scholarly journals Micellar Carriers Based on Amphiphilic PEG/PCL Graft Copolymers for Delivery of Active Substances

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Odrobińska ◽  
Dorota Neugebauer

Amphiphilic copolymers of alkyne functionalized 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (AlHEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (MPEGMA) with graft or V-shaped graft topologies were synthesized. The functionalization of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with azide group enabled attachment to P(AlHEMA-co-MPEGMA) copolymers via a “click” alkyne-azide reaction. The introduction of PCL as a second side chain type in addition to PEG resulted in heterografted copolymers with modified properties such as biodegradability. “Click” reactions were carried out with efficiencies between 17–70% or 32–50% (for lower molecular weight PCL, 4000 g/mol, or higher molecular weight PCL, 9000 g/mol, respectively) depending on the PEG grafting density. The graft copolymers were self-assembled into micellar superstructures with the ability to encapsulate active substances, such as vitamin C (VitC), arbutin (ARB) or 4-n-butylresorcinol (4nBRE). Drug loading contents (DLC) were obtained in the range of 5–55% (VitC), 39–91% (ARB) and 42–98% (4nBRE). In vitro studies carried out in a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution (at pH 7.4 or 5.5) gave the maximum release levels of active substances after 10–240 min depending on the polymer system. Permeation tests in Franz chambers indicated that the bioactive substances after release by micellar systems penetrated through the artificial skin membrane in small amounts, and a majority of the bioactive substances remained inside the membrane, which is satisfactory for most cosmetic applications.

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Odrobińska ◽  
Łukasz Mielańczyk ◽  
Dorota Neugebauer

A novel initiator, bromoester modified 4-n-butylresorcinol (4nBREBr2), was prepared and utilized in controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to obtain three series of amphiphilic copolymers. The V-shaped copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (MPEGMA), abbreviated to P(HEMA–co–MMA), P(HEMA–co–MPEGMA), and P(MMA–co–MPEGMA), were synthesized. Moreover, P((HEMA–graft–PEG)–co–MMA) graft copolymers were prepared by combining the pre-polymerization modification of HEMA and a “click” reaction using a “grafting onto” approach. All copolymers could form micelles with encapsulated active substances (vitamin C (VitC), vitamin E (VitE), arbutin (ARB)), which are used in cosmetology. In vitro studies carried out in a PBS solution (pH 7.4) demonstrates that in most cases the maximum release of active substance was after 1 h. The polymeric systems presenting satisfactory encapsulation characteristics and release profiles are attractive micellar carriers of cosmetic substances, which show a positive effect on the skin condition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1202
Author(s):  
Justyna Odrobińska ◽  
Magdalena Skonieczna ◽  
Dorota Neugebauer

Amphiphilic copolymers containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyethylene glycol methyl ether (MPEG) were obtained via an azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction between alkyne-functionalized copolymer of MPEG methacrylate and azide-functionalized PDMS. “Click” reactions were carried out with an efficiency of 33–47% increasing grafting degrees. The grafted copolymers were able to carry out the micellization and encapsulation of active substances, such as vitamin C (VitC), ferulic acid (FA) and arginine (ARG) with drug loading content (DLC) in the range of 2–68% (VitC), and 51–89% (FA or ARG). In vitro release studies (phosphate buffer saline, PBS; pH = 7.4 or 5.5) demonstrated that the maximum release of active substances was mainly after 1–2 h. The permeability of released active substances through membrane mimicking skin evaluated by transdermal tests in Franz diffusion cells indicated slight diffusion into the solution (2–16%) and their remaining in the membrane. Studies on the selected carrier with FA showed no negative effect on cell viability, proliferation capacity or senescence, as well as cell apoptosis/necrosis differences or cell cycle interruption in comparison with control cells. These results indicated that the presented micellar systems are good candidates for carriers of cosmetic substances according to physicochemical characterization and biological studies.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1178
Author(s):  
Justyna Odrobińska ◽  
Magdalena Skonieczna ◽  
Dorota Neugebauer

