Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid with Liposomes and Crocin Confers Cytoprotection in an Experimental Model of Dry Eye

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition caused by tear deficiency and accompanied by ocular surface damage. Recent data support a key role of oxidative and inflammatory processes in the pathogenesis of DED. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is widely used in artificial tears to treat DED by improving ocular hydration and reducing surface friction. Crocin (Cr), the main constituent of saffron, is a renowned compound that exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study was undertaken to assess the viscosity and muco-adhesiveness of a photoactivated formulation with crosslinked HA (cHA), Cr, and liposomes (cHA-Cr-L). Our aim was also to evaluate whether cHA-Cr-L may exert cytoprotective effects against oxidative and inflammatory processes in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). Viscosity was measured using a rotational rheometer, and then the muco-adhesiveness was evaluated. Under hyperosmolarity (450 mOsm), the HCECs were treated with cHA-Cr-L. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the DCF assay. The combined action of cHA-Cr-L produced a higher viscosity and muco-adhesiveness compared to the control. The anti-inflammatory effect of cHA-Cr-L was achieved through a significant reduction of IL-1β and TNFα (p < 0.001). The results also showed that cHA-Cr-L reduces ROS production under conditions of hyperosmolarity (p < 0.001). We conclude that cHA-Cr-L has potential as a therapeutic agent in DED, which should be further investigated.     

Formulation of Piperine–Chitosan-Coated Liposomes: Characterization and In Vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation

The present research work is designed to prepare and evaluate piperine liposomes and piperine–chitosan-coated liposomes for oral delivery. Piperine (PPN) is a water-insoluble bioactive compound used for different diseases. The prepared formulations were evaluated for physicochemical study, mucoadhesive study, permeation study and in vitro cytotoxic study using the MCF7 breast cancer cell line. Piperine-loaded liposomes (PLF) were prepared by the thin-film evaporation method. The selected liposomes were coated with chitosan (PLFC) by electrostatic deposition to enhance the mucoadhesive property and in vitro therapeutic efficacy. Based on the findings of the study, the prepared PPN liposomes (PLF3) and chitosan coated PPN liposomes (PLF3C1) showed a nanometric size range of 165.7 ± 7.4 to 243.4 ± 7.5, a narrow polydispersity index (>0.3) and zeta potential (−7.1 to 29.8 mV). The average encapsulation efficiency was found to be between 60 and 80% for all prepared formulations. The drug release and permeation study profile showed biphasic release behavior and enhanced PPN permeation. The in vitro antioxidant study results showed a comparable antioxidant activity with pure PPN. The anticancer study depicted that the cell viability assay of tested PLF3C2 has significantly (p < 0.001)) reduced the IC₅₀ when compared with pure PPN. The study revealed that oral chitosan-coated liposomes are a promising delivery system for the PPN and can increase the therapeutic efficacy against the breast cancer cell line.     

Cationic and temperature-sensitive liposomes loaded with eugenol for the application to silk

Silk has been widely used in the clothing industry due to their soft and smooth features, good biocompatibility, good heat dissipation, warmth and ultraviolet resistance. The application of fragrance to silk can significantly improve the performance of silk. However, there are two key scientific problems that need to be solved: slowing down the release rate of fragrances and increasing the scent lasting time of silk. In this study, cationic and temperature-sensitive liposomes were designed and prepared to encapsulate eugenol. These fragrance-loaded liposomes significantly slowed down the release rate of the fragrance and controlled the release rate of the fragrance in a thermo-sensitive manner. The liposomes adhered to the silk through electrostatic adsorption interaction. The positive charge on the fragrance-loaded liposomes neutralized much negative charge on silk and thereby increasing the adhesion efficiency.     

