A Review on Nanoparticles: Preparation and Characterization of Nanoparticles

The development of innovative medication delivery systems has increased at an exponential rate in the last few years. Nanoparticles are particles with a size of between one and one hundred nanometers. Nanoparticles provide substantial benefits over conventional drug administration in terms of high bioavailability, high stability, high drug-carrying capacity, and other characteristics. This review concentrated mostly on the classification of nanoparticles, the technique of synthesis, the evaluation of nanoparticles, and the list of FDA-approved nanomedicines now available on the market.

Peptide-Mucin Binding and Biosimilar Mucus-Permeating Properties

This study aimed to understand the role of the mucus layer (a biological hydrogel) in the transport mechanisms of peptides. Using established in vitro models, the mucin-binding activity and mucus-permeating property of peptides were determined. Uncharged peptides with relatively high hydrophilicity, including MANT, TNGQ, and PASL, as well as cationic peptides, including KIPAVF and KMPV, possessed strong mucin-binding activity. Contrarily, uncharged peptides with high hydrophobicity index, including YMSV and QIGLF, exhibited weak mucin-binding activity. Only TNGQ, which has high Boman index and hydrophilicity, showed a high biosimilar mucus-permeating property with a permeability of 96 ± 30% after 60 min. TNGQ showed the potential for high bioavailability due to the high mucin-binding and biosimilar mucus-permeating activities.

Cerebral and extracerebral distribution of radioactivity associated with oxytocin in rabbits after intranasal administration: Comparison of TTA-121, a newly developed oxytocin formulation, with Syntocinon

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with deficits in social interactions/communication. Despite the large number of ASD patients, there is no drug approved to treat its core symptoms. Recently, Syntocinon (oxytocin nasal spray) has been reported to have a therapeutic effect on ASD. However, the disadvantage of Syntocinon for ASD treatment is that 6 puffs/administration are required to achieve the effective pharmacological dose. Furthermore, there are no published reports evaluating the cerebral distribution profile of oxytocin after intranasal administration. TTA-121 is a newly developed intranasal oxytocin formulation with high bioavailability produced by optimizing the physicochemical properties. In this study, we prepared the same formula as Syntocinon as the control formulation (CF), and the cerebral and extracerebral distribution of oxytocin in rabbits after single intranasal administration of 3H-labeled oxytocin formulations—[3H]TTA-121 and [3H]CF were examined and compared. The area under the concentration-time curve to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUCt) in the whole brain was 3.6-fold higher in the [3H]TTA-121 group than in the [3H]CF group, indicating increased delivery of radioactivity to the brain by TTA-121 than by CF. Since the distribution profiles showed no notable differences in radioactivity between the olfactory bulb and trigeminal nerve, intranasally-administered oxytocin was probably transferred to the brain via both pathways. The results also showed an increase in radioactivity in the prefrontal area and the precuneus, which are probable sites of pharmacological action as shown in clinical studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), confirming that intranasally-administered oxytocin could reach these tissues.

Hydrogel Alginate Seed Coating as an Innovative Method for Delivering Nutrients at the Early Stages of Plant Growth

Seed coating containing fertilizer nutrients and plant growth biostimulants is an innovative technique for precision agriculture. Nutrient delivery can also be conducted through multilayer seed coating. For this purpose, sodium alginate with NPK, which was selected in a preliminary selection study, crosslinked with divalent ions (Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II)) as a source of fertilizer micronutrients, was used to produce seed coating. The seeds were additionally coated with a solution containing amino acids derived from high-protein material. Amino acids can be obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of mealworm larvae (Gly 71.2 ± 0.6 mM, Glu 55.8 ± 1.3 mM, Pro 48.8 ± 1.5 mM, Ser 31.4 ± 1.5 mM). The formulations were applied in different doses per 100 g of seeds: 35 mL, 70 mL, 105 mL, and 140 mL. SEM-EDX surface analysis showed that 70 mL of formulation/100 g of seeds formed a continuity of coatings but did not result in a uniform distribution of components on the surface. Extraction tests proved simultaneous low leaching of nutrients into water (max. 10%), showing a slow release pattern. There occurred high bioavailability of fertilizer nutrients (even up to 100%). Pot tests on cucumbers (Cornichon de Paris) confirmed the new method’s effectiveness, yielding a 50% higher fresh sprout weight and four times greater root length than uncoated seeds. Seed coating with hydrogel has a high potential for commercial application, stimulating the early growth of plants and thus leading to higher crop yields.

