Screening and characterization of a novel high-efficiency tumor-homing cell-penetrating peptide from the buffalo cathelicidin family.

Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs is especially important for tumor therapy. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been shown to be very effective drug carriers for tumor therapy. However, most CPPs lack tumor cell specificity. Here, we identified a highly efficient CPP, CAT, from the newly identified buffalo-derived cathelicidin family, which exhibits a preferential binding capacity for multiple tumor cell lines and delivers carried drug molecules into cells. CAT showed an approximately threefold to sixfold higher translocation efficiency than some reported cell-penetrating antimicrobial peptides, including the well-known classical CPP TAT. Moreover, the delivery efficiency of CAT was greater in a variety of tested tumor cells than in normal cells, especially for the human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721, for which delivery was 7 times more efficient than the normal human embryonic lung cell line MRC-5, according to fluorescent labeling experiment results. CAT was conjugated to the Momordica charantia-derived type-I ribosome-inactivating protein MAP 30, and the cytotoxicity of the MAP 30-CAT fusion protein in the tumor cell line SMMC-7721 was significantly enhanced compared with that of the unconjugated MAP 30. The IC50 value of MAP 30-CAT was approximately 83 times lower than the IC50 value of the original MAP 30. Interestingly, the IC50 value of MAP 30 alone for MRC-5 was approximately twofold higher than the value for SMMC-7721, showing a small difference. However, when MAP 30 was conjugated to CAT, the difference in IC50 values between the two cell lines was significantly increased by 38-fold. The results of the flow cytometric detection of apoptosis revealed that the increase in cytotoxicity after CAT conjugation was mainly caused by the increased induction of apoptosis by the fusion protein. These results suggest that CAT, as a novel tumor-homing CPP, has great potential in drug delivery applications in vivo and will be beneficial to the development of tumor therapeutics.

Preparation and anti-tumor efficiency evaluation of bacterial magnetosome-anti-4-1BB antibody complex: Bacterial magnetosome as antibody carriers isolated from Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense.

Bacterial magnetosomes (BMs) are used as carriers for antibodies, enzymes, and nucleic acids. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical utility of BMs derived from Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense for use in anti-tumor immunotherapy. Bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate (BS3) was used to prepare BM-anti-4-1BB antibody complexes. We used syngeneic TC-1 mouse models of cancer to investigate whether BMs combined with an anti-4-1BB agonistic antibodies could enhance the therapeutic effects of anti-4-1BB antibodies in localized disease settings. Anti-4-1BB antibodies were combined with purified BMs at a concentration of 168 mg antibody per milligram BM (mg IgG/mg BM) using BS3. The anti-4-1BB antibody-coupled BMs (BM-Ab complexes) and control BMs displayed similar morphologies and measurements when examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). In a mouse tumor model, intravenous injection of BM-Abs combined with magnetic treatment resulted in greater tumor protection than did other treatment methods (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate the in vivo anti-tumor properties of BM-Abs complexes. The coupling of anti-4-1BB antibodies to magnetosomes may have potential for clinical application to antitumor antibody therapy.

Naturally Drug-Loaded Chitin: Isolation and Applications.

Naturally occurring three-dimensional (3D) biopolymer-based matrices that can be used in different biomedical applications are sustainable alternatives to various artificial 3D materials. For this purpose, chitin-based structures from marine sponges are very promising substitutes. Marine sponges from the order Verongiida (class Demospongiae) are typical examples of demosponges with well-developed chitinous skeletons. In particular, species belonging to the family Ianthellidae possess chitinous, flat, fan-like fibrous skeletons with a unique, microporous 3D architecture that makes them particularly interesting for applications. In this work, we focus our attention on the demosponge Ianthella flabelliformis (Linnaeus, 1759) for simultaneous extraction of both naturally occurring ("ready-to-use") chitin scaffolds, and biologically active bromotyrosines which are recognized as potential antibiotic, antitumor, and marine antifouling substances. We show that selected bromotyrosines are located within pigmental cells which, however, are localized within chitinous skeletal fibers of I. flabelliformis. A two-step reaction provides two products: treatment with methanol extracts the bromotyrosine compounds bastadin 25 and araplysillin-I N20 sulfamate, and a subsequent treatment with acetic acid and sodium hydroxide exposes the 3D chitinous scaffold. This scaffold is a mesh-like structure, which retains its capillary network, and its use as a potential drug delivery biomaterial was examined for the first time. The results demonstrate that sponge-derived chitin scaffolds, impregnated with decamethoxine, effectively inhibit growth of the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in an agar diffusion assay.

