(1) Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered to be efficient nanocarriers for improved drug delivery and can be derived from mammalian or plant cells. Cucumber-derived EVs are not yet described in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce and characterize cucumber-derived EVs and to investigate their suitability to improve the dermal penetration efficacy of a lipophilic active ingredient (AI) surrogate. (2) Methods: The EVs were obtained by classical EVs isolation methods and by high pressure homogenization (HPH). They were characterized regarding their physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties. (3) Results: Utilization of classical isolation and purification methods for EVs resulted in cucumber-derived EVs. Their dermal penetration efficacy for the AI surrogate was 2-fold higher when compared to a classical formulation and enabled a pronounced transdermal penetration into the viable dermis. HPH resulted in submicron sized particles composed of a mixture of disrupted plant cells. A successful isolation of pure EVs from this mixture was not possible with classical EVs isolation methods. The presence of EVs was, therefore, proven indirectly. For this, the lipophilic drug surrogate was admixed to the cucumber juice either prior to or after HPH. Admixing of the drug surrogate to the cucumber prior to the HPH resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in the dermal penetration efficacy, whereas the addition of the AI surrogate to the cucumber after HPH was not able to improve the penetration efficacy. (4) Conclusions: Results, therefore, indicate that HPH causes the formation of EVs in which AI can be incorporated. The formation of plant EVs by HPH was also indicated by zeta potential analysis.

In this study, the potential cytotoxicity of four plant extracts originated from Cameroon: Xylopia aethiopica (XA), Imperata cylindrica (IC), Echinops giganteus (EG) and Dorstenia psilurus (DP) were examined in vitro. We tested the anti-proliferative activity of the methanolic extracts of these compounds using MTT assay on seven different human cancer cell lines: HeLa, MDA-MB-231, A549, HepG2, U-87, SK-OV-3 and HL60. Induction of cell death was assessed by cell cycle analysis, apoptosis was determined by Annexin V-FITC binding and caspase 3/7 activity. As well, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell migration were tested. The genetic toxicity, using the alkaline comet assay, was evaluated. The studied extracts inhibited the cell proliferation of all tested cancer cell lines with concentration dependent effect over time. All of these extracts mainly induced apoptosis of HeLa cells by the accumulation of hypodiploid cells in the sub-G0/G1 phase and increasing the activity of caspase 3/7, as well they showed potential MMP disturbance and expressed a marked inhibitory effect on cell migration. Assessment of probable genetic toxicity by these extracts revealed no or minimum incidence of genetic toxicity. Therefore, the studied plant extracts are exhibiting potent anticancer activity based upon marked induction of tumor-cell death.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic approach used in the treatment of various medical conditions and cancerous diseases, involving light, a photosensitizing substance, and oxygen. Curcumin, a naturally occurring compound, carries antitumor activities and potentially could be exploited as a photosensitizer in PDT. Only little is known about liposomal-encapsulated curcumin that could help in increasing the efficacy, stability, and bioavailability of this compound. This study investigates the in vitro effects of curcumin-loaded liposomes in combination with PDT. Three papilloma virus-associated cell lines were treated with curcumin-loaded liposomes corresponding to a curcumin concentration of 0–100 µmol/L for 4 h followed by illumination at 457 nm (blue) for 45, 136, and 227 s at a fluence of 220.2 W/m² (100 mA) corresponding to 1, 3 and 5 J·cm⁻². After 24 h, the biological outcome of the treatment was assessed with the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), SYTO9/PI (propidium iodide), Annexin V-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)/PI, clonogenic survival, and scratch (wound closure) assays. Photoactivation of curcumin-loaded liposomes led to a significant reduction in colony formation and migratory abilities, as well as to an increase in tumor cell death. The results point to the combination of curcumin-loaded liposomes with PDT as a potentially useful tool for the treatment of papillomavirus-associated malignancies.

Purpose: Lipoparticles are the core-shell type lipid-polymer hybrid systems comprising polymeric nanoparticle core enveloped by single or multiple pegylated lipid layers (shell), thereby melding the biomimetic properties of long-circulating vesicles as well as the mechanical advantages of the nanoparticles. The present study was aimed at the development of such an integrated system, combining the photodynamic and chemotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of multidrug-resistant cancers. Methods: For this rationale, two different sized Pirarubicin (THP) loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique, whereas liposomes containing Temoporfin (mTHPC) were prepared by lipid film hydration method. Physicochemical and morphological characterizations were done using dynamic light scattering, laser doppler anemometry, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The quantitative assessment of cell damage was determined using MTT and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay. The biocompatibility of the nanoformulations was evaluated with serum stability testing, haemocompatibility as well as acute in vivo toxicity using female albino (BALB/c) mice. Results and Conclusion: The mean hydrodynamic diameter of the formulations was found between 108.80 ± 2.10 to 405.70 ± 10.00 nm with the zeta (ζ) potential ranging from − 12.70 ± 1.20 to 5.90 ± 1.10 mV. Based on the physicochemical evaluations, the selected THP nanoparticles were coated with mTHPC liposomes to produce lipid-coated nanoparticles (LCNPs). A significant (p< 0.001) cytotoxicity synergism was evident in LCNPs when irradiated at 652 nm, using an LED device. No incidence of genotoxicity was observed as seen with the comet assay. The LCNPs decreased the generalized in vivo toxicity as compared to the free drugs and was evident from the serum biochemical profile, visceral body index, liver function tests as well as renal function tests. The histopathological examinations of the vital organs revealed no significant evidence of toxicity suggesting the safety and efficacy of our lipid-polymer hybrid system.