Development and Characterization of Soy Lecithin Liposome as Potential Drug Carrier Systems for Codelivery of Letrozole and Paclitaxel

In the present work, a dual-drug-loaded soy lecithin liposomal system was developed by coencapsulation of Letrozole (LET) with Paclitaxel (PTX) to improve the efficacy in breast cancer therapy. Liposomes were synthesized by the thin film layer hydration. To sufficiently evaluate the characteristics of these liposomes, the particle size, zeta potential, morphology, drug encapsulation, in vitro drug release, and cytotoxicity were ascertained. Results showed promisingly anticancer potentials, as the following parameters indicated: nanosize diameter (around 193 nm) and negative surface charge. Data collected from the coloaded drug liposomes showed suitable encapsulation efficiency (50.56% for PTX and 31.13% for LET). Controlled and sustained releases were achieved up to 72 h for both the loaded drugs following the diffusion mechanism. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity study on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) given the dual-drug-loaded liposome showed greater inhibition of cell growth than the single drug. Consequently, LET and PTX coloaded liposomes made from soy lecithin are expected to be an ingenious drug-delivery system for combination chemotherapy

A Facile Synthesis Process and Evaluations of α-Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate for Bone Substitute

Alpha-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-HH) has been used effectively in grafting through its desired features to support bone regeneration. In recent years, many synthetic methods have been proposed. Among them, the autoclave method for manufacturing α-HH is best suited for cost-savings due to its simple operation and limited use of additives. Despite these advantages, the synthesis of surgical grade products without the use of any additives has not yet been clearly discussed. In this study, surgical grade α-HH was successfully produced from calcium sulfate dihydrate (DH) using the autoclave method at an elevated temperature and pressure. The synthesized powder had a high purity of about 98.62% α-HH with a prismatic morphology (20.96 ± 8.83 µm in length and 1.30 ± 0.71 µm in diameter). The screening tests, in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution, for the product properties showed no bioactivity, and fast degradation accompanied by a slight decrease in pH. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay showed good biocompatibility of the material, however, its potential for cytotoxicity was also observed in NIH 3T3 cells. Briefly, despite some unfavorable properties, the autoclave-synthesized α-HH is a promising bone graft substitute that can be applied in orthopedic and maxillofacial surgeries

Polydopamine coating of uncrosslinked chitosan as an acellular scaffold for full thickness skin grafts

There is an unmet need for skin grafting materials that are readily available for large area wounds, due to complex, lengthy and costly manufacturing processes that are not compatible with this type of wounds. Here we developed an acellular skin graft material based on surface coating of uncrosslinked porous (UCLP) chitosan. UCLP chitosan membranes had mechanical properties in ranges suitable for skin grafting. Polydopamine (PDA) coating improved hydrophilicity and resulted in a significant increase in attachment and metabolic activity of mammalian cells in vitro. PDA coating also decreased the attachment of pseudomonas aeruginosa - a common bacteria infecting skin wounds. Finally, the PDA-coated membranes were implanted in full thickness surgical wounds in a rodent model and resulted in complete would closure in 5 days. The current study suggests that PDA-coated UCLP chitosan membranes could be a simple and effective strategy for the development of grafting materials for large area wounds.</p

Anti-Aging Effects of a Serum Based on Coconut Oil Combined with Deer Antler Stem Cell Extract on a Mouse Model of Skin Aging

Anti-aging is one of the top goals in the field of health care and aesthetics. Anti-aging cosmetics derived from nature are oriented to long-term development, bringing safety to users and being environmentally friendly. The aim of this study was to develop an anti-aging cosmetic formulation process based on coconut oil in combination with deer antler stem cell extract. The results show that the presence of deer antler stem cell extract added to the foundation made the serum product highly stable and helped improve skin aging significantly after 2 weeks of use. The skin site where the serum product was applied showed a smooth and elastic skin surface, with very few fine lines and shallow wrinkles. Serum reduced the number of wrinkles (48.09% compared to commercial serum (ME) and 60.31% compared to positive control (PC)), reduced skin recovery time (39.31% compared to ME and 67.1% of PC) after two weeks of use. After 2 weeks of use, collagen density increased 10.18% compared to ME and 63.76% compared to control. Epidermal thickness increased by 106.1% compared to PC and 121.7% compared to ME

Encapsulation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in LunaGel Photocrosslinkable Extracellular Matrix and Subcutaneous Transplantation in Mice

Stem cells have significant potential in regenerative medicines. However, a major issue with implanting stem cells in the regeneration of new tissue is the methods to implant them and cell viability and functions before and after implantation. Here we developed a simple yet effective method that used photo-crosslinkable gelatin-based hydrogel (LunaGelTM) as a scaffold for the encapsulation, expansion, and eventually, transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) into mice subcutaneously. We demonstrated the proliferation and maintenance of the original expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers as well as the ability to differentiate into mesoderm-derived cells. The hydrogel was highly stable with no signs of degradation after 20 days in PBS. The hUC-MSCs remained viable after transplantation into mice’s subcutaneous pockets and migrated to integrate with the surrounding tissues. We showed a collagen-rich layer surrounding the transplanted cell-laden scaffold indicating the effects of growth factors secreted by the hUC-MSCs. A connective tissue layer was found between the implanted cell-laden scaffold and the collagen layer, and immunohistochemical staining results suggested that this tissue was derived from the MSCs which migrated from within the scaffold. The results, thus, also suggested a protective effect the scaffold has on the encapsulated cells from the antibodies and cytotoxic cells of the host immune system

Development, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Paclitaxel and Anastrozole Co-Loaded Liposome

Paclitaxel (PTX) and anastrozole (ANA) have been frequently applied in breast cancer treatment. PTX is well-known for its anti-proliferative effect meanwhile ANA has just been discovered to act as an estrogen receptor &alpha; (ER&alpha;) ligand. The combination therapy of PTX and ANA is expected to improve treating efficiency, as ANA would act as a ligand binding with the ER&alpha; gene expressed in breast cancer cells and thereafter PTX would inhibit the division and cause death to those cancer cells. In this study, liposome-based nanocarriers (LP) were developed for co-encapsulation of PTX and ANA to improve the efficacy of the combined drugs in an Estrogen receptor-responsive breast cancer study. PTX-ANA co-loaded LP was prepared using thin lipid film hydration method and was characterized for morphology, size, zeta potential, drug encapsulation and in vitro drug release. In addition, cell proliferation (WST assay) and IN Cell Analyzer were used for in vitro cytotoxicity studies on a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Results showed that the prepared LP and PTX-ANA-LP had spherical vesicles, with a mean particle size of 170.1 &plusmn; 13.5 nm and 189.0 &plusmn; 22.1 nm, respectively. Controlled and sustained releases were achieved at 72 h for both of the loaded drugs. The in vitro cytotoxicity study found that the combined drugs showed higher toxicity than each single drug separately. These results suggested a new approach to breast cancer treatment, consisting of the combination therapy of PTX and ANA in liposomes based on ER response