Glucose-installed biodegradable polymeric micelles for cancer-targeted drug delivery system: synthesis,characterization and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> evaluation

Glucose metabolism of cancer can be used as a strategy to target cancer cells which exhibit altered glycolytic rate. The facilitated glucose transporter (Glut) plays an important role in enhancement glycolytic rate resulting in increased glucose uptake into cancer cells. ¹⁸FGD-PET image is an example for using Glut as a targeting to diagnose the high glycolytic rate of tumor. Thus, Glut may be adapted to target cancer cells for drug delivery system. Herein, biodegradation polymeric micelles target cancer cells by Glut was fabricated. The amphiphilic block copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) was synthesized where terminal group of the PEG chain was installed with glucose molecules. The ¹H-NMR confirmed the existence of glucose moiety from two distinct peaks (5.2 and 4.7 ppm) of protons at anomeric carbon of glucose. Glucose-PEG-b-PCL spontaneously forms micelles in an aqueous solution. The size and zeta potential were 22?nm and -7 mv, respectively. Glucose-micelles have high stability, and no evidence of cytotoxicity was found after incubation for 7 days. Doxorubicin, used as a fluorescent probe, was loaded into glucose-micelles. The enhanced amount of doxorubicin as a result of glucose-micelles in PC-3, MCF-7 and HepG2 was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometer. Glucose molecules on the surface of micelles increased internalization and enhanced uptake of micelles via bypassing endocytosis pathway. These results show the use of glucose as a targeting ligand on the micelle surface to target cancer cells via Glut.

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Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable tetra-amino-terminated PLGA telechelic copolymer

A new method for the synthesis of biodegradable multifunctional group-terminated copolymers is explored, by which a series of novel biodegradable tetra-amino-terminated PLGA telechelic copolymers are synthesized for the first time. The composition, structure, and thermal property of the telechelic copolymer were characterized by FTIR, NMR, GPC, and MDSC. The results show that by careful selection of the synthesis parameters, tetra-amino-terminated PLGA telechelic copolymer with desired molecular weight and glass transition temperature can be prepared. This versatile synthetic platform can provide a large family of biodegradable, tetra-amino-terminated telechelic copolymers with tunable physiochemical and biological properties useful for the preparation of network biodegradable polyester elastomer with tailorable properties.     

Methotrexate-grafted-oligochitosan micelles as drug carriers: synthesis and biological evaluations

The novel amphiphilic derivatives of Methotrexate–chitosan oligosaccharide (MTX–CHO) with different molar feeding ratios of MTX were synthesized. The degree of MTX substitution ranged from 4.47 to 13.5 %. MTX–CHO copolymer formed micelles with an average size of 134.6 ± 14.52 to 236.6 ± 30.01 nm, and zeta potential of 20 ± 5 to 16.8 ± 7.74 mV. The critical micelle concentration was found to range from 125 to 0.56 mg/l. Analysis of micelles with different degree of substitutions (DSs) revealed that the size of micelles decreased by increasing DS while zeta potential was reduced. Release study indicated that drug content had effect on the release rate. With increasing amount of loaded drug in the micelle, release rate was decreased. Drug loaded and unloaded MTX–CHO micelles showed significant cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231. Loaded micelle was more effective than unloaded one which indicated that conjugation could reduce efficacy of MTX. The viability of MDA-MB-231 in presence of drug loaded micelles was significantly decreased and cell viability at 1 µg/ml was 45.17 ± 9 % while the viability of unloaded micelles was 91.86 ± 9.88. These phenomena make MTX–CHO micelles as a good candidate for hydrophobic anticancer drug carrier.     

Graphene-based materials: synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications

Graphene, a two-dimensional, single-layer sheet of sp(2) hybridized carbon atoms, has attracted tremendous attention and research interest, owing to its exceptional physical properties, such as high electronic conductivity, good thermal stability, and excellent mechanical strength. Other forms of graphene-related materials, including graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and exfoliated graphite, have been reliably produced in large scale. The promising properties together with the ease of processibility and functionalization make graphene-based materials ideal candidates for incorporation into a variety of functional materials. Importantly, graphene and its derivatives have been explored in a wide range of applications, such as electronic and photonic devices, clean energy, and sensors. In this review, after a general introduction to graphene and its derivatives, the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of graphene-based materials are discussed.     

