The therapeutic application of deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) is limited due to its poor water solubility and stability. In the present study, the micelles assembled by the amphiphilic block copolymers (mPEG-PDLLA) were constructed to improve the solubility and safety of DPT for their in vitro and in vivo application. The central composite design was utilized to develop the optimal formulation composed of 1221.41 mg mPEG-PDLLA, the weight ratio of 1 : 4 (mPEG-PDLLA : DPT), 30 mL hydration volume and the hydration temperature at 40 °C. The results showed that the micelles exhibited uniformly spherical shape with the diameter of 20 nm. The drug-loading and entrapment efficiency of deoxypodophyllotoxin-polymeric micelles (DPT-PM) were about (20 ± 2.84)% and (98 ± 0.79)%, respectively, indicating that the mathematical models predicted well for the results. Compared to the free DPT, the cytotoxicity showed that blank micelles possessed great safety for Hela cells. In addition, the DPT loaded micelle formulation achieved stronger cytotoxicity at the concentration of 1 × 10 mol·L, which showed significant difference from free DPT (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the micelles were highly promising nano-carriers for the anti-tumor therapy with DPT.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drug Design ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Micelles ; Particle Size ; Podophyllotoxin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Surface Properties

Objective: To explore the effects of Xialiqi Capsules(XLQ) on the expressions of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 in the prostate tissue of the BPH rat model. METHODS: Fifty male SD ratswereequally randomized into groups A (sham operation control), B (BPH model control), C (high-dose XLQ), D (low-dose XLQ), and E (finasteridecontrol) andthe BPH modelswere established by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 0.5 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for 30 days after castration. After modeling, the animals in groups A and B were treated intragastricallywith normal saline, while those in C, D, and E with XLQ at 1.20 and 0.61 g per kilogram of the body weight per day or finasterideat 0.8 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day, respectively, all for 30 days. Then,the bilateral prostates were harvestedfrom the rats for calculation of the prostatic index (prostate wet weight/ body weight) and determination of the expressions of PCNA and caspase-3 in the prostate tissue by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. RESULTS: The prostate wet weight and prostate index were significantly increased in group B as compared with group A, (［1326±60］ vs［471±17］ g, P<0.01; ［2.89±0.18］ vs ［1.06±0.06］ mg/g, P<0.01), but decreased in groups C (［914±36］ g;［2.02±0.08］ mg/g), D (［1 099±46］g;［2.39±0.11］ mg/g), and E (［817±53］ g;［1.83±0.10］ mg/g)in comparison with B (P<0.01), with statistically significant differences among groups C, D, and E(P<0.01) and most significantly in E.The PCNA level in the prostate tissue wasremarkably higher in group B than in A, but lower in groups C, D and E than in B. The expression of caspase-3 was down-regulatedin group B as compared with A, but up-regulated in groups C, D and E in comparison with B, most significantly in E. CONCLUSIONS Xialiqi Capsules can effectively reduce the prostate wet weight and prostatic index of in rats with BPH by inhibiting the level of PCNA and promoting the expression of caspase-3.
Animals ; Capsules ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Finasteride ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostate ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urological Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

With polyethylene glycol vitamin E succinate (TPGS) as the carrier materials, and berberine hydrochloride ( BER) as model drug, we formed berberine hydrochloride (BER) -loaded TPGS nanomicells (BER-PMs) using filming-rehydration method to improve its solubility and in vitro anti-tumor effect. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe the particle appearance; particle detector was used to detect the diameter and Zeta potential; and ultracentrifugation was utilized to determine the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug-loading (DD); dynamic dialysis method was used to study the in vitro release behavior of BER-PMs, and the anti-tumor activity against MCF-7 cells was determined by MTT method. Results showed that the average particle size of BER-PMs was (12.45 ± 1.46) nm; particle size was uniform and spherical; drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were (5.7 ± 0.22)% and (95.67 ± 5.35)%, respectively. Zeta potential was (-1.12 ± 0.23) mV; release rate within 24 h was 37.20% and 41.14% respectively in pH 7.4 and pH 6.5 phosphate buffer in vitro; compared with BER, BER-PMs can significantly inhibit MCF-7 cell proliferation (P < 0.05), promote cell apoptosis and improve the anti-tumor activity of BER in vitro. Therefore, the formed berberine hydrochloride micelle can more effectively promote the apoptosis of MCF-7 cell, and improve the drug's in vitro anti-tumor effect.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Solubility

