Emulsions vs excipient emulsions as α-tocopherol delivery systems: Formulation optimization and behaviour under in vitro digestion.

Oil-in-water emulsions (EM) have been extensively used for the encapsulation of lipophilic bioactive compounds and posterior incorporation into food matrices to obtain functional foods. Conversely, novel excipient oil-in-water emulsions (EXC) present identical composition and structure as EM, albeit are not bioactive by themselves since no bioactive compound is encapsulated. Instead, EXC aims at improving the bioavailability of foods' natural bioactive compounds upon co-ingestion with nutrient-rich foods. In this work, EM and EXC were produced and their stability and functionality as delivery systems for α-tocopherol compared. Emulsions were formulated with corn oil and lecithin, and their composition was optimized using experimental designs. Formulations produced with 3 % lecithin and 5 % oil attained smallest particles sizes with the lowest polydispersity index of all tested formulations and remained stable up to 60 days. Encapsulation of α-tocopherol did not have a significative impact on the structural properties of the particles produced with the same composition. α-tocopherol stability during in vitro digestion was superior in EM regardless the processing methodology (EM stability < 50 %, EXC stability < 29 %), indicating that EM offered greater protection against the digestive environment. α-tocopherol's bioaccessibility was significantly increased when encapsulated or when digested with added excipient emulsions (82-92 % and 87-90 % for EM and EXC, respectively). In conclusion, EM were more efficient vehicles for the selected bioactive compound, however, the good results obtained with EXC imply that excipient emulsions have a great potential for applications on foods to improve their natural bioactive compounds' bioavailability without the need of further processing.

Cis-Trans Isomerization of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Methyl Ester by Natural Sulfur Compounds in Model Systems.

Growing evidence indicates that the intake of trans fatty acids (TFAs) increases the risk of numerous diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. Recently, our group found that certain natural sulfur compounds (allyl isothiocyanate [AITC] and diallyl disulfide [DADS]) promote cis to trans isomerization of fatty acid esters during heat treatment. However, little information is available on the fatty acid isomerization with them. In this study, we investigated the effects of oxygen and α-tocopherol (antioxidant) on isomerization of oleic acid (18:1) methyl ester (OA-ME) in the presence of AITC and DADS. Furthermore, the effect of the simultaneous use of AITC and DADS was evaluated. Our results indicate that oxygen enhances the AITC-induced trans isomerization, and DADS was found to promote trans isomerization but inhibit AITC-induced trans isomerization during heating. Both AITC- and DADS-induced trans isomerization were inhibited by α-tocopherol. These results indicate that the trans isomerization of fatty acids induced by sulfur compounds can be controlled by devising a cooking process and the food ingredients used together.

Chondroitin sulfate-tocopherol succinate modified exosomes for targeted drug delivery to CD44-positive cancer cells.

Exosomes (Exos), natural nanovesicles released by various cell types, show potential as an effective drug delivery platform due to their intrinsic role as transporters of biomolecules between different cells. However, Exos functionalization with targeting ligands is a critical step to enhance their targeting capability, which could be challenging. In this study, Exos were modified to specifically bind to CD44-positive cells by anchoring chondroitin sulfate (CS) to their surface. Exo modification was facilitated with CS conjugation with alpha-tocopherol succinate (TOS) as an anchorage. The modified Exos were utilized for delivering curcumin (Cur) to pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. In vitro Cur release studies revealed that Exos play a crucial role in maintaining Cur within themselves, demonstrating their potential as effective carriers for drug delivery to targeted locations. Notably, Cur loaded into the modified Exos exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity compared to unmodified Exo-Cur. Meanwhile, Exo-Cur-TOS-CS induced apoptosis more effectively in AsPC-1 cells than unmodified Exos (70.2 % versus 56.9 %). It is worth mentioning that with CD44-mediated cancer-specific targeting, Exo-CS enabled increased intracellular accumulation in AsPC-1 cells, showing promise as a targeted platform for cancer therapy. These results confirm that Exo modification has a positive impact on enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and cytotoxicity of drugs.

Tocopherol-human serum albumin nanoparticles enhance lapatinib delivery and overcome doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer.

