Layered double hydroxides as efficient drug delivery system of ciprofloxacin in the middle ear: an animal study in rabbits

A pH-responsive bi-MIL-88B MOF coated with folic acid-conjugated chitosan as a promising nanocarrier for targeted drug delivery of 5-Fluorouracil

Cancer has remained one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a lack of effective treatment. The intrinsic shortcomings of conventional therapeutics regarding tumor specificity and non-specific toxicity prompt us to look for alternative therapeutics to mitigate these limitations. In this regard, we developed multifunctional bimetallic (FeCo) bi-MIL-88B-FC MOFs modified with folic acid-conjugated chitosan (FC) as drug delivery systems (DDS) for targeted delivery of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). The bi-MIL-88B nanocarriers were characterized through various techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Interestingly, 5-FU@bi-MIL-88B-FC showed slower release of 5-FU due to a gated effect phenomenon endowed by FC surface coating compared to un-modified 5-FU@bi-MIL-88B. The pH-responsive drug release was observed, with 58% of the loaded 5-FU released in cancer cells mimicking pH (5.2) compared to only 24.9% released under physiological pH (5.4). The in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular internalization experiments revealed the superiority of 5-FU@bi-MIL-88B-FC as a highly potent targeted DDS against folate receptor (FR) positive SW480 cancer cells. Moreover, due to the presence of Fe and Co in the structure, bi-MIL-88B exhibited peroxidase-like activity for chemodynamic therapy. Based on the results, 5-FU@bi-MIL-88B-FC could serve as promising candidate for smart DDS by sustained drug release and selective targeting.

Layered Double Hydroxides: A Novel Promising 2D Nanomaterial for Bone Diseases Treatment

Bone diseases including bone defects, bone infections, osteoarthritis, and bone tumors seriously affect life quality of the patient and bring serious economic burdens to social health management, for which the current clinical treatments bear dissatisfactory therapeutic effects. Biomaterial-based strategies have been widely applied in the treatment of orthopedic diseases but are still plagued by deficient bioreactivity. With the development of nanotechnology, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with adjustable metal ion composition and alterable interlayer structure possessing charming physicochemical characteristics, versatile bioactive properties, and excellent drug loading and delivery capabilities arise widespread attention and have achieved considerable achievements for bone disease treatment in the last decade. However, to the authors' best knowledge, no review has comprehensively summarized the advances of LDHs in treating bone disease so far. Herein, the advantages of LDHs for orthopedic disorders treatment are outlined and the corresponding state-of-the-art achievements are summarized for the first time. The potential of LDHs-based nanocomposites for extended therapeutics for bone diseases is highlighted and perspectives for LDHs-based scaffold design are proposed for facilitated clinical translation.

Application of Nanomedicine in Inner Ear Diseases

The treatment of inner ear disorders always remains a challenge for researchers. The presence of various physiological barriers, primarily the blood–labyrinth barrier (BLB), limits the accessibility of the inner ear and hinders the efficacy of various drug therapies. Yet despite recent advances in the cochlea for repair and regeneration, there are currently no pharmacological or biological interventions for hearing loss. Current research focuses on the localized drug-, gene-, and cell-based therapies. Drug delivery based on nanotechnology represents an innovative strategy to improve inner ear treatments. Materials with specific nanostructures not only exhibit a unique ability to encapsulate and transport therapeutics to the inner ear but also endow specific targeting properties to auditory hair cells as well as the stabilization and sustained drug release. Along with this, some alternative routes, like intratympanic drug delivery, can also offer a better means to access the inner ear without exposure to the BLB. This review discusses a variety of nano-based drug delivery systems to the ear for treating inner ear diseases. The main factors affecting the curative efficacy of nanomaterials are also discussed. With a deeper understanding of the link between these crucial factors and the clinical effect of nanomaterials, it paves the way for the optimization of the therapeutic activity of nanocarriers.

