Efferocytosis-Inspired Biomimetic Nanoplatform for Targeted Acute Lung Injury Therapy

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious inflammatory disease that causes impairment of pulmonary function. Phenotypic modulation of macrophage in the lung using fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) may be a potential strategy to alleviate lung inflammation. Consequently, achieving specific delivery of FGF21 to the inflamed lung and subsequent efficient FGF21 internalization by macrophages within the lung becomes critical for effective ALI treatment. Here, an apoptotic cell membrane-coated zirconium-based metal-organic framework UiO-66 is reported for precise pulmonary delivery of FGF21 (ACM@U-FGF21) whose design is inspired by the process of efferocytosis. ACM@U-FGF21 with apoptotic signals is recognized and internalized by phagocytes in the blood and macrophages in the lung, and then the intracellular ACM@U-FGF21 can inhibit the excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by these cells to relieve the inflammation. Utilizing the homologous targeting properties inherited from the source cells and the spontaneous recruitment of immune cells to inflammatory sites, ACM@U-FGF21 can accumulate preferentially in the lung after injection. The results prove that ACM@U-FGF21 effectively reduces inflammatory damage to the lung by modulating lung macrophage polarization and suppressing the excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activated immune cells. This study demonstrates the usefulness of efferocytosis-inspired ACM@U-FGF21 in the treatment of ALI.

Inhalable metal-organic framework-mediated cuproptosis combined with PD-L1 checkpoint blockade for lung metastasis synergistic immunotherapy

Cuproptosis shows enormous application prospects in lung metastasis treatment. However, the glycolysis, Cu+ efflux mechanisms, and insufficient lung drug accumulation severely restrict cuproptosis efficacy. Herein, an inhalable poly (2-(N-oxide-N,N-diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (OPDEA)-coated copper-based metal-organic framework encapsulating pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 siRNA (siPDK) is constructed for mediating cuproptosis and subsequently promoting lung metastasis immunotherapy, namely OMP. After inhalation, OMP shows highly efficient lung accumulation and long-term retention, ascribing to the OPDEA-mediated pulmonary mucosa penetration. Within tumor cells, OMP is degraded to release Cu2+ under acidic condition, which will be reduced to toxic Cu+ to induce cuproptosis under glutathione (GSH) regulation. Meanwhile, siPDK released from OMP inhibits intracellular glycolysis and adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) production, then blocking the Cu+ efflux protein ATP7B, thereby rendering tumor cells more sensitive to OMP-mediated cuproptosis. Moreover, OMP-mediated cuproptosis triggers immunogenic cell death (ICD) to promote dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and CD8+ T cells infiltration. Notably, OMP-induced cuproptosis up-regulates membrane-associated programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and induces soluble PD-L1 secretion, and thus synergizes with anti-PD-L1 antibodies (aPD-L1) to reprogram immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, finally yielding improved immunotherapy efficacy. Overall, OMP may serve as an efficient inhalable nanoplatform and afford preferable efficacy against lung metastasis through inducing cuproptosis and combining with aPD-L1.

Exploring the influence of microstructure and phospholipid type of liposomes on their interaction with lung

Liposome is a promising carrier for pulmonary drug delivery and the nano-sized liposomes have been widely investigated in the treatment of lung diseases. However, there still lack the knowledge of micron-sized liposomes for lung delivery, which have more advantages in terms of drug loading and sustained drug release capacity. The micron-sized liposomes can be classified into multilamellar liposome (MLL) and multivesicular liposome (MVL) according to their microstructure, thus, this study focused on exploring how the micron-sized liposomes with different microstructure and phospholipid composition influence their interaction with the lung. The MLL and MVL were prepared from different types of phospholipids (including soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC), egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EPC), and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)) with geometric diameter around 5 μm, and their in vitro pulmonary cell uptake, in vivo lung retention and organ distribution were investigated. The results showed that the microstructure of liposomes didn't affect pulmonary cellular uptake, in vivo lung retention and organ distribution. MLL and MVL prepared with the same phospholipid had similar cellular uptake in both NR8383 cells and A549 cells, and both of them possessed prolonged lung retention and limited distribution in other organs during 72 h. Notably, the phospholipid type presented remarkable influence on liposomes' interaction with the lung. SPC-based liposomes exhibited higher cellular uptake than the DPPC-based ones in both NR8383 cells and A549 cells, also possessed a better lung retention behavior. In conclusion, this study might provide theoretical knowledge for designing micron-sized liposomes intended for lung delivery.

Cathelicidin LL-37 promotes wound healing in diabetic mice by regulating TFEB-dependent autophagy

Diabetic patients often experience impaired wound healing. Human cathelicidin LL-37 possesses various biological functions, such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-wound healing activities. Autophagy has important effects on skin wound healing. However, little is known about whether LL-37 accelerates diabetic wound healing by regulating autophagy. In the study, we aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in LL-37-induced wound healing and uncover the underlying mechanisms involved. A full-thickness wound closure model was established in diabetic mice to evaluate the effects of LL-37 and an autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) on wound healing. The roles of LL-37 and 3-MA in regulating keratinocyte migration were assessed using transwell migration and wound healing assays. The activation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) was measured using western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) assays of its nuclear translocation. The results showed that LL-37 treatment improved wound healing in diabetic mice, whereas these effects were reversed by 3-MA. In vitro, 3-MA decreased the effects of LL-37 on promoting HaCat keratinocyte migration in the presence of high glucose (HG). Mechanistically, LL-37 promoted TFEB activation and resulted in subsequent activation of autophagy, as evidenced by increased nuclear translocation of TFEB and increased expression of ATG5, ATG7, and beclin 1 (BECN1), whereas these changes were blocked by TFEB knockdown. As expected, TFEB knockdown damaged the effects of LL-37 on promoting keratinocyte migration. Collectively, these results suggest that LL-37 accelerates wound healing in diabetic mice by activating TFEB-dependent autophagy, providing new insights into the mechanism by which LL-37 promotes diabetic wound healing.

Physiological Barriers and Strategies of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Drug Delivery

Lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs) are currently the most promising vehicles for nucleic acid drug (NAD) delivery. Although their clinical applications have achieved success, the NAD delivery efficiency and safety are still unsatisfactory, which are, to a large extent, due to the existence of multi-level physiological barriers in vivo. It is important to elucidate the interactions between these barriers and LBNPs, which will guide more rational design of efficient NAD vehicles with low adverse effects and facilitate broader applications of nucleic acid therapeutics. This review describes the obstacles and challenges of biological barriers to NAD delivery at systemic, organ, sub-organ, cellular, and subcellular levels. The strategies to overcome these barriers are comprehensively reviewed, mainly including physically/chemically engineering LBNPs and directly modifying physiological barriers by auxiliary treatments. Then the potentials and challenges for successful translation of these preclinical studies into the clinic are discussed. In the end, a forward look at the strategies on manipulating protein corona (PC) is addressed, which may pull off the trick of overcoming those physiological barriers and significantly improve the efficacy and safety of LBNP-based NADs delivery.

Preclinical evaluation of novel synthesised nanoparticles based on tyrosine poly(ester amide) for improved targeted pulmonary delivery

Fixed dose combinations (FDCs) incorporating two or three medicines in a single inhaler have been created to enhance patient compliance and hence clinical outcomes. However, the development of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), particularly for FDCs, faces challenges pertinent to formulation uniformity and reproducibility. Therefore, this project aimed to employ nanotechnology to develop a FDC of DPIs for market-leading medicines-fluticasone propionate (FP) and salmeterol xinafoate (SAL)-for asthma management. Nanoaggregates were prepared using a novel biocompatible and biodegradable poly(ester amide) based on the amino acid tyrosine, utilising a one-step interfacial polymerisation process. The produced tyrosine poly (ester amide) drug-loaded nanoparticles were evaluated for content uniformity, PSA, FTIR, TEM, DSC, XRD and aerodynamic performance (in vitro and in vivo). The optimised formulation demonstrated high entrapment efficiency- > 90%. The aerodynamic performance in terms of the emitted dose, fine particle fraction and respirable dose was superior to the carrier-based marketed product. In-vivo studies showed that FP (above the marketed formulation) and SAL reached the lungs of mice in a reproducible manner. These results highlight the superiority of novel FDC FP/SAL nanoparticles prepared via a one-step process, which can be used as a cost-effective and efficient method to alleviate the burden of asthma.

