reactive-inkjet-printing-propulsion-analysis-silk-based-self

Reactive Inkjet Printing and Propulsion Analysis of Silk-based Self-propelled Micro-stirrers

In this study, a protocol for using reactive inkjet printing to fabricate enzymatically propelled silk swimmers with well-defined shapes is reported. The ...

University of Sheffield

Curcumin is a promising anti-cancer drug, but its applications in cancer therapy are limited, due to its poor solubility, short half-life and low bioavailability. In this study, curcumin loaded magnetic alginate/chitosan nanoparticles were fabricated to improve the bioavailability, uptake efficiency and cytotoxicity of curcumin to Human Caucasian Breast Adenocarcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231). Alginate and chitosan were deposited on Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles based on their electrostatic properties. The nanoparticle size ranged from 120⁻200 nm, within the optimum range for drug delivery. Controllable and sustained release of curcumin was obtained by altering the number of chitosan and alginate layers on the nanoparticles. Confocal fluorescence microscopy results showed that targeted delivery of curcumin with the aid of a magnetic field was achieved. The fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) assay indicated that MDA-MB-231 cells treated with curcumin loaded nanoparticles had a 3⁻6 fold uptake efficiency to those treated with free curcumin. The 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay indicated that the curcumin loaded nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity towards MDA-MB-231 cells than HDF cells. The sustained release profiles, enhanced uptake efficiency and cytotoxicity to cancer cells, as well as directed targeting make MACPs promising candidates for cancer therapy.

Magnetic Alginate/Chitosan Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Curcumin into Human Breast Cancer Cells.

The lack of efficient and cost-effective methods for gene delivery has significantly hindered the applications of gene therapy. In this paper, a simple one step and cost effective salting-out method has been explored to fabricate silk-PEI nanoparticles (SPPs) and magnetic-silk/PEI core-shell nanoparticles (MSPPs) for targeted delivery of c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) into MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The size and zeta potential of the particles were controlled by adjusting the amount of silk fibroin in particle synthesis. Lower surface charges and reduced cytotoxicity were achieved for MSPPs compared with PEI coated magnetic nanoparticles (MPPs). Both SPPs and MSPPs were capable of delivering the ODNs into MDA-MB-231 cells and significantly inhibited the cell growth. Through magnetofection, high ODN uptake efficiencies (over 70%) were achieved within 20 min using MSPPs as carriers, exhibiting a significantly enhanced uptake effect compared to the same carriers via non-magnetofection. Both SPPs and MSPPs exhibited a significantly higher inhibition effect against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells compared to human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Targeted ODN delivery was achieved using MSPPs with the help of a magnet, making them promising candidates for targeted gene therapy applications.

Magnetic-silk/polyethyleneimine core-shell nanoparticles for targeted gene delivery into human breast cancer cells.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world and one of the major public health problems. Despite the great advances in cancer therapy, the incidence and mortality rates of cancer remain high. Therefore, the quest for more efficient and less toxic cancer treatment strategies is still at the forefront of current research. Curcumin, the active ingredient of the  plant, has received great attention over the past two decades as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent. In this review, a summary of the medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of curcumin and its derivatives in regard to anticancer activity, their main mechanisms of action, and cellular targets has been provided based on the literature data from the experimental and clinical evaluation of curcumin in cancer cell lines, animal models, and human subjects. In addition, the recent advances in the drug delivery systems for curcumin delivery to cancer cells have been highlighted.

Xiubo Zhao

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

University of Sheffield

Reactive Inkjet Printing and Propulsion Analysis of Silk-based Self-propelled Micro-stirrers