Amphiphilic Compounds Research Articles

COMPLEXATION OF THE CURCUMIN BY THE CAFEIN IN ETHANOL BY MEANS OF UV – VIS SPETROPHOTOMETER

Why this miraculous and amphiphilic compound, curcumin, which has a very extraordinary therapeutic potential (because can react with many targets in the organism), has a weak bioavailability in the organism and is metabolized in compoumds having very weak activity or inactive compounds? How to improve substantially its bioavailability and therefore its absorption in the organism in order to allow its incorporation in making of pharmaceuticals regardless of its nanoparticles of which the obtention is furthermore hardworking? It seems indicated to search the response in the kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of this compound or in its co – administration with the other compounds (more soluble in water) in vitro in order to understand how to increase its absorption in vivo. So our objective is to make better our understanding of the absorption of natural curcuminoids in the organism without resorting to their chemical transformation in nanoparticles that is additionally hardworking. In this paper, curcumin was examined in the presence of cafein in ethanol with the aim to deepen the knowledge of the interaction between them. The study has revealed the presence of two complexes A6B4 and AB9 (A = curcumin, B = cafein), evidenced by the Job’s method (continuous variations method) whose complexation constants have been calculated and the value of K_(A_6 B_4 ) (1.12 1032) is higher than the value of K_(〖AB〗_9 ) (2.7 10-10) suggesting the great stability of A_6 B_4 .

Water-Polymer Slide Electrification in Polyethylene Films Coated with Amphiphilic Compounds and Its Connection to Surface Properties Dependent on Water-Polymer Interactions.

Slide electrification experiments were performed on low-density polyethylene films (PE) and PE sprayed with five amphiphilic compounds, including antistatic and slip additives. Drops of aqueous solutions were delivered on the films and after sliding spontaneously acquired a net electrical charge (Qdrop), which is dependent on the pH and ionic strength. The slide electrification was detected in pristine PE films and those with five additives. An acid-base equilibrium model, based on the adsorption of hydroxides and protons on surface sites, accounted for the dependence of Qdrop on pH, allowing recovery of the acid-base equilibrium constants and the density of adsorption sites. The model was modified to account for ionic strength effects through activity factors. The surface conductivity, wettability, and friction coefficients were strongly modified by the additives. However, the observed trends are different from those observed in slide electrification, which better correlated with zeta potential determinations. This suggests that the interaction mechanisms among surface water, the considered additives, and the polymer, which are involved in slide electrification and the generation of zeta potential, are different from those associated with other surface processes involving surface water. Although additives are required for changing surface resistivity, friction coefficients, and wettability, the generation of sliding electrical charges in polyethylene is a spontaneous and highly effective process. For one specific additive, a simultaneous decrease in friction coefficients, zeta potential, and Qdrop was observed, assigned to the blockade of hydroxide adsorption sites and water repulsion by the compound.

The change rule of lipid oxidation and hydrolysis driven via water in Antarctic krill oil: Based on association colloid formation

The residual water and amphiphilic compounds such as phospholipids in bulk oil can form reverse micelles, which affect oxidative stability. In this study, the Antarctic krill oil (AKO) samples with different water contents were subjected to accelerated storage. During storage, AKO exhibited oxidative changes, manifested as increased POV, TBARS values, and volatile compound levels but decreased PUFA percentages. Meanwhile, AKO underwent hydrolysis, evidenced by decreased PC, PE, and TG contents but increased FFA contents. Moreover, the degree of lipid oxidation and hydrolysis is dose-dependent with water added. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy imaging and micelle size distribution measurement proved the presence of reverse micelle, and their size and interfacial area improved with increased water contents. Correlation analysis suggested that lipid oxidation and hydrolysis positively correlated with the size and interfacial area of reverse micelle. Therefore, it is speculated that the oil-water interface may be the site of lipid oxidation and hydrolysis.

