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Aalok Basu,1 Arunsajee Sae-be,1 Thanaphon Namporn,1 Orasa Suriyaphan,2 Pongtip Sithisarn,3 Jiraporn Leanpolchareanchai,1 Piyaporn Plommaithong,1 Apichat Chatsukit,1 Khanit Sa-ngiamsuntorn,4 Parichart Naruphontjirakul,5 Pakatip Ruenraroengsak1,6 1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Department of Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 3Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 5Biological Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand; 6Centre of Molecular Targeting and Integrated Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandCorrespondence: Pakatip Ruenraroengsak, Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayuthaya Road, Rajathevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, Email pakatip.rue@mahidol.ac.thBackground: Sorafenib-resistant (SR) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a current serious problem in liver cancer treatment. Numerous phytochemicals derived from plants exhibit anticancer activity but have never been tested against drug-resistant cells.Methods: Avocado seed extract (APE) isolated by maceration was analysed for its phytochemical composition and anticancer activity. Novel design charge-switchable pH-responsive nanocarriers of aminated mesoporous silica nanoparticles with conjugated galactose (GMSN) were synthesised for delivering APE and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The drug loading efficiency (%LE) and entrapment efficiency (%EE) were evaluated. Anticancer activity of APE loaded GMSN was measured against HCC (HepG2, Huh-7) and SR-HCC (SR-HepG2).Results: Anticancer activity of APE against non-resistant HepG2 (IC50 50.9 ± 0.83 μg mL− 1), Huh-7 (IC50 42.41 ± 1.88 μg mL− 1), and SR-HepG2 (IC50 62.58 ± 2.29 μg mL− 1) cells was confirmed. The APE loaded GMSN had a diameter of 131.41 ± 14.41 nm with 41.08 ± 2.09%LE and 44.96 ± 2.26%EE. Galactose functionalization (55%) did not perturb the original mesoporous structure. The GMSN imparted positive surface charges, 10.3 ± 0.61mV at acidic medium pH 5.5 along with rapid release of APE 45% in 2 h. The GMSN boosted cellular uptake by HepG2 and SR-HepG2 cells, whereas the amine functionalized facilitated their endosomal escape. Their anticancer activity was demonstrated in non-resistant HCC and SR-HCC cells with IC50 values at 30.73 ± 3.14 (HepG2), 21.86 ± 0.83 (Huh-7), 35.64 ± 1.34 (SR-HepG2) μg mL− 1, respectively, in comparison to the control and non-encapsulated APE.Conclusion: APE loaded GMSN is highly effective against both non-resistant HCC and SR-HCC and warrants further in vivo investigation. Keywords: liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, galactose, sorafenib drug resistance, avocado, mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Abstract Bone cancer has traditionally been treated using surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. The nonspecific distribution of chemotherapy and implantable infections are significant risk factors for the failure of the bone to heal. Multifunctional zinc and silver co-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles (yAg–xZn-BGNPs) with a diameter of 150 ± 30 nm were successfully synthesized using modified sol–gel and two-step post-functionalization processes, tailored to provide antibacterial and anticancer activity whilst maintaining osteogenesis ability. Co-doped BGNPs with Zn and Ag did not significantly alter physicochemical properties, including size, morphology, glass network, and amorphous nature. Apatite-like layer was observed on the surface of yAg–xZn-BGNPs and resorbed in the simulated body fluid solution, which could increase their bioactivity. Human fetal osteoblast cell line (hFOB 1.19) treated with particles showed calcified tissue formation and alkaline phosphatase activity in the absence of osteogenic supplements in vitro, especially with 0.5Ag–1Zn-BGNPs. Moreover, these particles preferentially disrupted the metabolic activity of bone cancer cells (MG-63) and had an antibacterial effect against B. subtilis, E. coli, and S. aureus via the disc diffusion method. This novel 0.5Ag–1Zn-BGNP and 1Ag–1Zn-BGNPs, with wide-ranging ability to stimulate bone regeneration, to inhibit bone cancer cell proliferation, and to prevent bacterial growth properties, may provide a feasible strategy for bone cancer treatment. The 0.5Ag–1Zn-BGNPs and 1Ag–1Zn-BGNPs can be applied for the preparation of scaffolds or filler composites using in bone tissue engineering.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for 85% of liver cancer cases, continues to be the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although various forms of chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been investigated in clinics, patients continue to suffer from high toxicity and undesirable side effects. Medicinal plants contain novel critical bioactives that can target multimodal oncogenic pathways; however, their clinical translation is often challenged due to poor aqueous solubility, low cellular uptake, and poor bioavailability. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery presents great opportunities in HCC therapy by increasing selectivity and transferring sufficient doses of bioactives to tumor areas with minimal damage to adjacent healthy cells. In fact, many phytochemicals encapsulated in FDA-approved nanocarriers have demonstrated the ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment. In this review, information about the mechanisms of promising plant bioactives against HCC is discussed and compared. Their benefits and risks as future nanotherapeutics are underscored. Nanocarriers that have been employed to encapsulate both pure bioactives and crude extracts for application in various HCC models are examined and compared. Finally, the current limitations in nanocarrier design, challenges related to the HCC microenvironment, and future opportunities are also discussed for the clinical translation of plant-based nanomedicines from bench to bedside.

