Encapsulation Rate Research Articles

Abalone shell-derived Mg-doped mesoporous hydroxyapatite microsphere drug delivery system loaded with icariin for inducing apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) porous microspheres with very high specific surface area and drug loading capacity, as well as excellent biocompatibility, have been widely used in tumour therapy. Mg2+ is considered to be a key factor in bone regeneration, acting as an active agent to stimulate bone and cartilage formation, and is effective in accelerating cell migration and promoting angiogenesis, which is essential for bone tissue repair, anti-cancer, and anti-infection. In this study, abalone shells from a variety of sources were used as raw materials, and Mg2+-doped abalone shell-derived mesoporous HAP microspheres (Mg-HAP) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis as Mg2+/ icariin smart dual delivery system (ICA-Mg-HAP, IMHA). With increasing of Mg2+ doping, the surface morphology of HAP microspheres varied from collapsed macroporous to mesoporous to smooth and non-porous, which may be due to Mg2+ substitution or coordination in the HAP lattice. At 30% Mg2+ doping, the Mg-HAP microspheres showed a more homogeneous mesoporous morphology with a high specific surface area (186.06 m2/g). The IMHA microspheres showed high drug loading (7.69%) and encapsulation rate (83.29%), sustained Mg2+ release for more than 27 days, sustained and stable release of icariin for 60 hours, and good responsiveness to pH (pH 6.4 > pH 5.6). In addition, the IMHA delivery system stimulated the rapid proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and induced apoptosis in MG63 cells by blocking the G2 phase cycle of osteosarcoma cells and stimulating the high expression of apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, caspase-3, -8, -9). This suggests that the abalone shell-based IMHA may have potential applications in drug delivery and tumour therapy.

Unraveling mechanisms of protein encapsulation and release in coacervates via molecular dynamics and machine learning.

Coacervates play a pivotal role in protein-based drug delivery research, yet their drug encapsulation and release mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized the Martini model to investigate bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein encapsulation and release within polylysine/polyglutamate (PLys/PGlu) coacervates. Our findings emphasize the importance of ingredient addition sequence in coacervate formation and encapsulation rates, attributed to preference contact between oppositely charged proteins and poly(amino acid)s. Notably, coacervates composed of β-sheet poly(amino acid)s demonstrate greater BSA encapsulation efficiency due to their reduced entropy and flexibility. Furthermore, we examined the pH responsiveness of coacervates, shedding light on the dissolution process driven by Coulomb forces. By leveraging machine learning algorithms to analyze simulation results, our research advances the understanding of coacervate-based drug delivery systems, with the ultimate goal of optimizing therapeutic outcomes.

Ultrasmall magnolol/ebselen nanomicelles for preventing renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RIRI) is an inevitable complication following kidney transplantation surgery, accompanied by the generation of a large amount of free radicals. A cascade of events including oxidative stress, extreme inflammation, cellular apoptosis, and thrombosis disrupts the microenvironment of renal cells and the hematological system, ultimately leading to the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). The current research primarily focuses on reducing inflammation and mitigating damage to renal cells through antioxidative approaches. However, studies on simultaneously modulating the renal hematologic system remain unreported. Herein, potent and novel drug-loaded nanomicelles can be efficiently self-assembled with magnolol (MG) and ebselen (EBS) by π-π conjugation, hydrophobic action and the surfactant properties of Tween-80. The ultrasmall MG/EBS nanomicelles (average particle size: 10-25 nm) not only fully preserve the activity of both drugs, but also greatly enhance drug utilization (encapsulation rates: MG: 90.1%; EBS: 49.3%) and reduce drug toxicity. Furthermore, EBS, as a glutathione peroxidase mimic and NO catalyst, combines with the multifunctional MG to scavenge free radicals and hydroperoxides, significantly inhibiting inflammation and thrombosis while effectively preventing apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells. This study provides a new strategy and theoretical foundation for the simultaneous regulation of kidney cells and blood microenvironment stability.

Dynamic video recognition for cell-encapsulating microfluidic droplets.

