Ultrasound-Triggered Release of 5-Fluorouracil from Soy Lecithin Echogenic Liposomes
- Authors: Ezekiel, Charles I , Bapolisi, Alain M , Walker, Roderick B , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183115 , vital:43913 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13060821"
- Description: Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death. The use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the major chemotherapeutic treatment for colorectal cancer patients. However, the efficacy of 5-FU is limited by drug resistance, and bone marrow toxicity through high-level expression of thymidylate synthase, justifying the need for improvement of the therapeutic index. In this study, the effects of ultrasound on echogenic 5-FU encapsulated crude soy liposomes were investigated for their potential to address these challenges. Liposomes were prepared by thin-film hydration using crude soy lecithin and cholesterol. Argon gas was entrapped in the liposomes for sonosensitivity (that is, responsiveness to ultrasound). The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size and morphology. The physicochemical properties were also evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction. The release profile of 5-FU was assessed with and without 20 kHz low-frequency ultrasound waves at various amplitudes and exposure times. The result reveal that 5-FU-loaded liposomes were spherical with an encapsulation efficiency of approximately 60%. Approximately 65% of 5-FU was released at the highest amplitude and exposure time was investigated. The results are encouraging for the stimulated and controlled release of 5-FU for the management of colorectal cancer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Biocompatibility of biomaterials for nanoencapsulation: Current approaches
- Authors: Witika, Bwalya A , Makoni, Pedzisai A , Matafwali, Scott K , Chabalenge, Billy , Mwila, Chiluba , Kalungia, Aubrey C , Nkanga, Christian I , Bapolisi, Alain M , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183289 , vital:43939 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10091649"
- Description: Nanoencapsulation is an approach to circumvent shortcomings such as reduced bioavailability, undesirable side effects, frequent dosing and unpleasant organoleptic properties of conventional drug delivery systems. The process of nanoencapsulation involves the use of biomaterials such as surfactants and/or polymers, often in combination with charge inducers and/or ligands for targeting. The biomaterials selected for nanoencapsulation processes must be as biocompatible as possible. The type(s) of biomaterials used for different nanoencapsulation approaches are highlighted and their use and applicability with regard to haemo- and, histocompatibility, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenesis are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Green synthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extracts from three Congolese plant species (Brillantaisia patula, Crossopteryx febrifuga and Senna siamea)
- Authors: Kambale, Espoir K , Nkanga, Christian I , Mutonkole, Blaise-Pascal I , Bapolisi, Alain M , Tassa, Daniel O , Liesse, Jean-Marie I , Krause, Rui W M , Memvanga, Patrick B
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193419 , vital:45330 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04493"
- Description: In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using aqueous leaf extracts of three Congolese plant species, namely Brillantaisia patula (BR-PA), Crossopteryx febrifuga (CR-FE) and Senna siamea (SE-SI). The obtained AgNPs were studied for their optical, structural, surface morphological and antibacterial properties. The prepared AgNPs were characterized by using UV-Visible spectra, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The synthesized nanoparticles were spherical shaped and well-dispersed with average sizes ranging from 45 to 110 nm. The AgNPs derived from BR-PA, CR-FE and SE-SI exhibited higher antibacterial activity against three bacterial pathogens of the human skin compared to their respective crude extracts and AgNO3. This indicated that the biomolecules covering the nanoparticles may enhance the biological activity of metal nanoparticles. Hence, our results support that biogenic synthesis of AgNPs from Congolese plants constitutes a potential area of interest for the therapeutic management of microbial diseases such as infectious skin diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Simultaneous liposomal encapsulation of antibiotics and proteins: co-loading and characterization of rifampicin and Human Serum Albumin in soy-liposomes
- Authors: Bapolisi, Alain M , Nkanga, Christian I , Walker, Roderick B , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148617 , vital:38755 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2020.101751
- Description: The recurrent development of resistance to antimicrobial agents threatens the ability for successful treatment of infectious diseases. Hydrophobic antibiotics such as rifampicin (Rif) are particularly affected due to poor bioavailability. On the other hand, proteins play important roles in drug delivery and release. Further, the combination of antimicrobials with therapeutic proteins and their encapsulation in liposomes seems a promising approach for improvement of antimicrobial efficacy. This study aimed to encapsulate Rif simultaneously with a large protein, Human Serum Albumin (HSA) in liposomes made from an inexpensive crude soy lecithin (CSL).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020