Lipid Phase Research Articles

Photostimulation Applications to Increase Spermatological Parameters

Today, it is an important issue to preserve genetic resources and transfer them to future years. The process of freezing semen, which has a wide range of uses such as reproductive biotechnology, protection of the lineage of species and clinical applications, is of great importance in this sense. Freezing the semen in a way that will provide sufficient fertility will make artificial insemination practices more practical and economical, and more accurate and reliable pedigree records will be kept. In addition, it will be possible to use animals with high genetic capacity in large populations. During the freezing-thawing of sperm, membrane lipid phase change, osmotic-mechanical stress and free oxygen radicals occur. As a result, structural deformations in membrane structures and cell organelles and breaks in DNA occur. These negative effects can be reduced by adding antioxidants, various cryoprotectants and chemical substances to semen extenders, and sperm functions are improved after solution. The developments in the light of recent research have been in the direction of increasing the fertility abilities of sperm cells in the cryopreservation process by irradiating them in different spectrum areas. On the other hand, lasers are involved in many areas of our lives due to their linearity, single wavelength, stable radiation and high power. Laser sources are gaining more and more acceptance in various industries thanks to their narrow focusing advantages. Recently, it has been shown that under intense radiation of red LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights, the resistance and capacitation of porcine sperm cells increase in vitro and fertility ability increases in vivo. Consistent results have also been obtained in species such as humans, dogs, bulls, rams and rabbits using devices and systems such as low-energy laser and visible light lamps with wavelengths ranging from 400 nm to 800 nm.

Molecular simulations of fluoxetine in hydrated lipid bilayers, as well as in aqueous solutions containing β-cyclodextrin

Fluoxetine, which is a well-known antidepressant drug, is studied in hydrated cholesterol-free and cholesterol-containing lipid bilayers through unbiased and biased atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The latter are conducted for the calculation of the potential of mean force (PMF) of fluoxetine along an axis perpendicular to the two leaflets of the bilayer. The PMF indicates that the drug prefers to reside inside the lipid phase and allows us to calculate important thermodynamic properties, such as the Gibbs energy difference of partitioning from the water to the lipid phase and the Gibbs energy barrier for hopping events between the two leaflets of the bilayer. The results from the biased simulations are in accord with the mass density profiles calculated from the unbiased simulations. Moreover, we estimate the effect of fluoxetine mole fraction on the order parameters of the lipid alkyl chains and on the area per lipid. It is also found that fluoxetine forms a hydrogen bond network with lipids and water molecules penetrating into the lipid phase. In addition, fluoxoetine is studied in detail in aqueous solutions containing β-cyclodextrin. It is observed from unbiased molecular dynamics simulations that the two aforementioned molecules form a noncovalent complex spontaneously and the calculated binding free energy is in agreement with the literature.

Efficient calculation of the free energy for protein partitioning using restraining potentials

An approach for the efficient simulation of phase-separated lipid bilayers, for use in the calculation of equilibrium free energies of partitioning between lipid domains, is proposed. The methodology exploits restraint potentials and rectangular aspect ratios that enforce lipid phase separation, allowing for the simulation of smaller systems that approximately reproduce bulk behavior. The utility of this approach is demonstrated through the calculation of potentials of mean force for the translation of a transmembrane protein between lipid domains. The impact of the imposed restraints on lipid tail ordering and lipid packing are explored, providing insight into how restraints can best be employed to compute accurate free-energy surfaces. This approach should be useful in the accurate calculation of equilibrium partition coefficients for transmembrane protein partitioning in heterogeneous membranes, providing insight into the thermodynamic driving forces that control this fundamental biophysical phenomenon.

QbD-assisted development of lipidic nanocapsules for antiestrogenic activity of exemestane in breast cancer

Some breast cancers are caused by hormonal imbalances, such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a function in directing the growth of cancer cells. The hormone receptors in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer lead breast cells to proliferate out of control. Cancer therapy such as hormonal, targeted, radiation is still unsatisfactory because of these challenges namely multiple drug resistance (MDR), off-targeting, severe adverse effects. A novel aromatase inhibitor exemestane (Exe) exhibits promising therapy in breast cancer. This study aims to develop and optimize Exe-loaded lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) by using DSPC, PF68 and olive oil as lipid, surfactant and oil phase, respectively and to characterize the same. The prepared nanocapsules were investigated via in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal models. The LNCs exhibited cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cell lines and enhanced anti-cancer activity and reduced cardiotoxicity in DMBA-induced animal model when compared to the drug. Additionally, in vivo pharmacokinetics revealed a 4.2-fold increased oral bioavailability when compared with Exe suspension. This study demonstrated that oral administration of Exe-loaded LNCs holds promise for the antiestrogenic activity of exemestane in breast cancer.