Introduction: HER2, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is amplified in HER2-positive breast cancer, driving cell signaling and growth. Aim: This study aimed to combat multidrug resistance in Dox-insensitive breast adenocarcinoma by creating a nanoformulation therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Methodology: Human serum albumin (HSA) was conjugated with α-D-tocopherol succinate to form nanoaggregates loaded with lapatinib (Lapa). Results: The resulting Lapa@HSA(VE) NPs were 117.2 nm in size and demonstrated IC50 values of 10.25 µg/ml on MCF7 (S) and 8.02 µg/ml on MCF7 (R) cell lines. Conclusion: Lapa@HSA(VE) NPs showed no hepatotoxicity, unlike free Lapa, as seen in acute toxicity studies in rats.

[Box: see text].

Gelatin/dextran active films incorporated with cinnamaldehyde and α-tocopherol for scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) adductor muscle preservation.

Scallops are rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid but perishable due to their microbial growth and lipid oxidation. In this study, gelatin/dextran films containing cinnamaldehyde and α-tocopherol (0% + 0%, 0.3% + 0.3%, 0.6% + 0.6%, 0.9% + 0.9%, and 1.2% + 1.2%, w/w) as active fillers were developed by solution casting method, and their preservation effects on scallop adductor muscle refrigerated at 4°C for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days were evaluated. Inclusion of the two active fillers did not influence the thermal stability of the films but created heterogenous and discontinuous film microstructure and increased the film hydrophobicity. Increase in the concentrations of active fillers lowered the mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of the films but increased their crystallinity, thickness, water contact angle, opacity, antibacterial property, and antioxidant property. The longest release times for both cinnamaldehyde and α-tocopherol were found in 95% (v/v) ethanol solution. The gelatin/dextran films containing 1.2% (w/w) of active fillers (Gelatin [Ge]/Dextran [Dx]/1.2 film) improved the chemical stability of refrigerated scallop adductor muscle. The total viable count (TVC) of the unpackaged scallop adductor muscle exceeded the recommended limit of 7 lg CFU/g on day 6 (7.07 ± 0.50 lg CFU/g), whereas the TVC of the Ge/Dx/1.2 film-packaged scallop adductor muscle was still below the limit on day 9 (5.60 ± 0.50 lg CFU/g). Thus, the Ge/Dx/1.2 film can extend the shelf life of refrigerated scallop adductor muscle by at least 3 days. Overall, the developed gelatin/dextran active packaging films are promising for the preservation of aquatic food products.

Vitamin E nomenclature. Is RRR-α-tocopherol the only vitamin E?

It has generally been accepted that vitamin E refers to a group of tocochromanols, α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and the corresponding four tocotrienols. Recently, Azzi and colleagues proposed to restrict the term vitamin E only to RRR-α-tocopherol, not to other tocopherols and tocotrienols (Azzi A et al. Free Radic Biol Med. 2023; 207:178-180. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.06.029). The aim of this paper is to express our opinion on the nomenclature of vitamin E based on available scientific data. In our opinion, it would be inappropriate to exclude all the tocochromanols other than RRR-α-tocopherol from the vitamin E group at this stage when the molecular mechanisms showing how vitamin E deficiency causes diseases such as ataxia and how vitamin E prevents/reverses such diseases are not elucidated. Understanding of whole functions of tocochromanols including underlying mechanisms and dynamics is essential before revision of currently accepted definition of vitamin E. The potential roles of γ-tocopherol and tocotrienols are discussed despite whether they are vitamin function should be clarified in the future studies.

Understanding the Retention of Vaping Additives in the Lungs: Model Lung Surfactant Membrane Perturbation by Vitamin E and Vitamin E Acetate.

Deviations from the normal physicochemical and functional properties of pulmonary surfactants are associated with the incidence of lung injury and other respiratory disorders. This study aims to evaluate the alteration of the 2D molecular organization and morphology of pulmonary surfactant model membranes by the electronic cigarette additives α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and α-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E acetate), which have been associated with lung injury, termed e-cigarette or vaping-use-associated lung injury (EVALI). The model membranes used contained a 7:3 molar ratio of DPPC (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and POPG (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol) to which α-tocopherol and α-tocopherol acetate were added to form mixtures of up to 20 mol % additive. The properties of the neat tocopherol additives and DPPC/POPG (7:3) mixtures with increasing molar proportions of additive were evaluated by surface pressure-area isotherms, excess area calculations, Brewster angle microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, and atomic force microscopy. The addition of either additive alters the essential phase balance of the model pulmonary surfactant membrane by generating a greater proportion of the fluid phase. Despite this net fluidization, both tocopherol additives have space-filling effects on the liquid-expanded and condensed phases, yielding negative excess areas in the liquid-expanded phase and reduced tilt angles in the condensed phase. Both tocopherol additives alter the stability of the fluid phase, pushing the eventual collapse of this phase to higher surface pressures than the model membrane in the absence of an additive.

