María Jimena Prieto

Optimization and in vitro toxicity evaluation of G4 PAMAM dendrimer–risperidone complexes

Risperidone is an approved antipsychotic drug belonging to the chemical class of benzisoxazole. This drug has low solubility in aqueous medium and poor bioavailability due to extensive first-pass metabolism and high protein binding (>90%). As new strategies to improve treatments efficiency are needed, we have studied cationic G4 PAMAM dendrimers performance to act as efficient nanocarriers for this therapeutic drug. In this respect, we explored dendrimer-risperidone complexation dependence on solvent, temperature, pH and salt concentration, as well as in vitro cytotoxicity measured on L929 cell line and human red blood cells. The best dendrimer-risperidone incorporation was achieved when a mixture of 70:30 and 90:10 v/v chloroform:methanol was used, obtaining 17 and 32 risperidone molecules per dendrimer, respectively. No cytotoxicity on L929 cells was found when dendrimer concentration was below 3 × 10(-2) μM and risperidone concentration below 5.1 μM. Also, no significant hemolysis or morphological changes were observed on human red blood cells. Finally, attempting to obtain an efficient drug delivery system for risperidone, incorporation in G4 PAMAM dendrimers was optimized, improving drug solubility with low cytotoxicity.

Optimization and in vivo toxicity evaluation of G4.5 PAMAM dendrimer-risperidone complexes.

Risperidone is an approved antipsychotic drug belonging to the chemical class of benzisoxazole. This drug has low solubility in aqueous medium and poor bioavailability due to extensive first-pass metabolism and high protein binding (>90%). Since new strategies to improve efficient treatments are needed, we studied the efficiency of anionic G4.5 PAMAM dendrimers as nanocarriers for this therapeutic drug. To this end, we explored dendrimer-risperidone complexation dependence on solvent concentration, pH and molar relationship. The best dendrimer-risperidone incorporation (46 risperidone molecules per dendrimer) was achieved with a mixture of chloroform:methanol 50∶50 v/v solution pH 3. In addition, to explore the possible effects of this complex, in vivo studies were carried out in the zebrafish model. Changes in the development of dopaminergic neurons and motoneurons were studied using tyrosine hydroxylase and calretinin, respectively. Physiological changes were studied through histological sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe possible morphological brain changes. The most significant changes were observed when larvae were treated with free risperidone, and no changes were observed when larvae were treated with the complex.

Development of Nutraceutical Emulsions as Risperidone Delivery Systems: Characterization and Toxicological Studies

Emulsions are gaining increasing interest to be applied as drug delivery systems. The main goal of this work was the formulation of an oil/water nutraceutical emulsion (NE) for oral administration, enriched in omega 3 (ω3) and omega 6 (ω6), and able to encapsulate risperidone (RISP), an antipsychotic drug widely used in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). RISP has low solubility in aqueous medium and poor bioavailability because of its metabolism and high protein binding. Coadministration of ω3, ω3, and vitamin E complexed with RISP might increase its bioavailability and induce a synergistic effect on the treatment of ASD. Here, we developed an easy and quick method to obtain NEs and then optimized them. The best formulation was chosen after characterization by particle size, defects of the oil-in-water interface, zeta potential (ZP), and in vitro drug release. The formulation selected was stable over time, with a particle size of around 3 μm, a ZP lower than -20 mV and controlled drug release. To better understand the biochemical properties of the formulation obtained, we studied in vitro toxicity in the Caco-2 cell line. After 4 h of treatment, an increase in cellular metabolism was observed for all RISP concentrations, but emulsions did not change their metabolic rate, except at the highest concentration without drug (25 μg/mL), which showed a significant reduction in metabolism respect to the control. Additionally, locomotor activity and heart rate in zebrafish were measured as parameters of in vivo toxicity. Only the highest concentration (0.625 μg/mL) showed a cardiotoxic effect, which corresponds to the decrease in spontaneous movement observed previously. As all the materials contained in the formulations were US FDA approved, the NE selected would be good candidate for clinical trials.

