scholarly journals Amphiphilic Polymeric Micelles Based on Deoxycholic Acid and Folic Acid Modified Chitosan for the Delivery of Paclitaxel

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 3132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Li ◽  
Na Liang ◽  
Danfeng Wang ◽  
Pengfei Yan ◽  
Yoshiaki Kawashima ◽  
...  

The present investigation aimed to develop a tumor-targeting drug delivery system for paclitaxel (PTX). The hydrophobic deoxycholic acid (DA) and active targeting ligand folic acid (FA) were used to modify water-soluble chitosan (CS). As an amphiphilic polymer, the conjugate FA-CS-DA was synthesized and characterized by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The degree of substitutions of DA and FA were calculated as 15.8% and 8.0%, respectively. In aqueous medium, the conjugate could self-assemble into micelles with the critical micelle concentration of 6.6 × 10−3 mg/mL. Under a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the PTX-loaded micelles exhibited a spherical shape. The particle size determined by dynamic light scattering was 126 nm, and the zeta potential was +19.3 mV. The drug loading efficiency and entrapment efficiency were 9.1% and 81.2%, respectively. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the PTX was encapsulated in the micelles in a molecular or amorphous state. In vitro and in vivo antitumor evaluations demonstrated the excellent antitumor activity of PTX-loaded micelles. It was suggested that FA-CS-DA was a safe and effective carrier for the intravenous delivery of paclitaxel.

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Alfei ◽  
Anna Maria Schito ◽  
Guendalina Zuccari

Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in many medicinal plants and aromas endowed with numerous in vitro pharmacological activities, including antibacterial effects. Unfortunately, UA is poorly administered in vivo, due to its water insolubility, low bioavailability, and residual systemic toxicity, thus making urgent the development of water-soluble UA formulations. Dendrimers are nonpareil macromolecules possessing highly controlled size, shape, and architecture. In dendrimers with cationic surface, the contemporary presence of inner cavities and of hydrophilic peripheral functions, allows to encapsulate hydrophobic non-water-soluble drugs as UA, to enhance their water-solubility and stability, and to promote their protracted release, thus decreasing their systemic toxicity. In this paper, aiming at developing a new UA-based antibacterial agent administrable in vivo, we reported the physical entrapment of UA in a biodegradable not cytotoxic cationic dendrimer (G4K). UA-loaded dendrimer nanoparticles (UA-G4K) were obtained, which showed a drug loading (DL%) much higher than those previously reported, a protracted release profile governed by diffusion mechanisms, and no cytotoxicity. Also, UA-G4K was characterized by principal components analysis (PCA)-processed FTIR spectroscopy, by NMR and elemental analyses, and by dynamic light scattering experiments (DLS). The water solubility of UA-G4K was found to be 1868-fold times higher than that of pristine UA, thus making its clinical application feasible.


Author(s):  
Upasana Yadav ◽  
Angshuman Ray Chowdhuri ◽  
Sumanta Kumar Sahu ◽  
Nuzhat Husain ◽  
Qamar Rehman

  Objective: In this study, we have made an attempt to the developed formulation of nanoparticles (NPs) of telmisartan (TLM) incorporated in carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) for the better drug delivery and enhanced bioavailability.Materials and Methods: The NPs size and morphology were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The crystal structures and surface functional groups were analyzed using X-ray diffraction pattern, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively.Results: To increase the solubility of TLM by targeted delivery of the drug through polymeric NPs is an alternative efficient, option for increasing the solubility. TLM nanosuspension powders were successfully formulated for dissolution and bioavailability enhancement of the drug. We focused on evaluating the influence of particle size and crystalline state on the in vitro and in vivo performance of TLM.Conclusion: In summary, we have developed a new approach toward the delivery of poorly water-soluble drug TLM by CMCS NPs. The particles having a good drug loading content and drug encapsulation efficiency. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized NPs is also very less.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1515-1531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zejiang Zhu ◽  
Zhengying Su ◽  
Jianhong Yang ◽  
Huili Liu ◽  
Minghai Tang ◽  
...  

