Recent advances on transdermal delivery systems for the treatment of arthritic injuries: From classical treatment to nanomedicines

Flexible microneedles incorporating gold nanorods and tacrolimus for effective synergistic photothermal-chemotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis

Transdermal drug delivery systems for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have garnered substantial attention due to their great potential to overcome limitations observed in conventional oral or injection strategies, including limited selectivity and adverse effects on extra-articular tissues. Microneedles (MNs) appear to be highly desirable carriers for transdermal drug delivery of RA. However, microneedles typically are unable to keep up with the flexibility of joints, which decreases the effectiveness of administration. In this study, we developed a flexible microneedles (FMNs) delivery system. And gelatin was employed for the fabrication of flexible backings for microneedles owing to its excellent ductility and biocompatibility. We achieved synergisticphotothermal-chemotherapy of RA by incorporating the chemical drug Tacrolimus (TAC) and the photothermal agent gold nanorods (AuNRs) into dissolving microneedles. Results showed a high mechanical strength of the proposed FMNs. In the animal model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA), it is indicated that the prepared FMNs inhibited the expression of related inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß and TNF-α while enhancing bone repair and other related factors. Thus, the combination therapy of FMNs-mediated hyperthermia and chemotherapy can serve as a novel and synergistic treatment option for RA.

Magnetic targeting of lornoxicam/SPION bilosomes loaded in a thermosensitive in situ hydrogel system for the management of osteoarthritis: Optimization, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies in rat model via modulation of RANKL/OPG

Osteoarthritis is a bone and joint condition characterized pathologically by articular cartilage degenerative damage and can develop into a devastating and permanently disabling disorder. This investigation aimed to formulate the anti-inflammatory drug lornoxicam (LOR) into bile salt-enriched vesicles loaded in an in situ forming hydrogel as a potential local treatment of osteoarthritis. This was achieved by formulating LOR-loaded bilosomes that are also loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for intra-muscular (IM) administration to improve joint targeting and localization by applying an external magnet to the joint. A 31.22 full factorial design was employed to develop the bilosomal dispersions and the optimized formula including SPION (LSB) was loaded into a thermosensitive hydrogel. Moreover, in vivo evaluation revealed that the IM administration of LSB combined with the application of an external magnet to the joint reversed carrageen-induced suppression in motor activity and osteoprotegerin by significantly reducing the elevations in mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta/osteoprotegerin expressions. In addition, the histopathological evaluation of knee joint tissues showed a remarkable improvement in the injured joint tissues. The results proved that the developed LSB could be a promising IM drug delivery system for osteoarthritis management.

Translation from Preclinical Research to Clinical Trials: Transdermal Drug Delivery for Neurodegenerative and Mental Disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), particularly dementia, provide significant problems to worldwide healthcare systems. The development of therapeutic materials for various diseases has a severe challenge in the form of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Transdermal treatment has recently garnered widespread favor as an alternative method of delivering active chemicals to the brain. This approach has several advantages, including low invasiveness, self-administration, avoidance of first-pass metabolism, preservation of steady plasma concentrations, regulated release, safety, efficacy, and better patient compliance. Topics include the transdermal method for therapeutic NDs, their classification, and the mechanisms that allow the medicine to enter the bloodstream through the skin. The paper also discusses the obstacles and potential outcomes of transdermal therapy, emphasizing the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches.

