Polymeric nanoparticles have been widely investigated as insulin delivery systems for oral administration. However, the toxic nature of many artificial polymers hampers their effective application, creating a demand for the further exploration of alternative natural polymers. In addition, ethnobotanical research has reported that over 800 plant species have a hypoglycemic function, some of which are polymers. For the advantages of both areas to be combined, the aim of this work was to choose an organic hypoglycemic polymer and prepare it into an insulin carrier to build a dual-functional oral insulin delivery system. We found that the insulin loading rate, release mode, thermostability, and both in vitro and in vivo absorption and efficacy varied with the different modifications of polygalacturonic acid (PGLA) nanoparticulate backbones. By in vivo pharmaceutical testing and constantly monitoring the symptoms of type 1 diabetic (T1D) rats, we ascertained the hypoglycemic function of the nanoparticles and showed that overall diabetic symptoms were ameliorated after the long-term daily administration of nanoparticles with no significant damage to organ structure or cell viability.

Cordycepin has been successfully used as a natural anti-cancer drug, but it is rapidly metabolized in vivo. Nanoencapsulation is thus a promising method to improve its bioavailability. In this study, we adopted a green synthesis process to develop novel self-assembling phycocyanin–dextran–cordycepin (Phy–Dex–Cord) micelles for efficient cordycepin encapsulation and delivery. We first used the Maillard reaction method to graft dextran onto phycocyanin, forming a phycocyanin–dextran complex. Through the self-assembly of the cordycepin parcel to the phycocyanin–dextran complex, the micelles were formed. Their physical and chemical properties and characterization results showed that Phy–Dex–Cord micelles have a spherical shape and consistent size distribution of about 60 nm. In addition, anti-cancer activities in vitro and in vivo revealed that the Phy–Dex–Cord micelles have a comparable or even stronger inhibitory effect against C6 cells than do free cordycepin and free phycocyanin and no side effects.

Aiming at the cells’ differentiation phenomenon and senescence problem in liver tissue engineering, this work is designed to synthesize three different chargeable polymers (polypropylene acid (PAAc), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polypropylene amine (PAAm)) coimmobilized by the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). We explore the hepatocyte differentiation effect and the antisenecence effect of PSt-PAAm-IGF-1/TNF-α biomaterial which was selected from the three different chargeable polymers in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Our work will establish a model for studying the biochemical molecular regulation mechanism and signal transduction pathway of cell senescence in liver tissue engineering, which provide a molecular basis for developing biomaterials for liver tissue engineering.Keywords: antisenescence; BMSCs; coimmobilized IGF-1 plus TNF-α; hepatocyte differentiation; liver tissue engineering; molecular mechanism

•The bifenthrin was embedded with photoactive chitosan.•The AzPhchitosan-bifenthrin was immobilized on the PVC via photochemical modification.•The AzPhchitosan-bifenthrin-PVC possesses long-term stability and high efficiency.•This work provides a novel and environmentally friendly technique to protect the PVC materials.The destruction of PVC cables by termites is a continuing and long-standing problem, which can lead to power leakage and power cut. Given the environmental demerits of insecticide overuse, alternative methods of addressing this problem are a highly desirable goal. In this study, we used photo-immobilization to develop a chitosan carrier system to help bifenthrin immobilize on the surface of the PVC substrate. The immobilization was analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), UV absorption, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), Raman absorption spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The surface structure and biological activity of the embedded and immobilized bifenthrin were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photon-electron spectroscopy (XPS). Its efficacy was assessed in pest experiments. The results indicate a successful embedding and immobilization of bifenthrin. Furthermore, the chemical bonding network between AzPhchitosan, bifenthrin, and PVC is stable, guaranteeing no environmental release of bifenthrin, and also providing more efficacious protection against termites. The evidence suggests that this photo-immobilization of bifenthrin-embedded chitosan on the surface of PVC substrates is a novel and environmentally friendly technique for termite control. This paper also reports a modification of chitosan with respect to its novel application in environmental protection.

