Nanomedicine Journal
Volume:9 Issue: 4, Autumn 2022

Albumin is a liver synthesized protein and the most abundant non-glycosylated plasma protein with a molecular weight of 66 kDa and 585 amino acids. It works as a preservative to maintain plasma volume, osmotic blood pressure, and microvascular integrity. It also works as a blood carrier for endogenous and exogenous substances, improving the stability and survival of drugs and components by corona protein formation around them. However, the presence of different albumin preservatives and stabilizers that can affect other blood cells and binding of preservatives to albumin caused a lower binding capacity of commercial albumin that needs to be addressed. Nowadays nanotechnology is considered a promising field of research in biology and biological products. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to review the effects of polymeric nanoparticles on the stability and function of albumin products. A literature review was performed on the publications available on the subject matter from 2011 to 2021. The keywords in different combinations such as “polymeric nanoparticles”, “nanoparticles”, “stability”, and “serum albumin” were searched in databases of PubMed and Scopus. The collected data were then analyzed. According to review results, PLGA, a negatively charged polymer, with lower molecular weight can be introduced as an effective candidate for enhancing albumin stability. Also, it can be concluded that while some cationic nanoparticles can increase the thermal stability of albumin, they have no favorable effects on the albumin structure; thus, they must be modified structurally to be applicable for the production of albumin products.

Ethosomes are novel ethanolic phospholipid vesicles which are significantly used for the transdermal drug delivery. Ethanol is an efficient permeation enhancer which is used in ethosomes about 20-45%. These are non-invasive in nature and have emerged as an area of active research interest because they significantly lead to enhanced skin penetration, improvement in drug delivery, increased drug entrapment efficiency it can deliver both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs efficiently. Increased patient compliance etc. The drug penetrates the skin surface and gets absorbed by two phases i.e., the ethanol effect and ethosomes effect. Ethosomes are predominantly being used over liposomes because of their greater penetration rate which is attributed to the high concentration of ethanol. Hence it is an active area of research. The primary aim of the review is to provide a comprehensive account on the methods of preparation, properties, characterization, advantages and applications of ethosomes in the management of several skin diseases.

Biological events can be mapped in real-time using fluorescent images at high spatial resolution through the use of a powerful tool called fluorescence, and it is necessary to have ultra-bright fluorescent probes. The detrimental effects associated with the existing fluorescence imaging probes and contrast agents are the primary reason behind the greater involvement of nanotechnology. Developing advanced particles at the molecular and supramolecular levels is the only way to address the constraints underlying the current scenario. Nanosized structures dominate in multiple fields, especially in nanotheranostics, due to their higher quantum yield, negligible photobleaching, excellent biocompatibility, tunable optical properties, and improved circulation half-lives. Nanofluorophores, which are nanoparticles encapsulated or doped with fluorescent dyes, play a crucial role in fluorescence-based imaging modality by providing noninvasive real-time monitoring of the inner machinery of the anatomical and cellular structures. In addition to fluorescent inorganic and organic nanoparticles, there are labeled hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanostructures, semiconducting dots, carbon dots, as well as upconversion nanomaterials, etc., which are widely used in fluorescent imaging. A comprehensive literature survey has been provided in this review since intense studies are needed to clear the preclinic stage, thus opening up opportunities for future biomedical applications.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly linked with insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes through various metabolic changes. The current study was designed to investigate the modulatory effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on metabolic and inflammatory changes activated during NAFLD. 

Three doses of AgNPs (100, 150, and 200 μg/kg/day for 4 weeks) were tested in a high-fat high carbohydrate diet (HFHCD) induced NAFLD model in rats. 

Sinificant (P<0.05) improvement in dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin levels by AgNPs was observed and more notably in the group that received 200 μg/kg/day AgNPs. Acute phase inflammatory protein C-reactive protein and monocytes chemoattractant protein-1 were significantly (P<0.05) lowered by AgNPs. Inline, lipid peroxidation and PDGF-β levels were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in groups that received different doses of AgNPs. Furthermore, AgNPs especially in the large dose (200 μg/kg/day) significantly decreased (P<0.05) the measured level of the inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) compared with the HFHCD group level.

Collectively, results propose the ability of AgNPs to modulate metabolic changes accompa-nying NAFLD through reducing lipid peroxidation and targeting inflammatory cytokines mediating insulin resistance.

Due to the inefficiency of current treatment methods in the treatment of various cancers, as well as increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria and fungi, attention to the use of medicinal plants and their essential oils is increasing. However, leading barriers to the use of plant essential oils, such as rapid oxidation and high volatility, highlight the need for a drug delivery system to increase their efficiency. 

Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial, antifungal, and cytotoxic effects of free thyme essential oil (TEO) and compare it with its nanoniosomal form. Initially, the chemical component of TEO was analyzed by the gas chromatography method. Then, to improve biopharmaceutical properties and enhance the stability of TEO in light and volatility, nanoniosomes containing thyme essential oil synthesized by thin-film hydration method and their physicochemical properties such as size and zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and profile of in vitro release were investigated. 