Development of nanocubosomes co-loaded with dual anticancer agents curcumin and temozolomide for effective colon cancer therapy

Current research aimed to develop nanocubosomes co-loaded with dual anticancer drugs curcumin and temozolomide for effective colon cancer therapy. Drugs co-loaded nanocubosomal dispersion was prepared by modified emulsification method using glyceryl monooleate (GMO), pluronic F127 and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a lipid phase, surfactant, and stabilizer, respectively. The resulting nanocubosomes were characterized by measuring hydrodynamic particle size, particle size distribution (PSD), drug loading capacity (DL), encapsulation efficiency (EE), colloidal stability and drug release profile. We also physiochemically characterized the nanocubosomes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and x-rays diffraction (XRD) for their morphology, polymer drug interaction and its nature, respectively. Further, the in-vitro cell-uptake, mechanism of cell-uptake, in-vitro anti-tumor efficacy and apoptosis level were evaluated using HCT-116 colon cancer cells. The prepared nanocubosomes exhibited a small hydrodynamic particle size (PS of 150 ± 10 nm in diameter) with nearly cubic shape and appropriate polydispersity index (PDI), enhanced drug loading capacity (LC of 6.82 ± 2.03% (Cur) and 9.65 ± 1.53% (TMZ), high entrapment efficiency (EE of 67.43 ± 2.16% (Cur) and 75.55 ± 3.25% (TMZ), pH-triggered drug release profile and higher colloidal stability in various physiological medium. Moreover, the nanocubosomes showed higher cellular uptake, in-vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis compared to free drugs, curcumin and temozolomide, most likely because its small particle size. In addition, BSA-stabilized nanocubosomes were actively taken by aggressive colon cancer cells that over-expressed the albumin receptors and utilized BSA as nutrient source for their growth. In short, this study provides a new and simple strategy to improve the efficacy and simultaneously overawed the adaptive treatment tolerance in colon cancer.

Membrane asymmetry enhances nanotube formation and limits pore resealing after electroporation

Research in cell membranes provides a fascinating intersection of the natural world, bioengineering, and fundamental physics. Model membranes form by the self-assembly of amphiphilic phospholipids into two-molecule-thick fluid sheets spanning up to tens of microns. Increasingly, model membranes include leaflet asymmetry, lipid phase separation, and spontaneous curvature to enable examination of the interplay of diverse physical characteristics that potentially govern complex natural behaviors. For example, lipid phase separation and leaflet asymmetry both encourage the formation of membrane curvature, but the degree to which living cells exploit these relationships is unknown.

Novel Exopolysaccharide from Marine Bacillus subtilis with Broad Potential Biological Activities: Insights into Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxicity, and Anti-Alzheimer Activity.

In the presented study, Bacillus subtilis strain AG4 isolated from marine was identified based on morphological, physiological, phylogenetic characteristics and an examination of 16S rRNA sequences. Novel exopolysaccharide (EPSR4) was extracted and isolated from the Bacillus subtilis strain as a major fraction of exopolysaccharide (EPS). The analysis of structural characterization indicated that EPSR4 is a β-glycosidic sulphated heteropolysaccharide (48.2%) with a molecular weight (Mw) of 1.48 × 104 g/mole and has no uronic acid. Analysis of monosaccharide content revealed that EPSR4 consists of glucose, rhamnose and arabinose monosaccharide in a molar ratio of 5:1:3, respectively. Morphological analysis revealed that EPSR4 possess a high crystallinity degree with a significant degree of porosity, and its aggregation and conformation in the lipid phase might have a significant impact on the bioactivity of EPSR4. The biological activity of EPSR4 was screened and evaluated by investigating its antioxidant, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-Alzheimer activities. The antioxidant activity results showed that EPSR4 has 97.6% scavenging activity toward DPPH free radicals at 1500 µg/mL, with an IC50 value of 300 µg/mL, and 64.8% at 1500 µg/mL toward hydrogen peroxide free radicals (IC50 = 1500 µg/mL, 30 min). Furthermore, EPSR4 exhibited considerable inhibitory activity towards the proliferation of T-24 (bladder carcinoma), A-549 (lung cancer) and HepG-2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) cancer cell lines with IC50 of 244 µg/mL, 148 µg/mL and 123 µg/mL, respectively. An evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity revealed that EPSR4 has potent lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity (IC50 of 54.3 µg/mL) and a considerable effect on membrane stabilization (IC50 = 112.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL), while it showed cyclooxygenase (COX2) inhibitory activity up to 125 µg/mL. Finally, EPSR4 showed considerable inhibitory activity towards acetylcholine esterase activity. Taken together, this study reveals that Bacillus subtilis strain AG4 could be considered as a potential natural source of novel EPS with potent biological activities that would be useful for the healthcare system.

