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Current anticancer drug discovery and development efforts are aimed at identifying new complexes that can potently and selectively target DNA and modulate the functions of target proteins. Tin complexes, categorized as monoorganotin (RSnL3), diorganotin (R2SnL2), triorganotin (R3SnL), or tetraorganotin (R4SnL), are one of the most studied complexes in the metal‐based anticancer drug discovery and development field. Among these, diorganotins and triorganotins are widely reported to possess promising anticancer properties, with triorganotins offering several potential advantages over diorganotins, such as a higher total surface area causing higher lipophilicity and hence higher cytotoxicity in cancer cells. However, information on triorganotins' direct therapeutic targets, an in‐depth understanding of their mechanism of action, and useful therapeutic strategies are still lacking. In this review, we discuss the results from in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies of triorganotin complexes as reported in recent years (2007–2019) and elaborate on the underlying mechanisms that could aid in the identification of triorganotin complex molecular targets. We conclude by identifying present obstacles faced by triorganotin complexes that avert their translation to the clinical phase and current strategies employed to overcome the aforementioned obstacles, and we offer considerations for their future development. These findings are anticipated to stimulate further developments of novel and innovative triorganotin complexes as anticancer drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While nano-sized construct (NSC) use in medicine has grown significantly in recent years, reported unwanted side effects have raised safety concerns. However, the toxicity of NSCs to the cardiovascular system (CVS) and the relative merits of the associated evaluation methods have not been thoroughly studied. This review discusses the toxicological profiles of selected NSCs and provides an overview of the assessment methods, including in silico, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models and how they are related to CVS toxicity. We conclude the review by outlining the merits of telemetry coupled with spectral analysis, baroreceptor reflex sensitivity analysis and echocardiography as an appropriate integrated strategy for the assessment of the acute and chronic impact of NSCs on the CVS. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the optimization of phospholipid liposome formulations to mimic red blood cells. Optimization of different concentrations of distearylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylserine at a fixed concentration of lecithin and Tween 80 was done using response surface methodology. The optimized formulation produced liposomes with a particle size in the range of 112-196 nm. The optimized formulation shows low encapsulation efficiency at low levels of insulin but increases at higher loading levels. Formulated vesicles fulfill the size requirement for intravenous drug delivery. The present system is environmentally friendly with respect to biodegradability and biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solvents used in various pharmaceutical preparations may be associated with chronic health effects, with special emphasis on halogenated solvents. Liposomes, lipid bilayer membrane carriers, have potential applications in targeted drug delivery systems. The non-halogenated solvents, acetonitrile and ethanol, were used in comparison to commonly used chloroform. The effect of solvents and dispersion medium was demonstrated using physicochemical properties, stability studies and hemolytic activity. Increased sonication time showed decreased particle size in phosphate buffer saline and water medium. Vesicles prepared from all solvents exhibited better stability in phosphate saline buffer than water when evaluated by particle size and zeta potentials. Liposomes showed a positive zeta potential in buffer solution whereas liposomes in water showed negative zeta potential. In vitro hemolytic activity of liposomes was done with fresh human red blood cells. Results in buffer solution were in the range of 1-4 % which further proved this medium superior to pure water. The findings of this study are helpful in suggesting the formulation of thin films by less hazardous solvents in terms of the environmental integrity and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]