Search

It is critical to obtain an anti-inflammatory microenvironment when curing spinal cord injury (SCI). On the basis of this, we prepared Lycium barbarum oligosaccharide (LBO)-nasal mucosa-derived mesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) fibronectin hydrogel for SCI restoration via inflammatory license effect and M2 polarization of microglias. LBO exhibited remarkable M2 polarization potential for microglia. However, EMSCs primed by LBO generated enhanced paracrine effects through the inflammatory license-like process. The observed dual function is likely based on the TNFR2 pathway. In addition, LBO-EMSC hydrogel possesses a synergistic effect on M2 polarization of microglia through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway. The obtained findings provide a simple approach for MSC-based therapies for SCI and shed more light on the role of TNFR2 on bidirectional regulation in tissue regeneration.

Recently, bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), a constituent of turmeric, has been studied widely in view of their various therapeutic effects, namely anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory. Since ancient times, turmeric has been extensively used as a naturally occurring traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and as a crucial home remedy for treatment of many health problems such as inflammation and pain. However, the action of anti-gouty arthritis and analgesic activity of its constituents, especially BDMC, have not been scientifically reported yet. Despite the various bioactivities of BDMC, its utilization in clinics has been restricted owing to poor solubility and bioavailability. This research aimed at enhancing oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic of BDMC via liposome formulation which was modified with d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS or vitamin E TPGS) and was characterized using various parameters both in vitro and in vivo. Also, the analgesic and anti-gouty activities of BDMC-loaded TPGS-modified liposomes were investigated by assessing pain threshold and serum uric acid level in potassium oxonate–induced hyperuricemic rats. As the result, BDMC-loaded TPGS-modified liposomes were formulated successfully with optimal physiochemical properties such as 75.98 ± 5.46 nm (particle size), 0.246 ± 0.011 (polydispersity index), − 38.21 ± 0.29 mV (zeta potential), 96.98 ± 0.17 (encapsulation efficiency (EE%)), and 4.84 ± 0.0089 (drug loading capacity (DL%)). Moreover, the oral bioavailability of liposomized BDMC was approximately 10-fold greater than free BDMC in vivo and in vitro cumulative release rates in pH 1.2 (78%) and pH 7 (68%) respectively. This significantly improved the sustaining drug effect of BDMC compared with free form. In addition, BDMC-TPGS liposome acted as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor to evidently reduce uric acid level in potassium oxonate–induced hyperuricemic rats and remarkably increase pain threshold capacity and reaction time in hot plate test at a dose-dependent manner. Altogether, BDMC-conjugated TPGS liposome could act as favorable nanocarriers against gouty arthritis and intense pain with prospect of overcoming the limitation of BDMC application.

Punicic acid of pomegranate oil (PAP) has gained heightened interest due to several health benefits, such as anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, and antiatherosclerotic properties. However, these bioactivities have been hampered by chemical instability, poor water solubility, rapid metabolism, and low bioavailability of PAP. Therefore, this study was aimed at optimizing the liposomal formulation of Triacylglycerol-bound punicic acid with its regioisomers (TPAR) for improved oral bioavailability and increased hepatoprotection through antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Herein, the optimized TPAR nanoliposome (TPAR-NL) was developed using thin-film dispersion method and subsequently characterized with appropriate indices. The optimized TPAR-NL produced fairly stable spherical nanoparticles (˂ 200 nm) with encapsulation efficiency (%EE) of 85.77%, as well as enhanced in vitro release and improved oral bioavailability. The TPAR-NL exhibited profound antihepatotoxic effect in mice pretreated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) via reduction of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels compared with free TPAR. The TPAR-loaded liposome also significantly reduced oxidative stress by increasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels while lowering malonaldehyde concentration compared with the free TPAR. The TPAR-LNF further exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity compared with the free drug via inhibition of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha generation. Thus, the developed nanoliposomes potentiated the antihepatotoxic activity of TPAR via antioxidation and anti-inflammation.

Myricetin (MRC) is a naturally occurring herbal flavonoid compound that has been recognized as a useful medicinal agent over a long time, but its applications have been restricted due to its poor aqueous solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This study was designed to promote the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of MRC via the two novel pro-liposomes formulations, one with and one without Vitamin E TPGS ( d -α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 Succinate) using thin-film method, denoted as MRC-PL and MRC-TPGS-PL. Successfully formulated nano pro-liposomes were spherical in shape, uniformly distributed and possessed in vitro controlled release profile. The small particle size ( 94%) and drug loading capacity (>6.5%) indicated a strong affinity between MRC and the core of the nano pro-liposomes. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed that the oral bioavailability of MRC increased by 7.2-fold when loaded into TPGS modified pro-liposome thus leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, significantly better pharmacological effects, especially antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of MRC, were achieved via TPGS modified pro-liposome formulation rather than the TPGS-free pro-liposome and unformulated MRC. Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that TPGS modified pro-liposomes could be potential nanocarriers for overcoming the limitations in delivery of hydrophobic compounds via the oral route.

