Pharmacological Improvement and Preclinical Evaluation of Methotrexate-Loaded Lipid-Core Nanocapsules in a Glioblastoma Model.

Glioblastoma multiforme is a devastating cerebral tumor with an exceedingly poor prognosis. Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid analogue that inhibits DNA synthesis by binding to dihydrofolate reductase. Biodegradable nanoparticles are emerging as a promising system for drug delivery to specific tissues. The aims of the current study were pharmacological improvement and preclinical evaluation of MTX-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules (MTX-LNCs) in a glioblastoma model. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and the cell cycle was characterized by flow cytometry analysis of propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was measured using an AnnexinV kit and by examining active caspase-3 immunocontent. In vivo glioma implantation was performed in rats, followed by measurement of the tumor size and tumoral apoptosis, BCL-2 immunohistochemistry and analyses of toxicological parameters. MTX-LNCs with increased encapsulation efficiency were successfully prepared. Our in vitro results showed a decrease in glioma cell viability after MTX-LNC treatment that was preceded by cell cycle arrest, leading the cells to undergo apoptotic death, as indicated by AnnexinV staining and increased active caspase-3 protein levels. In the in vivo glioma model, we observed a decrease in the tumor size and an increase in apoptosis in the tumor microenvironment (based on the AnnexinV assay and BCL-2 measurement). MTX-LNC treatment decreased the leukocyte number but altered neither toxicological tissue marker expression nor metabolic parameters. The present results reveal that MTX-LNCs represented an efficient formulation in a preclinical model of glioma and are a potential candidate for clinical trials.

The Quinovic Acid Glycosides Purified Fraction from Uncaria tomentosa Protects against Hemorrhagic Cystitis Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Mice.

Uncaria tomentosa is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases, such as urinary tract disease. Hemorrhagic cystitis (HE) is an inflammatory condition of the bladder associated with the use of anticancer drugs such as cyclophosphamide (CYP). Sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (Mesna) has been used to prevent the occurrence of HE, although this compound is not effective in established lesions. It has been demonstrated that the purinergic system is involved in several pathophysiological events. Among purinergic receptors, P2X7 deserves attention because it is involved in HE induced by CYP and, therefore, can be considered a therapeutic target. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of the quinovic acid glycosides purified fraction (QAPF) from U. tomentosa in the mouse model of CYP-induced HE. Pretreatment with QAPF not only had a protective effect on HE-induced urothelial damage (edema, hemorrhage and bladder wet weight) but was also able to control visceral pain, decrease IL-1ß levels and down-regulates P2X7 receptors, most likely by inhibit the neutrophils migration to the bladder. This research clearly demonstrates the promising anti-inflammatory properties of QAPF, supporting its use as complementary therapy. QAPF represents a promising therapeutic option for this pathological condition.

Quinovic acid glycosides purified fraction from Uncaria tomentosa induces cell death by apoptosis in the T24 human bladder cancer cell line.

Bladder cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in the genitourinary tract and remains a therapeutic challenge. In the search for new treatments, researchers have attempted to find compounds with low toxicity. With this goal in mind, Uncaria tomentosa is noteworthy because the bark and root of this species are widely used in traditional medicine and in adjuvant therapy for the treatment of numerous diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the antitumor effect of one purified bioactive fraction of U.tomentosa bark on cell proliferation in two human bladder cancer cell lines, T24 and RT4. Quinovic acid glycosides purified fraction (QAPF) of U.tomentosa decreased the growth and viability of both T24 and RT4 cell lines. In T24 cells, QAPF induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3 and NF-κB. Further study showed that this fraction does not induce cell cycle arrest and does not alter PTEN and ERK levels. In conclusion, we demonstrated that QAPF of U.tomentosa has a potent inhibitory effect on the growth of human bladder cancer cell lines by inducing apoptosis through modulation of NF-κB, and we suggest that QAPF may become a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and/or treatment of this cancer.