Nanotoxicological and teratogenic effects: A linkage between dendrimer surface charge and zebrafish developmental stages

&NA; This article reports novel results about nanotoxicological and teratogenic effects of the PAMAM dendrimers DG4 and DG4.5 in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish embryos and larvae were used as a rapid, high‐throughput, cost‐effective whole‐animal model. The objective was to provide a more comprehensive and predictive developmental toxicity screening of DG4 and DG4.5 and test the influence of their surface charge. Nanotoxicological and teratogenic effects were assessed at developmental, morphological, cardiac, neurological and hepatic level. The effect of surface charge was determined in both larvae and embryos. DG4 with positive surface charge was more toxic;than DG4.5 with negative surface charge. DG4 and DG4.5 induced teratogenic effects in larvae, whereas DG4 also induced lethal effects in both zebrafish embryos and larvae. However, larvae were less sensitive than embryos to the lethal effects of DG4. The platform of assays proposed and data obtained may contribute to the characterization of hazards and differential effects of these nanoparticles. HighlightsCationic dendrimers were more toxic than anionic ones, both in zebrafish embryos and larvae.Larvae were less sensitive than embryos to the toxic effects of both dendrimers.Cationic and anionic dendrimers induced developmental toxicity in larvae.

Nutraceutical emulsion containing valproic acid (NE-VPA): a drug delivery system for reversion of seizures in zebrafish larvae epilepsy model

Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug, which is currently used in neurodegenerative diseases. However, a high dose is required to obtain a therapeutic effect. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as omega 3 and omega 6, are efficient complements in treatments for neurological diseases. Previous studies have reported that a dietary supplement containing PUFAs together with the administration of antiepileptic drugs significantly reduces the frequency of seizures. Based on this, the main goal of this work was to obtain a complex based on VPA encapsulation in an oil/water (o/w) nutraceutical emulsion (NE) enriched with PUFAs for oral administration. Besides, encapsulation of VPA might reduce its dose and increase its therapeutic effect. In order to study its effect, we used a zebrafish larvae model of induced epileptiform behavior with the proconvulsant drug pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Results have shown that when 100xa0μM VPA and fatty acids were combined in the NE (NE-VPA), the epileptiform behavior of PTZ-treated zebrafish larvae decreased significantly. Additionally, morphological changes, hepatotoxicity, lethality and heart rate were studied. Despite the fact that a high dose of VPA exerted a cardiotoxic effect, this was no longer detected after addition of this drug in the NE. This treatment exerted a significant antiepileptic effect and did not result in highly toxic or lethal effects. In order to develop an improved pharmaceutical treatment, and considering that all the components used are FDA approved for consumption, the NE-VPA selected might be easily incorporated into clinical trials.

G4.5 Pamam Dendrimer-Risperidone: Biodistribution and Behavioral Changes in In Vivo Model

Dendritic polymers are considered as emerging and outstanding carriers as modern medicinal systems due to their derivatisable branched architecture and possibility to modify them in numerous ways. Here, G4.5 PAMAM dendrimers were obtained as carriers of the antipsychotic drug risperidone. Despite their extensive applicability in the pharmaceutical field, the use of dendrimers as carriers in biological systems is constrained due to their inherent associated toxicity. The biocompatibility of dendrimers and dendrimer-risperidone complexes was evaluated in vivo for biological performance. To this end, the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution after oral treatment of free risperidone and dendrimer-risperidone complexes were studied in healthy mice. Also, the behavioral changes such as locomotion, aggression, dominance in male and female mice were evaluated both after a single dose and after daily therapy for 8 days. Also, in vivo effects of risperidone and dendrimer-risperidone complexes on the locomotion of zebrafish larvae were explored. n nThe data obtained suggest that the unmetabolized risperidone complexes increase the arrival to the brain after 90 minutes. On the other hand, behavioral studies showed an increase in the potency of the drug in animals treated with the complexes.

In vivo study of teratogenic and anticonvulsant effects of antiepileptics drugs in zebrafish embryo and larvae

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Since AEDs are administered in women in childbearing age, it is critical to study if drugs are capable of inducing developmental toxicity. Along the bibliography available, there is no research comparing teratogenicity and anticonvulsant effect within the same study. In the present study, we evaluated the teratogenic and anticonvulsant effects of six different AEDs: carbamazepine, levetiracetam, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproic acid. Zebrafish was the selected animal model because of its small size, rapid external development and similar neurophysiology to mammals. Zebrafish embryo and larvae were exposed to AEDs. Embryo development was monitored by their hatching and morphology. In larvae, locomotor activity was measured as a parameter of neurotoxicity. Finally, anticonvulsant effect was determined after exposure to AEDs in zebrafish larvae treated with the proconvulsant drug pentylenetetrazole. Our results suggest that lamotrigine and phenytoin could be suitable non-teratogenic and efficient anticonvulsant options for epilepsy treatment.

