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Sericin protein (SP) is widely used as a nutrient biomaterial for biomedical and cosmeceutical applications although it shows low stability to heat and light. To overcome these problems and add value to wastewater from the silk industry, sericin protein was recovered as sericin-loaded copolymer-liposomes (SP-PVA-LP), prepared through thin film hydration. The size and morphology of the liposomes were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The particle size, liposome surface morphology and encapsulation efficiency of SP were dependent on PVA concentration. The hydrodynamic size of the nanoparticles was between 200 and 400nm, with the degree of negative charge contingent on sericin loading. SEM and TEM images confirmed the mono-dispersity, and spherical nature of the particles, with FTIR measurements confirming the presence of surface bound PVA. Exposure of liposomes to 500ppm sericin highlighted a dependence of encapsulation efficiency on PVA content; 2% surface PVA proved the optimal level for sericin loading. Cytotoxicity and viability assays revealed that SP-loaded surface modified liposomes promote cellular attachment and proliferation of human skin fibroblasts without adverse toxic effects. Surface modified copolymer liposomes show high performance in maintaining structural stability, and promoting enhancements in the solubility and bio-viability of sericin. Taken together, these biocompatible constructs allow for effective controlled release, augmenting sericin activity and resulting in effective drug delivery systems., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Despite advances in neuroscience cancer research during the past decades, the survival of cancer patients has only marginally improved and the cure remains unlikely. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle protecting the entry of therapeutic agents to central nervous system, especially for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Thus, the use of small nanoparticle as a drug carrier may be new strategies to overcome this problem. In this study, we fabricated liposome consisting of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) functionalized with anti-CD20 (Rituximab; RTX). The designed nanoparticles have a theranostic property which is not only to improve drug delivery, but also to offer diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. TEM images revealed the spherical shape of liposome with the approximately average diameters about 140–190 nm with slightly negatively charge surfaces. Superparamagnetic property of SPIONs-loaded liposomes was confirmed by VSM. Liposome colloidal could be prolonged at 4 °C and 25 °C storages. RTX conjugated liposome induced cell internalization and apoptosis effect in B-lymphoma cells. Drug targeting and therapeutic effect was investigated in BBB model. The result confirmed that liposome nanocarrier is required as a drug carrier for effectively RTX across the BBB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]