Impact of Anti-PEG IgM Induced via the Topical Application of a Cosmetic Product Containing PEG Derivatives on the Antitumor Effects of PEGylated Liposomal Antitumor Drug Formulations in Mice.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is used in many common products, such as cosmetics. PEG, however, is also used to covalently conjugate drug molecules, proteins, or nanocarriers, which is termed PEGylation, to serve as a shield against the natural immune system of the human body. Repeated administration of some PEGylated products, however, is known to induce anti-PEG antibodies. In addition, preexisting anti-PEG antibodies are now being detected in healthy individuals who have never received PEGylated therapeutics. Both treatment-induced and preexisting anti-PEG antibodies alter the pharmacokinetic properties, which can result in a subsequent reduction in the therapeutic efficacy of administered PEGylated therapeutics through the so-called accelerated blood clearance (ABC) phenomenon. Moreover, these anti-PEG antibodies are widely reported to be related to severe hypersensitivity reactions following the administration of PEGylated therapeutics, including COVID-19 vaccines. We recently reported that the topical application of a cosmetic product containing PEG derivatives induced anti-PEG immunoglobulin M (IgM) in a mouse model. Our finding indicates that the PEG derivatives in cosmetic products could be a major cause of the preexistence of anti-PEG antibodies in healthy individuals. In this study, therefore, the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effects of Doxil (doxorubicin hydrochloride-loaded PEGylated liposomes) and oxaliplatin-loaded PEGylated liposomes (Liposomal l-OHP) were studied in mice. The anti-PEG IgM antibodies induced by the topical application of cosmetic products obviously accelerated the blood clearance of both PEGylated liposomal formulations. Moreover, in C26 tumor-bearing mice, the tumor growth suppressive effects of both Doxil and Liposomal l-OHP were significantly attenuated in the presence of anti-PEG IgM antibodies induced by the topical application of cosmetic products. These results confirm that the topical application of a cosmetic product containing PEG derivatives could produce preexisting anti-PEG antibodies that then affect the therapeutic efficacy of subsequent doses of PEGylated therapeutics.

Colon Targeted Eudragit Coated Beads Loaded with Optimized Fluvastatin-Scorpion Venom Conjugate as a Potential Approach for Colon Cancer Therapy: In Vitro Anticancer Activity and In Vivo Colon Imaging.

Preclinical studies suggest that most of statins or 3­hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors possess pleiotropic anticancer activity. The aim of the present work was to investigate the conjugation of the statin fluvastatin (FLV) with scorpion venom (SV), a natural peptide with proven anticancer properties, to enhance FLV cytotoxic activity and prepare colon targeted FLV-SV nanoconjugate beads for management of colon cancer. Response surface design was applied for the optimization of FLV-SV nanoconjugates. FLV-SV particle size and zeta potential were selected as responses. Cytotoxicity of optimized FLV-SV nanoconjugates was carried out on Caco2 cell line. Colon targeted alginate coated Eudragit S100 (ES100) beads for the optimized formula were prepared with the utilization of barium sulfate (BaSO4) as radiopaque contrast substance. Results revealed that optimized FLV-SV nanoconjugates showed a size of 71.21 nm, while the zeta potential was equal to 29.13 mV. Caco2 cells were considerably more sensitive to the FLV-SV formula (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 11.91 µg/mL) compared to SV and FLV used individually, as shown by values of IC50 equal to 30.23 µg/mL and 47.68 µg/mL, respectively. In vivo imaging of colon targeted beads, carried out by employing real-time X-ray radiography, confirmed the efficiency of colon targeted beads. Overall our results indicate that the optimized FLV-SV nanoconjugate loaded alginate coated ES100 beads could represent a promising approach for colon cancer with efficient colon targeting ability.

The Potential of Optimized Liposomes in Enhancement of Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis of Encapsulated Egyptian Propolis on Hep-2 Cell Line.

PURPOSE: Development of pharmaceutical dosage forms of natural products has gained great interest recently. Propolis is a natural product with various active compounds and multiple pharmacological activities. Its resinous nature and low bioavailability were obstacles in the optimum use of this magnificent natural product. AIM: This study evaluates the effect of using liposomes as a drug delivery system on the enhancement of the cytotoxic effect of propolis on squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (Hep-2) of head and neck. METHODS: An optimized liposomal formulation of propolis was prepared using the conventional thin film hydration method 1, 2. The prepared (Hep-2) cell line was treated with different concentrations of propolis and optimized propolis liposomes for 24 h. The effect of both propolis and propolis liposomes on cell line was investigated using MTT assay, cytological examination, and nuclear morphometric analysis. The effect of the drugs on the cell apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin V. RESULTS: The findings revealed that both propolis and propolis liposomes have a cytotoxic effect on Hep-2 cell line through induction of apoptosis. The effect was dose dependent. However, a statistically significant enhancement in propolis-mediated apoptosis on Hep-2 cells was elucidated due to encapsulation within the prepared liposomes. CONCLUSION: Liposome is a powerful tool for enhancing the cytotoxicity of propolis against Hep-2 cell line.

