Dexamethasone-Loaded Ureasil Hydrophobic Membrane for Bone Guided Regeneration.

Physical barrier membranes have been used to release active substances to treat critical bone defects; however, hydrophilic membranes do not present a prolonged release capacity. In this sense, hydrophobic membranes have been tested. Thus, this study aimed to develop hydrophobic membranes based on mixtures of ureasil-polyether-type materials containing incorporated dexamethasone (DMA) for the application in guided bone regeneration. The physicochemical characterization and biological assays were carried out using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), an in vitro DMA release study, atomic force microscopy (AFM), a hemolysis test, and in vivo bone formation. The swelling degree, SAXS, and release results revealed that the u-PPO400/2000 membrane in the proportion of 70:30 showed swelling (4.69% ± 0.22) similar to the proportions 90:10 and 80:20, and lower than the proportion 60:40 (6.38% ± 0.49); however, an equal release percentage after 134 h was observed between the proportions 70:30 and 60:40. All u-PPO materials presented hemocompatibility (hemolysis ≤2.8%). AFM results showed that the treatments with or without DMA did not present significant differences, revealing a flat/smooth surface, with no pores and/or crystalline precipitates. Finally, in vivo results revealed that for both the commercial hydrophilic membrane and u-PPO400/2000 (70:30) after 60 days, the bone formation volume was 21%. In conclusion, hybrid membranes present unique characteristics for treating critical bone defects, considering the delayed and prolonged release results associated with the physical barrier capacity.

Tailoring microstructural, drug release properties, and antichagasic efficacy of biocompatible oil-in-water benznidazol-loaded nanoemulsions.

This study explored the transition of lamellar-type liquid crystal (LLC) to biocompatible oil-in-water nanoemulsions able to modify benznidazole (BNZ) release and target the drug to cells infected with the T. cruzi parasite. Three cosolvents (2methylpyrrolidone [NMP], polyethylene glycol [POL], and propylene glycol [PRO] were tested to induce the transition of anisotropic LLC systems to isotropic nanoemulsions. Mixtures of soy phosphatidylcholine with sodium oleate stabilized the dispersions of medium chain triglyceride in water. Rheological measurements, polarized microscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering demonstrated that there is a phase transition from LLC to desired nanoemulsions. These small and narrow droplet-sized nanocarriers exhibited some advantages and promising features, such as the enhanced BNZ aqueous solubility and slow drug release rate. In vitro cell biocompatibility of formulations was assessed in the Vero E6 and SiHa cell lines. Drug-loaded nanoemulsions inhibited the epimastigote growth of the T. cruzi parasite (IC50 0.208 ±â€¯0.052 µg mL-1) and reduced its infective life form trypomastigote (IC50 0.392 ±â€¯0.107 µg mL-1). The oil-in-water nanoemulsions were demonstrated as promising biocompatible liquid drug delivery systems capable of improving the BNZ trypanocidal activity for the treatment of Chagas disease.

Monitoring structural features, biocompatibility and biological efficacy of gamma-irradiated methotrexate-loaded spray-dried microparticles.

In this study, biodegradable and biocompatible gamma irradiated poly-(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) spray-dried microparticles were prepared aiming to improve the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX). The experimental design included three formulations of microparticles containing distinct drug amount (9%, 18%, and 27% w/w) and three distinct gamma irradiation dose (15kGy, 25kGy, and 30kGy). The physicochemical and drug release properties of the microparticles supported their biocompatibility and biological efficacy studies in different cell lines. The irradiation induced slight changes in the spherical shape of the microparticles and the formation of free radicals was dependent on the drug loading. However, the amorphous character, particle size, drug loading, and drug release rate of the microparticles were preserved. The drug release data from all microparticles formulation were evaluated by using four drug kinetic models and by comparison of their similarity factor (f2). The gamma irradiation did not induce changes in the biocompatibility of PLGA microparticles and in the biological activity of the MTX-loaded microparticles. Finally, the spray-dried MTX-loaded PLGA microparticles enhanced the efficacy of the drug in the human cervical cancer cells (SiHa cell line). This study demonstrated the feasibility of the gamma irradiated spray dried PLGA microparticles for prolonged release of MTX, supporting a promising antitumor-drug delivery system for parenteral (subcutaneous) or pulmonary use.

Designing structural features of novel benznidazole-loaded cationic nanoparticles for inducing slow drug release and improvement of biological efficacy.