Modulation of macrophage polarity with carboxymethyl chitin gated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles for elevating anti-tumor chemotherapy.

The weak immunity of tumors after chemotherapy could cause tumor metastasis and progression. Therefore, to overcome the dilemma of obvious immune deficiency caused by chemotherapy, a nanosystem (N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS) consisted of thioketal (TK) bonds linked-hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) coated with carboxymethyl chitin (CMCH) by electrostatic interaction, and surface-functionalized glucose-regulated protein 78 binding peptide was prepared for loading doxorubicin (DOX), IL-12 and α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS). N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS displayed a mean size of 275 nm after encapsulated DOX, IL-12 and α-TOS with loading contents of 2.04 × 10-4, 4.01 × 10-2 and 7.12 × 10-2, respectively. The drug-free nanoparticles (NPs) showed good biocompatibility to both 4 T1 cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS could achieve localized release of IL-12, DOX and α-TOS by pH and H2O2 trigger in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, the combined therapy by N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS remarkably elevated the anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy, enhanced immune responses via promoting tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization into tumoricidal M1 phenotypes, and decreased lung metastasis with reduced side effects. N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS exhibited as a promising strategy for combining chemotherapy and local macrophage modulation-immunotherapy for anti-tumor therapy.

Development of controlled-release antioxidant poly (lactic acid) bilayer active film with different distributions of α-tocopherol and its application in corn oil preservation.

The antioxidant poly (lactic acid) bilayer active films with a different distribution of α-tocopherol (TOC) in two layers (outer layer/inner layer: 0%/6%, 2%/4%, 3%/3%, 4%/2%, 6%/0%) were developed. The effects of TOC distribution on the structural, physicochemical, mechanical, antioxidant and release properties of the films and their application in corn oil packaging were investigated. The different distributions of TOC showed insignificant effects on the color, transparency, tensile strength and oxygen and water vapor barrier properties of the films, but it affected the release behavior of TOC from the films into 95% ethanol and the oxidation degree of corn oil. The film with higher TOC in outer layer showed a slower release rate. The corn oil packaged by the film containing 4% TOC in outer layer and 2% TOC in inner layer exhibited the best oxidative stability. This concept showed a great potential to develop controlled-release active films for food packaging.

Enhancing Ezetimibe Anticancer Activity Through Development of Drug Nano-Micelles Formulations: A Promising Strategy Supported by Molecular Docking.

Background: Ezetimibe, initially recognized as a cholesterol-lowering agent, has recently attracted attention due to its potential anticancer properties. We aimed to explore an innovative approach of enhancing the drug anticancer activity through the development of drug nano-formulations. Materials and Methods: Fifteen different nano-micelles formulations were prepared utilizing D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and pluronic F127. The prepared formulations were characterized for size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency (EE). The formulations were morphologically characterized using light and transmission electron microscopies and the drug-binding mode with the active site was investigated using the molecular docking. Cell viability against MCF-7 and T47D was studied. Apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed. Results: The prepared formulations were in the nano-size range (34.01 ± 2.00-278.34 ± 9.11 nm), zeta potential values were very close to zero, and the TPGS-based micelles formulations showed the highest ezetimibe EE (94.03 ± 1.71%). Morphological study illustrated a well-defined, spherical nanoparticles with a uniform size distribution. Molecular docking demonstrated good interaction of ezetimibe with Interleukin-1 Beta Convertase through multiple hydrogen bonding, covalent bond, and hydrophobic interaction. TPGS-based nano-micelle formulation (F5) demonstrated the lowest IC50 against MCF-7 (4.51 µg/mL) and T47D (8.22 µg/mL) cancer cells. When T47D cells were treated with IC50 concentrations of F5, it exhibited significant inhibition with late apoptosis (43.9%), a response comparable to T47D cells treated with an IC50 dose of ezetimibe. Cell cycle analysis revealed that both ezetimibe and F5-treated T47D cells exhibited an increase in the subG1 phase, indicating reduced DNA content and cell death. Conclusion: These findings suggest that F5 could serve as a proficient drug delivery system in augmenting the cytotoxic activity of ezetimibe against breast cancer.

EGFR Targeted Redox Sensitive Chitosan Nanoparticles of Cabazitaxel: Dual-Targeted Cancer Therapy, Lung Distribution, and Targeting Studies by Photoacoustic and Optical Imaging.