Marine polysaccharides: Biological activities and applications in drug delivery systems

The ocean is the common home of a large number of marine organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Researchers can extract thousands of important bioactive components from the oceans and use them extensively to treat and prevent diseases. In contrast, marine polysaccharide macromolecules such as alginate, carrageenan, Laminarin, fucoidan, chitosan, and hyaluronic acid have excellent physicochemical properties, good biocompatibility, and high bioactivity, which ensures their wide applications and strong therapeutic potentials in drug delivery. Drug delivery systems (DDS) based on marine polysaccharides and modified marine polysaccharide molecules have emerged as an innovative technology for controlling drug distribution on temporal, spatial, and dosage scales. They can detect and respond to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, and electric fields. These properties have led to their wide application in the design of novel drug delivery systems such as hydrogels, polymeric micelles, liposomes, microneedles, microspheres, etc. In addition, marine polysaccharide-based DDS not only have smart response properties but also can combine with the unique biological properties of the marine polysaccharide base to exert synergistic therapeutic effects. The biological activities of marine polysaccharides and the design of marine polysaccharide-based DDS are reviewed. Marine polysaccharide-based responsive DDS are expected to provide new strategies and solutions for disease treatment.

Engineered Exosomes Loaded with Triptolide: An Innovative Approach to Enhance Therapeutic Efficacy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Exosomes are small, membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells into the extracellular environment. They play a crucial role in various biological processes, including immune response, cell-to-cell signaling, and tumor progression. Exosomes have attracted attention as potential targets for therapeutic intervention, drug delivery, and biomarker detection. In this study, we aimed to isolate exosomes from human RA fibroblasts (hRAF-Exo) and load them with triptolide (TP) to generate engineered exosomes (hRAF-Exo@TP).

METHODS

Transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and western blotting for protein detection were employed to characterize hRAF-Exo. Furthermore, a murine model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was employed to observe the distinct affinity of hRAF-Exo@TP towards the afflicted area.

RESULTS

Cellular experiments demonstrated the inhibitory effect of hRAF-Exo@TP on the proliferative activity of human RA fibroblasts. Additionally, it exhibited remarkable selectivity for lesion sites in a CIA mouse model.

CONCLUSION

Exosomes loaded with TP may enhance the therapeutic effects on RA in mice. Our study provides a promising avenue for the treatment of RA in the future.

Recent developments in the use of nanocrystals to improve bioavailability of APIs

Nanocrystals refer to materials with at least one dimension smaller than 100 nm, composing of atoms arranged in single crystals or polycrystals. Nanocrystals have significant research value as they offer unique advantages over conventional pharmaceutical formulations, such as high bioavailability, enhanced targeting selectivity and controlled release ability and are therefore suitable for the delivery of a wide range of drugs such as insoluble drugs, antitumor drugs and genetic drugs with broad application prospects. In recent years, research on nanocrystals has been progressively refined and new products have been launched or entered the clinical phase of studies. However, issues such as safety and stability still stand that need to be addressed for further development of nanocrystal formulations, and significant gaps do exist in research in various fields in this pharmaceutical arena. This paper presents a systematic overview of the advanced development of nanocrystals, ranging from the preparation approaches of nanocrystals with which the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs is improved, critical properties of nanocrystals and associated characterization techniques, the recent development of nanocrystals with different administration routes, the advantages and associated limitations of nanocrystal formulations, the mechanisms of physical instability, and the enhanced dissolution performance, to the future perspectives, with a final view to shed more light on the future development of nanocrystals as a means of optimizing the bioavailability of drug candidates. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology.

Biomaterial-Based Gene Delivery: Advanced Tools for Enhanced Cartilage Regeneration

Gene therapy has emerged as a promising and innovative approach in cartilage regeneration. Integrating biomaterials into gene therapy offers a unique opportunity to enhance gene delivery efficiency, optimize gene expression dynamics, modulate immune responses, and promote tissue regeneration. Despite the rapid progress in biomaterial-based gene delivery, there remains a deficiency of comprehensive discussions on recent advances and their specific application in cartilage regeneration. Therefore, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of various categories of biomaterials employed in gene delivery, including both viral and non-viral vectors, with discussing their distinct advantages and limitations. Furthermore, the diverse strategies employed in gene therapy are discussed and summarized, such as the utilization of growth factors, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chondrogenic genes. Additionally, we highlights the significant challenges that hinder biomaterial-based gene delivery in cartilage regeneration, including immune response modulation, gene delivery efficiency, and the sustainability of long-term gene expression. By elucidating the functional properties of biomaterials-based gene therapy and their pivotal roles in cartilage regeneration, this review aims to enhance further advances in the design of sophisticated gene delivery systems for improved cartilage regeneration outcomes.

