Smart pH-responsive niosomes loaded with either Oxaliplatin (Ox), Ylang ylang essential oil (Y-oil), or co-loaded with both compounds (Ox-Y) (Ox@NSs, Y@NSs, and Ox-Y@NSs, respectively) were formulated utilizing the thin film method. The developed nanocontainers had a spherical morphology with mean particle sizes lower than 170 nm and showed negative surface charges, high entrapment efficiencies, and a pH-dependent release over 24 h. The prepared pH-responsive niosomes’ cytotoxicity was tested against the invasive triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells, compared to free OX and Y-oil. All niosomal formulations loaded with Ox and/or Y-oil significantly improved cytotoxic activity relative to their free counterparts. The Ox-Y@NSs demonstrated the lowest IC50 (0.0002 µg/mL) when compared to Ox@NSs (0.006 µg/mL) and Y@NSs (18.39 µg/mL) or unloaded Ox (0.05 µg/mL) and Y-oil (29.01 µg/mL). In addition, the percentages of the MDA-MB-231 cell population in the late apoptotic and necrotic quartiles were profoundly higher in cells treated with the smart Ox-Y@NSs (8.38% and 5.06%) than those exposed to free Ox (7.33% and 1.93%) or Y-oil (2.3% and 2.13%) treatments. Gene expression analysis and protein assays were performed to provide extra elucidation regarding the molecular mechanism by which the prepared pH-sensitive niosomes induce apoptosis. Ox-Y@NSs significantly induced the gene expression of the apoptotic markers Tp53, Bax, and Caspase-7, while downregulating the antiapoptotic Bcl2. As such, Ox-Y@NSs are shown to activate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Moreover, the protein assay ascertained the apoptotic effects of Ox-Y@NSs, generating a 4-fold increase in the relative protein quantity of the late apoptotic marker Caspase-7. Our findings suggest that combining natural essential oil with synthetic platinum-based drugs in pH-responsive nanovesicles is a promising approach to breast cancer therapy.

Carboplatin (Cp) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent, but its effectiveness is constrained by its associated side effects. Frankincense, an oleo-gum resin from the Boswellia sacra tree, has demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. This study explored the synergistic potential of nanoparticles formulated from Boswellia sacra methanolic extract (BME), to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of Cp at reduced doses. Nanoparticles were prepared via the nanoprecipitation method, loaded with Cp, and coated with positively charged chitosan (CS) for enhanced cell interaction, yielding Cp@CS/BME NPs with an average size of 160.2 ± 4.6 nm and a zeta potential of 12.7 ± 1.5 mV. In vitro release studies revealed a pH-sensitive release profile, with higher release rates at pH 5.4 than at pH 7.4, highlighting the potential for targeted drug delivery in acidic tumor environments. In vitro studies on HT-29 and Caco-2 colorectal cancer cell lines demonstrated the nanoformulation’s ability to significantly increase Cp uptake and cytotoxic activity. Apoptosis assays further confirmed increased induction of cell death with Cp@CS/BME NPs. Cell-cycle analysis revealed that treatment with Cp@CS/BME NPs led to a significant increase in the sub-G1 phase, indicative of enhanced apoptosis, and a marked decrease in the G1-phase population coupled with an increased G2/M-phase arrest in both cell lines. Further gene expression analysis demonstrated a substantial downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and an upregulation of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax, PUMA, and BID following treatment with Cp@CS/BME NPs. Thus, this study presents a promising and innovative strategy for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents using naturally derived ingredients while limiting the side effects.

