Honokiol-Based Nanomedicine Decorated with Ethylene Glycols Derivatives Promotes Antitumor Efficacy

Honokiol-loaded nanoparticles (HK-loaded NPs) exhibit potential antitumor activity; however, the factors affecting their antitumor efficacy are still unclear and need to be explored. This research was aimed to systematically estimate the influence of feed weight ratio (FWR) and nanocarrier structure on antitumor activity. Accordingly, three types of ethylene glycol derivatives, including linear poly(ethylene glycol) with molar mass of 2000 (PEG45), first and second generation oligo(ethylene glycol) dendrons (G1 and G2) were used as nanocarriers, and a series of HK-loaded NPs with different FWR were prepared successfully using the evaporation-ultrasonication method. These NPs showed similar stability but demonstrated differences with respect to particle size, morphology, cumulative profile, and antitumor efficacy. The influence of the FWR was studied using G1 dendrons as nanocarriers; the results indicated that the particle size and morphology of G1 NPs were significantly affected, and G1 NPs (8/1), with the FWR of 8/1 for HK versus G1 dendron, exhibited the highest antitumor activity among all G1 NPs. Furthermore, the influence of nanocarrier structure was investigated at the FWR of 4/1; the findings revealed reduction in the particle diameter from 280 nm to 109 nm and change in morphology from sphere to flower-like structure with an increase in the branch degree from linear to dendron. Moreover, G2 NPs (4/1), with the FWR of 4/1 for HK versus G2 dendron, carrying the highest branch degree exhibited the greatest antitumor efficacy among all. These results are suggestive of influence of particle size and morphology on antitumor efficacy of HK-loaded NPs. Conclusively, this study demonstrated nanocarrier structure and the FWR significantly affect the antitumor efficacy of NPs, which should be optimized for designing nanoscale delivery systems.

Molecular Configuration-mediated Thermo-responsiveness in Oligo(Ethylene Glycol) Derivatives Attached on Gold Nanoparticles

Biomolecular systems actively control their local environment on a sub-nm scale via changes in molecular configuration from their flexible structures and derive emergent functions. Although this functional emergence based on...

Integrating molecular design and crystal engineering approaches in non-humidified intermediate-temperature proton conductors based on a Dawson-type polyoxometalate and poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives

Anionic metal−oxygen clusters known as polyoxometalates (POMs) have been widely researched as components of proton conductors. While proton conduction under non-humidified intermediate-temperature (100−250 °C) conditions is advantageous from the viewpoint...

Technological aspects of synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) mono-1-propenyl ether monomers

For the first time, the technological aspects of the highly productive and selective synthesis of UV-reactive poly(ethylene glycol) mono-1-propenyl ether monomers was developed. The solvent-free isomerization of model commercial available 2-allyloxyethanol and allyloxypoly(ethylene glycol) derivatives, type Allyl–[OCH2CH2]n–OH, n = 1–5, into a 1-propenyl derivative under the homogeneous catalysis conditions using the ruthenium complexes were evaluated. The effect of a various reaction conditions (i.e. the concentration of [Ru] complex, the reaction temperature, reaction gas atmosphere) together with trace amounts of allyl hydroperoxides formed via autoxidation reaction of allyl substrates on the productivity of catalyst was examined in detail. Moreover, the significant role of the allyl substrate structures on the catalytic activity of ruthenium catalysts were also recognized. The optimal parameters of the scaled-up synthesis together with productivity of catalyst were first established.