Several polymers have been investigated for producing cationic nanocarriers due to their ability to cross biological barriers. Polycations such as copolymers of polymethylmethacrylate are highlighted due to their biocompatibility and low toxicity. The purpose of this study was to produce small and narrow-sized cationic nanoparticles able to overcome cell membranes and improve the biological activity of benznidazole (BNZ) in normal and cancer cells. The effect of composition and procedure parameters of the used emulsification-solvent evaporation method were controlled for this purpose. The experimental approach included particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy (AFM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (ATR- FTIR), drug loading efficiency, and physical stability assays. Spherical and stable (over six weeks) sub 150nm cationic nanoparticles were optimized, with the encapsulation efficiency >80%. The used drug/copolymer ratio modulated the slow drug release, which was adjusted by the parabolic diffusion mathematical model. In addition, the ability of the cationic nanoparticles improve the BNZ uptake in the normal kidney cells (HEK 293) and the human colorectal cancer cells (HT 29) demonstrate that this novel BNZ-loaded cationic has great potential as a chemotherapeutic application of benznidazole.

New Trends on Antineoplastic Therapy Research: Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw) Oil Nanostructured Systems.

Bullfrog oil is a natural product extracted from the Rana catesbeiana Shaw adipose tissue and used in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extraction process of bullfrog oil, to develop a suitable topical nanoemulsion and to evaluate its efficacy against melanoma cells. The oil samples were obtained by hot and organic solvent extraction processes and were characterized by titration techniques and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The required hydrophile-lipophile balance and the pseudo-ternary phase diagram (PTPD) were assessed to determine the emulsification ability of the bullfrog oil. The anti-tumoral activity of the samples was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for normal fibroblast (3T3) and melanoma (B16F10) cell lines. Both extraction methods produced yielded around 60% and the oil was mainly composed of unsaturated compounds (around 60%). The bullfrog oil nanoemulsion obtained from PTPD presented a droplet size of about 390 nm and polydispersity = 0.05 and a zeta potential of about -25 mV. Both the bullfrog oil itself and its topical nanoemulsion did not show cytotoxicity in 3T3 linage. However, these systems showed growth inhibition in B16F10 cells. Finally, the bullfrog oil presented itself as a candidate for the development of pharmaceutical products free from cytotoxicity and effective for antineoplastic therapy.

Triethanolamine stabilization of methotrexate-ß-cyclodextrin interactions in ternary complexes.

The interaction of methotrexate (MTX) with beta-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) in the presence of triethanolamine (TEA) was investigated with the aim to elucidate the mechanism whereby self-assembly cyclodextrin systems work in association with this third component. Solubility diagram studies showed synergic increment of the MTX solubility to be about thirty-fold. Experiments using 2D ROESY and molecular modeling studies revealed the inclusion of aromatic ring III of the drug into ß-CD cavity, in which TEA contributes by intensifying MTX interaction with ß-CD and stabilizes MTX:ß-CD:TEA ternary complex by electrostatic interaction. The maintenance of these interactions in solid phase was also studied in ternary MTX:ß-CD:TEA and comparisons were made with freeze dried binary MTX:ß-CD and physical mixtures. FTIR studies evidenced that MTX-ß-CD interaction remained in solid ternary complexes, which was also supported by thermal (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG)/first derivative of TG analysis (DTG) and C,N,H elementary analysis) and structural (X-ray diffraction analysis, (XRD)) studies, mainly regarding the increment of drug stability. The efficient in vitro drug dissolution studies successfully demonstrated the contribution of ternary complexes, which highlights the importance of this possible new raw material for further applications in drug delivery systems.

Protein-rich fraction of Cnidoscolus urens (L.) Arthur leaves: enzymatic characterization and procoagulant and fibrinogenolytic activities.

Proteolytic enzymes are important macromolecules in the regulation of biochemical processes in living organisms. Additionally, these versatile biomolecules have numerous applications in the industrial segment. In this study we have characterized a protein-rich fraction of Cnidoscolus urens (L.) Arthur leaves, rich in proteolytic enzymes, and evaluated its effects on the coagulation cascade. Three protein-rich fractions were obtained from the crude extract of C. urens leaves by precipitation with acetone. Fraction F1.0 showed higher proteolytic activity upon azocasein, and thus, was chosen for subsequent tests. The proteolytic activity of F1.0 on fibrinogen was dose-dependent and time-dependent. The extract demonstrated procoagulant activity on citrated plasma and reduced the APTT, not exerting effects on PT. Despite the fibrin(ogen)olytic activity, F1.0 showed no defibrinogenating activity in vivo. The fraction F1.0 did not express hemorrhagic nor hemolytic activities. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by E-64, EDTA and in the presence of metal ions, and increased when pretreated with reducing agents, suggesting that the observed activity was mostly due to cysteine proteases. Several bands with proteolytic activity were detected by zymography with gelatin, albumin and fibrinogen. The optimal enzymatic activity was observed in temperature of 60 °C and pH 5.0, demonstrating the presence of acidic proteases. In conclusion, these results could provide basis for the pharmacological application of C. urens proteases as a new source of bioactive molecules to treat bleeding and thrombotic disorders.