Development of a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system to deliver delamanid via a pressurized metered dose inhaler for treatment of multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious health issue that contributes to millions of deaths throughout the world and increases the threat of serious pulmonary infections in patients with respiratory illness. Delamanid is a novel drug approved in 2014 to deal with multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). Despite its high efficiency in TB treatment, delamanid poses delivery challenges due to poor water solubility leading to inadequate absorption upon oral administration. This study involves the development of novel formulation-based pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) containing self-microemulsifying mixtures of delamanid for efficient delivery to the lungs. To identify the appropriate self-microemulsifying formulations, ternary diagrams were plotted using different combinations of surfactant to co-surfactant ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1). The combinations used Cremophor RH40, Poly Ethylene Glycol 400 (PEG 400), and peppermint oil, and those that showed the maximum microemulsion region and rapid and stable emulsification were selected for further characterization. The diluted self-microemulsifying mixtures underwent evaluation of dose uniformity, droplet size, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy. The selected formulations exhibited uniform delivery of the dose throughout the canister life, along with droplet sizes and zeta potentials that ranged from 24.74 to 88.99 nm and - 19.27 to - 10.00 mV, respectively. The aerosol performance of each self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS)-pMDI was assessed using the Next Generation Impactor, which indicated their capability to deliver the drug to the deeper areas of the lungs. In vitro cytotoxicity testing on A549 and NCI-H358 cells revealed no significant signs of toxicity up to a concentration of 1.56 µg/mL. The antimycobacterial activity of the formulations was evaluated against Mycobacterium bovis using flow cytometry analysis, which showed complete inhibition by day 5 with a minimum bactericidal concentration of 0.313 µg/mL. Moreover, the cellular uptake studies showed efficient delivery of the formulations inside macrophage cells, which indicated the potential for intracellular antimycobacterial activity. These findings demonstrated the potential of the Delamanid-SMEDDS-pMDI for efficient pulmonary delivery of delamanid to improve its effectiveness in the treatment of multi-drug resistant pulmonary TB.

Formulation and evaluation of inhaled Sildenafil-loaded PLGA microparticles for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): A novel high drug loaded formulation and scalable process via hot melt extrusion technology (Part Ⅰ)

In recent years, several techniques were employed to develop a local sustained pulmonary delivery of sildenafil citrate (SC) as an alternative for the intravenous and oral treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Most of these methods, however, need to be improved due to limitations of scalability, low yield production, low drug loading, and stability issues. In this study, we report the use of hot-melt extrusion (HME) as a scalable process for making Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles with high SC load. The prepared particles were tested in vitro for local drug delivery to the lungs by inhalation. Sodium bicarbonate was included as a porogen in the formulation to make the particles more brittle and to impart favorable aerodynamic properties. Six formulations were prepared with different formulation compositions. Laser diffraction analysis was used to estimate the geometric particle size distribution of the microparticles. In-vitro aerodynamic performance was evaluated by the next-generation cascade impactor (NGI). It was reported in terms of an emitted dose (ED), an emitted fraction (EF%), a respirable fraction (RF%), a fine particle fraction (FPF%), a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), and geometric standard deviation (GSD). The formulations have also been characterized for surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, drug load, and in-vitro drug release. The results demonstrated that PLGA microparticles have a mean geometric particle size between 6 and 14 µm, entrapment efficiency of 77 to 89 %, and SC load between 17 and 33 % w/w. Fifteen percent of entrapped sildenafil was released over 24 h from the PLGA microparticles, and seventy percent over 7 days. The aerodynamic properties included fine particle fraction ranging between 19 and 33 % and an average mass median aerodynamic diameter of 6-13 µm.

New Ca2+ based anticancer nanomaterials trigger multiple cell death targeting Ca2+ homeostasis for cancer therapy

Calcium ion (Ca2+) is a necessary element for human and Ca2+ homeostasis plays important roles in various cellular process and functions. Recent reaches have targeted on inducing Ca2+ overload (both intracellular and transcellular) for tumor therapy. With the development of nanotechnology, nanoplatform-mediated Ca2+ overload has been safe theranostic model for cancer therapy, and defined a special calcium overload-induced tumor cell death as "calcicoptosis". However, the underlying mechanism of calcicoptosis in cancer cells remains further identification. In this review, we summarized multiple cell death types due to Ca2+ overload that induced by novel anticancer nanomaterials in tumor cells, including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. We reviewed the roles of these anticancer nanomaterials on Ca2+ homeostasis, including transcellular Ca2+ influx and efflux, and intracellular Ca2+ change in the cytosolic and organelles, and connection of Ca2+ overload with other metal ions. This review provides the knowledge of these nano-anticancer materials-triggered calcicoptosis accompanied with multiple cell death by regulating Ca2+ homeostasis, which could not only enhance their efficiency and specificity, but also enlighten to design new cancer therapeutic strategies and biomedical applications.

Cubosomal nanoformulation increase invitro dissolution and anticancer activity of Fisetin in A549 lung cancer cells

Aim: To prepare fisetin (FIS) cubosomal nanoformulation to increase aqueous solubility and anticancer activity. Methods: Top-down method using glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and Pluronic F-127. Results: Optimized using 2% GMO and 1% Pluronic F-127, reported 93.07 nm particle size, 80.10% drug entrapment, and reports more than 50% enhanced in vitro drug release than native FIS. MTT assay reports IC50 Values of FIS 16.59 μg/ml and optimized cubosomal FIS nanoformulation (FISCUB) 12.18 μg/ml. The colony numbers observed in clonogenic assay for FISCUB were 8.33 ± 0.58 and FIS 11.67 ± 1.15. In flow cytometry study, apoptotic cells in FISCUB and FIS-treated A549 cells were found to be 33.4 and 6.83% respectively. Conclusion: A stable cubosomal nanoformulation of FIS showed enhanced aqueous solubility and anticancer activity.

Perspectives on Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions at the In Vivo Level

The distinct features of nanoparticles have provided a vast opportunity of developing new diagnosis and therapy strategies for miscellaneous diseases. Although a few nanomedicines are available in the market or in the translation stage, many important issues are still unsolved. When entering the body, nanomaterials will be quickly coated by proteins from their surroundings, forming a corona on their surface, the so-called protein corona. Studies have shown that the protein corona has many important biological implications, particularly at the in vivo level. For example, they can promote the immune system to rapidly clear these outer materials and prevent nanoparticles from playing their designed role in therapy. In this Perspective, the available techniques for characterizing protein-nanoparticle interactions are critically summarized. Effects of nanoparticle properties and environmental factors on protein corona formation, which can further regulate the in vivo fate of nanoparticles, are highlighted and discussed. Moreover, recent progress on the biomedical application of protein corona-engineered nanoparticles is introduced, and future directions for this important yet challenging research area are also briefly discussed.

Endometrial stem cells alleviate cisplatin-induced ferroptosis of granulosa cells by regulating Nrf2 expression

BACKGROUND

Premature ovarian failure (POF) caused by cisplatin is a severe and intractable sequela for young women with cancer who received chemotherapy. Cisplatin causes the dysfunction of granulosa cells and mainly leads to but is not limited to its apoptosis and autophagy. Ferroptosis has been also reported to participate, while little is known about it. Our previous experiment has demonstrated that endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) can repair cisplatin-injured granulosa cells. However, it is still unclear whether EnSCs can play a repair role by acting on ferroptosis.