A novel amphiphilic squalene-based compound with open-chain polyethers reduces malignant melanoma metastasis in-vitro and in-vivo

Squalene (SQ) is a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that provides promising anti-aging and UV-protective roles on human skin. However, its strong hydrophobic nature, accompanied by issues such as poor solubility and limited tissue permeation, has created challenges for scientists to investigate its untapped potential in more complex conditions, including cancer progression. The present study assessed the potent anti-metastatic properties of a newly synthesized amphiphilic ethylene glycol SQ derivative (SQ-diEG) in melanoma, the most fatal skin cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments have discovered that SQ-diEG may exert its potential on melanoma malignancy through the mitochondria-mediated caspase activation apoptotic signaling pathway. The potent anti-metastatic effect of SQ-diEG was observed in vitro using highly proliferative and aggressive melanoma cells. Administration of SQ-diEG (25 mg/kg) significantly decreased the tumor burden on the lung and inhibited the metastasis-associated proteins and gene markers in B16F10 lung colonization mice model. Furthermore, global gene profiling also revealed a promising role of SQ-diEG in tumor microenvironment. We anticipated that the amphiphilic nature of the SQ compound bearing ethylene glycol oligomers could potentially augment its ability to reach the pathology site, thus enhancing its therapeutic potential in melanoma.

Self-Assembly of Nanovesicles for Enhanced Adsorption and Efficient Photodegradation of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol.

The compound 2,4,6-trichlorophenol poses significant risks to both the aquatic environment and human health. Its inherent persistence and stability present challenges in achieving complete purification, thus warranting its inclusion as a priority pollutant. The present study reports the development of an amphiphilic small-molecule compound that self-assembles into nanovesicles exhibiting remarkable adsorption and photodegradation capabilities. Through the synergistic effects of hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, π-π interactions, and electrostatic interactions, these vesicles efficiently adsorb 2,4,6-trichlorophenol from aqueous solutions within 1 min while demonstrating exceptional environmental stability and broad applicability. Upon self-assembly into vesicles, not only are more adsorption sites exposed, but charge separation and migration within the vesicles are also facilitated. Through the synergistic effects of adsorption and photodegradation, complete removal of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in aqueous solution can be achieved within 8 h while exhibiting excellent recycling capability. This approach offers a viable strategy for designing and synthesizing pure organic photodegradable materials.

Viscometric studies of heavy oil in the presence of compositions consisting of amphiphilic compounds and organic solvents

The chemical composition of high-viscosity heavy oil has been studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. It is found that characteristic absorption bands are available and characterize aliphatic structures and aromatic cycles, sulfur- and organophosphorus compounds, and the presence of compounds containing heteroatoms P, V, Ca, Pd, Ni, Ru, Mo, Fe, Cu and Zn in its composition is found. The method of rotational viscometry has established the Newtonian nature of the oil flow in the studied range of the velocity up to 300 s–1. At the same time, according to the densitometry results (ρ = 0.954 g/cm3 ), studied heavy oil belongs to the bituminous type characterized by a complex rheological behavior under long- and high-term deformation conditions. In order to regulate the studied oil viscosity properties, composite additives based on amphiphilic reagents of cationic and amphoteric type and organic solvents have been developed, their influence on dynamic and kinematic viscosity has been examined. It has been established that compositions with surfactants simultaneously containing a large amount of amino and phosphate groups dissolved in a non-polar aromatic solvent (toluene) or an organic mixture (catalytic reforming gasoline) have a maximum modifying effect of the colloidal structure of bituminous oil. The interaction of functional groups of amphiphilic reagents with oil heteroatoms leads to the dispersion of resinous-asphaltene substances, a decrease in the structural and mechanical strength of the system, an increase in the molecular mobility of aggregates, which results in improving the investigated oil quality and viscosity characteristics by 7.0 and 12.6 % according to the composition efficiency index.

Advances and challenges in the fractionation of edible oils and fats through supercritical fluid processing.