Lipid Nano-System Based Topical Drug Delivery for Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Overview

The overall purpose of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is to give symptomatic alleviation; there is no recognized cure for RA. Frequent use of potent drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), lead to various adverse effects and patient compliance suffers. On the other hand, there are many drawbacks associated with traditional methods, such as high first pass, high clearance rate, and low bioavailability. Drug administration through the skin can be a promising alternative to cope with these drawbacks, increasing patient compliance and providing site-specific action. The stratum corneum, the uppermost non-viable epidermal layer, is one of the primary limiting barriers to skin penetration. Various nanocarrier technologies come into play as drug vehicles to help overcome these barriers. The nanocarrier systems are biocompatible, stable, and have a lower cytotoxic impact. The review discusses several lipid-based nanocarrier systems for anti-rheumatic medicines for topical administration it also discusses in-vivo animal models for RA and provides information on patents granted.

Bibliometric analysis and visualization of transdermal drug delivery research in the last decade: global research trends and hotspots

Background: Transdermal delivery has become a crucial field in pharmaceutical research. There has been a proliferation of innovative methods for transdermal drug delivery. In recent years, the number of publications regarding transdermal drug delivery has been rising rapidly. To investigate the current research trends and hotspots in transdermal drug delivery, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis was performed. Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted to gather information on transdermal drug delivery that had been published between 2003 and 2022. The articles were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases. Subsequently, the collected data underwent analysis and visualization using a variety of software tools. This approach enables a deeper exploration of the hotspots and emerging trends within this particular research domain. Results: The results showed that the number of articles published on transdermal delivery has increased steadily over the years, with a total of 2,555 articles being analyzed. The most frequently cited articles were related to the optimization of drug delivery and the use of nanotechnology in transdermal drug delivery. The most active countries in the field of transdermal delivery research were the China, United States, and India. Furthermore, the hotspots over the past 2 decades were identified (e.g., drug therapy, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical preparations and drug design). The shift in research focus reflects an increasing emphasis on drug delivery and control release, rather than simply absorption and penetration, and suggests a growing interest in engineering approaches to transdermal drug delivery. Conclusion: This study provided a comprehensive overview of transdermal delivery research. The research indicated that transdermal delivery would be a rapidly evolving field with many opportunities for future research and development. Moreover, this bibliometric analysis will help researchers gain insights into transdermal drug delivery research's hotspots and trends accurately and quickly.

Targeting the Inflammatory Hallmarks of Obesity-Associated Osteoarthritis: Towards Nutraceutical-Oriented Preventive and Complementary Therapeutic Strategies Based on n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Obesity (Ob), which has dramatically increased in the last decade, is one of the main risk factors that contribute to the incidence and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Targeting the characteristics of obesity-associated osteoarthritis (ObOA) may offer new chances for precision medicine strategies in this patient cohort. First, this review outlines how the medical perspective of ObOA has shifted from a focus on biomechanics to the significant contribution of inflammation, mainly mediated by changes in the adipose tissue metabolism through the release of adipokines and the modification of fatty acid (FA) compositions in joint tissues. Preclinical and clinical studies on n-3 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) are critically reviewed to outline the strengths and weaknesses of n-3 PUFAs' role in alleviating inflammatory, catabolic and painful processes. Emphasis is placed on potential preventive and therapeutic nutritional strategies based on n-3 PUFAs, with a focus on ObOA patients who could specifically benefit from reformulating the dietary composition of FAs towards a protective phenotype. Finally, tissue engineering approaches that involve the delivery of n-3 PUFAs directly into the joint are explored to address the perspectives and current limitations, such as safety and stability issues, for implementing preventive and therapeutic strategies based on dietary compounds in ObOA patients.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) Acid (PLGA) Nanoparticles and Transdermal Drug Delivery: An Overview

