Objective(s) Quercetin antioxidant properties could play an important role in various fields of health. However, its use has been limited because of several disadvantages such as very low solubility in water and high instability in the presence of air, light and heat. Encapsulation of quercetin in nanostructure systems such as liposome may lead to decrease the adverse effects and protect this molecule against degradation. The aim of this study was preparation and in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of liposomes for topical delivery of quercetin to improve the pressure ulcers.Materials and Methods Liposomal formulations were prepared by fusion method and characterized. The amount of drug retained in and penetrated through mouse skin after 8 hours were determined. Also microscopic and macroscopic examination of laboratory animals was performed.Results Encapsulation efficacy of liposomes was in range 64.66-77.83%. Formulation F4 showed maximum drug release in 8 hours and the remaining drug in the skin layers was more than 46%. Histological investigation suggested that F4 and phenytoin 1% cream have the healing effect on the pressure ulcer during 28 day-treatment.Conclusion Quercetin liposomes due to its natural structure and minimal systemic absorption and side effects can be a suitable candidate for the treatment of pressure ulcers.

Exosomes, which are one of the extracellular vesicles, are considered necessary tools of intracellular communication that abundant in our body in physiological and pathological conditions with a diameter of 30-150 nm. The nanotubes, dendrimeric, metallic, nanoparticles have been used in the medical area. However, these nano-based systems are lack of standardized manufacturing methods and therefore, it has toxic effects on cells. The delivery methods of growth factors, exosomes, cells, and engineered tissues have notably advanced in the medical area. The fact that they contain bioactive molecules such as protein, lipid, RNA and DNA revealed that these structures may play an important role in the treatment of cancer. Here, we review work on the contribution exosomal mediated cancer treatment in two main topics as exogenous molecule carrier and self-use. We also emphasize the development of exosome-based systems by referring to the advantages and disadvantages of using exosomes and future perspectives in cancer therapy.

Objective(s)Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, is widespread across the world. It causes congenital disease and abortion in humans and domestic animals. One of the major concerns in parasitology, thus, is an effective vaccine development to control Toxoplasmosis.Materials and MethodsIn the present research, a nano-liposomal vaccine containing soluble antigens (SA) was designed to evaluate the immunity and protective efficacy against T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice. Soluble antigens (SA) were achieved from tachyzoites, encapsulated in the liposome, and investigated via scanning electron microscope. Three times with 2-week intervals, BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with different formulations. The level of protection against infection was assessed through the percent survival survey of BALB/c mice after challenge with tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain; also, the type of generated immune response was determined by evaluating the generation of cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-4) and titration of IgG isotypes.ResultsThe immunization with liposome DSPC+ SA and liposome DSPC+ Imiquimod + SA induced a substantial increase in anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody as compared to the PBS group (p <0.05). The IgG2a and IFN-γ secretion highest levels were seen with liposome DSPC+ Imiquimod + SA more than the control group (p <0.01) and (p <0.0001), respectively. After challenge with tachyzoites, less mortality was detected in the immunized mice by liposome DSPC + Imiquimod + SA that was meaningfully different (p <0.01) in comparison to other groups.ConclusionVaccination with liposome DSPC + Imiquimod + SA showed more survival rate and cellular immune reaction against T. gondii.

Contrast agents (CAs) play a critical role in high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications to enhance the low intrinsic sensitivity of MRI. Manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO) have gotten developing consideration as substitute spinâ��lattice (T1) MRI CAs as a result of the Gd-based CAs which are related with renal i¬�brosis as well as the inherent dark imaging characteristics of superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs. In this review, previous developments in the usage of MnO nanoparticles as MRI CAs for cancer theranostic applications such as developments in toxicological properties, distribution and tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive biomaterials were reviewed. A literature search was accomplished to discover distributed research that elaborates the use of MnO in multimodal imaging and therapy. In the current study, the electronic search including PubMed/Medline, Embase, ProQuest, Scopus, Cochrane and Google Scholar was performed dependent on Mesh key words. CAs can significantly improve the imaging contrast among the lesions and normal tissues. In this study we generally concentrate on typical advancements of MnO nanoparticles about properties, bimodal or multimodal imaging, and therapy. Numerous researches have demonstrated MnO-based nanostructure produce considerable biocompatibility with the lack of cytotoxicity. Therefore, remarkable features improved photothermal therapy, chemotherapy and Chemodynamic therapy.