Biocompatible FePO4 Nanoparticles: Drug Delivery, RNA Stabilization, and Functional Activity

FePO4 NPs are of special interest in food fortification and biomedical imaging because of their biocompatibility, high bioavailability, magnetic property, and superior sensory performance that do not cause adverse organoleptic effects. These characteristics are desirable in drug delivery as well. Here, we explored the FePO4 nanoparticles as a delivery vehicle for the anticancer drug, doxorubicin, with an optimum drug loading of 26.81% ± 1.0%. This loading further enforces the formation of Fe3+ doxorubicin complex resulting in the formation of FePO4-DOX nanoparticles. FePO4-DOX nanoparticles showed a good size homogeneity and concentration-dependent biocompatibility, with over 70% biocompatibility up to 80 µg/mL concentration. Importantly, cytotoxicity analysis showed that Fe3+ complexation with DOX in FePO4-DOX NPs enhanced the cytotoxicity by around 10 times than free DOX and improved the selectivity toward cancer cells. Furthermore, FePO4 NPs temperature-stabilize RNA and support mRNA translation activity showing promises for RNA stabilizing agents. The results show the biocompatibility of iron-based inorganic nanoparticles, their drug and RNA loading, stabilization, and delivery activity with potential ramifications for food fortification and drug/RNA delivery.

Effect of Low-molecular Pectin and Metformin on Paclitaxel Toxicity in Rats with Walker Carcinosarcoma

Recently, researchers have been particularly interested in the use of herbal agents in combination therapy of tumors with a spectrum of regulatory effects, low toxicity, and high bioavailability, as well as drugs that indirectly affect the growth and metastasis of tumor cells. The article presents the results of experiments on the study of the combined effect of metformin, low molecular weight pectin and cytostatic agent — paclitaxel on the transplantable tumor — Walker’s carcinosarcoma 256, in order to reduce the toxic effect of the chemotherapy drug. With the combined administration of pectin and paclitaxel (10 mg/kg), metformin and paclitaxel (10 mg/kg), inhibition of tumor growth was observed. On the 25th day, the death of 50% of the animals was observed in the first group, and in the remaining 50%, complete tumor regression was observed. With a single administration of paclitaxel at a single dose of 10 mg / kg of live weight, 62.5% of the animals died in the first 4 days. The combination of drugs (pectin + metformin + paclitaxel) at various single doses of paclitaxel (10, 20, and 25 mg/kg) had an antagonistic effect, showing worse results than the use of each drug with a cytostatic alone (death of animals in the period from 1 to 6 days). Thus, the experimental results demonstrated a clear toxicity reduction effect at high doses of paclitaxel in combination with pectin or metformin.

