Biodegradable nanoparticles mimicking platelet binding as a targeted and controlled drug delivery system

This research aims to develop targeted nanoparticles as drug carriers to the injured arterial wall under fluid shear stress by mimicking the natural binding ability of platelets via interactions of glycoprotein Ib-alpha (GPIbα) of platelets with P-selectin of damaged endothelial cells (ECs) and/or with von Willebrand factor (vWF) of the subendothelium. Drug-loaded poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were formulated using a standard emulsion method and conjugated with glycocalicin, the external fraction of platelet GPIbα, via carbodiimide chemistry. Surface-coated and cellular uptake studies in ECs showed that conjugation of PLGA nanoparticles, with GPIb, significantly increased nanoparticle adhesion to P-selectin- and vWF-coated surfaces as well as nanoparticle uptake by activated ECs under fluid shear stresses. In addition, effects of nanoparticle size and shear stress on adhesion efficiency were characterized through parallel flow chamber studies. The observed decrease in bound nanoparticle density with increased particle sizes and shear stresses is also explained through a computational model. Our results demonstrate that the GPIb-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles can be used as a targeted and controlled drug delivery system under flow conditions at the site of vascular injury.     

自组装药物传递系统

自组装药物传递系统（SADDS）是基于药质体提出的新概念和新给药系统,融合了前药、分子自组装和纳米技术,是两亲前药形成的自组装纳米体系。其突出的特点是自组装体几乎没有辅料的参与,载药量大,稳定性好,在体内可获得靶向、控释效果,特别适合于抗病毒和抗肿瘤治疗。SADDS是学科交叉的产物,是药剂学研究的新方向。本文阐述了SADDS概念的来源、特点和研究进展,并展望了SADDS的研究前景。     

Polysaccharides based nanomaterials for targeted anti-cancer drug delivery

Polysaccharides, an important class of biological polymers, are effectively bioactive, nontoxic, hydrophilic, biodegradable and offer a wide diversity in structure and properties. These can be easily modified chemically and biochemically to enhance the bioadhesion with biological tissues, better stability and can improve bioavailability of drugs. Most of the chemotherapeutic drugs have a narrow therapeutic index, slow drug delivery systems and poor water solubility that usually proves toxic to human bodies. The inherent biocompatibility of these biopolymers have shown enhancement of solubility of some chemotherapeutic drugs which also leads to the preparation of nanomaterials for the delivery of antibiotics, anticancer, proteins, peptides and nucleic acids using several routes of administration. Recently, synthesis and research on polysaccharides based nanomaterials have gained enormous attention as one of the most applicable resources in nanomedicine area. This review article will provide a specific emphasis on polysaccharides as natural biomaterials for targeted anticancer drug delivery system.     

纳米硒的靶向递送及抗癌机制研究进展

硒作为人体必需微量元素之一,具有抗癌、抗氧化以及调节人体免疫等多种功效.纳米硒是近年来新兴的一种硒形态,与其他形式的硒相比,其抗癌效果显著且毒性较小.纳米硒对癌细胞的选择性较高,而对正常细胞的选择性较低.其通常以被动靶向的方式进入癌细胞并发挥抗癌作用.以多糖、表面活性剂、生物大分子以及配体等对纳米硒进行表面修饰,可以提...     

Calcium carbonate nanoparticles as cancer drug delivery system

Introduction: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) has broad biomedical utilizations owing to its availability, low cost, safety, biocompatibility, pH-sensitivity and slow biodegradability. Recently, there has been widespread interest in their application as drug delivery systems for different groups of drugs. Among them, CaCO₃ nanoparticles have exhibited promising potential as drug carriers targeting cancer tissues and cells. The pH-dependent properties, alongside the potential to be functionalized with targeting agents give them the unique property that can be used in targeted delivery systems for anticancer drugs. Also, due to the slow degradation of CaCO₃ matrices, these nanoparticles can be used as sustained release systems to retain drugs in cancer tissues for longer times after administration.

Areas covered: Development of drug delivery carriers using CaCO₃ nanoparticles has been reviewed. The current state of CaCO₃ nanoparticles as cancer drug delivery systems with focus on their special properties like pH-sensitivity and biodegradability has also been evaluated.