•A kind of IFN-α modified latex material for biological applications.•Bioactive materials prepared by highly effective photo-immobilization method.•The anti-microbial function of immobilized IFN-α.•Immobilized IFN-α has better effects of anti-viral and anti-cancer than free IFN-α.We developed a biomaterial by photo-immobilizing interferon-α (IFN-α) on the surface of latex condom films for the prevention and treatment of cervicitis, cervical cancers and diseases caused by cervical virus. The IFN-α modification by photoactive N-(4-azidobenzoyloxy) succinimide was characterized on a nano-scale by spectroscopy analysis and micro morphology. The anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-viral effects of the modified bioactive latex films were evaluated by antibacterial susceptibility testing, Gram staining, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. Our results showed that the photo-immobilized IFN-α latex films effectively inhibited the growth of both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Moreover, the expression of anti-viral proteins, including P56, MxA, and 2′, 5′-OAS, in the human cervical epithelial cell line NC104 was significantly increased by photo-immobilized IFN-α latex films. Taken together, these results suggest that photo-immobilized IFN-α latex films may have therapeutic effects against cervicitis, cervical cancers, and cervical virus.

Nanoparticle drugs and relevant treatment technologies have achieved widespread attention in recent years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance since it is one of the worst malignant tumors. In this study, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are prepared via a co-precipitation reaction with self-assembled surface monolayers of oleic acid molecules. For synthesizing the nanoparticle anti-tumor drug used against HCC, the liquid photo-immobilization method is used to bond the photoactive N-isopropylacrylamide derivative (NIPAm-AA) onto the oleic acid monolayer for subsequently embedding doxorubicin, photoactive tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and folic acid (FOL). We investigate how the nanoparticle drug inhibits the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, our characterizations show that the nanoparticle drug demonstrates much higher anticancer efficacy (94.7%) in vitro than previously reported drugs. It is revealed that the programmed cell death induced by the drug is mainly oncosis, a new programmed cell death pathway, different from earlier proposed mechanisms. This oncosis mechanism is also confirmed in the other two hepatocellular carcinoma cells (BEL-7402 and Huh-7). This study may be helpful for developing a new type of nanoparticle drug capable of assuring molecular control of both the cell inner nucleus and outer membrane as a means to enormously increase the drug efficacy in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Nanoparticle drugs and relevant treatment technologies have achieved widespread attention in recent years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance since it is one of the worst malignant tumors. In this study, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are prepared via a co-precipitation reaction with self-assembled surface monolayers of oleic acid molecules. For synthesizing the nanoparticle anti-tumor drug used against HCC, the liquid photo-immobilization method is used to bond the photoactive N-isopropylacrylamide derivative (NIPAm-AA) onto the oleic acid monolayer for subsequently embedding doxorubicin, photoactive tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and folic acid (FOL). We investigate how the nanoparticle drug inhibits the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, our characterizations show that the nanoparticle drug demonstrates much higher anticancer efficacy (94.7%) in vitro than previously reported drugs. It is revealed that the programmed cell death induced by the drug is mainly oncosis, a new programmed cell death pathway, different from earlier proposed mechanisms. This oncosis mechanism is also confirmed in the other two hepatocellular carcinoma cells (BEL-7402 and Huh-7). This study may be helpful for developing a new type of nanoparticle drug capable of assuring molecular control of both the cell inner nucleus and outer membrane as a means to enormously increase the drug efficacy in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cordycepin has been successfully used as a natural anti-cancer drug, but it is rapidly metabolized in vivo. Nanoencapsulation is thus a promising method to improve its bioavailability. In this study, we adopted a green synthesis process to develop novel self-assembling phycocyanin–dextran–cordycepin (Phy–Dex–Cord) micelles for efficient cordycepin encapsulation and delivery. We first used the Maillard reaction method to graft dextran onto phycocyanin, forming a phycocyanin–dextran complex. Through the self-assembly of the cordycepin parcel to the phycocyanin–dextran complex, the micelles were formed. Their physical and chemical properties and characterization results showed that Phy–Dex–Cord micelles have a spherical shape and consistent size distribution of about 60 nm. In addition, anti-cancer activities in vitro and in vivo revealed that the Phy–Dex–Cord micelles have a comparable or even stronger inhibitory effect against C6 cells than do free cordycepin and free phycocyanin and no side effects.