Gold nanostars for efficient in vitro and in vivo real-time SERS detection and drug delivery via plasmonic-tunable Raman/FTIR imaging

ABSTRACTThe performance of supramolecular nanocarriers as drug delivery systems depends on their stability in the complex and dynamic biological media. After administration, nanocarriers are challenged by confronting different barriers such as shear stress and proteins present in blood, endothelial wall, extracellular matrix and eventually cancer cell membranes. While early disassembly will result in a premature drug release, extreme stability of the nanocarriers can lead to poor drug release and low efficiency. Therefore, comprehensive understanding of the stability and assembly state of supramolecular carriers in each stage of delivery is a key factor for the rational design of these systems. One of the key challenges is that current 2D in vitro models do not provide exhaustive information, as they do not fully recapitulate the 3D tumor microenvironment. This deficiency of the 2D models complexity is the main reason for the differences observed in vivo when testing the performance of supramolecular nanocarriers. Herein, we present a real-time monitoring study of self-assembled micelles stability and extravasation, combining spectral confocal microscopy and a microfluidic tumor-on-a-chip. The combination of advanced imaging and a reliable organ-on-a-chip model allow us to track micelle disassembly by following the spectral properties of the amphiphiles in space and time during the crucial steps of drug delivery. The spectrally active micelles were introduced under flow and their position and conformation followed during the crossing of barriers by spectral imaging, revealing the interplay between carrier structure, micellar stability and extravasation. Integrating the ability of the micelles to change their fluorescent properties when disassembled, spectral confocal imaging and 3D microfluidic tumor blood vessel-on-a-chip, resulted in the establishment of a robust testing platform, suitable for real-time imaging and evaluation of supramolecular drug delivery carrier’s stability.

Download Full-text

P600 Absolute quantification of myocardial perfusion using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography: an in vitro study and first in vivo results

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1016/s0195-668x(03)94038-3 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 102 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R VOGEL

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Perfusion ◽

Real Time ◽

Contrast Echocardiography ◽

In Vitro Study ◽

Absolute Quantification ◽

Vitro Study ◽

Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography

Download Full-text

Recent In Vitro and In Silico Advances in the Understanding of Intranasal Drug Delivery

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666201112143230 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

John Chen ◽

Andrew Martin ◽

Warren H. Finlay

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

In Silico ◽

Local Drug Delivery ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Intranasal Drug Delivery ◽

Nasal Sprays ◽

In Silico Studies ◽

Drug Delivery Devices

Background: Many drugs are delivered intranasally for local or systemic effect, typically in the form of droplets or aerosols. Because of the high cost of in vivo studies, drug developers and researchers often turn to in vitro or in silico testing when first evaluating the behavior and properties of intranasal drug delivery devices and formulations. Recent advances in manufacturing and computer technologies have allowed for increasingly realistic and sophisticated in vitro and in silico reconstructions of the human nasal airways. Objective: To perform a summary of advances in understanding of intranasal drug delivery based on recent in vitro and in silico studies. Conclusion: The turbinates are a common target for local drug delivery applications, and while nasal sprays are able to reach this region, there is currently no broad consensus across the in vitro and in silico literature concerning optimal parameters for device design, formulation properties and patient technique which would maximize turbinate deposition. Nebulizers are able to more easily target the turbinates, but come with the disadvantage of significant lung deposition. Targeting of the olfactory region of the nasal cavity has been explored for potential treatment of central nervous system conditions. Conventional intranasal devices, such as nasal sprays and nebulizers, deliver very little dose to the olfactory region. Recent progress in our understanding of intranasal delivery will be useful in the development of the next generation of intranasal drug delivery devices.