Microcarriers Based on Glycosaminoglycan-Like Marine Exopolysaccharide for TGF-ß1 Long-Term Protection.

Articular cartilage is an avascular, non-innervated connective tissue with limited ability to regenerate. Articular degenerative processes arising from trauma, inflammation or due to aging are thus irreversible and may induce the loss of the joint function. To repair cartilaginous defects, tissue engineering approaches are under intense development. Association of cells and signalling proteins, such as growth factors, with biocompatible hydrogel matrix may lead to the regeneration of the healthy tissue. One current strategy to enhance both growth factor bioactivity and bioavailability is based on the delivery of these signalling proteins in microcarriers. In this context, the aim of the present study was to develop microcarriers by encapsulating Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) into microparticles based on marine exopolysaccharide (EPS), namely GY785 EPS, for further applications in cartilage engineering. Using a capillary microfluidic approach, two microcarriers were prepared. The growth factor was either encapsulated directly within the microparticles based on slightly sulphated derivative or complexed firstly with the highly sulphated derivative before being incorporated within the microparticles. TGF-ß1 release, studied under in vitro model conditions, revealed that the majority of the growth factor was retained inside the microparticles. Bioactivity of released TGF-ß1 was particularly enhanced in the presence of highly sulphated derivative. It comes out from this study that GY785 EPS based microcarriers may constitute TGF-ß1 reservoirs spatially retaining the growth factor for a variety of tissue engineering applications and in particular cartilage regeneration, where the growth factor needs to remain in the target location long enough to induce robust regenerative responses.

Construction and evaluation of novel rhesus monkey adenovirus vaccine vectors.

UNLABELLED: Adenovirus vectors are widely used as vaccine candidates for a variety of pathogens, including HIV-1. To date, human and chimpanzee adenoviruses have been explored in detail as vaccine vectors. The phylogeny of human and chimpanzee adenoviruses is overlapping, and preexisting humoral and cellular immunity to both are exhibited in human populations worldwide. More distantly related adenoviruses may therefore offer advantages as vaccine vectors. Here we describe the primary isolation and vectorization of three novel adenoviruses from rhesus monkeys. The seroprevalence of these novel rhesus monkey adenovirus vectors was extremely low in sub-Saharan Africa human populations, and these vectors proved to have immunogenicity comparable to that of human and chimpanzee adenovirus vaccine vectors in mice. These rhesus monkey adenoviruses phylogenetically clustered with the poorly described adenovirus species G and robustly stimulated innate immune responses. These novel adenoviruses represent a new class of candidate vaccine vectors. IMPORTANCE: Although there have been substantial efforts in the development of vaccine vectors from human and chimpanzee adenoviruses, far less is known about rhesus monkey adenoviruses. In this report, we describe the isolation and vectorization of three novel rhesus monkey adenoviruses. These vectors exhibit virologic and immunologic characteristics that make them attractive as potential candidate vaccine vectors for both HIV-1 and other pathogens.

Chemically synthesized peptide libraries as a new source of BBB shuttles. Use of mass spectrometry for peptide identification.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a biological barrier that protects the brain from neurotoxic agents and regulates the influx and efflux of molecules required for its correct function. This stringent regulation hampers the passage of brain parenchyma-targeting drugs across the BBB. BBB shuttles have been proposed as a way to overcome this hurdle because these peptides can not only cross the BBB but also carry molecules which would otherwise be unable to cross the barrier unaided. Here we developed a new high-throughput screening methodology to identify new peptide BBB shuttles in a broadly unexplored chemical space. By introducing d-amino acids, this approach screens only protease-resistant peptides. This methodology combines combinatorial chemistry for peptide library synthesis, in vitro models mimicking the BBB for library evaluation and state-of-the-art mass spectrometry techniques to identify those peptides able to cross the in vitro assays. BBB shuttle synthesis was performed by the mix-and-split technique to generate a library based on the following: Ac-d-Arg-XXXXX-NH2 , where X were: d-Ala (a), d-Arg (r), d-Ile (i), d-Glu (e), d-Ser (s), d-Trp (w) or d-Pro (p). The assays used comprised the in vitro cell-based BBB assay (mimicking both active and passive transport) and the PAMPA (mimicking only passive diffusion). The identification of candidates was determined using a two-step mass spectrometry approach combining LTQ-Orbitrap and Q-trap mass spectrometers. Identified sequences were postulated to cross the BBB models. We hypothesized that some sequences cross the BBB through passive diffusion mechanisms and others through other mechanisms, including paracellular flux and active transport. These results provide a new set of BBB shuttle peptide families. Furthermore, the methodology described is proposed as a consistent approach to search for protease-resistant therapeutic peptides. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antibody conjugation via one and two C-terminal selenocysteines.

