Functionalized nanospheres loaded with anti-angiogenic drugs: cellular uptake and angiosuppressive efficacy.

The objective of this study was to develop polymeric nanospheres (NPs) that are able to selectively target the activated vascular endothelium and to deliver co-encapsulated anti-angiogenic agents for improved treatment efficacy in inflammatory diseases with an angiogenic component. We evaluated a novel poly(d,l)-lactide (PLA)-based polymer, grafted with a synthetic ligand specific for selectin (PLA-g-SEL), for the preparation of functionalized NPs. The NPs were produced according to a double emulsion-solvent diffusion/evaporation method, allowing the co-encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Incorporation of the functionalized polymer enhanced the internalization of fluorescein-labeled NPs by lipopolysaccharide-activated vascular endothelial cells relative to control NPs, as evidenced by confocal laser scanning microscopy and quantitative fluorescence measurements. Two anti-angiogenic agents, endostatin and paclitaxel, were co-loaded in the functionalized NPs. Respective drug loadings were optimized by adjusting polymer composition, as well as by the microemulsion technique. NPs loaded with either of the chosen drugs or with a combination of them were tested for their anti-angiogenic efficacy in human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) culture in vitro and rat aorta tissue culture ex vivo models. An enhanced anti-proliferative effect on HUVECs and heightened anti-angiogenic action on rat aorta ring cultures was observed for the loaded drugs compared to the free molecules. Moreover, combined loaded treatments were found to be more potent, evoking additive and even synergetic outcomes (at lower doses) greater than the corresponding single-loaded treatments in inhibiting new vessels sprouting in rat aortic rings.

On the mechanism and dynamics of uptake and permeation of polyether-copolyester dendrimers across an in vitro blood-brain barrier model.

Dendrimers have emerged as a promising drug delivery system due to their well defined size, tailorability, and multifunctional nature. However, their application in brain delivery is relatively a new area of research. The present study was aimed at evaluating the uptake and permeation of polyether-copolyester (PEPE) dendrimers across the blood-brain barrier model and exploring the underlying mechanisms. Saturation was observed in the uptake of rhodamine B labeled PEPE dendrimers by brain vascular endothelial (bEnd.3) cells at high concentrations. Clathrin and caveolin inhibitors produced partial inhibition of the dendrimer uptake, signifying contribution of both pathways in the uptake process. PEPE dendrimers were able to cross in vitro BBB model in high amounts with P(app) of 19.7 +/- 1.9 x 10(-6) cm/s and 38.6 +/- 4.1 x 10(-6) cm/s for den-1-(G2)-400 and den-2-(G2)-400, respectively; and only 11-14% reduction in transendothelial electrical resistance during initial 4 h. The results of this study suggest that architecture of dendrimers plays a major role not only in influencing the extent and mechanism of uptake by bEnd.3 cells but also permeation across the BBB model. =

Methotrexate loaded polyether-copolyester dendrimers for the treatment of gliomas: enhanced efficacy and intratumoral transport capability.

Therapeutic benefit in glial tumors is often limited due to low permeability of delivery systems across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), drug resistance, and poor penetration into the tumor tissue. In an attempt to overcome these hurdles, polyether-copolyester (PEPE) dendrimers were evaluated as drug carriers for the treatment of gliomas. Dendrimers were conjugated to d-glucosamine as the ligand for enhancing BBB permeability and tumor targeting. The efficacy of methotrexate (MTX)-loaded dendrimers was established against U87 MG and U 343 MGa cells. Permeability of rhodamine-labeled dendrimers and MTX-loaded dendrimers across the in vitro BBB model and their distribution into avascular human glioma tumor spheroids was also studied. Glucosylated dendrimers were found to be endocytosed in significantly higher amounts than nonglucosylated dendrimers by both the cell lines. IC 50 of MTX after loading in dendrimers was lower than that of the free MTX, suggesting that loading MTX in PEPE dendrimers increased its potency. Similar higher activity of MTX-loaded glucosylated and nonglucosylated dendrimers was found in the reduction of tumor spheroid size. These MTX-loaded dendrimers were able to kill even MTX-resistant cells highlighting their ability to overcome MTX resistance. In addition, the amount of MTX-transported across BBB was three to five times more after loading in the dendrimers. Glucosylation further increased the cumulative permeation of dendrimers across BBB and hence increased the amount of MTX available across it. Glucosylated dendrimers distributed through out the avascular tumor spheroids within 6 h, while nonglucosylated dendrimers could do so in 12 h. The results show that glucosamine can be used as an effective ligand not only for targeting glial tumors but also for enhanced permeability across BBB. Thus, glucosylated PEPE dendrimers can serve as potential delivery system for the treatment of gliomas.

Influence of molecular architecture of polyether-co-polyester dendrimers on the encapsulation and release of methotrexate.