Porous nano-structured VO2 films with different surfactants: synthesis mechanisms, characterization, and applications

Porous nano-structured vanadium dioxide (VO₂) thin films have been prepared on mica substrates via sol–gel process using surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, nonionic surfactant polyethylene glycol, and anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate as nano-structure directing agents. Models concerning the structure forming were proposed to explain the synthesis mechanisms between V₂O₅ colloid and different surfactants. Porous nano-structured VO₂ films with sphere-shaped, island-shaped and strip-shaped nanocrystals are synthesized in the experiments, and the optical properties and thermochromic properties of these films are compared. The porous nano-structured VO₂ films showed excellent infrared transmittance (nearly 70 %), low transition temperature (59.7 °C without doping), wide hysteresis width (37.8 °C), and different optical transmittance difference before and after the phase transition (39–67 %). The results suggest that these porous nano-structured VO₂ films have significant importance in practical application in VO₂-based optical and electronic devices.     

PMMA-b-PHEA嵌段共聚物的制备和表征

采用分步法合成了两嵌段共聚物聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯-b-聚丙烯酸-2-羟乙酯(PMMA-b-PHEA):首先采用AIBN作为引发剂,FeCl3/PPh3作为催化体系,通过MMA的反向原子转移自由基聚合(RA-TRP),得到含端基Cl的M-n为17128聚合物PMMA-Cl;然后以PMMA-Cl为大分子引发剂,FeCl2/PPh3为催化体系,引发丙烯酸-2-羟乙酯(HEA)的原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP),得到的产物PMMA-b-PHEA分子量分布达到1.32,凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)、红外光谱(FTIR)、核磁共振(1HNMR)、差示扫描量热仪(DSC)和热重分析仪(TGA)对产物结构进行了表征,证实了嵌段共聚物PMMA-b-PHEA的生成。     

PEG-detachable and acid-labile cross-linked micelles based on orthoester linked graft copolymer for paclitaxel release

Polyethylene glycol detachable graft copolymer, mPEG-g-p(NAS-co-BMA), was synthesized by grafting 2-(ω-methoxy)PEGyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ylamine onto poly(N-(acryloyloxy)succinimide-co-butyl methacrylate). Pseudo in situ cross-linking of the mPEG-g-p(NAS-co-BMA) was performed in dimethylformamide phosphate buffer (v/v = 1/1) by an acid-labile diamine cross-linker bearing two symmetrical cyclic orthoesters. The cross-linked (CL) micelles with different contents of mPEG segments represented different morphologies. The CL micelles containing approximately one mPEG segment exhibited 'echini' morphology whereas the CL micelle with approximately three mPEG segments formed nanowires. The hydrolysis rate of the CL micelles is highly pH-dependent and much more rapid at mild acid than physiological conditions. Hydrolyzates of the CL micelles formed vesicles because new amphiphilic copolymers were formed. Paclitaxel (PTX) was successfully loaded into the CL micelles and a controlled and pH-dependent release behavior was observed. No obvious cytotoxicity was found for the CL micelles at concentration as high as 800 mg?l( - 1).     

Biotemplated silica and titania nanowires: synthesis, characterization and potential applications

A simple biotemplating method for the synthesis of silica (SiO2) and titania (TiO2) nanowires was designed on a fibrillar protein (alpha-synuclein) template. The diameter of SiO2 and TiO2 nanowires could be varied, between 20-100 nm, by varying the processing conditions. The nanowires were characterized by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Due to their high surface area and porosity, the nanowires were tested for potential applications in enzymatic biosensor design.     

Beclomethasone-loaded lipidic nanocarriers for pulmonary drug delivery: preparation, characterization and in vitro drug release

The purpose of this research paper was the development of lipid nanoparticles (LN) formulation suitable for beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) administration via the pulmonary route. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were prepared by high-shear homogenization method; the effects of process and formulation parameters on nanoparticles characteristics were investigated. LN were characterized in terms of morphology, size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and aerosol aerodynamic properties. Nano-sized BDP-loaded LN with high entrapment efficiency values reaching 99% were successfully obtained. Application of in vitro drug release data to the Higuchi kinetic equation indicated a diffusion-controlled release from the lipidic matrix. Aerosolisation and subsequent cascade impaction measurements proved that SLN and NLC were efficiently nebulized yielding aerosols of a suitable particle size for BDP deep lung delivery. Results demonstrate that LN are promising nebulized carriers for BDP opening the way for lipophilic drug-targeting strategies by nebulization.     

