Synergistic effect of folic acid and hypericin administration to improve the efficacy of photodynamic therapy via folate receptors.

Transport systems are developed to improve the solubility of the transported drug, increase its stability, enhance its pharmacological activity and target cancer while minimising side effects. In this work, nanoporous silica particles that can be functionalized and loaded with a large number of hydrophobic molecules are proposed. The designed system was modified with folic acid to target the folic acid receptors of cancer cells.

Alkyl Chain Length in Poly(2-oxazoline)-Based Amphiphilic Gradient Copolymers Regulates the Delivery of Hydrophobic Molecules: A Case of the Biodistribution and the Photodynamic Activity of the Photosensitizer Hypericin.

Self-assembled nanostructures of amphiphilic gradient copoly(2-oxazoline)s have recently attracted attention as promising delivery systems for the effective delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs. In this study, we have investigated the effects of increasing hydrophobic side chain length on the self-assembly of gradient copolymers composed of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline as the hydrophilic comonomer and various 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-2-oxazolines as hydrophobic comonomers. We show that the size of the formed polymeric nanoparticles depends on the structure of the copolymers.

Searching for combination therapy by clustering methods: Stimulation of PKC in Golgi apparatus combined with hypericin induced PDT.

Cancer cell metabolism is a very attractive target for anticancer treatments. This work focuses on protein kinase C (PKC) signaling in the U87 MG glioma. By means of western blot, fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence microscopy the correlation between the Golgi apparatus (GA), lysosomes and mitochondria were evaluated.

Encapsulation of anticancer drug curcumin and co-loading with photosensitizer hypericin into lipoproteins investigated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are natural occurring vehicles attractive for drug delivery and targeting tumor cells. Here we have investigated the encapsulation and interaction of a well-known anticancer agent curcumin with LDL and HDL. LDL particles have been found to accumulate more curcumin molecules inside their structure than HDL.

Benefits of hypericin transport and delivery by low- and high-density lipoproteins to cancer cells: From in vitro to ex ovo.

Lipoproteins are very attractive natural-based transport systems suitable for applications in diagnostics and cancer therapy. Low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL, HDL) were selected for hypericin (hyp) delivery in cancer cells. Hyp was used, as it is a well-known model for hydrophobic molecules, in order to estimate the LDL and HDL transport efficacy.

Hypericin can cross barriers in the chicken's chorioallantoic membrane model when delivered in low-density lipoproteins.

Background: Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were used as a natural drug delivery system for the transport of hypericin (Hyp) in the bloodstream of the chicken's chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM). Hyp was chosen as a model for hydrophobic drug used in photo-diagnosis and photo-treatments (PDT). The extravasation of the Hyp:LDL complexes for different concentration ratios and the redistribution of Hyp between different serum components were investigated with an innovative statistical treatment.