METHODS

Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were applied to detect the expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes. CCK-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were used to evaluate cell viability. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed to detect ferroptosis in morphology. And the extent of ferroptosis was assessed by ROS, GPx, GSSG and MDA indicators. In vivo, ovarian morphology was presented by HE staining and the protein expression in ovarian tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Our results showed that ferroptosis could occur in cisplatin-injured granulosa cells. Ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and EnSCs partly restored cell viability and mitigated the damage of cisplatin to granulosa cells by inhibiting ferroptosis. Moreover, the repair potential of EnSCs can be markedly blocked by ML385.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that cisplatin could induce ferroptosis in granulosa cells, while EnSCs could inhibit ferroptosis and thus exert repair effects on the cisplatin-induced injury model both in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, Nrf2 was validated to participate in this regulatory process and played an essential role.

Potential Application Prospects of Biomolecule-Modified Two-Dimensional Chiral Nanomaterials in Biomedicine

Chirality, one of the most fundamental properties of natural molecules, plays a significant role in biochemical reactions. Nanomaterials with chiral characteristics have superior properties, such as catalytic properties, optoelectronic properties, and photothermal properties, which have significant potential for specific applications in nanomedicine. Biomolecular modifications such as nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, and polysaccharides are sources of chirality for nanomaterials with great potential for application in addition to intrinsic chirality, artificial macromolecules, and metals. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, as opposed to other dimensions, due to proper surface area, extensive modification sites, drug loading potential, and simplicity of preparation, are prepared and utilized in diagnostic applications, drug delivery research, and tumor therapy. Current advanced studies on 2D chiral nanomaterials for biomedicine are focused on novel chiral development, structural control, and materials sustainability applications. However, despite the advances in biomedical research, chiral 2D nanomaterials still confront challenges such as the difficulty of synthesis, quality control, batch preparation, chiral stability, and chiral recognition and selectivity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the origins, synthesis, applications, and challenges of 2D chiral nanomaterials with biomolecules as cargo and chiral modifications and highlight their potential roles in biomedicine.

Inflammatory-Targeted Lipid Carrier as a New Nanomaterial to Formulate an Inhaled Drug Delivery System

There is a pressing need for efficacious therapies in the field of respiratory diseases and infections. Lipid nanocarriers, administered through aerosols, represent a promising tool for maximizing therapeutic concentration in targeted cells and minimizing systemic exposure. However, this approach requires the application of efficient and safe nanomaterials. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endocannabinoid-like endogenous lipid, plays a crucial role in providing protective mechanisms during inflammation, making it an interesting material for preparing inhalable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). This report aims to preliminarily explore the in vitro behavior of LNPs prepared with PEA (PEA-LNPs), a new inhalable inflammatory-targeted nanoparticulate drug carrier. PEA-LNPs exhibited a size of about 250 nm, a rounded shape, and an marked improvement in PEA solubility in comparison to naked PEA, indicative of easily disassembled nanoparticles. A twin glass impinger instrument was used to screen the aerosol performance of PEA-LNP powders, obtained via freeze-drying in the presence of two quantities of mannose as a cryoprotectant. Results indicated that a higher amount of mannose improved the emitted dose (ED), and in particular, the fine particle fraction (FPF). A cytotoxicity assay was performed and indicated that PEA-LNPs are not toxic towards the MH-S alveolar macrophage cell line up to concentrations of 0.64 mg/mL, and using coumarin-6 labelled particles, a rapid internalization into the macrophage was confirmed. This study demonstrates that PEA could represent a suitable material for preparing inhalable lipid nanocarrier-based dry powders, which signify a promising tool for the transport of drugs employed to treat respiratory diseases and infections.

A multifunctional CaCO3 bioreactor coated with coordination polymers enhances cancer immunotherapy

Designing effective nanomedicines to induce durable anti-tumor immunity represents a promising strategy for improving moderate immune stimulation. In this study, we engineered a multifunctional nanoreactor (named SCGFP NPs) for remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME) to improve the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy. The core of SCGFP NPs consists of CaCO3 loaded with SN38, prepared by the gas diffusion method, and coated with a significant amount of gallic acid-Fe3+-PEG coordination polymer on the surface. In the acidic TME, SCGFP NPs explosively release exogenous Ca2+ and SN38. The SN38-induced intracellular Ca2+ accumulation and exogenous Ca2+ synergistically trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) through sustained Ca2+ overload. The ablation of tumors with high-intensity photothermal therapy (PTT) by near-infrared (NIR) irradiation of GA-Fe3+ induces tumor cell necrosis, further enhancing ICD activation. Additionally, SN38 upregulates PD-L1, amplifying tumor responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study indicates that SCGFP NPs, through the integration of a trimodal therapeutic strategy, hold enormous potential for various types of tumor immunotherapy through distinct mechanisms or synergistic effects.

Polysaccharides screening for pulmonary mucus penetration by molecular dynamics simulation and in vitro verification

Mucus penetration is one of the physiologic barriers of inhalation and nanocarriers can effectively facilitate the permeation of drugs. The interactions between the nanocarriers and mucin are crucial for penetration across the mucus layer on the respiratory tract. In this study, we proposed a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method for the screening of polysaccharides that acted as the surface modification materials for inhalable nano-preparations to facilitate mucus penetration. MD revealed all-atom interactions between the monomers of polysaccharides, including dextran (DEX)/hyaluronic acid (HA)/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and the human mucin protein MUC5AC (hMUC5AC). The obtained data showed that DEX formed stronger non-covalent bonds with hMUC5AC compared to HA and CMCS, which suggested that HA and CMCS had better mucus permeability than DEX. For the in vitro verification, HA/CMCS-coated liposomes and DEX/PEG-inserted liposomes were prepared. The results of mucin interactions and mucus penetration studies confirmed that HA and CMCS possessed the weakest interactions with mucin and facilitated the mucus penetration, which was in consistent with the data from MD simulation. This work may shed light on the MD simulation-based screening of surface modification materials for inhalable nano-preparations to facilitate mucus penetration.

A New Perspective in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke: Ferroptosis

Ischemic stroke is a common neurological disease. Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs that can maximize the improvement in ischemic stroke-induced nerve damage. Hence, treating ischemic stroke remains a clinical challenge. Ferroptosis has been increasingly studied in recent years, and it is closely related to the pathophysiological process of ischemic stroke. Iron overload, reactive oxygen species accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and glutamate accumulation associated with ferroptosis are all present in ischemic stroke. This article focuses on describing the relationship between ferroptosis and ischemic stroke and summarizes the relevant substances that ameliorate ischemic stroke-induced neurological damage by inhibiting ferroptosis. Finally, the problems in the treatment of ischemic stroke targeting ferroptosis are discussed, hoping to provide a new direction for its treatment.

Incorporation of curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles into yogurt: Tribo-rheological properties and dynamic in vitro digestion

The incorporation of nanostructures loaded with bioactive compounds into food matrices is a promising approach to develop new functional foods with improved nutritional, health profiles and good sensorial properties. The rheological and tribological properties of yogurt enriched with curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were evaluated. Also, the TCA solubility index, the bioaccessibility of curcumin and cell viability were assessed after dynamic in vitro digestion. The presence of SLN in yogurt did not affect its rheological properties; however, SLN addition increased the lubrication capability of yogurt. After in vitro digestion, yogurt with added SLN (yogurt_SLN) presented a lower TCA solubility index (22 %) than the plain yogurt (39 %). The bioaccessibility and stability of curcumin were statistically similar for yogurt_SLN (30 % and 42 %, respectively) and SLN alone (20 % and 39 %, respectively). Regarding cell viability results, the intestinal digesta filtrates of both controls (i.e., SLN alone and plain yogurt) did not affect significantly the cell viability, while the yogurt_SLN presented a possible cytotoxic effect at the concentrations tested. In general, the incorporation of SLN into yogurt seemed to promote the mouthfeel of the yogurt and did not adversely affect the bioaccessibility of curcumin. However, the interaction of SLN and yogurt matrix seemed to have a cytotoxic effect after in vitro digestion, which should be further investigated. Despite that, SLN has a high potential to be used as nanostructure in a functional food as a strategy to increase the bioactive compounds' bioaccessibility.