Layered Double Hydroxides as Promising Excipients for Drug Delivery Purposes

Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) have received great attention in the development of drug carrier systems. LDHs have become intelligent excipients of high technological potential for the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to intercalate biomaterials in the interlayer region, adsorb substances on its vast surface area, have flexible structure, swelling properties, high chemical and thermal stability, modulate drug release, have high biocompatibility and be easily synthesized. This article, using typical examples, mainly addresses the systems formed between LDHs and antimicrobial, antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory agents, which constitute the main pharmacological classes of wide interest due to the problems encountered with low solubility, control in administration, stability in body fluids and toxicity, among others. Additionally, the article also reports on the recent development of ternary or quaternary (multicomponent systems) compounds based on LDH, bringing the advantages of targeted therapy, improving the aqueous stability of nanohybrids and the performance of these inorganic carriers.

Eu3+-doped layered gadolinium hydroxides as drug carriers and their bactericidal behavior

Layered rare earth hydroxides (LRHs) due to outstanding photoluminescence (PL) properties and anion exchangeability are extensively reported in multiple fields. In this work, the drug-loaded and bactericidal behaviors of Eu³⁺-doped layered gadolinium hydroxides (LGdHs:Eu) as optical carriers were explored through intercalation and release of cephalexin (CE). In the intercalation state, the PL intensity of CE--LGdHs:Eu obviously decreased because of the quenching effect of CE-. And the PL intensity of LGdHs:Eu was restored with the release of CE- ions in phosphate buffer solutions (PBS). A significant functional relationship between the drug releasing amount and PL intensity ratio was found, providing a novel optical method to specify the drug dosage. And CE--LGdHs:Eu showed the excellent bactericidal properties in both in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Eco-friendly synthesis of the Li/Al in nonionic surfactant-based vesicles (niosomes) modified with graphene oxide quantum dot nanostructures for controlled released of chlorpheniramine maleate

The aim of the present work was the preparation of Li/Al nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) for the controlled release of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPAM). The role of lemon and egg white extracts as oxidation agents were investigated for the morphology and particle size of the products. GOQDs were synthesized using green, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective precursors. This work demonstrates that Li/Al NPs functionalized with graphene oxide as a nanolayer structure can be used as efficient nanocarriers for loading and delivery of CPAM as water-insoluble aromatic drugs The final products were identified with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy nitrogen adsorption [i.e. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis] techniques. The calibration curve for Li/Al nanoparticles functionalized with GOQDs for controlled released of CPAM was calculated as y = 0.0137x + 0.0103 with R²  = 0.9995. The data found through BET and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda analysis using the adsorption/desorption isotherm method demonstrated by total pore volumes and dead volume were calculated respectively as 0.162 nm² , 0.0439 cm³ g^-1 . The mean pore diameter was calculated as 20.33 nm using BET isotherm data.

Recent advances in musculoskeletal local drug delivery

Musculoskeletal disorders are a significant burden on the global economy and public health. Advanced drug delivery plays a key role in the musculoskeletal field and holds the promise of enhancing the repair of degenerated and injured musculoskeletal tissues. Ideally, drug delivery should have the ability to directly deliver therapeutic agents to the diseased/injured sites with a desirable drug level over a period of time. Here, we present a mini-review of the current state-of-the-art research associated with local drug delivery and its use for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. First, an overview of drug delivery strategies, with a focus on issues related to musculoskeletal pathology, potential therapeutic strategies, conventional and non-conventional drugs, and various delivery systems, is introduced. Then, we highlight recent advances in the emerging fields of musculoskeletal local drug delivery, involving therapeutic drugs (e.g., genes, small molecule therapeutics, and stem cells), novel delivery vehicles (e.g., 3D printing and tissue engineering techniques), and innovative delivery approaches (e.g., multi-drug delivery and smart stimuli-responsive delivery). The review concludes with future perspectives and associated challenges for developing local drug delivery for musculoskeletal applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Three important aspects are highlighted in this manuscript: 1) The advanced musculoskeletal drug delivery is introduced from the aspects ranging from musculoskeletal disorders, potential therapeutic solutions, and various drug delivery systems. 2) The recent advances in the emerging fields of musculoskeletal local drug delivery, involving therapeutic drugs (e.g., genes, small molecule therapeutics, and stem cells), novel delivery vehicles (e.g., 3D printing and tissue engineering technique), and innovative delivery approaches (e.g., multi-drug delivery and smart stimuli-responsive delivery), are highlighted. 3) The challenges and perspectives of future research directions in the development of musculoskeletal local drug delivery are presented.

