Review
Engineering, Environmental
Mengqi Le, Wen Huang, Kai-Feng Chen, Caihong Lin, Lili Cai, Huatang Zhang, Yong-Guang Jia
Summary: Stimuli-responsive polymers are widely used as drug carriers in therapeutic applications. Upper critical solution temperature (UCST) polymeric carriers undergo a phase transition from hydrophobic to hydrophilic under the stimuli of temperature, near-infrared light, microwave, etc., thereby achieving a much more complete drug release. UCST polymeric carriers have recently emerged great potentials for controlled drug release, such as UCST polymeric micelles and hydrogels for cancer treatments and UCST polymeric surfaces for wound treatments, etc.. In this review, we mainly focus on UCST polymeric drug carriers based on different forms in recent five years.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Haohui Shi, Na Liang, Jiyang Liu, Siyi Li, Xianfeng Gong, Pengfei Yan, Shaoping Sun
Summary: A novel polymer TPE-bi(SS-CS-Bio) was synthesized for encapsulating PTX with excellent AIE feature and enhanced cellular uptake due to biotin modification. The drug-loaded micelles showed remarkable cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells and demonstrated potential as a carrier for PTX.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Takayoshi Watanabe, Hayato Laurence Mizuno, Jumpei Norimatsu, Takumi Obara, Horacio Cabral, Kouhei Tsumoto, Makoto Nakakido, Daisuke Kawauchi, Yasutaka Anraku
Summary: This article discusses the use of ligand-installed nanocarriers for enhancing drug delivery in medulloblastoma. The conjugation of anti-CD276 antibodies to the surface of polyion complex micelles improved the cellular uptake efficiency into CD276-expressing medulloblastoma cells. This study demonstrates the potential of anti-CD276 antibody-installed nanocarriers for promoting drug delivery in medulloblastoma.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Chunlan Jing, Shenmao Chen, Sehajdev Singh Bhatia, Bowen Li, Hongze Liang, Chaozong Liu, Zhenjiang Liang, Junying Liu, Haiyan Li, Ziyu Liu, Hui Tan, Lingling Zhao
Summary: Bone-targeted polymeric nanoparticles for alendronate delivery were fabricated and shown to have sustained release and good cytocompatibility, with high affinity to bone cells.
Review
Instruments & Instrumentation
Sharath Kumar Hari, Ankita Gauba, Neeraj Shrivastava, Ravi Mani Tripathi, Sudhir Kumar Jain, Akhilesh Kumar Pandey
Summary: Polymeric micelles (PMs) are multifunctional nanoparticles with promising applications in cancer therapeutics. They can alter drug release profile and concentrate drugs in the target zone, making them suitable for poorly soluble medicines. Moreover, PMs can serve as smart drug carriers, targeting specific cancer sites using various stimuli and improving the efficacy of targeted drug delivery.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarvin Shirani, Jaleh Varshosaz, Mahboubeh Rostami, Mina Mirian
Summary: In this study, a redox-sensitive micelle was designed for targeted delivery of Ribociclib to breast cancer cells. The micelle showed promising redox sensitivity and high cytotoxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin Yu Liu, Dan Li, Tian Yang Li, Jing Shu Piao, Ming Guan Piao
Summary: The study demonstrates the feasibility of using a homing device with vitamin A attached to deliver betulin specifically to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The manufactured micelles showed good biocompatibility and a liver-targeting capability to focus on activated HSCs. Efficacy tests further proved their ability to inhibit collagen I expression in vitro and in a mouse model of liver fibrosis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jeffersson Krishan Trigo-Gutierrez, Italo Rodrigo Calori, Geovana de Oliveira Barbara, Ana Claudia Pavarina, Renato Sonchini Goncalves, Wilker Caetano, Antonio Claudio Tedesco, Ewerton Garcia de Oliveira Mima
Summary: A photo-responsive polymer was designed for the light-triggered release of curcumin, providing an effective antimicrobial response. Compared to non-responsive Pluronics P123 and F127, the polymer formed nanoscale photo-responsive micelles with lower critical micelle concentration and higher curcumin entrapment efficiency. The polymer also offered better protection for curcumin compared to P123 micelles, and showed a higher release rate with UV light irradiation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jhonatan Soto Puelles, Mahdi Ghorbani, Simon Crawford, M. Leigh Ackland, Fangfang Chen, Maria Forsyth, Anthony E. Somers