可生物降解聚合物微球的制备及载药应用

综述了近年来合成生物降解聚合物微球的种类、制备方法及作为药物载体的应用.结果表明,这类聚合物微球具有良好的安全性、生物相容性和生物降解性,在药物缓释、控释和疾病的治疗中具有非常重要的作用和应用前景.     

Nano-structured zinc oxide–cotton fibers: synthesis, characterization and applications

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared and subsequently deposited onto the surface of the cotton fiber by ultrasonic irradiation. The optical, structure and morphology of the coated and un-coated cotton were examined by UV, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis. XRD analysis revealed the presence of the crystalline metal oxide of hexagonal phase with an average crystallite size of 12 nm. These nanoparticles are probably physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface. SEM analysis showed a distribution of ZnO nanorod assemblies of various diameters and lengths physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface may take place. The ZnO-cotton fiber nano-composite were tested against Escherichia coli (gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) cultures, and showed a significant antimicrobial activity.     

温敏性聚己内酯-聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺作为抗癌药物载体的制备与药物释放的研究

以卟啉衍生物为内核,采用可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)聚合法合成了温度敏感性聚己内酯-聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺。用FT-IR、1 H NMR、GPC、TEM、分子荧光、变温紫外、粒度分布等手段对聚合物进行了表征,并以紫杉醇为模型药物分子,进行了药物释放测试。结果表明,聚合物自组装后,形成了平均直径为100nm左右的胶束。这种内部亲脂外部亲水的核壳结构能够稳定地载药,在温度为15℃的DMF中,12h内释放了37%的药物,而在温度为38℃的DMF中,12h药物释放量为81.4%。这种两亲性大分子聚合材料对紫杉醇的释放具有温度敏感性,有望在抗癌药物的控制释放领域得到广泛应用。     

Monodisperse hematite porous nanospheres: synthesis, characterization, and applications for gas sensors

Monodisperse α-Fe(2)O(3) porous nanospheres with uniform shape and size have been synthesized via a facile template-free route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy were employed to characterize the product, showing the high quality of the as-prepared α-Fe(2)O(3) porous nanospheres. Furthermore, the α-Fe(2)O(3) porous nanospheres can selectively detect ethanol, formaldehyde and acetic acid, with a rapid response and high sensitivity, from a series of flammable and toxic/corrosive gases, indicating their potential applications for high sensitivity gas sensors.     

Thermosensitive phase behavior and drug release of in situ N-isopropylacrylamide copolymer

In this work, a novel in situ gel based on N-isopropylacrylamide as monomer and acrylate terminated poly(l-lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-lactic acid) (PLEL) as biodegradable crosslinker was studied. The prepared poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) copolymer undergoes a temperature-dependent sol–gel transition, for it is a flowing sol at ambient temperature and turns into a non-flowing gel at around physiological body temperature. The sol–gel phase transition was recorded by using the methods of test tube‐inverting and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which depended not only on chemical composition of copolymer, but also on molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of PLEL. The in vitro release behaviors showed that ofloxacin as model drug could be released sustainedly from the PNIPAM copolymer hydrogel system. Therefore, PNIPAM copolymer hydrogel might be very useful for its application in biomedical fields such as injectable drug delivery system.     