Conventional antibody conjugation methods generate antibody-drug conjugates that are heterogeneous mixtures with undefined stoichiometry and variable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. We have previously described a strategy to generate site-specific antibody conjugates by genetic engineering of an antibody with a single C-terminal selenocysteine, the 21st natural amino acid, which displays unique chemical reactivity allowing selective conjugation in the presence of all other natural amino acids. In the present work, we describe a method for expanding this technology to higher drug-to-antibody ratios by genetically engineering an antibody with two C-terminal selenocysteines. Both selenocysteines effectively conjugate to a fluorescent iodoacetamide derivative and the resulting conjugate fully retains its antigen binding capability. Our method provides a platform for creating stoichiometrically defined antibody-drug conjugates for therapeutic intervention.

The application of virus-like particles as vaccines and biological vehicles.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) can be spontaneously self-assembled by viral structural proteins under appropriate conditions in vitro while excluding the genetic material and potential replication probability. In addition, VLPs possess several features including can be rapidly produced in large quantities through existing expression systems, highly resembling native viruses in terms of conformation and appearance, and displaying repeated cluster of epitopes. Their capsids can be modified via genetic insertion or chemical conjugation which facilitating the multivalent display of a homologous or heterogeneous epitope antigen. Therefore, VLPs are considered as a safe and effective candidate of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. VLPs, with a diameter of approximately 20 to 150 nm, also have the characteristics of nanometer materials, such as large surface area, surface-accessible amino acids with reactive moieties (e.g., lysine and glutamic acid residues), inerratic spatial structure, and good biocompatibility. Therefore, assembled VLPs have great potential as a delivery system for specifically carrying a variety of materials. This review summarized recent researches on VLP development as vaccines and biological vehicles, which demonstrated the advantages and potential of VLPs in disease control and prevention and diagnosis. Then, the prospect of VLP biology application in the future is discussed as well.

Facile preparation of a pH-sensitive nano-magnetic targeted system to deliver doxorubicin to tumor tissues.

We have developed a drug-loaded, pH-sensitive, nano-magnetic targeted system (DPNTS) for delivering doxorubicin (DOX) to tumor tissues through a facile route. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were used as magnetically-responsive carriers, polyethyleneglycol (PEG) as the surface-modifying agent, and polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the drug-loading site whose primary amine reacts with the 13-carbonyl of DOX. The prepared DPNTS was within 20 nm and had good stability in dispersion and superparamagnetic properties. DOX was grafted to PEG/PEI@Fe3O4 at up to 85%. During in vitro release studies, nearly 81% DOX was released from DPNTS within 72 h at pH 4.5, compared with only 28% at pH 7.4.

Polydispersity characterization of lipid nanoparticles for siRNA delivery using multiple detection size-exclusion chromatography.

The development of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) based small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics presents unique pharmaceutical and regulatory challenges. In contrast to small molecule drugs that are highly pure and well-defined, LNP drug products can exhibit heterogeneity in size, composition, surface property, or morphology. The potential for batch heterogeneity introduces a complexity that must be confronted in order to successfully develop and ensure quality in LNP pharmaceuticals. Currently, there is a lack of scientific knowledge in the heterogeneity of LNPs as well as high-resolution techniques that permit this evaluation. This article reports a size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) method that permits the high-resolution analysis of LNP size distribution in its native solution condition. When coupled with multiple detection systems including UV-vis, multi-angle light scattering, and refractive index, on-line characterization of the distributions in size, molecular weight, and siRNA cargo loading of LNPs could be achieved. Six LNPs with sizes in the rang of 60-140 nm were evaluated and it was found that the SEC separation is efficient, highly reproducible, and can be broadly applied to a diverse range of LNPs. A comparison between the current SEC method and asymmetric field flow fractionation (FFF) shows that the current method provides similar size distribution results on LNPs compared to FFF. Two representative LNPs with similar bulk properties were evaluated in-depth using the SEC method along with two other sizing techniques-dynamic light scattering and cryo-TEM. Profound differences in batch polydispersity were observed between them. Despite the similarity in the particle assembly process, it was found that one LNP (A) possessed a narrow size and molecular weight distribution while the other (B) was polydisperse. The present results suggest that LNP drug products are highly complex and diverse in nature, and care should be taken in examining and understanding them to ensure quality and consistency. The method developed here can not only serve as a method for understanding LNP product property, permitting control on product quality, but also could serve as a potential manufacturing method for product purification. Understandings obtained in this work can help to facilitate the development of LNPs as a well-defined pharmaceutical product.