Optimization of high pressure homogenization conditions to produce nanostructured lipid carriers using natural and synthetic emulsifiers

Lipid-based nanoparticles are one of the most promising encapsulation technologies in the field of nanotechnology, and solid lipid nanoparticles were the first generation of such structures. The second generation of lipid nanostructures is the nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), which are composed of lipid materials with different melting points (MP). High pressure homogenization (HPH) is one of the main methods used on an industrial scale to produce NLC, and the process conditions affect the characteristics and physical stability of the produced NLC. The objective of this study was to optimize the HPH process conditions (number of cycles and homogenization pressure) to produce NLC formulated with different emulsifiers. The pre-emulsion for producing NLC was composed of an aqueous phase (90 %) with a single emulsifier (ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), sorbitan monostearate (Span 60), soy protein isolate (SPI), whey protein isolate (WPI), or enzymatically modified soy lecithin (SL) in a 2 % (w/w) proportion, and a lipid phase composed of glyceryl tristearate (TS) and glyceryl trioleate (TO) in a 40:60 (w/w) proportion, corresponding to a model system containing similar contents of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The influence of the homogenization pressure (HP) (500 to 900 bar) and the number of cycles (NC) (1 to 3) on the characteristics of the NLC was assessed separately for each emulsifier using a2-level full factorial design. The NLC were characterized by the particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PI), and zeta potential (ZP) at 24 h and 15 days after production. The results indicated that SL,Tween 80, and WPI promoted the production of NLC in the nanometric range (PS ranging from 136.00 to 277.17 nm) that were stable (ZP > |20 mV|) during 15 days of storage at 25 °C. Of all the process conditions, 700 bar and 2 cycles were the optimal conditions for producing NLC with the different emulsifiers used in this study.

Cu2+ ions modulate the interaction between α-synuclein and lipid membranes

α-synuclein protein aggregates are the major constituent of Lewy bodies, which is a main pathogenic hallmark of Parkinson's disease. Both lipid membranes and Cu2+ ions can bind to α-synuclein and modulate its aggregation propensity and toxicity. However, the synergistic effect of copper ions and lipid membranes on α-synuclein remains to be explored. Here, we investigate how Cu2+ and α-synuclein simultaneously influence the lipidic structure of lipidic cubic phase(LCP) matrix by using small-angle X-ray scattering. α-Syn proteins destabilize the cubic-Pn3m phase of LCP that can be further recovered after the addition of Cu2 ions even at a low stoichiometric ratio. By using circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance, we also study how lipid membranes and Cu2+ ions impact the secondary structures of α-synuclein at an atomic level. Although the secondary structure of α-synuclein with lipid membranes is not significantly changed to a large extent in the presence of Cu2+ ions, lipid membranes promote the interaction between α-synuclein C-terminus and Cu2+ ions. The modulation of Cu2+ ions and lipid membranes on α-synuclein dynamics and structure may play an important role in the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Active emulsions in living cell membranes driven by contractile stresses and transbilayer coupling