219. Outcomes with Low- vs. High-bioavailability Oral Antibiotics in Treatment of Uncomplicated Gram-Negative Bacteremia

Background High-bioavailability (HIGH-BIO) oral agents (i.e. trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones) are increasingly utilized for definitive treatment of uncomplicated gram-negative (UGN) bloodstream infections (BSI). Literature supports use of HIGH-BIO agents as step-down therapy, but few studies have assessed use of low-bioavailability (LOW-BIO) agents (i.e. beta-lactams). Increased recurrence of BSI has been associated with LOW-BIO agents; suboptimal dosing of beta-lactam agents may have impacted outcomes. Trials have not assessed whether high-dose beta-lactams (HD-BL) improve clinical outcomes over low-dose beta-lactams (LD-BL) for UGN BSI. Methods This retrospective cohort study conducted between December 2016 and December 2020 included adults with UGN BSI administered oral step-down therapy for at least 1/3rd the total antibiotic duration. The primary outcome was incidence of treatment failure of HIGH-BIO compared to LOW-BIO agents within 90 days of completing oral therapy. Treatment failure was a composite of all-cause mortality, recurrent BSI, reinfection of the primary site, or transition to IV antibiotics after initiating oral therapy. Secondary outcomes were incidence of treatment failure of HIGH-BIO compared to HD-BL agents, and of HD-BL compared to LD-BL agents. Results Of 225 patients, 67 (29.8%) received a HIGH-BIO and 158 (70.2%) a LOW-BIO agent; of those in the LOW-BIO arm 126 (79.7%) received a HD-BL. The most common source of BSI was urinary (202 [89.8%]); transition to oral therapy occurred after a mean of 5 ± 2.39 days. No difference in treatment failure was observed (8 [11.9%] HIGH-BIO vs. 25 [15.8%] LOW-BIO, P = 0.45). A numerically higher number of patients in the LOW-BIO arm had recurrent BSI (4 [2.5%] LOW-BIO vs. 0 [0%] HIGH-BIO, P = 0.18). No difference in treatment failure was observed between HIGH-BIO and HD-BL agents (8 [11.9%] vs. 20 [15.9%], P = 0.46), or HD-BL and LD-BL agents (20 [15.9%] vs. 5 [15.6%], P = 0.97). Conclusion No difference in treatment failure was observed between groups; further study is needed due to failure to reach statistical power. A numerical trend towards increased recurrence of BSI was observed with LOW-BIO agents. Beta-lactams may be reasonable for step-down therapy of UGN BSI if HIGH-BIO agents are contraindicated. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Dendrimers as Non-Viral Vectors in Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy

Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) has been intensively studied as a promising new strategy of prodrug delivery, with its main advantages being represented by an enhanced efficacy and a reduced off-target toxicity of the active drug. In recent years, numerous therapeutic systems based on GDEPT strategy have entered clinical trials. In order to deliver the desired gene at a specific site of action, this therapeutic approach uses vectors divided in two major categories, viral vectors and non-viral vectors, with the latter being represented by chemical delivery agents. There is considerable interest in the development of non-viral vectors due to their decreased immunogenicity, higher specificity, ease of synthesis and greater flexibility for subsequent modulations. Dendrimers used as delivery vehicles offer many advantages, such as: nanoscale size, precise molecular weight, increased solubility, high load capacity, high bioavailability and low immunogenicity. The aim of the present work was to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances regarding the use of dendrimers as non-viral carriers in the GDEPT therapy.

Effects of Silicon and Silicon-Based Nanoparticles on Rhizosphere Microbiome, Plant Stress and Growth

Silicon (Si) is considered a non-essential element similar to cadmium, arsenic, lead, etc., for plants, yet Si is beneficial to plant growth, so it is also referred to as a quasi-essential element (similar to aluminum, cobalt, sodium and selenium). An element is considered quasi-essential if it is not required by plants but its absence results in significant negative consequences or anomalies in plant growth, reproduction and development. Si is reported to reduce the negative impacts of different stresses in plants. The significant accumulation of Si on the plant tissue surface is primarily responsible for these positive influences in plants, such as increasing antioxidant activity while reducing soil pollutant absorption. Because of these advantageous properties, the application of Si-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) in agricultural and food production has received a great deal of interest. Furthermore, conventional Si fertilizers are reported to have low bioavailability; therefore, the development and implementation of nano-Si fertilizers with high bioavailability could be crucial for viable agricultural production. Thus, in this context, the objectives of this review are to summarize the effects of both Si and Si-NPs on soil microbes, soil properties, plant growth and various plant pathogens and diseases. Si-NPs and Si are reported to change the microbial colonies and biomass, could influence rhizospheric microbes and biomass content and are able to improve soil fertility.