The in vitro biochemical evaluation of the applicability of polymers carrying active substances (micelles and conjugates) was carried out. Previously designed amphiphilic graft copolymers with retinol or 4-n-butylresorcinol functionalized polymethacrylate backbone and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains that included Janus-type heterografted copolymers containing both PEG and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) side chains were applied as micellar carriers. The polymer self-assemblies were convenient to encapsulate arbutin (ARB) as the selected active substances. Moreover, the conjugates of PEG graft copolymers with ferulic acid (FA) or lipoic acid (LA) were also investigated. The permeability of released active substances through a membrane mimicking skin was evaluated by conducting transdermal tests in Franz diffusion cells. The biological response to new carriers with active substances was tested across cell lines, including normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF), human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT), as well as cancer melanoma (Me45) and metastatic human melanoma (451-Lu), for comparison. These polymer systems were safe and non-cytotoxic at the tested concentrations for healthy skin cell lines according to the MTT test. Cytometric evaluation of cell cycles as well as cell death defined by Annexin-V apoptosis assays and senescence tests showed no significant changes under action of the delivery systems, as compared to the control cells. In vitro tests confirmed the biochemical potential of these antioxidant carriers as beneficial components in cosmetic products, especially applied in the form of masks and eye pads.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 3455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Odrobińska ◽  
Dorota Neugebauer

The amphiphilic copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (MPEGMA) and alkyne functionalized 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (AlHEMA) were synthesized by controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The reactions were carried out using the standard ATRP initiator ethyl α-bromoisobutyrate, (EiBBr) and the “bio”initiator bromoester derivative of 4-n-butylresorcinol (4nBREBr2). Two substances with antioxidant activity used in cosmetology, (±)-α-lipoic acid (LA) and ferulic acid (FA), were subjected to esterification reactions to introduce azide groups. The “click” reactions between the alkyne contained copolymers and functionalized acids (LA-N3, FA-N3) were performed to obtain polymer-antioxidant conjugates (P((HEMA-click-FA)-co-MPEGMA) and P((HEMA-click-LA)-co-MPEGMA)). The conjugation was performed with an efficiency of 20–75%. In vitro experiments in a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution at neutral conditions demonstrated that the sufficient release was reached after 2.5 h for FA and 1 h for LA. The rapid release kinetics as well as the polymer carriers, which were applied to regulate the delivery of antioxidant substances, are beneficial in cosmetology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Huang ◽  
Mingjia Qu ◽  
Lu Li ◽  
Tao Liu ◽  
Miaoman Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background How to obtain a small interfering RNA (siRNA) vector has become a moot point in recent years. Exosomes (Exo) show advantages of long survival time in vivo, high transmission efficiency, and easy penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier, renowned as excellent carriers of bioactive substances. Methods We applied mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes as the delivery of synthesized siRNA, which were extracted from rat bone marrow. We constructed exosomes-siRNA (Exo-siRNA) that could specifically silence CTGF gene in the injury sites by electroporation. During the administration, we injected Exo-siRNA into the tail vein of SCI rats, Results In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that Exo-siRNA not only effectively inhibited the expressions of CTGF gene, but quenched inflammation, and thwarted neuronal apoptosis and reactive astrocytes and glial scar formation. Besides, it significantly upregulated several neurotrophic factors and anti-inflammatory factors, acting as a facilitator of locomotor recovery of rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Conclusions In conclusion, this study has combined the thoroughness of gene therapy and the excellent drug-loading characteristics of Exo for the precise treatment of SCI, which will shed new light on the drug-loading field of Exo.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1330
Author(s):  
Stanislav Sukhikh ◽  
Svetlana Noskova ◽  
Svetlana Ivanova ◽  
Liubov Skrypnik ◽  
Artem Pungin ◽  
...  