Petrochemical solvents are widely used for the extraction and fractionation of biomolecules from edible oils and fats at an industrial scale. However, owing to its safety concerns, toxicity, price fluctuations, and sustainability, alternative solvents and technologies have been actively explored in recent years. Technologies, such as ultrasound and microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, supercritical fluid fractionation, and sub-critical water extraction, and solvents, like ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, are reported for extraction and fractionation of biomolecules. Among them, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and fractionation are some of the most promising green technologies with the potential to replace petrochemical-based conventional techniques. The addition of cosolvents, such as water, ethanol, and acetone, improves the extraction of amphiphilic and polar compounds from edible oils and fats. Supercritical fluid processing has diverse applications, including concentration of solutes, selective separation of desired molecules, and separation of undesirable compounds from the feed material. Temperature, pressure, particle size, porosity, flow rate, solvent-to-feed ratio, density, viscosity, diffusivity, solubility, partition coefficient, and separation factor are the fundamental factors governing the extraction and fractionation of desired biomolecules from lipids. Supercritical fluids stand alone compared to conventional fluids, because of their tunable solvent properties. Overall, it is to be noted that supercritical fluid-based methods have lots of scope to replace conventional solvent-based methods and progress toward the creation of sustainable food-processing techniques. This review critically evaluates the parameters responsible for the extraction and fractionation of biomolecules from edible oils and fats under supercritical conditions.

The biological activity of bacterial rhamnolipids on Arabidopsis thaliana and the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii is linked to their molecular structure

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are amphiphilic compounds of bacterial origin that offer a broad range of potential applications as biosurfactants in industry and agriculture. They are reported to be active against different plant pests and pathogens and thus are considered promising candidates for nature-derived plant protection agents. However, as these glycolipids are structurally diverse, little is known about their exact mode of action and, in particular, the relation between molecular structure and biological activity against plant pests and pathogens.Engineering the synthesis pathway in recombinant Pseudomonas putida strains in combination with advanced HPLC techniques allowed us to separately analyze the activities of mixtures of pure mono-RLs (mRLs) and of pure di-RL (dRLs), as well as the activity of single congeners. In a model system with the plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) Heterodera schachtii we demonstrate that RLs can significantly reduce infection, whereas their impact on the host plant varied depending on their molecular structure. While mRLs reduced plant growth even at a low concentration, dRLs showed a neutral to beneficial impact on plant development. Treating plants with dRLs triggered an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, indicating the activation of stress-response signaling and possibly plant defense. Pretreatment of plants with mRLs or dRLs prior to application of flagellin (flg22), a known ROS inducer, further increased the ROS response to flg22. While dRLs stimulated an elevated flg22-induced ROS peak, a pretreatment with mRLs resulted in a prolonged synthesis of ROS indicating a generally elevated stress level. Neither mRLs nor dRLs induced the expression of plant defense marker genes of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene pathways.Detailed studies on dRLs revealed that even high concentrations up to 755 ppm of these molecules have no lethal impact on H. schachtii infective juveniles. Infection assays with individual dRL congeners showed that the C10-C8 acyl chained dRL was the only congener without effect, while dRLs with C10-C12 and C10-C12:1 acyl chains were most efficient in reducing nematode infection even at concentrations below 2 ppm. As determined by phenotyping and ROS measurements, A. thaliana reacted more sensitive to long-chained dRLs in a concentration-dependent manner.Our experiments show a clear structure-activity relation for the effect of RLs on plants. In conclusion, functional assessment and analysis of the mode of action of RLs in plants and other organisms require careful consideration of their molecular structure and composition.

Chiroptically Active Host-Guest Composites Using a Terpene-Based Micellar Capsule.

