Fluorescence Characterization of Gold Modified Liposomes with Antisense N-myc DNA Bound to the Magnetisable Particles with Encapsulated Anticancer Drugs (Doxorubicin, Ellipticine and Etoposide)

Sonication-Based Basic Protocol for Liposome Synthesis

Liposomes are spherical vesicles with a wide range of sizes from nano- to micrometer scale. For the past 7-8 decades, these vesicles have gained the interest of many scientists due to their physical, chemical, and mathematical properties and for their immense utility and potential as delivery vehicles for toxic and non-toxic excipients into biological tissues. Methods related to the selection of reagents for the creation of specific liposomes of certain properties are beyond the scope of this chapter, but here, I would outline a simplistic protocol to prepare and qualify a uniform batch of simple liposomes with basic cargo. This chapter will attempt to provide the reader with a starting point for this immensely potent tool.

Gold-Nanoparticle Hybrid Nanostructures for Multimodal Cancer Therapy

With the urgent need for bio-nanomaterials to improve the currently available cancer treatments, gold nanoparticle (GNP) hybrid nanostructures are rapidly rising as promising multimodal candidates for cancer therapy. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been hybridized with several nanocarriers, including liposomes and polymers, to achieve chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, radiotherapy, and imaging using a single composite. The GNP nanohybrids used for targeted chemotherapy can be designed to respond to external stimuli such as heat or internal stimuli such as intratumoral pH. Despite their promise for multimodal cancer therapy, there are currently no reviews summarizing the current status of GNP nanohybrid use for cancer theragnostics. Therefore, this review fulfills this gap in the literature by providing a critical analysis of the data available on the use of GNP nanohybrids for cancer treatment with a specific focus on synergistic approaches (i.e., triggered drug release, photothermal therapy, and radiotherapy). It also highlights some of the challenges that hinder the clinical translation of GNP hybrid nanostructures from bench to bedside. Future studies that could expedite the clinical progress of GNPs, as well as the future possibility of improving GNP nanohybrids for cancer theragnostics, are also summarized.

Effective Cancer Management: Inimitable Role of Phytochemical Based Nano- Formulations

BACKGROUND

Global cancer statistics defines the severity of disease even after significant research worldwide.

PROBLEM

Failure of the currently available treatment approaches, including surgery, radiation therapy and traditional chemotherapy.

AIM

The aim of this review is to discuss the role of phytochemical based nano-formulations for treatment of cancer.

DISCUSSION

In the past few decades, phytochemicals have gained popularity for acting as a potential anticancer treatment with low systemic toxicity, especially in terms of cell cycle control and cancer cell killing. Natural resources, with their immense structural variety, serve as a vital source of fresh, therapeutically useful new chemical entities for the treatment of cancer. Vinca alkaloids (VCR), vinblastine, vindesine, vinorelbine, taxanes (PTX), podophyllotoxin and its derivatives (etoposide (ETP), teniposide, camptothecin (CPT) and its derivatives (topotecan, irinotecan), anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, as natural products or their derivatives account for half of all anticancer drugs approved worldwide, and they have been developed utilising the knowledge learned from the natural small molecules or macromolecules. Trabectedin, an epothilone derivative, ixabepilone, and temsirolimus, three new anticancer medications launched in 2007, were derived from microbial origins. Current therapy regimens require selective drug targeting to enhance efficacy against cancer cells while normal cells remain unharmed. Modified medications and systems for drug delivery based on nanotechnology are in the process of being explored and launched in the industry for enhanced therapy and management of cancer, along with promising outcomes. Many obstacles related to cancer cell drug delivery can be overcome by using nano-particulate drug carriers, including enhancing the stability and solubility of the drug, prolonging half-lives of the drug in the blood, decreasing side effects to undesired organs, and increasing medication concentration at the desired site. The scientific initiatives and studies concerning the use of nanotechnology for some selective compounds derived from plants are discussed in this review article.