The medicinal plant Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó (family Orchidaceae) is used to treat gastritis, colic, gastrointestinal tract, and bladder diseases. This study aimed to investigate the properties and characteristics of the in vitro Dactylorhiza maculata extract. The recommended parameters for producing Dactylorhiza maculata extract were determined: temperature 60 °C, process duration 60 min, hydro module 1:10. It is recommended to carry out the extraction using an aqueous ethyl alcohol solution with a mass fraction of the parent substance of 70%. It was found that such biologically active substances as rutin, quercetin, 3,3’,4’,5,5’,7-hexahydroxyflavonone, 3,3’,4’,5,5’,7-hexahydroxyflavonone-3-O-glycoside, gallic acid, and ferulic acid were dominant in Dactylorhiza maculata. A high phosphorus content was noted (2410.8 mg/kg dry matter). The studied Dactylorhiza maculata samples contained a large number of organic acids and water-soluble vitamins. The tested extracts were safe in terms of the content of heavy metals, pesticides, aflatoxin B1, and radionuclides, as well as pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms; the content was significantly lower than the threshold limit values. The studied complex of biologically active substances from Dactylorhiza maculata extract samples had antimicrobial properties. It was found that the antioxidant activity of the samples was 217.89 ± 10.89 mg AA/g (AA—ascorbic acid). The high content of bioactive substances and the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Dactylorhiza maculata extract samples determine the application potential of this plant as a substitute for growth stimulants and feed antibiotics in the production of feed additives, aiming to increase the physiological and immune status of livestock and poultry.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Odrobińska ◽  
Katarzyna Niesyto ◽  
Karol Erfurt ◽  
Agnieszka Siewniak ◽  
Anna Mielańczyk ◽  
...  

The new polymeric systems for delivery in cosmetology applications were prepared using self-assembling amphiphilic graft copolymers. The synthesis based on “click” chemistry reaction included grafting of azide-functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG-N3) onto multifunctional polymethacrylates containing alkyne units. The latter ones were obtained via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of alkyne-functionalized monomers, e.g., ester of hexynoic acid and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (AlHEMA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA), using bromoester-modified retinol (RETBr) as the initiator. Varying the content of alkyne moieties adjusted by initial monomer ratios of AlHEMA/MMA was advantageous for the achievement of a well-defined grafting degree. The designed amphiphilic graft copolymers P((HEMA-graft-PEG)-co-MMA), showing tendency to micellization in aqueous solution at room temperature, were encapsulated with arbutin (ARB) or vitamin C (VitC) with high efficiencies (>50%). In vitro experiments carried out in the phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) at pH 7.4 indicated the maximum release of ARB after at least 20 min and VitC within 10 min. The fast release of the selected antioxidants and skin-lightening agents by these micellar systems is satisfactory for applications in cosmetology, where they can be used as the components of masks, creams, and wraps.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 255-260
Author(s):  
P. A. Trotskiy

