Phuong Thu Ha

Chitosan and O-carboxymethyl chitosan modified Fe3O4 for hyperthermic treatment

In this study magnetic fluids were manufactured by the adsorption of chitosan (CS) and O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMCS) on Fe3O4 nanoparticles to be used as hyperthermic thermoseeds. Fe3O4 particles were characterized by physico-chemical methods such as: thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The SEM images and XRD patterns showed that the synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles were of single phase and spherical shape with 10–15 nm in diameter. The VSM measurements showed that Fe3O4 particles were superparamagnetic with saturation magnetization of 70 emu g−1. The adsorbed layers of CS and OCMCS on the magnetite surface (Fe3O4/CS) and (Fe3O4/OCMCS) were confirmed by FTIR, Raman spectra and SEM. In the ac magnetic field of 80 Oe and 236 kHz, the saturation heating temperatures of the sample Fe3O4/CS and Fe3O4/OCMCS were 100 and 98 °C, respectively. At the same concentration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in suspension, the two magnetic fluids exhibited quite high heating capacity, with different behaviors of concentration dependence. The Fe3O4/CS and Fe3O4/OCMCS nanoparticles would serve as good thermoseeds for localized hyperthermia treatment of cancers.

Preparation and anti-cancer activity of polymer-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles

Curcumin (Cur) is a yellow compound isolated from rhizome of the herb curcuma longa. Curcumin possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antimicrobial properties, and suppresses proliferation of many tumor cells. However, the clinical application of curcumin in cancer treatment is considerably limited due to its serious poor delivery characteristics. In order to increase the hydrophilicity and drug delivery capability, we encapsulated curcumin into copolymer PLA-TPGS, 1,3-beta-glucan (Glu), O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMCs) and folate-conjugated OCMCs (OCMCs-Fol). These polymer-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (Cur-PLA-TPGS, Cur-Glu, Cur-OCMCs and Cur-OCMCs-Fol) were characterized by infrared (IR), fluorescence (FL), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and found to be spherical particles with an average size of 50‐100nm, being suitable for drug delivery applications. They were much more soluble in water than not only free curcumin but also other biodegradable polymer-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles. The anti-tumor promoting assay was carried out, showing the positive effects of Cur-Glu and Cur-PLA-TPGS on tumor promotion of Hep-G2 cell line in vitro. Confocal microscopy revealed that the nano-sized curcumin encapsulated by polymers OCMCs and OCMCs-Fol significantly enhanced the cellular uptake (cancer cell HT29 and HeLa).

Characteristics and cytotoxicity of folate-modified curcumin-loaded PLA-PEG micellar nano systems with various PLA:PEG ratios

Targeting delivery system use natural drugs for tumor cells is an appealing platform help to reduce the side effects and enhance the therapeutic effects of the drug. In this study, we synthesized curcumin (Cur) loaded (D, L Poly lactic - Poly ethylenglycol) micelle (Cur/PLA-PEG) with the ratio of PLA/PEG of 3:1 2:1 1:1 1:2 and 1:3 (w/w) and another micelle modified by folate (Cur/PLA-PEG-Fol) for targeting cancer therapy. The PLA-PEG copolymer was synthesized by ring opening polymerization method. After loading onto the micelle, solubility of Cur increased from 0.38 to 0.73mgml(-1). The average size of prepared Cur/PLA-PEG micelles was from 60 to 69nm (corresponding to the ratio difference of PLA/PEG) and the drug encapsulating efficiency was from 48.8 to 91.3%. Compared with the Cur/PLA-PEG micelles, the size of Cur/PLA-PEG-Fol micelles were from 80 to 86nm and showed better in vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity towards HepG2 cells. The cytotoxicity of the NPs however depends much on the PEG component. The results demonstrated that Folate-modified micelles could serve as a potential nano carrier to improve solubility, anti-cancer activity of Cur and targeting ability of the system.

