Novel carboxymethyl derivatives of chitin and chitosan materials and their biomedical applications

Chitin and chitosan are natural biopolymers that are non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible. In the last decade, chitin and chitosan derivatives have garnered significant interest in the biomedical and biopharmaceutical research fields with applications as biomaterials for tissue engineering and wound healing and as excipients for drug delivery. Introducing small chemical groups to the chitin or chitosan structure, such as alkyl or carboxymethyl groups, can drastically increase the solubility of chitin and chitosan at neutral and alkaline pH values without affecting their characteristics; substitution with carboxyl groups can yield polymers with polyampholytic properties. Carboxymethyl derivatives of chitin and chitosan have shown promise for adsorbing metal ions, as drug delivery systems, in wound healing, as anti-microbial agents, in tissue engineering, as components in cosmetics and food and for anti-tumor activities. This review will focus on the preparative methods and applications of carboxymethyl and succinyl derivatives of chitin and chitosan with particular emphasis on their uses as materials for biomedical applications.     

Self-Assembled Nanoparticles Based on Block-Copolymers of Poly(2-Deoxy-2-methacrylamido-d-glucose)/Poly(N-Vinyl Succinamic Acid) with Poly(O-Cholesteryl Methacrylate) for Delivery of Hydrophobic Drugs

The self-assembly of amphiphilic block-copolymers is a convenient way to obtain soft nanomaterials of different morphology and scale. In turn, the use of a biomimetic approach makes it possible to synthesize polymers with fragments similar to natural macromolecules but more resistant to biodegradation. In this study, we synthesized the novel bio-inspired amphiphilic block-copolymers consisting of poly(N-methacrylamido-d-glucose) or poly(N-vinyl succinamic acid) as a hydrophilic fragment and poly(O-cholesteryl methacrylate) as a hydrophobic fragment. Block-copolymers were synthesized by radical addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization using dithiobenzoate or trithiocarbonate chain-transfer agent depending on the first monomer, further forming the hydrophilic block. Both homopolymers and copolymers were characterized by ¹H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained copolymers had low dispersity (1.05–1.37) and molecular weights in the range of ~13,000–32,000. The amphiphilic copolymers demonstrated enhanced thermal stability in comparison with hydrophilic precursors. According to dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis, the obtained amphiphilic copolymers were able to self-assemble in aqueous media into nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 200 nm. An investigation of nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy revealed their spherical shape. The obtained nanoparticles did not demonstrate cytotoxicity against human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells, and they were characterized by a low uptake by macrophages in vitro. Paclitaxel loaded into the developed polymer nanoparticles retained biological activity against lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549).     

Development and Biochemical Characterization of Self-Immolative Linker Containing GnRH-III-Drug Conjugates

The human gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH-I) and its sea lamprey analogue GnRH-III specifically bind to GnRH receptors on cancer cells and can be used as targeting moieties for targeted tumor therapy. Considering that the selective release of drugs in cancer cells is of high relevance, we were encouraged to develop cleavable, self-immolative GnRH-III-drug conjugates which consist of a p-aminobenzyloxycarbonlyl (PABC) spacer between a cathepsin B-cleavable dipeptide (Val-Ala, Val-Cit) and the classical anticancer drugs daunorubicin (Dau) and paclitaxel (PTX). Alongside these compounds, non-cleavable GnRH-III-drug conjugates were also synthesized, and all compounds were analyzed for their antiproliferative activity. The cleavable GnRH-III bioconjugates revealed a growth inhibitory effect on GnRH receptor-expressing A2780 ovarian cancer cells, while their activity was reduced on Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells exhibiting a lower GnRH receptor level. Moreover, the antiproliferative activity of the non-cleavable counterparts was strongly reduced. Additionally, the efficient cleavage of the Val-Ala linker and the subsequent release of the drugs could be verified by lysosomal degradation studies, while radioligand binding studies ensured that the GnRH-III-drug conjugates bound to the GnRH receptor with high affinity. Our results underline the high value of GnRH-III-based homing devices and the application of cathepsin B-cleavable linker systems for the development of small molecule drug conjugates (SMDCs).     

与医药保健品有关的几种林产化学品研究现状

综述了植物甾醇、紫杉醇、桦木酸、桧木醇等几种与医药保健品有关的林产化学品的研究开发现状。     

Metformin Improves Ovarian Cancer Sensitivity to Paclitaxel and Platinum-Based Drugs: A Review of In Vitro Findings

Ovarian cancer is one of the most dangerous gynecologic cancers worldwide, showing a high fatality rate and recurrence due to diagnosis at an advanced stage of the disease and the occurrence of chemoresistance, which weakens the therapeutic effects of the chemotherapeutic treatments. In fact, although paclitaxel and platinum-based drugs (carboplatin or cisplatin) are widely used alone or in combination to treat ovarian cancer, the occurrence of chemoresistance significantly reduces the effects of these drugs. Metformin is a hypoglycemic agent that is commonly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, this drug also shows anti-tumor activity, reducing cancer risk and chemoresistance. This review analyzes the current literature regarding the role of metformin in ovarian cancer and investigates what is currently known about its effects in reducing paclitaxel and platinum resistance to restore sensitivity to these drugs.     

