The studies on highly concentrated complex dispersions of gold nanoparticles and temperature-sensitive nanogels and their application as new blood-vessel-embolic materials with high-resolution angiography.

Recently temperature sensitive polymers have been developed as novel embolization materials. However, their flowability and embolization have been seriously impacted by iodine-based X-ray contrast agents. In order to resolve the drawbacks of these contrast agents, highly concentrated complex (HCC) dispersions of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with p(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butyl methylacrylate) (PIB) nanogels were developed as new blood-vessel-embolic materials with high-resolution angiography.

Co-delivery of thioredoxin 1 shRNA and doxorubicin by folate-targeted gemini surfactant-based cationic liposomes to sensitize hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The overexpression of thioredoxin (Trx) 1 is one of the mechanisms for drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. The co-delivery of drugs and a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against Trx1 to silence its expression might provide a promising approach to improve drug sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. In this paper, cationic liposomes containing gemini surfactants, soybean lecithin and DOPE were firstly constructed as gene transfection carriers.

Dual imaging-guided photothermal/photodynamic therapy using micelles.

We report a type of photosensitizer (PS)-loaded micelles integrating cyanine dye as potential theranostic micelles for precise anatomical tumor localization via dual photoacoustic (PA)/near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging modalities, and simultaneously superior cancer therapy via sequential synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT)/photodynamic therapy (PDT). The micelles exhibit enhanced photostability, cell internalization and tumor accumulation. The dual NIRF/PA imaging modalities of the micelles cause the high imaging contrast and spatial resolution of tumors, which provide precise anatomical localization of the tumor and its inner vasculature for guiding PTT/PDT treatments.

Nanostructured lipid carriers as a novel oral delivery system for triptolide: induced changes in pharmacokinetics profile associated with reduced toxicity in male rats.

After oral administration in rodents, triptolide (TP), a diterpenoid triepoxide compound, active as anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-fertility, anti-cystogenesis, and anticancer agent, is rapidly absorbed into the blood circulation (from 5.0 to 19.5 minutes after dosing, depending on the rodent species) followed by a short elimination half-life (from about 20 minutes to less than 1 hour).

Highly efficient hierarchical micelles integrating photothermal therapy and singlet oxygen-synergized chemotherapy for cancer eradication.

It is highly desirable to develop theranostic nanoparticles for achieving cancer imaging with enhanced contrast and simultaneously multimodal synergistic therapy. Herein, we report a theranostic micelle system hierarchically assembling cyanine dye (indocyanine green) and chemotherapeutic compound (doxorubicin) (I/D-Micelles) as a novel theranostic platform with high drug loading, good stability and enhanced cellular uptake via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. I/D-Micelles exhibit the multiple functionalities including near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF), hyperthermia and intracellular singlet oxygen from indocyanine green, and simultaneous cytotoxicity from doxorubicin.

Tetraphenylethylene-based expanded oxacalixarene: synthesis, structure, and its supramolecular grid assemblies directed by guests in the solid state.

A novel TPE-based expanded oxacalixarene with typical aggregation-induced emission properties was synthesized by the SNAr reaction of dihydroxytetraphenylethylene with 2,6-dichloropyrazine. The conformation of the oxacalixarene is adjusted by the encapsulated guests (benzene or THF), which results in different supramolecular grid structures in the solid state.

Ultrasound-triggered phase transition sensitive magnetic fluorescent nanodroplets as a multimodal imaging contrast agent in rat and mouse model.

Ultrasound-triggered phase transition sensitive nanodroplets with multimodal imaging functionality were prepared via premix Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane emulsification method. The nanodroplets with fluorescence dye DiR and SPIO nanoparticles (DiR-SPIO-NDs) had a polymer shell and a liquid perfluoropentane (PFP) core. The as-formed DiR-SPIO-NDs have a uniform size of 385 ± 5.

A new strategy for enhancing the oral bioavailability of drugs with poor water-solubility and low liposolubility based on phospholipid complex and supersaturated SEDDS.