Expert opinion: According to our review, CaCO₃ nanoparticles, owing to their special characteristics, will have a potential role in safe and efficient cancer treatment in future.     

Virosomes: evolution of the liposome as a targeted drug delivery system

The drug delivery system (DDS) is attractive as a therapeutic method. Liposomes are of particular interest as a DDS because they can reduce drug toxicity, and offer promise as gene carriers. An evolution has occurred in the construction of liposomes in the effort to develop efficient vectors for in vivo use. To avoid uptake by the reticuloendothelial system (RES); Lipid components have been optimized. To enhance tissue targeting, liposome surface has been modified with antibodies or ligands recognized by specific cell types. To enhance the efficiency of gene delivery by the introduction of molecules directly into cells, virosomes have been developed by combining liposomes with fusiogenic viral envelope proteins. Liposomes are now being used in the treatment of intractable human diseases such as cancer and monogenic disorders. In the future, many medical procedures will be performed using liposomes.     

Polydopamine and peptide decorated doxorubicin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a targeted drug delivery system for bladder cancer therapy

We reported a simple polydopamine (PDA)-based surface modification method to prepare novel targeted doxorubicin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles and peptide CSNRDARRC conjugation (DOX-loaded MSNs@PDA-PEP) for enhancing the therapeutic effects on bladder cancer. Drug-loaded NPs were characterized in terms of size, size distribution, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area and drug loading content. In vitro drug release indicated that DOX-loaded MSNs@PDA and MSNs@PDA-PEP had similar release kinetic profiles of DOX. The PDA coating well controlled DOX release and was highly sensitive to pH value. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that drug-loaded MSNs could be internalized by human bladder cancer cell line HT-1376, and DOX-loaded MSNs@PDA-PEP had the highest cellular uptake efficiency due to ligand–receptor recognition. The antitumor effects of DOX-loaded nanoparticles were evaluated by the MTT assay in vitro and by a xenograft tumor model in vivo, demonstrating that targeted nanocarriers DOX-loaded MSNs@PDA-PEP were significantly superior to free DOX and DOX-loaded MSNs@PDA. The novel DOX-loaded MSNs@PDA-PEP, which specifically recognized HT-1376 cells, can be used as a potential targeted drug delivery system for bladder cancer therapy.     

白蛋白纳米粒药物传递系统的研究进展

目的综述白蛋白纳米粒作为药物传递系统的最新研究进展。方法依据国内外研究文章及专利文献共63篇,将白蛋白的性质及功能、白蛋白纳米粒的制备工艺、靶向肿瘤作用机理、上市药物及其临床前和临床实验结果进行了概括。结果白蛋白是一种良好的药物载体,显示独特的靶向肿瘤机理;白蛋白纳米粒的制备方法中二硫键形成法相对于其他制备方法具有显著优点,避免了很多基于溶剂传递的传统剂型中存在的潜在问题,由其制备的上市药物紫杉醇白蛋白纳米粒(Abraxane)具有较好的临床疗效。结论白蛋白纳米粒给药系统的研究有着重要的临床意义及发展前景。     

Solid lipid nanoparticles for targeted brain drug delivery

The present review discusses the potential use of solid lipid nanoparticles for brain drug targeting purposes. The state of the art on surfactant-coated poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles specifically designed for brain targeting is given by emphasizing the transfer of this technology to solid lipid matrices. The available literature on solid lipid nanoparticles and related carriers for brain drug targeting is revised as well. The potential advantages of the use of solid lipid nanoparticles over polymeric nanoparticles are accounted on the bases of a lower cytotoxicity, higher drug loading capacity, and best production scalability. Solid lipid nanoparticles physicochemical characteristics are also particularly regarded in order to address the critical issues related to the development of suitable brain targeting formulations. A critical consideration on the potential application of such technology as related to the current status of brain drug development is also given.     