Enhanced cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of folate decorated doxorubicin loaded PLA- TPGS nanoparticles

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective anticancer drugs for treating many types of cancer. However, the clinical applications of DOX were hindered because of serious side-effects resulting from the unselective delivery to cancer cell including congestive heart failure, chronic cardiomyopathy and drug resistance. Recently, it has been demonstrated that loading anti-cancer drugs onto drug delivery nanosystems helps to maximize therapeutic efficiency and minimize unwanted side-effects via passive and active targeting mechanisms. In this study we prepared folate decorated DOX loaded PLA-TPGS nanoparticles with the aim of improving the potential as well as reducing the side-effects of DOX. Characteristics of nanoparticles were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) method and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Anticancer activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated through cytotoxicity and cellular uptake assays on HeLa and HT29 cancer cell lines. The results showed that prepared drug delivery system had size around 100 nm and exhibited higher cytotoxicity and cellular uptake on both tested HeLa and HT29 cells.

The synthesis of poly(lactide)-vitamin E TPGS (PLA-TPGS) copolymer and its utilization to formulate a curcumin nanocarrier

Curcumin is a natural substance that exhibits the ability to inhibit and/or treat carcinogenesis in a variety of cell lines, but because of its poor solubility in water the treatment efficacy is limited. In this paper we report on the fabrication of self-assembled micelle nanoparticles loaded with a curcumin drug by use of a biocompatible copolymer of PLA-TPGS (d-a-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate—vitamin E TPGS) conjugate. The polylactide (PLA)-TPGS copolymer synthesized by ring-opening polymerization was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) techniques. The surface morphology of PLA-TPGS and curcumin loaded PLA-TPGS was determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The absorption and fluorescence examinations indicated that due to micellar capsulation the intensity of both types of spectra increased by about 4 times in comparison with those of the free curcumin sample.

Curcumin as fluorescent probe for directly monitoring in vitro uptake of curcumin combined paclitaxel loaded PLA-TPGS nanoparticles

Theranostics, which is the combination of both therapeutic and diagnostic capacities in one dose, is a promising tool for both clinical application and research. Although there are many chromophores available for optical imaging, their applications are limited due to the photobleaching property or intrinsic toxicity. Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from the rhizome of curcuma longa, is well known thanks to its bio-pharmaceutical activities and strong fluorescence as biocompatible probe for bio-imaging. In this study, we aimed to fabricate a system with dual functions: diagnostic and therapeutic, based on poly(lactide)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (PLA-TPGS) micelles co-loaded curcumin (Cur) and paclitaxel (PTX). Two kinds of curcumin nanoparticle (NP) were fabricated and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods. The cellular uptake and fluorescent activities of curcumin in these systems were also tested by bioassay studies, and were compared with paclitaxe-oregon. The results showed that (Cur + PTX)-PLA-TPGS NPs is a potential system for cancer theranostics.

Biomedical and environmental applications of magnetic nanoparticles

This paper presents an overview of syntheses and applications of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) at the Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Three families of oxide MNPs, magnetite, manganite and spinel ferrite materials, were prepared in various ways: coprecipitation, sol?gel and high energy mechanical milling. Basic properties of MNPs were characterized by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and Physical Properties Measurement Systems (PPMS). As for biomedical application, the aim was to design a novel multifunctional, nanosized magnetofluorescent water-dispersible Fe3O4-curcumin conjugate, and its ability to label, target and treat tumor cells was described. The conjugate possesses a magnetic nano Fe3O4 core, chitosan (CS) or Oleic acid (OL) as an outer shell and entrapped curcumin (Cur), serving the dual function of naturally autofluorescent dye as well as antitumor model drug. Fe3O4-Cur conjugate exhibited a high loading cellular uptake with the help of a macrophage, which was clearly visualized dually by Fluorescence Microscope and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM), as well as by magnetization measurement (PPMS). A preliminary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study also showed a clear contrast enhancement by using the conjugate. As for the environmental aspect, the use of magnetite MNPs for the removal of heavy toxic metals, such as Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb), from contaminated water was studied.

Inhibition effect of engineered silver nanoparticles to bloom forming cyanobacteria

Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) has a wide range antibacterial effect and is extensively used in different aspects of medicine, food storage, household products, disinfectants, biomonitoring and environmental remediation etc. In the present study, we examined the growth inhibition effect of engineered silver nanoparticles against bloom forming cyanobacterial M. aeruginosa strain. AgNPs were synthesized by a chemical reduction method at room temperature and UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that they presented a maximum absorption at 410 nm and size range between 10 and 18 nm. M. aeruginosa cells exposed during 10 d to AgNPs to a range of concentrations from 0 to 1 mg l−1. The changes in cell density and morphology were used to measure the responses of the M. aeruginosa to AgNPs. The control and treatment units had a significant difference in terms of cell density and growth inhibition (p < 0.05). Increasing the concentration of AgNPs, a reduction of the cell growths in all treatment was observed. The inhibition efficiency was reached 98.7% at higher concentration of AgNPs nanoparticles. The term half maximal effective concentration (EC50) based on the cell growth measured by absorbance at 680 nm (A680) was 0.0075 mg l−1. The inhibition efficiency was 98.7% at high concentration of AgNPs (1 mg l−1). Image of SEM and TEM reflected a shrunk and damaged cell wall indicating toxicity of silver nanoparticles toward M. aeruginosa.

Targeted drug delivery nanosystems based on copolymer poly(lactide)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate for cancer treatment

Along with the development of nanotechnology, drug delivery nanosystems (DDNSs) have attracted a great deal of concern among scientists over the world, especially in cancer treatment. DDNSs not only improve water solubility of anticancer drugs but also increase therapeutic efficacy and minimize the side effects of treatment methods through targeting mechanisms including passive and active targeting. Passive targeting is based on the nano-size of drug delivery systems while active targeting is based on the specific bindings between targeting ligands attached on the drug delivery systems and the unique receptors on the cancer cell surface. In this article we present some of our results in the synthesis and testing of DDNSs prepared from copolymer poly(lactide)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (PLA-TPGS), which carry anticancer drugs including curcumin, paclitaxel and doxorubicin. In order to increase the targeting effect to cancer cells, active targeting ligand folate was attached to the DDNSs. The results showed copolymer PLA-TPGS to be an excellent carrier for loading hydrophobic drugs (curcumin and paclitaxel). The fabricated DDNSs had a very small size (50–100 nm) and enhanced the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of drugs. Most notably, folate-decorated paclitaxel-loaded copolymer PLA-TPGS nanoparticles (Fol/PTX/PLA-TPGS NPs) were tested on tumor-bearing nude mice. During the treatment time, Fol/PTX/PLA-TPGS NPs always exhibited the best tumor growth inhibition compared to free paclitaxel and paclitaxel-loaded copolymer PLA-TPGS nanoparticles. All results evidenced the promising potential of copolymer PLA-TPGS in fabricating targeted DDNSs for cancer treatment.

The dual effect of curcumin nanoparticles encapsulated by 1-3/1-6 β-glucan from medicinal mushrooms Hericium erinaceus and Ganoderma lucidum

Curcumin is a polyphenol from turmeric Curcuma longa L that has been proved to possess numerous biological and pharmaceutical activities, including anti-cancer properties. However, curcumin has only limited clinical applications due to the aqueous insolubility characteristic that reduces its biological availability. On the other hand, using nanoparticles as drug delivery system has potential as it increases solubility of hydrophobic substances such as curcumin. Furthermore, nanoparticles can protect and control release of drug. Therefore, the objective of this project is to prepare nanoparticles by polymeric encapsulating curcumin by 1-3/1-6 β-glucan extracted from Vietnamese mushrooms to increase drug delivery efficiency and biological effect. Method of the preparation is nano-precipitation. The produced curcumin-β-glucan-nanoparticles (NanoGluCur) takes spherical shape with 60–70 nm in diameter. As expected, water solubility of curcumin increases about 180 times, from 0.6 μg ml−1 to 0.11 mg ml−1. Loading capacity of NanoGluCur is 18.16%. In vitro cytotoxicity and anti-tumor promoting effects of NanoGluCur were also investigated. Results revealed that NanoGluCur is able to inhibit the growth of two human cancer cell lines Hep-G2 and LU-1 with IC50 values of 6.82 and 15.53 mg ml−1, respectively, while free curcumin expresses the activity with IC50 values of 7.41 and 18.82 mg ml−1. At the concentration of 40 mg ml−1, NanoGluCur showed anti-tumor promoting effects in reducing tumor size by 59.93% and tumor density by 40.52%, while the percentages caused by pristine curcumin were 41.36% and 29.14%, respectively. These results demonstrated dual effect of 1-3/1-6 β-glucan encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles: higher water solubility and better in vitro anti-cancer effects compared to free curcumin and 1-3/1-6 β-glucan, expectedly. This observation can potentially open a new approach in research and manufacture of functional foods from medicinal mushrooms.