Droplet microfluidics is a highly sensitive and high-throughput technology extensively utilized in biomedical applications, such as single-cell sequencing and cell screening. However, its performance is highly influenced by the droplet size and single-cell encapsulation rate (following random distribution), thereby creating an urgent need for quality control. Machine learning has the potential to revolutionize droplet microfluidics, but it requires tedious pixel-level annotation for network training. This paper investigates the application software of the weakly supervised cell-counting network (WSCApp) for video recognition of microdroplets. We demonstrated its real-time performance in video processing of microfluidic droplets and further identified the locations of droplets and encapsulated cells. We verified our methods on droplets encapsulating six types of cells/beads, which were collected from various microfluidic structures. Quantitative experimental results showed that our approach can not only accurately distinguish droplet encapsulations (micro-F1 score > 0.94), but also locate each cell without any supervised location information. Furthermore, fine-tuning transfer learning on the pre-trained model also significantly reduced (>80%) annotation. This software provides a user-friendly and assistive annotation platform for the quantitative assessment of cell-encapsulating microfluidic droplets.

Sodium alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose films embedded with liposomes encapsulated green tea extract: characterization, controlled release, application.

To maintain the freshness of the fruit during storage, sodium alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose films embedded with pH-senstive liposomes encapsulated green tea extract were developed (SA/CMC/TP-Lip). An orthogonal design was used to optimise the preparation of TP-Lip and SA/CMC/TP-Lip was prepared through response surface. The stability of TP-Lip structure was measured. The morphology of SA/CMC/TP-Lip was characterised by SEM, and the mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of films were measured. Special attention was paid to the pH sensitivity of TP-Lip and the improvement of film properties. The zeta potential and encapsulation rate of TP-Lip were -45.85 ± 2.13 mV and 61.45 ± 0.23%. The average release rate of TP encapsulated into TP-Lip at pH 3 was 41.08%, an increase of 23.07% over pH 6 during 12 h. SEM and FTIR showed that TP-Lip was structurally stable and had good compatibility with SA/CMC. Tensile strength was increased by 30.55% and DPPH radical scavenging capacity was increased by 7.16% with the addition of TP-Lip. SA/CMC/TP-Lip is applied to blueberries to reduce their weight loss and improve the loss of freshness of blueberries during storage. Thus, SA/CMC/TP-Lip could provide a new way to extend active packaging materials and maintain fruit freshness during storage.

Injectable pH-responsive polypeptide hydrogels for local delivery of doxorubicin.

Cancer, as a global health threat, is often treated with chemotherapy, but its effect is limited, especially the drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) are limited by their non-specificity and side effects. This study focuses on developing a new drug delivery system to overcome these challenges. Based on the self-assembling peptide hemopressin (HP), we designed and screened FOK peptide, which serves as a pH-responsive carrier with excellent pH sensitivity and mechanical stability. At a concentration of 20 mg mL-1, FOK can spontaneously form a stable hydrogel, efficiently encapsulating DOX with an encapsulation rate exceeding 95%. This system can gradually release the drug in the tumor-specific mildly acidic environment, achieving precise delivery and sustained release of the drug. Rheological analysis revealed the superior mechanical and self-healing properties of FOK hydrogel, suitable for injection delivery with long-lasting stability. Mouse experiments showed that DOX/FOK hydrogel significantly inhibited tumor growth while greatly reducing toxicity. In conclusion, FOK hydrogel, as a delivery vehicle for DOX, not only optimizes the precise delivery and sustained release mechanism of DOX, but also reduces treatment side effects, opening up new avenues for the application of peptide hydrogels in cancer therapy and providing a scientific basis for designing efficient drug delivery systems.

Adjustable comb/bottlebrush fast UV-curable epoxy-based form-stable phase change materials with high encapsulation rates and ultralow enthalpy loss

The design strategy of reliable epoxy-based FSPCMs with fast UV-curable performance or self-healing behavior.

Targeted nanotherapy platform mediated tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cell immune function effects for collaborative anti-tumor photothermal immunotherapy for cervical cancer.