Controlled drug release to the inner ear: Concepts, materials, mechanisms, and performance

Progress in drug delivery to the ear has been achieved over the last few years. This review illustrates the main mechanisms of controlled drug release and the resulting geometry- and size-dependent release kinetics. The potency, physicochemical properties, and stability of the drug molecules are key parameters for designing the most suitable drug delivery system. The most important drug delivery systems for the inner ear include solid foams, hydrogels, and different nanoscale drug delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes, lipid nanocapsules, polymersomes). Their main characteristics (i.e., general structure and materials) are discussed, with special attention given to underlining the link between the physicochemical properties (e.g., surface areas, glass transition temperature, microviscosity, size, and shape) and release kinetics. An appropriate characterization of the drug, the excipients used, and the formulated drug delivery systems is necessary to achieve a deeper understanding of the release process and decrease variability originating from the drug delivery system. This task cannot be solved by otologists alone. The interdisciplinary cooperation between otology/neurotology, pharmaceutics, physics, and other disciplines will result in improved drug delivery systems for the inner ear.

Interactions between Biological Cells and Layered Double Hydroxides: Towards Functional Materials

This review highlights the current research on the interactions between biological cells and Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH). The as-prepared biohybrid materials appear extremely attractive in diverse fields of application relating to health care, environment and energy production. We describe how thanks to the main features of biological cells and LDH layers, various strategies of assemblies can be carried out for constructing smart biofunctional materials. The interactions between the two components are described with a peculiar attention to the adsorption, biocompatibilization, LDH layer internalization, antifouling and antimicrobial properties. The most significant achievements including authors' results, involving biological cells and LDH assemblies in waste water treatment, bioremediation and bioenergy generation are specifically addressed.

Membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects of inorganic nanoparticles

Interactions between nanoparticles and biological membranes are attracting increasing attention in current nanomedicine, and play a key role both for nanotoxicology and for utilizing nanomaterials in diagnostics, drug delivery, functional biomaterials, as well as combinations of these, e.g., in theranostics. In addition, there is considerable current interest in the use of nanomaterials as antimicrobial agents, motivated by increasing resistance development against conventional antibiotics. Here, various nanomaterials offer opportunities for triggered functionalites to combat challenging infections. Although the performance in these diverse applications is governed by a complex interplay between the nanomaterial, the properties of included drugs (if any), and the biological system, nanoparticle-membrane interactions constitute a key initial step and play a key role for the subsequent biological response. In the present overview, the current understanding of inorganic nanomaterials as antimicrobial agents is outlined, with special focus on the interplay between antimicrobial effects and membrane interactions, and how membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects of such materials depend on nanoparticle properties, membrane composition, and external (e.g., light and magnetic) fields.

Inorganic nanolayers: structure, preparation, and biomedical applications

Hydrotalcite-like compounds are two-dimensional inorganic nanolayers also known as clay minerals or anionic clays or layered double hydroxides/layered hydroxy salts, and have emerged as a single type of material with numerous biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, gene delivery, cosmetics, and biosensing. Inorganic nanolayers are promising materials due to their fascinating properties, such as ease of preparation, ability to intercalate different type of anions (inorganic, organic, biomolecules, and even genes), high thermal stability, delivery of intercalated anions in a sustained manner, high biocompatibility, and easy biodegradation. Inorganic nanolayers have been the focus for researchers over the last decade, resulting in widening application horizons, especially in the field of biomedical science. These nanolayers have been widely applied in drug and gene delivery. They have also been applied in biosensing technology, and most recently in bioimaging science. The suitability of inorganic nanolayers for application in drug delivery, gene delivery, biosensing technology, and bioimaging science makes them ideal materials to be applied for theranostic purposes. In this paper, we review the structure, methods of preparation, and latest advances made by inorganic nanolayers in such biomedical applications as drug delivery, gene delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging.