In this research, we have modified tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) to a redox-sensitive material, denoted as TPGS-SH, and employed the same to develop dual-receptor-targeted nanoparticles of chitosan loaded with cabazitaxel (CZT). The physicochemical properties and morphological characteristics of all nanoparticle formulations were assessed. Dual-receptor targeting redox-sensitive nanoparticles of CZT (F-CTX-CZT-CS-SH-NPs) were developed by a combination of pre- and postconjugation techniques by incorporating synthesized chitosan-folate (F) and TPGS-SH during nanoparticle synthesis and further postconjugated with cetuximab (CTX) for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting. The in vitro release of the drug was seemingly higher in the redox-sensitive buffer media (GSH, 20 mM) compared to that in physiological buffer. However, the extent of cellular uptake of dual-targeted nanoparticles was significantly higher in A549 cells than other control nanoparticles. The IC50 values of F-CTX-CZT-CS-SH-NPs against A549 cells was 0.26 ± 0.12 µg/mL, indicating a 6.3-fold and 60-fold enhancement in cytotoxicity relative to that of dual-receptor targeted, nonredox sensitive nanoparticles and CZT clinical injection, respectively. Furthermore, F-CTX-CZT-CS-SH-NPs demonstrated improved anticancer activity in the benzo(a)pyrene lung cancer model with a higher survival rate. Due to the synergistic combination of enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of small-sized nanoparticles, the innovative and redox sensitive TPGS-SH moiety and the dual folate and EGFR mediated augmented endocytosis have all together significantly enhanced their biodistribution and targeting exclusively to the lung which is evident from their ultrasound/photoacoustic and in vivo imaging system (IVIS) studies.

Solid-liquid equilibria of triacylglycerols and vitamin E mixtures.

Oils and fats are important ingredients for food and pharmaceutical industries. Their main compounds, such as triacylglycerols (TAG), are responsible for determining their physical properties during food storage and consumption. Lipid-rich foods are also sources of minority compounds, which is the case of vitamin E, mainly represented by (±)-α-tocopherol. These compounds can interact with the main lipid molecules in food formulation leading to modification on lipids' physicochemical properties during processes, storage, as well as during digestion, possibly altering their nutritional functionalities, which is the case of vitamin E antioxidant abilities, but also their solubility in the systems. In this case, the study of the phase-behavior between (±)-α-tocopherol and lipid compounds can elucidate these physicochemical changings. Therefore, this work was aimed at determining the solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE) of binary mixtures of TAG (tripalmitin, triolein and tristearin) and (±)-α-tocopherol including the complete description of their phase diagrams. Melting data were evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and thermodynamic modeling by using Margules, UNIFAC, and COSMO-SAC models. Experimental results showed that systems presented a monotectic-like behavior, with a significant decreasing in TAG melting temperature by the addition of (±)-α-tocopherol. This high affinity and attractive strengths between these molecules were also observed by thermodynamic modeling, whose absolute deviations were below 2 %. Micrographs and X-ray diffraction evidenced the possible formation of solid solutions. Both behaviors are interesting by avoiding phase separation on food in solid and liquid phases, possibly improving the antioxidant role the (±)-α-tocopherol in lipid-base systems.

Antioxidative Effect of Dihydrosphingosine (d18:0) and α-Tocopherol on Tridocosahexaenoin (DHA-TAG).

Sphingoid bases have shown promise as effective antioxidants in fish oils together with α-tocopherol, and the effect has been attributed to products resulting from amino-carbonyl reactions (lipation products) between the sphingoid base amine group and carbonyl compounds from lipid oxidation. In this study, the synergistic effect of dihydrosphingosine (d18:0) and α-tocopherol was studied on pure docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) triacylglycerols with an omics-type liquid- and gas-chromatographic mass spectrometric approach to verify the synergistic effect, to get a comprehensive view on the effect of d18:0 on the oxidation pattern, and to identify the lipation products. The results confirmed that d18:0 rapidly reacts further in the presence of lipid oxidation products and α-tocopherol. α-Tocopherol and d18:0 showed an improved antioxidative effect after 12 h of oxidation, indicating the formation of antioxidants through carbonyl-amine reactions. Imines formed from the carbonyls and d18:0 could be tentatively identified.

Topical Drug Delivery of Concentrated Cabazitaxel in an α-Tocopherol and DMSO Solution.