Pulmonary inhalation for disease treatment: Basic research and clinical translations

Pulmonary drug delivery has the advantages of being rapid, efficient, and well-targeted, with few systemic side effects. In addition, it is non-invasive and has good patient compliance, making it a highly promising drug delivery mode. However, there have been limited studies on drug delivery via pulmonary inhalation compared with oral and intravenous modes. This paper summarizes the basic research and clinical translation of pulmonary inhalation drug delivery for the treatment of diseases and provides insights into the latest advances in pulmonary drug delivery. The paper discusses the processing methods for pulmonary drug delivery, drug carriers (with a focus on various types of nanoparticles), delivery devices, and applications in pulmonary diseases and treatment of systemic diseases (e.g., COVID-19, inhaled vaccines, diagnosis of the diseases, and diabetes mellitus) with an updated summary of recent research advances. Furthermore, this paper describes the applications and recent progress in pulmonary drug delivery for lung diseases and expands the use of pulmonary drugs for other systemic diseases.

HME-assisted formulation of taste-masked dispersible tablets of cefpodoxime proxetil and roxithromycin

Objectives

Antibiotics are the most commonly administered medications among pediatric patients. However most of the time, accurate dose administration to children becomes a problem due to the extremely bitter taste. Cefpodoxime proxetil (CP) and roxithromycin (ROX) are antibiotics often prescribed to the pediatric population and have a bitter taste. Marketed formulations of these drugs are dry suspension and/or tablets. The lyophilization method involves various steps and thus is time consuming and expensive. The objective of this study was to mask the bitter taste of CP and ROX without compromising the solubility and drug release profile compared to marketed formulations, as well as to overcome the disadvantages associated with the currently used lyophilization technique.

Methods

Hot melt extrusion (HME) technology was used to process CP and ROX individually with Eudragit E PO polymer. The extrudates obtained were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The powdered extrudates were formulated as dispersible tablets and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo taste-masking efficiency.

Results

The tablets prepared in this study showed comparable dissolution profiles but the taste-masking efficiency was significantly enhanced compared to the marketed tablets of CP and ROX. The results of in vivo human taste-masking evaluation were also in agreement with the in vitro taste-masking studies.

Conclusion

The current work presents solvent-free, scalable, and continuous HME technology for addressing the bitter taste issues of CP and ROX. The disadvantages associated with the currently used lyophilization technique were overcome by developing the formulations using HME technology.

Novel Dry Hyaluronic Acid-Vancomycin Complex Powder for Inhalation, Useful in Pulmonary Infections Associated with Cystic Fibrosis

Polyelectrolyte-drug complexes are interesting alternatives to improve unfavorable drug properties. Vancomycin (VAN) is an antimicrobial used in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. It is generally administered intravenously with a high incidence of adverse side effects, which could be reduced by intrapulmonary administration. Currently, there are no commercially available inhalable formulations containing VAN. Thus, the present work focuses on the preparation and characterization of an ionic complex between hyaluronic acid (HA) and VAN with potential use in inhalable formulations. A particulate-solid HA-VAN25 complex was obtained by spray drying from an aqueous dispersion. FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis confirmed the ionic interaction between HA and VAN, while an amorphous diffraction pattern was observed by X-ray. The powder density, geometric size and morphology showed the suitable aerosolization and aerodynamic performance of the powder, indicating its capability of reaching the deep lung. An in vitro extended-release profile of VAN from the complex was obtained, exceeding 24 h. Microbiological assays against methicillin-resistant and -sensitive reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus showed that VAN preserves its antibacterial efficacy. In conclusion, HA-VAN25 exhibited interesting properties for the development of inhalable formulations with potential efficacy and safety advantages over conventional treatment.

Mitochondria-Targeted Prodrug Nanoassemblies for Efficient Ferroptosis-Based Therapy via Devastating Ferroptosis Defense Systems

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death accompanied by lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in an iron-dependent manner. However, the efficiency of tumorous ferroptosis was seriously restricted by intracellular ferroptosis defense systems, the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) system, and the ubiquinol (CoQH2) system. Inspired by the crucial role of mitochondria in the ferroptosis process, we reported a prodrug nanoassembly capable of unleashing potent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor (QA) was combined with triphenylphosphonium moiety through a disulfide-containing linker to engineer well-defined nanoassemblies (QSSP) within a single-molecular framework. After being trapped in cancer cells, the acidic condition provoked the structural disassembly of QSSP to liberate free prodrug molecules. The mitochondrial membrane-potential-driven accumulation of the lipophilic cation prodrug was delivered explicitly into the mitochondria. Afterward, the thiol-disulfide exchange would occur accompanied by downregulation of reduced glutathione levels, thus resulting in mitochondria-localized GPX4 inactivation for ferroptosis. Simultaneously, the released QA from the hydrolysis reaction of the adjacent ester bond could further devastate mitochondrial defense and evoke robust ferroptosis via the DHODH-CoQH2 system. This subcellular targeted nanoassembly provides a reference for designing ferroptosis-based strategy for efficient cancer therapy through interfering antiferroptosis systems.

Evaluation of Drug-Loaded and Surface-Adsorbed DNase/Tween-80 Solid Lipid Nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

The aim of this study was to explore the suitability of Tween-80 or DNase I adsorbed onto the surface of gentamicin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to disrupt Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vitro. We hypothesized that surface-adsorbed DNase I or Tween-80 of SLNs will degrade the biofilm component, extracellular DNA (e-DNA), and extracellular matrix (ECM) of S. aureus biofilms. The SLNs loaded with drug (core) and surface-adsorbed disruptors (Tween-80 or DNase I) to deliver biofilm disruptors first at the site of action, which will help to break down the biofilm, and further drug release from the core will easily penetrate the biofilm and facilitate the killing of bacteria residing in S. aureus biofilms. The SLNs were synthesized by the double emulsion method; the size was 287.3 ± 7.4 nm for blank SLNs and 292.4 ± 2.36 nm for drug-loaded SLNs. The ζ-potential of blank SLNs was -25.6 ± 0.26 mV and that of drug-loaded SLNs was -13.16 ± 0.51 mV, respectively. The successful adsorption of DNase I or Tween-80 was confirmed by the activity of DNase I in blank surface-adsorbed SLNs and the change in the ζ-potential of SLNs after adsorbing DNase I or Tween-80. The surface morphology and size of the SLNs were further characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency of the drug was 16.85 ± 0.84%. The compatibility of the drug with the excipient was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the degree of crystallinity was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. SLNs showed a sustained release of the drug up to 360 h. SLNs were easily taken up by A549 cells with minimal or no toxicity. The present study showed that Tween-80- or DNase I-adsorbed SLNs efficiently disrupt S. aureus biofilms and possess no or minimal toxicity against cells and red blood cells (RBCs).

A review of the world's salt reduction policies and strategies - preparing for the upcoming year 2025

Excessive consumption of dietary sodium is a significant contributor to non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease. There is now a global consensus that regulating salt intake is among the most cost-effective measures for enhancing public health. More than half of the countries worldwide have implemented multiple strategies to decrease salt consumption. Nevertheless, a report on sodium intake reduction published by the World Health Organization revealed that the world is off-track to meet its targeted reduction of 30% by 2025. The global situation regarding salt reduction remains concerning. This review will center on domestic and international salt reduction policies, as well as diverse strategies, given the detrimental effects of excessive dietary salt intake and the existing global salt intake scenario. Besides, we used visualization software to analyze the literature related to salt reduction research in the last five years to explore the research hotspots in this field. Our objective is to enhance public awareness regarding the imperative of reducing salt intake and promoting the active implementation of diverse salt reduction policies.