A topical antimicrobial ointment was developed from the fruit extract of Oroxylum indicum and was evaluated for its antibacterial and wound-healing effects and acute toxicity in animal models. O. indicum fruit and seed extracts exhibited antibacterial activities against clinically isolated bacteria and showed in vitro antioxidant activities. To develop a topical antimicrobial ointment from the fruit extract of O. indicum and evaluate for its antibacterial and wound-healing effects. O. indicum fruit extract ointment was prepared and qualitatively controlled. Acute toxicity of the extract was evaluated in the animal model. Antibacterial effects and healing effects of the ointment to the dog wound were investigated. The results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The ointment exhibited in vitro antibacterial effects. A single daily application of the ointment to a dog’s wound exhibited a wound-healing effect with complete epithelialization within 7 days while the wound was completely healed with the removal of the scabs, the size was decreased to 14% of the original size within 12 days. The ointment was found no acute toxicity in the animal model. O. indicum ointment promoted in vitro antibacterial activity and wound-healing effect in dogs with no acute toxicity.

A topical antimicrobial ointment was developed from the fruit extract of Oroxylum indicum and was evaluated for its antibacterial and wound-healing effects and acute toxicity in animal models. O. indicum fruit and seed extracts exhibited antibacterial activities against clinically isolated bacteria and showed in vitro antioxidant activities. To develop a topical antimicrobial ointment from the fruit extract of O. indicum and evaluate for its antibacterial and wound-healing effects. O. indicum fruit extract ointment was prepared and qualitatively controlled. Acute toxicity of the extract was evaluated in the animal model. Antibacterial effects and healing effects of the ointment to the dog wound were investigated. The results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The ointment exhibited in vitro antibacterial effects. A single daily application of the ointment to a dog's wound exhibited a wound-healing effect with complete epithelialization within 7 days while the wound was completely healed with the removal of the scabs, the size was decreased to 14% of the original size within 12 days. The ointment was found no acute toxicity in the animal model. O. indicum ointment promoted in vitro antibacterial activity and wound-healing effect in dogs with no acute toxicity., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research.)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for 85% of liver cancer cases, continues to be the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although various forms of chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been investigated in clinics, patients continue to suffer from high toxicity and undesirable side effects. Medicinal plants contain novel critical bioactives that can target multimodal oncogenic pathways; however, their clinical translation is often challenged due to poor aqueous solubility, low cellular uptake, and poor bioavailability. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery presents great opportunities in HCC therapy by increasing selectivity and transferring sufficient doses of bioactives to tumor areas with minimal damage to adjacent healthy cells. In fact, many phytochemicals encapsulated in FDA-approved nanocarriers have demonstrated the ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment. In this review, information about the mechanisms of promising plant bioactives against HCC is discussed and compared. Their benefits and risks as future nanotherapeutics are underscored. Nanocarriers that have been employed to encapsulate both pure bioactives and crude extracts for application in various HCC models are examined and compared. Finally, the current limitations in nanocarrier design, challenges related to the HCC microenvironment, and future opportunities are also discussed for the clinical translation of plant-based nanomedicines from bench to bedside.