Attenuating the size and molecular carrier capabilities of polyacrylate nanoparticles by a hydrophobic fluorine effect.

This study investigates the effect of introducing alkyl chain fluorination on the properties of polyacrylate nanoparticles prepared in aqueous solution by emulsion polymerization. For this, 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyl acrylate (1) and methyl trifluoroacrylate (2) were tested as monomers as a means to prepare fluorinated polyacrylate nanoparticles to evaluate how side chain fluorination may affect nanoparticle size and drug carrier properties. Our results show that as fluorine content within the polyacrylate matrix increases, the size of the nanoparticle systematically diminishes, from 45 nm (for nanoparticles containing no fluoroacrylate) to ~7 nm (for nanoparticles constructed solely of fluoroacrylate). We also observe that as fluoroacrylate content and hydrophobicity increases, the nanoparticles decrease their ability to incorporate lipophilic molecules during the process of emulsification. These findings have meaningful implications in the implementation of fluorinated nanoparticles in molecular delivery.

New pemetrexed-peptide conjugates: synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytostatic effect on non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H358) and human leukemia (HL-60) cells.

Pemetrexed (Pem) is a novel antimetabolite type of anticancer drug that demonstrated promising clinical activity in a wide variety of solid tumors, including non-small cell lung carcinoma and malignant pleural mesothelioma. It inhibits enzymes involved in the folate pathway, for which the presence of its free carboxylic groups is necessary. The heteroaromatic ring system of Pem has a modifiable amino group, which opens a possibility to apply a new strategy to conjugate Pem to carrier molecules. Considering this as well as the necessity of untouched carboxylic groups of Pem in the new conjugates, we developed a new synthesis strategy. Here, we describe the synthesis and the characterization of new Pem-peptide conjugates in which cell-penetrating octaarginine or/and lung-targeting H-Ile-Glu-Leu-Leu-Gln-Ala-Arg-NH(2) peptide is attached to the drug by thioether bond. The conjugates characterized by RP-HPLC and MS exhibited cytostatic effect in vitro on non-small cell lung carcinoma as well as on human leukemia cell lines. The IC(50) values of the conjugates were similar, but the conjugates with H-Ile-Glu-Leu-Leu-Gln-Ala-Arg-NH(2) sequence were slightly more effective. Our data show that the in vitro cytostatic effect of the free Pem was essentially maintained after conjugation with cell-penetrating or cell-targeting peptides. Thus, the conjugation strategy reported could lead to the development of a new generation of active Pem conjugates.

Exosomes isolated from two different cell lines using three different isolation techniques show variation in physical and molecular characteristics.

Exosomes are the nanoscopic lipid bi-layered extracellular vesicles with the potential to be utilized as targeted therapeutics. In our investigation, we compared three major exosome isolation techniques that were Total Exosome Isolation reagent (TEI), Protein organic solvent precipitation (PROSPR) and differential ultracentrifugation (UC) based on the biophysical and physicochemical characteristics of exosomes isolated from COLO 205 and MCF-7 cancer cell's conditioned media with an aim to select a suitable method for translational studies. 3D image analysis and particle size distribution of exosomes from their HRTEM images depicted the morphological differences. Molecular and analytical characterization of exosomes using western blotting, Raman and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and the multivariate analysis on the spectral data obtained, assessed for better molecular specifications and purity of particle. TEI method isolated exosomes with higher exosomal yield, purity, and recovery directly translatable into drug delivery and targeted therapeutics whereas ultracentrifuge had good recovery of particle morphology but showed particle aggregation and yielded exosomes with smaller mean size. PROSPR technique isolated a mixture of EVs, showed lower protein recovery in PAGE and western blotting but higher spectroscopic protein to lipid ratio and distinguishable EV population in multivariate analysis compared to exosomes isolated by TEI and UC. This comparative study should help in choosing a specific exosome isolation technique required for the objective of downstream applications.

Lipids from algal biomass provide new (nonlamellar) nanovectors with high carrier potentiality for natural antioxidants.

Lipid mesophases are lyotropic liquid crystalline systems which differ from liposomes and other globular aggregates in dilute regimes due to their inner ordering. It is known that natural lipids enable to obtain a rich variety of nanosystems and many of them have been proposed as delivery agents for bioactive compounds. Due to their packing parameters, several classes of lipids found in natural sources are able to self-assemble into nonlamellar structures. Among lipids occurring in plants and algae, triglycerides display this tendency. In the present study we examine new nanosystems built with lipids extracted from the marine microalga Nannochloropsis sp and their use as carriers for lipophilic antioxidants. The antioxidants studied, curcumin and tocopherol were encapsulated with high rate in the carriers. The physico-chemical characterization of plain and loaded vectors showed their structure and localization site, as well as the structure-functionality relationship related to potential drug delivery. The results show that the cargo molecules play an active role in driving the interactions which characterize the overall structure of the aggregates. The systems studied showed several coexisting mesophases, the most predominant structure being of cubic symmetry.

Transdermal delivery enhancement of carvacrol from Origanum vulgare L. essential oil by microemulsion.

Carvacrol has been reported for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity by cyclooxygenase inhibition but it could induce gastrointestinal toxicity because of its non-selective inhibition. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop transdermal microemulsion from Origanum vulgare essential oil to deliver carvacrol into and through the skin which would overwhelm the gastrointestinal problems. O. vulgare essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and its carvacrol content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed using water dilution method to investigate the suitable microemulsion components. Microemulsions were then characterized for external appearance, particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, electrical conductivity, refractive index, viscosity, transmittance, pH, and stability. Additionally, the irritation property of microemulsions were investigated by hen's egg on the chorioallantoic membrane assay. The release profile, percutaneous absorption, and skin retention were investigated using dialysis bag and Franz diffusion cell, respectively. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were investigated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results remarked that carvacrol was a major component of O. vulgare essential oil with high concentration of 83.7%. The most suitable microemulsion (ME 1), composing of 5% w/w O. vulgare essential oil, 25%w/w Tween 60, 25%w/w butylene glycol, and 45%w/w deionized water, had the smallest internal droplet size (179.5 ± 27.9 nm), the narrowest polydispersity index (0.30 ± 0.07), the highest transmittance (93.13 ± 0.04%), and Newtonian flow behavior with low viscosity of 0.30 ± 0.07 Pas. ME 1 could reduce the irritation effect of O. vulgare essential oil since ME 1 (IS = 3.1 ± 0.10) exhibited significantly lower irritation effect than its blank formulation (IS = 4.8 ± 0.02) and O. vulgare oil solution (IS = 5.0 ± 0.01) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ME 1 sustain released carvacrol from the formulation, remarkedly deliver more carvacrol through the skin layer (2.6 ± 2.2%) and significantly retained carvacrol in the skin layer (2.60 ± 1.25%). Additionally, ME 1 significantly enhanced IL-6 inhibition of O. vulgaris oil and carvacrol (p < 0.05). Therefore, O. vulgaris oil microemulsion was suggested to be used for the transdermal delivery and anti-inflammatory activities enhancement of carvacrol.

Enteric coating derived from marine sponge collagen.

BACKGROUND: Enteric coating prevents oral dose forms from being digested in the stomach, which is required for drugs that are acid unstable, have an irritant effect on the stomach, or are designed to act in the small intestine. AIM: The objective of this study was to develop a novel gastroresistant delayed-release tablet coating based on the marine sponge Chondrosia reniformis Nardo and to investigate the technical feasibility of the coating process. METHOD: An aqueous gastroresistant coating dispersion on the base of freeze-dried sponge collagen 15% (w/w) as the film-forming agent was developed. The disintegration test for gastroresistant tablets (Ph. Eur.) was carried out at increasing coating levels to reveal the required collagen layer thickness. Reproducibility of the method, physical properties, and stability of the coated tablets were investigated. RESULTS: Tablets coated with 13 mg/cm(2) of sponge collagen resisted more than 2 hours to 0.1 M hydrochloric acid, and disintegration of all tablets occurred within 10 minutes in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8). The method was reproducible, the mechanical properties of the coated tablets were satisfactory, and the obtained tablets could be stored for at least 6 months without loosing enteric properties. CONCLUSIONS: The novel coating based on the marine sponge collagen (using 12.9 mg/cm(2) coating material) complied with the requirements of Ph. Eur. for gastroresistant tablets. This coating material also meets the regulatory requirements for dietary supplements.