The spatiotemporal organization of proteins and lipids on the cell surface has direct functional consequences for signaling, sorting, and endocytosis. Earlier studies have shown that multiple types of membrane proteins, including transmembrane proteins that have cytoplasmic actin binding capacity and lipid-tethered glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs), form nanoscale clusters driven by active contractile flows generated by the actin cortex. To gain insight into the role of lipids in organizing membrane domains in living cells, we study the molecular interactions that promote the actively generated nanoclusters of GPI-APs and transmembrane proteins. This motivates a theoretical description, wherein a combination of active contractile stresses and transbilayer coupling drives the creation of active emulsions, mesoscale liquid order (lo) domains of the GPI-APs and lipids, at temperatures greater than equilibrium lipid phase segregation. To test these ideas, we use spatial imaging of molecular clustering combined with local membrane order, and we demonstrate that mesoscopic domains enriched in nanoclusters of GPI-APs are maintained by cortical actin activity and transbilayer interactions and exhibit significant lipid order, consistent with predictions of the active composite model.

Liquid-crystalline, liquid-ordered, rippled and gel lipid bilayer phases as observed with nile red fluorescence

The basic matrix of cellular membranes consists of a double layer (bilayer) of phospholipids. Semisynthetic lipid bilayers are commonly used in biophysical studies of membranes. According to temperature and composition, lipid bilayers can exist in liquid-crystalline (or liquid-disordered), liquid-ordered, rippled, and gel phases. In the present study, the hydrophobic, solvatochromic molecule Nile red has been used as a fluorescent probe to examine the physical state of bilayers of different compositions in the 15–60 °C range. Phospholipids with saturated or unsaturated acyl chains, in the presence or absence of cholesterol have been studied. Nile red shows absorption maxima at 520–550 nm and emission maxima at 580–640 nm, single photon excitation not being damaging to the system. A red/orange intensity ratio (ROIR) index has been used to normalize the results. ROIR varies clearly and reproducibly with the lipid phase, increasing in the order: liquid-ordered < gel < rippled < liquid-crystalline. It increases with temperature and decreases with cholesterol contents in the bilayers. Nile red allows an unusually clear observation of the rippled-to-liquid crystalline phase transition in saturated phospholipids. FLIM studies with Nile red also show differences between lamellar phases. Rotational relaxation times have been determined for Nile red in liquid-disordered (0.72 ± 0.010 ns), gel (1.16 ± 0.070 ns), and liquid-ordered (1.79 ± 0.14 ns) phases, the large value of the liquid-ordered phase being an indication of the sterol hindering probe tumbling in the hydrophobic matrix.

Machine Learning-Assisted Phase Transition Temperatures from Generalized Replica Exchange Simulations of Dry Martini Lipid Bilayers.

Accurate estimation of phase transition temperatures has been a longstanding challenge for molecular simulations. Recently, the generalized Replica Exchange technique for estimating phase transition temperatures has allowed for improved sampling of the phase transition; however, it requires a significant number of simultaneous replicas both inside and outside of the transition region leading to costly computational expense. In this work, the recently developed machine learning-assisted lipid phase analysis technique for learning the phase of individual lipids has been combined with generalized Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics to reduce the overall computational expense of evaluating transition temperatures. This technique is then applied to eight different Dry Martini lipids to demonstrate its ability to describe transition temperatures as a function of chain length and tail saturation.

Evaluation of the synergistic effect of plant-based components on the stability of curcuminoid emulsion

In this study, the effect of matrix compounds from natural curcuminoid resources on the stability of curcuminoids and emulsions thereof was evaluated. Curcuminoid emulsions were prepared curcuminoid rich sources (curcuminoid extract, an aqueous turmeric concentrate and turmeric powder) with medium-chain triglyceride oil as lipid phase, lecithin, and pectin as emulsifiers. The curcuminoid emulsions were exposed to light in the visible wavelength range (300 nm–800 nm) at the specific energy input of 0.47 kW/m2 for 7 days and to the temperature of 4 °C, 25 °C, 40 °C for 49 days. The total curcuminoid retention (TC), droplet size (DS) change, instability index (InI), and yellowness reduction (YR) was observed during the storage time. The half-life of curcuminoids in emulsions was increased to 21 h, while the half-life of free curcuminoids was 1.3 h in the light exposure test. The co-compounds from the curcuminoid sources contributed to the emulsion stability by increasing the viscosity. In the thermal exposure test, the matrix compound system retained more than 93% curcuminoids after 49 days of storage at 40 °C, whereas the phase separation increased significantly. However, the TC reduction was independent of the InI change and droplet agglomeration. The YR depended on the TC and the amount of co-components in the emulsion.

