Polydopamine-Coated Copper-Substituted Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Dual Cancer Therapy

Combinational therapy using chemodynamictherapy (CDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) is known to enhance the therapeutic outcome for cancer treatment. In this study, a biocompatible nano formulation was developed by coating polydopamine (PDA) over doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded copper-substituted mesoporous silica (CuMSN) nanoparticles. PDA coating not only allowed selective photothermal properties with an extended DOX release but also enhanced the water solubility and biocompatibility of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites displayed a monodispersed shape and pH-dependent release characteristics, with an outstanding photothermal conversion and excellent tumor cell inhibition. The cellular-uptake experiments of CuMSN@DOX@PDA in A549 cells indicated that nanoparticles (NPs) aided in the enhanced DOX uptake in tumor cells compared to free DOX with synergistic anti-cancer effects. Moreover, the cell-viability studies displayed remarkable tumor inhibition in combinational therapy over monotherapy. Thus, the synthesized CuMSN@DOX@PDA NPs can serve as a promising platform for dual cancer therapy.

Novel Approach of Phyto-Mediated Thermo-Sensitive and Biocompatible Nano-Formulation to Improve Anti-Microbial Efficacy Against Pathogenic Bacterial for the Treatment of Wound Infections

Design and development of novel methods for the synthesis of metal nanopartilces (MNPs) was greatly attracted by research community due to various applications. We described a greener strategy for the synthesis of silver nanoformulation (Ag NF) using leaf extract of Ziziphus zizyphus and then surface functionalized using P(NIPAM-co-MQ). The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy. Further, the functionalized AgNPs were characterized XPS and x-ray diffraction studies. The design of bioactive and biocompatible Ag nanoformulation preparations have been provide promising alternative source for bacterial-related therapies. The developed Ag NF have demonstrated predominant bactericidal action with highinhibition rate and long-term efficiency against clinically approved bacterial pathogens (S. aureus and E. coli), which greatly contributed treatment of wound infections. The observations of the present study could provide new avenue for the antimicrobial treatment of wound therapy

Preparation and Optimization of Peppermint (Mentha Pipertia) Essential Oil Nanoemulsion with Effective Herbal Larvicidal, Pupicidal, and Ovicidal Activity against Anopheles Stephensi

Objectives: The Plasmodium parasite is transmitted directly to humans through the Anopheles mosquito bite and causes vector-borne Malaria disease, which leads to the transmission of the disease in Southeast Asia, including India. The problem of persistent toxicity, along with the growing incidence of insect resistance, has led to the use of green pesticides to control the spread of the disease in a cost-effective and environment-friendly manner. Based on this objective, this work investigated the larvicidal, pupicidal, and ovicidal activity of Mentha pipertia using a natural nanoemulsion technique. Methods: GC-MS characterized essential oils of Mentha pipertia leaves were formulated as a nanoemulsion for herbal larvicidal, pupicidal, and ovicidal activities. Size of the nanoemulsion was analyzed by photon correlation spectroscopy. The herbal activities against Anopheles Stephensi of nanoemulsion were evaluated in terms of the lethal concentration for 50% (LC50) and 90% (LC90) to prove low cost, pollution free active effective formulation. Results: Chiral, keto, and alcohol groups attached Mentha pipertia leaves essential oil nanoemulsions demonstrated good results in the larvicidal probit analysis, with values of LC50=09.67 ppm and LC90=20.60 ppm. Activity results of the most stable nano formulation with 9.89 nm size showed a significant increase when compared to the bulk. Conclusion: The nanoemulsion of Mentha pipertia leaves can be a promising eco-friendly widely available, low-cost herbicide against the Anopheles mosquito.

Nanosuspension of Poorly Soluble Anti-Diabetic Drug for Enhancement of Solubility and Dissolution

Canagliflozin is an anti-diabetic drug used in the adjuvant therapy for type-II diabetes as the inhibitor of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter-2 in the renal tubules. The poor solubility and permeability of the drug show limitations in the formulation development and therapeutic plasma concentration. The objective of the work was to improve the solubility and dissolution of the BCS class IV drug through surfactant stabilized nanosuspension formulation. Nanoparticles were developed by Nano precipitation-solvent evaporation method using Poly vinyl alcohol and Pluronic as surfactants at 1%, 3% and 5% concentration. Formulation optimized with Pluronic exhibited nano size particles (81-117 nm) with monodisperse nature and high stability zeta potential. The nanosuspension prepared using 1% and 3% Pluronic F127 showed 2-fold and 5- fold increase in the drug dissolution compared to the pure drug aqueous dispersion. The drug and surfactant exhibited mild interactions due to hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions as confirmed by the FTIR and TG-DSC analysis, which favoured the formation of stable nanoparticles. The SEM proved the formation of smooth surface spherical shaped nanoparticles. Hence, the development of Canagliflozin nano-formulation was evidenced be an optimized approach to enhance the dissolution of the drug.

Mitoxantrone-Loaded Nanoferritin Slows Tumor Growth and Improves the Overall Survival Rate in a Subcutaneous Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Model

Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents an intriguing topic for researchers. To date, the prognosis of metastasized PC is poor with just 7% of patients exceeding a five-year survival period. Thus, molecular modifications of existing drugs should be developed to change the course of the disease. Our previously generated nanocages of Mitoxantrone (MIT) encapsulated in human H-chain Ferritin (HFt), designated as HFt-MP-PASE-MIT, has shown excellent tumor distribution and extended serum half-life meriting further investigation for PC treatment. Thus, in this study, we used the same nano-formulation to test its cytotoxicity using both in vitro and in vivo assays. Interestingly, both encapsulated and free-MIT drugs demonstrated similar killing capabilities on PaCa44 cell line. Conversely, in vivo assessment in a subcutaneous PaCa44 tumor model of PC demonstrated a remarkable capability for encapsulated MIT to control tumor growth and improve mouse survival with a median survival rate of 65 vs. 33 days for loaded and free-MIT, respectively. Interestingly, throughout the course of mice treatment, MIT encapsulation did not present any adverse side effects as confirmed by histological analysis of various murine tissue organs and body mass weights. Our results are promising and pave the way to effective PC targeted chemotherapy using our HFt nanodelivery platforms.

Physicochemical Characteristics and In Vitro Toxicity/Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity of Favipiravir Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs)

The rise of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases worldwide has driven the need to discover and develop novel therapeutics with superior efficacy to treat this disease. This study aims to develop an innovative aerosolized nano-formulation of favipiravir (FPV) as an anti-viral agent against coronavirus infection. The local delivery of FPV nanoparticles (NPs) via nebulization ensures that the drug can reach the site of infection, the lungs. Solid lipid NPs of favipiravir (FPV-SLNs) were formulated utilizing the hot-evaporation method. The physicochemical formulation properties were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The aerosol formulation performance was evaluated using an Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI) at a flow rate of 15 L/min. The FPV-SLN formulation’s in vitro anti-viral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was also evaluated using the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen (hCoV-19/Egypt/NRC-3/2020 isolate). The FPV-SLNs’ morphology was defined utilizing transmission electron microscopy, showing an irregular shape. By means of FPV-SLNs’ nebulization, a fine particle fraction of 60.2 ± 1.7% was produced with 60.2 ± 1.7%, and this finding suggests that FPV-SLNs were appropriate for inhalation drug delivery with a particle size of 537.6 ± 55.72 nm. Importantly, the FPV-SLNs showed anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2 with CC50 and IC50 values of 449.6 and 29.9 µg/mL, respectively. This study suggests that inhaled solid lipid NPs of favipiravir could potentially be used against coronavirus.