In the present study, effects of alterations in the chemical structure of polyester-co-polyether (PEPE) dendrimers on the encapsulation and release of methotrexate (MTX) was investigated. A series of PEPE dendrimers of different architecture were synthesized. Biocompatibility of the resulting dendrimers was evaluated in vitro by assessing their cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Dendrimers caused no cell death even at the concentration of 250 microg/mL, suggesting that they are acceptable for pharmaceutical applications. They also showed good capacity to encapsulate MTX, with loading as high as 24.5% w/w. Increase in the number of branches and the size of internal voids were shown to enhance the encapsulation. On the other hand, absence of aromatic rings as branching units drastically reduced the loading capacity. Physical entrapment, weak hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions were established to be the mechanisms of encapsulation. Release of MTX was biphasic, which included a burst release in 6h followed by a slower release over a period of 50 or 168 h. Increase in the number of branches profoundly decreased this initial burst release; in contrast, absence of aromatic rings in the dendritic structure resulted in a very rapid release.

Conformation and distribution of groups on the surface of amphiphilic polyether-co-polyester dendrimers: effect of molecular architecture.

Amphiphilic polyester-co-polyether (PEPE) dendrimers synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were examined to understand the influence of alterations in the architecture of dendrimers on their conformation at interfaces and distribution of various groups on their surface. Effect of changes in the number of branching points, type of terminal functional groups and generation of dendrimer was primarily evaluated. Dendrimers were deposited on mica by spin coating at 0.1 mg/mL. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed for the visualization of dendrimer topographies while, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), AFM phase and force imaging were used as the tools for characterization of their surfaces. Individual dendrimer molecules could be imaged by AFM, which showed that they are round or oval in topography. Dendrimers were also flattened on mica but the extent of flattening differed with the chemical structure; for instance, third generation dendrimers were more flattened than second generation dendrimers whereas, dendrimers with higher number of branches had greater height above the mica surface. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups present towards the aerial interface existed in distinct zones rather than being distributed randomly, except in dendrimer with higher number of branches. The percentage of various hydrophobic groups on the surface of dendrimer was enhanced by increase in the number of branches but, was lowered by the presence of hydroxyl groups as the pendant terminal groups. Furthermore, the core of dendrimers was not always located towards the centre, its position was found to be altered by the number of branching points, type of terminal functional groups and the generation of dendrimer.

An ex vivo characterization of Paclitaxel loaded chitosan films after implantation in mice.

The objective of present investigation was the characterization of chitosan films after in vivo implantation. Chitosan films were prepared at three dose loadings of paclitaxel by classical casting method. They were implanted subcutaneously in Swiss mice in the neck region and were removed at 7, 15, 21 and 30 days post implantation for characterization. In vitro release studies on explanted films were done to observe the influence of the time of implantation and loading on paclitaxel release, which were correlated with amount of paclitaxel remaining in films. Residual amount of paclitaxel remaining in explanted films decreased with increase in loading i.e. after 30 days, the % residual content of drug at 25, 20 and 15 mg loadings (per film) were 13, 20 and 45 % of the initial loading. The in vivo release of paclitaxel from films with higher loadings was higher, indicating that paclitaxel, per se, altered biodegradation of chitosan. Light microscopy and SEM studies of films removed from mice provided qualitative information on the loss of integrity and biodegradation of films with time. Further, FTIR and ATR-FTIR spectra revealed the changes in the film matrix that occur after implantation.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel dendrimers with a hydrophilic interior as nanocarriers for drug delivery.

Novel polyester-co-polyether dendrimers consisting of a hydrophilic core were synthesized by a combination of convergent and divergent syntheses. The core was synthesized from biocompatible moieties, butanetetracarboxylic acid and aspartic acid, and the dendrons from PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)), dihydroxybenzoic acid or gallic acid, and PEG monomethacrylate. The dendrimers, Den-1-(G 2) (second generation dendrimer-1) and Den-2-(G 2) (second generation dendrimer-2) consisting of 16 and 24 allyl surface groups, respectively, were obtained by coupling the dendrons to the core. The dendrimer (Den-1-(G 2)-OH) with hydroxyl groups at the surface was synthesized by oxidation of the allyl functional groups of Den-1-(G 2), which was divergently coupled to the dendrons to obtain the third generation dendrimer Den-1-(G 3) consisting of 32 surface groups. The modifications in surface groups and generation of dendrimers were shown to influence the shape of dendrimers in the AFM studies. The aggregation as well as self-assembly of dendrimers was observed at high concentration in water by light scattering studies; however, it was reduced on dilution and in the presence of sodium chloride. Dendrimers demonstrated good ability to encapsulate the guest molecule, with loading of 15.80 and 6.47% w/w for rhodamine and beta-carotene, respectively. UV spectroscopy proved the absence of any pi-pi complexation between the dendrimer and encapsulated compounds. (1)H NMR and FTIR studies showed that the physical entrapment and/or hydrogen bonding by PEO in the interior and branch of the dendrimer are the mechanisms of encapsulation. The release of the encapsulated compounds was found to be slow and sustained, suggesting that these dendrimers can serve as potential drug delivery vehicles.