Research

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13 pages, 1771 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Curcumin-Loaded Human Serum Albumin Nanoparticles Prevent Parkinson’s Disease-like Symptoms in C. elegans

by Arvie Camille V. de Guzman, Md. Abdur Razzak, Joong Hee Cho, Ji Yi Kim and Shin Sik Choi

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(5), 758; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12050758 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3208

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common degenerative disorders and is characterized by observable motor dysfunction and the loss of dopaminergic neurons. In this study, we fabricated curcumin nanoparticles using human serum albumin as a nanocarrier. Encapsulating curcumin is beneficial to improving [...] Read more.

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common degenerative disorders and is characterized by observable motor dysfunction and the loss of dopaminergic neurons. In this study, we fabricated curcumin nanoparticles using human serum albumin as a nanocarrier. Encapsulating curcumin is beneficial to improving its aqueous solubility and bioavailability. The curcumin-loaded HSA nanoparticles were acquired in the particle size and at the zeta potential of 200 nm and −10 mV, respectively. The curcumin-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles ameliorated Parkinson’s disease features in the C. elegans model, including body movement, basal slowing response, and the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. These results suggest that curcumin nanoparticles have potential as a medicinal nanomaterial for preventing the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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19 pages, 5311 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Citric Acid-Mediated Microwave-Hydrothermal Synthesis of Mesoporous F-Doped HAp Nanorods from Bio-Waste for Biocidal Implant Applications

by Gopalu Karunakaran, Eun-Bum Cho, Govindan Suresh Kumar, Evgeny Kolesnikov, Kattakgoundar Govindaraj Sudha, Kowsalya Mariyappan, Areum Han and Shin Sik Choi

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 315; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12030315 - 19 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2407

Abstract

In this current research, mesoporous nano-hydroxyapatite (HAp) and F-doped hydroxyapatite (FHAp) were effectively obtained through a citric acid-enabled microwave hydrothermal approach. Citric acid was used as a chelating and modifying agent for tuning the structure and porosity of the HAp structure. This is [...] Read more.

In this current research, mesoporous nano-hydroxyapatite (HAp) and F-doped hydroxyapatite (FHAp) were effectively obtained through a citric acid-enabled microwave hydrothermal approach. Citric acid was used as a chelating and modifying agent for tuning the structure and porosity of the HAp structure. This is the first report to use citric acid as a modifier for producing mesoporous nano HAp and F-doped FHAp. The obtained samples were characterized by different analyses. The XRD data revealed that F is incorporated well into the HAp crystal structure. The crystallinity of HAp samples was improved and the unit cell volume was lowered with fluorine incorporation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the obtained samples revealed that a nano rod-like shape was obtained. The mesoporous structures of the produced HAp samples were confirmed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. In vivo studies performed using zebrafish and C. elegans prove the non-toxic behavior of the synthesized F doped HAp samples. The obtained samples are also analyzed for antimicrobial activity using Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, which are majorly involved in implant failure. The F doped samples revealed excellent bactericidal activity. Hence, this study confirms that the non-toxic and excellent antibacterial mesoporous F doped HAp can be a useful candidate for biocidal implant application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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15 pages, 2510 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Liposomal PHD2 Inhibitors and the Enhanced Efficacy in Stabilizing HIF-1α

by Cheng-Bang Jian, Xu-En Yu, Hua-De Gao, Huai-An Chen, Ren-Hua Jheng, Chong-Yan Chen and Hsien-Ming Lee

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 163; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12010163 - 03 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3060

Abstract

Prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD2) inhibition, which stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and thus triggers adaptation responses to hypoxia in cells, has become an important therapeutic target. Despite the proven high potency, small-molecule PHD2 inhibitors such as IOX2 may require a nanoformulation for [...] Read more.

Prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD2) inhibition, which stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and thus triggers adaptation responses to hypoxia in cells, has become an important therapeutic target. Despite the proven high potency, small-molecule PHD2 inhibitors such as IOX2 may require a nanoformulation for favorable biodistribution to reduce off-target toxicity. A liposome formulation for improving the pharmacokinetics of an encapsulated drug while allowing a targeted delivery is a viable option. This study aimed to develop an efficient loading method that can encapsulate IOX2 and other PHD2 inhibitors with similar pharmacophore features in nanosized liposomes. Driven by a transmembrane calcium acetate gradient, a nearly 100% remote loading efficiency of IOX2 into liposomes was achieved with an optimized extraliposomal solution. The electron microscopy imaging revealed that IOX2 formed nanoprecipitates inside the liposome’s interior compartments after loading. For drug efficacy, liposomal IOX2 outperformed the free drug in inducing the HIF-1α levels in cell experiments, especially when using a targeting ligand. This method also enabled two clinically used inhibitors—vadadustat and roxadustat—to be loaded into liposomes with a high encapsulation efficiency, indicating its generality to load other heterocyclic glycinamide PHD2 inhibitors. We believe that the liposome formulation of PHD2 inhibitors, particularly in conjunction with active targeting, would have therapeutic potential for treating more specifically localized disease lesions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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14 pages, 2352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Encapsulation of Photothermal Nanoparticles in Stealth and pH-Responsive Micelles for Eradication of Infectious Biofilms In Vitro and In Vivo