固脂纳米粒(SLN)药物释放系统的研究进展

目的综述固脂纳米粒作为药物释放系统的最新研究进展。方法依据近年来国内外文献资料 ,将固脂纳米粒的制备方法、药物载入、药物释放、特性分析及其在药学领域的应用情况进行了概括。结果固脂纳米粒的主要制备方法为乳化法和微乳法 ;通过调整制备工艺参数可调整药物的包封率和释药曲线 ;固脂纳米粒可供多途径给药。结论固脂纳米粒在药学领域有广阔的发展前景     

Sustained-release hydroxycamptothecin polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles as a liver targeting drug delivery system

Sustained release hydroxycamptothecin polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles (HCPT-PBCA-NP) associated with polybutylpyrolidone (PVP) for liver targeting were prepared by the adsorption-entrapping method. The morphology, sizes, drug loading efficiencies, release characteristics in vitro, distribution and pharmacokinetic parameters in vivo of the HCPT-PBCA-NP associated with PVP were studied. The median diameter of the particles was 81 nm and the drug loading was 1.2%. The release characteristics in vitro were in accordance with the Higuchi equation: Q = 0.0615 + 0.0940 mean square root t. 64.5% of the HCPT were concentrated in the liver at 15 min after i.v. administration of HCPT-PBCA-NP associated with PVP. The plasma drug concentration-time curve of the HCPT in rabbits was fitted to a two-compartment open model. The Vc, T 1/2 and CL were 3.5L; 147h; 0.18L x h(-1), respectively. The method of preparation presented in this paper seems to bean alternative for the preparation of PBCA-NP of poorly soluble drugs both in water and in lipid.     

Chitosan/cyclodextrin nanoparticles as macromolecular drug delivery system

The aim of this study was to generate a new type of nanoparticles made of chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CM-β-CD) and to evaluate their potential for the association and delivery of macromolecular drugs. CS and CM-β-CD or mixtures of CM-β-CD/tripolyphosphate (TPP) were processed to nanoparticles via the ionotropic gelation technique. The resulting nanoparticles were in the size range of 231–383 nm and showed a positive zeta potential ranging from +20.6 to +39.7 mV. These nanoparticles were stable in simulated intestinal fluid pH 6.8 at 37 °C for at least 4 h. Elemental analysis studies revealed the actual integration of CM-β-CD to CS nanoparticles. Insulin and heparin used as macromolecular model drugs, could be incorporated into the different nanocarriers with association efficiencies of 85.5–93.3 and 69.3–70.6%, respectively. The association of these compounds led to an increase of the size of the nanoparticles (366–613 nm), with no significant modification of their zeta potentials (+23.3 to +37.1 mV). The release profiles of the associated macromolecules were highly dependent on the type of molecule and its interaction with the nanomatrix: insulin was very fast released (84–97% insulin within 15 min) whereas heparin remained highly associated to the nanoparticles for several hours (8.3–9.1% heparin within 8 h). In summary, CS-CD (cyclodextrin) nanoparticles may be considered as nanocarriers for the fast or slow delivery of macromolecules.     

Feasibility of a bioadhesive drug delivery system targeted to oesophageal tissue.

This contribution examines the feasibility of utilising an oesophageal-adhesive alginate layer to support model drug particles. Such a bioadhesive system offers the prospect of local drug delivery to the oesophagus, which in turn has applications in the treatment of conditions including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and oesophageal cancer. Surface-modified (amine, carboxylate and sulfate) as well as neutral fluorescent beads were investigated as model drug particles. A fluorescence assay technique was utilised to quantify the extent and duration of adhesion of a fixed dose of these particles to excised porcine oesophageal tissue. Retention of the particles was investigated both from aqueous systems and within an adhesive alginate solution. After 30 min significantly higher adhesion of neutral beads was recorded from the alginate solution as compared to the aqueous suspension (n = 6, P < 0.05). The beads that possessed a negative charge showed significantly greater retention within the alginate carrier (n = 6, P < 0.05). However, the amine-modified beads showed retention profiles that were similar both within the alginate carrier and within the aqueous suspension (n = 6, P > 0.05).     

