Anisamide-Anchored Lyotropic Nano-Liquid Crystalline Particles with AIE Effect: A Smart Optical Beacon for Tumor Imaging and Therapy

Abstract

The prospective design of nanocarriers for personalized oncotherapy should be an ensemble of targeting, imaging, and noninvasive therapeutic capabilities. Herein, we report the development of the inverse hexagonal nano-liquid crystalline (NLC) particles that are able to host formononetin (FMN), a phytoestrogen with known anticancer activity, and tetraphenylethene (TPE), an iconic optical beacon with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) signature, simultaneously. Ordered three-dimensional mesoporous internal structure and high-lipid-volume fraction of NLC nanoparticles (NLC NPs) frame the outer compartment for the better settlement of payloads. Embellishment of these nanoparticles by anisamide (AA), a novel sigma receptor targeting ligand using carbodiimide coupling chemistry ensured NLC's as an outstanding vehicle for possible utility in surveillance of tumor location as well as the FMN delivery through active AIE imaging. The size and structural integrity of nanoparticles were evaluated by quasi-elastic light scattering, cryo field emission scanning electron microscopy small-angle X-ray scattering. The existence of AIE effect in the nanoparticles was evidenced through the photophysical studies that advocate the application of NLC NPs in fluorescence-based bioimaging. Moreover, confocal microscopy illustrated the single living cell imaging ability endowed by the NLC NPs. In vitro and in vivo studies supported the enhanced efficacy of targeted nanoparticles (AA-NLC-TF) in comparison to nontargeted nanoparticles (NLC-TF) and free drug. Apparently, this critically designed multimodal NLC NPs may establish a promising platform for targeted and image-guided chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Novel thymoquinone lipidic core nanocapsules with anisamide-polymethacrylate shell for colon cancer cells overexpressing sigma receptors

“…A later study highlighted the higher gene silencing displayed by AA-targeted cyclodextrin nanoparticles compared to the non-targeted counterparts in prostate cancer cells grown in a 3D bone metastasis model 33 . In addition, the higher accumulation of AA-conjugated nano-liquid crystalline nanoparticles in MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells than the non-targeted counterpart was attributed to AA binding to sigma receptors highly expressed by this cell line 34 . Moreover, the intravenous injection of AA-targeted gold nanoparticles loaded with siRNA combined with intraperitoneal paclitaxel injection resulted in an enhanced antitumor activity in prostate cancer PC3 xenograft mouse model compared to using either one of the two therapies individually 35 .…”

pH Responsiveness of Hexosomes and Cubosomes for Combined Delivery of Brucea javanica Oil and Doxorubicin

“…[7][8][9][10] New ideas about design and fabrication of nano-drug carriers have arisen from the colloidal properties of liquid crystalline assemblies suitable for incorporation of anti-tumor agents. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In recent years, liquid crystalline lipid nanocarriers have found applications in various research fields: from biosensors and theranostic imaging in medicine to functional foods, nutraceuticals and drug delivery systems in therapeutic innovation. [23][24][25][26][27][28] Such carrier systems protect the therapeutic molecules from degradation, provide drug transport and sustained release as well as efficient uptake by the cells.…”

“…Tolerance of cancer cells to drugs during chemotherapy is a serious obstacle to cancer treatment. − The sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs gradually decreases with the progress of chemotherapy, which results in multidrug resistance (MDR) . Currently, natural products and phytochemicals are attracting growing interest in the design of anticancer medicines including nanoscale assemblies. − The development of nanodrug delivery systems for cancer therapy aims at maximizing the anticancer drug bioavailability and efficacy, while reducing the toxicity associated with conventional chemotherapy formulations. − New ideas about design and fabrication of nanodrug carriers have arisen from the colloidal properties of liquid crystalline assemblies suitable for incorporation of antitumor agents. − In recent years, liquid crystalline lipid nanocarriers have found applications in various research fields: from biosensors and theranostic imaging in medicine to functional foods, nutraceuticals, and drug delivery systems in therapeutic innovation. − Such carrier systems protect the therapeutic molecules from degradation, provide drug transport and sustained release as well as efficient uptake by the cells. , Their structures often mimic some naturally occurring complex fluid systems . Their major advantages are the large surface area-to-volume ratio and the inner organization involving lipid bilayers (hydrophobic compartments) and a network of hydrophilic aqueous channel compartments for accommodation of guest molecules of various origins. ,, …”

Amalgamated Microneedle Array Bearing Ribociclib-Loaded Transfersomes Eradicates Breast Cancer via CD44 Targeting

“…Then, Annexin-FITC (5 μL) and PI (10 μL) were used to stain the cells in the dark condition for 25 min. Early and late apoptosis was estimated by utilizing BD CellQuest Pro software, version 3.2 …”