Overcoming the Low-Stability Bottleneck in the Clinical Translation of Liposomal Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers: A Shell Stabilization Strategy Inspired by Biomineralization

Currently, several types of inhalable liposomes have been developed. Among them, liposomal pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) have gained much attention due to their cost-effectiveness, patient compliance, and accurate dosages. However, the clinical application of liposomal pMDIs has been hindered by the low stability, i.e., the tendency of the aggregation of the liposome lipid bilayer in hydrophobic propellant medium and brittleness under high mechanical forces. Biomineralization is an evolutionary mechanism that organisms use to resist harsh external environments in nature, providing mechanical support and protection effects. Inspired by such a concept, this paper proposes a shell stabilization strategy (SSS) to solve the problem of the low stability of liposomal pMDIs. Depending on the shell material used, the SSS can be classified into biomineralization (biomineralized using calcium, silicon, manganese, titanium, gadolinium, etc.) biomineralization-like (composite with protein), and layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly (multiple shells structured with diverse materials). This work evaluated the potential of this strategy by reviewing studies on the formation of shells deposited on liposomes or similar structures. It also covered useful synthesis strategies and active molecules/functional groups for modification. We aimed to put forward new insights to promote the stability of liposomal pMDIs and shed some light on the clinical translation of relevant products.

Development of Ternary Amorphous Solid Dispersions Manufactured by Hot-Melt Extrusion and Spray-Drying─Comparison of In Vitro and In Vivo Performance

Producing amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) by hot-melt extrusion (HME) is favorable from an economic and ecological perspective but also limited to thermostable active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). A potential technology shift from spray-drying to hot-melt extrusion at later stages of drug product development is a desirable goal, however bearing the risk of insufficient comparability of the in vitro and in vivo performance of the final dosage form. Hot-melt extrusion was performed using API/polymer/surfactant mixtures with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) as the polymer and evaluated regarding the extrudability of binary and ternary amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). Additionally, spray-dried ASDs were produced, and solid-state properties were compared to the melt-extruded ASDs. Tablets were manufactured of a ternary ASD lead candidate comparing their in vitro dissolution and in vivo performance. The extrudability of HPMCAS was improved by adding a surfactant as plasticizer, thereby lowering the high melt-viscosity. d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) as surfactant showed the most similar solid-state properties between spray-dried and extruded ASDs compared to those of poloxamer 188 and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The addition of TPGS, however, barely affected API/polymer interactions. The in vitro dissolution experiment and in vivo dog study revealed a higher drug release of tablets manufactured from the spray-dried ASD compared to the melt-extruded ASD; this was attributed to the different particle size. We could further demonstrate that the drug release can be controlled by adjusting the particle size of melt-extruded ASDs leading to a similar release profile compared to tablets containing the spray-dried dispersion, which confirmed the feasibility of a technology shift from spray-drying to HME upon drug product development.

Cutting-Edge Therapies for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains a formidable global health challenge that necessitates inventive strategies to improve its therapeutic outcomes. The conventional treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, have demonstrated limitations in achieving sustained responses. Therefore, exploring novel approaches encompasses a range of interventions that show promise in enhancing the outcomes for patients with advanced or refractory cases of lung cancer. These groundbreaking interventions can potentially overcome cancer resistance and offer personalized solutions. Despite the rapid evolution of emerging lung cancer therapies, persistent challenges such as resistance, toxicity, and patient selection underscore the need for continued development. Consequently, the landscape of lung cancer therapy is transforming with the introduction of precision medicine, immunotherapy, and innovative therapeutic modalities. Additionally, a multifaceted approach involving combination therapies integrating targeted agents, immunotherapies, or traditional cytotoxic treatments addresses the heterogeneity of lung cancer while minimizing its adverse effects. This review provides a brief overview of the latest emerging therapies that are reshaping the landscape of lung cancer treatment. As these novel treatments progress through clinical trials are integrated into standard care, the potential for more effective, targeted, and personalized lung cancer therapies comes into focus, instilling renewed hope for patients facing challenging diagnoses.

Glycosaminoglycans' Ability to Promote Wound Healing: From Native Living Macromolecules to Artificial Biomaterials

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are important for the occurrence of signaling molecules and maintenance of microenvironment within the extracellular matrix (ECM) in living tissues. GAGs and GAG-based biomaterial approaches have been widely explored to promote in situ tissue regeneration and repair by regulating the wound microenvironment, accelerating re-epithelialization, and controlling ECM remodeling. However, most approaches remain unacceptable for clinical applications. To improve insights into material design and clinical translational applications, this review highlights the innate roles and bioactive mechanisms of native GAGs during in situ wound healing and presents common GAG-based biomaterials and the adaptability of application scenarios in facilitating wound healing. Furthermore, challenges before the widespread commercialization of GAG-based biomaterials are shared, to ensure that future designed and constructed GAG-based artificial biomaterials are more likely to recapitulate the unique and tissue-specific profile of native GAG expression in human tissues. This review provides a more explicit and clear selection guide for researchers designing biomimetic materials, which will resemble or exceed their natural counterparts in certain functions, thereby suiting for specific environments or therapeutic goals.

Modulating the toxicity of engineered nanoparticles by controlling protein corona formation: Recent advances and future prospects

With the rapid development and widespread application of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), understanding the fundamental interactions between ENPs and biological systems is essential to assess and predict the fate of ENPs in vivo. When ENPs are exposed to complex physiological environments, biomolecules quickly and inevitably adsorb to ENPs to form a biomolecule corona, such as a protein corona (PC). The formed PC has a significant effect on the physicochemical properties of ENPs and gives them a brand new identity in the biological environment, which determines the subsequent ENP-cell/tissue/organ interactions. Controlling the formation of PCs is therefore of utmost importance to accurately predict and optimize the behavior of ENPs within living organisms, as well as ensure the safety of their applications. In this review, we provide an overview of the fundamental aspects of the PC, including the formation mechanism, composition, and frequently used characterization techniques. We comprehensively discuss the potential impact of the PC on ENP toxicity, including cytotoxicity, immune response, and so on. Additionally, we summarize recent advancements in manipulating PC formation on ENPs to achieve the desired biological outcomes. We further discuss the challenges and prospects, aiming to provide valuable insights for a better understanding and prediction of ENP behaviors in vivo, as well as the development of low-toxicity ENPs.

Overcoming colloidal nanoparticle aggregation in biological milieu for cancer therapeutic delivery: Perspectives of materials and particle design

Nanoparticles as cancer therapeutic carrier fail in clinical translation due to complex biological environments in vivo consisting of electrolytes and proteins which render nanoparticle aggregation and unable to reach action site. This review identifies the desirable characteristics of nanoparticles and their constituent materials that prevent aggregation from site of administration (oral, lung, injection) to target site. Oral nanoparticles should ideally be 75-100 nm whereas the size of pulmonary nanoparticles minimally affects their aggregation. Nanoparticles generally should carry excess negative surface charges particularly in fasting state and exert steric hindrance through surface decoration with citrate, anionic surfactants and large polymeric chains (polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone) to prevent aggregation. Anionic as well as cationic nanoparticles are both predisposed to protein corona formation as a function of biological protein isoelectric points. Their nanoparticulate surface composition as such should confer hydrophilicity or steric hindrance to evade protein corona formation or its formation should translate into steric hindrance or surface negative charges to prevent further aggregation. Unexpectedly, smaller and cationic nanoparticles are less prone to aggregation at cancer cell interface favoring endocytosis whereas aggregation is essential to enable nanoparticles retention and subsequent cancer cell uptake in tumor microenvironment. Present studies are largely conducted in vitro with simplified simulated biological media. Future aggregation assessment of nanoparticles in biological fluids that mimic that of patients is imperative to address conflicting materials and designs required as a function of body sites in order to realize the future clinical benefits.