For the design of a new chiroptically active host-guest system, a bent amphiphilic compound was synthesized using cyclic monoterpenes as key biorelated chiral frameworks. In water, the bent amphiphiles form a terpene-based micellar capsule with a core diameter of ∼2 nm in a spontaneous and quantitative fashion. The resultant chiral capsule shows wide-ranging uptake abilities toward achiral fluorescent dyes in water. Notably, relatively strong CD bands are generated from the resultant host-guest composites, e.g., possessing AIE-active tetraphenylethene and sterically demanding BODIPY dyes, through efficient host-to-guest chirality transfer. The composites also display CPL, with moderate to high emission asymmetry factors (|glum| = up to 3.3 × 10-3).

Development of Xanthoangelol-Derived Compounds with Membrane-Disrupting Effects against Gram-Positive Bacteria.

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens have emerged as a serious threat to public health. To develop new antibacterial agents to combat such drug-resistant bacteria, a class of novel amphiphilic xanthoangelol-derived compounds were designed and synthesized by mimicking the structure and function of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Among them, compound 9h displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive strains tested (MICs = 0.5-2 μg/mL), comparable to vancomycin, and with low hemolytic toxicity and good membrane selectivity. Additionally, compound 9h demonstrated rapid bactericidal effects, low resistance frequency, low cytotoxicity, and good plasma stability. Mechanistic studies further revealed that compound 9h had good membrane-targeting ability and was able to destroy the integrity of bacterial cell membranes, causing an increase in intracellular ROS and the leakage of DNA and proteins, thus accelerating bacterial death. These results make 9h a promising antimicrobial candidate to combat bacterial infection.

Supramolecular Electronics: Monolayer Assembly of Nonamphiphilic Molecules via Water Surface-Assisted Molecular Deposition.

Utilizing softly confined self-assembly at the water surface represents a promising approach for the fabrication of two-dimensional molecular monolayers (2D MMs), which have predominantly been concentrated on amphiphilic organic compounds before. Herein, we introduce a straightforward method termed "water surface-assisted molecular deposition (WSAMD)" to organize nonamphiphilic molecules into dense monolayers with high reproducibility. To underscore the versatility and merit of this methodology in the field of supramolecular electronics, we have successfully fabricated a range of defect-free, uniform semiconducting polymer monolayers, featuring a thickness reflective of molecular architectures. The charge carrier mobility could reach 0.05 cm2 V-1 s-1 for holes and 3.5 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1 for electrons, respectively, in p-type and n-type polymeric monolayers when tested as the active layer in field-effect transistors. Furthermore, in situ polymerization reactions can be exploited to generate conductive monolayers of macromolecules such as polybenzylaniline (PBnANI) and polypyrrole (PPy), where PBnANI monolayers exhibit channel length-dependent conductivity, up to 0.37 S cm-1. The advent of the WSAMD method heralds a significant leap forward in the advancement of molecular 2D materials, catalyzing new avenues of exploration within material chemistry.

Lipid-Based Catalysis Demonstrated by Bilayer-Enabled Ester Hydrolysis.

Lipids have not traditionally been considered likely candidates for catalyzing reactions in biological systems. However, there is significant evidence that aggregates of amphiphilic compounds are capable of catalyzing reactions in synthetic organic chemistry. Here, we demonstrate the potential for the hydrophobic region of a lipid bilayer to provide an environment suitable for catalysis by means of a lipid aggregate capable of speeding up a chemical reaction. By bringing organic molecules into the nonpolar or hydrophobic region of a lipid bilayer, reactions can be catalyzed by individual or collections of small, nonpolar, or amphiphilic molecules. We demonstrate this concept by the ester hydrolysis of calcein-AM to produce a fluorescent product, which is a widely used assay for esterase activity in cells. The reaction was first carried out in a two-phase octanol-water system, with the organic phase containing the cationic amphiphiles cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or octadecylamine. The octanol phase was then replaced with phospholipid vesicles in water, where the reaction was also found to be carried out. The reaction was monitored using quantitative fluorescence, which revealed catalytic turnover numbers on a scale of 10-7 to 10-8 s-1 for each system, which is much slower than enzymatic catalysis. The reaction product was characterized by 1H-NMR measurements, which were consistent with ester hydrolysis. The implications of thinking about lipids and lipid aggregates as catalytic entities are discussed in the context of biochemistry, pharmacology, and synthetic biology.

