Evaluating the role of targeted silymarin loaded hyaluronic acid/protein nanoparticles in activating hepatic progenitor stem cells for liver regeneration after CCl-induced liver damage.

Background: Silymarin is a natural flavonoid component isolated from the Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) plant with multiple pharmacological activities. We investigated its anti-fibrotic effect on the liver and demonstrated its role in activating hepatic progenitor stem cells during liver regeneration.

Methods: Hybrid polymeric protein nanoparticles were prepared by loading silymarin with an albumin-hyaluronic acid complex to achieve stem cell targeting and increase silymarin's bioavailability.

Optimally designed PEGylatied arabinoxylan paclitaxel nano-micelles as alternative delivery for Abraxane®: A potential targeted therapy against breast and lung cancers.

Paclitaxel (PTX) binds to spindle microtubules and inhibits mitotic division leading to cell death. However, its wide distribution, high absorption, and less selectively, minimize its application in cancer clinics. In this study, isolated arabinoxylans were used to encapsulate PTX, and then both were covered by polyethylene glycol conjugated to folic acid (FA), to strengthen its specificity to cancerous cells.

Exploring the therapeutic applications of nano-therapy of encapsulated cisplatin and anthocyanin-loaded multiwalled carbon nanotubes coated with chitosan-conjugated folic acid in targeting breast and liver cancers.

This study aimed to assess the targeted nano-therapy of encapsulated cisplatin (Cis) and anthocyanin (Ant)-loaded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) coated with chitosan conjugated folic acid on breast MCF7 and liver HepG2 cancer cells. Zeta potential, UV-spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, and SEM were used to evaluate CNT, its modified form (CNT Mod), CNT-loaded Cis NPs, CNT-loaded Ant NPs, and CNT- Cis + Ant NPs. All treatments induced apoptosis-dependent cytotoxicity in both cell lines as revealed functionally by the MTT assay, morphologically (DNA degradation) by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining, and molecularly (Bax upregulation and Bcl2 downregulation) by real-time PCR, with best effect for the combined treatment (CNT- Cis + Ant NPs).

Dietary Chitosan Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Inflammation in Nile Tilapia () through Regulation of Nrf2/Kaep1 and Bcl-2/Bax Pathways.

Fatty liver injury is a prevalent condition in most farmed fish, yet the molecular mechanisms underpinning this pathology remain largely elusive. A comprehensive feeding trial spanning eight weeks was conducted to discern the potential of dietary chitosan in mitigating the deleterious effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) while concurrently exploring the underlying mechanism. Growth performance, haemato-biochemical capacity, antioxidant capacity, apoptotic/anti-apoptotic gene expression, inflammatory gene expression, and histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, and intestine were meticulously assessed in Nile tilapia.

Targeted therapies for breast and lung cancers by using Propolis loaded albumin protein nanoparticles.

Background: Cancer is a popular disease among many others that can threaten human life. This is not only because of its invasiveness but also because of its resistance and the highly effective cost of its treatments. Propolis is rich in natural bioactive and polyphenolic compounds that have proven their strong effect on cancer cells such as MCF-7 and A549 cell lines.

Potential of curcumin and niacin-loaded targeted chitosan coated liposomes to activate autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells: An in vitro evaluation in HePG2 cell line.

The objective of this study is to activate autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma for the enhancement of its cellular degradation. Liposomes incorporated chitosan in the core used to improve the stability of lecithin and increase the niacin loading efficiency. Additionally, curcumin as a hydrophobic molecule entrapped into liposomal layers and used as a face layer to minimize the release of niacin in physiological pH 7.

Extracellular alkaline pH enhances migratory behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma cells as a caution against the indiscriminate application of alkalinizing drug therapy: In vitro microscopic studies.

The migratory process is a highly organized, differentiated, and polarized stage by which many signaling pathways are regulated to control cell migration. Since the significant evidence of migrating cells is the reorganization of the cytoskeleton. In the recent study, the cell migration model was assessed on the fact that any disruption obtained in the cellular monolayer confluent, may cause stimulation for surrounding cells to migrate.

Simultaneous Administration of Bevacizumab with Bee-Pollen Extract-Loaded Hybrid Protein Hydrogel NPs Is a Promising Targeted Strategy against Cancer Cells.