The application strategy of liposomes in organ targeting therapy

Liposomes-microscopic phospholipid bubbles with bilayered membrane structure-have been a focal point in drug delivery research for the past 30 years. Current liposomes possess a blend of biocompatibility, drug loading efficiency, prolonged circulation and targeted delivery. Tailored liposomes, varying in size, charge, lipid composition, and ratio, have been developed to address diseases in specific organs, thereby enhancing drug circulation, accumulation at lesion sites, intracellular delivery, and treatment efficacy for various organ-specific diseases. For further successful development of this field, this review summarized liposomal strategies for targeting different organs in series of major human diseases, including widely studied cardiovascular diseases, liver and spleen immune diseases, chronic or acute kidney injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and organ-specific tumors. It highlights recent advances of liposome-mediated therapeutic agent delivery for disease intervention and organ rehabilitation, offering practical guidelines for designing organ-targeted liposomes. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures.

Ca & Mn dual-ion hybrid nanostimulator boosting anti-tumor immunity via ferroptosis and innate immunity awakening

Limited by low tumor immunogenicity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been poorly responsive to immunotherapy so far. Herein, a Ca & Mn dual-ion hybrid nanostimulator (CMS) is constructed to enhance anti-tumor immunity through ferroptosis inducing and innate immunity awakening, which can serve as a ferroptosis inducer and immunoadjuvant for TNBC concurrently. On one hand, glutathione (GSH) depletion and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation can be achieved due to the mixed valence state of Mn in CMS. On the other hand, as an exotic Ca2+ supplier, CMS causes mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, which further amplifies the oxidative stress. Significantly, tumor cells undergo ferroptosis because of the inactivation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO). More impressively, CMS can act as an immunoadjuvant to awaken innate immunity by alleviating intra-tumor hypoxia and Mn2+-induced activation of the STING signaling pathway, which promotes polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) for antigen presentation and subsequent infiltration of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) into tumor tissues. Taken together, this work demonstrates a novel strategy of simultaneously inducing ferroptosis and awakening innate immunity, offering a new perspective for effective tumor immunotherapy of TNBC.

A 30-Year Review on Nanocomposites: Comprehensive Bibliometric Insights into Microstructural, Electrical, and Mechanical Properties Assisted by Artificial Intelligence

From 1990 to 2024, this study presents a groundbreaking bibliometric and sentiment analysis of nanocomposite literature, distinguishing itself from existing reviews through its unique computational methodology. Developed by our research group, this novel approach systematically investigates the evolution of nanocomposites, focusing on microstructural characterization, electrical properties, and mechanical behaviors. By deploying advanced Boolean search strategies within the Scopus database, we achieve a meticulous extraction and in-depth exploration of thematic content, a methodological advancement in the field. Our analysis uniquely identifies critical trends and insights concerning nanocomposite microstructure, electrical attributes, and mechanical performance. The paper goes beyond traditional textual analytics and bibliometric evaluation, offering new interpretations of data and highlighting significant collaborative efforts and influential studies within the nanocomposite domain. Our findings uncover the evolution of research language, thematic shifts, and global contributions, providing a distinct and comprehensive view of the dynamic evolution of nanocomposite research. A critical component of this study is the "State-of-the-Art and Gaps Extracted from Results and Discussions" section, which delves into the latest advancements in nanocomposite research. This section details various nanocomposite types and their properties and introduces novel interpretations of their applications, especially in nanocomposite films. By tracing historical progress and identifying emerging trends, this analysis emphasizes the significance of collaboration and influential studies in molding the field. Moreover, the "Literature Review Guided by Artificial Intelligence" section showcases an innovative AI-guided approach to nanocomposite research, a first in this domain. Focusing on articles from 2023, selected based on citation frequency, this method offers a new perspective on the interplay between nanocomposites and their electrical properties. It highlights the composition, structure, and functionality of various systems, integrating recent findings for a comprehensive overview of current knowledge. The sentiment analysis, with an average score of 0.638771, reflects a positive trend in academic discourse and an increasing recognition of the potential of nanocomposites. Our bibliometric analysis, another methodological novelty, maps the intellectual domain, emphasizing pivotal research themes and the influence of crosslinking time on nanocomposite attributes. While acknowledging its limitations, this study exemplifies the indispensable role of our innovative computational tools in synthesizing and understanding the extensive body of nanocomposite literature. This work not only elucidates prevailing trends but also contributes a unique perspective and novel insights, enhancing our understanding of the nanocomposite research field.

Recent advances in nanomedicine for metabolism-targeted cancer therapy

Metabolism denotes the sum of biochemical reactions that maintain cellular function. Different from most normal differentiated cells, cancer cells adopt altered metabolic pathways to support malignant properties. Typically, almost all cancer cells need a large number of proteins, lipids, nucleotides, and energy in the form of ATP to support rapid division. Therefore, targeting tumour metabolism has been suggested as a generic and effective therapy strategy. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanomedicine promises to have a revolutionary impact on clinical cancer therapy due to many merits such as targeting, improved bioavailability, controllable drug release, and potentially personalized treatment compared to conventional drugs. This review comprehensively elucidates recent advances of nanomedicine in targeting important metabolites such as glucose, glutamine, lactate, cholesterol, and nucleotide for effective cancer therapy. Furthermore, the challenges and future development in this area are also discussed.

Natural Products-Based Inhaled Formulations for Treating Pulmonary Diseases

Given the unique physiological and pathological characteristics of the lung, the direct, inhalable route is more conducive to pulmonary drug delivery and disease control than traditional systemic drug delivery, significantly circumventing drug loss, off-target effects, systemic and organ toxicity, etc., and is widely regarded as the preferred regimen for pulmonary drug delivery. However, very few lung diseases are currently treated with the preferred inhaled formulations, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary hypertension. And there is a lack of appropriate inhaled formulations for other critical lung diseases, such as lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, due to the fact that the physicochemical properties of the drugs and their pharmacokinetic profiles do not match the physiology of the lung, and conventional inhalation devices are unable to deliver them to the specific parts of the lung. Phytochemicals of natural origin, due to their wide availability and clear safety profile, hold great promise for the preparation of inhalable formulations to improve the current dilemma in the treatment of lung diseases. In particular, the preparation of inhalable formulations based on nano- and microparticulate carriers for drug delivery to deep lung tissues, which overcome the shortcomings of conventional inhalation therapies while targeting the drug activity directly to a specific part of the lung, may be the best approach to change the current dilemma of lung disease treatment. In this review, we discuss recent advances in nano- and micron-carrier-based inhalation formulations for the delivery of natural products for the treatment of pulmonary diseases, which may represent an opportunity for practical clinical translation of natural products.

The Necessity to Investigate In Vivo Fate of Nanoparticle-Loaded Dissolving Microneedles

Transdermal drug delivery systems are rapidly gaining prominence and have found widespread application in the treatment of numerous diseases. However, they encounter the challenge of a low transdermal absorption rate. Microneedles can overcome the stratum corneum barrier to enhance the transdermal absorption rate. Among various types of microneedles, nanoparticle-loaded dissolving microneedles (DMNs) present a unique combination of advantages, leveraging the strengths of DMNs (high payload, good mechanical properties, and easy fabrication) and nanocarriers (satisfactory solubilization capacity and a controlled release profile). Consequently, they hold considerable clinical application potential in the precision medicine era. Despite this promise, no nanoparticle-loaded DMN products have been approved thus far. The lack of understanding regarding their in vivo fate represents a critical bottleneck impeding the clinical translation of relevant products. This review aims to elucidate the current research status of the in vivo fate of nanoparticle-loaded DMNs and elaborate the necessity to investigate the in vivo fate of nanoparticle-loaded DMNs from diverse aspects. Furthermore, it offers insights into potential entry points for research into the in vivo fate of nanoparticle-loaded DMNs, aiming to foster further advancements in this field.