Enhanced Anticancer Efficacy by ATP‐Mediated Liposomal Drug Delivery

A liposome‐based co‐delivery system composed of a fusogenic liposome encapsulating ATP‐responsive elements with chemotherapeutics and a liposome containing ATP was developed for ATP‐mediated drug release triggered by liposomal fusion. The fusogenic liposome had a protein–DNA complex core containing an ATP‐responsive DNA scaffold with doxorubicin (DOX) and could release DOX through a conformational change from the duplex to the aptamer/ATP complex in the presence of ATP. A cell‐penetrating peptide‐modified fusogenic liposomal membrane was coated on the core, which had an acid‐triggered fusogenic potential with the ATP‐loaded liposomes or endosomes/lysosomes. Directly delivering extrinsic liposomal ATP promoted the drug release from the fusogenic liposome in the acidic intracellular compartments upon a pH‐sensitive membrane fusion and anticancer efficacy was enhanced both in vitro and in vivo.     

Salt,Shake, Fuse—Giant Hybrid Polymer/Lipid Vesicles through Mechanically Activated Fusion

Large (200 nm) poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(butadiene) polymer vesicles fuse into giant (>1 μm) vesicles with mild agitation in dilute aqueous NaCl solutions. This unusual effect is attributed to the salt‐induced contraction of the poly(ethylene oxide) corona, reducing steric resistance between vesicles and, with agitation, increasing the probability of contact between the hydrophobic cores of adjacent membranes. In addition, NaCl and agitation facilitated the creation of giant hybrid vesicles from much smaller homogeneous polymersomes and liposomes. Whereas lipid vesicles do not readily fuse with each other under the same circumstances, they did fuse with polymersomes to produce hybrid polymer/lipid vesicles.     

镁铝类水滑石对阳离子染料中性红的吸附及机理研究

研究了镁铝类水滑石对中性红的吸附及其作用机理,考察了时间、pH、温度、电解质浓度等因素对吸附作用的影响。结果表明,镁铝类水滑石对中性红的吸附动力学符合准二级动力学方程,热力学符合Langmuir吸附等温式。在实验范围内,吸附量随溶液pH的增大而增加,随温度的升高而降低,随电解质浓度的增加先增加后降低。吸附过程是放热、熵减小的自发过程。镁铝类水滑石对中性红的吸附缘于为类水滑石与中性红分子中π电子的较强静电吸引作用。     

同源细胞膜包覆智能释药纳米粒用于肝癌靶向治疗

近年来,纳米药物递送系统在癌症治疗方面的应用受到广泛关注。 传统的纳米药物递送系统存在生物相容性差、靶向性缺乏、在肿瘤部位释药缓慢等问题。 本文设计制备了一种同源细胞膜(M)包覆、癌细胞还原微环境控制释药的脂质体纳米粒子(命名为P-ss-G/D/Sf@M)来递送肝癌治疗药物索拉非尼(Sf)用于肝癌的靶向治疗。 利用薄膜水化法结合静电吸附及过膜挤压法制备包覆细胞膜的空白(P-ss-G/D@M)及载药(P-ss-G/D/Sf@M)纳米粒子。 P-ss-G/D/Sf@M对Sf的载药量为7.2%,包封率为79.9%。 体外释药结果显示,P-ss-G/D/Sf@M在还原条件下会加快药物的释放,48 h时药物释放量达到65%以上,较非还原条件下释药量提高了25%。 体外细胞实验结果证明,包覆肝癌细胞膜的纳米粒子更易被肝癌细胞摄取,表现了对肝癌细胞的靶向性,同时在肿瘤细胞高浓度谷胱甘肽(GSH)还原环境作用下,纳米粒子中的二硫键断裂,迅速释放药物,与非还原敏感载药纳米粒子相比,显著抑制肝癌细胞生长,提高细胞凋亡率。 因此,本文制备的同源细胞膜包覆的智能释药载体有可能用于今后的癌症治疗中。     

Separation of neutral and basic enantiomers by cyclodextrin electrokinetic chromatography using anionic cyclodextrin derivatives as chiral pseudo-stationary phases