CONCLUSION

The present review highlights the phytochemical-based nanoformulations and their strategies in the development of novel systems of drug delivery such as nano-liposomes, functionalized nanoparticles (NPs), and polymer nano-conjugates, SNEDDS (Self nano emulsifying drug delivery system) as this review paper depicts, as well as their rewards over conventional systems of drug delivery, as evidenced by improved biological activity depicted in their in vitro and in vivo anticancer assays.

Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Regenerative Medicine

The most important goal of regenerative medicine is to repair, restore, and regenerate tissues and organs that have been damaged as a result of an injury, congenital defect or disease, as well as reversing the aging process of the body by utilizing its natural healing potential. Regenerative medicine utilizes products of cell therapy, as well as biomedical or tissue engineering, and is a huge field for development. In regenerative medicine, stem cells and growth factor are mainly used; thus, innovative drug delivery technologies are being studied for improved delivery. Drug delivery systems offer the protection of therapeutic proteins and peptides against proteolytic degradation where controlled delivery is achievable. Similarly, the delivery systems in combination with stem cells offer improvement of cell survival, differentiation, and engraftment. The present review summarizes the significance of biomaterials in tissue engineering and the importance of colloidal drug delivery systems in providing cells with a local environment that enables them to proliferate and differentiate efficiently, resulting in successful tissue regeneration.

Hybrid Nanosystems for Biomedical Applications

Inorganic/organic hybrid nanosystems have been increasingly developed for their versatility and efficacy at overcoming obstacles not readily surmounted by nonhybridized counterparts. Currently, hybrid nanosystems are implemented for gene therapy, drug delivery, and phototherapy in addition to tissue regeneration, vaccines, antibacterials, biomolecule detection, imaging probes, and theranostics. Though diverse, these nanosystems can be classified according to foundational inorganic/organic components, accessory moieties, and architecture of hybridization. Within this Review, we begin by providing a historical context for the development of biomedical hybrid nanosystems before describing the properties, synthesis, and characterization of their component building blocks. Afterward, we introduce the architectures of hybridization and highlight recent biomedical nanosystem developments by area of application, emphasizing hybrids of distinctive utility and innovation. Finally, we draw attention to ongoing clinical trials before recapping our discussion of hybrid nanosystems and providing a perspective on the future of the field.

Bio-Catalysis and Biomedical Perspectives of Magnetic Nanoparticles as Versatile Carriers

In recent years, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have gained increasing attention as versatile carriers because of their unique magnetic properties, biocatalytic functionalities, and capabilities to work at the cellular and molecular level of biological interactions. Moreover, owing to their exceptional functional properties, such as large surface area, large surface-to-volume ratio, and mobility and high mass transference, MNPs have been employed in several applications in different sectors such as supporting matrices for enzymes immobilization and controlled release of drugs in biomedicine. Unlike non-magnetic carriers, MNPs can be easily separated and recovered using an external magnetic field. In addition to their biocompatible microenvironment, the application of MNPs represents a remarkable green chemistry approach. Herein, we focused on state-of-the-art two majorly studied perspectives of MNPs as versatile carriers for (1) matrices for enzymes immobilization, and (2) matrices for controlled drug delivery. Specifically, from the applied perspectives of magnetic nanoparticles, a series of different applications with suitable examples are discussed in detail. The second half is focused on different metal-based magnetic nanoparticles and their exploitation for biomedical purposes.