In our previous study, we identified a class of 4-substituted coumarins as a powerful microtubule inhibitors binding to the colchicine site of β-tubulin. H6 showed potent anti-proliferative ability with IC50 values from 7 to 47 nM, and remarkable ability to reduce tumor growth in several xenograft models including taxol resistant tumor models. However, the extremely hydrophobicity limited its clinical application. In this study, to improve the anticancer activity and reduce the toxicity of H6, we successfully prepared MPEG-PCL with different proportions and H6-loaded polymeric micelles (H6/MPEG2kPCL2k micelles) by a simple thin-film hydration method. The prepared H6/MPEG-PCL micelles had a drug loading of 3.79 ± 0.001%, an encapsulation efficiency of 98.00 ± 0.41%, a mean particle size of 30.45 ± 0.18nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.096 ± 0.009. Computer simulation results revealed a good compatibility of H6 and MPEG2k-PCL2k copolymer. In in vitro release study and pharmacokinetic study showed H6 micelles can release H6 over an extended period. Furthermore, H6 micelles possessed comparative effect as free H6 in inhibiting cell growth, preventing cell migration, and inducing apoptosis. Mechanism study identified that H6 is a novel reversible microtubule inhibitor. In in vivo studies, H6 micelles exhibited tumor growth inhibition on two pulmonary metastatic tumor models (B16/F10 and 4T1). Importantly, H6 micelles significantly improved the solubility, reduced the toxicity, extended the half-life of drugs, and augmented the therapeutic window. All these results imply that H6 micelles have great potential for suppression of tumor metastasis.


Author(s):  
Vipul Kumar ◽  
Manoj Jena

Abstract The recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the Wuhan province of China has taken millions of lives worldwide. In this pandemic situation and absence of known drugs and vaccines against novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), there is an urgent need for the repurposing of the existing drugs against it. So, here we have examined a safe and cheap alternative against this virus by screening hundreds of nutraceuticals compounds against known therapeutic targets of SARS-COV-2 by molecular docking .The virtual screening results were then analyzed for binding energy and interactive residues in the best binding pose. All these analyses of this study strongly predicted the potential of Folic acid and its derivates like Tetrahydrofolic acid and 5-methyl tetrahydrofolic acid against SARS-COV-2. The strong and stable binding affinity of this water-soluble vitamin and its derivatives against the SARS-COV-2, indicating that they could be valuable drugs against the management of this COVID-19 pandemic. This study could serve as the starting point for further investigation of these molecules through in-vitro and in-vivo assays.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Naoki Fukui ◽  
Toshio Yawata ◽  
Takahito Nakajo ◽  
Yu Kawanishi ◽  
Youichirou Higashi ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEGlioma stem cells (GSCs) are responsible for tumor initiation, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence. CD146 is mainly expressed in dividing GSCs and regulates cell cycle progression. However, the evaluation of the efficacy of targeted therapy against CD146 in vivo remains to be investigated. In this study, the authors aimed to develop gene therapy targeting GSCs using chitosan oligosaccharide lactate (COL) nanoparticles (NPs) conjugated with folic acid–polyethylene glycol (FA-PEG-COL NPs) for in vitro and in vivo delivery of CD146 small-interfering RNA (siCD146) and to determine the effect of CD146 knockdown on tumor growth.METHODSTo examine the uptake of NPs by tumor cells, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and in vivo imaging were performed. The knockdown effect of siCD146 was measured by western blot and water-soluble tetrazolium salt–8 assay in mouse glioma cells. The efficacy of siRNA therapy–targeted GSCs was evaluated by monitoring tumor growth through in vivo imaging and histological analysis.RESULTSIn vivo accumulation of the FA-PEG-COL NPs in subcutaneous and intracranial gliomas following NP administration via a mouse tail vein was observed. Additionally, in vitro delivery of siCD146 ionically cross-linked NPs, reduced CD146 levels, and suppressed growth in the glioma tumor sphere. Evaluation of the in vivo therapeutic effects of siCD146–cross-linked NPs in a mouse glioma model revealed significant suppression of intracranial tumor growth, with complete removal of the tumor observed in some mice on histological examination. Furthermore, delivery of siCD146 significantly reduced the Ki-67 index in residual tumor tissues relative to that in control mice.CONCLUSIONSCD146 is a potential therapeutic target, and folic acid–conjugated NPs delivering siRNA may facilitate gene therapy in malignant gliomas.