Separations of neutral and basic racemates were performed using five different anionic cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives as chiral selectors, viz. carboxymethylated β-CD, β-CD phosphate sodium salt, sulfobutyl ether β-CD sodium salt, carboxymethylated γ-CD, and γ-CD phosphate sodium salt. For the separation of neutral racemates, an untreated fused silica capillary was employed and various neutral racemates were successfully separated. Since the pH of the buffer affected the electroosmotic flow (EOF), the resolution was improved by changing the buffer pH. A polyacrylamide coated capillary was employed for the separation of basic racemates to suppress EOF and to prevent adsorption of cationic analyte on the capillary surface. By choosing an appropriate type and concentration of anionic CD, about 40 basic racemates were successfully separated. Some rough binding constants of basic analytes with an anionic β-CD were measured to discuss the optimum concentration of the CD. The migration direction was dependent on the binding constants and the concentration of the CD. The analyte strongly bound to the anionic CD migrated towards the anode but the weakly bound one moved towards the cathode. Anionic γ-CDs were also very useful for the separation of basic enantiomers. Five neutral CDs were employed as chiral selectors to compare selectivity between charged and neutral CDs, and eleven racemates could only be resolved using anionic CDs. The separation of some basic racemates in human plasma was also described. The direct injection of plasma samples was possible for some enantiomers that did not interact strongly with plasma proteins.     

Stealth Liposomes (PEGylated) Containing an Anticancer Drug Camptothecin: In Vitro Characterization and In Vivo Pharmacokinetic and Tissue Distribution Study

Numerous attempts to overcome the poor water solubility of cam ptothecin (CPT) by various nano drug delivery systems are described in various sources in the literature. However, the results of these approaches may be hampered by the incomplete separation of free CPT from the formulations, and this issue has not been investigated in detail. This study aimed to promote the solubility and continuous delivery of CPT by developing long-lasting liposomes using various weights (M.W. 2000 and 5000 Daltons) of the hydrophilic polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG). Conventional and PEGylated liposomes containing CPT were formulated via the lipid film hydration method (solvent evaporation) using a rotary flash evaporator after optimising various formulation parameters. The following physicochemical characteristics were investigated: surface morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release, and formulation stability. Different molecular weights of PEG were used to improve the encapsulation efficiency and particle size. The stealth liposomes prepared with PEG₅₀₀₀ were discrete in shape and with a higher encapsulation efficiency (83 ± 0.4%) and a prolonged rate of drug release (32.2% in 9 h) compared with conventional liposomes (64.8 ± 0.8% and 52.4%, respectively) and stealth liposomes containing PEG₂₀₀₀ (79.00 ± 0.4% and 45.3%, respectively). Furthermore, the stealth liposomes prepared with PEG₅₀₀₀ were highly stable at refrigeration temperature. Significant changes were observed using various pharmacokinetic parameters (mean residence time (MRT), half-life, elimination rate, volume of distribution, clearance, and area under the curve) of stealth liposomes containing PEG₂₀₀₀ and PEG₅₀₀₀ compared with conventional liposomes. The stealth liposomes prepared with PEG₅₀₀₀ showed promising results with a slow rate of release over a long period compared with conventional liposomes and liposomes prepared with PEG₂₀₀₀, with altered tissue distribution and pharmacokinetic parameters.     

中性红分光光度法测定肝素钠的研究

在pH 3.0的Britton-Robinson(B-R)缓冲溶液中,中性红与肝素钠相互作用形成复合物而导致溶液吸收光谱发生变化,用分光光度法对光谱变化进行了研究。 中性红溶液在523 nm处有一个强的特征吸收峰,当在其溶液中加入肝素钠后,溶液发生褪色现象,吸收峰强度降低,且没有新的吸收峰出现,吸光度差值(ΔA)与肝素钠的浓度成正比。 对结合反应的条件进行了优化,在最佳条件下利用溶液吸光度值的降低与肝素钠浓度的关系建立了一种测定肝素钠浓度的新方法,测定的线性范围为0.10～15.0 mg·L-1,表观摩尔吸光系数ε=2.037×106 L·mol-1·cm-1,检测限(3σ)为0.073 mg·L-1。 将该方法应用于肝素钠注射液效价的测定,结果令人满意。 用摩尔比法对复合物的结合比进行了推算,两者形成1∶3的复合物。