Determination of the glycosylation-pattern of the middle ear mucosa in guinea pigs

In the present study the glycosylation pattern of the middle ear mucosa (MEM) of guinea pigs, an approved model for middle ear research, was characterized with the purpose to identify bioadhesive ligands which might prolong the contact time of drug delivery systems with the middle ear mucosa (MEM). To assess the utility of five fluorescein labeled plant lectins with different carbohydrate specificities as bioadhesive ligands, viable MEM specimens were incubated at 4°C and the lectin binding capacities were calculated from the MEM-associated relative fluorescence intensities. Among all lectins under investigation, fluorescein-labeled wheat germ agglutinin (F-WGA) emerged as the highest bioadhesive lectin. In general, the accessibility of carbohydrate moieties of the MEM followed the order: sialic acid and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (WGA)>>mannose and galactosamine (Lensculinaris agglutinin)>N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (Solanumtuberosum agglutinin)>fucose (Ulexeuropaeus isoagglutinin I)>>terminal mannose α-(1,3)-mannose (Galanthusnivalis agglutinin). Competitive inhibition studies with the corresponding carbohydrate revealed that F-WGA-binding was inhibited up to 90% confirming specificity of the F-WGA-MEM interaction. The cilia of the MEM were identified as F-WGA binding sites by fluorescence imaging as well as a z-stack of overlays of transmission, F-WGA- and nuclei-stained images of the MEM. Additionally, co-localisation experiments revealed that F-WGA bound to acidic mucopolysaccharides of the MEM. All in all, lectin-mediated bioadhesion to the MEM is proposed as a new concept for drug delivery to prolong the residence time of the drug in the tympanic cavity especially for successful therapy for difficult-to-treat diseases such as otitis media.

Biocompatibility of silver containing silica films on Bioverit® II middle ear prostheses in rabbits

For several centuries silver is known for its antibacterial effects. The middle ear is an interesting new scope for silver application since chronic inflammations combined with bacterial infection cause complete destruction of the fragile ossicle chain and tympanic membrane. The resulting conductive deafness requires tympanoplasty for reconstruction. Strategies to prevent bacterial growth on middle ear prostheses are highly recommended. In this study, rabbits were implanted with Bioverit® II middle ear prostheses functionalized with silver containing dense and nanoporous silica films which were compared with pure silica coatings as well as silver sulfadiazine cream applied on nanoporous silica coating. The health status of animals was continuously monitored; blood was examined before and after implantation. After 21 days, the middle ears were inspected; implants and mucosal samples were processed for electron microscopy. Autopsies were performed and systemic spreading of silver was chemically analyzed exemplarily in liver and kidneys. For verification of direct cytotoxicity, NIH 3T3 cells were cultured on similar silver containing silica coatings on glass up to 3 days. In vitro a reduced viability of fibroblasts adhering directly on the samples was detected compared to cells growing on the surrounding plastic of the same culture dish. In transmission electron microscopy, phagocytosed silver silica fragments, silver sulfadiazine cream as well as silver nanoparticles were noticed inside endosomes. In vivo, clinical and post mortem examinations were inconspicuous. Chemical analyses showed no increased silver content compared to controls. Mucosal coverages on almost all prostheses were found. But reduction of granulation tissue was only obvious around silver-coated implants. Single necroses and apoptosis in the mucosa were correlated by intracellular accumulation of metallic silver. For confirming supportive healing effects of middle ear implants, silver ion aggregates need to be tested in the future to optimize biocompatibility while assuring bactericidal effects in the middle ear.

Highly biocompatible behaviour and slow degradation of a LDH (layered double hydroxide)-coating on implants in the middle ear of rabbits

Chronic inflammation can irreversibly damage components of the ossicular chain which may lead to sound conduction deafness. The replacement of impaired ossicles with prostheses does not reduce the risk of bacterial infections which may lead to loss of function of the implant and consequently to additional damage of the connected structures such as inner ear, meninges and brain. Therefore, implants that could do both, reconstruct the sound conduction and in addition provide antibacterial protection are of high interest for ear surgery. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising novel biomaterials that have previously been used as an antibiotic-releasing implant coating to curb bacterial infections in the middle ear. However, animal studies of LDHs are scarce and there exist only few additional data on the biocompatibility and hardly any on the biodegradation of these compounds. In this study, middle ear prostheses were coated with an LDH compound, using suspensions of nanoparticles of an LDH containing Mg and Al as well as carbonate ions. These coatings were characterized and implanted into the middle ear of healthy rabbits for 10 days. Analysis of the explanted prostheses showed only little signs of degradation. A stable health constitution was observed throughout the whole experiment in every animal. The results show that LDH-based implant coatings are biocompatible and dissolve only slowly in the middle ear. They, therefore, appear as promising materials for the construction of controlled drug delivery vehicles.

