RESUMO
In this study, nanocomplexes composed of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) derived from the root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) were formulated for the delivery of curcumin (CUR). Sonication of amphiphilic GA solution with hydrophobic CUR resulted in the production of nanosized complexes with a size of 164.8 ± 51.7 nm, which greatly enhanced the solubility of CUR in aqueous solution. A majority of the CURs were released from these GA/ CUR nanocomplexes within 12 h. GA/CUR nanocomplexes exhibited excellent intracellular uptake in human breast cancer cells (Michigan cancer foundation-7/multi-drug resistant cells), indicating enhanced anti-cancer effects compared to that of free CUR. In addition, GA/CUR nanocomplexes demonstrated high intracellular uptake into macrophages (RAW264.7 cells), consequently reducing the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α. Furthermore, GA/CUR nanocomplexes successfully reduced the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and splenomegaly in a rheumatoid arthritis model.
RESUMO
Exosomes (EXO) are considered to be versatile carriers for biomolecules; however, the delivery of therapeutic peptides using EXOs poses several challenges. In this study, the efficiency of serum-derived EXOs in delivering tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP2) peptides to lymph nodes is determined. TRP2 peptides are successfully incorporated into EXOs, which show a uniform and narrow size distribution of around 45 nm. The TRP2-incorporated exosomes (EXO-TRP2) are efficiently internalized into macrophages and dendritic cells, and are seen to display a punctate distribution. EXOs loaded with TRP2 together with MPLA, (EXO-MPLA-TRP2) result in a strong release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) from both RAW264.7 and DC2.4 cells. Finally, subcutaneous injection of fluorescently labeled EXO-TRP2 followed by ex vivo imaging using in vivo imaging system (IVIS) show a strong fluorescent signal in the lymph nodes after only 1 h, which is maintained until at least 4 h after injection. Taken together, the findings suggest that serum-derived EXOs can serve as promising carriers to deliver therapeutic peptides to lymph nodes for immunotherapy.