Implementation of biotechnological process in livestock should be considered not only in terms of selection process intensification (obtain of embryos in vitro, their transplantation) and to a greater extent as development of effective methods of freezing and long storage of mammalian cells, including ova and embryos. Application of biotechnology in livestock breeding increases rate of genetic progress, preservation of gene pool of breeds via banks of sperm, embryos and cryobank of oocytes, obtaining and regulation of progeny of the desired sex, providing genetic evaluation of gametes and embryos, and it will enable to use genetic potential of animals after culling by age, replicate and create new genotypes with desired properties repeatedly. Solution to this problem is to improve medium and conditions of gametes and embryos freezing. Although the overall development of cryopreservation method is through simplification of the equilibration and vitrification solutions which would be able to ensure the full development frozen-thawed gametes. Addition of biologically active substances to the solution for cryopreservation contributes to protection of gametes during freezing and thawing, and determination of the consistent patterns of these substances will improve procedures of frozen-thawed oocyte cultivation outside the body. So it is necessary to deepen the fundamental research on the mechanisms of formation of a mature ovum of cows obtained from frozen-thawed oocytes to obtain embryos. The aim of the research is to conduct comparative analysis of different biologically active substances in equilibration and vitrification solutions at cryopreservation of oocyte-cumulus complexes of cows. Material and methods of the research. The objects of experimental studies were oocyte-cumulus complexes of black-and-white cows. The oocytes with homogeneous fine-grained ooplasm, undamaged pellucid zone, thick or partially loosened cumulus were used for freezing. The gametes of cows were treated by equilibration solution before freezing and then were transferred into vitrification solution. All the equilibration (10% glycerol + 20% propanediol) and vitrification (25% glycerol + 25% propanediol) solutions for cryopreservation of cows’ oocyte-cumulus complexes were prepared in Dulbecco phosphatebuffered saline with addition of 20% fetal serum of cows, 1х10-4 M unithiol, 1х10-6 M acetylcholine and without addition of bioactive substances. The research on adding some biologically active substances (fetal serum of cows – version A, unithiol – version B, acetylcholine – version C, without addition of biologically active substances – version D and not frozen cells of the control group (K)) in equilibration and vitrification solutions at freezing the oocyte-cumulus complexes of cows was carried out. It was found by the results of experimental studies that introduction of the above-mentioned components into the equilibration solution for freezing cows’ oocyte-cumulus complexes increased their cryoresistance, as evidenced by increasing indicator of maturation of frozen-thawed gametes outside the body to metaphase-2 of meiosis after 27-hour cultivation by 5,4-23,0% and decreasing indicator of number of oocytes with chromosomal abnormalities by 2,9-15,3%. The introduction of biologically active substances into the vitrification solution and subsequent cultivation during 27 hours after freezing and thawing cows’ oocyte-cumulus complexes showed that the indicator of maturation of frozen-thawed gametes outside the body to metaphase-2 of meiosis increased by 3,9-16,4% and the indicator of number of oocytes with chromosomal abnormalities decreased by 2,9-8,4%. Comparative analysis of the results of in vitro fertilization of cows’ frozen-thawed ova which were frozen using fetal serum of cows (version A) and without it (version - B) has shown a positive effect of adding it to equilibration and vitrification medium at freezing gametes of cows; it led to increase of obtaining bovine embryos in vitro by 11,5%. Thus, the analysis of experimental results showed different efficiency of using fetal serum of cows, unithiol, acetylcholine in the equilibration solution for freezing cows’ oocyte-cumulus complexes. The advantage of using these biologically active substances in the vitrification solution for cryopreservation of cow’s gametes by the indicator of maturation of frozen-thawed oocyte-cumulus complexes outside the body to metaphase-2 of meiosis wasn’t established. Conclusions. Introduction of fetal serum into cryopreservation solution increases cryoresistance of cow’s oocytes to cooling leading to increasing the indicator of the matured frozen-thawed gametes outside the body to metaphase-2 of meiosis by 23,0% and the obtained bovine embryos in vitro by 11,5%.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wei ◽  
Xiao-Man Fan ◽  
Shao-Hui Jia ◽  
Xi-Ping Zhang ◽  
Zhao Zhang ◽  
...  

Sea cucumbers are one of many marine echinoderm animals that contain valuable nutrients and medicinal compounds. The bioactive substances in sea cucumbers make them have promising biological and pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor effects. In this study, sea cucumber intestinal peptide (SCIP) is a small molecular oligopeptide (<1,000 Da) extracted from sea cucumber intestines hydrolyzed by alkaline protease. The analysis of amino acid composition showed that hydrophobic amino acids and branched-chain amino acids were rich in SCIP. Nowadays, although increasing studies have revealed the biological functions of the sea cucumber active substances, there are few studies on the function of SCIP. Furthermore, due to the anti-cancer activity being an essential characteristic of sea cucumber active substances, we also investigated the anti-cancer potential and the underlying mechanism of SCIP in vivo and in vitro. The results indicate that SCIP inhibits the growth of MCF-7 tumor cells in zebrafish and increases the apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Further mechanism studies confirm that SCIP promotes the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and thus promotes the breast cancer cells (MCF-7) apoptosis via inhibition of PI3K/AKT signal transduction pathway.


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