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in fibrotic diseases. We have previously showed that silica induces EMT in human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs); however, the underlying mechanism of silica-induced EMT is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of Snail in silica-induced EMT in human BECs in vitro. Human BECs were treated with silica at various concentrations and incubation times. Then MTT assay, western blot, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection were performed. We found that silica increased the expression and DNA binding activity of Snail in human BECs. SNAI siRNA inhibited the silica-induced expression of Snail. Moreover, SNAI siRNA upregulated the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin, but attenuated the expression of mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin in silica-stimulated cells. These results suggest that Snail mediates the silica-induced EMT in human BECs.
Actins ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Humans ; Particle Size ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in primary sensory neurons play a key role in transmitting pain signals to the central nervous system. BmK I, a site-3 sodium channel-specific toxin from scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, induces pain behaviors in rats. However, the subtypes of VGSCs targeted by BmK I were not entirely clear. We therefore investigated the effects of BmK I on the current amplitude, gating and kinetic properties of Nav1.8, which is associated with neuronal hyperexcitability in DRG neurons. It was found that BmK I dose-dependently increased Nav1.8 current in small-sized (<25 μm) acutely dissociated DRG neurons, which correlated with its inhibition on both fast and slow inactivation. Moreover, voltage-dependent activation and steady-state inactivation curves of Nav1.8 were shifted in a hyperpolarized direction. Thus, BmK I reduced the threshold of neuronal excitability and increased action potential firing in DRG neurons. In conclusion, our data clearly demonstrated that BmK I modulated Nav1.8 remarkably, suggesting BmK I as a valuable probe for studying Nav1.8. And Nav1.8 is an important target related to BmK I-evoked pain.
Aniline Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Size ; Cells, Cultured ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; drug effects ; Furans ; pharmacology ; Ganglia, Spinal ; cytology ; Kinetics ; Male ; NAV1.8 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Scorpion Venoms ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Scorpions ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Agonists ; pharmacology

The aim of this study is to prepare hyaluronic acid (HA) modified core-shell liponanoparticles (pHA-LCS-NPs) as gene delivery system and investigate its gene transfection efficiency in human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells in vitro. The pHA-LCS-NPs was prepared by firstly hydrating dry lipid film with CS-NPs suspension to get LCS-NPs, then modifying the lipid bilayer with HA by amidation reaction between HA and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Its morphology, particle size and zeta potential were investigated. XTT assay was used to evaluate the cell safety of different vectors in vitro. The gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs modified with different contents of HA was investigated in ARPE-19 cells with green fluorescent protein (pEGFP) as the reporter gene. The results showed that the obtained pHA-LCS-NPs exhibited a clear core-shell structure with the average particles size of (214.9 +/- 7.2) nm and zeta potential of (-35 +/- 3.7) mV. The 24 h cumulative release of gene from pHA-LCS-NPs was less than 30%. After 48 h incubation, gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs/pEGFP was 1.81 times and 3.75 times higher than that of CS-NPs/pEGFP and naked pEGFP, respectively. Also no obvious cytotoxicity was observed on pHA-LCS-NPs. It suggested that the pHA-LCS-NPs might be promising non-viral gene delivery systems with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity.
Cell Survival ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; drug effects ; Transfection

This study primarily focused on the systematic assessment of both in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of docetaxel-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG)2000-polycaprolactone (PCL)2600 micelles on hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). By using solvent evaporation method, PEG-PCL was chosen to prepare doxetaxel (DTX)-loaded mPEG-PCL micelles (DTX-PMs), with the purpose of eliminating side effects of the commercial formulation (Tween 80) and prolonging the blood circulation time. The prepared DTX-PMs had an average particle size of 25.19±2.36 nm, a zeta potential of 0.64±0.15 mV, a polydispersity index of 0.56±0.03, a drug loading of (8.72±1.05)%, and an encapsulation efficiency of (98.1±8.4)%. In vitro cytotoxicity studies indicated that DTX-PMs could effectively kill LNCap-C4-2B cells and show a dose- and time-dependent efficacy. The hemolysis test showed that DTX-PMs had less hemocytolysis than the commercial product of Duopafei®. A sustained in vitro release behavior and prolonged circulation time in blood vessels were observed in the DTX-PMs. Furthermore, when compared with Duopafei®, the DTX-PMs dramatically reduced the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and tumor growth of prostate tumor-bearing nude mice in vivo. In conclusion, the DTX-PMs can lower systemic side effects, improve anti-tumor activity with prolonged blood circulation time, and will bring an alternative to patients with HRPC.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Area Under Curve ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Guinea Pigs ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Micelles ; Particle Size ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Taxoids ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