Objective(s)Paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX) belong to the family of taxanes drugs which have been employed for treatment of ovarian, breast, lung, head, neck, gastric, pancreatic, bladder, prostate and cervical cancer. Controlled drug release systems improve the effectiveness of drug therapy by modifying the release profile, biodistribution, stability and solubility, bioavailability of drugs and minimize the side effects of anticancer drugs. So, the purpose of the present study was to synthesize the modified nanocomposite for the controlled releases of these drugs.Materials and MethodsMagnetic magnesium iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-precipitation chemical method and then composited with graphene oxide and modified by polyvinyl alcohol. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared nanocomposites was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) , Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating-sample magnetometer.ResultsSpecific characteristics such as adsorption capacity, monodispersity, stability and hydrophilicity of magnetic nanomaterials were studied in the controlled release of anticancer drugs. Drug loading content and drug loading efficiency and release rate of drugs were investigated in vitro at different pH with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). DLE and DLC of PTX and DTX in the modified magnetic nanocomposites were calculated as 85.2 ± 2.7% and 7.74 ± 0.24% , 89.4 ± 1.2% and 8.12 ± 0.11% of, respectively. The cumulative release amount of PTX and DTX from magnetic modified nanocomposites at pHs 5.8, 7.4 over 100 h were 58 % and 40 % and 54 % and 37 %, respectively.ConclusionThe potential of modified nanocomposite in drug delivery systems from the intrinsic properties of the magnetic core combined with their drug loading capability and the biomedical properties of modified nanocomposite generated by different surface coatings. The generally sustained and controlled release profile of DTX (or PTX) facilitates the application of modified nanocomposite for the delivery of anticancer drugs.

Objective(s) In this paper, we evaluated some imaging properties of Fe3O4@Au and Fe3O4@Bi hybrid nanocomposites as contrast agents in spectral CT. For this purpose, we simulated a spectral CT scanner with photon-counting detectors (PCDs) in 6 energy bins by a Monte Carlo simulator.Materials and Methods A cylindrical phantom was designed with a diameter of 8 cm and a height of 10 cm. Fe3O4@Au and Fe3O4@Bi hybrid nanocomposites were designed as a core-shell with a diameter of 80 nm. Simulation results were utilized to reconstruct cross-sectional images through the filtered back-projection (FBP) algorithm in MATLAB software. Signal intensity and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of tested contrast agents were calculated in spectral CT images. Results The results indicated a comparable image quality for Fe3O4@Au and Fe3O4@Bi hybrid nanocomposites at different energy bins. However, in the energy range of 80 to 120 keV (bin 4 and 5), the difference in signal intensity and CNR between these two nanocomposites increased. The maximum signal intensity and CNR for Fe3O4@Au and Fe3O4@Bi were acquired at the highest concentration. The maximum signal intensity for Fe3O4@Au was 144±10 (HU) in the 4th energy bin and for Fe3O4@Bi 162±19 (HU) in the 5th energy bin. Besides, the maximum CNRs of 74±6 and 67.5±9 for Fe3O4@Au in bin 4, while for Fe3O4@Bi in bin 5 were obtained respectively. Conclusion Based on our results, Fe3O4@Au and Fe3O4@Bi hybrid nanocomposites have provided promising results as contrast agents in spectral CT. Fe3O4@Bi nanocomposites are recommended due to their lower price and availability.

Objective(s): This study aims to enhance 17 a-methyltestosterone loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles (MT-HSA NPs) bioavailability through a desolvation technique. Dopamine (DA) molecules were conjugated on the surface of MT-HSA NPs and have the potential to act as tiny proper ligands in a unique treatment system to cope with cancer in which drug will be transmitted to the cancer area. Herein, we used HSA as an adaptable carrier of anticancer agents for methyltestosterone transport to the tumor site via DA D1-D5 receptors. In the present study, sonication of MT-HSA solution was carried out before the desolvation procedure to increase the drug loading and entrapment efficiency. Materials and Methods: Various parameters were optimized to characterize NPs including morphology, size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, drug release profile, and entrapment efficiency. Results: Under the optimum conditions of HSA and drug (1:41), at pH 9, results demonstrate sizes of 69 nm and 82 nm for MT-HSA and MT-HSA-DA NPs respectively. For MT-HSA NPs, the polydispersity index was found to be 0.3 and the average drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 14% and 91% respectively. Anticancer activity and the release of drug was investigated through MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Results show that targeted NPs are more effective than non-targeted NPs. Conclusion: According to these studies, the therapeutic effects against various diseases such as cancers increase through cellular targeting property of a biocompatible drug delivery system. This is the first report for methyltestosterone delivery to breast cancer cells based on HSA NPs.

