Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Encapsulating a Benzoxanthene Derivative in a Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier: Modulation of Angiogenic Parameters and Inflammation in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Stimulated Angiogenesis

Giuliana Greco; Aleksandra Agafonova; Alessia Cosentino; Nunzio Cardullo; Vera Muccilli; Carmelo Puglia; Carmelina Daniela Anfuso; Maria Grazia Sarpietro; Gabriella Lupo

doi:10.3390/molecules29133103

Molecules (Jun 2024)

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Encapsulating a Benzoxanthene Derivative in a Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier: Modulation of Angiogenic Parameters and Inflammation in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Stimulated Angiogenesis

Giuliana Greco,
Aleksandra Agafonova,
Alessia Cosentino,
Nunzio Cardullo,
Vera Muccilli,
Carmelo Puglia,
Carmelina Daniela Anfuso,
Maria Grazia Sarpietro,
Gabriella Lupo

Affiliations

Giuliana Greco: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Aleksandra Agafonova: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Alessia Cosentino: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Nunzio Cardullo: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Vera Muccilli: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Carmelo Puglia: Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Carmelina Daniela Anfuso: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Maria Grazia Sarpietro: Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Gabriella Lupo: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133103
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 29, no. 13
p. 3103

Abstract

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Lignans, a class of secondary metabolites found in plants, along with their derivatives, exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic ones. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is a crucial process for cancer growth and development. Several studies have elucidated the synergistic relationship between angiogenesis and inflammation in various inflammatory diseases, highlighting a correlation between inflammation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. Thus, the identification of novel molecules capable of modulating VEGF effects presents promising prospects for developing therapies aimed at stabilizing, reversing, or even arresting disease progression. Lignans often suffer from low aqueous solubility and, for their use, encapsulation in a delivery system is needed. In this research, a bioinspired benzoxantene has been encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles that have been characterized for their pharmacotechnical properties and their thermotropic behavior. The effects of these encapsulated nanoparticles on angiogenic parameters and inflammation in VEGF-induced angiogenesis were evaluated using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) as a human blood–brain barrier model.

Published in Molecules

ISSN: 1420-3049 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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Abstract

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