Scorpion Venom-Functionalized Quercetin Phytosomes for Breast Cancer Management: In Vitro Response Surface Optimization and Anticancer Activity against MCF-7 Cells.

Breast cancer is a dangerous type of cancer in women. Quercetin (QRT), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has wide biological effects including antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antiviral activities. The anticancer activity is considered the most valuable effect of QRT against several types of cancer, including prostate, liver, lung, colon, and breast cancer. Scorpion venom peptides (SV) has been found to induce apoptosis and aggravate cancer cells, making it a promising anticancer agent. QRT, SV, and Phospholipon® 90H (PL) were incorporated in a nano-based delivery platform to assess QRT's cellular uptake and antiproliferative efficacy against a lung cancer cell line derived from human breast cancer cells MCF-7. Several nanovesicles were prepared and optimized, using four-factor Box-Behnken, in an experimental design. The optimized phytosomes showed vesicle size and zeta potential values of 116.9 nm and 31.5 mV, respectively. The IC50 values revealed that MCF-7 cells were significantly more sensitive to the optimized QRT formula than the plain formula and raw QRT. Cell cycle analysis revealed that optimized QRT formula treatment resulted in significant cell cycle arrest at the S phase. The results also indicated that treatment with QRT formula significantly increased caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 mRNA expression, compared with the plain formula and QRT. In terms of the inflammatory markers, the QRT formula significantly reduced the activity of TNF-α and NF-κB, in comparison with the plain formula and QRT only. Overall, the findings from the study proved that a QRT formulation could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of breast cancer.

Enhanced anticancer activity and oral bioavailability of ellagic acid through encapsulation in biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles.

Despite the fact that various studies have investigated the clinical relevance of ellagic acid (EA) as a naturally existing bioactive substance in cancer therapy, little has been reported regarding the efficient strategy for improving its oral bioavailability. In this study, we report the formulation of EA-loaded nanoparticles (EA-NPs) to find a way to enhance its bioactivity as well as bioavailability after oral administration. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was selected as the biodegradable polymer for the formulation of EA-NPs through the emulsion-diffusion-evaporation technique. The obtained NPs have been characterized by measuring particle size, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. The entrapment efficiency and the release profile of EA was also determined. In vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of the obtained NPs were evaluated using Caco-2 and HCT-116 cell lines, respectively. Moreover, in vivo study has been performed to measure the oral bioavailability of EA-NPs compared to free EA, using New Zealand white rabbits. NPs with distinct shape were obtained with high entrapment and loading efficiencies. Diffusion-driven release profile of EA from the prepared NPs was determined. EA-NP-treated HCT-116 cells showed relatively lower cell viability compared to free EA-treated cells. Fluorometric imaging revealed the cellular uptake and efficient localization of EA-NPs in the nuclear region of Caco-2 cells. In vivo testing revealed that the oral administration of EA-NPs produced a 3.6 times increase in the area under the curve compared to that of EA. From these results, it can be concluded that incorporation of EA into PCL as NPs enhances its oral bioavailability and activity.

Optimisation of microstructured biodegradable finasteride formulation for depot parenteral application.

This study aimed to use the biocompatibility features of the biodegradable polymers to prepare depot injectable finasteride (FIN) microspheres for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. FIN microspheres were prepared utilising an emulsion-solvent evaporation/extraction technique. The Box-Behnken experimental design was adopted to optimise the preparation process. FIN plasma levels in albino rabbits were determined after injection with optimised FIN microspheres formula and compared with oral FIN suspension. Results revealed that the optimum microspheres displayed an amended sustained release pattern with lower initial burst. The cumulative FIN % released after 25 days was in the range 27.83-73.18% for F4 and F1, respectively. The optimised formula, with 50.0% (X1), and 22.316% (X2) and 1.38% (X3) showed 6.503 µm, 93.213%, 14.574%, and 64.838% for Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4, respectively. In vivo studies displayed a sustained release pattern with minimal initial burst release when injected into rabbits.

Enhancement of the aqueous solubility and masking the bitter taste of famotidine using drug/SBE-beta-CyD/povidone K30 complexation approach.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of ternary system (comprised of famotidine, beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) or its derivatives and a hydrophilic polymer) as an approach for enhancing the aqueous solubility and masking the bitter taste of famotidine. The aqueous solubility of famotidine increased in the presence of beta-CyDs, particularly sulfobutyl ether beta-CyD (SBE-beta-CyD), and it was further enhanced by the combination of SBE-beta-CyD and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Povidone) K30. The solid binary (drug-beta-CyDs) and ternary (drug-beta-CyDs-Povidone K30) systems were prepared by the kneading and freeze-drying methods. The dissolution rates of these solid systems were much faster than that of the drug alone. A taste perception study was carried out, initially using a taste sensory machine and subsequently on human volunteers to evaluate the taste masking ability of the ternary complexation. Our results indicated that the combination of SBE-beta-CyD and Povidone K30 is effective not only in the enhancement of the solubility and dissolution rate of famotidine, but also in masking of the bitter taste of the drug. This technique may be of value for the pharmaceutical industries, especially in preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablets dealing with bitter drugs to improve patient compliance and thus effective pharmacotherapy.