Photothermal immunotherapy is an innovative approach to cancer treatment. It combines immunomodulators and photothermal agents, both targeted to the tumor site. This therapy harnesses the heat generated by photothermal conversion to damage tumor cells while simultaneously releasing tumor-associated antigens. This process enhances the anti-tumor immune response of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Photothermal immunotherapy is gaining prominence as a new method for cancer treatment. It is a current focal point in research due to its targeted efficacy, minimal systemic side effects, and reduced risk of treatment resistance. This study employed a thin-film dispersion method to fabricate liposomes (LIPO) as composite drug carriers. Indocyanine green (ICG) for clinical use was utilized as a photothermal agent (PTA), and folate (FA) was employed as a targeting agent for the nano-composite material. We encapsulated the immunoadjuvant CpG ODN within the FA@LIPO@ICG nano-system, resulting in the formation of targeted nanoparticles (NPs) for photothermal immunotherapy (FA@LIPO@ICG@CpG), and assessed the drug encapsulation rate. FA@LIPO@ICG@CpG NPs demonstrated excellent water solubility with an average size ranging from 100 to 200 nm. Furthermore, we investigated the photothermal properties of FA@LIPO@ICG@CpG NPs. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, the photothermal conversion efficiency of FA@LIPO@ICG@CpG NPs reached 39.05%. Subsequently, under 808 nm laser excitation, we conducted an analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations and their functional changes in U14 tumor-bearing mice by using flow cytometry. This treatment approach demonstrated remarkable anti-tumor efficacy. Consequently, FA@LIPO@ICG@CpG NPs hold substantial promise as a novel and promising strategy in cancer therapy.

Enhancing safety in small confined spaces with thermally triggered fire-extinguishing microcapsules from microfluidics.

Fires in small confined spaces have problems such as difficulty extinguishing, fast burning speed, long duration, strong concealment, and untimely warning. Perfluorohexanone-based fire-extinguishing microcapsule technology provides an important solution to overcome these problems. However, due to the poor solubility and high volatility of perfluorohexanone, the preparation of perfluorohexanone fire-extinguishing microcapsules (FEMs) with a high encapsulation rate, good homogeneity, and low processing costs is still a great challenge. Here, we propose a microfluidic flow-focusing technique to realize efficient encapsulation of perfluorohexanone. It is shown that FEMs can spray fire-extinguishing agents at high speeds in the presence of external heat, and only one FEM is needed to extinguish a candle flame much larger than its size. Meanwhile, the extension of FEMs to two-dimensional fire-extinguishing patches (FEPs) has achieved significant results in suppressing fire and preventing fire spread, which is expected to further expand its application in various fire suppression scenarios.

Increasing Viability of Bacillus subtilis BR610 through Inulin-Loaded Synbiotic Microcapsules

This study aims to determine the growth pattern of Bacillus subtilis BR610 isolated from the intestines of Rabbitfish on broth + inulin nutrient media, the diameter of beads, encapsulation rate, absorption efficiency, and probiotic viability in synbiotic microcapsules when exposed to simulated bile and high temperature. The study was designed with a completely randomized plan. The treatments tested were inulin and alginate concentration, viability in 10% bile, temperatures of 70oC and 90oC. An overview of granular synbiotic microcapsules is presented in the form of images, while the quantitative data obtained was processed using ANOVA with the help of the SPSS application. BR610 synbiotic microcapsule beads are round to oval in shape, transparent white in color, and the granules' elasticity increases with increasing alginate concentration. Statistical test results showed that 1% inulin significantly increased the population of B. subtilis BR610, a diameter of beads 0.9-3 mm, viability of probiotics in beads was 7.776 ± 0.06 log CFU/mL. The highest rate and efficiency of encapsulation and survival of probiotics on simulated were obtained from beads with 2% alginate and 1% inulin concentration. Synbiotic microcapsules can protect probiotics from environmental stress. This research serves as a scholarly resource on the utilization of probiotics in diverse domains, including fish feed production. It is well-established that the temperature within the feed molding apparatus can exceed 70oC during the fabrication of fish feed pellets. However, this is no longer a hindrance due to the implementation of alginate coating on probiotics.

Increasing Viability of Bacillus subtilis BR610 through Inulin-Loaded Synbiotic Microcapsules

This study aims to determine the growth pattern of Bacillus subtilis BR610 isolated from the intestines of Rabbitfish on broth + inulin nutrient media, the diameter of beads, encapsulation rate, absorption efficiency, and probiotic viability in synbiotic microcapsules when exposed to simulated bile and high temperature. The study was designed with a completely randomized plan. The treatments tested were inulin and alginate concentration, viability in 10% bile, temperatures of 70oC and 90oC. An overview of granular synbiotic microcapsules is presented in the form of images, while the quantitative data obtained was processed using ANOVA with the help of the SPSS application. BR610 synbiotic microcapsule beads are round to oval in shape, transparent white in color, and the granules' elasticity increases with increasing alginate concentration. Statistical test results showed that 1% inulin significantly increased the population of B. subtilis BR610, a diameter of beads 0.9-3 mm, viability of probiotics in beads was 7.776 ± 0.06 log CFU/mL. The highest rate and efficiency of encapsulation and survival of probiotics on simulated were obtained from beads with 2% alginate and 1% inulin concentration. Synbiotic microcapsules can protect probiotics from environmental stress. This research serves as a scholarly resource on the utilization of probiotics in diverse domains, including fish feed production. It is well-established that the temperature within the feed molding apparatus can exceed 70oC during the fabrication of fish feed pellets. However, this is no longer a hindrance due to the implementation of alginate coating on probiotics.