Summary: This study demonstrates through simulations and experiments that the molecular interactions between cetrimonium and 4-OH-cinnamate can improve the adsorption of cinnamate on mild steel and develop a protective mechanism against corrosive chloride diffusion. The fundamental understanding of this mechanism can contribute to the design of eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiangjun Chen, Rong Guo, Changrong Wang, Keke Li, Xinyu Jiang, Huayu He, Wei Hong
Summary: This study developed a novel pH-sensitive micelle system that can release azithromycin-loaded cationic micelles in acidic biofilm microenvironment, enhancing drug penetration and retention within biofilms. The system showed potential as an anti-biofilm agent by improving drug-bacterium interactions and in vivo therapeutic performance.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lingli Jin, Yanwen Xu, Fengjiao Chen, Dingle Yu, Hongze Liang, Zhenjiang Liang, Ziyu Liu, Haiyan Li, Junying Liu, Hui Tan, Lingling Zhao
Summary: A mitochondria-targeted and pH-triggered charge-convertible polymeric micellar system was developed for doxorubicin delivery and targeted anticancer therapy. It showed sustained drug release and enhanced cellular uptake, accumulation in mitochondria, and efficient release of doxorubicin in tumor cells.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengmeng Long, Xuemeng Liu, Xu Huang, Min Lu, Xiaomei Wu, Lingyan Weng, Qiuping Chen, Xueting Wang, Li Zhu, Zhongping Chen
Summary: A bone-targeted and hypoxia-responsive polymeric micelle system was developed for effective treatment of bone metastatic prostate cancer, demonstrating significant inhibition of tumor growth in metastatic bone, promotion of osteoblast activity, relief of bone pain, and prolonged survival time.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Victoria Cano-Cortes, Patricia Altea-Manzano, Jose Antonio Laz-Ruiz, Juan Diego Unciti-Broceta, Francisco Javier Lopez-Delgado, Jose Manuel Espejo-Roman, Juan Jose Diaz-Mochon, Rosario M. Sanchez-Martin
Summary: This manuscript reports the development of a versatile, robust, and stable targeting nanocarrier for active delivery, which can efficiently discriminate between cells based on cell surface receptor expressions. The nanocarrier has been successfully demonstrated for efficient delivery using two different cell surface receptors, providing potential applications in cancer treatment and personalized medicine.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xue Zhang, Xueya Xu, Xiaoying Wang, Yajuan Lin, Yaling Zheng, Wen Xu, Jian Liu, Wei Xu
Summary: A glycyrrhetinic acid-modified carboxymethyl chitosan-thioketal-rhein (GCTR) conjugate was synthesized for the in vivo delivery of celastrol. Celastrol was encapsulated into polymeric micelles formed by GCTR conjugates self-assembly in water, resulting in celastrol/GCTR PMs with high drug loading capacity and small particle size. Celastrol/GCTR PMs exhibited sustained-release in the blood environment and rapid-release in the tumor microenvironment, showing significant proliferation inhibitory effect on HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells and negligible impact on L-02 cells at low concentrations. The reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive properties of celastrol/GCTR PMs improved the bioavailability of celastrol and showed remarkable hepatoma-targeting properties. Celastrol/GCTR PMs effectively inhibited tumor growth with no apparent damage to different organs.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sobia Razzaq, Aisha Rauf, Abida Raza, Sohail Akhtar, Tanveer A. Tabish, Mansur Abdullah Sandhu, Muhammad Zaman, Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, Gul Shahnaz, Abbas Rahdar, Ana M. Diez-Pascual
Summary: This study focuses on overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy by delivering paclitaxel specifically to target sites with enhanced efficacy against solid tumors. The use of multifunctional polymeric micelles for loading and releasing paclitaxel has shown significant improvements in permeation, apoptosis induction, biodistribution, and toxicity reduction. By targeting the P-glycoprotein efflux pump, the mucopermeating PT-R-Ms demonstrated a promising approach to improve cancer therapy outcomes.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Stefania Raimondo, Riccardo Alessandro, Rosa Serio
