Nanomedicine Journal
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Winter 2021

Pulmonary vaccination is unique immune system protection treatment for the respiratory tract. Lungs contain large surface area for interaction with antigens. Nanoparticles as efficient drug carriers have been used for pulmonary vaccination. These structures contribute to the process either by encapsulating, dissolving, surface adsorbing or chemically attaching the active ingredients. Development of pulmonary vaccines via sub-micron particles has been investigated in this study. The nanoparticles deposited on the respiratory mucus, based on their size and charge, are either locally trapped or diffuse freely. Therefore, different mechanisms of particle deposition are defined based on the particle size and surface charges. Advantages and disadvantages of nanoparticles preparation methods as they pertain to pulmonary vaccine applications are comprehensively depicted. The adverse side effects of nanoparticles encountering immune cells is also discussed. Finally, the side effects and challenges of nano-pulmonary vaccines are discussed, offering a series practical suggestion for further industrial development and manufacturing of nanoparticle-empowered pulmonary vaccines.

In this study, we present the potential of cerium oxide nanoparticle pretreatment on ARPE-19 cells, a cell line of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE), as a therapeutic modality to cellular stresses such as low serum starvation. ARPE-19 cells were pretreated with nano-cerium oxide at a concentration of 500 µg/mL before low serum stress was induced for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Starvation stress was induced by using low concentrations of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) media at three increments: 10%, 1%, 0.1%. Contrast images demonstrated higher cell confluence and cell integrity in cells pretreated with cerium oxide nanoparticles compared to untreated cells. Increased cell viability for cerium oxide pretreated cells was confirmed by MTS assay after 96 hours of serum starvation. By using nanoparticles to influence pathways of apoptosis, we hope to rescue ARPE-19 cells from a range of stressors, including oxidative stress, and re-establish homeostasis for the cell. Nanoparticles may represent a novel class of therapeutics for diseases of the eye, like AMD and blue-light induced oxidative stress.

Mitoxantrone (MTX) is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of different cancers. However, prolonged treatment with MTX results in unwanted side effects and drug resistant cancer cells. Combination therapies and exploiting of targeted nanoparticles have the potential of improving the efficiency of drug treatment as well as reducing the side effects. Curcumin (CUR) is a biological molecules with anticancer property. In this study, we investigated whether targeted PLGA (Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid)–CUR nanoparticles (NPs) can reinforce the effect of MTX on breast cancer cells.

PLGA NPs containing CUR targeted with AS1411 aptamer were prepared by single emulsion evaporation method. Physicochemical properties of NPs were investigated. The cytotoxicity of non-targeted and targeted NPs along with MTX was evaluated on MCF7, 4T1 and L929 cell lines.

The results showed that PLGA-CUR NPs were synthetized with an average encapsulation efficiency of 66% with a mean size of 186±3.2 nm. The drug release of curcumin from these NPs within 72h was about 59% in neutral medium and 90% in acidic medium. Interestingly, the combined treatment with PLGA-CUR-Apt and MTX inhibited the cancer cell's proliferation significantly more than the non-targeted nanoparticles, CUR and MTX-treated group alone.

These results suggest that targeted PLGA-CUR nanoparticles may consider as a potential therapeutic contender in improving the efficacy of MTX in Breast cancer therapy.

One major difficulty of conventional radiotherapy is the lack of selectivity between the tumor and the organs at risk. In nanoparticle aided radiotherapy, heavy elements are present at higher concentrations in the tumor than normal tissues. This study aimed to model the characteristics of secondary electrons generated from the interaction of clusters comprised of five different nanoparticles including Gold, Gadolinium, Iridium, Bismuth, and Hafnium atoms with low energy x-rays (similar to brachytherapy sources in terms of energy) as a function of nanoparticle size and beam energy. To better evaluate the contributions of secondary electrons in energy deposition, and also to develop a framework in analyzing further measurements in the future, we attempted to enhance and promote existing mathematical models for energy deposition in endothelial cells by nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy. Also, the MCNPX Monte Carlo code was used to model the identical geometry and the dose enhancement factor was calculated for all types of simulated nano-clusters. Our results showed that for our model consist of a nano-cluster and an endothelial cell the DEF significantly depends on the energy of photons and L- and K-edge binding energy of the atoms inside the nano-cluster. However, for Gd at the energy 60 keV, a higher dose enhancement factor was seen. It can be concluded that the mathematical model considers the DEF variation with photon energy and the effect of NP type is considered in DEF calculations. However, the MC method has indicated very high sensitivity to photon energy, and NP type compared to the mathematical method.

Nowadays, the unique and fascinating properties of graphene‐based nanocomposites make them one of the most promising materials for therapeutics, delivery carriers as well as tissue engineering. On the other hand, silver nanowire has been attracting more attention in nanomedicine applications, too. In this study, the effects of synthesized silver nanowire/reduced graphene oxide (AgNWs/rGO) composites on the structure and esterase-like activity of Human Serum Albumin (HSA), as well as its impacts on Human Endometrial Stem Cells (hEnSCs), were evaluated AgNWs/rGO composite was first synthesized and fabricated. Subsequently, its effects on the structure and esterase-like activity of HSA were evaluated by UV-Visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Afterward, its impacts on the viability and growth of hEnSCs were studied by MTT assay, DAPI staining, and flow cytometry analysis. The spectroscopic results showed that AgNWs/rGO composite could form a complex with HSA, however, did not affect the secondary structure of HSA and the binding constant for this complex was found to be 5.4×104 mL.mg-1. Furthermore, HSA maintained most of its activity in the presence of the AgNWs/rGO composite. Based on FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) data the value of r0 was less than 7 nm signifying that the energy transfer from HSA to AgNWs/rGO composite occurs with a high level of possibility. The MTT assay, DAPI staining, and flow cytometry analysis indicated that the AgNWs/rGO composite was non-toxic towards hEnSCs. Our results suggest that the prepared AgNWs/rGO composite, potentially, is suitable in nanomedicine applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Today, the use of medicinal plants for treating cancer is extremely important. Over the past few years, the anti-cancer properties of Nigella Sativa L. have been proven. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, the cytotoxic effect of a nanoemulsion synthesized using N. Sativa L. tincture, against a cancerous cell line as well as its and free radical scavenging activities.