Bevacizumab (Bev) a humanized monoclonal antibody that fights vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). It was the first specifically considered angiogenesis inhibitor and it has now become the normative first-line therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the current study, polyphenolic compounds were isolated from bee pollen (PCIBP) and encapsulated (EPCIBP) inside moieties of hybrid peptide-protein hydrogel nanoparticles in which bovine serum albumin (BSA) was combined with protamine-free sulfate and targeted with folic acid (FA).

Development and application of naturally derived, cost-effective CQDs with cancer targeting potential.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) derived from natural sources have obtained potential interest in biomedical imaging and therapy because of their excellent biocompatibility properties, which include water solubility, simple synthesis and low cytotoxicity. Here the cytotoxicity of ethylene-diamine doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) delivered to breast cancer MCF-7 cells was investigated. Folic acid was used to raise folate recognition and increase FA-NCQD accumulation in the cells, then apoptosis was assayed using nuclear fragmentation, acridine orange labeling, fluorescence imaging, flow cytometry, and caspase 3 expression.

Therapeutic Effect of Polymeric Nanomicelles Formulation of LY2157299-Galunisertib on CCl-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats.

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a major cause of liver-related disorders and together with cancer-associated fibroblasts can favor liver cancer development by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Advanced HF, characterized by an excess of extracellular matrix (ECM), is mediated by TGF- β1, that activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and fibroblasts. A TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor, LY2157299 or Galunisertib (GLY), has shown promising results against chronic liver progression in animal models, and we show that it can be further improved by enhancing GLYs bioavailability through encapsulation in polymeric polygalacturonic-polyacrylic acid nanomicelles (GLY-NMs).

Fighting Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells Using Optimal Functionalization of Targeted Carbon Quantum Dots Derived from Natural Sources Might Provide Potential Therapeutic and Cancer Bio Image Strategies.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an important sub-type of lung cancer associated with poor diagnosis and therapy. Innovative multi-functional systems are urgently needed to overcome the invasiveness of NSCLC. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) derived from natural sources have received interest for their potential in medical bio-imaging due to their unique properties, which are characterized by their water solubility, biocompatibility, simple synthesis, and low cytotoxicity.

Starch-Based Hydrogel Nanoparticles Loaded with Polyphenolic Compounds of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract Have Hepatoprotective Activity in Bisphenol A-Induced Animal Models.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an xenoestrogenic chemical used extensively in the fabrication of baby bottles, reusable plastic water bottles and polycarbonate plastic containers. The current study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Lam leaf extract (MOLE) and hydrogel NPs made of starch-MOLE-Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) against Bisphenol A-induced liver toxicity in male rats. Fabrication and characterization of hydrogel NPs formed of starch-MOLE-BSA were investigated using FTIR, TEM, zeta potential, UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer.

The Effect of Encapsulated Apigenin Nanoparticles on HePG-2 Cells through Regulation of P53.

Apigenin (Ap) is one of the most important natural flavonoids that has potent anticancer activity. This study was designed, for the first time, to load Ap into chitosan to improve its hydrophobicity and then it was coated with albumin-folic acid to increase its stability and bioavailability and to target cancer cells. The newly developed encapsulated Ap (Ap-CH-BSA-FANPs) was characterized and tested in vitro.

An updated and comprehensive review on the potential health effects of curcumin-encapsulated micro/nanoparticles.

Curcumin (CUR) is a natural hydrophobic compound, which is available in turmeric rhizome. It has several bioactivities including antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and other activities. Despite its medical and biological benefits, it is using in limitations because of its hydrophobicity and sensitivity.

Dual targeting nanoparticles based on hyaluronic and folic acids as a promising delivery system of the encapsulated 4-Methylumbelliferone (4-MU) against invasiveness of lung cancer in vivo and in vitro.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Thereby, new treatment strategies as targeting nano-therapy present promising possibilities to control the aggressiveness of lung cancer. Dual CD44 and folate receptors targetable nanocapsule based on folic-polyethylene glycol-hyaluronic (FA-PEG-HA) were fabricated to improve the therapeutic activity of 4-Methylumbelliferone (4-MU) toward lung cancer.

Silymarin/curcumin loaded albumin nanoparticles coated by chitosan as muco-inhalable delivery system observing anti-inflammatory and anti COVID-19 characterizations in oleic acid triggered lung injury and in vitro COVID-19 experiment.

