small size and unique properties, can encapsulate therapeutic agents and offer benefits such as improved solubility, prolonged drug release, enhanced cellular uptake, and targeted delivery. Functionalizing nanoparticles with specific ligands further enhances their precision in recognizing and binding to cancer cells. Combining natural compounds with nanotechnology holds great promise in achieving efficient and safe cancer treatments by enhancing bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and selectivity toward cancer cells. This review article provides an overview of the advancements in utilizing natural substances and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of various types of nanoparticles, as well as the characteristics of natural compounds that make them appealing for cancer therapy. Additionally, current research on natural substances and nanoparticles in preclinical and clinical settings is highlighted. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in developing natural compound-nanoparticle-based cancer therapies are discussed.

Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Based on Natural Products

Natural products have proven to have significant curative effects and are increasingly considered as potential candidates for clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Compared with synthetic drugs, natural products not only have diverse structures but also exhibit a range of biological activities against different disease states and molecular targets, making them attractive for development in the field of medicine. Despite advancements in the use of natural products for clinical purposes, there remain obstacles that hinder their full potential. These challenges include issues such as limited solubility and stability when administered orally, as well as short durations of effectiveness. To address these concerns, nano-drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising solution to overcome the barriers faced in the clinical application of natural products. These systems offer notable advantages, such as a large specific surface area, enhanced targeting capabilities, and the ability to achieve sustained and controlled release. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have provided further evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle-based systems in delivering natural products in preclinical disease models. This review describes the limitations of natural product applications and the current status of natural products combined with nanotechnology. The latest advances in nano-drug delivery systems for delivery of natural products are considered from three aspects: connecting targeting warheads, self-assembly, and co-delivery. Finally, the challenges faced in the clinical translation of nano-drugs are discussed.

Articulating the Pharmacological and Nanotechnological Aspects of Genistein: Current and Future Prospectives

Throughout the past several centuries, herbal constituents have been the subject of scientific interest and the latest research into their therapeutic potential is underway. Genistein is a soy-derived isoflavone found in huge amounts in soy, along with the plants of the Fabaceae family. Scientific studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of genistein on various health conditions. Genistein presents a broad range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antiulcer, anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-bacterial, antiviral, skin, and radioprotective effects. However, the hydrophobic nature of genistein results in constrained absorption and restricts its therapeutic potential. In this review, the number of nanocarriers for genistein delivery has been explored, such as polymeric nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, transferosomes, and nanoemulsions and nanofibers. These nano-formulations of genistein have been utilized as a potential strategy for various disorders, employing a variety of ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo models and various administration routes. This review concluded that genistein is a potential therapeutic agent for treating various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, etc., when formulated in suitable nanocarriers.

Nanocarriers in Tuberculosis Treatment: Challenges and Delivery Strategies

The World Health Organization identifies tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as a leading infectious killer. Although conventional treatments for TB exist, they come with challenges such as a heavy pill regimen, prolonged treatment duration, and a strict schedule, leading to multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. The rise of MDR strains endangers future TB control. Despite these concerns, the hunt for an efficient treatment continues. One breakthrough has been the use of nanotechnology in medicines, presenting a novel approach for TB treatment. Nanocarriers, such as lipid nanoparticles, nanosuspensions, liposomes, and polymeric micelles, facilitate targeted delivery of anti-TB drugs. The benefits of nanocarriers include reduced drug doses, fewer side effects, improved drug solubility, better bioavailability, and improved patient compliance, speeding up recovery. Additionally, nanocarriers can be made even more targeted by linking them with ligands such as mannose or hyaluronic acid. This review explores these innovative TB treatments, including studies on nanocarriers containing anti-TB drugs and related patents.

Statistical optimization of tetrahydrocurcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles using Box Behnken design in the management of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

In the past, curcumin was the go-to medication for diabetes, but recent studies have shown that tetrahydrocurcumin is more effective. The problem is that it's not very soluble in water or very bioavailable. So, our research aims to increase the bioavailability and anti-diabetic efficacy of tetrahydrocurcumin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by synthesizing tetrahydrocurcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles. Box Behnken Design was employed for the optimization of tetrahydrocurcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (THC-SLNs). The optimal formulation was determined by doing an ANOVA to examine the relationship between the independent variables (drug-to-lipid ratio, surfactant concentration, and co-surfactant concentration) and the dependent variables (particle size, percent entrapment efficiency, and PDI). Particle size, PDI, and entrapment efficiency all showed statistical significance based on F-values and p-values. The optimized batch was prepared using a drug-to-lipid ratio (1:4.16), 1.21% concentration of surfactant, and 0.4775% co-surfactant (observed with a particle size of 147.1 nm, 83.58 ± 0.838 % entrapment efficiency, and 0.265 PDI, and the values were found very close with the predicted ones. As the THC peak vanishes from the DSC thermogram of the improved formulation, this indicates that the drug has been transformed from its crystalline form into its amorphous state. TEM analysis of optimized formulation demonstrated mono-dispersed particles with an average particle size of 145 nm which are closely related to zetasizer's results. In-vitro release study of optimized formulation demonstrated burst release followed by sustained release up to 71.04% throughout 24 hrs. Increased bioavailability of the adjusted THC-SLN was found in an in vivo pharmacokinetics research with 9.47 folds higher AUC(0-t) compared to plain THC-suspension. Additionally, pharmacodynamic experiments of optimized formulation demonstrated a marked decrease in blood glucose level to 63.7% and increased body weight from 195.8 ± 7.223 to 231.2 ± 7.653 on the 28th day of the study and showed a better anti-diabetic effect than plain drug suspension. Results of stability studies revealed that formulation can be stored for longer periods at room temperature. Tetrahydrocurcumin can be effectively administered by SLN for the treatment of diabetes.