靶向给药研究的新进展

靶向给药可使治疗部位的药物浓度明显提高, 可减少用药量并使治疗费用降低, 降低药物对全身的毒副作用。因此, 靶向给药是目前研究的热点, 本文综述了近年来靶向给药的相关研究, 主要从被动靶向、主动靶向以及物理化学靶向3个方面阐述了靶向给药的研究进展。     

Solid lipid nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for peptides and proteins

Solid lipid particulate systems such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), lipid microparticles (LM) and lipospheres have been sought as alternative carriers for therapeutic peptides, proteins and antigens. The research work developed in the area confirms that under optimised conditions they can be produced to incorporate hydrophobic or hydrophilic proteins and seem to fulfil the requirements for an optimum particulate carrier system. Proteins and antigens intended for therapeutic purposes may be incorporated or adsorbed onto SLN, and further administered by parenteral routes or by alternative routes such as oral, nasal and pulmonary. Formulation in SLN confers improved protein stability, avoids proteolytic degradation, as well as sustained release of the incorporated molecules. Important peptides such as cyclosporine A, insulin, calcitonin and somatostatin have been incorporated into solid lipid particles and are currently under investigation. Several local or systemic therapeutic applications may be foreseen, such as immunisation with protein antigens, infectious disease treatment, chronic diseases and cancer therapy.     

Chitosan nanoparticles as a new delivery system for the anti-Alzheimer drug tacrine

Tacrine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by spontaneous emulsification. The particle size and zeta potential was determined by scanning probe microscopy and Zetasizer, respectively. The prepared particles showed good drug-loading capacity. The in vitro release studies showed that after the initial burst, all the drug-loaded batches provided a continuous and slow release of the drug. Coating of nanoparticles with Polysorbate 80 slightly reduced the drug release from the nanoparticles. Release kinetics studies showed that the release of drug from nanoparticles was diffusion-controlled, and the mechanism of drug release was Fickian. The biodistribution of these particles after intravenous injection in rats showed that of nanoparticles coated with 1% Polysorbate 80 altered the biodistribution pattern of nanoparticles.From the Clinical EditorIn this paper, chitosan nanoparticles are investigated in a pre-clinical study as an optimized delivery system for tacrin, a drug with potential significance in Alzheimer's disease. The preparation showed optimal pharmacokinetic characteristics in a rat model.     

Magnetic PECA nanoparticles as drug carriers for targeted delivery: synthesis and release characteristics

Magnetic poly(ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate) (PECA) nanoparticles containing anti-cancer drugs (Cisplatin and Gemcitabine) were prepared by inter-facial polymerization. The spherical nanoparticles (d = 250 +/- 15 nm) with smooth surfaces and moderately uniform size distributions were obtained. The amount of magnetite encapsulated inside the polymer matrix was increased up to 14.26% (w/w) by controlling the initial weight ratio of monomer/magnetite. It was found that the amount of Cisplatin encapsulated in the magnetic nanoparticle is much higher than that of Gemcitabine because Cisplatin (hydrophobic) is highly soluble in the oil phase and encapsulated easier inside nanoparticles compared to Gemcitabine (hydrophilic). The presence of magnetite and its super-paramagnetic characteristic were confirmed by FTIR spectra and VSM. In-vitro experiments of drug release and magnetic mobility under external magnetic field demonstrated that magnetic poly(ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate) (PECA) nanoparticles can be a highly versatile magnetic drug carrier with sustained release behaviour and sufficient magnetic susceptibility.     

Polysaccharides-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems

Natural polysaccharides, due to their outstanding merits, have received more and more attention in the field of drug delivery systems. In particular, polysaccharides seem to be the most promising materials in the preparation of nanometeric carriers. This review relates to the newest developments in the preparation of polysaccharides-based nanoparticles. In this review, four mechanisms are introduced to prepare polysaccharides-based nanoparticles, that is, covalent crosslinking, ionic crosslinking, polyelectrolyte complex, and the self-assembly of hydrophobically modified polysaccharides.     

Size matters: gold nanoparticles in targeted cancer drug delivery

Cancer is the current leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for approximately one quarter of all deaths in the USA and UK. Nanotechnologies provide tremendous opportunities for multimodal, site-specific drug delivery to these disease sites and Au nanoparticles further offer a particularly unique set of physical, chemical and photonic properties with which to do so. This review will highlight some recent advances, by our laboratory and others, in the use of Au nanoparticles for systemic drug delivery to these malignancies and will also provide insights into their rational design, synthesis, physiological properties and clinical/preclinical applications, as well as strategies and challenges toward the clinical implementation of these constructs moving forward.