Development of hybrid MgO/GO modified microencapsulated phase change material for thermal energy management: An experimental approach

The microencapsulation technique addresses the concerns of phase change material (PCM) leakage, transportation challenges, and limited efficacy in thermal energy management applications. Nevertheless, the organic shell material has lower thermal conductivity, and significant leakage issues. To improve the ability of heat transfer as well as leakage prevention, a novel form of microencapsulated phase change material (MEPCM) with paraffin core, and melamine formaldehyde (MF) shell modified by hybrid magnesium oxide (MgO), and graphene oxide (GO) thermal conductivity enhancer (TCE) interface is fabricated through the process of in-situ polymerization. The results revealed a well-developed TCE interface layer in between the core, and the shell of the modified spherical microcapsules. The modified MEPCMs exhibited a maximum encapsulation rate of 88.0 %, and 177.84 J/g latent heat of melting. The thermal stability of the MEPCMs is increased by 50 °C to 70 °C, and the thermal conductivity is remarkably elevated to 0.44 W/mK. The leakage rate is significantly reduced by 98.58%. The excellent thermal energy storage/release performance of the modified MEPCMs is attributed to the TCE interface, which serves as an efficient medium for thermal conduction. The modified MEPCMs endure exceptional physical, and thermo-chemical properties, that are relevant for thermal energy management applications.

Therapeutic effect and metabolic fingerprinting of triple-negative breast cancer cells following exposure to a novel pH-responsive, gambogic acid-loaded micelle

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis and lacks effective therapeutic targets. The use of gambogic acid (GA), a class of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine with anti-tumour potential, is limited in tumour therapy owing to its drawbacks and unclear organ toxicity. In this study, we used the pH-responsive amphiphilic block copolymer, PEOz-PCL, to create nanodrugs for GA delivery to MDA-MB-231 cells. The pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles were prepared through nanoprecipitation with a more homogeneous size. The average particle size was 42.29 ± 1.74 nm, and the zeta potential value was 9.88 ± 0.17 mV. The encapsulation rate was 85.06%, and the drug loading rate was 10.63%. The process was reproducible, and sustained release reached 80% in 96 h at acid pH 5.0. Furthermore, cellular tests using CCK-8, TUNEL, and flow cytometry revealed that pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles killed MDA-MB-231 cells more effectively and had much higher activity and targeting compared with free drugs. Metabolomic analysis of the changes in differential metabolites revealed that pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles may inhibit TNBC cells by causing amino acid anabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and glucose metabolism, as well as by affecting their energy sources. The study outcomes will help understand the mechanism of action and the therapeutic efficacy of pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles in vivo.

Construction of chrysophanol loaded nanoparticles with N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan for enhanced nephroprotective effect

Natural occurring anthraquinone like chrysophanol has been studied because of its anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties. Nonetheless, its poor water solubility and unstable nature are big concerns in achieving efficient delivery and associated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects. Herein, this study sought to solve the above-mentioned problem through development of chrysophanol-loaded nanoparticles to enhance the bioavailability of chrysophanol and to evaluate its anti-renal fibrosis effect in rats. After synthesis of a safe N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan, we used it to prepare chrysophanol-loaded nanoparticles through dialysis technique before we performed and physical characterization. Also, we tested the stability of the nanoparticles for 21 days at 4 °C and room temperature (25 °C) and evaluated their pharmacokinetics and anti-renal fibrosis effect in rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In terms of results, the nano-preparation demonstrated an acceptable narrow size distribution, wherein the encapsulation rate, size, polydispersed index (PDI) and electrokinetic potential at room temperature were respectively 83.41±0.89 %, 364.88±13.62 nm, 0.192±0.015 and 23.78±1.39 mV. During 21 days of storage, we observed that size of particles and electrokinetic potential altered slightly but the difference was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Also, in vitro release studies showed that the formulation reached 84.74 % at 24 h. Chrysophanol nanoparticles showed a 2.57-fold increase in bioavailability compared to unformulated chrysophanol. More importantly, chrysophanol nanoparticles demonstrated certain renal internalization properties and anti-renal fibrosis effects, which could ultimately result in reduced blood-urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney-injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and serum creatinine (SCr) levels in model rats. In conclusion, the prepared chrysophanol-loaded nanoparticles potentially increased bioavailability and enhanced nephroprotective effects of chrysophanol.

