Cyto/Biocompatibility of Dopamine Combined with the Antioxidant Grape Seed-Derived Polyphenol Compounds in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

none10The loss of nigrostriatal neurons containing dopamine (DA) together with the “mitochondrial dysfunction” in midbrain represent the two main causes related to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Hence, the aim of this investigation is to co-administer the missing DA and the antioxidant grape seed-derived proanthocyanidins (grape seed extract, GSE) in order to increase the levels of the neurotransmitter (which is unable to cross the Blood Brain Barrier) and reducing the oxidative stress (OS) related to PD, respectively. Methods: For this purpose, we chose Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN), because they have been already proven to increase DA uptake in the brain. DA-SLN adsorbing GSE (GSE/DA-SLN) were formulated and subjected to physico-chemical characterization, and their cytocompatibility and protection against OS were examined. Results: GSE was found on SLN surface and release studies evidenced the efficiency of GSE in preventing DA autoxidation. Furthermore, SLN showed high mucoadhesive strength and were found not cytotoxic to both primary Olfactory Ensheathing and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by MTT test. Co-administration of GSE/DA-SLN and the OS-inducing neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (100 μM) resulted in an increase of SH-SY5Y cell viability. Conclusions: Hence, SLN formulations containing DA and GSE may constitute interesting candidates for non-invasive nose-to-brain delivery.openAdriana Trapani, Lorenzo Guerra, Filomena Corbo, Stefano Castellani, Enrico Sanna, Loredana Capobianco, Anna Grazia Monteduro, Daniela Erminia Manno, Delia Mandracchia, Sante Di Gioia and Massimo ConeseTrapani, Adriana; Guerra, Lorenzo; Corbo, Filomena; Castellani, Stefano; Sanna, Enrico; Capobianco, Loredana; Monteduro, ANNA GRAZIA; Manno, Daniela Erminia; Mandracchia, Delia; Di Gioia and Massimo Conese, Sant

Preparation of drug-loaded small unilamellar liposomes and evaluation of their potential for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the influence of liposome formulation on the ability of vesicles to penetrate a pathological mucus model obtained from COPD affected patients in order to assess the potential of such vesicles for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases by inhalation. Therefore, Small Unilamellar Liposomes (PLAIN-LIPOSOMEs), Pluronic® F127- surface modified liposomes (PF-LIPOSOMEs) and PEG 2000PE-surface modified liposomes (PEG-LIPOSOMEs) were prepared using the micelle-to-vesicle transition (MVT) method and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) as model drug. The obtained liposomes showed diameters in the range of 40-65 nm, PDI values between 0.25-0.30 and surface electric charge essentially close to zero. The encapsulation efficiency was found to be dependent on the BDP/lipid ratio used and, furthermore, BDP-loaded liposomes were stable in size both at 37°C and at 4°C. All liposomes were not cytotoxic on H441 cell line as assessed by the MTT assay. The liposome uptake was evaluated through a cytofluorimetric assay that showed a non-significant reduction in the internalization of PEG-LIPOSOMEs as compared with PLAIN-LIPOSOMEs. The penetration studies of mucus from COPD patients showed that the PEG-LIPOSOMEs were the most mucuspenetrating vesicles after 27 hours. In addition, PEG- and PF-LIPOSOMEs did not cause any effect on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteins after aerosol administration in the mouse. The results highlight that PEG-LIPOSOMEs show the most interesting features in terms of penetration through the pathologic sputum, uptake by airway epithelial cells and safety profile

Anti-HER2 Super Stealth Immunoliposomes for Targeted-Chemotherapy

: Liposomes play an important role in the field of drug delivery by virtue of their biocompatibility and versatility as carriers. Stealth liposomes, obtained by surface decoration with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules, represented an important turning point in liposome technology, leading to significant improvements in the pharmacokinetic profile compared to naked liposomes. Nevertheless, the generation of effective targeted liposomes - a central issue for cancer therapy - has faced several difficulties and clinical phase failures. Active targeting remains a challenge for liposomes. In this direction, we designed a new Super Stealth Immunoliposomes (SSIL2) composed of a PEG-bi-phospholipids derivative that stabilizes the polymer shielding over the liposomes. Furthermore, its counterpart, conjugated to the fragment antigen-binding of trastuzumab (Fab'TRZ -PEG-bi-phospholipids), is firmly anchored on the liposomes surface and correctly orients outward the targeting moiety. Throughout this study, the performances of SSIL2 are evaluated and compared to classic stealth liposomes and stealth immunoliposomes in vitro in a panel of cell lines and in vivo studies in zebrafish larvae and rodent models. Overall, SSIL2 shows superior in vitro and in vivo outcomes, both in terms of safety and anticancer efficacy, thus representing a step forward in targeted cancer therapy, and valuable for future development. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Hyperactive Akt1 Signaling Increases Tumor Progression and DNA Repair in Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma RD Line and Confers Susceptibility to Glycolysis and Mevalonate Pathway Inhibitors

In pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), elevated Akt signaling is associated with increased malignancy. Here, we report that expression of a constitutively active, myristoylated form of Akt1 (myrAkt1) in human RMS RD cells led to hyperactivation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) pathway, resulting in the loss of both MyoD and myogenic capacity, and an increase of Ki67 expression due to high cell mitosis. MyrAkt1 signaling increased migratory and invasive cell traits, as detected by wound healing, zymography, and xenograft zebrafish assays, and promoted repair of DNA damage after radiotherapy and doxorubicin treatments, as revealed by nuclear detection of phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γH2AX) through activation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). Treatment with synthetic inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt was sufficient to completely revert the aggressive cell phenotype, while the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin failed to block cell dissemination. Furthermore, we found that pronounced Akt1 signaling increased the susceptibility to cell apoptosis after treatments with 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and lovastatin, enzymatic inhibitors of hexokinase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), especially in combination with radiotherapy and doxorubicin. In conclusion, these data suggest that restriction of glucose metabolism and the mevalonate pathway, in combination with standard therapy, may increase therapy success in RMS tumors characterized by a dysregulated Akt signaling

CHAPTER 1. Micro and Nano-drug Delivery Systems

Micro and Nano-drug Delivery System