Currently, the main pillars in treating breast cancer involve tumorectomy pursued by hormonal, radio, or chemotherapies. Nonetheless, these approaches exhibit severe adverse effects and might suffer from tumor recurrence. Therefore, there is a considerable demand to fabricate an innovative controlled-release nano-delivery system to be implanted after tumor surgical removal to guard against cancer recurrence. In addition, combining platinum-based drugs with phytochemicals is a promising approach to improving the anticancer activity of the chemotherapeutics against tumor cells while minimizing their systemic effects. This study designed polycaprolactone (PCL)-based electrospun nanofiber mats encapsulating nedaplatin (N) and Peganum harmala alkaloid-rich fraction (L). In addition to physicochemical characterization, including average diameters, morphological features, degradation study, thermal stability, and release kinetics study, the formulated nanofibers were assessed in terms of cytotoxicity, where they demonstrated potentiated effects and higher selectivity towards breast cancer cells. The dual-loaded nanofiber mats (N + L@PCL) demonstrated the highest antiproliferative effects against MCF-7 cells with a recorded IC50 of 3.21 µg/mL, as well as the topmost achieved selectivity index (20.45) towards cancer cells amongst all the tested agents (N, L, N@PCL, and L@PCL). This indicates that the dual-loaded nanofiber excelled at conserving the normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). The combined therapy, N + L@PCL treatment, resulted in a significantly higher percent cell population in the late apoptosis and necrosis quartiles as compared to all other treatment groups (p-value of ≤0.001). Moreover, this study of cell cycle kinetics revealed potentiated effects of the dual-loaded nanofiber (N + L@PCL) at trapping more than 90% of cells in the sub-G1 phase and reducing the number of cells undergoing DNA synthesis in the S-phase by 15-fold as compared to nontreated cells; hence, causing cessation of the cell cycle and confirming the apoptosis assay results. As such, our findings suggest the potential use of the designed nanofiber mats as perfect implants to prevent tumor recurrence after tumorectomy.

Background: Sulphonylureas are the oldest and commonly used to treat diabetic patients, but its efficacy declines by time. It was reported that quinazoline nucleus exhibits a potent hypoglycemic effect in diabetic animal models. Objective: The current study aimed to synthesize new quinazoline-sulfonylurea conjugates and evaluate their hypoglycemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The conjugates were synthesized by bioisosteric replacement of 5-chloro-2-methoxybenzamide moiety in glibenclamide or 1,3-dioxo-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline moiety in gliquidone with 6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxoquinazoline moiety (compounds 4a-4d, 9b-9c and 10b-10d). Diabetes was induced in rats by a single i.p. administration of alloxan, followed by treatment with the synthesized conjugates (5mg/kg Body weight). Results: All conjugates showed hypoglycemic effects with different efficacy indicated by the reduction in blood glucose and elevation of insulin levels. Moreover, these conjugates up-regulated the expression of pancreatic glucose transporter 2, muscle glucose transporter 4, and insulin receptor substrate-1 genes, compared to the diabetic group. A normal pancreatic tissue pattern was noticed in diabetic rats treated with compounds 9b, 9c, and 10c. Conclusion: Conjugation of sulfonylurea with quinazoline (especially 9b, 9c, 10c) possessed a significant hypoglycemic effect through improving blood insulin level and insulin action and consequently increased the glucose uptake by the skeletal muscles.

Ionizing radiation (IR) disrupts redox balance and causes tissue injury through reactive oxygen species. Although the Nrf2-ARE pathway governs antioxidant defense, effective radioprotective activators remain limited. Hinokitiol, a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory tropolone, has not been previously evaluated in vivo for Nrf2-mediated radioprotection. Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups: control, irradiated (8 Gy, fractionated), hinokitiol-only, and hinokitiol-pretreated + irradiated (Hinokitiol (10 mg/kg/day), by oral gavage). All parameters were assessed 24 hours after the final irradiation session. IR caused marked hematological suppression (reductions in RBCs, WBCs, platelets), hepatocellular injury (elevated ALT, reduced total protein), oxidative stress (increased MDA, NO, MPO), apoptosis, and downregulation of Nrf2-dependent genes. Hinokitiol pretreatment partially restored hematological parameters (platelets improved by over 20%, p = 0.026), reduced ALT by more than half, lowered NO and MPO levels, restored GSH, SOD, and CAT activities by more than 60% (p < 0.001), and decreased DNA fragmentation by nearly 50% (p < 0.01). Gene expression analysis revealed significant (p < 0.01) upregulation of Ho-1 , Nqo1, and Txnrd1 and significant (p < 0.01) suppression of Nf-κB and Tnf-α, consistent with Nrf2-ARE pathway activation and attenuation of inflammatory signaling. Histological analysis confirmed preserved hepatic architecture, supporting the liver's sensitivity to systemic oxidative injury and highlighting Hinokitiol's hepatic accumulation and protective effects. These findings suggest, for the first time, that hinokitiol may activate the Nrf2-ARE pathway to counteract IR-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, resulting in systemic protection. Hinokitiol emerges as a promising radioprotective candidate, warranting further investigation into its pharmacokinetics, toxicity profile, and translational potential as an adjunct in radiotherapy and other radiation exposure scenarios.

1. Ionizing radiation (IR) has long been recognized as harmful to living systems; however, recent research has renewed attention toward elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying radiation-ind...