Preparation, structural and functional characterization of corn peptide-chelated calcium microcapsules using synchronous dual frequency ultrasound

The utilization of peptide-chelated calcium is low due to the influence of factors such as solubility, heat and digestive environmental conditions; therefore, it is crucial to protect, prolong and stabilize this nutrient in order to enhance its efficacy. This study was conducted to prepare corn peptide-chelated calcium microcapsules using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as the wall material through an improved ultrasonic-assisted method. The structure, solubility, thermal stability, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of these microcapsules were thoroughly investigated and analyzed. The microcapsules were prepared using the following recommended conditions: a chelate concentration of 5 mg/mL, a mass ratio of chelate to β-CD of 1:8 g/g, and a synchronous dual-frequency ultrasound (20/28 kHz) at a power of 75 W, a duty ratio of 20/5 s/s, and a time of 20 min. These specific parameters were carefully selected to ensure the optimal fabrication of the microcapsules. The results showed that the utilization of dual-frequency ultrasound resulted in a significant increase in both the encapsulation rate and yield, which were enhanced by 15.84 % and 15.68 %, respectively, reaching impressive values of 79.17 % and 90.60 %. Moreover, the results of the structure index analysis provided further confirmation that ultrasonic treatment had a significant impact on the structure of the microcapsules, leading to a noticeable reduction in particle size and transformation into nanoparticles. Furthermore, the microcapsules demonstrated excellent solubility within a wide pH range of 2 to 10, with solubility ranging from 93.54 % to 88.68 %. Additionally, these microcapsules exhibited remarkable thermal stability, retaining a minimum of 84.8 % of their stability when exposed to temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 °C. Moreover, during gastric and intestinal digestion, these microcapsules exhibited a high slow-release rate of 44.66 % and 51.6 %, indicating their ability to gradually release calcium contents. The inclusion of dual-frequency ultrasound in the preparation of high calcium microcapsules yielded promising outcomes. Overall, our work presents a novel method for synthesizing corn peptide-chelated calcium microcapsules with desirable properties such as good solubility, excellent thermal stability, and a significant slow-release effect. These microcapsules have the potential to serve as fortified high calcium supplements.

Montmorillonite-Sodium Alginate Oral Colon-Targeting Microcapsule Design for WGX-50 Encapsulation and Controlled Release in Gastro-Intestinal Tract.

The montmorillonite-sodium alginate (MMT-SA) colon-targeting microcapsules have been designed as a WGX-50 encapsulation and controlled release vehicle used in oral administration. The MMT-SA microcapsule was formed from a cross-linking reaction, and the stable micropore in the microcapsule changed with a different MMT-SA mixed mass ratio. The MMT-SA microcapsule has a reinforced micropore structure and an enhanced swell-dissolution in SIF and SCF with alkaline environment, which is attributed to the incorporated MMT. The MMT-SA microcapsule exhibited a high WGX-50 encapsulation rate up to 98.81 ± 0.31% and an obvious WGX-50 controlled release in the simulated digestive fluid in vitro. The WGX-50 loaded with MMT-SA microcapsule showed a weak minimizing drug loss in SGF (Simulated Gastric Fluid) with an acidic environment, while it showed a strong maximizing drug release in SIF (Simulated Intestinal Fluid) and SCF (Simulated Colonic Fluid) with an alkaline environment. These features make the MMT-SA microcapsule a nominated vehicle for colon disease treatment used in oral administration.

Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Eucommia ulmoides seed essential oil: Preparation, characterization, antioxidant and antibacterial properties

Eucommia ulmoides seed essential oil (EUSO) is a natural plant oil rich in various nutrients, which has been widely used due to its unique medicinal effects. However, it is prone to oxidation and rancidity under many adverse environmental influences. Nanoencapsulation technology can protect and slow down the loss of its biological activity. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) loaded with EUSO were prepared by emulsification and ionic gel technology. EUSO-CSNPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results confirmed the success of EUSO encapsulation and the encapsulation rate ranged from 36.95 % to 67.80 %. Nanoparticle size analyzer, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that CSNPs were spherical particles with a range of 200.6–276.0 nm. The results of in vitro release study indicated that the release of EUSO was phased, and EUSO-CSNPS had certain sustained-release properties. Furthermore, EUSO-CSNPs had higher antioxidant and antibacterial abilities than pure EUSO and chitosan, which was verified through free radical scavenging experiments and bacteria biofilm experiments, respectively. This technology can enhance the medicinal value of EUSO in biomedical and other fields, and will provide support for in vivo research of EUSO-CSNPs in the future.

Development of a brain-targeted nano drug delivery system to enhance the treatment of neurodegenerative effects of resveratrol

As the aging population continues to increase, aging-related inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative diseases have become serious global health threats. Resveratrol, a star molecule in natural polyphenols, has been widely reported to have physiological activities such as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotection. However, its poor water solubility, rapid metabolism, low bioavailability and poor targeting ability, which limits its application. Accordingly, a brain-targeted resveratrol liposome (ANG-RES-LIP) was developed to solve these issues. Experimental results showed that ANG-RES-LIP has a uniform size distribution, good biocompatibility, and a drug encapsulation rate of over 90%. Furthermore, in vitro cell experiments showed that the modification of the targeting ligand ANG significantly increased the capability of RES to cross the BBB and neuronal uptake. Compared with free RES, ANG-RES-LIP demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity and the ability to rescue oxidatively damaged cells from apoptosis. Additionally, ANG-RES-LIP showed the ability to repair damaged neuronal mitochondrial membrane potential. In vivo experiments further demonstrated that ANG-RES-LIP improved cognitive function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation levels in the brains of aging model mice, repairing damaged neurons and glial cells, and increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In summary, this study not only provides a new method for further development and application of resveratrol but also a promising strategy for preventing and treating age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Construction and performance evaluation of pH-responsive oxidized hyaluronic acid hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles

In this study, hollow mesoporous silica (HMSN) was created to facilitate drug distribution using the hard template method. The oxidized hyaluronic acid (oxiHA) was coated on the carrier surface by the Schiff base reaction, producing the pH-responsive nanoparticles HMSNs-DOX-oxiHA targeted by CD44 and preventing drug leakage from mesopores. The prepared nanoparticles had a size of 151.79 ± 13.52 nm and a surface potential of −8.42 ± 0.48 mV. The rich mesoporous structure and internal cavity of HMSNs-NH2 achieved the effective encapsulation and loading rates of doxorubicin (DOX) at 76.84 ± 0.24 % and 18.73 ± 0.05 %, respectively. Owing to the pH sensitivity of imine bonds, HMSNs-DOX-oxiHA has a good pH response and release performance. The in vitro experiments showed that the nanoparticles were not cytotoxic and could enhance HCT-116 uptake efficiency by hyaluronic acid/CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis, effectively inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and reducing toxic side effects on normal cells. In summary, the polysaccharide-based nano-drug delivery system constructed in this experiment not only has the basic response properties of a carrier but also introduces the bioactive advantages of natural polysaccharides.

PEG-modified nano liposomes co-deliver Apigenin and RAGE-siRNA to protect myocardial ischemia injury

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a cardiac disorder in which myocardial damage occurs as a result of myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are critical in the development of myocardial ischemia. Therefore, the combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory applications is an effective strategy to combat ischemic heart disease. In this paper, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified cationic liposomes were used as carriers to deliver apigenin (Apn) with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the receptor for glycosylation end products (RAGE) (siRAGE) into cardiomyocytes to prevent myocardial ischemic injury through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Our results showed that we successfully prepared cationic PEG liposomes loaded with Apn and siRAGE (P-CLP-A/R) with normal appearance and morphology, particle size and Zeta potential, and good encapsulation rate, drug loading and in vitro release degree. In vitro, P-CLP-A/R was able to prevent oxidative stress injury in H9C2 cells, downregulate the expression of RAGE, reduce the secretion of cellular inflammatory factors and inhibit apoptosis through the RAGE/NF-κB pathway; In vivo, P-CLP-A/R was able to prevent arrhythmia and myocardial pathological injury, and reduce apoptosis and the area of necrotic myocardium in rats. In conclusion, P-CLP-A/R has a protective effect on myocardial ischemic injury and is expected to be a potential drug for the prevention of ischemic heart disease in the future.