Delivery of tanshinone IIA and α-mangostin from gold/PEI/cyclodextrin nanoparticle platform designed for prostate cancer chemotherapy

A new anti-cancer drug delivery system, based on gold nanoparticles, has been designed for hydrophobic active compounds. The system is a conjugate of gold/polyethyleneimine (AuNPs/PEI) nanoparticles and sulphated β-cyclodextrin (CD). Anionic cyclodextrin was attached to the positively charged AuNPs/PEI nanoparticles by ionic bonds. Tanshinone IIA and α-mangostin were extracted, purified and encapsulated into the AuNPs/PEI/CD nanoparticles. In vitro preliminary cell viability assays against prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145 showed that encapsulation resulted in increased cytotoxicity.

Design and synthesis of zinc protoporphyrin IX-adamantane/cyclodextrin/cellulose nanocrystals complexes for anticancer photodynamic therapy

Two protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) adamantane derivatives were synthesized and then metallated with zinc. The Zn-PpIX derivatives, exhibiting a high singlet oxygen quantum yield, were tested for their photodynamic activity against the HT-29 cell line. In order to enhance their water-solubility and their cellular bioavailability, these photosensitizers were encapsulated into the hydrophobic cavity of cyclodextrins (CD) previously attached to cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) via electrostatic interactions. Under illumination, the encapsulated adamantanyl-porphyrins exerted an enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity, as compared with the corresponding free photosensitizers.

Encapsulation of Vitamin C by Glycerol-Derived Dendrimers, Their Interaction with Biomimetic Models of Stratum corneum and Their Cytotoxicity

Vitamin C is one of the most sensitive cosmetic active ingredients. To avoid its degradation, its encapsulation into biobased carriers such as dendrimers is one alternative of interest. In this work, we wanted to evaluate the potential of two biobased glycerodendrimer families (GlyceroDendrimers-Poly(AmidoAmine) (GD-PAMAMs) or GlyceroDendrimers-Poly(Propylene Imine) (GD-PPIs)) as a vitamin C carrier for topical application. The higher encapsulation capacity of GD-PAMAM-3 compared to commercial PAMAM-3 and different GD-PPIs, and its absence of cytotoxicity towards dermal cells, make it a good candidate. Investigation of its mechanism of action was done by using two kinds of biomimetic models of stratum corneum (SC), lipid monolayers and liposomes. GD-PAMAM-3 and VitC@GD-PAMAM-3 (GD-PAMAM-3 with encapsulated vitamin C) can both interact with the lipid representatives of the SC lipid matrix, whichever pH is considered. However, only pH 5.0 is suggested to be favorable to release vitamin C into the SC matrix. Their binding to SC-biomimetic liposomes revealed only a slight effect on membrane permeability in accordance with the absence of cytotoxicity but an increase in membrane rigidity, suggesting a reinforcement of the SC barrier property. Globally, our results suggest that the dendrimer GD-PAMAM-3 could be an efficient carrier for cosmetic applications.

L-Rhamnose and Phenolic Esters-Based Monocatenar and Bolaform Amphiphiles: Eco-Compatible Synthesis and Determination of Their Antioxidant, Eliciting and Cytotoxic Properties

Symmetrical and dissymmetrical bolaforms were prepared with good to high yields from unsaturated L-rhamnosides and phenolic esters (ferulic, phloretic, coumaric, sinapic and caffeic) using two eco-compatible synthetic strategies involving glycosylation, enzymatic synthesis and cross-metathesis under microwave activation. The plant-eliciting activity of these new compounds was investigated in Arabidopsis model plants. We found that the monocatenar rhamnosides and bolaforms activate the plant immune system with a response depending on the carbon chain length and the nature of the hydrophilic heads. Their respective antioxidant activities were also evaluated, as well as their cytotoxic properties on dermal cells for cosmetic uses. We showed that phenolic ester-based compounds present good antioxidant activities and that their cytotoxicity is low. These properties are also dependent on the carbon chains used.

Extraction of Curcuminoids and Carvacrol with Biobased Ionic Liquids-Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Properties of Curcuminoid Extracts

Six biobased ionic liquids were prepared from saturated fatty acids (octanoic, decanoic and dodecanoic acids) and choline with yields up to 90% following procedures respecting green chemistry principles. These ionic liquids were fully characterized (NMR, IR, elemental analysis, viscosimetry and TGA) and used as extraction solvents for bioactive compounds (curcuminoids and carvacrol) using classical conditions, and the ionic liquids were able to be recovered after five runs without loss of activity. The ionic liquid containing a C12 carbon chain was the best extracting solvent, extracting 95% of the total curcuminoids contained in turmeric and 69% of the total carvacrol contained in oregano, which are higher yields compared to the extraction procedures described in the literature. As C12 ionic liquids were more cytotoxic than C8 ones, the biological activity of the curcuminoids extracted with C8 ionic liquids was evaluated on a MIAPaCa-2, a pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line for which antitumor activity of curcuminoids had previously been reported. Compared to the cytotoxicity of the commercially available extract, the cytotoxic activity of the extracts was slightly weaker.