We synthesized oxygen and paclitaxel (PTX) loaded lipid microbubbles (OPLMBs) for ultrasound mediated combination therapy in hypoxic ovarian cancer cells. Our experiments successfully demonstrated that ultrasound induced OPLMBs destruction significantly enhanced the local oxygen release. We also demonstrated that OPLMBs in combination with ultrasound (300 kHz, 0.5 W/cm(2), 15s) yielded anti-proliferative activities of 52.8 ± 2.75% and cell apoptosis ratio of 35.25 ± 0.17% in hypoxic cells at 24h after the treatment, superior to other treatment groups such as PTX only and PTX-loaded MBs (PLMBs) with or without ultrasound mediation. RT-PCR and Western blot tests further confirmed the reduced expression of HIF-1α and MDR-1/P-gp after ultrasound mediation of OPLMBs. Our experiment suggests that ultrasound mediation of oxygen and drug-loaded MBs may be a useful method to overcome chemoresistance in the hypoxic ovarian cancer cells.

Guizhou Majiang organic blueberries from China are a prevalent fruit in the health industry and have high anthocyanin contents. This study used the ethanol extraction method, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, AB 8 macroporous resin adsorption purification, and the addition of 3% citric acid to extract anthocyanins, and through single-factor tests and orthogonal tests, the optimum extraction conditions of anthocyanins from blueberries was determined. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: the extraction temperature was 40 °C, the ethanol volume fraction was 80%, the solid-liquid ratio was 1:10, the ultrasonic extraction time was 60 min, and the extraction amount was 2.56 mg/g. Anthocyanins were identified by HPLC, and the effects of storage conditions on their contents were investigated. K + , Cu 2+ , and Fe 2+ had little influence on anthocyanin contents, while hydrogen peroxide had a highly destructive effect. With increasing illumination time, the retention rate of anthocyanins decreased gradually; the higher the temperature was, the stronger the damaging effect on anthocyanin contents, and the appropriate storage temperature was determined to be -4 °C or below. The absorbance was the highest when pH =2. Taken together, the results of our study revealed the optimal extraction process and appropriate preservation conditions of anthocyanins from organic Guizhou blueberries.

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Rosa roxburghii Tratt polysaccharide (RRTP) has various physiological functions that benefit the human body. Therefore, improving the extraction rate of RRTP is of crucial for its promotion and application. In this study, RRTP was extracted using an intermittent ultrasound-assisted enzymatic method, and the effects of five factors on the extraction rate of RRTP were studied using a single factor test and response surface methodology. The regression equation model was significant and had good reliability, and the enzyme concentration, liquid-solid ratio and ultrasonic temperature exhibited a positive and significant effect on the RRTP content. The optimal extraction conditions were a power of 360 W, an enzyme concentration of 2.0%, a liquid-solid ratio of 40 mL/g, an ultrasonic temperature of 60 °C and an ultrasonic time of 25 min. Under these conditions, the crude polysaccharide of RRT (CRRTP) yield was 15.03%, and the RRTP content was 4.50%. The RRTP comprised mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose with molar percentages of 3.39%, 2.91%, 26.73%, 35.16%, 21.21% and 10.61% by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), respectively. These results suggested that the intermittent ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic method can improve the extraction rate of RRTP.

BACKGROUND: Blueberry anthocyanins have strong antioxidant activity, but their instability and low bioavailability limit their use. Nanoemulsion is a new type of food and drug carrier with stable thermodynamic properties. Therefore, anthocyanins will be encapsulated with nanoemulsion to improve its stability and application value.RESULTS: In this study, the best surfactants, oil phases and cosurfactants for the preparation of blueberry anthocyanin nanoemulsion were screened by pseudo-ternary phase diagram method and the solubility of blueberry anthocyanin nanoemulsion was taken into consideration. Deep purplish red, clear and transparent anthocyanin nanoemulsion was prepared by simple and cheap low-energy emulsification method according to the formula. Normal and high temperature test and high speed centrifugal test proved that the blueberry anthocyanin nanoemulsion had good stability. Guinea pig skin irritation test and sensitization test showed that there was no irritation and sensitization to guinea pig hair removal skin. CONCLUSION: The blueberry anthocyanin nanoemulsion prepared in this study has good stability at room temperature and is safe for guinea pig hair removal skin. It provides a basis for improving the stability and bioavailability of blueberry anthocyanin, and provides a reference for the application of blueberry anthocyanin nanoemulsion in skin beauty and transdermal drug delivery.