Author(s):  
Nils-Jørgen Knudsen Dal ◽  
Martin Speth ◽  
Kerstin Johann ◽  
Matthias Barz ◽  
Claire Beauvineau ◽  
...  

With the increasing emergence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, new and effective antibiotics against tuberculosis (TB) are urgently needed. However, the high frequency of poorly water-soluble compounds among hits in high-throughput drug screening (HTS) campaigns is a major obstacle in drug discovery. Moreover, in vivo testing using conventional animal TB models such as mice is time-consuming and costly, and represents a major bottleneck in lead compound discovery and development. Here, we report the use of the zebrafish embryo TB model, to evaluate the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of five poorly water-soluble nitronaphthofuran derivatives, which were recently identified to possess anti-tuberculosis activity in vitro. To aid solubilization compounds were formulated in biocompatible polymeric micelles (PM). Three of the five PM-formulated nitronaphthofuran derivatives showed low toxicity in vivo, significantly reduced bacterial burden and improved survival in infected zebrafish embryos. We propose the zebrafish embryo TB-model as a quick and sensitive tool for evaluating in vivo toxicity and efficacy of new anti-TB compounds during early stages of drug development. Thus, this model is well suited to pinpoint promising compounds for further development.


Bioimpacts ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Monajati ◽  
Shirin Tavakoli ◽  
gholam hossein yousefi ◽  
Samira Sadat Abolmaali ◽  
AliMohammad Tamaddon

Introduction: Sorafenib (SFB) is an FDA-approved chemotherapeutic agent with a high partition coefficient (log P = 4.34) for monotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The oral bioavailability is low and variable, so it was aimed to study the application of the polymeric nanoassembly of cholesterol conjugates of branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) for micellar solubilization of SFB and to investigate the impact of the polymer PEGylation on the physicochemical and cellular characteristics of the lipopolymeric dispersions. Methods: Successful synthesis of cholesterol-PEI lipopolymers, either native or PEGylated, was confirmed by FTIR, 1H-NMR, pyrene assay methods. The nanoassemblies were also characterized in terms of morphology, particle size distribution and zeta-potential by TEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The SFB loading was optimized using general factorial design. Finally, the effect of particle characteristics on cellular uptake and specific cytotoxicity was investigated by flow cytometry and MTT assay in HepG2 cells. Results: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that PEGylation of the lipopolymers reduces the size and changes the morphology of the nanoassembly from rod-like to spherical shape. However, PEGylation of the lipopolymer increased critical micelle concentration (CMC) and reduced the drug loading. Moreover, the particle shape changes from large rods to small spheres promoted the cellular uptake and SFB-related cytotoxicity. Conclusion: The combinatory effects of enhanced cellular uptake and reduced general cytotoxicity can present PEGylated PEI-cholesterol conjugates as a potential carrier for delivery of poorly soluble chemotherapeutic agents such as SFB in HCC that certainly requires further investigations in vitro and in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1255
Author(s):  
Ju-Hyun Lee ◽  
Chulhun Park ◽  
Kwon-Yeon Weon ◽  
Chin-Yang Kang ◽  
Beom-Jin Lee ◽  
...  

