Fabrication of cellulose nanocrystals as potential anticancer drug delivery systems for colorectal cancer treatment.

Polysaccharide nanocrystals have great potential to be used as improved drug carriers due to their low cost, high biodegradability, and biocompatibility. This study reports the synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) loaded with 5-fluorouracil (CNC/5FU) to evaluate their anticancer activity against colorectal cancer cells. X-ray and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that acid hydrolysis successfully degraded the amorphous cellulose to liberate the crystal regions. From transmission electron microscopy, CNC/5FU appeared as rod-like nanocrystals with an average length and width of 69.53 ± 1.14 nm and 8.13 ± 0.72 nm, respectively. The anticancer drug 5FU showed improved thermal stability after being loading onto CNC. From UV-vis spectroscopy data, the drug encapsulation efficiency in CNC/5FU was estimated to be 83.50 ± 1.52%. The drug release of CNC/5FU was higher at pH 7.4 compared to those at pH 4.2 and 1.2. From the cytotoxicity assays, CNC did not affect the viability of CCD112 colon normal cells. On the other hand, CNC/5FU exhibited anticancer effects against HCT116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The anticancer actions of CNC/5FU against HCT116 cells were then confirmed using an in vitro tumor-on-chip model and clonogenic assay. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that CNC/5FU killed the cancer cells by mainly inducing cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane damage. Overall, this study indicated that CNC/5FU could be a potential nanoformulation for improved drug delivery and colorectal cancer treatment.

Development of a Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Drug Delivery System (DDS): An Update.

Delivering a drug to the target site with minimal-to-no off-target cytotoxicity is the major determinant for the success of disease therapy. While the therapeutic efficacy and cytotoxicity of the drug play the main roles, the use of a suitable drug delivery system (DDS) is important to protect the drug along the administration route and release it at the desired target site. Polysaccharides have been extensively studied as a biomaterial for DDS development due to their high biocompatibility. More usefully, polysaccharides can be crosslinked with various molecules such as micro/nanoparticles and hydrogels to form a modified DDS. According to IUPAC, hydrogel is defined as the structure and processing of sols, gels, networks and inorganic-organic hybrids. This 3D network which often consists of a hydrophilic polymer can drastically improve the physical and chemical properties of DDS to increase the biodegradability and bioavailability of the carrier drugs. The advancement of nanotechnology also allows the construction of hydrogel DDS with enhanced functionalities such as stimuli-responsiveness, target specificity, sustained drug release, and therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a current update on the use of hydrogel DDS derived from polysaccharide-based materials in delivering various therapeutic molecules and drugs. We also highlighted the factors that affect the efficacy of these DDS and the current challenges of developing them for clinical use.

Development of Polymer-Assisted Nanoparticles and Nanogels for Cancer Therapy: An Update.

With cancer remaining as one of the main causes of deaths worldwide, many studies are undergoing the effort to look for a novel and potent anticancer drug. Nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the rising fields in research for anticancer drug development. One of the key advantages of using NPs for cancer therapy is its high flexibility for modification, hence additional properties can be added to the NPs in order to improve its anticancer action. Polymer has attracted considerable attention to be used as a material to enhance the bioactivity of the NPs. Nanogels, which are NPs cross-linked with hydrophilic polymer network have also exhibited benefits in anticancer application. The characteristics of these nanomaterials include non-toxic, environment-friendly, and variable physiochemical properties. Some other unique properties of polymers are also attributed by diverse methods of polymer synthesis. This then contributes to the unique properties of the nanodrugs. This review article provides an in-depth update on the development of polymer-assisted NPs and nanogels for cancer therapy. Topics such as the synthesis, usage, and properties of the nanomaterials are discussed along with their mechanisms and functions in anticancer application. The advantages and limitations are also discussed in this article.

Gut Bacteria of Columbia livia Are a Potential Source of Anti-Tumour Molecules.

OBJECTIVES: The overall aim was to determine whether gut bacteria of Columbia livia are a potential source of antitumour molecules. METHODS: Faecal and gut microbiota of Columbia livia were isolated, identified and conditioned media were prepared containing metabolites. Growth inhibition, lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity and cell survival assays were accomplished against cervical cancer cells. Next, liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry was conducted to elucidate the molecules present. RESULTS: A plethora of bacteria from faecal matter and gastrointestinal tract were isolated. Selected conditioned media exhibited potent anticancer effects and displayed cytotoxicity to cervical cancer cells at IC50 concentration of 10.65 and 15.19 µg/ml. Moreover, cells treated with conditioned media exhibited morphological changes, including cell shrinking and rounding; indicative of apoptosis, when compared to untreated cells. A total of 111 and 71 molecules were revealed from these gut and faecal metabolites. The identity of 60 molecules were revealed including, dihydroxymelphalan. Nonetheless, 122 molecules remain unidentified and are the subject of future studies. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that gut bacteria of Columbia livia possess molecules, which may have anticancer activities. Further in silico testing and/or high throughput screening will determine potential anticancer properties of these molecules.
.