A novel supersaturated self-emulsifying drug delivery system (Super-SEDDS) loaded with scutellarin-phospholipid complex (SPC) was developed. The system aimed to address the limitations presented by conventional SEDDS as delivery carriers for drugs with poor water-solubility, low liposolubility and high dose. As an intermediate, SPC was first prepared based on the response surface design.

Detection of IgG in sera of patients with schistosomiasis japonica by developing magnetic affinity enzyme-linked immunoassay based on recombinant 14-3-3 protein.

Background: Low intensity of Schistosoma infection is the current status in China after long time treatment with praziquantel, therefore more sensitive diagnostic methods are required now. In this study, a magnetic affinity enzyme-linked immunoassay (MEIA) based on the signal transduction protein 14-3-3 of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj14-3-3), was developed for detecting schistosomiasis.

Methods: Sera of infected BALB/c mice were collected and analyzed with MEIA and ELISA.

Chitosan-g-TPGS nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery and overcoming multidrug resistance.

To overcome the P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-induced multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells, a novel copolymer, chitosan-graft-D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 (TPGS) (CT) was synthesized for doxorubicin (DOX) delivery by the P-gp inhibiting virtue of TPGS. DOX-loaded CT nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by a modified solvent extraction/evaporation method combined with ionic cross-linking to form a uniform particle size of 140-180 nm with ∼40% DOX loading efficiency. These drug-loaded CT NPs demonstrated a pH-responsive release behavior, and DOX was released more quickly under low pH values.

Preparation and optimization of triptolide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for oral delivery with reduced gastric irritation.

Triptolide (TP) often causes adverse reactions in the gastrointestinal tract when it is administered orally. This study aimed to prepare and optimize triptolide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (TP-SLN) with reduced gastric irritation. The microemulsion technique was used to formulate TP-SLN employing a five-level central composite design (CCD) that was developed for exploring the optimum levels of three independent variables on particle size, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug loading (DL).

Multifunctional biodegradable polymer nanoparticles with uniform sizes: generation and in vitro anti-melanoma activity.

We present a simple, yet versatile strategy for the fabrication of uniform biodegradable polymer nanoparticles (NPs) with controllable sizes by a hand-driven membrane-extrusion emulsification approach. The size and size distribution of the NPs can be easily tuned by varying the experimental parameters, including initial polymer concentration, surfactant concentration, number of extrusion passes, membrane pore size, and polymer molecular weight. Moreover, hydrophobic drugs (e.

Micelles assembled with carbocyanine dyes for theranostic near-infrared fluorescent cancer imaging and photothermal therapy.

It is an emerging focus to explore a theranostic nanocarrier for simultaneous cancer imaging and therapy. Herein, we demonstrate a theranostic micelle system for cancer near infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging with enhanced signal to noise ratio and superior photothermal therapy. The copolymers consisting of monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and alkylamine-grafted poly(L-aspartic acid) are assembled with carbocyanine dyes into theranostic micelles, which exhibit small size, high loading capacity, good stability, sustained release behavior, and enhanced cellular uptake.

Enhanced nasal mucosal delivery and immunogenicity of anti-caries DNA vaccine through incorporation of anionic liposomes in chitosan/DNA complexes.

The design of optimized nanoparticles offers a promising strategy to enable DNA vaccines to cross various physiological barriers for eliciting a specific and protective mucosal immunity via intranasal administration. Here, we reported a new designed nanoparticle system through incorporating anionic liposomes (AL) into chitosan/DNA (CS/DNA) complexes. With enhanced cellular uptake, the constructed AL/CS/DNA nanoparticles can deliver the anti-caries DNA vaccine pGJA-P/VAX into nasal mucosa.

pH/temperature sensitive magnetic nanogels conjugated with Cy5.5-labled lactoferrin for MR and fluorescence imaging of glioma in rats.

Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor and causes a disproportionate level of morbidity and mortality across a wide range of individuals. From previous clinical practices, definition of glioma margin is the key point for surgical resection. In order to outline the exact margin of glioma and provide a guide effect for the physicians both at pre-surgical planning stage and surgical resection stage, pH/temperature sensitive magnetic nanogels conjugated with Cy5.

Nanovesicles system for rapid-onset sublingual delivery containing sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

A novel formulation based on nanovesicles system for rapid-onset sublingual delivery of hydrophilic drug (sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate, STS) was investigated. The nanovesicles system was composed of 1.5% soybean lecithin, 6% propylene glycol, and penetration enhancers (1% sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.

Acute and subacute toxicity studies on triptolide and triptolide-loaded polymeric micelles following intravenous administration in rodents.

Except its anti-tumour effects, triptolide (TP) also shows multiple pharmacological side activities, such as immune-suppressive and male anti-fertility. To increase the therapeutic index of TP, a novel polymeric micelle system containing TP (TP-PM) has been developed to treat tumour. Our previous studies have demonstrated the good anti-tumour efficacy of TP-PM.

Thermoresponsive bacterial cellulose whisker/poly(NIPAM-co-BMA) nanogel complexes: synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation.

Dispersions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butyl methacrylate) (PNB) nanogels are known to exhibit reversible thermosensitive sol-gel phase behavior and can consequently be used in a wide range of biomedical applications. However, some dissatisfactory mechanical properties of PNB nanogels can limit their applications. In this paper, bacterial cellulose (BC) whiskers were first prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis and then nanosized by high-pressure homogenization for subsequent use in the preparation of BC whisker/PNB nanogel complexes (designated as BC/PNB).

Pharmaceutical nanotechnology for oral delivery of anticancer drugs.

Oral chemotherapy is an important topic in the 21st century medicine, which may radically change the current regimen of chemotherapy and greatly improve the quality of life of the patients. Unfortunately, most anticancer drugs, especially those of high therapeutic efficacy such as paclitaxel and docetaxel, are not orally bioavailable due to the gastrointestinal (GI) drug barrier. The molecular basis of the GI barrier has been found mainly due to the multidrug efflux proteins, i.

Preparation of Coenzyme Q10 nanostructured lipid carriers for epidermal targeting with high-pressure microfluidics technique.

Objective: The objective of this work was to prepare coenzyme Q10 loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (Q10-NLC) and evaluate its epidermal targeting effect.

Methods: Q10-NLC was prepared by high-pressure microfluidics technique. Formulations and preparation parameters were optimized with response surface design.

Supramolecular gel-assisted formation of fullerene nanorods.

Gel it like it is: Fullerene nanorods (see figure) with a length of several micrometers, can be easily synthesized by a supramolecular gel-assisted self-assembly method (SGAS). The results presented here may be useful for the design and construction of new organic nanomaterials by SGAS.

Microfluidic one-step fabrication of radiopaque alginate microgels with in situ synthesized barium sulfate nanoparticles.

In this work, we report a new strategy to fabricate monodispersed radiopaque alginate (Ba-alginate) microgels by a one-step microfluidic method. Alginate droplets containing sulfate ions are first formed by a flow focusing microfluidic setup. These alginate droplets are subsequently solidified by barium ions in a collection bath.

Biological activity and safety of Tripterygium extract prepared by sodium carbonate extraction.

The commercial preparation named “Tripterygium glycosides” prepared by column chromatography has been used for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with significant efficacy but concurrent toxicity. The aim of this study was to reduce the toxicity of Tripterygium extracts, using cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of the three principal active components of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F.

Magnetic affinity enzyme-linked immunoassay based on recombinant 26 kDa glutathione-S-transferase for serological diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica.

Schistosomiasis remains a serious worldwide public health problem. Improving the diagnostic assay for surveillance and monitoring will contribute to hastening the possible elimination of the disease in endemic regions. Therefore, this study aims to develop magnetic affinity enzyme-linked immunoassay (MEIA) for serological diagnosis of schistosomiasis based on recombinant 26kDa glutathione-S-transferase of Schistosoma japonicum (rSj26GST).