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Activity of Vitamin E Homologues: In Vitro Study.

Here we present comparative data on the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by a variety of tocochromanols in liposomes. We also show for the first time the potential neuroprotective role of all the vitamin E homologues investigated on the neuronally differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. α-Tocopherol had nearly no effect in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, while β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols inhibited the reaction completely when it was initiated in a lipid phase. Similar effects were observed for tocotrienol homologues. Moreover, in this respect plastochromanol-8 was as effective as β-, γ-, and δ-tocochromanols. When the prenyllipids were investigated in a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and incorporated into different lipid carriers, the radical oxidation was most pronounced in liposomes, followed by mixed micelles and the micellar system. When the reaction of tocochromanols was examined in niosomes, the oxidation was most pronounced for α-tocopherol and plastochromanol-8, followed by α-tocotrienol. Next, using retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, we tested the protective effects of the compounds investigated on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell damage. We showed that tocotrienols were more active than tocopherols in the oxidative stress model. Plastochromanol-8 had a strong inhibitory effect on H2O2-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and H2O2-induced decrease in cell viability. The water-soluble α-tocopherol phosphate had neuroprotective effects at all the concentrations analyzed. The results clearly indicate that structural differences between vitamin E homologues reflect their different biological activity and indicate their potential application in pharmacological treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. In this respect, the application of optimal tocochromanol-carrying structures might be critical.

Librational Dynamics of Spin-Labeled Membranes at Cryogenic Temperatures From Echo-Detected ED-EPR Spectra.

Methods of electron spin echo of pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy are increasingly employed to investigate biophysical properties of nitroxide-labeled biosystems at cryogenic temperatures. Two-pulse echo-detected ED-spectra have proven to be valuable tools to describe the librational dynamics in the low-temperature phases of both lipids and proteins in membranes. The motional parameter, , given by the product of the mean-square angular amplitude, , and the rotational correlation time, , of the motion, is readily determined from the nitroxide ED-spectra as well as from the W-relaxation rate curves. An independent evaluation of is obtained from the motionally averaged 14N-hyperfine splitting separation in the continuous wave cw-EPR spectra. Finally, the rotational correlation time can be estimated by combining ED- and cw-EPR data. In this mini-review, results on the librational dynamics in model and natural membranes are illustrated.

Lycorine impedes 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene exposed hamster oral carcinogenesis through P13K/Akt and NF-κB inhibition

Abstract Objectives Oncogenic signaling pathways that are activated abnormally play a key activity in tumor initiation and development. This research aimed to examine the preventive efficiency of lycorine in the buccal pouch hamster tumor model based on its capacity to target phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling cascades. Methods The induction of oral tumor in male golden Syrian hamsters was done by 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA) painting on the left buccal pouch thrice a week for 10 weeks. The chemopreventive effect of lycorine (20 mg/kg b.w.) was assessed by treating orally for 14 weeks of the experimental period. The biochemical endpoints such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidants, and phase I and II detoxification agents were analyzed. Results The treatment of lycorine to DMBA-induced hamsters drastically suppressed tumor incidence and tumor size and reverted the levels of the biochemical indicator. Moreover, lycorine significantly downregulated the p53, Cyclooxygenase 2 (cox-2), and P13K/Akt signaling and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB and nuclear factor-kappa-B-inhibitor alpha (Iκ-Bα) in DMBA-induced hamsters. Conclusions The oral administration of lycorine effectively inhibited tumor cell proliferation, restored the antioxidant, LPO, and detoxification enzymes, and inhibited NF-κB signaling in oral tumorigenesis. Thus, the use of lycorine after a proper clinical trial could be effective for oral tumorigenesis treatment.

Long acting injectables for therapeutic proteins

Biotherapeutic development presents a myriad of challenges in relation to delivery, in particular for protein therapeutics. Protein delivery is complicated due to hydrophilicity, size, rate of degradation in vivo, low permeation through biological barriers, pH and temperature sensitivity, as well as the need to conserve its quaternary structure to retain function. To preserve therapeutic levels in vivo, proteins require frequent administration due to their short half-lives. Formulation strategies combining proteins with lipid carriers for parenteral administration show potential for improving bioavailability, while preserving protein activity and bypassing the mucosal barriers of the body. Encapsulating protein in long acting injectable delivery systems can improve therapeutic indices by prolonging and controlling protein release and reducing the need for repeat interventions. Two lyotropic crystal forming lipids, monoolein and phytantriol, have been formulated to produce lipidic cubic phases and assessed for their use as long acting protein eluting injectables. Three soluble proteins, cytochrome c, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase and one membrane protein, cytochrome c oxidase, were incorporated into bulk cubic phase formulations of each lipid system to comparatively assess protein release kinetics. The activity of the soluble proteins was measured upon release from a phytantriol bulk cubic phase and phytantriol cubosomes, produced using a liquid precursor method.

Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-Based Fluorescent Probes: A Photophysical Investigation in Liposome Models.

Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine is a stable scaffold, widely used for the development of emissive compounds in many application fields (e.g., optoelectronics, coordination chemistry, sensors, chemical biology). Their compact shape along with remarkable photophysical properties make them suitable candidates as cell membrane probes. The study of the membrane dynamics, hydration, and fluidity is of importance to monitor the cellular health and to explore crucial biochemical pathways. In this context, five imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-based fluorophores were synthesized according to a one-pot cyclization between an aromatic ketone and benzaldehyde in the presence of ammonium acetate and acetic acid. The photophysical features of prepared compounds were investigated in several organic solvents and probes 2–4 exhibited the greatest solvatochromic behavior, resulting in a higher suitability as membrane probes. Their interaction with liposomes as artificial membrane model was tested showing a successful intercalation of the probes in the lipid bilayer. Kinetic experiments were carried out and the lipidic phase influence on the photophysical features was evaluated through temperature-dependent experiments. The results herein reported encourage further investigations on the use of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine scaffold as fluorescent membrane probes.

Shea Butter Potentiates the Anti-Bacterial Activity of Fusidic Acid Incorporated into Solid Lipid Nanoparticle.

Fusidic acid (FA) is an efficient anti-bacterial drug proven to be efficient against a wide range of bacteria. Nevertheless, the main restriction in its formulation is the limited solubility. To avoid such an obstacle, the drug is incorporated into the lipid core of the nanolipid formulation. Consequently, the present study was an attempt to formulate nanolipid preparation, mainly, solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) integrating FA. FA-SLN was prepared using shea butter as a lipid phase owing to its reported anti-bacterial activity. Different FA-SLNs were fabricated using the central composite design (CCD) approach. The optimized formula was selected and integrated into a hydrogel base to be efficiently used topically. FA-SLN-hydrogel was evaluated for its character, morphology, in vitro release and stability. The formula was examined for irritation reaction and finally evaluated for its anti-bacterial performance. The optimized formula showed particle size 283.83 nm and entrapment 73.057%. The formulated FA-SLN-hydrogel displayed pH 6.2, viscosity 15,610 cP, spreadability 51.1 mm and in vitro release 64.6% following 180 min. FA-SLN-hydrogel showed good stability for three months at different conditions (room temperature and refrigerator). It exhibited no irritation reaction on the treated rats. Eventually, shea butter displayed a noteworthy effect against bacterial growth that improved the effect of FA. This would indicate prospective anti-bacterial activity of FA when combined with shea butter in SLN formulation as a promising nanocarrier.

Fluidity-Guided Assembly of Au@Pt on Liposomes as a Catalase-Powered Nanomotor for Effective Cell Uptake in Cancer Cells and Plant Leaves.

The fluidity of the liposomes is essential to nanoparticle-membrane interactions. We herein report a liposomal nanomotor system by controlling the self-assembly behavior of gold core-platinum shell nanoparticles (Au@Pt) on liposomes. Au@Pt can aggregate immediately on fluid-phase dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) liposomes, forming an uneven distribution. By control of the lipid phase and fluidity, either using pure 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) above its phase transition temperature or adding cholesterol as an adjuvant to DPPC lipids, we precisely control the assembly of Au@Pt on liposomes. Au@Pt maintained high catalase-like activity on the liposomal surface, promoting the decomposition of H2O2 and the movement of the liposomal nanomotors. Finally, we demonstrate that liposomal nanomotors are biocompatible and they can speed up the cellular uptake in mammalian HepG2 cancer cells and Nicotiana tabacum (Nb) plant leaves. This liposomal nanomotor system is expected to be further investigated in biomedicine and plant nanotechnology.