Comparative Study on the Proton Conduction Behaviors of Two Acidic Amphiphilic and Hydrophilic Coordination Compounds in Nafion Composite Membranes.

The acidic amphiphilic compound H[Co(H2L1)(HL1)(phen)]·3H2O (H4(Co-L1), H3L1 = 5-(3', 5'-dicarboxylphenyl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic, phen = phenanthroline) and the hydrophilic compound [Ni(HL2)(H2O)5]·H2O (H(Ni-L2), H3L2 = 5-(3',5'-dicarboxylphenyl)-pyridine-3-carboxylic) were synthesized via hydrothermal reactions at acidic conditions. The acidity of H4(Co-L1) is stronger than of H(Ni-L2); while the hydrogen bond continuity in H4(Co-L1) extended monodirectionally, which is smaller compared to the three-directional extension observed in H(Ni-L2). The proton conduction behaviors of these two compounds as fillers of Nafion composite membranes have been investigated. The results indicate that the optimal doping amounts of H4(Co-L1) and H(Ni-L2) are 2 and 1%, respectively; the proton conductivities of H4(Co-L1)/Nafion-2 and H(Ni-L2)/Nafion-1 composite membranes are 0.243 and 0.212 S·cm-1, respectively, which are approximately 50.2 and 30.6% higher than that of pure Nafion membrane, respectively. A higher doping amount of H4(Co-L1) can be attributed to its hydrophobic phen ligand, which promotes compatibility with Nafion membrane and reduces aggregation. Hydrogen bond continuity has a more significant effect on proton conductivity than acidity at relatively low doping amounts; conversely, this relationship reverses at relatively high doping amounts.

Anti-turbulent efficiency of oil-soluble polymer solutions and colloid systems flowing through cylindrical channel

Relevance. The use of anti-turbulent additives for transporting hydrocarbon liquids through main pipelines allows reducing significantly the energy consumption of pumping power stations. Aim. Comparative analysis of the anti-turbulent efficiency of high-molecular polymers and compositions of surfactants. Methods. Laboratory-scale experimentation aimed to study the flow of dilute polymer solutions and dispersed surfactant systems through a cylindrical channel of a turbulent rheometer. Results. The author has carried out the comparative experimental studies of the anti-turbulent efficiency of extremely dilute solutions of polymers and colloidal systems. The results were obtained that suggest a higher anti-turbulent efficiency of high-molecular-weight polymers compared to micellar surfactant systems. Solutions of high molecular weight polybutadiene and aluminum polyhydroxydicarboxylates in gasoline were used as samples for the experimental comparison of hydrodynamic efficiency. The paper describes the laboratory setup, on which the studies were carried out, and introduces the formulas used for quantitative calculations. The structure of polymer solutions and colloidal systems is considered and a theoretical explanation is given for the preferential use in industrial practice of high-molecular polymers in extremely low concentrations in real pipelines. It was found out that the mechanisms of degradation of antiturbulent properties of polymer solutions and dispersed surfactant systems are different. This is due to the difference in the structure of macromolar coils of polymer with an immobilized solvent and that of micelles from low molecular amphiphilic compounds. The paper introduces the arguments that explain the degradation of the antiturbulent properties of polymers not by the destruction of carbon-chain macromolecules, but by decomposition in a turbulent flow of the original large associates, consisting of a large number of chains, into individual and smaller macromolecular coils with an immobilized solvent.

Effects of exogenous copper on microbial metabolic function and carbon use efficiency of Panax notoginseng planting soil.