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of conducting copolymer: poly(o-anisidine-co-o-toluidine)

Copolymerization of o-anisidine and o-toluidine was achieved electrochemically in aqueous solution containing H₂SO₄ as supporting electrolyte. The copolymer compositions can be altered by varying the monomer feed ratios during electrosynthesis. The films were electropolymerized in solution containing monomers in various ratio (0.025–0.1 M) and 1 M sulphuric acid as electrolyte by applying sequential linear potential scan rate 50 mV/s between −0.2 to 1.0 V. versus Ag/AgCl electrode. The copolymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetric, conductivity measurement, UV-Visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Hydroxyapatite starting from calcium carbonate and orthophosphoric acid: synthesis,characterization, and applications

Hydroxyapatite [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂], Ca-HA, is the emblematic mineral phase of bones, and is known for its complexity and difficult to reproduce chemical synthesis. Among the routes developed for obtaining this calcium phosphate, the so-called double-decomposition method is well described and often utilized. However, the Ca-HA synthesized by this way forms a larger mass of ammonium nitrate by-product than the desired product itself. Pure Ca-HA for orthopedic or dental applications usually uses thermal treatment to eliminate residual nitrogen compounds by releasing them in the atmosphere. Contemporary sol–gel methods currently in fashion produce even more degradation products including solvents and precursor organics. We now report on a green synthesis procedure which makes pure Ca-HA with minimum by-product. The synthesis calls for reacting phosphoric acid with calcium carbonate in water suspension to form a Ca-HA gel of fine particles. This gel can be filtered and the solids recovered, dried, and sintered, but can also be used as-is for environmental applications such as heavy metal ions or textile dye removal from polluted waste streams. This green Ca-HA has been used to trap heavy metals in flue gases and in municipal waste water treatment plants. This low-cost and low-environmental impact material can be developed for medical use because of its absence of impurities, and in catalytic productions for remediation of many environmental problems. Recent results show Ca-HA can also serve in reforming biogas compositions into useful products, after deposition of selected metal elements. Some of these results will be communicated in this paper.     

BCP ceramic microspheres as drug delivery carriers: synthesis,characterisation and doxycycline release

Resorbable ceramics such as biphasic calcium phosphates (BCP) are ideal candidates as drug delivery systems. The BCP ceramic is based on the optimum balance of the most stable hydroxyapatite (HA) phase and more soluble tricalcium phosphate phase (TCP). Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for the local treatment of periodontitis. The development of BCP microspheres and its release kinetics with doxycycline have been studied. The BCP ceramic powder were prepared by microwave processing and characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) methods. The BCP microspheres were formed by liquid immiscibility effect using gelatin and paraffin oil. Difference in the morphology of the microspheres as a function of gelatin content has been observed. Scanning electron microscope indicated spherical and porous morphology of the microspheres. Drug incorporation was studied at varying pH and the pH 7 was found to be optimal for drug loading. Release pattern tend to depend on the morphology of BCP microspheres. An optimum release of 80% drug has been observed for BCP microsphere with HA:TCP = 65:35 ratio. The surface area measurement results also correlate with drug release obtained.     

苯胺与二苯胺共聚物的合成与表征

以过硫酸铵(APS)为氧化剂，合成了苯胺和二苯胺的共聚物。利用元素分析、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、紫外-可见光谱(UV—vis)和电导率测定等手段，研究了介质组成、单体配比等对聚合产率及共聚物结构和性能的影响。结果表明，得到的产物是苯胺和二苯胺的无规共聚物，介质中有机溶剂(乙醇)比例的增加，有利于二苯胺的聚合，随着共聚物中二苯胺结构单元的增加，共聚物的电导率下降，而溶解率升高，在二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)中的溶解率最大可以达到79．0％。     

氧化还原响应型树枝状大分子的制备及释药性能研究

以乙二胺(EDA)、丙烯酸甲酯(MA)、聚乙二醇单甲醚-1900(mPEG-1900)、胱胺二盐酸盐为原料合成两亲树枝状大分子体系(mPEG-G4.0,mPEG-G(S—S)3.0,mPEG-G(S—S)4.0),通过傅里叶红外(FT-IR)确定聚合物的结构,以阿霉素(DOX)为模型分子研究该药物载体的包载和药物释放情况,获得树状大分子的特点、性质及对氧化还原的敏感性。结果表明mPEG-G4.0胶束、mPEG-G(S—S)3.0胶束、mPEG-G(S—S)4.0胶束的粒径均在670nm以下,且均具有良好的药物包载性能。载有DOX的mPEG-G(S—S)3.0,mPEG-G(S—S)4.0胶束在高的浓度GSH条件下药物释放速度较快,具有显著的氧化还原敏感性。