The results showed that the nanoparticles had an average size of 97 nm with a zeta potential of -37 mV. Also, in the optimal formula, the EE% of essential oil in nanoniosomes and the maximum release rate of the TEO from nanosystem were 81% and 57%, respectively. On the other hand, it was found that the antibacterial and antifungal activity of TEO remarkably increased after encapsulation. Also, the cytotoxicity assay of TEO on cancer cells showed that blank nanoniosome had no cytotoxicity and besides, the IC50 of TEO in encapsulated form decreased by 1.75 times on MCF-7 cancer cells compared with its free form, which indicates an increase in its anti-cancer properties. 

Overall, encapsulation of thyme essential oil in optimal synthesized nano systems improved its anticancer and antimicrobial properties, which could be the beginning of a revolution in the treatment of cancer and microbial diseases using nano-encapsulated herbal remedies.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic large intestinal condition, for treatment and prevention of which sulfasalazine (SSZ) is used. It functions by helping to reduce inflammation and other disease symptoms within the bowels, but this drug has many side effects. Various novel paths for UC treatment are being studied to solve the difficulties associated with present treatments and to design a more targeted therapy. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP-NPs) form an inorganic portion of the natural bone and are primarily used in tissue engineering due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-toxicity character. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory character of sulfasalazine-containing HAP (SSZ-HAP-NPs) as a potential therapeutic agent.

The therapeutic efficacy of SSZ-HAP-NPs compared with SSZ as a standard drug was examined in a mouse model of colitis by induction of DSS for 7 days. Drugs were given on the third day and continued for seven days. Colonic mucosal inflammation was evaluated clinically, biochemically, and histologically.

Our results showed that SSZ-HAP-NPs clinically improved signs/symptoms more than SSZ, however, it was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Also, SSZ-HAP-NPs diminished histopathological evidence of injury, by decreasing inflammatory responses and balancing oxidative/anti-oxidative markers in colonic tissues (P>0.05). 

SSZ-HAP-NPs could be more effective than SSZ as standard drug in some laboratory and clinical signs/symptoms and side effects in colitis and this could be a good strategy for future studies to use nanoparticles with more anti-inflammatory effects to develop the efficiency of standard drugs in colitis treatment.

Surgery and radiation therapy are the most important known treatments for glioblastoma, which is known as the most malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Numerous studies have proven the effect of different gold nanoparticles in improving radiation sensitivity. But there is still a need for nanoparticles with suitable size and higher sensitivity. Hence, the present study aimed to prepare optimized glucose-coated gold nanoparticles (Glu-GNPs) for improving radiosensitivity against U87 glioblastoma cells.

Firstly, Glu-GNPs were synthesized and then their physiochemical characterizations were assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cytotoxicity of Glu-GNPs was evaluated by MTT assay in U87 and NIH-3T3 cell lines. Additionally, the colony formation assay, which is known as the gold standard test, was used to evaluate the radiosensitivity effect of Glu-GNPs on U87 cells.

The characterization results showed that Glu-GNPs had a size of 50.3 nm and negative zeta potential of -13.8 mV. Cytotoxicity results revealed that treatment with Glu-GNPs significantly inhibited the proliferation of U87 cells. We found that Glu-GNPs at a concentration of 10 μg/ml were not-toxic for U87 cells. Moreover, the colony formation assay results showed that Glu-GNPs significantly increased the effect of radiation and caused U87 cancer cell death at a non-toxic concentration of 10 μg/ml.

Taken together, the Glu-GNPs, with a size of 50.3 nm, increased radiosensitivity and caused cell death at a concentration of 10 µg/ml in U87 glioblastoma cells and deserve further in vitro and in vivo investigations.

The present work aimed to investigate the efficacy of glycation inhibitors and the anti-arthritic potential of Moringa oleifera mediated silver nanoparticles (MO-AgNPs). 

Aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera is used as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. UV–vis spectrophotometer analysis, high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to characterize the synthesized AgNPs. The antioxidant potential of plant leaf extract and MO-AgNPs was studied by a free radical (DPPH) scavenging assay. In-vitro BSA-glucose glycation assay and a protein denaturation assay were carried out to determine protein anti-glycation activity and anti-arthritic potential respectively for MO-AgNPs and compared with MO-leaves extract.

Aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera shows total phenolic content (163.5 ± 4.73 mg of GAE/g) and flavonoid content (56.8±7.23 mg quercetin equivalents/g). Moringa oleifera leaves mediated AgNPs were confirmed by surface plasmon resonance at 420–440 nm in the UV-Visible spectra. HR-TEM analysis indicates the crystalline nature of the MO-AgNPs with spherical and spheroid shapes. FTIR spectra suggested the presence of phenolic, flavonoid, and alkaloids in plant extract responsible for the reduction and capping material of AgNPs. DPPH radical scavenging activity of MO-AgNPs shows significantly (P>05) higher with its IC50 value (62 μg/ml) than MO-leaf extract (95 μg/ml). MO-AgNPs exhibited (45%) higher anti-arthritic activity compared to moringa leaves extract but were similarly found with the standard diclofenac sodium drug. MO-AgNPs exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on AGEs formation that was predicated on the reduced levels of fructosamine and fluorescence intensity.

This work demonstrated that moringa leaves mediated AgNPs prevent protein glycation and arthritic activity in vitro. Thus, this finding depicts the anti-arthritic and antiglycation potential of MO-AgNPs suggesting that it can be a promising Nano-carrier to prevent the progression of arthritis and the pathogenesis of AGEs-related diseases.