Progress in nano-drug delivery of artemisinin and its derivatives: towards to use in immunomodulatory approaches

Abstract

In recent years, artemisinin (ART) and its derivatives have highlighted according to their effects on highly aggressive cancers, as well as treatment of malaria and leishmaniasis, besides presenting antiinflammatory and antibacterial activity. It has also been shown that ART compounds have the ability to modulate the immune response by regulating cell proliferation and cytokine release. These effects may be beneficial and improve the treatment of cancer and parasitic diseases by increasing therapeutic success, but it has some pharmacological limitations such as low bioavailability, short half-life and limited tissue access. Nanotechnology has been explored during the last decades, notably in the design of drug carrier systems which includes polymeric, lipid and inorganic nanoparticles, cyclodextrins inclusion complexes, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, among others. These nanostructured drug delivery systems bring benefits both increased therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxicity. This review article aims to give an overview of the current progress in nanostructured drug carriers used for encapsulation of ART and its derivatives yielding examples of successful outcomes. The data collection suggests future applications of ART and derivatives encapsulated in nano delivery systems in clinical trials and prospects for use of ART loaded nanosystems in immunomodulatory responses.

Treatment of Experimental Cerebral Malaria by Slow Release of Artemisone From Injectable Pasty Formulation

“…Various controlled release drug systems, employing biodegradable carriers, have been suggested to prevent the risk of giving exaggerated doses. The advantages of using such carriers can be summarized as improvement in bioavailability, reduction of drug side effects (Beloqui et al, 2013) and increase in medication efficacy, (Kishimoto et al, 2016;Kumar et al, 2016;Charlie-Silva et al, 2018). Here, we used subcutaneous injections of a pasty polymer containing a known concentration of artemisone for treatment of experimental CM in a mouse model.…”

Research Advances on Health Effects of Edible Artemisia Species and Some Sesquiterpene Lactones Constituents

“…Artemisinin ( 1 ) and its derivatives have been highlighted for their potent activity against species of Plasmodium genus responsible for malaria, as well as in the treatment of leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and trypanomiasis [ 188 , 189 , 190 ]. They have also shown efficacy on several cancer lines, along with anti-inflammatory activity, modulating the immune response by regulating cell proliferation and cytokine release [ 191 , 192 , 193 ]. They also have anti-ulcerous [ 194 ], antinociceptive [ 195 ], antiviral [ 196 ], antifungal [ 180 ], and antibacterial [ 197 ] activities, besides being effective in other disorders such as respiratory [ 198 ], and related to metabolic syndromes, including obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis [ 199 , 200 ], being many of the effects mentioned evaluated in in vivo models…”

Artemisia annua Growing Wild in Romania—A Metabolite Profile Approach to Target a Drug Delivery System Based on Magnetite Nanoparticles

“…However, at present, the production costs of artemisinin are high. Moreover, its low bioavailability, permeability and life-time in biological media represent the main biomedical limitations [25].…”

“…Moreover, the latest developments regarding magnetite nanoparticles have demonstrated their benefits and recommend their use in drug delivery and other different biomedical applications (magnetic resonance imaging, tumor therapeutic hyperthermia, etc.) [25,42].…”