Topical chemotherapy approaches are relevant for certain skin cancer treatments. This study observes that cabazitaxel (CTX), a broad-spectrum second-generation taxane cytotoxic agent, can be dissolved in α-tocopherol at high concentrations exceeding 100 mg mL-1 . 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) are used to study this phenomenon. The addition of 30% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the α-tocopherol/CTX solution improves its working viscosity and enhances CTX permeation through human skin in vitro (over 5 µg cm-2 within 24 h), while no detectable drug permeates when CTX is dissolved in α-tocopherol alone. In a transepidermal water loss assay, the barrier impairment induced by CTX in 30% DMSO in α-tocopherol, but not in pure DMSO, is reversible 8 h after the formulation removal from the skin surface. Antitumor efficacy of the topical CTX formulation is evaluated in nude mice bearing A431 human squamous carcinoma skin cancer xenografts. With topical application of concentrated CTX solutions (75 mg mL-1 ), tumor growth is significantly suppressed compared to lower concentration groups (0, 25, or 50 mg mL-1 CTX). Taken together, these findings show that topical delivery of CTX using a DMSO and α-tocopherol solvent warrants further study as a treatment for skin malignancies.

Self-assembled low molecular weight chitosan-based cationic micelle for improved water solubility, stability and sustained release of α-tocopherol.

New amphiphilic low molecular weight chitosan-graft-nicotinic acid bearing decyl groups (LCND) was synthesized by two-step reaction and spontaneously assembled into cationic micelle by ultra-sonication method to improve water solubility and photostability properties of α-tocopherol. The chemical structure of LCND was characterized and physical properties of cationic micelle were evaluated. Results displayed that cationic micelle exhibited strong self-assemble ability with nanoscale spherical morphology and showed best loading ability with loading content of 18.50% when the feeding ratio of LCND to α-tocopherol reached 10:3. Meanwhile, the greatly enhanced water solubility, photostability and sustained release behavior of α-tocopherol in cationic micelle were observed. The cumulative release of α-tocopherol in cationic micelle reached up 82.18% within 96 h while free α-tocopherol was completely released within 10 h. Additionally, release kinetics models were also fitted. The LCND cationic micelle could be promising nanocarrier for improving the physicochemical properties of α-tocopherol in food fields.

Construction of multi-program responsive vitamin E succinate-chitosan-histidine nanocarrier and its response strategy in tumor therapy.

Multifunctional drug delivery carriers have emerged as a promising cancer drug delivery strategy. Here, we developed a vitamin E succinate-chitosan-histidine (VCH) multi-program responsive drug carrier. The structure was characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectrum, and the DLS and SEM results showed typical nanostructures. The drug loading content was 21.0 % and the corresponding encapsulation efficiency was 66.6 %. The UV-vis and fluorescence spectra demonstrated the existence of the π-π stacking interaction between DOX and VCH. Drug release experiments implied good pH sensitivity and sustained-release effect. The DOX/VCH nanoparticles could be efficiently taken up by HepG2 cancer cells and the tumor inhibition rate was up to 56.27 %. The DOX/VCH reduced the tumor volume and weight efficiently with a TIR of 45.81 %. The histological analysis results showed that DOX/VCH could effectively inhibit tumor growth and proliferation, and there was no damage to normal organs. VCH nanocarriers could combine the advantages of VES, histidine and chitosan to achieve pH sensitivity and P-gp inhibition, and effectively improve the drug solubility, targeting and lysosomal escape. Through the program response of different micro-environment, the newly developed polymeric micelles could successfully be utilized as a multi-program responsive nanocarrier system for the treatment of cancers.

Synergistic Mechanisms of Interactions between Myricetin or Taxifolin with α-Tocopherol in Oil-in-Water Emulsions.

The antioxidant interactions between α-tocopherol and myricetin in stripped soybean oil-in-water emulsions at pH 4.0 and pH 7.0 were analyzed. At pH 7.0, α-tocopherol (α-TOC):myricetin (MYR) ratios of 2:1 and 1:1 yielded interaction indices of 3.00 and 3.63 for lipid hydroperoxides and 2.44 and 3.00 for hexanal formation, indicating synergism. Myricetin's ability to regenerate oxidized α-tocopherol and slow its degradation was identified as the synergism mechanism. Antagonism was observed at pH 4.0 due to high ferric-reducing activity of myricetin in acidic environment. The interaction between α-tocopherol and taxifolin (TAX) was also investigated due to structural similarities of myricetin and taxifolin. α-Tocopherol and taxifolin combinations exhibited antagonism at both pH 4.0 and pH 7.0. This was associated with taxifolin's inability to recycle α-tocopherol while still increasing the prooxidant activity of iron. The combination of α-tocopherol and myricetin was found to be an excellent antioxidant strategy for oil-in-water emulsions at pH values near neutrality.