Design strategies and application progress of therapeutic exosomes.

Exosomes have great potential to be drug delivery vehicles due to their natural material transportation properties, intrinsic long-term circulatory capability, and excellent biocompatibility, which are suitable for delivering a variety of chemicals, proteins, nucleic acids, and gene therapeutic agents. However, an effective method of loading specific protein agents into exosomes for absorption by target cells is still lacking. The application potential of exosome is still limited. In this review, we discussed the methods for loading specific treating molecules (proteins, nucleic acids and small chemicals) into exosomes, the design strategies for cell and tissue targeting, and the factors for exosome formation. This review can be used as a reference for further research as well as for the development of therapeutic exosomes.

Inulin: A novel and stretchy polysaccharide tool for biomedical and nutritional applications.

Inulin (INU) is a flexible, fructan type polysaccharide carbohydrate, mainly obtained from the root of chicory. It is a water-soluble dietary fibre and has been recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for improving the nutritional values of food products. INU is not digested or fermented in the initial portion of the human digestive system and directly reaches on the distal portion of the colon. Owing to this superior property, INU is specially applied to develop specific carrier systems for localized delivery of drugs related to colon diseases. Several studies proved that the fermented bi-products of INU help the growth and stimulating activity of colon bacteria e.g. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli. INU also has several inherent therapeutic effects like reduction of tumor risks, help in calcium ion absorption, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties etc. Apart from these, INU has been used for different pharmaceutical applications as a drug carrier, stabilizing agent, cryoprotectant, and an alternative to fats and sugars. Here, we review the applications of INU in different areas of biomedical science, look back into the nutritional effects of INU and outline various routes of administration of INU-based formulations.

Evaluation of novel microcrystalline cellulose from Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) Cheesman biomass as sustainable drug delivery biomaterial.

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is one of the most important functional excipient in Pharmaceutical industries. A renewable biomass from Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) was investigated as a potential source of a novel functional MCC. MCC was prepared by a simple, dilute acid hydrolysis and characterized through FTIR, DSC, XRD, along with micromeritic studies. Functional properties such as packing, rearrangement, consolidation and compactibility of the prepared MCC were also evaluated in view of its application as drug delivery biomaterial. Results suggest that the prepared MCC exhibit properties comparable to commercially available standard MCC. From Kawakita and Heckel plots, it was observed that the new MCC consolidates better than the standard MCC. Disintegration efficiency test also indicates that the novel MCC functions as a better tablet disintegrant to the standard MCC indicating the potential of Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) as a green resource for preparation of the low cost, functional and sustainable carbohydrate polymer.

Influence of Manothermosonication on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Ferritin as a Nanocarrier of Iron or Bioactive Compounds.

Ferritin is a multisubunit protein with a hollow interior interface and modifiable surfaces. In this study, the manothermosonication (MTS) technology was applied to apo-red bean seed ferritin (apoRBF) to produce the MTS-treated apoRBF (MTFS). MTS treatment (200 kPa, 50 °C, and 40 s) maintained the spherical morphology of apoRBF (12 nm), but reduced the content of α-helix structure and increased the content of random coil structure, and correspondingly decreased the ferritin stability. The MTS treatment also affected the ferritin's iron storage function by decreasing its iron oxidative deposition activity and increasing the iron release activity. Importantly, the disassembly and reassembly properties of the MTFS induced by pH changes were retained, which facilitated its usage in encapsulation of tea polyphenol-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) into the ferritin by a relatively benign pH conversion routine (pH 3.0/6.8). In addition, the water solubility of the MTFS was increased, leading to the improved encapsulation efficiency of the EGCG molecules. This study will facilitate the ferritin modification and functionalization by MTS to design a protein variant to be used as new scaffold for iron and bioactive compounds.