BACKGROUND

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles have garnered pharmaceutical industry attention throughout the past decade. PLGA [Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)] is an excellent biodegradable polymer explored for the preparation of nanoparticles that are administered through various routes like intravenous and transdermal. PLGA's versatility makes it a good choice for the preparation of nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this review paper was to summarize methods of preparation and characterization of PLGA nanoparticles along with their role in the transdermal delivery of various therapeutic agents.

METHODS

A literature survey for the present review paper was done using various search engines like Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct.

RESULTS

In comparison to traditional transdermal administration systems, PLGA nanoparticles have demonstrated several benefits in preclinical investigations, including fewer side effects, low dosage frequency, high skin permeability, and simplicity of application.

CONCLUSION

PLGA nanoparticles can be considered efficient nanocarriers for the transdermal delivery of drugs. Nevertheless, the clinical investigation of PLGA nanoparticles for the transdermal administration of therapeutic agents remains a formidable obstacle.

Formulation Development and In Vitro/In Vivo Characterization of Methotrexate-Loaded Nanoemulsion Gel Formulations for Enhanced Topical Delivery

Methotrexate-loaded oil-in-water nanoemulsion formulations were prepared using the high shear homogenization technique. A drug excipient study (ATR-FTIR) was carried out to investigate the compatibility between the drug, the polymers, and its admixtures. The thermal stability of the nanoemulsion formulations was evaluated by subjecting them to a heating and cooling cycle. The prepared nanoemulsion formulations (FNE1 to FNE6) were evaluated for particle size, PDI value, and entrapment efficiency (EE). They were analyzed for morphological information using transmission electron microscopy. The drug (methotrexate)-loaded nanoemulsion formulations (FNE2, FNE4, and FNE6) were then converted into nanoemulsion gel formulations by adding 1% chitosan (polymer) as a gelling agent. The nanoemulsion gel formulations (FNEG2, FNEG4, and FNEG6) were investigated for physicochemical parameters, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, drug content, and skin irritation. Various penetration enhancers (olive oil, clove, and almond oil) were employed to examine the potency of the prepared nanoemulsion gel formulations. In vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, skin drug retention, and stability tests were carried out for evaluation of the prepared nanoemulsion gel formulations (FNEG2, FNEG4, and FNEG6). The data obtained from the in vitro study were subjected to the kinetic model, and the Korsemeyer-Peppas model was best fitted to the data. The nanoemulsion gel formulation FNEG6 showed the maximum controlled drug release and followed an anomalous, non-Fickian release mechanism. The use of almond oil in the preparation of the nanoemulsion gel formulation FNEG6 helped the penetration of the drug across stratum corneum and the restructuring of the properties of skin and resulted in a higher penetration and retention of methotrexate in a deeper layer of the skin. The current study concluded that the methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion gel formulation FNEG6 showed the best optimum release, permeation, and retention results as compared to the available oral tablets' formulations, followed by a low serum concentration and the maximum drug retention, which is beneficial in treating skin infections and reducing systemic toxicity.

Exosomes based advancements for application in medical aesthetics

Beauty is an eternal pursuit of all people. Wound repair, anti-aging, inhibiting hyperpigmentation and hair loss are the main demands for medical aesthetics. At present, the repair and remodeling of human body shape and function in medical aesthetics are often achieved by injection of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin, stem cell therapy. However, there are some challenges, such as difficulty controlling the injection dose, abnormal local contour, increased foreign body sensation, and the risk of tumor occurrence and deformity induced by stem cell therapy. Exosomes are tiny vesicles secreted by cells, which are rich in proteins, nucleic acids and other bioactive molecules. They have the characteristics of low immunogenicity and strong tissue penetration, making them ideal for applications in medical aesthetics. However, their low yield, strong heterogeneity, and long-term preservation still hinder their application in medical aesthetics. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of action, administration methods, engineered production and preservation technologies for exosomes in medical aesthetics in recent years to further promote their research and industrialization in the field of medical aesthetics.