Impact of α-tocopherol and EGCG on the oxidative stability of margarine: Exploring the possible synergistic effect mechanism.

Margarine is a typical water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion fat product. Due to the presence of a water-oil interface, the oil oxidation in the emulsion system is the interface reaction, which is much faster than that in bulk oil and shows different oxidation mechanisms. The analysis of Rancimat and electron spin resonance indicated that α-tocopherol and EGCG show synergistic antioxidant effects in the margarine. After 20 days of accelerated oxidation storage, the antioxidant effect of the compound antioxidant (50 mg/kg α-tocopherol + 350 mg/kg EGCG) on the margarine was significantly higher than that of the single antioxidant α-tocopherol and EGCG. Based on the results of antioxidants partitioning, electrochemistry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and the oxidative decomposition of antioxidants, the possible mechanisms of interaction were the promotion of α-tocopherol regeneration by EGCG, and the fact that α-tocopherol and EGCG could act at different stages and positions of oxidation. This work will contribute to studying antioxidant interactions and can provide valuable suggestions for practical production. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study aims to improve the oxidative stability of margarine by adding α-tocopherol and epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) individually and in blends. The mechanism of compound antioxidant synergistic inhibition of margarine oxidation was analyzed, providing theoretical basis and scientific basis for the research and practical application of natural antioxidant synergistic mechanism.

Experimental design of D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate stabilized bile salt based Nano-vesicles for improved cytotoxicity and bioavailability of colchicine binding site inhibitor Candidates: In Vitro, in silico, and pharmacokinetic studies.

Nowadays, conventional anticancer therapy suffers many pitfalls, including drastic side effects and limited therapeutic efficacy resulting from diminished oral bioavailability. So, in an attempt to enhance their poor solubility and oral bioavailability along with the cytotoxic activity, the developed lead compounds (C1 and C2) were loaded in D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) modified vesicles adopting thin film hydration technique. The formulations of the aforementioned candidates (F1 and F2, respectively) were elected as the optimum formula with desirability values of 0.701 and 0.618, respectively. Furthermore, an outstanding enhancement in the drug's cytotoxic activity against different cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG-2, MDA-MB-321, A375, and MGC-803) after being included in the nano-TPGS-modified optimum formula was noticed relative to the unformulated compounds. The formula F1 showed the best cytotoxic activities against HepG-2 with an IC50 = 3 µM. Furthermore, regarding MCF-7, F1 was shown to be the most potent and protective among all the tested formulations with an IC50 = 6 µM. Besides, F1 exerted the best caspase 3/7 activity stimulation (around a 5-folds increase) compared to control in the MCF-7 cell line. Notably, it was disclosedthat both C1 and C2 induced cell cycle arrest at the resting S growth phase. Moreover, C1 and C2 decreased tubulin concentrations by approximately 2-folds and 6-folds, respectively. Meanwhile, the conducted molecular docking studies ensure the eligible binding affinities of the assessed compounds. Besides, MD simulations were performed for 1000 ns to confirm the docking results and study the exact behavior of the target candidates (C1 and C2) toward the CBS.

Dual role of polyglycerol vitamin E succinate in emulsions: An efficient antioxidant emulsifier.

α-Tocopherol, as an oil-soluble vitamin with strong antioxidant activity. It is the most naturally abundant and biologically active form of vitamin E in humans. In this study, a novel emulsifier (PG20-VES) was synthesized by attaching hydrophilic twenty-polyglycerol (PG20) to hydrophobic vitamin E succinate (VES). This emulsifier was shown to have a relatively low critical micelle concentration (CMC = 3.2 µg/mL). The antioxidant activities and emulsification properties of PG20-VES were compared with those of a widely used commercial emulsifier: D-α-Tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). PG20-VES exhibited a lower interfacial tension, stronger emulsifying capacity and similar antioxidant property to TPGS. An in vitro digestion study showed that lipid droplets coated by PG20-VES were digested under simulated small intestine conditions. This study showed that PG20-VES is an efficient antioxidant emulsifier, which may have applications in the formulation of bioactive delivery systems in the food, supplement, and pharmaceutical industries.