Inhalable oridonin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid large porous microparticles for in situ treatment of primary non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers. Traditional chemotherapy for this disease leads to serious side effects. Here we prepared an inhalable oridonin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid(PLGA) large porous microparticle(LPMP) for in situ treatment of NSCLC with the emulsion/solvent evaporation/freeze-drying method. The LPMPs were smooth spheres with many internal pores. Despite a geometric diameter of 10 mm, the aerodynamic diameter of the spheres was only 2.72 mm, leading to highly efficient lung deposition. In vitro studies showed that most of oridonin was released after 1 h, whereas the alveolar macrophage uptake of LPMPs occurred after 8 h, so that most of oridonin would enter the surroundings without undergoing phagocytosis. Rat primary NSCLC models were built and administered with saline, oridonin powder, gemcitabine, and oridonin-loaded LPMPs via airway, respectively. The LPMPs showed strong anticancer effects. Oridonin showed strong angiogenesis inhibition and apoptosis. Relevant mechanisms are thought to include oridonin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction accompanied by low mitochondrial membrane potentials, downregulation of BCL-2 expressions, upregulation of expressions of BAX, caspase-3 and caspase-9. The oridonin-loaded PLGALPMPs showed high anti-NSCLC effects after pulmonary delivery. In conclusion, LPMPs are promising dry powder inhalations for in situ treatment of lung cancer.

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes-supported porous silicon microparticles in low-temperature molten salt for highperformance Li-ion battery anodes

Silicon-based materials has attracted attention as a promising candidate for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)with high energy density.However,severe volume variation,pulverization,and poor conductivity hindered the development of Si based materials.In this study,porous Si microparticles supported by carbon nanotubes(p-Si/CNT)are fabricated through simple molten salt assisted dealloying process at low temperature followed by acid treatment.The ZnCl2 molten salt not only provides the liquid environment to enhance the reaction,but also participates the dealloying process and works as template for porous structure when removes by acid treatment.Additionally,distribution of defect sites in CNTs also increases after molten salt process.Density function theory(DFT)calculations further prove the defects could improve the adsorption of Li+.The participation of CNTs can also contribute to the reaction kinetics and retain the integrity of the electrode.As expected,the p-Si/CNT anode manifests enhanced lithium-storage performance in terms of superior cycling stability and good rate capability.The p-Si/CNT//LiCoO_(2) full cell assembly further demonstrates its potential as a prospective anode for high-performance LIBs.