Correlation between Antioxidant and Anti-Osteoporotic Activities of Shilajit Loaded into Chitosan Nanoparticles and Their Effects on Osteoporosis in Rats

Electrophoretically deposited Asphaltum punjabianum (Shilajit) coatings on polyvinylalcohol/carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels

The present study aims to develop Asphaltum punjabianum (namely Shilajit) coated Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrogels and examine their structural, morphological, degradation, and biological properties. Hydrogels were produced at two different concentrations: 70:30 PVA/CMC and 90:10 PVA/CMC. Following that, Shilajit was applied to the synthesized hydrogels using electrophoretic deposition for a duration of 3 min at 30 V. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that the hydrogel's surface had a regular distribution of irregular Shilajit particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis demonstrated the presence of hydrogen bonding between PVA and CMC hydrogels and Shilajit, indicating the successful deposition of Shilajit on the hydrogel. The hydrogels coated with Shilajit exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, resulting in an inhibition zone measuring 34 mm against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 41 mm against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The hydrogels exhibited a cell viability of 80 % with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and the release of collagen II also increased. Furthermore, the PVA/CMC/Shilajit hydrogel exhibited a lower degradation rate compared to the PVA/CMC hydrogel. The results of the swelling, degradation, and drug release studies indicate that the shilajit coating is appropriate for the long-term process of tissue and cartilage regeneration.

Development of phytotherapeutic nanoformulation containing Gypsophila eriocalyx and its evaluation as a candidate formulation for osteoporosis treatment on human bone marrow stem cells

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporosis, one of the common bone diseases, manifests itself as a decrease in bone mass. Recently, the use of medicinal plants in the search for effective and low-toxicity therapeutics for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis has become a trending topic.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aim to prepare a controlled drug carrier system loaded with Gypsophila eriocalyx to determine its potential for anti-osteoporosis applications.

METHODS

Gypsophila eriocalyx extract (GEE) was prepared, and components were determined. The molecular interactions of the components with Cathepsin K (CatK), which is used as a target in drug development against osteoporosis, were revealed by in silico molecular docking and MD methods. ADMET profiles were also examined. GEE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized. The nanoparticles' morphology, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, release profile, average size, polydispersity index, and zeta potentials were determined. The cytotoxic effects of GEE and GEE-loaded CNPs on the L929 and osteogenic proliferation profiles on human bone marrow stem cells (hBMC) were examined.

RESULTS

The MD analysis revealed no breaks or atomic changes in the dynamic system, and the docking analysis confirmed the continued interaction of identical residues. It was determined that the GEE-loaded CNP formulation was produced successfully, had no toxic effect on the L929, and had an osteogenic proliferation effect on hBMC.

CONCLUSION

In line with the in vitro and in silico results obtained, it was evaluated that GEE-loaded CNPs can be used as a controlled drug release system as a candidate formulation with phytotherapeutic properties for osteoporosis treatment.q1.

Controlling redox state by edaravone at transplantation site enhances bone regeneration

In cell-based bone augmentation, transplanted cell dysfunction and apoptosis can occur due to oxidative stress caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Edaravone (EDA) is a potent free radical scavenger with potential medical applications. This study aimed to investigate the effect of controlling oxidative stress on bone regeneration using EDA. Bone marrow-derived cells were collected from 4-week-old rats, and EDA effects on cell viability and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated. Collagen gels containing PKH26-prelabeled cells were implanted into the calvarial defects of 12-week-old rats, followed by daily subcutaneous injections of normal saline or 500 μM EDA for 4 d. Bone formation was examined using micro-computed tomography and histological staining. Immunofluorescence staining was performed for markers of oxidative stress, macrophages, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis. EDA suppressed ROS production and hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis, recovering cell viability and osteoblast differentiation. EDA treatment in vivo increased new bone formation. EDA induced the transition of the macrophage population toward the M2 phenotype. The EDA group also exhibited stronger immunofluorescence for vascular endothelial growth factor and CD31. In addition, more PKH26-positive and PKH26-osteocalcin-double-positive cells were observed in the EDA group, indicating that transplanted cell survival was prolonged, and they differentiated into bone-forming cells. This could be attributed to oxidative stress suppression at the transplantation site by EDA. Collectively, local administration using EDA facilitates bone regeneration by improving the local environment and angiogenesis, prolonging survival, and enhancing the osteogenic capabilities of transplanted cells.

Bone Targeting Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) affects millions of people worldwide, especially postmenopausal women and the elderly. Although current available anti-OP agents can show promise in slowing down bone resorption, most are not specifically delivered to the hard tissue, causing significant toxicity. A bone-targeted nanodrug delivery system can reduce side effects and precisely deliver drug candidates to the bone. This review focuses on the progress of bone-targeted nanoparticles in OP therapy. We enumerate the existing OP medications, types of bone-targeted nanoparticles and categorize pairs of the most common bone-targeting functional groups. Finally, we summarize the potential use of bone-targeted nanoparticles in OP treatment. Ongoing research into the development of targeted ligands and nanocarriers will continue to expand the possibilities of OP-targeted therapies into clinical application.

Biomaterials-Based Antioxidant Strategies for the Treatment of Oxidative Stress Diseases

Oxidative stress is characterized by an increase in reactive oxygen species or a decrease in antioxidants in the body. This imbalance leads to detrimental effects, including inflammation and multiple chronic diseases, ranging from impaired wound healing to highly impacting pathologies in the neural and cardiovascular systems, or the bone, amongst others. However, supplying compounds with antioxidant activity is hampered by their low bioavailability. The development of biomaterials with antioxidant capacity is poised to overcome this roadblock. Moreover, in the treatment of chronic inflammation, material-based strategies would allow the controlled and targeted release of antioxidants into the affected tissue. In this review, we revise the main causes and effects of oxidative stress, and survey antioxidant biomaterials used for the treatment of chronic wounds, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases (focusing on cardiac infarction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and atherosclerosis) and osteoporosis. We anticipate that these developments will lead to the emergence of new technologies for tissue engineering, control of oxidative stress and prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Emerging nano-scale delivery systems for the treatment of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a pathological condition characterized by an accelerated bone resorption rate, resulting in decreased bone density and increased susceptibility to fractures, particularly among the elderly population. While conventional treatments for osteoporosis have shown efficacy, they are associated with certain limitations, including limited drug bioavailability, non-specific administration, and the occurrence of adverse effects. In recent years, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising approach for managing osteoporosis. Nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties, such as a small size, large surface area-to-volume ratio, and tunable surface characteristics, which enable them to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies. These nanoparticles offer several advantages, including enhanced drug stability, controlled release kinetics, targeted bone tissue delivery, and improved drug bioavailability. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into the recent advancements in nanoparticle-based therapy for osteoporosis. It elucidates the various types of nanoparticles employed in this context, including silica, polymeric, solid lipid, and metallic nanoparticles, along with their specific processing techniques and inherent properties that render them suitable as potential drug carriers for osteoporosis treatment. Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges and future suggestions associated with the development and translation of nanoparticle drug delivery systems for clinical use. These challenges encompass issues such as scalability, safety assessment, and regulatory considerations. However, despite these challenges, the utilization of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems holds immense promise in revolutionizing the field of osteoporosis management by enabling more effective and targeted therapies, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.