Noninvasive transdermal delivery of liposomes by weak electric current

Vesicular approach of cubosomes, its components, preparation techniques, evaluation and their appraisal for targeting cancer cells

Cancer has been characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Majority of drugs given through chemotherapy produce unwanted and adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents to the other healthy cells and tissues of body. Various nanocarriers have now been considered for treatment of cancer. Among various nanocarriers, cubosomes are the nano sized dispersions that have drawn interest of researchers recently. Cubosomes are defined as dispersions of colloidal nature containing cubic crystalline liquid formations in aqueous medium in presence of suitable surfactant molecules. The unique capacity to encapsulate lipophilic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic compounds inside their structure distinguishes them among others. Top- down method and hydrotrope method are most often employed methods for cubosomes preparation. Cubosomes can be characterized by Polarized light microscopy Photon correlation spectroscopy X-ray scattering (SAXS), Transmission electron microscopy and various stability studies. Cubic lipid nanoparticles have a very stable cubic structure that enables slower dissociation rate, increased retention and site-specific delivery of drugs. Cubosomes containing extracts of cornelian cherry for boosting anti-cancerous effects in cancer of colorectal cells by preventing against GIT destruction. When applied for skin cancer, cubosomes have shown to be having enhanced permeation of the drug. In liver cancer, increased bioavailability of drug was observed via cubosomes. This current review elaborates the advancement of cubosomes and their effective role in the treatment of cancer. This review aims to describe vesicular approach of cubosomes, its composition and method of preparation, characterization tests as well as elaborates various applications of cubosomes in cancer.

Smart Physical-Based Transdermal Drug Delivery System:Towards Intelligence and Controlled Release

Transdermal drug delivery systems based on physical principles have provided a stable, efficient, and safe strategy for disease therapy. However, the intelligent device with real-time control and precise drug release is required to enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient compliance. This review summarizes the recent developments, application scenarios, and drug release characteristics of smart transdermal drug delivery systems fabricated with physical principle. Special attention is paid to the progress of intelligent design and concepts in of physical-based transdermal drug delivery technologies for real-time monitoring and precise drug release. In addition, facing with the needs of clinical treatment and personalized medicine, the recent progress and trend of physical enhancement are further highlighted for transdermal drug delivery systems in combination with pharmaceutical dosage forms to achieve better transdermal effects and facilitate the development of smart medical devices. Finally, the next generation and future application scenarios of smart physical-based transdermal drug delivery systems are discussed, a particular focus in vaccine delivery and tumor treatment.

A comprehensive review on transethosomes as a novel vesicular approach for drug delivery through transdermal route

Drug delivery through transdermal route is one of the effective methods for the application of drugs. It overcomes many drawbacks which are encountered with the oral route. Moreover, many drugs are not able to pass through the stratum corneum, which is the main barrier for the transdermal drug delivery. Formation of ultra-deformable vesicles (UDVs) is a novel technique for the transdermal applications of the drugs. Transethosomes (TEs), ethosomes, and transferosomes are all part of the UDV. Because of the presence of increased concentrations of ethanol, phospholipids, and edge activators, TEs provide improved drug permeation through the stratum corneum. Because of the elasticity of TEs, drug penetration into the deeper layer of skin also increases. TEs can be prepared using a variety of techniques, including the cold method, hot method, thin film hydration method, and the ethanol injection method. It increases patient adherence and compliance because it is a non-invasive procedure of administering drugs. Characterization of the TEs includes pH determination, size and shape, zeta potential, particle size determination, transition temperature, drug content, vesicle stability, and skin permeation studies. These vesicular systems can be utilized to deliver a variety of medications transdermally, including analgesics, antibiotics, antivirals, and anticancer and arthritis medications. This review aims to describe vesicular approaches that had been used to overcome the barrier for the transdermal delivery of drug and also describes brief composition, method of preparation, characterization tests, mechanism of penetration of TEs, as well as highlighted various applications of TEs in medicine.

Advancing piezoelectric 2D nanomaterials for applications in drug delivery systems and therapeutic approaches

Precision drug delivery and multimodal synergistic therapy are crucial in treating diverse ailments, such as cancer, tissue damage, and degenerative diseases. Electrodes that emit electric pulses have proven effective in enhancing molecule release and permeability in drug delivery systems. Moreover, the physiological electrical microenvironment plays a vital role in regulating biological functions and triggering action potentials in neural and muscular tissues. Due to their unique noncentrosymmetric structures, many 2D materials exhibit outstanding piezoelectric performance, generating positive and negative charges under mechanical forces. This ability facilitates precise drug targeting and ensures high stimulus responsiveness, thereby controlling cellular destinies. Additionally, the abundant active sites within piezoelectric 2D materials facilitate efficient catalysis through piezochemical coupling, offering multimodal synergistic therapeutic strategies. However, the full potential of piezoelectric 2D nanomaterials in drug delivery system design remains underexplored due to research gaps. In this context, the current applications of piezoelectric 2D materials in disease management are summarized in this review, and the development of drug delivery systems influenced by these materials is forecast.

