T80-NPS-RIN treatment regulated the activity of neurons in vitro. Conclusion The presented data confirmed that rhynchophylline encapsulated mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles coated with Tween 80 could across through the BBB and exhibited efficient neuroprotective effects. The T80-NPS-RIN nanoparticles have a chance to be an alternative drug to the therapy of AD. © 2020 Xu et al.Introduction Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are considered a promising system in enhancing the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs; owing to their intrinsic ability to increase the solubility together with protecting the incorporated drugs from extensive metabolism. Objective Exploiting such properties, SLNs loaded with gliclazide (GLZ) were developed in an attempt to improve the oral bioavailability and the anti-diabetic action of GLZ, together with prolonging its duration of action for better glycemic control.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/VX-770.html  Methods SLNs were prepared by ultra-sonication technique using glyceryl behenate (Compritol®888 ATO) as a lipid matrix and poloxamer 188 (PLX) as a stabilizer. A 2*3 asymmetrical factorial design was adopted to study the effect of different stabilizer concentrations at different sonication times on the shape, and size of the particles, PDI and drug loading. The selected optimum formulation was then freeze dried using trehalose di-hydrate as a cryo-protectant in different ratios with rfirmed the better anti-diabetic action of GLZ loaded SLNs when compared to raw GLZ powder. Subacute toxicity study indicated the safety of SLNs upon repetitive oral administration. © 2020 Nazief et al.Introduction Antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill 25,000 people every year in the EU. Patients subject to recurrent lung infections are the most vulnerable to severe or even lethal infections. For these patients, pulmonary delivery of antibiotics would be advantageous, since inhalation can achieve higher concentration in the lungs than iv administration and can provide a faster onset of action. This would allow for the delivery of higher doses and hence reduce the number of treatments required. We report here about a new nanosystem (M33-NS) obtained by capturing SET-M33 peptide on single-chain dextran nanoparticles. SET-M33 is a non-natural antimicrobial peptide synthesized in branched form. This form gives the peptide resistance to degradation in biological fluids. SET-M33 has previously shown efficacy in vitro against about one hundred of Gram-negative multidrug and extensively drug-resistant clinical isolates and was also active in preclinical infection models of pneumonia, sepsis and skin infections. Methodew therapeutic option for patients suffering recurrent infections, that will benefit from high local doses of persistent antimicrobials. © 2020 Falciani et al.Background The clinical use of doxorubicin (DOX) is severely limited due to its cardiotoxicity. Thus, there is a need for prophylactic and treatment strategies against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a liquiritigenin-loaded submicron emulsion (Lq-SE) with enhanced oral bioavailability and to explore its efficacy against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods Lq-SE was prepared using high-pressure homogenization and characterized using several analytical techniques. The formulation was optimized by central composite design response surface methodology (CCD-RSM). In vivo pharmacokinetic studies, biochemical analyses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays, histopathologic assays, and Western blot analyses were performed. Results Each Lq-SE droplet had a mean particle size of 221.7 ± 5.80 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.106 ± 0.068 and a zeta potential of -28.23 ± 0.42 mV. The area under the curve (AUC) of Lq-SE was 595% higher than that of liquiritigenin (Lq). Lq-SE decreased the release of serum cardiac enzymes and ameliorated histopathological changes in the hearts of DOX-challenged mice. Lq-SE significantly reduced oxidative stress by adjusting the levels of ROS, increasing the activity of antioxidative enzymes and inhibiting the protein expression of NOX4 and NOX2. Furthermore, Lq-SE significantly improved the inflammatory response through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway and induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Conclusion Lq-SE could be used as an effective cardioprotective agent against DOX in chemotherapy to enable better treatment outcomes. © 2020 Shi et al.Background Echinococcus granulosus is causative agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE), which has a cosmopolitan distribution. The current methods for the treatment of human CE include surgery. Therefore, the development of new scolicidal agents with low side effects and more efficacies is an urgent need. Purpose The present study aimed to compare the scolicidal efficacies of silver, iron, copper, silica and zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) against hydatid cyst protoscolices in vitro. Methods Hydatid cysts of sheep liver and lung were collected. The cyst fluid containing protoscolices was aspirated aseptically. The scolicidal activities of the silver, iron, copper, silica and zinc nanoparticles (Ag-NP, Fe-NP, Cu-NP, Si-NP and Zn-NP) were tested at different concentrations of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL following 10, 30 and 60 min of incubation in triplicate. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Results Results showed that Ag-NPs at all concentrations tested had the highest scolicidal effect. Ag-NPs at 1 mg/mL concentration after 60 min of exposure time showed 80% mortality rate. Si-NPs had the high scolicidal activity at 1 mg/mL concentration (52.33%), Cu-NPs at 0.5 mg/mL concentration (41%), Fe-NPs at 1mg/mL concentration (28%) and Zn-NPs at concentration of 1mg/mL after 60 mins (15.67%). Conclusion The findings of the present study showed that Ag-NPs, Fe-NPs, Cu-NPs, Si-NPs and Zn-NPs had potent scolicidal effects and that Ag-NPs are recommended as effective scolicidal agents. However, further in vivo studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of these nanoparticles. © 2020 Norouzi et al.Aptamers are a class of targeting ligands that bind exclusively to biomarkers of interest. Aptamers have been identified as candidates for the construction of various smart systems for therapy, diagnosis, bioimaging, and drug delivery due to their high target affinity and specificity. Aptamers are accounted as chemical antibodies that can be readily linked to drugs, sensors, signal enhancers, or nanocarriers for functionalization. Use of aptamer-guided medications, especially nanomedicines, has resulted in encouraging outcomes compared to those use of aptamer-free counterparts. This article reviews recent advances in the use of aptamers as targeting ligands for various biomedical and pharmaceutical purposes. Special interests focus on aptamer-based theranostics, biosensing, bioimaging, drug potentiation, and targeted drug delivery. © 2020 Guan and Zhang.