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© 2022 Elsevier B.V.Multifunctional nanoplatforms based on novel bimetallic nanoparticles have emerged as effective radiosensitizers owing to their potential capability in cancer cells radiosensitization. Implementation of chemotherapy along with radiotherapy, known as synchronous chemoradiotherapy, can augment the treatment efficacy. Herein, a tumor targeted nanoradiosensitizer with synchronous chemoradiotion properties, termed as CuFe2O4@BSA-FA-CUR, loaded with curcumin (CUR) and modified by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and folic acid (FA) was developed to enhance tumor accumulation and promote the anti-cancer activity while attenuating adverse effects. Both copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) were utilized in the construction of these submicron scale entities, therefore strong radiosensitization effect is anticipated by implementation of these two metals. The structure–function relationships between constituents of nanomaterials and their function led to the development of nanoscale materials with great radiosensitizing capacity and biosafety. BSA was used to anchor Fe and Cu ions but also to improve colloidal stability, blood circulation time, biocompatibility, and further functionalization. Moreover, to specifically target tumor sites and enhance cellular uptake, FA was conjugated onto the surface of hybrid bimetallic nanoparticles. Finally, CUR as a natural chemotherapeutic agent was encapsulated into the developed bimetallic nanoparticles. With incorporation of all abovementioned stages into one multifunctional nanoplatform, CuFe2O4@BSA-FA-CUR is produced for synergistic chemoradiotherapy with positive outcomes. In vitro investigation revealed that these nanoplatforms bear excellent biosafety, great tumor cell killing ability and radiosensitizing capacity. In addition, high cancer-suppression efficiency was observed through in vivo studies. It is worth mentioning that co-use of CuFe2O4@BSA-FA-CUR nanoplatforms and X-ray radiation led to complete tumor ablation in almost all of the treated mice. No mortality or radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity were observed following administration of CuFe2O4@BSA-FA-CUR nanoparticles which highlights the biosafety of these submicron scale entities. These results offer powerful evidence for the potential capability of CuFe2O4@BSA-FA-CUR in radiosensitization of malignant tumors and opens up a new avenue of research in this area.

Objective: Medicinal plants Scutellaria multicaulis and Scutellaria bornmuelleri belong to the Scutellaria genus and Lamiaceae family, and are widely used in traditional Iranian medicine. This study aims to characterize promising bioactive phytochemicals found in the aerial parts of S. multicaulis and S. bornmuelleri. Methods: Accordingly, volatile oils were obtained by hydrodistillation of S. multicaulis and S. bornmuelleri leaves and stems, and then analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results: A total of 88 components, representing 92.4% of the oil (oil yield determined to be 0.53%, v/w), were identified in the essential oils of S. multicaulis. The main group was sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (24%), with α-himachalene (7.2%), α-longipinene (6.8%), and α-copaene (3.2%) as the main components. A total of 89 chemicals, representing 83.2% of the essential oil (oil yield determined to be 0.31%, v/w), were detected in the essential oil of S. bornmuelleri. The main components were steroids, such as 14-β-H-pregna (32.9%), hydrocarbons (22.5%), sesquiterpenes (11.4%), and monoterpenes (4.6%), which were considered minor constituents. The contents of sesquiterpene and monoterpene hydrocarbons present in S. multicaulis and S. bornmuelleri were 24% and 7.1%, respectively. However, the contribution of oxygenated monoterpenes (4%) and sesquiterpenes (4.3%) in both species was less than 5%. Conclusion: As the first report on the chemical composition of S. multicaulis and S. bornmuelleri, this study showed that the major compounds were steroids and sesquiterpenes. Keywords: 14-β-H-Pregna, GC/MS, α-himachalene, α-Longipinene, Scutellaria

Niosomes (the nonionic surfactant vesicles), considered as novel drug delivery systems, can improve the solubility and stability of natural pharmaceutical molecules. They are established to provide targeting and controlled release of natural pharmaceutical compounds. Many factors can influence on niosome construction such as the preparation method, type and amount of surfactant, drug entrapment, temperature of lipids hydration, and the packing factor. The present review discusses about the most important features of niosomes such as their diverse structures, the different preparation approaches, characterization techniques, factors that affect their stability, their use by various routes of administration, their therapeutic applications in comparison with natural drugs, and specially the brain targeting with niosomes-ligand conjugation. It also provides recent data about the various types of ligand agents which make available active targeting drug delivery to the central neuron system. This system has an optimistic upcoming in pharmaceutical uses, mostly with the improving availability of innovative schemes to overcome blood-brain barrier and targeting the niosomes to the brain.