Soil copper (Cu) pollution is a serious environmental risk in the Panax notoginseng planting area. However, the effect of Cu on soil microbial metabolism and nutrient cycling in this area remains unknown. Therefore, Biolog ECO-plate and enzyme stoichiometry methods were utilized in this study to investigate the impact of exogenous Cu (control: 0 mg·kg-1; Cu100: 100 mg·kg-1; Cu400: 400 mg·kg-1; and Cu600: 600 mg·kg-1) on the metabolic function of soil microbial and nutrient limitation in the P. notoginseng soil. The results indicated that Cu100 significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC), total phosphorus (TP), soil C:N, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) 9.89%, 15.65%, 17.91%, 61.87%, and 90.56% higher than the control, respectively. Moreover, the carbon source utilization ratio of carbohydrates, amino acids, and amphiphilic compounds of Cu100 also increased by 7.16%, 25.47%, and 84.68%, respectively, compared with the control. The activities of β-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohyrolase, leucine amino peptidase, β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and phosphatase significantly decreased with increasing Cu concentration. Soil enzyme stoichiometry showed that all treatments were limited by nitrogen (vector angle < 45°; 19.045-22.081). Cu600 led to the lowest carbon limitation (1.798) and highest carbon use efficiency (CUE:0.267). The PLS-SEM model also showed that MBC, MBN, MBP, and microbial diversity positively affected carbon and nitrogen limitation (0.654 and 0.424). Soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, stoichiometric ratio, MBC, MBN, and MBP positively affected CUE (0.527 and 0.589). The microbial diversity index significantly negatively affected CUE (-1.490). Multiple linear stepwise regression analyses showed that CUE was mainly influenced by MBC, AP, C:P, and LAP. Thus, P. notoginseng soil can benefit soil microbial carbon and nitrogen limitations at low Cu concentrations. Clarifying the metabolic activity and nutritional status of microorganisms under Cu stress can provide some theoretical basis for realizing China's comprehensive and effective management and control policies for environmental risks from metals by 2035.

Self-assembly mechanism study of Xiaoqu Baijiu in the distillation and condensation stage

ABSTRACT The presented work proposes that the self-assembly of amphiphilic compounds in Xiaoqu Baijiu occurs at the distillation and condensation stage of Chinese Baijiu production for the first time. Such phenomena have similitude with the self-assembly nano-particles conducted by evaporation and condensation approaches. Hydrogen-bonding interactions prompting the formation of molecular clusters in the system. Herein, we characterized the variation of dipole moment, hydrogen bond strength, and cluster morphology in Xiaoqu Baijiu, based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulation. The effects of major aroma substances on the self-assembly of Xiaoqu Baijiu were fully investigated, it turns out ethyl lactate had the strongest effect on resulting in self-assembled clusters.

An Insightful Overview of Microbial Biosurfactant: A Promising Next-Generation Biomolecule for Sustainable Future.

Microbial biosurfactant is an emerging vital biomolecule of the 21st century. They are amphiphilic compounds produced by microorganisms and possess unique properties to reduce surface tension activity. The use of microbial surfactants spans most of the industrial fields due to their biodegradability, less toxicity, being environmentally safe, and being synthesized from renewable sources. These would be highly efficient eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-derived surfactants that would open up new approaches to research on the production of biosurfactants. In the upcoming era, biobased surfactants will become a dominating multifunctional compound in the world market. Research on biosurfactants ranges from the search for novel microorganisms that can produce new molecules, structural and physiochemical characterization of biosurfactants, and fermentation process for enhanced large-scale productivity and green applications. The main goal of this review is to provide an overview of the recent state of knowledge and trends about microbially derived surfactants, various aspects of biosurfactant production, definition, properties, characteristics, diverse advances, and applications. This would lead a long way in the production of biosurfactants as globally successful biomolecules of the current century.

