Current advances in molecularly imprinted polymers and their release mechanisms in drug delivery systems

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has gained wide interest among researchers due to its unique molecular recognition of the template that is suitable as a drug carrier. Therefore, the preparation and formulation of the MIP are significant to suit the needs of the intended use. Due to its significance in drug delivery, this review aims to highlight various methods in the preparation of MIP, the composition for both controlled and stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, and the release mechanism of the drugs. In drug delivery systems, MIP should have a sustained release performance as well as flexibility in surface modification for targeted delivery via a range of stimuli-responses, including  external stimuli (magnetic, light) and internal stimuli (pH, temperature, redox, biological). The properties of sustained release and targeted delivery of the MIP can improve the drug's therapeutic efficacy as well as the breakthrough for the tumor targeting application.     

In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of thiourea derivatives bearing Salix sp. constituent against HK-1 cell lines

Abstract

In searching for drugs from natural product scaffolds has gained interest among researchers. In this study, a series of twelve halogenated thiourea (ATX 1-12) via chemical modification of aspirin (a natural product derivative) and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines, HK-1 via MTS-based colorimetric assay. The cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that halogens at meta position of ATX showed promising activity against HK-1 cells (IC₅₀ value ≤15?µM) in comparison to cisplatin, a positive cytotoxic drug (IC₅₀ value =8.9?±?1.9?µM). ATX 11, bearing iodine at meta position, showed robust cytotoxicity against HK-1 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.7?±?0.7?µM. Molecular docking interactions between ATX 11 and cyclooxygenase-2 demonstrated a robust binding affinity value of ?8.1?kcal/mol as compared to aspirin’s binding affinity value of ?6.4?kcal/mol. The findings represent a promising lead molecule from natural product with excellent cytotoxic activity against NPC cell lines.