Download Full-text

In vitro Lipolysis as a Tool for the Establishment of IVIVC for Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems

Current Drug Delivery ◽

10.2174/1567201816666190620115716 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 688-697

Author(s):

Ravinder Verma ◽

Deepak Kaushik

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Ph Value ◽

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Rapid Screening ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Fed State ◽

In Vitro Lipolysis ◽

Ph Stat

: In vitro lipolysis has emerged as a powerful tool in the development of in vitro in vivo correlation for Lipid-based Drug Delivery System (LbDDS). In vitro lipolysis possesses the ability to mimic the assimilation of LbDDS in the human biological system. The digestion medium for in vitro lipolysis commonly contains an aqueous buffer media, bile salts, phospholipids and sodium chloride. The concentrations of these compounds are defined by the physiological conditions prevailing in the fasted or fed state. The pH of the medium is monitored by a pH-sensitive electrode connected to a computercontrolled pH-stat device capable of maintaining a predefined pH value via titration with sodium hydroxide. Copenhagen, Monash and Jerusalem are used as different models for in vitro lipolysis studies. The most common approach used in evaluating the kinetics of lipolysis of emulsion-based encapsulation systems is the pH-stat titration technique. This is widely used in both the nutritional and the pharmacological research fields as a rapid screening tool. Analytical tools for the assessment of in vitro lipolysis include HPLC, GC, HPTLC, SEM, Cryo TEM, Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) for the characterization of the lipids and colloidal phases after digestion of lipids. Various researches have been carried out for the establishment of IVIVC by using in vitro lipolysis models. The current publication also presents an updated review of various researches in the field of in vitro lipolysis.

Download Full-text

Novel Phospholipid-Based Labrasol Nanomicelles Loaded Flavonoids for Oral Delivery with Enhanced Penetration and Anti-Brain Tumor Efficiency

Current Drug Delivery ◽

10.2174/1567201817666200210120950 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 229-245

Author(s):

Gang Wang ◽

Junjie Wang ◽

Rui Guan

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Brain Tumor ◽

Oral Delivery ◽

Safe Delivery ◽

Drug Delivery Vehicles ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Delivery Vehicles ◽

The Brain

Background: Owing to the rich anticancer properties of flavonoids, there is a need for their incorporation into drug delivery vehicles like nanomicelles for safe delivery of the drug into the brain tumor microenvironment. Objective: This study, therefore, aimed to prepare the phospholipid-based Labrasol/Pluronic F68 modified nano micelles loaded with flavonoids (Nano-flavonoids) for the delivery of the drug to the target brain tumor. Methods: Myricetin, quercetin and fisetin were selected as the initial drugs to evaluate the biodistribution and acute toxicity of the drug delivery vehicles in rats with implanted C6 glioma tumors after oral administration, while the uptake, retention, release in human intestinal Caco-2 cells and the effect on the brain endothelial barrier were investigated in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HBMECs). Results: The results demonstrated that nano-flavonoids loaded with myricetin showed more evenly distributed targeting tissues and enhanced anti-tumor efficiency in vivo without significant cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells and alteration in the Trans Epithelial Electric Resistance (TEER). There was no pathological evidence of renal, hepatic or other organs dysfunction after the administration of nanoflavonoids, which showed no significant influence on cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, Labrasol/F68-NMs loaded with MYR and quercetin could enhance antiglioma effect in vitro and in vivo, which may be better tools for medical therapy, while the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nano-flavonoids may ensure optimal therapeutic benefits.

Download Full-text

Controllable Drug Delivery by Na+/K+ ATPase α1 Targeting Peptide Conjugated DSPE-PEG Nanocarriers for Breast Cancer

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/15330338211027898 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 153303382110278

Author(s):

Yayan Yang ◽

Qian Feng ◽

Chuanfeng Ding ◽

Wei Kang ◽

Xiufeng Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Drug Delivery ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Click Reaction ◽