Mannose-Functionalized Isoniazid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Pulmonary Delivery: In Vitro Prospects and In Vivo Therapeutic Efficacy Assessment

Resistance to isoniazid (INH) is common and increases the possibility of acquiring multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. For this study, isoniazid-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (INH-NLCs) were developed and effectively functionalized with mannose (Man) to enhance the residence time of the drug within the lungs via specific delivery and increase the therapeutic efficacy of the formulation. The mannose-functionalized isoniazid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (Man-INH-NLC) formulation was evaluated with respect to various formulation parameters, namely, encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL), average particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), in vitro drug release (DR), and release kinetics. The in vitro inhalation behavior of the developed formulation after nebulization was investigated using an Andersen cascade impactor via the estimation of the mass median aerosolized diameter (MMAD) and geometric aerodynamic diameter (GAD) and subsequently found to be suitable for effective lung delivery. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study was carried out in a guinea pig animal model, and it was demonstrated that Man-INH-NLC has a longer residence time in the lungs with improved pharmacokinetics when compared with unfunctionalized INH-NLC, indicating the enhanced therapeutic efficacy of the Man-INH-NLC formulation. Histopathological analysis led us to determine that the extent of tissue damage was more severe in the case of the pure drug solution of isoniazid compared to the Man-INH-NLC formulation after nebulization. Thus, the nebulization of Man-INH-NLC was found to be safe, forming a sound basis for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of the drug for improved management in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Amelioration of Cancer Employing Chitosan, Its Derivatives, and Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles: Recent Updates

The limitations associated with the conventional treatment of cancer have necessitated the design and development of novel drug delivery systems based mainly on nanotechnology. These novel drug delivery systems include various kinds of nanoparticles, such as polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, hydrogels, and polymeric micelles. Among the various kinds of novel drug delivery systems, chitosan-based nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researchers to treat cancer. Chitosan is a polycationic polymer generated from chitin with various characteristics such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and mucoadhesiveness, making it an ideal polymer to fabricate drug delivery systems. However, chitosan is poorly soluble in water and soluble in acidic aqueous solutions. Furthermore, owing to the presence of reactive amino groups, chitosan can be chemically modified to improve its physiochemical properties. Chitosan and its modified derivatives can be employed to fabricate nanoparticles, which are used most frequently in the pharmaceutical sector due to their possession of various characteristics such as nanosize, appropriate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, non-immunogenicity, improved stability, and improved drug loading capacity. Furthermore, it is capable of delivering nucleic acids, chemotherapeutic medicines, and bioactives using modified chitosan. Chitosan and its modified derivative-based nanoparticles can be targeted to specific cancer sites via active and passive mechanisms. Based on chitosan drug delivery systems, many anticancer drugs now have better effectiveness, potency, cytotoxicity, or biocompatibility. The characteristics of chitosan and its chemically tailored derivatives, as well as their use in cancer therapy, will be examined in this review.

Insights on the Role of Polyphenols in Combating Cancer Drug Resistance

Chemotherapy resistance is still a serious problem in the treatment of most cancers. Many cellular and molecular mechanisms contribute to both inherent and acquired drug resistance. They include the use of unaffected growth-signaling pathways, changes in the tumor microenvironment, and the active transport of medicines out of the cell. The antioxidant capacity of polyphenols and their potential to inhibit the activation of procarcinogens, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis, as well as to promote the inhibition or downregulation of active drug efflux transporters, have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer in epidemiological studies. Polyphenols also have the ability to alter immunological responses and inflammatory cascades, as well as trigger apoptosis in cancer cells. The discovery of the relationship between abnormal growth signaling and metabolic dysfunction in cancer cells highlights the importance of further investigating the effects of dietary polyphenols, including their ability to boost the efficacy of chemotherapy and avoid multidrug resistance (MDR). Here, it is summarized what is known regarding the effectiveness of natural polyphenolic compounds in counteracting the resistance that might develop to cancer drugs as a result of a variety of different mechanisms.

Development of Phytochemical Delivery Systems by Nano-Suspension and Nano-Emulsion Techniques

The awareness of the existence of plant bioactive compounds, namely, phytochemicals (PHYs), with health properties is progressively expanding. Therefore, their massive introduction in the normal diet and in food supplements and their use as natural therapeutics to treat several diseases are increasingly emphasized by several sectors. In particular, most PHYs possessing antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-cholesterol, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties have been isolated from plants. Additionally, their secondary modification with new functionalities to further improve their intrinsic beneficial effects has been extensively investigated. Unfortunately, although the idea of exploiting PHYs as therapeutics is amazing, its realization is far from simple, and the possibility of employing them as efficient clinically administrable drugs is almost utopic. Most PHYs are insoluble in water, and, especially when introduced orally, they hardly manage to pass through physiological barriers and scarcely reach the site of action in therapeutic concentrations. Their degradation by enzymatic and microbial digestion, as well as their rapid metabolism and excretion, strongly limits their in vivo activity. To overcome these drawbacks, several nanotechnological approaches have been used, and many nanosized PHY-loaded delivery systems have been developed. This paper, by reporting various case studies, reviews the foremost nanosuspension- and nanoemulsion-based techniques developed for formulating the most relevant PHYs into more bioavailable nanoparticles (NPs) that are suitable or promising for clinical application, mainly by oral administration. In addition, the acute and chronic toxic effects due to exposure to NPs reported so far, the possible nanotoxicity that could result from their massive employment, and ongoing actions to improve knowledge in this field are discussed. The state of the art concerning the actual clinical application of both PHYs and the nanotechnologically engineered PHYs is also reviewed.