Some Nanocarrier's Properties and Chemical Interaction Mechanisms with Flavones.

Flavones such as 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (tropoflavin), 5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone (baicalein), 3',4',5,6-tetrahydroxyflavone (luteolin), 3,3',4',5,5',7-hexahydroxyflavone (myricetin), 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone (apigenin), and 5,7-dihydroxyflavone (chrysin) are important both for their presence in natural products and for their pharmacological applications. However, due to their chemical characteristics and their metabolic processes, they have low solubility and low bioavailability. Knowledge about the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers and the possible mechanisms of covalent and non-covalent interaction between nanoparticles (NPs) and drugs is essential for the design of nanocarriers to improve the bioavailability of molecules with pharmacological potential, such as tropoflavin, baicalein, luteolin, myricetin, apigenin, and chrysin. The parameters of characterization of some NPs of these flavones, such as size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and % release/time, utilized in biomedical applications and the covalent and non-covalent interactions existing between the polymeric NPs and the drug were analyzed. Similarly, the presence of functional groups in the functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as well as the effect of pH on the % adsorption of flavonoids on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH), were analyzed. Non-covalent interaction mechanisms between polymeric NPs and flavones, and covalent interaction mechanisms that could exist between the NPs and the amino and hydroxyl functional groups, are proposed.

Single -and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Nanocarriers for the Delivery of 7-Hydroxyflavone.

The research on flavonoids has exponentially grown since their first therapeutic evidence, in 1937. They are effective in vitro in a wide range of human diseases, particularly those mediated by free radicals, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, AIDS, or neuronal diseases. However, their applications have been reduced due to their low solubility, poor absorption, and rapid metabolism. Flavonoid encapsulation in nanocarriers significantly improves their oral absorption, protects the drug against degradation, decreases the first-pass hepatic effect, and makes absorption through the lymphatic system easier. In this work, carbon nanotubes were used as nanocarriers of 7-hydroxyflavone, 7-HF. The encapsulation of 7-HF into pristine single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and into -COOH functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes has been investigated. The equilibrium association constants were estimated. The structural backbone of 7-HF, two benzene rings linked through three carbon atoms that form a pyran heterocyclic ring containing a keto group, seems to play a key role in the 7-HF/CNT interactions, although other types of interactions are also at work. The in vitro release of 7-HF was studied at three pHs, 2.0, 7.4, and 9.2, mimicking the different biological barriers of the human organism.

Regulación de la utilización del aspartato por los astrocitos durante la prelactancia / Regulation of the use of aspartate by the astrocytes during the presuckling period / Regulação da utilização do aspartato pelos astrócitos durante a prelactância

En el período perinatal se incrementa la concentración de N-acetil-L-aspartato (NAA) producido por las neuronas, este sustrato es absorbido por los astrocitos e hidrolizado vía aspartoacilasa II (ASPA; EC 3.5.1.15) en acetato y aspartato. Se postula que el aspartato podría colaborar en suplir los requerimientos metabólicos de los astrocitos durante la prelactancia. Objetivos. Evaluar la capacidad de los astrocitos para utilizar el aspartato como sustrato metabólico en condiciones fisiológicas perinatales y determinar si la utilización del aspartato puede ser modificada por variaciones en las concentraciones de glucosa (Glc), lactato (Lac) y N-acetil-L-aspartato (NAA) y si estas variaciones de concentración, pueden regular la actividad enzimática de la ASPA. Materiales y métodos. Se incubaron cultivos quiescentes de astrocitos neonatales de rata Wistar con L-aspartato (0.5 mM) y L-[U-14C]-aspartato (2 μCi), para evaluar su capacidad para utilizarlo como sustrato oxidativo y lipogénico. Se determino el efecto de la variación de las concentraciones de Lac, Glc y NAA, en condiciones fisiológicas perinatales como de adulto, sobre la utilización del aspartato (método radiométrico) y sobre la actividad del ASPA (método espectrofotométrico). Resultados. Se demostró que los astrocitos están en capacidad de utilizar el aspartato 87 veces más como sustrato oxidativo que lipogénico. Conclusiones. La utilización del aspartato y su destino es afectado significativamente (p<0,05) por las concentraciones de Lac, Glc y NAA. ASPA tiene una alta actividad, siendo regulada por disponibilidad de lactato y por el incremento de la disponibilidad de glucosa.

During the perinatal period the concentration of N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA) produced by neurons increases. This substrate is absorbed by the astrocytes and hydrolyzed via aspartoacylase II (ASPA; EC 3.5.1.15) in acetate and aspartate. We propose that the aspartate may help in fulfilling the astrocyte metabolic requirements during the presuckling period. Objectives. To evaluate the astrocyte ability to use the aspartate as a metabolic substrate in perinatal physiological conditions, and to determine whether the aspartate utilization can be modified by changes in the concentration of glucose (Glc), lactate (LAC) and N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA) and whether these variations in concentration can regulate the enzymatic activity of the ASPA. Materials and methods. Quiescent cultures of neonatal astrocytes of Wistar rat were incubated with L-aspartate (0.5 mM) and L-[U-14C]-aspartate (2 μCi), to assess their ability to use them as oxidative and lipogenic substrates. The effect of varying concentrations of Lac, Glc and NAA on the use of aspartate (radiometry method) and the ASPA activity (spectrophotometry method) was evaluated in both presuckling and adult physiological conditions. Results. Astrocytes are able to use aspartate 87 times more as an oxidative substrate than a lipogenic substrate. Conclusions. The use of aspartate and its destiny are affected significantly (p<0.05) by the concentrations of Lac, Glc and NAA. ASPA has a high activity being regulated by lactate availability and the increased availability of glucose.

No período perinatal aumenta a concentração de N-acetil-L-aspartato (NAA) produzido pelos neurônios, este substrato é absorvido pelos astrócitos e hidrolisado por via aspartoacilasa II (ASPA, EC 3.5.1.15) em acetato e aspartato. Postula-se que o aspartato poderia ajudar no cumprimento das exigências metabólicas dos astrócitos durante a prelactância. Objetivos. Avaliar a capacidade dos astrócitos para utilizar o aspartato como substrato metabólico em condições fisiológicas perinatais e determinar se a utilização de aspartato pode ser alterada por variações nas concentrações de glicose (Glc), lactato (Lac) e N-acetil-L-aspartato (NAA) e se estas alterações na concentração podem regular a atividade enzimática da ASPA. Materiais e métodos. Incubaram-se culturas quiescentes de astrócitos neonatais de ratos Wistar com L-aspartato (0,5 mM) e L-[U-14C]-aspartato (2 μCi), para avaliar a sua capacidade de uso como substrato oxidativo e lipogênico. Determinou-se o efeito da variação das concentrações de Lac, Glc y NAA, e em condições fisiológicas perinatais como de adulto, sobre a utilização do aspartato (método radiométrico) e sobre a actividade do ASPA (método espectrofotométrico). Resultados. Demonstrou-se que os astrócitos estão em capacidade de usar o aspartato 87 vezes mais como substrato oxidativo do que lipogênico. Conclusões. O uso de aspartato e seu destino é afetado de forma significativa (p <0,05) pelas concentrações de Lac, Glc e ANA. ASPA tem uma alta atividade, sendo regulada pela disponibilidade de lactato e pelo aumento da disponibilidade de glicose.