Search

pH-responsive nanogels have played an increasingly momentous role in tumor treatment. The focus of this study is to design and develop pH-responsive benzimidazole-chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (BIMIXHAC) nanogels for the controlled release of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) while enhancing its hydrophilicity. BIMIXHAC is crosslinked with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), hyaluronic acid sodium salt (HA), and sodium alginates (SA) using an ion crosslinking method. The chemical structure of chitosan derivatives was verified by 1H NMR and FT-IR techniques. Compared to hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC)-based nanogels, BIMIXHAC-based nanogels exhibit better drug encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity (BIMIXHAC-D-HA 91.76 %, and 32.23 %), with pH-responsive release profiles and accelerated release in vitro. The series of nanogels formed by crosslinking with three different polyanionic crosslinkers have different particle size potentials and antioxidant properties. BIMIXHAC-HA, BIMIXHAC-SA and BIMIXHAC-CMC demonstrate favorable antioxidant capability. In addition, cytotoxicity tests showed that BIMIXHAC-based nanogels have high biocompatibility. BIMIXHAC-based nanogels exhibit preferable anticancer effects on MCF-7 and A549 cells. Furthermore, the BIMIXHAC-D-HA nanogel was 2.62 times less toxic than DOX to L929 cells. These results suggest that BIMIXHAC-based nanogels can serve as pH-responsive nanoplatforms for the delivery of anticancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharides (TCMPs) derived from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), such as Ganoderma lucidum , Astragalus membranaceus , Lycium barbarum , and Panax ginseng , are considered to be the main active constituents in TCMs. However, the significant pharmacological effects of orally administered TCMPs do not align well with their poor pharmacokinetics. This article aims to review the literature published mainly from 2010 to 2022, focusing on the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects. It has been found that unabsorbed TCMPs can exert local pharmacological effects in the gut, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, regulation of intestinal flora, modulation of intestinal immunity, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. Unabsorbed TCMPs can also produce systemic pharmacological effects, such as anti-tumor activity and immune system modulation, by regulating intestinal flora and immunity. Conversely, some TCMPs can be absorbed and distributed to various tissues, especially the liver, where they exhibit tissue-protecting effects against inflammation and oxidative stress-induced damage and improve glucose and lipid metabolism. In future studies, it is important to improve quality control and experimental design. Furthermore, research on enhancing the oral bioavailability of TCMPs, exploring the activity of TCMP metabolites, investigating pharmacokinetic interactions between TCMPs and oral drugs, and developing oral drug delivery systems using TCMPs holds great significance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three polysaccharides (WZP1, WZP2, WZP3) and their Se-enriched products (SeWZP1, SeWZP2 and SeWZP3) were obtained from Pleurotus ostreatus using a simple, rapid method and HNO 3 -Na 2 SeO 3 method, respectively. The molecular weight distribution profiles of all samples except SeWZP2 showed double peaks. The average molecular weights (Mw) of WZP1–3 were 48.6 kDa, 20.2 kDa and 11.8 kDa, respectively, and of SeWZP1–3 were 19.6 kDa, 37.7 kDa, 14.5 kDa, respectively. The complexity of monosaccharide composition of WZP1–3 was inversely proportional to the ethanol concentration used in the ethanol precipitation process. Additionally, the results of biological activity tests indicated that α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of WZP1–3 was related to the molecular weight and the monosaccharide composition complexity. The selenized modification can improve the α-glucosidase-inhibiting, hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity of P. ostreatus polysaccharides. Therefore, by improving their bioactivities by selenization, the polysaccharides of P. ostreatus could be utilized as a natural health food supplement. Unlabelled Image • Three different polysaccharides were obtained from Pleurotus ostreatus using a simple and rapid method. • Se-enrich polysaccharides were successfully obtained using the HNO 3 -Na 2 SeO 3 method. • The selenized modification triggered potential the glucose to be isomerized into galactose. • Selenized modification could obviously elevate the α-glucosidase inhibitory, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of original polysaccharides. • Se-enrich products could be explored as novel antidiabetic healthcare products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]