Respiratory infected by COVID-19 represents a major global health problem at moment even after recovery from virus corona. Since, the lung lesions for infected patients are still sufferings from acute respiratory distress syndrome including alveolar septal edema, pneumonia, hyperplasia, and hyaline membranes Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify additional candidates having ability to overcome inflammatory process and can enhance efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19. The polypenolic extracts were integrated into moeties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and then were coated by chitosan as a mucoadhesion polymer.

Novel quercetin encapsulated chitosan functionalized copper oxide nanoparticles as anti-breast cancer agent via regulating p53 in rat model.

This study was designed to present a new quercetin encapsulated chitosan functionalized copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO-ChNPs-Q) and assessed its anti-breast cancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. The CuO-ChNPs-Q may act as anti-proliferating agent against DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma in female rats. The CuONPs was functionalized with chitosan then quercetin was conjugated with them producing CuO-ChNPs-Q, then characterized.

Optimally designed theranostic system based folic acids and chitosan as a promising mucoadhesive delivery system for encapsulating curcumin LbL nano-template against invasiveness of breast cancer.

Curcumin is a potential candidate in cancer therapy due to its ability to inhibit many signalling pathways at the same time of exposure because of its unique content of aromatic ring, B diketone, olefinic linker, and O methoxy phenolic groups. Its applications in biomedical therapy is limited because of its sensitivity, and its rapid degradation. In the current study, curcumin inserted into polyelectrolyte pairs (protamine and dextran) and then was functionalized by folic acid conjugated chitosan used for the first time, as theranostic system.

Starch based hydrogel NPs loaded by anthocyanins might treat glycogen storage at cardiomyopathy in animal fibrotic model.

Many reports have been published recently confirmed the limitation of cargo molecules delivered into the heart. This failure is mostly associated with lymphatic or vascular channels washing or to the immune system recognition. Delivery of anthocyanins by encapsulation may augment it retention in the heart at early time points as the capsules are too large to wash out by lymphatic or venous channels and the physical structure of the capsule may shield the anthocyanins from immunoglobulins and cellular components of the immune system.

Extraction of chlorophyll and carotenoids loaded into chitosan as potential targeted therapy and bio imaging agents for breast carcinoma.

In the current study, the treatment efficacy of ECHCAH was evaluated in vitro studies using cell viability and flow cytometry in human TNBCs. The results here showed significant gradual reduction in growth of TNBCs (MDA-231cell lines) after their exposure to serial concentrations for hydrogel assembly (5 μg/mL to 25 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 h, representing (86 ± 1% to 45 ± 1.5% p < 0.

Mucoadhesive curcumin crosslinked carboxy methyl cellulose might increase inhibitory efficiency for liver cancer treatment.

Curcumin is a more efficient polyphenol than many chemotherapeutics. It can inhibit many signaling pathways at the same time resulting in modulation and down regulation for many oncogenic activities, tumor suppressor genes, several transcription factors and their signaling pathways. However it is still not employed as a potential therapeutic tool for cancer treatment.

Encapsulating TGF-β1 Inhibitory Peptides P17 and P144 as a Promising Strategy to Facilitate Their Dissolution and to Improve Their Functionalization.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ1) is considered as a master regulator for many intracellular signaling pathways, including proliferation, differentiation and death, both in health and disease. It further represents an oncogenic factor in advanced tumors allowing cancer cells to be more invasive and prone to move into the metastatic process. This finding has received great attention for discovering new therapeutic molecules against the TGFβ1 pathway.

Micelles Structure Development as a Strategy to Improve Smart Cancer Therapy.

Micelles as colloidal suspension have attracted considerable attention due to their potential use for both cancer diagnosis and therapy. These structures have proven their ability to deliver poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs, improve drug stability, and have good penetration and site-specificity, leading to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Micelles are composed of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components assembled into nanosized spherical, ellipsoid, cylindrical, or unilamellar structures.

Polymeric Nano-Micelles as Novel Cargo-Carriers for LY2157299 Liver Cancer Cells Delivery.

LY2157299 (LY), which is very small molecule bringing high cancer diffusion, is a pathway antagonist against TGFβ. LY dosage can be diluted by blood plasma, can be captured by immune system or it might be dissolved during digestion in gastrointestinal tract. The aim of our study is to optimize a "nano-elastic" carrier to avoid acidic pH of gastrointestinal tract, colon alkaline pH, and anti-immune recognition.