A pH-sensitive supramolecular nanosystem with chlorin e6 and triptolide co-delivery for chemo-photodynamic combination therapy

The combination of Ce6,an acknowledged photosensitizer,and TPL,a natural anticancer agent,has been demonstrated as a useful strategy to reinforce the tumor growth suppression,as well as decrease the systemic side effects compared with their monotherapy.However,in view of the optimal chemo-photodynamic combination efficiency,there is still short of the feasible nanovehicle to steadily co-deliver Ce6 and TPL,and stimuli-responsively burst release drugs in tumor site.Herein,we described the synergistic antitumor performance of a pH-sensitive supramolecular nanosystem,mediated by the host–guest complexing betweenβ-CD and acid pH-responsive amphiphilic co-polymer mPEG-PBAE-mPEG,showing the shell–core structural micelles with the tightβ-CD layer coating.Both Ce6 and TPLwere facilely co-loaded into the spherical supramolecular NPs(TPL+Ce6/NPs)by one-step nanoprecipitation method,with an ideal particle size(156.0 nm),acid pH-responsive drug release profile,and enhanced cellular internalization capacity.In view of the combination benefit of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy,as well as co-encapsulation in the fabricated pH-sensitive supramolecular NPs,TPL+Ce6/NPs exhibited significant efficacy to suppress cellular proliferation,boost ROS level,lower MMP,and promote cellular apoptosis in vitro.Particularly,fluorescence imaging revealed that TPL+Ce6/NPs preferentially accumulated in the tumor tissue area,with higher intensity than that of free Ce6.As expected,upon 650-nm laser irradiation,TPL+Ce6/NPs exhibited a cascade of amplified synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapeutic benefits to suppress tumor progression in both hepatoma H22 tumor-bearingmice and B16 tumor-bearingmice.More importantly,lower systemic toxicitywas found in the tumor-bearingmice treated with TPL+Ce6/NPs.Overall,the designed supramolecular TPL+Ce6/NPs provided a promising alternative approach for chemo-photodynamic therapy in tumor treatment.

A novel quantified bitterness evaluation model for traditional Chinese herbs based on an animal ethology principle

Traditional Chinese herbs(TCH) are currently gaining attention in disease prevention and health care plans. However, their general bitter taste hinders their use. Despite the development of a variety of taste evaluation methods, it is still a major challenge to establish a quantitative detection technique that is objective, authentic and sensitive. Based on the two-bottle preference test(TBP), we proposed a novel quantitative strategy using a standardized animal test and a unified quantitative benchmark. To reduce the difference of results, the methodology of TBP was optimized. The relationship between the concentration of quinine and animal preference index(PI) was obtained. Then the PI of TCH was measured through TBP, and bitterness results were converted into a unified numerical system using the relationship of concentration and PI. To verify the authenticity and sensitivity of quantified results,human sensory testing and electronic tongue testing were applied. The quantified results showed a good discrimination ability. For example, the bitterness of Coptidis Rhizoma was equal to 0.0579 mg/mL quinine, and Nelumbinis Folium was equal to 0.0001 mg/mL. The validation results proved that the newassessment method for TCH was objective and reliable. In conclusion, this study provides an option for the quantification of bitterness and the evaluation of taste masking effects.

Injectable thermo-responsive nano-hydrogel loading triptolide for the anti-breast cancer enhancement via localized treatment based on “two strikes” effects

The clinical application of triptolide(TPL)in tumor therapy has been greatly limited by its toxicity and inefficient delivery.Herein,a localized and sustained-release thermo-sensitive hydrogel was developed for the intra-tumor administration of TPL.Based on the amphiphilic structure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)-g-F68 copolymer,it was able to form nano-micelles to efficiently encapsulate TPL,and then turn into a hydrogel at 37C.TPL@nano-gel exhibited a sustained drug release profile in vitro and a stronger anticancer effect caused by"two strikes".The"first strike"was its enhanced cytotoxicity compared to free TPL,due to the enhanced pro-apoptosis effect observed in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells caused by the regulation of endogenous mitochondrial pathways.Furthermore,TPL@nano-gel exhibited a"second-strike"through its anti-angiogenesis capabilities mediated through VEGFR-2 signaling inhibition.As expected,after intra-tumoral injection at a 0.45 mg/kg TPL-equivalent dose three times over 14 days in 4 T1 tumor-bearing mice,TPL@nano-gel led to lower systemic toxicity and higher antitumor efficacy compared to multiple injections of TPL.In this regard,these findings indicate that this injectable thermo-responsive hydrogel carries great potential for TPL as a safe and effective cancer therapy.

Prediction of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of curcumin by module-based protein interaction network analysis

Curcumin,the medically active component from Curcuma longa(Turmeric),is widely used to treat inflammatory diseases.Protein interaction network(PIN) analysis was used to predict its mechanisms of molecular action.Targets of curcumin were obtained based on ChE MBL and STITCH databases.Protein–protein interactions(PPIs) were extracted from the String database.The PIN of curcumin was constructed by Cytoscape and the function modules identified by gene ontology(GO) enrichment analysis based on molecular complex detection(MCODE).A PIN of curcumin with 482 nodes and 1688 interactions was constructed,which has scale-free,small world and modular properties.Based on analysis of these function modules,the mechanism of curcumin is proposed.Two modules were found to be intimately associated with inflammation.With function modules analysis,the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin were related to SMAD,ERG and mediation by the TLR family.TLR9 may be a potential target of curcumin to treat inflammation.