Biodegradable gelatin-ciprofloxacin-montmorillonite composite hydrogels for controlled drug release and wound dressing application

This work reports intercalation of a sparingly soluble antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) into layered nanostructure silicate, montmorillonite (MMT) and its reaction with bone derived polypeptide, gelatin that yields three-dimensional composite hydrogel. Drug intercalation results in changes in MMT layered space and drug loaded MMT and gelatin creates 3D morphology with biodegradable composite hydrogels. These changes can be correlated with electrostatic interactions between the drug, MMT and the gelatin polypeptides as confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns, thermal, spectroscopic analyses, computational modeling and 3D morphology revealed by SEM and TEM analysis. No significant changes in structural and functional properties of drug was found after intercalation in MMT layers and composite hydrogels. In vitro drug release profiles showed controlled release up to 150h. The drug loaded composite hydrogels were tested on lung cancer cells (A549) by MTT assay. The results of in vitro cell migration and proliferation assay were promising as composite hydrogels induced wound healing progression. In vitro biodegradation was studied using proteolytic enzymes (lysozyme and protease K) at physiological conditions. This new approach of drug intercalation into the layered nanostructure silicate by ion-exchange may have significant applications in cost-effective wound dressing biomaterial with antimicrobial property.

Potential for layered double hydroxides-based, innovative drug delivery systems

Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs)-based drug delivery systems have, for many years, shown great promises for the delivery of chemical therapeutics and bioactive molecules to mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. This system offers high efficiency and drug loading density, as well as excellent protection of loaded molecules from undesired degradation. Toxicological studies have also found LDHs to be biocompatible compared with other widely used nanoparticles, such as iron oxide, silica, and single-walled carbon nanotubes. A plethora of bio-molecules have been reported to either attach to the surface of or intercalate into LDH materials through co-precipitation or anion-exchange reaction, including amino acid and peptides, ATPs, vitamins, and even polysaccharides. Recently, LDHs have been used for gene delivery of small molecular nucleic acids, such as antisense, oligonucleotides, PCR fragments, siRNA molecules or sheared genomic DNA. These nano-medicines have been applied to target cells or organs in gene therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes current progress of the development of LDHs nanoparticle drug carriers for nucleotides, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer drugs and recent LDH application in medical research. Ground breaking studies will be highlighted and an outlook of the possible future progress proposed. It is hoped that the layered inorganic material will open up new frontier of research, leading to new nano-drugs in clinical applications.

Nanomedicine strategies for drug delivery to the ear

The highly compartmentalized anatomy of the ear aggravates drug delivery, which is used to combat hearing-related diseases. Novel nanosized drug vehicles are thought to overcome the limitations of classic approaches. In this article, we summarize the nanotechnology-based efforts involving nano-objects, such as liposomes, polymersomes, lipidic nanocapsules and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles, as well as nanocoatings of implants to provide an efficient means for drug transfer in the ear. Modern strategies do not only enhance drug delivery efficiency, in the inner ear these vector systems also aim for specific uptake into hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. These novel peptide-mediated strategies for specific delivery are reviewed in this article. Finally, the biosafety of these vector systems is still an outstanding issue, since long-term application to the ear has not yet been assessed.

Antituberculosis nanodelivery system with controlled-release properties based on para-amino salicylate-zinc aluminum-layered double-hydroxide nanocomposites

We report the intercalation and characterization of para-amino salicylic acid (PASA) into zinc/aluminum-layered double hydroxides (ZLDHs) by two methods, direct and indirect, to form nanocomposites: PASA nanocomposite prepared by a direct method (PASA-D) and PASA nanocomposite prepared by an indirect method (PASA-I). Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the PASA drugs were accommodated within the ZLDH interlayers. The anions of the drug were accommodated as an alternate monolayer (along the long-axis orientation) between ZLDH interlayers. Drug loading was estimated to be 22.8% and 16.6% for PASA-D and PASA-I, respectively. The in vitro release properties of the drug were investigated in physiological simulated phosphate-buffered saline solution of pH 7.4 and 4.8. The release followed the pseudo-second-order model for both nanocomposites. Cell viability (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assays) was assessed against normal human lung fibroblast MRC-5 and 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The results showed that the nanocomposite formulations did not possess any cytotoxicity, at least up to 72 hours.