Combretastatins are a class of closely related stilbenes (combretastatins A), dihydrostilbenes (combretastatins B), phenanthrenes (combretastatins C) and macrocyclic lactones (combretastatins D) found in the bark of Combretum caffrum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, commonly known as the South African bush willow. Some of the compounds in this series have been shown to be among the most potent antitubulin agents known. Due to their structural simplicity many analogs have also been synthesized. Combretastatin A4 phosphate is the most frequently tested compounds in preclinical and clinical trials. It is a water-soluble prodrug that the body can rapidly metabolize to combretastatin A4, which exhibits anti-tumor properties. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies on combretastatins have determined that these compounds also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Nano-based formulations of natural or synthetic active agents such as combretastatin A4 phosphate exhibit several clear advantages, including improved low water solubility, prolonged circulation, drug targeting properties, enhanced efficiency, as well as fewer side effects. In this review, a synopsis of the recent literature exploring the combretastatins, their potential effects and nanoformulations as lead compounds in clinical applications is provided.

Many anticancer active compounds are known to have the capacity to destroy pathologically proliferating cancer cells in the body, as well as to destroy rapidly proliferating normal cells. Despite remarkable advances in cancer research over the past few decades, the inclusion of natural compounds in researches as potential drug candidates is becoming increasingly important. However, the perception that the natural is reliable is an issue that needs to be clarified. Among the various chemical classes of natural products, anthraquinones have many biological activities and have also been proven to exhibit a unique anticancer activity. Emodin, an anthraquinone derivative, is a natural compound found in the roots and rhizomes of many plants. The anticancer property of emodin, a broad-spectrum inhibitory agent of cancer cells, has been detailed in many biological pathways. In cancer cells, these molecular mechanisms consist of suppressing cell growth and proliferation through the attenuation of oncogenic growth signaling, such as protein kinase B (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), HER-2 tyrosine kinase, Wnt/-catenin, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). However, it is known that emodin, which shows toxicity to cancer cells, may cause kidney toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity especially at high doses and long-term use. At the same time, studies of emodin, which has poor oral bioavailability, to transform this disadvantage into an advantage with nano-carrier systems reveal that natural compounds are not always directly usable compounds. Consequently, this review aimed to shed light on the anti-proliferative and anti-carcinogenic properties of emodin, as well as its potential toxicities and the advantages of drug delivery systems on bioavailability.

The study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Rosmarinic acid (RA) loaded ethosomes (ETHs) and liposomes (LPs) when subjected to the transdermal application. RA-loaded ETHs and LPs were prepared, optimized and characterized. The ex vivo permeation studies of formulations using mouse abdominal skin were performed. Antioxidant activities and the inhibitory effects of formulations on collagenase and elastase enzymes were measured. Optimized ethosomal formulation (F3) was showed nanometric size range (138 ± 1.11 nm) and greatest entrapment (55 ± 1.80%), was selected for further transdermal permeation studies. Skin permeation profile of the nanoformulations analyzed by HPLC revealed an enhanced permeation of ETHs. Transdermal flux of ETHs was found to be higher than RA solution and LPs. Enzyme inhibitions of ETHs were significant difference found between ETHs and LPs (p < 0.05). ETHs were found to be more effective and successful than LPs. Results suggest that ETHs are more effective than LPs for transdermal delivery of RA.

Carotenoids are natural fat-soluble pigments synthesized by plants, algae, fungi and microorganisms. They are responsible for the coloration of different photosynthetic organisms. Although they play a role in photosynthesis, they are also present in non-photosynthetic plant tissues, fungi, and bacteria. These metabolites have mainly been used in food, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to their utilization as pigmentation, they have significant therapeutically applications, such as improving immune system and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Primarily, they have attracted attention due to their antioxidant activity. Several statistical investigations indicated an association between the use of carotenoids in diets and a decreased incidence of cancer types, suggesting the antioxidant properties of these compounds as an important factor in the scope of the studies against oxidative stress. Unusual marine environments are associated with a great chemical diversity, resulting in novel bioactive molecules. Thus, marine organisms may represent an important source of novel biologically active substances for the development of therapeutics. Marine carotenoids (astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, β-carotene, lutein but also the rare siphonaxanthin, sioxanthin, and myxol) have recently shown antioxidant properties in reducing oxidative stress markers. Numerous of bioactive compounds such as marine carotenoids have low stability, are poorly absorbed, and own very limited bioavailability. The new technique is nanoencapsulation, which can be used to preserve marine carotenoids and their original properties during processing, storage, improve their physiochemical properties and increase their health-promoting effects. This review aims to describe the role of marine carotenoids, their potential applications and different types of advanced nanoformulations preventing and treating oxidative stress related disorders.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease and the subgroup of DM is called type II which is the most common form. The incidence of type II is increasing worldwide and it focuses on several new approaches to efficiently treatment of diabetes. Resveratrol (RSV) is known to be strong antioxidant and has an insulin-like effect in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cells. It plays an active role at treatment of diabetes with reducing the oxidative stress, lowering glucose levels and protection of beta cells which are responsible for insulin secretion. In our study, we prepared two different RSV-loaded nanoliposomes (LPs), characterized in vitro and evaluated efficiencies of LPs on diabetes and related oxidative stress. Release and transport studies of RSV through dialyse membrane and pancreatic beta TC (β TC) cells were investigated from its solution and LPs. Stability studies were performed at two different conditions (4 °C and 25 °C ± 60% relative humidity) for 3 months. Particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), encapsulation efficiency (EE) and type of the formulations were determined. β TC cell line was used in cell culture studies and cell viability was measured with using 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity test. The antidiabetic effects of RSV LPs were investigated on β TC cell induced with glucose and STZ and we evaluated relationship between glucose and insulin concentration before and after incubation with LPs containing RSV. Antioxidant and preventive effects of RSV-loaded LPs against diabetes-associated oxidative stress were determined with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme assay. When all results were evaluated together, these new developed liposomal formulations significantly decreased high glucose levels in diabetic cell groups synchronous with increasing insulin levels and they showed prolonged antioxidant activity against oxidative stress for 24 hours compared to RSV solution.