by Ruifang Gao, Linzhu Su, Tianrong Yu, Jian Liu, Henny C. van der Mei, Yijin Ren, Gaojian Chen, Linqi Shi, Brandon W. Peterson and Henk J. Busscher

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(12), 3180; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11123180 - 24 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2235

Abstract

Photothermal nanoparticles can be used for non-antibiotic-based eradication of infectious biofilms, but this may cause collateral damage to tissue surrounding an infection site. In order to prevent collateral tissue damage, we encapsulated photothermal polydopamine-nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) in mixed shell polymeric micelles, composed of stealth [...] Read more.

Photothermal nanoparticles can be used for non-antibiotic-based eradication of infectious biofilms, but this may cause collateral damage to tissue surrounding an infection site. In order to prevent collateral tissue damage, we encapsulated photothermal polydopamine-nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) in mixed shell polymeric micelles, composed of stealth polyethylene glycol (PEG) and pH-sensitive poly(β-amino ester) (PAE). To achieve encapsulation, PDA-NPs were made hydrophobic by electrostatic binding of indocyanine green (ICG). Coupling of ICG enhanced the photothermal conversion efficacy of PDA-NPs from 33% to 47%. Photothermal conversion was not affected by micellar encapsulation. No cytotoxicity or hemolytic effects of PEG-PAE encapsulated PDA-ICG-NPs were observed. PEG-PAE encapsulated PDA-ICG-NPs showed good penetration and accumulation in a Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. Penetration and accumulation were absent when nanoparticles were encapsulated in PEG-micelles without a pH-responsive moiety. PDA-ICG-NPs encapsulated in PEG-PAE-micelles found their way through the blood circulation to a sub-cutaneous infection site after tail-vein injection in mice, yielding faster eradication of infections upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation than could be achieved after encapsulation in PEG-micelles. Moreover, staphylococcal counts in surrounding tissue were reduced facilitating faster wound healing. Thus, the combined effect of targeting and localized NIR irradiation prevented collateral tissue damage while eradicating an infectious biofilm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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15 pages, 22541 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Charge-Modulated Synthesis of Highly Stable Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation

by Sunyoung Woo, Soojin Kim, Hyunhong Kim, Young Woo Cheon, Seokjoo Yoon, Jung-Hwa Oh and Jongnam Park

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 3068; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11113068 - 14 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2163

Abstract

The surface charge of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) plays a critical role in the interactions between nanoparticles and biological components, which significantly affects their toxicity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we synthesized three differently charged IONPs (negative, neutral, and positive) [...] Read more.

The surface charge of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) plays a critical role in the interactions between nanoparticles and biological components, which significantly affects their toxicity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we synthesized three differently charged IONPs (negative, neutral, and positive) based on catechol-derived dopamine, polyethylene glycol, carboxylic acid, and amine groups, via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer-mediated polymerization (RAFT polymerization) and ligand exchange. The zeta potentials of the negative, neutral, and positive IONPs were −39, −0.6, and +32 mV, respectively, and all three IONPs showed long-term colloidal stability for three months in an aqueous solution without agglomeration. The cytotoxicity of the IONPs was studied by analyzing cell viability and morphological alteration in three human cell lines, A549, Huh-7, and SH-SY5Y. Neither IONP caused significant cellular damage in any of the three cell lines. Furthermore, the IONPs showed no acute toxicity in BALB/c mice, in hematological and histological analyses. These results indicate that our charged IONPs, having high colloidal stability and biocompatibility, are viable for bio-applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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16 pages, 14215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnosis and Simultaneous Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injury Using H₂O₂-Triggered Echogenic Antioxidant Polymer Nanoparticles in a Rat Model of Contusion Injury

by Gi-Wook Kim, Nan-Hee Song, Mi-Ran Park, Tae-Eon Kim, Da-Sol Kim, Young-Bin Oh and Dong-Won Lee

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2571; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11102571 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1818

Abstract

Ultrasound is clinically used for diagnosis and interventions for musculoskeletal injuries like muscle contusion, but contrast of ultrasonography still remains a challenge in the field of the musculoskeletal system. A level of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is known to be [...] Read more.