The contribution of particles to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has been enlightened by epidemiologic and experimental studies. However, adverse biological effects of the particles with different sizes on cardiovascular cells have not been well recognized. In this study, sub-cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to increasing concentrations of pure quartz particles (DQ) of three sizes (DQPM1, <1 μm; DQPM3-5, 3-5 μm; DQPM5, 5 μm) and carbon black particles of two sizes (CB0.1, <0.1 μm; CB1, <1 μm) for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was estimated by measuring the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cell viability. Nitric oxide (NO) generation and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) releases were analyzed by using NO assay and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. It was found that both particles induced adverse biological effects on HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. The size of particle directly influenced the biological activity. For quartz, the smaller particles induced stronger cytotoxicity and higher levels of cytokine responses than those particles of big size. For carbon black particles, CB0.1 was more capable of inducing adverse responses on HUVECs than CB1 only at lower particle concentrations, in contrast to those at higher concentrations. Meanwhile, our data also revealed that quartz particles performed stronger cell damage and produced higher levels of TNF-α than carbon black particles, even if particles size was similar. In conclusion, particle size as well as particle composition should be both considered in assessing vascular endothelial cells injury and inflammation responses induced by particles.
Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; secretion ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Particle Size ; Particulate Matter ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Quartz ; chemistry ; Soot ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; secretion

OBJECTIVE: To prepare Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and cell penetrating peptide TAT co-modified paclitaxel loaded liposome (RGD/TAT-LP-PTX) for MCF-7 cell inhibition. METHODS: The co-modified liposome was prepared by film-ultrasonic method. The appearance, particle size and zeta potential were evaluated. The cellular uptake by MCF-7 cells in vitro was used to evaluate the targeting efficiency. The anti-proliferation efficiency of RGD/TAT-LP-PTX was evaluated by MTT assay. Tumor spheroids were used to evaluate anti-tumor ability of RGD/TAT-LP-PTX in vitro. RESULTS: The particle diameter of the co-modified liposome was (138.8 ± 12.4) nm with the Zeta potential of (25.85 ± 2.75) mV. The entrapment efficiency of PTX was 88.3%. The RGD/TAT-LP uptaken by MCF-7 cells at 4 h was 1.79 times higher than that at 2 h. The co-modified liposome uptaken by MCF-7 cells was 2.25 and 2.72 times higher than that of TAT-LP and RGD-LP, respectively. The anti-proliferation rate of RGD/TAT-LP-PTX increased with time. The inhibition rate of RGD/TAT-LP-PTX for MCF-7 cells at 48 h was 1.78 times higher than that at 24 h. The MTT assay demonstrated the cell viability of RGD/TAT-LP-PTX was 1.65, 1.82 and 2.55 times higher than that of TAT-LP-PTX, RGD-LP-PTX and LP-PTX, respectively. CONCLUSION Co-modified liposome may serve as a promising breast cancer delivery system for antitumor drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Survival ; Humans ; Liposomes ; MCF-7 Cells ; drug effects ; Oligopeptides ; chemistry ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Peptide Fragments ; chemistry ; Spheroids, Cellular ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the roles or effects of oviductus ranae (OR) or oviductus ranae eggs (ORE) in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODSIn vivo experiment: Sixty female adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12. To provide an osteoporosis model 4 groups of rats were ovariectomized (OVX), with the 5th being sham operated. Medication commenced 7 days after the operation and lasted continuously for 12 weeks. Sham operated and OVX groups were given equivalent volumes of 5% Tween-80. The other three groups intragastrically received conjugated estrogens (CE), OR or ORE of the corresponding doses. At the 12th week, serum estrogen, bone gla protein (BGP), serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assayed; bone mineral densities (BMD) were measured and bone scanning was conducted; uteri were weighed, and weight, volume and length of the femoral bones were determined; and cortical thickness of femoral heads and area of bone trabecula were measured by image analyzer. In vitro experiment: Eighty 10-month old SD rats, with equal numbers of males and females, were randomly divided into 8 groups. Osteoblasts were isolated from neonatal rat calvariae, and the cells were exposed to various concentrations of serum from OR and ORE groups to study the impact of these sera on osteoblastic proliferation, ALP activity and mineralization. Osteoclastic numbers were determined using tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP).

RESULTSIn vivo experiment: The body weight of the four OVX groups increased significantly (P<0.01). Uterine weight of the CE group was the highest (P<0.01); Compared with the model group, estrogen level, BMD, bone scanning/bone imaging index weight of the femoral bones, cortical thickness of femoral heads in the OR and ORE groups increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01); femoral volume in the ORE group increased significantly (P<0.05); and the content of osteocalcin, phosphorus, and ALP in serum decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro experiment: Sera from OR and ORE groups had notable effects on the proliferation of osteoblasts (P<0.05 and P<0.01, repsectively) and stimulated the formation of calcium nodes (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the enhancement of ALP activity in osteoblasts was significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). The number of TRAP-positive cells was significantly reduced as well (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOR and its eggs could effectively suppress OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats, and increase bone turnover possibly by both an increase in osteoblastic activity and a decrease in osteoclastic activity. The present study provides evidence that OR and its eggs could be considered a complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Count ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Femur ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Ovum ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; Uterus ; drug effects ; pathology