[Preparation of warangalone-loaded liposomes and its inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare warangalone-loaded thermosensitive liposomes (WLTSL) and evaluate its inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells in vitro. METHODS: MTT assay was used to assess the changes in proliferation of 3 breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF7, and SKBR3) following treatment with warangalone, soy isoflavone and genistein. Colony-forming assay and wound healing assay was used to assess colony forming activity and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with warangalone. The effect of warangalone on the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in MDA-MB-231 cells was examined with Western blotting. The thermosensitive liposomes (TSL) and WLTSL were prepared using a thin film hydration method, and the morphology, size, encapsulation efficiency and stability of the prepared liposomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering scanning and UV spectrophotometry. MTT assay was used to examine the inhibitory effect of WLTSL on mouse breast cancer cells (4T1) in vitro. RESULTS: Warangalone showed stronger anti-proliferation effects than soy isoflavones and genistein in the 3 human breast cancer cell lines and significantly inhibited colony formation by MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment with warangalone significantly inhibited migration of the breast cancer cells and down-regulated the cellular expressions of MMP2 and MMP9. The prepared TSL and WLTSL presented with a homogeneous, irregular spherical morphology, with a mean particle size of 56.23±0.61 nm, a polymer dispersity index of 0.241±0.014, a Zeta potential of -40.40±0.46 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency was 87.68±2.41%. WLTSL showed a good stability at 4 ℃ and 37 ℃ and a stronger inhibitory effect than warangalone in 4T1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Warangalone inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells, and the prepared WLTSL possesses good physical properties and strong anti-breast cancer activity.

Novel fenugreek gum-cellulose composite hydrogel with wound healing synergism: Facile preparation, characterization and wound healing activity evaluation.

Hydrogels can be used as bioactive dressings, which outperform traditional dressings and are widely used in wound hemostasis and healing. However, it is still a challenge to develop a hydrogel with good stability and strong mechanical properties for wound hemostasis and healing. Herein, we developed a novel composite polysaccharide hydrogel from fenugreek gum and cellulose. Fenugreek gum was combined with cellulose through hydrogen bonding to form a hydrogel to improve the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel. The composite hydrogel had a porous structure, thermal stability, good water absorption and a sustained release effect. Furthermore, the composite hydrogel demonstrated good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the superior performance of wound hemostasis and healing has been confirmed. Our results indicated that the composite hydrogel was a promising medical dressing and had the potential to promote wound healing.

Macroporous resin purification and characterization of flavonoids from Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco and their effects on macrophage inflammatory response.

The flavonoids (POFs) from the leaves of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco were purified using six different macroporous adsorption resins including polar resins NKA-9 and ADS-F8, semi-polar resins ADS-17 and AB-8, and non-polar resins D101 and ADS-5. Among semi-polar resins, AB-8 demonstrated the best adsorption and desorption capacities with an adsorption ratio of 86% and a desorption ratio of 52%. According to the Simultaneous Thermogravimetry-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (STA/TG-DSC) analysis, POFs showed three thermally decomposed temperatures (347.6 °C, 437.5 °C and 494.8 °C). The main flavonoids in POFs were identified as esculin, amentoflavone, glabridin, and afromosin. Meanwhile, POFs in the dosage range of 25 to 400 µg mL-1 showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells, which could inhibit the secretion of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α through the inhibition of inflammatory-related gene expressions.

Design of nanomaterial based systems for novel vaccine development.

With lower cell toxicity and higher specificity, novel vaccines have been greatly developed and applied to emerging infectious and chronic diseases. However, due to problems associated with low immunogenicity and complicated processing steps, the development of novel vaccines has been limited. With the rapid development of bio-technologies and material sciences, nanomaterials are playing essential roles in novel vaccine design. Incorporation of nanomaterials is expected to improve delivery efficiency, to increase immunogenicity, and to reduce the administration dosage. The purpose of this review is to discuss the employment of nanomaterials, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, virus-like particles, peptide amphiphiles micelles, peptide nanofibers and microneedle arrays, in vaccine design. Compared to traditional methods, vaccines made from nanomaterials display many appealing benefits, including precise stimulation of immune responses, effective targeting to certain tissue or cells, and desirable biocompatibility. Current research suggests that nanomaterials may improve our approach to the design and delivery of novel vaccines.

Powering up the molecular therapy of RNA interference by novel nanoparticles.

RNA interference technology has been widely applied in biomedical therapy in recent years. A type of small RNA molecule - siRNA could regulate the expression of disease related genes by breaking down the integrity of mRNA with high specificity. However, the low efficiency of siRNA delivery to its target seriously hampered the RNAi therapy. Compared with viral-based delivery systems, non-viral-based nanoparticles are more suitable for disease treatment due to reduced cellular toxicity, higher loading capacity, and better biocompatibility. This review article highlights several nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery systems, including liposomes, cationic solid lipid nanoparticles, reconstituted high density lipoprotein, polymeric nanoparticles, cationic cell penetrating peptides, and inorganic nanoparticles. The molecular mechanism of gene silencing, clinical examples, and the limitations of current technology related to nanomaterial sciences, are also discussed.