Amphiphilic Poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone Nanoparticles as Carriers for Nonsteroidal, Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Pharmacokinetic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Ulcerogenic Activity Study

Nanoparticles are increasingly utilized as drug delivery agents. Previously, we have developed a drug delivery system based on amphiphilic derivatives of poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP-OD4000) with excellent biocompatibility. In the current study, we assessed the pharmacokinetics, anti-inflammatory profile, and ulcerogenic potential of indomethacin (IMC)-loaded PVP-OD4000 nanoparticles compared to the free drug. Wistar male rats were utilized for a pharmacokinetics study and an anti-inflammatory study. Loaded IMC exhibited a slower elimination rate (p < 0.05) and a higher blood plasma concentration at 8 and 24 h after intraperitoneal injection compared with free IMC. In addition, decreased uptake of loaded IMC in the liver and kidney compared to free IMC (p < 0.05) was detected. Furthermore, PVP-OD4000 nanoparticles loaded with IMC showed an enhanced anti-inflammatory effect compared to free IMC (p < 0.05) in carrageenan-induced and complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced−(CFA) sub-chronic and chronic paw edema treatment (p < 0.01; p < 0.01). Notably, upon oral administration of loaded IMC, animals had a significantly lower ulcer score and Paul’s Index (3.9) compared to the free drug (p < 0.05). The obtained results suggest that IMC loaded to PVP nanoparticles exhibit superior anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and a safe gastrointestinal profile and pose a therapeutic alternative for the currently available NSAIDs’ administration.

Novel chitosan and bacterial cellulose biocomposites tailored with polymeric nanoparticles for modern wound dressing development

Dressing biomaterials play a key role in wound management keeping a moisture medium and protecting against external factors. Natural and synthetic materials could be used as dressings where chitosan and bacterial cellulose is one of the most important solutions. These biopolymers have been used for wound dressing based on their non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible features. In this study, biocomposites based on bacterial cellulose and chitosan membranes tailored with antimicrobial loaded poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/polyvinyl alcohol nanoparticles were prepared. Core-shell polymeric nanoparticles, bacterial cellulose/chitosan membranes, and biocomposites were independently loaded with silver sulfadiazine, a well-known sulfonamide antibacterial agent used in the therapy of mild-to-moderate infections for sensitive organisms. The chemistry, structure, morphology, and size distribution were investigated by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), RAMAN spectroscopy, Scanning electron (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Dynamic light scattering (DLS). In vitro release behaviors of silver sulfadiazine from polymeric nanoparticles and biocomposites were investigated. The biological investigations revealed good biocompatibility of both the nanoparticles and the biocomposites in terms of human dermal fibroblasts viability and proliferation potential. Finally, the drug-loaded polymeric biomaterials showed promising characteristics, proving their high potential as an alternative support to develop a biocompatible and antibacterial wound dressing.

Amphiphilic Poly(N-Vinylpyrrolidone) Nanoparticles Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding Gn and Gc Glycoproteins of the Rift Valley Fever Virus: Preparation and In Vivo Evaluation

The aim of the study was to develop amphiphilic poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with DNA plasmids encoding Gn and Gc glycoproteins of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and to study the humoral response in vivo. DNA plasmids were protected from extracellular nucleases by loading in NPs from PVP derivatives modified with amino acids β-alanine (Ala7-PVPOD4000) or glycine (Gly7.5-PVP-OD4000) fabricated by the original self-assembly technique. The obtained NPs were administered in mice and the enhancement of humoral response compared to this one in case of immunization with native DNA plasmids was demonstrated. The NPs loaded with DNA plasmids are promising for the fabrication of various DNA particulate vaccines.

Live In-Vivo Neuroimaging Reveals the Transport of Lipophilic Cargo Through the Blood-Retina Barrier with Modified Amphiphilic Poly-N-Vinylpyrrolidone Nanoparticles

The blood-retina barrier (BRB), analogous to the blood-brain barrier, is a major hurdle for the passage of drugs from the blood to the central nervous system. Here, we designed polymeric nanoparticles from amphiphilic poly-/V-vinylpyrrolidone (Amph-PVP NPs) as a new carrier-system and investigated their ability to pass the BRB using a live In-Vivo neuroimaging system for the retina in rats and ex-vivo wholemounted retinae preparation. Amph-PVP NPs were loaded with hydrophobic fluorescent markers as a surrogate for hydrophobic drugs. Linking these NPs with the hydrophobic fluorescence marker Carboxyfluorescein-succinimidyl-ester (CFSE) to the surface, induced the passage of the cargo into the retina tissue. In particular, we observed a substantial internalization of the CFSE-linked NPs into blood cells. We propose surface- modified Amph-PVP NPs as a potential new nano-carrier platform to target posterior eye and potentially brain diseases while camouflaged by blood cells.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-CO-3-hydroxyvalerate) PHBHV biocompatible nanocarriers for 5-FU delivery targeting colorectal cancer

Aiming to address the issue of poor bioavailability of most anti-tumor medicines against colorectal cancer, we developed a targeted anticancer nanocarrier using biocarriers able to both bind and easily release their load in a controlled manner. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) carriers were obtained via the emulsification-diffusion method, loaded with 5-fluorouracil and then characterized in terms of particle morphology and size (SEM, DLS), drug uptake and release. The cytotoxic potential of the 5-fluorouracil-loaded polymer nanocarriers on human adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29 cell line) was investigated. The in vitro studies clearly demonstrated that while the nanocarriers themselves slightly alter HT-29 cell viability, when loaded with 5-fluorouracil they significantly decrease cell viability, suggesting that the polymer itself exhibits low cytotoxicity and the drug-loaded carrier acts in an efficient manner to kill HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cells.

Reprogramming of CaCo2 colorectal cancer cells after using the complex of poly-(N-vinylpyrrolidone) with small non-coding RNAs

Small non-coding RNAs control normal development and differentiation in the embryo. These regulatory molecules play a key role in the development of human diseases and are used often today for researching new treatments for different pathologies. In this study, CaCo2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were initially epigenetically reprogrammed and transformed into CD4+ cells with nano-sized complexes of amphiphilic poly-(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) with miRNA-152 and piRNA-30074. The transformation of cells was confirmed by morphological and genetic changes in the dynamic of reprogramming. CD4+ lymphocytes marker was detected using immunofluorescence. Amphiphilic poly-(N-vinylpyrrolidone)/small non-coding RNAs complexes were investigated for transfection efficiency and duration of transfection of CaCo2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells using fluorescence.