Optical Biosensing System for the Detection of Survivin mRNA in Colorectal Cancer Cells Using a Graphene Oxide Carrier-Bound Oligonucleotide Molecular Beacon

The anti-apoptotic protein survivin is one of the most promising cancer biomarkers owing to its high expression in human cancers and rare occurrence in normal adult tissues. In this work, we have investigated the role of supramolecular interactions between a graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet nanocarrier and a survivin molecular beacon (SurMB), functionalized by attaching fluorophore Joe and quencher Dabcyl (SurMB-Joe). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed hydrogen bonding of Joe moiety and Dabcyl to GO carriers that considerably increase the SurMB-GO bonding strength. This was confirmed in experimental work by the reduced fluorescence background in the OFF state, thereby increasing the useful analytical signal range for mRNA detection. A new mechanism of hairpin–hairpin interaction of GO@SurMB with target oligonucleotides has been proposed. A low limit of detection, LOD = 16 nM (S/N = 3), has been achieved for complementary tDNA using GO@SurMB-Joe nanocarriers. We have demonstrated an efficient internalization of SurMB-Joe-loaded GO nanocarriers in malignant SW480 cells. The proposed tunability of the bonding strength in the attached motifs for MBs immobilized on nanocarriers, via structural modifications, should be useful in gene delivery systems to enhance the efficacy of gene retention, cell transfection and genomic material survivability in the cellular environment.

Sonication-Based Basic Protocol for Liposome Synthesis

Liposomes are spherical vesicles with a wide range of sizes from nano- to micrometer scale. For the past 7-8 decades, these vesicles have occupied the interest of a variety of scientists due to its physical, chemical, and mathematical properties and, to say the least, for its immense utility and potential as delivery vehicles for toxic and nontoxic excipients into biological tissues. Methods related to selection of reagents for creation of specific liposomes of certain properties are beyond the scope of this chapter, but here, we would outline a simplistic protocol to prepare and qualify an uniform batch of simple liposome with basic cargo. This chapter will attempt to provide the reader with a starting point for this immensely potent tool to build upon the right kind of liposome, appropriate for their studies.

Characterization and antitumor efficacy of poly(L-lactid acid)-based etoposide-loaded implants

Etoposide is widely used in the chemotherapy of a variety of malignancies. But the strong lipophilicity, poor bioavailability, and severe side effects of etoposide limit its clinical application. The aim of this study was to develop sustained-release etoposide-loaded implants and evaluate antitumor activity of the implants after intratumoral implantation. We prepared the implants containing etoposide, poly(L-lactid acid) and polyethylene glycol 4000 by the direct compression method. The implants were characterized regarding drug-excipient compatibility, content uniformity, morphology, sterility, in vitro, and in vivo release profiles. Then the antitumor activity of the implants was tested in xenograft model of A549 human non-small cell lung cancer. SEM images displayed smooth surface of the implant and indicated that etoposide was homogeneously dispersed in the polymeric matrix. The results of content uniformity met the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Both in vitro and in vivo release profiles of the implants were characterized by high burst release followed by sustained release of etoposide. Intratumoral implantation of etoposide-loaded implants could efficiently delay the tumor growth. Furthermore, increasing the dose of implants led to higher tumor suppression rate without adding systemic toxicity. These results indicated that etoposide-loaded implants have significant antitumor efficacy in xenograft model without dose-limiting side effects and they possess a strong potential to be used as an intratumoral chemotherapy option for lung cancer treatment.

Magnetic Nanoparticles: From Design and Synthesis to Real World Applications

The increasing number of scientific publications focusing on magnetic materials indicates growing interest in the broader scientific community. Substantial progress was made in the synthesis of magnetic materials of desired size, morphology, chemical composition, and surface chemistry. Physical and chemical stability of magnetic materials is acquired by the coating. Moreover, surface layers of polymers, silica, biomolecules, etc. can be designed to obtain affinity to target molecules. The combination of the ability to respond to the external magnetic field and the rich possibilities of coatings makes magnetic materials universal tool for magnetic separations of small molecules, biomolecules and cells. In the biomedical field, magnetic particles and magnetic composites are utilized as the drug carriers, as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and in magnetic hyperthermia. However, the multifunctional magnetic particles enabling the diagnosis and therapy at the same time are emerging. The presented review article summarizes the findings regarding the design and synthesis of magnetic materials focused on biomedical applications. We highlight the utilization of magnetic materials in separation/preconcentration of various molecules and cells, and their use in diagnosis and therapy.