Chemotherapy Drugs ◽

Targeting Peptide ◽

And Migration

Although Epirubicin (EPI) is a commonly used anthracycline for the treatment of breast cancer in clinic, the serious side effects limit its long-term administration including myelosuppression and cardiomyopathy. Nanomedicines have been widely utilized as drug delivery vehicles to achieve precise targeting of breast cancer cells. Herein, we prepared a DSPE-PEG nanocarrier conjugated a peptide, which targeted the breast cancer overexpression protein Na+/K+ ATPase α1 (NKA-α1). The nanocarrier encapsulated the EPI and grafted with the NKA-α1 targeting peptide through the click reaction between maleimide and thiol groups. The EPI was slowly released from the nanocarrier after entering the breast cancer cells with the guidance of the targeting NKA-α1 peptide. The precise and controllable delivery and release of the EPI into the breast cancer cells dramatically inhibited the cells proliferation and migration in vitro and suppressed the tumor volume in vivo. These results demonstrate significant prospects for this nanocarrier as a promising platform for numerous chemotherapy drugs.

Download Full-text

Simple Equations Pertaining to the Particle Number and Surface Area of Metallic, Polymeric, Lipidic and Vesicular Nanocarriers

Scientia Pharmaceutica ◽

10.3390/scipharm89020015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 89 (2) ◽

pp. 15

Author(s):

M. R. Mozafari ◽

E. Mazaheri ◽

K. Dormiani

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Surface Area ◽

Particle Number ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Metallic Particles ◽

Nutraceutical Compounds ◽

Mathematical Formulas ◽

Simple Equations

Introduction: Bioactive encapsulation and drug delivery systems have already found their way to the market as efficient therapeutics to combat infections, viral diseases and different types of cancer. The fields of food fortification, nutraceutical supplementation and cosmeceuticals have also been getting the benefit of encapsulation technologies. Aim: Successful formulation of such therapeutic and nutraceutical compounds requires thorough analysis and assessment of certain characteristics including particle number and surface area without the need to employ sophisticated analytical techniques. Solution: Here we present simple mathematical formulas and equations used in the research and development of drug delivery and controlled release systems employed for bioactive encapsulation and targeting the sites of infection and cancer in vitro and in vivo. Systems covered in this entry include lipidic vesicles, polymeric capsules, metallic particles as well as surfactant- and tocopherol-based micro- and nanocarriers.

Download Full-text

Real-time quantitative monitoring of in vitro nasal drug delivery by a nasal epithelial mucosa-on-a-chip model

Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery ◽

10.1080/17425247.2021.1873274 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hanieh Gholizadeh ◽

Hui Xin Ong ◽

Peta Bradbury ◽

Agisilaos Kourmatzis ◽

Daniela Traini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Real Time ◽

Nasal Drug Delivery ◽

Quantitative Monitoring

Download Full-text

Therapeutic effects of EGF-modified curcumin/chitosan nano-spray on wound healing

Regenerative Biomaterials ◽

10.1093/rb/rbab009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Yue Li ◽

QingQing Leng ◽

XianLun Pang ◽

Huan Shi ◽

YanLin Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Wound Healing ◽

Chitosan Nanoparticles ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Skin Defects ◽

Post Operation

Abstract Dermal injury, including trauma, surgical incisions, and burns, remain the most prevalent socio-economical health care issue in the clinic. Nanomedicine represents a reliable administration strategy that can promote the healing of skin lesions, but the lack of effective drug delivery methods can limit its effectiveness. In this study, we developed a novel nano-drug delivery system to treat skin defects through spraying. We prepared curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles modified with epidermal growth factor (EGF) to develop an aqueous EGF-modified spray (EGF@CCN) for the treatment of dermal wounds. In vitro assays showed that the EGF@CCN displayed low cytotoxicity, and that curcumin was continuously and slowly released from the EGF@CCN. In vivo efficacy on wound healing was then evaluated using full-thickness dermal defect models in Wistar rats, showing that the EGF@CCN had significant advantages in promoting wound healing. On day 12 post-operation, skin defects in the rats of the EGF@CCN group were almost completely restored. These effects were related to the activity of curcumin and EGF on skin healing, and the high compatibility of the nano formulation. We therefore conclude that the prepared nano-scaled EGF@CCN spray represents a promising strategy for the treatment of dermal wounds.

Download Full-text