Current Advances in Specialised Niosomal Drug Delivery: Manufacture, Characterization and Drug Delivery Applications

Development of nanomaterials for drug delivery has received considerable attention due to their potential for achieving on-target delivery to the diseased area while the surrounding healthy tissue is spared. Safe and efficiently delivered payloads have always been a challenge in pharmaceutics. Niosomes are self-assembled vesicular nanocarriers formed by hydration of a non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol or other molecules that combine to form a versatile drug delivery system with a variety of applications ranging from topical delivery to targeted delivery. Niosomes have advantages similar to those of liposomes with regards to their ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic payloads. Moreover, niosomes have simple manufacturing methods, low production cost and exhibit extended stability, consequently overcoming the major drawbacks associated with liposomes. This review provides a comprehensive summary of niosomal research to date, including the types of niosomes and critical material attributes (CMA) and critical process parameters (CPP) of niosomes and their effects on the critical quality attributes (CQA) of the technology. Furthermore, physical characterisation techniques of niosomes are provided. The review then highlights recent applications of specialised niosomes in drug delivery. Finally, limitations and prospects for this technology are discussed.

Promising Strategies for Transdermal Delivery of Arthritis Drugs: Microneedle Systems

Arthritis is a general term for various types of inflammatory joint diseases. The most common clinical conditions are mainly represented by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, which affect more than 4% of people worldwide and seriously limit their mobility. Arthritis medication generally requires long-term application, while conventional administrations by oral delivery or injections may cause gastrointestinal side effects and are inconvenient for patients during long-term application. Emerging microneedle (MN) technology in recent years has created new avenues of transdermal delivery for arthritis drugs due to its advantages of painless skin perforation and efficient local delivery. This review summarizes various types of arthritis and current therapeutic agents. The current development of MNs in the delivery of arthritis drugs is highlighted, demonstrating their capabilities in achieving different drug release profiles through different self-enhancement methods or the incorporation of nanocarriers. Furthermore, the challenges of translating MNs from laboratory studies to the clinical practice and the marketplace are discussed. This promising technology provides a new approach to the current drug delivery paradigm in treating arthritis in transdermal delivery.

From vaccines to nanovaccines: A promising strategy to revolutionize rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a joint-related autoimmune disease that is difficult to cure. Most therapeutics act to alleviate the symptoms but not correct the causes of RA. Novel strategies that specifically target the causes are highly needed for RA management. Currently, early interruption of RA is increasingly suggested but the corresponding therapeutics are not available. Vaccines that have shown great success to combat infection, cancer, degenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, etc. are ideal candidates for a new generation of anti-RA therapeutics to correct the causes and prevent RA or interrupt RA in early phases. Anti-RA vaccines can be divided into two major categories. One is to induce neutralizing antibodies and the other is to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance. The vaccines are inherently linked to nanotechnology because they usually need a biomacromolecule or carrier to provoke sufficient immune responses. In the past decade, designed nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsion, etc., have been applied to optimize the vaccines for autoimmune disease treatment. Nanotechnology endows vaccines with a higher biostability, tunable in vivo behavior, better targeting, co-delivery with stimulatory agents, regulatory effects on immune responses, etc. In this review, unmet medical needs for RA treatment and anti-RA vaccinology are first introduced. The development of anti-RA therapies from vaccines to nanovaccines are then reviewed and perspectives on how nanotechnology promotes vaccine development and advancement are finally provided. In addition, challenges for anti-RA vaccine development are summarized and advantages of nanovaccines are analyzed. In conclusion, nanovaccines will be a promising strategy to revolutionize the treatment of RA by correcting the causes in an early phase of RA.