Nano-formulation for topical treatment of precancerous lesions: skin penetration, in vitro, and in vivo toxicological evaluation

With the aim of improving the topical delivery of the antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU), it was loaded into ultradeformable liposomes composed of soy phosphatidylcholine and sodium cholate (UDL-5FU). The liposome populations had a mean size of 70xa0nm without significant changes in 56xa0days, and the ultradeformable formulations were up to 324-fold more elastic than conventional liposomes. The interaction between 5FU and the liposomal membrane was studied by three methods, and also release profile was obtained. UDL-5FU did penetrate the stratum corneum of human skin. At in vitro experiments, the formulation was more toxic on a human melanoma-derived than on a human keratinocyte-derived cell line. Cells captured liposomes by metabolically active processes. In vivo toxicity experiments were carried out in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae by studying the swimming activity, morphological changes, and alterations in the heart rate after incubation. UDL-5FU was more toxic than free 5FU. Therefore, this nano-formulation could be useful for topical application in deep skin precancerous lesions with advantages over current treatments. This is the first work that assessed the induction of apoptosis, skin penetration in a Saarbrücken penetration model, and the toxicological effects in vivo of an ultradeformable 5FU-loaded formulation.

Toward biomedical application of amino-functionalized silicon nanoparticles

Silicon blue-emitting nanoparticles (NPs)xa0are promising effectors for photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy, because of their production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon irradiation.nnnRESULTSnAmino-functionalized silicon NPs (NH2SiNP) were intrinsically nontoxic below 100xa0μg/ml in vitro (on two tumor cell lines) and in vivo (zebrafish larvae and embryos). NH2SiNP showed a moderate effect as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy and reduced ROS generation in radiotherapy, which could be indicative of a ROS scavenging effect. Encapsulation of NH2SiNP into ultradeformable liposomes improved their skin penetration after topical application, reaching the viable epidermis where neoplastic events occur.nnnCONCLUSIONnSubsequent derivatizations after amino-functionalization and incorporation to nanodrug delivery systems could expand the spectrum of the biomedical application of these kind of silicon NPs.

Folic acid magnetic nanotheranostics for delivering doxorubicin: Toxicological and biocompatibility studies on Zebrafish embryo and larvae

ABSTRACT Doxorubicin (DOXO) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used for the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies in both adults and children. However, DOXO causes short‐ and long‐term cardiotoxicity and others undesirable side effects, such as nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) allow the delivery of drugs specifically to target place, employing an external magnet. Moreover, they may act as contrast agents in MRI providing information on the diagnostic of diverse pathologies. In this way, two functions may be combined in a unique nanosystem known as theranostic. Also, the MNPs can be modified with folic acid (MNPs@FA) to increase the uptake by cancer cells that overexpress the FA receptors. In previous works, our collaborators obtained and characterized MNPs, MNPs@FA, and MNPs@FA@DOXO. It is essential to study the biosafety of nanotheranostic, and there is no published study of Fe3O4 nanoparticles developmental toxicity. Because of that, this work aimed to study the in vivo toxicity and biocompatibility of DOXO, MNPs@FA, and MNPs@FA@DOXO using zebrafish embryo and larvae as an animal model. Viability, developmental toxicity, changes in spontaneous movement (neurotoxicity), changes in cardiac rhythm (cardiotoxicity), and efficiency of DOXO‐uptake were studied. While the 48‐h treatment with 50 &mgr;g/mL of DOXO resulted in a 30% larvae death and the development of significant morphological abnormalities, the treatment with MNPs@FA@DOXO and MNPs@FA did not reduce the viability and did not cause developmental abnormalities. Besides, the MNPs@FA@DOXO reduced the cardiotoxicity and promoted a more rapid and significant uptake of DOXO by zebrafish larvae. Graphical Abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsThis work is the first studying the toxicity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in zebrafish.Doxorubicin showed to be toxic in both zebrafish embryo and larvae.Folic acid magnetic nanotheranostic reduced the toxicity caused by Doxorubicin.Folic acid magnetic nanotheranostic proved to be a biocompatible delivery system.The developed nanotheranostic improved the Doxorubicin‐uptake at shorter times.