Additive Interactions between Betulinic Acid and Two Taxanes in In Vitro Tests against Four Human Malignant Melanoma Cell Lines

The incidence of melanoma is steadily increasing worldwide. Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, and new therapeutic methods are being sought. Our research aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of betulinic acid in vitro, used alone and in combination with taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel) in four melanoma cell lines. Isobolographic analysis allowed us to assess the interactions between these compounds. Betulinic acid had no cytotoxic effect on normal human keratinocyte HaCaT cells; the amount of LDH released by them was significantly lower compared to melanoma cell lines. The present study shows that betulinic acid significantly inhibits the growth of melanoma cell lines in vitro. The IC50 values of betulinic acid ranged from 2.21 µM to 15.94 µM against the four melanoma lines. Co-treatment of betulinic acid with paclitaxel or docetaxel generated desirable drug–drug interactions, such as an additive and additive with a tendency to synergy interactions.     

紫杉烯合酶基因遗传转化金针菇的研究

利用紫杉烯合酶基因（ts）和潮霉素抗性基因（hph）,采用PEG转化法共转化金针菇的原生质体。研究结果表明,18个拟转化子中有8个转化子同时整合了ts基因和hph基因,两个基因的共转化率为44.44%;RT-PCR鉴定结果表明,7个金针菇转化子实现了外源ts基因的转录。金针菇转化子在不含潮霉素（HmB）的PDA平板上经5次继代培养后仍检测到有HmB抗性,说明外源基因在金针菇转化子的无性繁殖（即有丝分裂）过程中是稳定的。本研究为通过基因工程手段定向、快速改良金针菇品种以及利用金针菇作为生物反应器生产一些具有重大经济价值的外源基因产物奠定了基础。      

有机溶剂原位萃取法提高悬浮培养中国红豆杉细胞紫杉醇产量

The production of paclitaxel from suspension culture of Taxus chinensis var,mairei was improved by in situ extraction with organic solvents to avoid feedback repression and product degradation.Oleic acid and dibutyl phthalate were proved to be suitable solvents .The optimal volumetric percentage of organic solvents in the culture medium was found to be around 8%,and the favorable time for their introduction was at the exponential phase of cell growth,Paclitaxel production with the in situ extraction was ca 3-fold of that without extraction.     

Biocatalytic synthesis of some chiral pharmaceutical intermediates by lipases

Chiral intermediates were prepared by biocatalytic processes for the chemical synthesis of three pharmaceutical drug candidates. These include (i) the synthesis of [(3R-cis)-3-(acetyloxy)-4-phenyl-2-azetidinone2 for the semi-synthesis of paclitaxel (taxol)5, an anticancer compound; (ii) synthesis of chiral (exo,exo)-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] heptane-2,3-dimenthanol monoacetate ester9 for the chemoenzymatic preparation of a thromboxane A₂ antagonist; (iii) the enzymatic synthesis ofS-(−) 3-benzylthio-2-methylpropanoic acid, a key chiral intermediate for the synthesis of antihypertensive drugs captopril10 or zofenopril13.     

Cross‐Linking of Thiolated Paclitaxel–Oligo(p‐phenylene vinylene) Conjugates Aggregates inside Tumor Cells Leads to “Chemical Locks” That Increase Drug Efficacy

How to reduce the resistance of certain tumor cells to paclitaxel (PTX) and related taxoid anticancer drugs is a major challenge for improving cure rates. An oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene) unit with thiol groups and a PTX unit (OPV‐S‐PTX), which enhances drug efficacy and reverses resistance is thus designed. The mechanism involves diffusion of OPV‐S‐PTX into the cell, where π–π interactions lead to aggregation. Cross‐linking of the aggregates via oxidation of thiol groups is favored in tumor cells because of the higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration. Cross‐linked aggregates “chemically lock” the multichromophore particle for a more persistent effect. The IC₅₀ of OPV‐S‐PTX for tumor cell line A549 is reduced down to 0.33 × 10^?9m from that observed for PTX itself (41 × 10^?9m ). Enhanced efficacy by OPV‐S‐PTX is proposed to proceed via acceleration of microtubule bundle formation. A549/T‐inoculated xenograft mice experiments reveal suppression of tumor growth upon OPV‐S‐PTX treatment. Altogether, these results show that the internal cross‐linking of OPV‐S‐PTX through ROS provides a means to discriminate between tumor and healthy cells and the formation of the chemically locked particles enhances drug efficacy and helps in reducing resistance.