Quaternized Cyclodextrin Grafted Chitosan Associated With High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles For Cosmetics

An excellent moisturizer, hyaluronic acid (HA(, provides biocompatibility and viscoelastic properties that is extensively utilized in cosmetics. High molecular weight HA (HMW-HA, 1.2 MDa( is a typical used form, however its benefits is limited due to its large molecule. In our previous study, the association with quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan (QCD-g-CS( can improve skin penetration and provide positive charge promoting skin adhesion. Thus, the purpose of this study was to produce and characterize HMW-HA associated QCD-g-CS nanoparticles for cosmetic utilization. The HMW-HA nanoparticles (0.01 HA per 1 QCD-g-CS mole ratio( was the best formula with low particles size (348.20 ± 8.67 nm(, narrow polydispersity index (0.083 ± 0.02(and positive zeta potential (16.00 ± 0.36 mV(. The association efficiency and loading efficiency were analyzed by UPLC and shown to be 82.64 ± 0.39% and 20.09 ± 0.57%, respectively. The conjugation between carboxylic moieties of HMW-HA and amide of QCD-g-CS was confirmed by FTIR. The TEM imaging showed the spherical morphology of these nanoparticles. According to cytotoxicity test, these nanoparticles (0.01 to 0.10 mg/ml( were safe in human skin fibroblasts

Surface modification of gold nanoparticles with neuron-targeted exosome for enhanced blood–brain barrier penetration

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively used as nanomaterials for theranostic applications due to their multifunctional characteristics in therapeutics, imaging, and surface modification. In this study, the unique functionalities of exosome-derived membranes were combined with synthetic AuNPs for targeted delivery to brain cells. Here, we report the surface modification of AuNPs with brain-targeted exosomes derived from genetically engineered mammalian cells by using the mechanical method or extrusion to create these novel nanomaterials. The unique targeting properties of the AuNPs after fabrication with the brain-targeted exosomes was demonstrated by their binding to brain cells under laminar flow conditions as well as their enhanced transport across the blood brain barrier. In a further demonstration of their ability to target brain cells, in vivo bioluminescence imaging revealed that targeted-exosome coated AuNPs accumulated in the mouse brain after intravenous injection. The surface modification of synthetic AuNPs with the brain-targeted exosome demonstrated in this work represents a highly novel and effective strategy to provide efficient brain targeting and shows promise for the future in using modified AuNPs to penetrate the brain

Preparation and characterization of nanoparticles from quaternized cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan associated with hyaluronic acid for cosmetics

Hyaluronic acid (HA, 20–50 kDa) is a hydrophilic macromolecule   Peer review under responsibility of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University. with anti-wrinkle effects and moisturizing properties. However, its high molecular weight prevents it from penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin and, thus, limits its benefits to topical effects. Thus, the objective of this study is to prepare nanoparticles of quaternized cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan (QCD-g-CS) associated with HA in different molar ratios of QCD-g-CS and HA. The conjugation of the carboxylic moieties of HA and the amides of QCD-g-CS was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Thus, the system was optimized to create nanoparticles with a small size (235.63 ± 21.89 nm), narrow polydispersity index (0.13 ± 0.02), and zeta potential of 16.07 ± 0.65 mV. The association efficiency and loading efficiency were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography as 86.77 ± 0.69% and 10.85 ± 0.09%, respectively. The spherical morphology of the obtained nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the in-vitro hydrating ability was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that of bulk HA (3.29 ± 0.41 and 1.71 ± 0.05 g water/g sample, respectively). The safety of these nanoparticles at concentrations in the range of 0.01–0.10 mg/ml was confirmed via tests on human skin fibroblasts. Together, these results demonstrate that the developed nanoparticles are promising for future applications in cosmetics. Keywords: Hyaluronic acid, QCD-g-CS, Polymeric nanoparticles, Ionic gelation, Delivery syste

Co-solvation effect on the binding mode of the α-mangostin/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been extensively utilized as host molecules to enhance the solubility, stability and bioavailability of hydrophobic drug molecules through the formation of inclusion complexes. It was previously reported that the use of co-solvents in such studies may result in ternary (host:guest:co-solvent) complex formation. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of ethanol as a co-solvent on the inclusion complex formation between α-mangostin (α-MGS) and β-CD, using both experimental and theoretical studies. Experimental phase-solubility studies were carried out in order to assess complex formation, with the mechanism of association being probed using a mathematical model. It was found that α-MGS was poorly soluble at low ethanol concentrations (0–10% v/v), but higher concentrations (10–40% v/v) resulted in better α-MGS solubility at all β-CD concentrations studied (0–10 mM). From the equilibrium constant calculation, the inclusion complex is still a binary complex (1:1), even in the presence of ethanol. The results from our theoretical study confirm that the binding mode is binary complex and the presence of ethanol as co-solvent enhances the solubility of α-MGS with some effects on the binding affinity with β-CD, depending on the concentration employed

A comparative study of conventional and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction methods for the recovery of bioactive compound from Lion’s Mane mushroom (

Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), LM, is a medicinal mushroom which has various bioactive compounds within its fruiting bodies. However, during the cultivation, a large amount of the irregular-shape LM (Ir-LM) was generated. This mushroom type was considered a mushroom by-product. In this study, conventional solvent extraction (Maceration) and supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide (SCFE-CO2) were performed to compare the recovery of ergosterol, hericenone C, and hericene A content from Reg-LM and Ir-LM fruiting bodies. Furthermore, two extraction conditions (40°C at 200 bar and 70°C at 350 bar) were conducted for the SCFE-CO2 technique. The results showed that SCFE-CO2 methods produced a higher recovery of ergosterol and hericenone C as compared to the Maceration techniques. SCFE-CO2 extracts were determined for their antioxidant activities. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extract from 70°C at 350 bar was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the extract obtained from 40°C at 200 bar. The results revealed the use of green technology supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide to recover bioactive compounds from mushroom by-products and apply for high-value added products