An innovative strategy for the generation of chondrocytes was thoroughly studied in this paper. Polyetherimide-modified polysaccharides of Porphyra yezoensis (pmPPY) served as a nonviral gene vector and delivered Sox9 plasmid to directly reprogram mouse embryonic fibroblasts into chondrocytes. The gene transfer efficiency was evaluated through ELISA, RT-PCR, and Western blot. The induced chondrocytes were identified through toluidine blue, Safranin O, and the immunostaining. The expression level of collagen II was finally evaluated through western blot. The pSox9/pmPPY nanoparticles (1:50) showed lower cytotoxicity as well as greater gene transfection efficiency than Lipofectamine 2000 and polyetherimide (PEI) (p

Background Previous studies have reported that transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from many human tissues could ameliorate ovarian dysfunction. However, no study has revealed the therapeutic efficiency of MSCs derived from the chorionic plate (CP-MSCs) for premature ovarian failure (POF). Methods We investigated the restorative effects of CP-MSCs on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced POF. The POF mouse models were established via intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg CTX into female mice for 15 consecutive days. After that, CP-MSCs were intravenously transplanted into the mice once a week for 4 weeks. The serum estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the mouse models were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and after treatment. Ovarian function was evaluated through counting the follicles, estrous cycles, and oocytes. Results CP-MSC transplantation restored the serum hormone level and ovarian function of the mice in the mouse model of POF induced by CTX. The levels of serum E2 and FSH in the POF model group was 232.33 ± 17.16 pg/mL and 4.48 ± 0.29 mIU/mL, respectively, after 6 weeks of treatment, which were similar to the values in the wild-type (WT) group. The superovulation demonstrated that ovarian function was significantly improved compared with nontreated POF model mice. The CP-MSC transplantation could restore CTX-induced ovarian dysfunction. Conclusions Our results offer a potential application for human CP-MSCs in POF treatment.

Direct reprogramming of other somatic cells into neurons is an alternative strategy for the recovery of an injured nervous system. In this work, we developed a new non-viral gene carrier based on Porphyra yezoensis polysaccharide (PYP). After modification with ethylenediamine, the cationized PYP (Ed-PYP) was combined with plasmids encoding Ascl1, Brn2 and FoxA1 to form spherical nanoscale particles (Ed-PYP-pABF nanoparticles). Cytotoxicity assays proved that Ed-PYP-pABF nanoparticles had a better safety profile than Lipofectamine 2000 and polyetherimide. Characterization tests illustrated that the Ed-PYP-pABF nanoparticles at an Ed-PYP:pABF weight ratio of 40:1 is a potential candidate for gene delivery, which was further supported by Western blot and plasmid encoding enhanced green fluorescence protein transfection. Based on this transfection strategy, we co-delivered pABF to 3T6 cells using Ed-PYP. ELISA indicated that the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factors and sonic hedgehog reached a maximum at 14 days after the last transfection. Immunofluorescence and Western blot further exhibited positive expression of neurofilament 200, Nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, growth associated protein-43, β-3tubulin, and microtubule associated protein 2, proving the successful conversion of 3T6 cells into neurons. Taken together, these results illustrated that a natural polysaccharide-based gene co-delivery system is a promising strategy for neural reprogramming.

With the increasing demand for higher gene carrier performance, a multifunctional vector could immensely simplify gene delivery for disease treatment; nevertheless, the current non- viral vectors lack self-tracking ability. Here, a type of novel, dual-functional cationic carbon dots (CDs), produced through one-step, microwave-assisted pyrolysis of arginine and glucose, have been utilized as both a self-imaging agent and a non-viral gene vector for chondrogenesis from fibroblasts. The cationic CDs could condense the model gene plasmid SOX9 (pSOX9) to form ultra-small (10–30 nm) nanoparticles which possessed several favorable properties, including high solubility, tunable fluorescence, high yield, low cytotoxicity and outstanding biocompatibility. The MTT assay indicated that CDs/pSOX9 nanoparticles had little cytotoxicity against mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) compared to Lipofectamine2000 and PEI (25 kDa). Importantly, the CDs/pSOX9 nanoparticles with tunable fluorescence not only enabled the intracellular tracking of the nanoparticles, but also could successfully deliver the pSOX9 into MEFs with significantly high efficiency. Furthermore, the CDs/pSOX9 nanoparticles-mediated transfection of MEFs showed obvious chondrogenic differentiation. Altogether, these findings demonstrated that the CDs prepared in this study could serve as a paradigmatic example of the dual-functional reagent for both self-imaging and effective non-viral gene delivery.