Summary: Age-related differences in GABAergic transmission were found in the human colon. Responses to GABA and GABA receptor agonists varied in intensity between different age groups, with a more pronounced effect in older patients. In older subjects, the efficacy of GABAA receptor agonists was influenced by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rocchina Colucci, Matteo Fornai, Luca Antonioli, Cristina Segnani, Chiara Ippolito, Carolina Pellegrini, Anna Nericcio, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Rosa Serio, Corrado Blandizzi, Nunzia Bernardini
Summary: This study examined the effects of different cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors on fibrosis in the inflamed colon. The results showed that COX inhibitors can reverse the histological, molecular, and functional changes in the fibrotic colon. Colonic fibrosis is associated with altered bowel motility and induction of profibrotic factors driven by TGF-beta signaling.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Rosa Serio
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that guanine-based purines can modulate smooth muscle contractile activity in blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the effects of guanosine and guanine on spontaneous uterine contractions and contractions induced by potassium depolarization and oxytocin in non-pregnant rats. The results showed that guanosine, but not guanine, reduced the amplitude of spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Guanosine also inhibited calcium influx-induced contractions and oxytocin-induced contractions. The findings suggest that guanosine has tocolytic effects on the rat myometrium, likely due to its intracellular intake and its effects on extracellular calcium influx and intracellular calcium release.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Adele Cicio, Rosa Serio, Maria Grazia Zizzo
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal disorders characterized by chronic inflammation. Extracts from the Brassicaceae family and their purified constituents have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting their potential in the prevention and treatment of IBD. These effects are attributed to their regulation of inflammatory and oxidant mediators, immunomodulatory regulation, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, and intestinal flora balance. Future research should investigate the applications of bioactive-derived compounds from Brassicaceae for promoting intestinal health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Danila Di Majo, Pierangelo Sardo, Giuseppe Giglia, Valentina Di Liberto, Francesco Paolo Zummo, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Gaetano Felice Caldara, Francesca Rappa, Giorgia Intili, Roelof Maarten van Dijk, Daniele Gallo, Giuseppe Ferraro, Giuditta Gambino
Summary: This study assessed the redox homeostasis in male Wistar rats after 8 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) and found that it induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) by disrupting glucose and lipid metabolism. It also impaired the physiological antioxidant responses, leading to oxidative stress. Cross-correlation analysis suggested that the assessment of specific oxidative stress parameters can provide comparable information to widely acquired biomarkers of MetS, such as glucose tolerance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia La Corte, Nicolo Baranzini, Mariano Dara, Camilla Bon, Annalisa Grimaldi, Maria Giovanna Parisi, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Matteo Cammarata
Summary: This study investigates the differences and characteristics in injured and healthy tissues of the soft coral Anemonia viridis through histological investigation. In addition, positron emission tomography is used for the first time in invertebrates to study regeneration over a longer time period. The results indicate that Mediterranean anthozoan is a valuable model for studying regeneration and many events observed are highly conserved across different phyla.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pietro Salvatore Carollo, Marco Tutone, Giulia Culletta, Ignazio Fiduccia, Federica Corrao, Ivana Pibiri, Aldo Di Leonardo, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Raffaella Melfi, Andrea Pace, Anna Maria Almerico, Laura Lentini
Summary: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to the synthesis of truncated CFTR protein. Ribosome readthrough, which bypasses premature termination codons (PTCs), can generate full-length protein. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanism of action of our synthesized TRIDs (NV848, NV914, and NV930) using in silico analysis and in vitro studies, and found a likely inhibition of FTSJ1, a specific 2'O-methyltransferase for tryptophan tRNA.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adele Cicio, Stefania Sut, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Maurizio Bruno, Claudio Luparello, Rosa Serio, Maria Grazia Zizzo