Objective(s): This study has investigated the effects of acute and chronic administration of MgO nanoparticles (NP), on the memory, serum magnesium ions level, total antioxidant capacity and histopathological changes of the rat hippocampus in the Alzheimer-like model induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats divided into: control, sham (STZ+ saline) and MgO NP 1 and 5 mg/kg groups. To induce Alzheimer’s disease, all rats except control group, received STZ (3 mg/kg/ 5 µl of saline) into the lateral ventricles during anesthesia. One week after surgery, passive avoidance learning was started by shuttle box device and saline or MgO NP acutely and chronically was administered after training. Memory tests were done at 90 minutes and 24 hours after training and one week after chronic administration. Immediately after the memory test, serum magnesium levels and total antioxidant capacity were measured, also the brain hippocampus tissue was removed for histopathological evaluation. STZ significantly impairs memory up to a week after the training. Results: Acute and chronic administration of MgO NP significantly improved short and long-term memory in the Alzheimer’s rats. Serum magnesium level decreased in the Alzheimer’s rats and MgO NP increased it in a dose-dependent manner. MgO NP 1 mg/kg significantly increased serum total antioxidant capacity. MgO NP improved STZ-induced cell lesions in different parts of the hippocampus. Conclusions: It seems that MgO NP have the potential to improve brain lesions that have led to loss of memory and can be considered as an important component candidate for Alzheimer’s disease.

Objective(s): In this work, MRP-1 (Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1) gene expression levels and anticancer activity of siRNA and Etoposide loaded Poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was studied on MCF-7/Sensitive and MCF-7/1000Etoposide resistance cells. For this purpose, PHB covered iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles (PHB-MNPs) were prepared by coprecipitation. We used magnetic nanoparticles because they include highly targeted to tumors in vivo cancer therapy. Materials and Methods: Etoposide, anti-cancer drug, was loaded onto the PHB-MNPs. The in vitro cytotoxicity analysis of siRNA and Etoposide-loaded PHB-MNPs was applied on cancer cells. The expression levels of MRP1 related to drug resistance were shown using qRT-PCR. In the present study, we also investigated whether nanoparticle system could be a potential anticancer drug target with molecular docking analyses.Results: The IC50 values of Etoposide on MCF-7/sensitive and MCF-7/1000Eto resistance cells were identified as 50,6 μM and 135,7 μM, respectively. IC50 values of siRNA and Etoposide loaded PHB coated magnetic nanoparticles were determined as 10,18 μM and 39,21 μM on MCF-7 and MCF-7/1000 Eto cells, respectively. According to the gene expression results, MRP1 expression was 4 fold upregulated in MCF-7/1000Eto cells. However, it was about 3 fold downregulated due to the application of siRNA-Etoposide loaded magnetic nanoparticles. Conclusion: According to the docking results, nanoparticle system may be a drug active substance with obtained results. The results of this study demonstrated that siRNA and Etoposide loaded PHB covered iron oxide based magnetic nanoparticles can be a potential targeted therapeutic agent to overcome drug resistance.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) caused an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and right after that SARS-COV-2 spreads around the world infecting millions of people worldwide. This virus belongs to wide range virus family and cause moderate to severe signs in patients, the Sars-COV-2, can spread faster than others between humans and leads to severe outbreak. Recently researchers succeed to develop various vaccines including inactivated or attenuated viral vaccines as well as subunit vaccines to prevent SARS-COV-2 infection. Nanotechnology is advantageous for the design of vaccines since nano scale materials could benefit the delivery of antigens, and could be used as adjuvants to potentiate the response to the vaccines. Indeed, among various vaccines entered clinical trials, there are mRNA-based vaccine designed based on lipid nanoparticles. Herein, we summarized SARS-COV-2 structure, pathogenesis, therapeutic approaches and some COVID-19 vaccine candidates and highlighted the role of nanotechnology in developing vaccines against SARS-Cov-2 virus.