Dual function surfactants for pharmaceutical formulations: The case of surface active and antibacterial 1-tolyl alkyl biguanide derivatives

One interesting field of research in the view of developing novel surfactants for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications is the design of amphiphiles showing further bioactive properties in addition to those commonly displayed by surface-active compounds. We propose here the chemical synthesis, and characterization of 1-o-tolyl alkyl biguanide derivatives, having different lengths of the hydrocarbon chain (C3, C6, and C10), and showing surface active and antibacterial/disinfectant activities toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both surface active properties in terms of critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension at CMC (γCMC), as well as the antimicrobial activity in terms of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), were strongly dependent on the length of the hydrocarbon chain. Particularly, the C6 and C10 derivatives have a good ability to decrease surface tension (γCMC <40 mN/m) at low concentrations (CMC < 12 mM) and a satisfactory antibacterial effect (MIC values between 0.230 and 0.012 mM against S. aureus strains and between 0.910 and 0.190 against P.aeruginosa strains). Interestingly, these compounds showed a disinfectant activity at the tested concentrations that was comparable to that of the reference compound chlorhexidine digluconate. All these results support the possible use of these amphiphilic compounds as antibacterial agents and disinfectants in pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations.

An Insight into Cubosomal Drug Delivery Approaches: An Explicative Review.

Cubosomes, a novel drug delivery system, have gained significant attention in recent years due to their unique self-assembled structures and enhanced drug encapsulation capabilities. They are administered by oral, ophthalmic, transdermal, and chemotherapeutic routes, to name a few. Due to their many potential benefits-which include high drug dispersal due to the cubic structure, a large surface area, a relatively simple manufacturing process, biodegradability, the capacity to encapsulate hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic compounds, targeted and controlled release of bioactive agents, and the biodegradability of lipids-cubosomes show enormous promise in drug nanoformulations for cancer therapeutics. The most common preparation method involves emulsifying a monoglyceride with a polymer, homogenizing, and then sonicating the mixture. Two distinct approaches to preparing are top-down and bottom-up. This evaluation will examine the materials, methods of preparation, cubosome-related drug encapsulating techniques, drug loading, release mechanism, and their uses. The following databases were used for literature searches: PubMed, Frontiers, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley, and MDPI. For the purpose of finding pertinent articles and contents (2015-2024), the keywords "cubosome; drug delivery systems, nano-carrier, theranostic, drug release mechanism" and others of a similar nature were utilized. This review will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the cubosome-related composition, production methods, drug encapsulating strategies, drug release mechanisms, and applications. Moreover, the difficulties encountered in fine-tuning different parameters to improve loading capabilities and prospects are also discussed. Innovation in pharmaceutical research and development can be stimulated by the knowledge gathered about cubosomal drug delivery methods. Through the clarification of the mechanisms involved in drug release from cubosomes and the investigation of innovative fabrication procedures, scientists can enhance the cubosomal formulation design for targeted therapeutic uses. </p>.

Constructing a hydrogel based on self-assembly properties of glycyrrhizic acid: A drug delivery system with digestive tract responsive

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), an amphiphilic compound, is known for its natural sweetness and excellent self-assembly properties. Based on its self-assembled formulation forming ability, GA has been used as drug carriers and absorption enhancers, thereby altering the in vivo absorption kinetic processes of loaded drugs. This study mainly focuses on the influence of the GA self-assembled drug delivery system on the solubility, stability, and in vitro release of various active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, especially simulating the physiological rhythms and environment of in vivo absorption. Our findings indicate that GA has a significant solubilizing effect on poorly water-soluble components. The inclusion of GA improves the stability of the majority of the measured components to different extents in the digestive tract. Furthermore, in vitro release studies have demonstrated that the GA hydrogel system effectively slows drug release and is also enterosoluble, indicating responsiveness to the digestive tract, which contributes to stable concentrations of the drug in the blood. To sum up, the GA self-assembled drug delivery system can enhance solubility and stability to varying degrees by altering the in vivo absorption kinetics of representative active ingredients, exhibiting drug sustained release and self-assembly system enteric-like characteristics in different physiological environments. This indicates that the drug delivery system formed by GA through self-assembly can interact with the digestive tract environment, thus enhancing the in vivo bioavailability of drugs by influencing their biopharmaceutical properties.