Opportunities and Challenges for Inhalable Nanomedicine Formulations in Respiratory Diseases: A Review

Lungs experience frequent interactions with the external environment and have an abundant supply of blood; therefore, they are susceptible to invasion by pathogenic microorganisms and tumor cells. However, the limited pharmacokinetics of conventional drugs in the lungs poses a clinical challenge. The emergence of different nano-formulations has been facilitated by advancements in nanotechnology. Inhaled nanomedicines exhibit better targeting and prolonged therapeutic effects. Although nano-formulations have great potential, they still present several unknown risks. Herein, we review the (1) physiological anatomy of the lungs and their biological barriers, (2) pharmacokinetics and toxicology of nanomaterial formulations in the lungs; (3) current nanomaterials that can be applied to the respiratory system and related design strategies, and (4) current applications of inhaled nanomaterials in treating respiratory disorders, vaccine design, and imaging detection based on the characteristics of different nanomaterials. Finally, (5) we analyze and summarize the challenges and prospects of nanomaterials for respiratory disease applications. We believe that nanomaterials, particularly inhaled nano-formulations, have excellent prospects for application in respiratory diseases. However, we emphasize that the simultaneous toxic side effects of biological nanomaterials must be considered during the application of these emerging medicines. This study aims to offer comprehensive guidelines and valuable insights for conducting research on nanomaterials in the domain of the respiratory system.

Application of calcium overload-based ion interference therapy in tumor treatment: strategies, outcomes, and prospects

Low selectivity and tumor drug resistance are the main hinderances to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy against tumor. Ion interference therapy is an innovative anti-tumor strategy that has been recently reported to induce metabolic disorders and inhibit proliferation of tumor cells by reordering bioactive ions within the tumor cells. Calcium cation (Ca2+) are indispensable for all physiological activities of cells. In particular, calcium overload, characterized by the abnormal intracellular Ca2+ accumulation, causes irreversible cell death. Consequently, calcium overload-based ion interference therapy has the potential to overcome resistance to traditional tumor treatment strategies and holds promise for clinical application. In this review, we 1) Summed up the current strategies employed in this therapy; 2) Described the outcome of tumor cell death resulting from this therapy; 3) Discussed its potential application in synergistic therapy with immunotherapy.

The quest for nanoparticle-powered vaccines in cancer immunotherapy

Despite recent advancements in cancer treatment, this disease still poses a serious threat to public health. Vaccines play an important role in preventing illness by preparing the body's adaptive and innate immune responses to combat diseases. As our understanding of malignancies and their connection to the immune system improves, there has been a growing interest in priming the immune system to fight malignancies more effectively and comprehensively. One promising approach involves utilizing nanoparticle systems for antigen delivery, which has been shown to potentiate immune responses as vaccines and/or adjuvants. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the immunological mechanisms of cancer vaccines while focusing specifically on the recent applications of various types of nanoparticles in the field of cancer immunotherapy. By exploring these recent breakthroughs, we hope to identify significant challenges and obstacles in making nanoparticle-based vaccines and adjuvants feasible for clinical application. This review serves to assess recent breakthroughs in nanoparticle-based cancer vaccinations and shed light on their prospects and potential barriers. By doing so, we aim to inspire future immunotherapies for cancer that harness the potential of nanotechnology to deliver more effective and targeted treatments.

Excipients for Novel Inhaled Dosage Forms: An Overview

Pulmonary drug delivery is a form of local targeting to the lungs in patients with respiratory disorders like cystic fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), asthma, chronic pulmonary infections, and lung cancer. In addition, noninvasive pulmonary delivery also presents an attractive alternative to systemically administered therapeutics, not only for localized respiratory disorders but also for systemic absorption. Pulmonary delivery offers the advantages of a relatively low dose, low incidence of systemic side effects, and rapid onset of action for some drugs compared to other systemic administration routes. While promising, inhaled delivery of therapeutics is often complex owing to factors encompassing mechanical barriers, chemical barriers, selection of inhalation device, and limited choice of dosage form excipients. There are very few excipients that are approved by the FDA for use in developing inhaled drug products. Depending upon the dosage form, and inhalation devices such as pMDIs, DPIs, and nebulizers, different excipients can be used to provide physical and chemical stability and to deliver the dose efficiently to the lungs. This review article focuses on discussing a variety of excipients that have been used in novel inhaled dosage forms as well as inhalation devices.

Olive Oil-Based Reverse Microemulsion for Stability and Topical Delivery of Methotrexate: In Vitro

Hydrolysis of pharmaceutically active molecules can be in control under a confined environment of water-in-oil microemulsion. Stability of model drug methotrexate (MTX) in a sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) and olive oil microemulsion system has been evaluated. The physicochemical properties of AOT-MTX-water-olive oil reverse microemulsion (MTX-RM) were examined by UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray diffraction techniques, and the hydrodynamic size was determined by dynamic light scattering techniques and morphologies were characterized by a transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope. In vitro permeation of MTX-RM through treated skin and its mechanism are evaluated by a UV-visible spectrophotometer, confocal laser scanning microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and attenuated total reflecting infrared spectroscopy (ATR). The interaction of MTX with the AOT headgroup in confined environment RM enhanced the stability of MTX without affecting the molecular integrity at room temperature. Chemical stability of MTX in MTX-RM (W0 = 5) is significantly higher (∼97%) at room temperature for the study period of 1 year than in MTX-RM (W0 = 15) (∼72%). Interaction of MTX with the AOT headgroup is also visualized by a high-resolution transmission electron microscope and is in correlation with FT-IR data of MTX-RM. The skin fluxes of MTX are 15.1, 19.75, and 22.75 times higher at water content (W0) of 5, 10, and 15, respectively, in MTX-RM in comparison to aqueous solution of MTX. The enhanced amounts of the MTX were detected using CLSM in hair follicles, sweat glands, and epidermis layer of the skin. Merging of T2, T3, and T4 thermal peaks in one broad peak in treated skin endothermograph shows that carrier MTX-RM affects the lipid as well protein structure of the treated skin. ATR data of treated skin showed an increase in the intensity of the carbonyl peak at 1750 cm-1 (lipid), shifting of the amide II peaks, and separation of peaks in the range of 1060 to 1000 cm-1 (vibration mode of -CH2OH, C-O stretching, and C-OH bending peak of the carbohydrate) in comparison to control skin, which indicates that MTX-RM interacts with glycolipid and glycoprotein through carbohydrate hydroxy groups.

Nanomedicines for targeted pulmonary delivery: receptor-mediated strategy and alternatives

Pulmonary drug delivery of nanomedicines is promising for the treatment of lung diseases; however, their lack of specificity required for targeted delivery limit their applications. Recently, a variety of pulmonary delivery targeting nanomedicines (PDTNs) has been developed for enhancing drug accumulation in lung lesions and reducing systemic side effects. Furthermore, with the increasing profound understanding of the specific microenvironment of different local lung diseases, multiple targeting strategies have been employed to promote drug delivery efficiency, which can be divided into the receptor-mediated strategy and alternatives. In this review, the current publication trend on PDTNs is analyzed and discussed, revealing that the research in this area has been attracting much attention. According to the different unique microenvironments of lung lesions, the reported PDTNs based on the receptor-mediated strategy for lung cancer, lung infection, lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis are listed and summarized. In addition, several other well-established strategies for the design of these PDTNs, such as charge regulation, mucus delivery enhancement, stimulus-responsive drug delivery and magnetic force-driven targeting, are introduced and discussed. Besides, bottlenecks in the development of PDTNs are discussed. Finally, we highlight the challenges and opportunities in the development of PDTNs. We hope that this review will provide an overview of the available PDTNs for guiding the treatment of lung diseases.

Unveiling protein corona formation around self-propelled enzyme nanomotors by nanoscopy

The interaction of nanoparticles with biological media is a topic of general interest for drug delivery systems and among those for active nanoparticles, also called nanomotors. Herein, we report the use of super resolution microscopy, in particular, stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), to characterize the formation of a protein corona around active enzyme-powered nanomotors. First, we characterized the distribution and number of enzymes on nano-sized particles and characterized their motion capabilities. Then, we incubated the nanomotors with fluorescently labelled serum proteins. Interestingly, we observed a significant decrease of protein corona formation (20%) and different composition, which was studied by proteomic analysis. Moreover, motion was not hindered, as nanomotors displayed enhanced diffusion regardless of the protein corona. Elucidating how active particles interact with biological media and maintain their self-propulsion after protein corona formation will pave the way for the use of these systems in complex biological fluids in biomedicine.

