Polycaprolactone (PCL) is widely utilized in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery; however, its limited bioactivity remains a key challenge. In this study, bioactive curcumin–polycaprolactone block copolymers (MCP) were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and maleic anhydride modified curcumin. The resulting MCP was characterized using FTIR, 1H NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It demonstrated enhanced antioxidant activity, UV-blocking capacity, and electro spinnability compared to PCL. Electrospun MCP films exhibited improved biocompatibility and promoted fibroblast migration. Furthermore, composite films incorporating MCP into a PVA matrix with and without copper or iron were evaluated for in vivo toxicity and antimicrobial activity. These formulations showed no systemic or contact toxicity in the Galleria mellonella model, confirming their biocompatibility. Films containing copper or iron exhibited selective anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity and low but reproducible antioxidant capacity. This study highlights the multifunctionality and biomedical potential of MCP and its composites as tunable platforms for regenerative and antimicrobial applications.
15 February 2025 in European Journal of Pharmacology
Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a key driver of aberrant angiogenesis in inflammatory conditions and cancer, making it an attractive therapeutic
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that lacks effective targeted therapies and is frequently associated with chemotherapy resistance and immunosuppression. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is overexpressed in breast cancer and has been strongly correlated with poor clinical outcomes, owing to its role in promoting tumor progression, invasiveness, and resistance to therapy. Although highly selective iNOS inhibitors such as N-(3-(Aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400W) exhibit considerable therapeutic promise, their clinical translation has been hindered by unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties. To overcome these limitations, we developed a pH-responsive nanoscale formulation based on Schiff base conjugation between 1400W and oxidized PEGylated alginate (OPA), in combination with ionic interactions. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited efficient release of 1400W under acidic conditions and effectively suppressed nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. While the NPs alone did not induce significant cytotoxicity, they synergistically enhanced the anticancer efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX) in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, significantly inhibiting cell viability and migration. In addition, the NP–PTX combination markedly reduced endothelial tube formation in HUVECs, compared to PTX alone indicating potentiation of the anti-angiogenic activity of PTX. In conclusion, the pH-responsive NPs enables effective modulation of NO signaling and enhances the therapeutic activity of PTX in TNBC cells. These findings support the potential of iNOS-targeted nanomedicine as an adjuvant strategy for TNBC treatment and warrant further investigation using in vivo models to evaluate pharmacokinetics, tumor accumulation, and antitumor efficacy of the NPs.
21 June 2026 in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules