Design and synthesis of zinc protoporphyrin IX-adamantane/cyclodextrin/cellulose nanocrystals complexes for anticancer photodynamic therapy.

Two protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) adamantane derivatives were synthesized and then metallated with zinc. The Zn-PpIX derivatives, exhibiting a high singlet oxygen quantum yield, were tested for their photodynamic activity against the HT-29 cell line. In order to enhance their water-solubility and their cellular bioavailability, these photosensitizers were encapsulated into the hydrophobic cavity of cyclodextrins (CD) previously attached to cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) via electrostatic interactions.

Curcumin-cyclodextrin/cellulose nanocrystals improve the phenotype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth-1A transgenic rats through the reduction of oxidative stress.

The most prevalent form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT type 1A) is characterized by duplication of the PMP22 gene, peripheral dysmyelination and decreased nerve conduction velocities leading to muscle weakness. Recently, oxidative stress was reported as a feature in CMT1A patients. Curcumin exhibits antioxidant activities and has shown beneficial properties on peripheral nerves.

Enhancement of hydrosolubility and in vitro antiproliferative properties of chalcones following encapsulation into β-cyclodextrin/cellulose-nanocrystal complexes.

This paper describes the preparation of two chalcone/β-cyclodextrin/cellulose-nanocrystals complexes and the study of their antiproliferative activities against two colorectal and two prostatic cancer cell lines. The aim of this work was to enhance hydrosolubility of chalcones thanks to the hydrophilic character of cellulose nanocrystals. These latter were linked, through ionic interactions, to a cationic derivative of β-cyclodextrins whose lipophilic cavity allowed the encapsulation of hydrophobic chalcones: 3-hydroxy-3',4,4',5'-tetramethoxychalcone (1) and 3',4,4',5'-tetramethoxychalcone (2).

PEI-cellulose nanocrystal hybrids as efficient siRNA delivery agents-Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation.

We describe the synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) complexed to siRNA. PEI (600Da) was first covalently attached to CNCs by reductive amination reaction, then CNCs-PEI were loaded with siRNA, resulting in the formation of CNCs-PEI-siRNA particles, strongly stabilized by ionic interactions. Efficient cellular uptake of these particles was monitored by ethidium bromide staining.

Development of curcumin-cyclodextrin/cellulose nanocrystals complexes: New anticancer drug delivery systems.

The synthesis of curcumin-cyclodextrin/cellulose nanocrystals (CNCx) nano complexes was performed. CNCx were functionalized by ionic association with cationic β-cyclodextrin (CD) and CD/CNCx complexes were used to encapsulate curcumin. Preliminary in vitro results showed that the resulting curcumin-CD/CNCx complexes exerted antiproliferative effect on colorectal and prostatic cancer cell lines, with IC50s lower than that of curcumin alone.