Ultrasound is clinically used for diagnosis and interventions for musculoskeletal injuries like muscle contusion, but contrast of ultrasonography still remains a challenge in the field of the musculoskeletal system. A level of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is known to be elevated during mechanical tissue damage and therefore H₂O₂ can be exploited as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker for mechanical injuries in the musculoskeletal system. We previously developed poly(vanillin-oxalate) (PVO) as an inflammation-responsive polymeric prodrug of vanillin, which is designed to rapidly respond to H₂O₂ and exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The primary aim of this study is to verify whether PVO nanoparticles could serve as contrast agents as well as therapeutic agents for musculoskeletal injuries simultaneously. In a rat model of contusion-induced muscle injury, PVO nanoparticles generated CO₂ bubbles to enhance the ultrasound contrast in the injury site. A single intramuscular injection of PVO nanoparticles also suppressed contusion-induced muscle damages by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration. We, therefore, anticipate that PVO nanoparticles have great translational potential as not only ultrasound imaging agents but also therapeutic agents for the musculoskeletal disorders such as contusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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22 pages, 19262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Distribution of Poly(ethylene glycol) Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoclusters: An Ultrastructural Study

by Maria Suciu, Claudiu Mirescu, Izabell Crăciunescu, Sergiu Gabriel Macavei, Cristian Leoștean, Rǎzvan Ştefan, Loredana E. Olar, Septimiu-Cassian Tripon, Alexandra Ciorîță and Lucian Barbu-Tudoran

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(9), 2184; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11092184 - 25 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2298

Abstract

The in vivo distribution of 50 nm clusters of polyethylene glycol-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs-PEG) was conducted in this study. SPIONs-PEG were synthesized de novo, and their structure and paramagnetic behaviors were analyzed by specific methods (TEM, DLS, XRD, VSM). Wistar rats [...] Read more.

The in vivo distribution of 50 nm clusters of polyethylene glycol-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs-PEG) was conducted in this study. SPIONs-PEG were synthesized de novo, and their structure and paramagnetic behaviors were analyzed by specific methods (TEM, DLS, XRD, VSM). Wistar rats were treated with 10 mg Fe/kg body weight SPIONs-PEG and their organs and blood were examined at two intervals for short-term (15, 30, 60, 180 min) and long-term (6, 12, 24 h) exposure evaluation. Most exposed organs were investigated through light and transmission electron microscopy, and blood and urine samples were examined through fluorescence spectrophotometry. SPIONs-PEG clusters entered the bloodstream after intraperitoneal and intravenous administrations and ended up in the urine, with the highest clearance at 12 h. The skin and spleen were within normal histological parameters, while the liver, kidney, brain, and lungs showed signs of transient local anoxia or other transient pathological affections. This study shows that once internalized, the synthesized SPIONs-PEG disperse well through the bloodstream with minor to nil induced tissue damage, are biocompatible, have good clearance, and are suited for biomedical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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Review

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26 pages, 2413 KiB

Open AccessReview

Precision and Advanced Nano-Phytopharmaceuticals for Therapeutic Applications

by Chooi Ling Lim, Chandramathi S. Raju, Tooba Mahboob, Sunil Kayesth, Kamal K. Gupta, Gaurav Kumar Jain, Mahaveer Dhobi, Muhammad Nawaz, Polrat Wilairatana, Maria de Lourdes Pereira, Jayanta Kumar Patra, Alok K. Paul, Mohammed Rahmatullah and Veeranoot Nissapatorn

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(2), 238; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12020238 - 12 Jan 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4259

Abstract

Phytopharmaceuticals have been widely used globally since ancient times and acknowledged by healthcare professionals and patients for their superior therapeutic value and fewer side-effects compared to modern medicines. However, phytopharmaceuticals need a scientific and methodical approach to deliver their components and thereby improve [...] Read more.

Phytopharmaceuticals have been widely used globally since ancient times and acknowledged by healthcare professionals and patients for their superior therapeutic value and fewer side-effects compared to modern medicines. However, phytopharmaceuticals need a scientific and methodical approach to deliver their components and thereby improve patient compliance and treatment adherence. Dose reduction, improved bioavailability, receptor selective binding, and targeted delivery of phytopharmaceuticals can be likely achieved by molding them into specific nano-formulations. In recent decades, nanotechnology-based phytopharmaceuticals have emerged as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of various communicable and non-communicable diseases. Nanotechnology combined with phytopharmaceuticals broadens the therapeutic perspective and overcomes problems associated with plant medicine. The current review highlights the therapeutic application of various nano-phytopharmaceuticals in neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastro-intestinal disorders. We conclude that nano-phytopharmaceuticals emerge as promising therapeutics for many pathological conditions with good compliance and higher acceptance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Healthcare Nanomaterials for Biomaterial and Drug Delivery Applications)

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