Itraconazole (ITZ) is a class II drug according to the biopharmaceutical classification system. Its solubility is pH 3-dependent, and it is poorly water-soluble. Its pKa is 3.7, which makes it a weak base drug. The aim of this study was to prepare solid dispersion (SD) pellets to enhance the release of ITZ into the gastrointestinal environment using hot-melt extrusion (HME) technology and a pelletizer. The pellets were then filled into capsules and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The ITZ changed from a crystalline state to an amorphous state during the HME process, as determined using DSC and PXRD. In addition, its release into the gastrointestinal tract was enhanced, as was the level of ITZ recrystallization, which was lower than the marketed drug (Sporanox®), as assessed using an in vitro method. In the in vivo study that was carried out in rats, the AUC0–48h of the commercial formulation, Sporanox®, was 1073.9 ± 314.7 ng·h·mL−1, and the bioavailability of the SD pellet (2969.7 ± 720.6 ng·h·mL−1) was three-fold higher than that of Sporanox® (*** p < 0.001). The results of the in vivo test in beagle dogs revealed that the AUC0–24h of the SD-1 pellet (which was designed to enhance drug release into gastric fluids) was 3.37 ± 3.28 μg·h·mL−1 and that of the SD-2 pellet (which was designed to enhance drug release in intestinal fluids) was 7.50 ± 4.50 μg·h·mL−1. The AUC of the SD-2 pellet was 2.2 times higher than that of the SD-1 pellet. Based on pharmacokinetic data, ITZ would exist in a supersaturated state in the area of drug absorption. These results indicated that the absorption area is critical for improving the bioavailability of ITZ. Consequently, the bioavailability of ITZ could be improved by inhibiting precipitation in the absorption area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 5813-5818
Author(s):  
Eun-Ji Heo ◽  
Sang Yeob Park ◽  
Hye-In Kim ◽  
Ji-Hun Sung ◽  
Hyeok Jin Kwon ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of a stabilizer and matrix former in the development of a celecoxib dried nanosuspension (DNS) for high dissolution rate and drug loading. Tween 80 and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) were used as stabilizers in the bead-milling process and dextrin was used as the matrix former in the spray-drying. Various nanosuspensions (NS) were prepared by varying the ratio of HPMC and dextrin, and the physicochemical properties of each formulation were evaluated for particle size, morphology, drug loading, crystallinity, redispersibility, physical stability and dissolution rate. HPMC efficiently stabilized the NS system and reduced the particle size of NS. The mean particle size of the NS with 0.5% HPMC (w/v) was the smallest (248 nm) of all formulations. Dextrin has been shown to inhibit the increase of particle size efficiently, which is known to occur frequently when NS is being solidified. As the dextrin increased in DNS, the dissolution rates of reconstituted NS were significantly improved. However, it was confirmed that more than the necessary amount of dextrin in DNS reduced the dissolution and drug loading. The dissolution of celecoxib in DNS prepared at the ratio (drug:dextrin, 1:2.5) was almost the highest. The dissolution of optimal formulation was 95.8% at 120 min, which was 2.0-fold higher than that of NS dried without dextrin. In conclusion, these results suggest that the formulation based on Tween 80, HPMC and dextrin may be an effective option for DNS to enhance its in vitro dissolution and in vivo oral absorption.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Tay ◽  
Tri-Hung Nguyen ◽  
Leigh Ford ◽  
Hywel D. Williams ◽  
Hassan Benameur ◽  
...  

Lipid based formulations (LBFs) are commonly employed to enhance the absorption of highly lipophilic, poorly water-soluble drugs. However, the utility of LBFs can be limited by low drug solubility in the formulation. Isolation of ionizable drugs as low melting, lipophilic salts or ionic liquids (ILs) provides one means to enhance drug solubility in LBFs. However, whether different ILs benefit from formulation in different LBFs is largely unknown. In the current studies, lumefantrine was isolated as a number of different lipophilic salt/ionic liquid forms and performance was assessed after formulation in a range of LBFs. The solubility of lumefantrine in LBF was enhanced 2- to 80-fold by isolation as the lumefantrine docusate IL when compared to lumefantrine free base. The increase in drug loading subsequently enhanced concentrations in the aqueous phase of model intestinal fluids during in vitro dispersion and digestion testing of the LBF. To assess in vivo performance, the systemic exposure of lumefantrine docusate after administration in Type II-MCF, IIIB-MCF, IIIB-LCF, and IV formulations was evaluated after oral administration to rats. In vivo exposure was compared to control lipid and aqueous suspension formulations of lumefantrine free base. Lumefantrine docusate in the Type IIIB-LCF showed significantly higher plasma exposure compared to all other formulations (up to 35-fold higher). The data suggest that isolation of a lipid-soluble IL, coupled with an appropriate formulation, is a viable means to increase drug dose in an oral formulation and to enhance exposure of lumefantrine in vivo.


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