Summary: P. maritimum L. is a plant species that grows on beaches and coastal sand dunes mainly in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea regions. In this study, the ethanolic extract of the bulbs from a local accession in Sicily, Italy, was analyzed. Several alkaloids were identified, including three previously unknown in the Pancratium genus. The extract showed no cytotoxic effects and exhibited antioxidant potential in human Caco-2 intestinal cells.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Paola Varvara, Cinzia Cala, Carmelo M. Maida, Mario Giuffre, Nicolo Mauro, Gennara Cavallaro
Summary: A multifunctional antibiotic-polymer conjugate, called PAA-AG, has been developed to simultaneously target ampicillin and gentamicin for persistent biofilm infections. The PAA-AG conjugate showed excellent biocompatibility and mucoadhesive characteristics, making it suitable for local treatments. It exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy and excellent antibiofilm activity, inhibiting the growth of various strains and inducing the regression of mature biofilms. The PAA-AG conjugate could be a valuable tool to enhance the success of ampicillin/ gentamicin-based antibiotic therapy.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Emanuela Fabiola Craparo, Salvatore Emanuele Drago, Gabriella Costabile, Maria Ferraro, Elisabetta Pace, Roberto Scaffaro, Francesca Ungaro, Gennara Cavallaro
Summary: Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used to manage chronic lung diseases, but their anti-inflammatory effects are not always satisfactory. This study attempted to develop inhalable beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) dry powders using polymeric particles. The BDP-loaded particles showed improved anti-inflammatory effects and were highly biocompatible in vitro.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Angela Terracina, Nicol Mauro, Juliette Le Balle, Radian Popescu, Michelangelo Scopelliti, Gianpiero Buscarino, Mara A. Utzeri, Marco Cannas, Gennara Cavallaro, Fabrizio Messina, Alice Sciortino
Summary: In this study, we synthesized nanometric B2O3 nanodisks that exhibited intense fluorescence in the visible range. These boron-based nanomaterials were water-dispersible and nontoxic, with a highly crystalline structure. In addition, their bright blue photoluminescence showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards Ni2+ ions in solution, even at extremely low concentrations in the picomolar range. These findings suggest that the B2O3 nanodisks could serve as ultrasensitive multi-messenger Ni2+ nanosensors.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Maurizio Bruno, Rosa Serio
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Sicilian Prangos ferulacea essential oil on the contractility of rat small and large intestine, and the related mechanism. The results showed that the essential oil had different effects on the contractility of the small and large intestine, and it affected the contractions through enhancing neural cholinergic activity, blocking L-type voltage-gated calcium channel, and reducing intracellular calcium release.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Greta Camilla Magnano, Marika Quadri, Elisabetta Palazzo, Roberta Lotti, Francesca Loschi, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Michela Abrami, Francesca Larese Filon, Alessandra Marconi, Dritan Hasa
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the loading of sildenafil citrate in three commercial transdermal vehicles using 3D full-thickness skin equivalent and compare the results with permeability experiments using porcine skin. The results showed that the results obtained using the 3D skin equivalent were comparable to those obtained using porcine skin, suggesting that the 3D skin model can be a valid alternative for ex-vivo skin absorption experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
James W. Mckeage, Andrew Z. H. Tan, Andrew J. Taberner
Summary: Needle-free jet injection is a promising alternative drug delivery technique that offers rapid, non-invasive, and large-volume injections. The study presents a prototype multi-orifice nozzle and a computational fluid dynamic model to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this technology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2024)