Spray-Dried Mucoadhesive Re-dispersible Gargle of Chlorhexidine for Improved Response Against Throat Infection: Formulation Development, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Drug delivery to the buccal mucosa is one of the most convenient ways to treat common mouth problems. Here, we propose a spray-dried re-dispersible mucoadhesive controlled release gargle formulation to improve the efficacy of chlorhexidine. The present investigation portrays an approach to get stable and free-flowing spray-dried porous aggregates of chlorhexidine-loaded sodium alginate nanoparticles. The ionic gelation technique aided with the chlorhexidine's positive surface charge-based crosslinking, followed by spray drying of the nanoparticle's dispersion in the presence of lactose- and leucine-yielded nano-aggregates with good flow properties and with a size range of about 120-350 nm. Provided with the high entrapment efficiency (87%), the particles showed sustained drug release behaviors over a duration of 10 h, where 87% of the released drug got permeated within 12 h. The antimicrobial activity of the prepared formulation was tested on S. aureus, provided with a higher zone of growth inhibition than the marketed formulation. Aided with an appropriate mucoadhesive strength, this product exhibited extended retention of nanoparticles in the throat region, as shown by in vivo imaging results. In conclusion, the technology, provided with high drug retention and extended effect, could be a potential candidate for treating several types of throat infections.

Regulating protein corona on nanovesicles by glycosylated polyhydroxy polymer modification for efficient drug delivery

The dynamic protein corona formed on nanocarriers has been revealed to strongly affect their in vivo behaviors. Precisely manipulating the formation of protein corona on nanocarriers may provide an alternative impetus for specific drug delivery. Herein, we explore the role of glycosylated polyhydroxy polymer-modified nanovesicles (CP-LVs) with different amino/hydroxyl ratios in protein corona formation and evolution. CP-LVs with an amino/hydroxyl ratio of approximately 0.4 (CP1-LVs) are found to efficiently suppress immunoglobulin adsorption in blood and livers, resulting in prolonged circulation. Moreover, CP1-LVs adsorb abundant tumor distinctive proteins, such as CD44 and osteopontin in tumor interstitial fluids, mediating selective tumor cell internalization. The proteins corona transformation specific to the environment appears to be affected by the electrostatic interaction between CP-LVs and proteins with diverse isoelectric points. Benefiting from surface modification-mediated protein corona regulation, paclitaxel-loaded CP1-LVs demonstrate superior antitumor efficacy to PEGylated liposomes. Our work offers a perspective on rational surface-design of nanocarriers to modulate the protein corona formation for efficient drug delivery.

Efficient pulmonary fibrosis therapy via regulating macrophage polarization using respirable cryptotanshinone-loaded liposomal microparticles

Lung inflammation and fibrogenesis are the two main characteristics during the development of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), which are particularly associated with pulmonary macrophages. In this context, whether cryptotanshinone (CTS) could alleviate PF through regulating macrophage polarization were preliminarily demonstrated in vitro. Then the time course of PF and its relationship with macrophage polarization was determined in BLM-induced mice based on cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung histopathology, flow cytometric analysis, mRNA and protein expression. CTS was loaded into macrophage-targeted and responsively released mannose-modified liposomes (Man-lipo), and the liposomes were then embedded into mannitol microparticles (M-MPs) using spray drying to achieve efficient pulmonary delivery. Afterwards, how CTS regulates macrophage polarization in vivo during different time courses of PF was probed. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms of CTS against PF by regulating macrophage polarization were elucidated in vivo and in vitro. The full-course therapy group could achieve comparable therapeutic effects compared with the positive control drug PFD group. CTS can alleviate PF through regulating macrophage polarization, mainly by inhibiting NLRP3/TGF-β1 pathway during the inflammation course and modulating MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance during the fibrosis development course, providing new insights into chronic PF treatment.

Nanoparticle-based platforms for targeted drug delivery to the pulmonary system as therapeutics to curb cystic fibrosis: A review

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder of the respiratory system caused by mutation of the Cystic Fibrosis Trans-Membrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene that affects a huge number of people worldwide. It results in difficulty breathing due to a large accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract, resulting in serious bacterial infections, and subsequent death. Traditional drug-based treatments face hindered penetration at the site of action due to the thick mucus layer. Nanotechnology offers possibilities for developing advanced and effective treatment platforms by focusing on drugs that can penetrate the dense mucus layer, fighting against the underlying bacterial infections, and targeting the genetic cause of the disease. In this review, current nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery platforms for CF, challenges in therapeutics, and future prospects have been highlighted. The effectiveness of the different types of nano-based systems conjugated with various drugs to combat the symptoms and the challenges of treating CF are brought into focus. The toxic effects of these nano-medicines and the various factors that are responsible for their effectiveness are also highlighted.

Mapping the evolution of inhaled drug delivery research: Trends, collaborations, and emerging frontiers

Inhaled drug delivery is a unique administration route known for its ability to directly target pulmonary or brain regions, facilitating rapid onset and circumventing the hepatic first-pass effect. To characterize current global trends and provide a visual overview of the latest trends in inhaled drug delivery research, bibliometric analysis of data acquired from the Web of Science Core Collection database was performed via VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Inhaled drug delivery can not only be utilized in respiratory diseases but also has potential in other types of diseases for both fundamental and clinical applications. Overall, we provide an overview of present trends, collaborations, and newly discovered frontiers of inhaled drug delivery.

Identification of a novel ferroptosis-inducing micropeptide in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common malignancy in males, and currently lacks ideal therapeutic approaches. Exploring emerging therapeutic targets from the perspective of endogenous peptides to improve the prognosis of bladder cancer patients holds promise. In this study, we have identified CTSGDP-13, a novel endogenous peptide, which demonstrates potential anti-cancer effects in BC. Our findings reveal that CTSGDP-13 can promote ferroptosis in BC cells, both in vitro and in vivo, leading to the inhibition of BC progression. Furthermore, we have identified TRIM25 as a downstream regulatory target of CTSGDP-13. The expression of TRIM25 is significantly upregulated in BC, and its inhibition of ferroptosis promotes BC progression. Mechanistic studies have shown that CTSGDP-13 promotes the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of TRIM25 by disrupting its interaction with the deubiquitinase USP7. Further investigations indicate that CTSGDP-13 promotes ferroptosis in BC by regulating the USP7/TRIM25/KEAP1 axis. The elucidation of the functional mechanisms of natural CTSGDP-13 and TRIM25 holds promise in providing valuable therapeutic targets for BC diagnosis and treatment.

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Bone Tuberculosis Management

Bone tuberculosis, an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis, presents unique treatment challenges, including its insidious onset and complex pathology. While advancements in anti-tubercular therapy have been made, the efficacy is often limited by difficulties in achieving targeted drug concentrations and avoiding systemic toxicity. The intricate bone structure and presence of granulomas further impede effective drug delivery. Nano-drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising alternative, offering the enhanced targeting of anti-tubercular drugs. These systems, characterized by their minute size and adaptable surface properties, can be tailored to improve drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability, while also responding to specific stimuli within the bone TB microenvironment for controlled drug release. Nano-drug delivery systems can encapsulate drugs for precise delivery to the infection site. A significant innovation is their integration with prosthetics or biomaterials, which aids in both drug delivery and bone reconstruction, addressing the infection and its osteological consequences. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology of bone tuberculosis and its current treatments, emphasizing their limitations. It then delves into the advancements in nano-drug delivery systems, discussing their design, functionality, and role in bone TB therapy. The review assesses their potential in preclinical research, particularly in targeted drug delivery, treatment efficacy, and a reduction of side effects. Finally, it highlights the transformative promise of nanotechnology in bone TB treatments and suggests future research directions in this evolving field.