The size and zeta potential of the nanoemulsion were determined using particle size analyzer and morphological shape of nano emulsion was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antioxidant activity of nanoemulsions was investigated by the DPPH assay. Cytotoxic effects of the nanoemulsions were assessed by MTT method against A2780 ovarian cancer and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as normal cells. To evaluate the probable molecular mechanism of cell death, acridine orange and propidium iodide staining methods were used for identifying apoptotic cells.

The results obtained from this study showed that the synthesized nanoemulsion had a good and dose-dependent radical scavenging capacity in the DPPH assay (IC50 of about 47μg/ml). Also, the nanoemulsion significantly reduced the bioavailability of A2780 cancerous cells (IC50 of 0.72 μg/ml); however, its toxicity against HUVEC cells was much lower (IC50 > 25 μg/ml). The pro-apoptotic effect of the produced nanoemulsion was confirmed by acridine orange and propidium iodide staining.

Nano emulsions synthesized by N. Sativa L. tincture has a relevant potential antioxidant and anticancer effects and therefore they can be considered and studied as anticancer compounds in future experiments.

Nowadays, nanotechnology has offered great success in resolving concerns in cancer therapy and created a new interdisciplinary field of study incorporating various sciences, such as biology, chemistry and medicine. Apoptosis is a conserved and controlled strategy in regulating cellular growth and proliferation, as well as preserving development and general homeostasis of the body. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are the most important and widely used nanoparticles. This study aimed to evaluate the apoptosis-inducing properties of the synthesized ZnO-NPs by aqueous extract of Rubia tinctorum against the MCF7 breast cancer cell line.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using rubia tinctorum extract and characterized by some methods including dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Apoptosis was measured by the Hoechst and Acridine-Orange/Propodium Iodide staining, as well as flow cytometry.

The results of this study showed that the particle size of biosynthesized ZnO-NPs using R.tinctorum extract was about 40 nm and had a spherical morphology. The obtain results of the Hoechst and Acridine-Orange/Propodium Iodide staining, as well as flow cytometry showed that biosynthesized ZnO-NPs effectively and dose-dependently induced apoptosis in the MCF7 breast cancer cells.

Therefore, the biosynthesized ZnO-NPs by watery extract of R. tinctorum can be used in the treatment of many diseases, including cancers.

Scientists believe that they can fabricate a biochemical scaffold and seed stem cells on it to create an extracellular matrix for tissue generation. This study sought to develop retinoic acid (RA)-loaded core-shell fibrous scaffolds (Poly-Caprolactone (PCL)/Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) based on electrospinning technique, to examine neural differentiation of trabecular mesenchymal stem cells (TM-MSCs).

PEO-PCL core- shell fibrous scaffold was fabricated using coaxial electrospinning and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) used to evaluate the chemical bond structure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been utilized to evaluate surface topography and fibrous diameter, and transient electron microscopy (TEM) to evaluate core-shell structure. The neural differentiation was evaluated using Real-Time PCR.

The results of FTIR, SEM, and TEM confirm the fabrication of core-shell fibrous of PEO-PCL. The fabricated scaffold provides a suitable substrate for adhesion, cell proliferation, and differentiation. SEM images show changes in the morphology of TM-MSCs to neuronal cells. A sustained release of RA from the PEO/PCL scaffold was detected over 14 days. In addition, quantifying the expression of the gene indicates an increase in the gene expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) gene.

The PEO/PCL core-shell fibrous scaffold containing a RA constructed using coaxial electrospinning technique was a suitable substrate for inducing neuronal differentiation of TM-MSCs cultivated on core-shell scaffold.

Poor bioavailability of ophthalmic drops is mainly due to rapid nasolacrimal drainage and eye impermeability of corneal epithelium. The main aim of this study is to prepare a liposomal hydrogel for the ocular delivery of propranolol hydrochloride as a β-blocker drug to enhance drug concentration at the desired site of action.

In this study liposome formulations were designed and prepared by homogenization and thin-layer methods and then dispersed into the pluronic based hydrogel. The optimized liposomes and liposomal hydrogel were used in Ex-vivo ocular permeation studies through the rabbit’s eye.

liposomes showed 170-380 nm particle size, 34-65% entrapment efficiency, and sustained release profiles that 30-60 % of loaded drug released after 24 h. liposomes dispersed in hydrogels demonstrated a lower release rate. Liposomes and liposomal hydrogel increased ocular bioavailability of more than 3-folds.

In this study, the administration of thermo-responsible factors (pluronic) led to longer resistance time of the dosage form in the eye because the drug would turn into gel structures at the body temperature. Therefore, a system consisting of both pluronic factor and liposomes will be of great interest because it will pair up the Thermo gelling properties of the pluronic factor and the carrier characteristics of the liposome formulations.