Enhancing Transdermal Delivery of Curcumin-Based Ionic Liquid Liposomes for Application in Psoriasis

To improve the permeation of curcumin, we prepared curcumin-based ionic liquid (Cur-Bet-IL) (IL formed using curcumin succinic anhydride and betaine) from curcumin by combining theoretical calculation and experimental research and then prepared curcumin-based ionic liquid liposome (Cur-Bet-IL-Lip). The Cur-Bet-IL-Lip has good stability (stored for 10 days without significant changes) and biocompatibility, which encompasses not only the properties of curcumin but also the characteristics of ionic liquids and liposomes. Cur-Bet-IL-Lip can penetrate the stratum corneum and deliver curcumin to the epidermis and dermis of the skin, and the cumulative permeability of curcumin after 24 h was 49%. Compared to Cur-Bet-IL, Cur-Bet-IL-Lip has a good uptake ability on human immortalized keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells (1.87-fold), which can reduce the expression of TNF-α (1.59-fold), IL-1β (1.19-fold), IL-17A (1.53-fold), IL-17F (1.18-fold), and IL-22 (1.49-fold) in HaCaT cells and then increase the expression of collagen-I (1.14-fold). Therefore, Cur-Bet-IL-Lip has guiding significance in improving the solubility and permeation of insoluble drugs, which also provides a potential value for the clinical application of curcumin.

Intradermal Delivery of Naked mRNA Vaccines via Iontophoresis

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against infectious diseases and for anticancer immunotherapy have garnered considerable attention. Currently, mRNA vaccines encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles are administrated via intramuscular injection using a needle. However, such administration is associated with pain, needle phobia, and lack of patient compliance. Furthermore, side effects such as fever and anaphylaxis associated with the lipid nanoparticle components are also serious problems. Therefore, noninvasive, painless administration of mRNA vaccines that do not contain other problematic components is highly desirable. Antigen-presenting cells reside in the epidermis and dermis, making the skin an attractive vaccination site. Iontophoresis (ItP) uses weak electric current applied to the skin surface and offers a noninvasive permeation technology that enables intradermal delivery of hydrophilic and ionic substances. ItP-mediated intradermal delivery of biological macromolecules has also been studied. Herein, we review the literature on the use of ItP technology for intradermal delivery of naked mRNA vaccines which is expected to overcome the challenges associated with mRNA vaccination. In addition to the physical mechanism, we discuss novel biological mechanisms of iontophoresis, particularly ItP-mediated opening of the skin barriers and the intracellular uptake pathway, and how the combined mechanisms can allow for effective intradermal delivery of mRNA vaccines.

Study of the skin-penetration promoting effect and mechanism of combined system of curcumin liposomes prepared by microfluidic chip and skin penetrating peptides TD-1 for topical treatment of primary melanoma

The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is an effective strategy for the treatment of melanoma with fewer side effects and good biocompatible, but the skin penetration of drugs should be further promoted. Here, we proposed a new system that combined curcumin liposomes (Cur-Lips) with skin-penetrating peptides to promote skin penetration ability. However, the preparation of Cur-Lips has drawbacks of instability and low entrapment efficiency by the traditional methods. We thus innovatively designed and applied a microfluidic chip to optimize the preparation of Cur-Lips. Cur-Lips exhibited a particle size of 106.22 ± 4.94 nm with a low polydispersity index (＜0.3) and high entrapment efficiency of 99.33 ± 1.05 %, which were prepared by the microfluidic chip. The Cur-Lips increased the skin penetration capability of Cur by 2.76 times compared to its solution in vitro skin penetration experiment. With the help of skin-penetrating peptide TD-1, the combined system further promoted the skin penetration capability by 4.48 times. The (TD-1 + Cur-Lips) system also exhibited a superior inhibition effect of the tumor to B16F10 in vitro. Furthermore, the topical application of (TD-1 + Cur-Lips) gel suppressed melanoma growth in vivo, and induced tumor cell apoptosis in tumor tissues. The skin-penetration promotion mechanism of the system was investigated. It was proved that the system could interact with the lipids and keratin on the stratum corneum to promote the Cur distribute into the stratum corneum through hair follicles and sweat glands. We proved that the microfluidic chips had unique advantages for the preparation of liposomes. The innovative combined system of liposomes and biological transdermal enhancers can effectively promote the skin penetration effect of drugs and have great potential for the prevention and treatment of melanoma.

Bioinspired Adaptable Indwelling Microneedles for Treatment of Diabetic Ulcers

Microneedles provide an effective strategy for transdermal drug delivery. Many endeavors have been devoted to developing smart microneedles that can respond to and interact with pathophysiological environments. Here, novel bioinspired adaptable indwelling microneedles with therapeutic exosome encapsulation are presented for diabetic wound healing by a combined fabrication strategy of template replication and 3D transfer printing. Such microneedles are composed of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-exosomes-encapsulated adjustable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel needle tips and detachable 3M medical tape supporting substrate. As the mechanical strength of the PVA hydrogel is ionically responsive due to Hofmeister effects, the hardness of the resultant microneedle tips can be upregulated by sulfate ions to ensure skin penetration and be softened by nitrate ions after tip-substrate detachment to adapt to the surrounding tissue and release exosomes. Because the MSC-exosomes can effectively activate fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells, and macrophages, the indwelling microneedles are demonstrated with the function of promoting tissue regeneration and diabetic wound healing in full-thickness cutaneous wounds of diabetic rat models. These features indicate that the bioinspired adaptable indwelling microneedles are with practical values and clinical prospects in tissue and wound regeneration.

Transdermal Insulin Delivery and Microneedles-based Minimally Invasive Delivery Systems

Diabetes has become a serious threat to human health, causing death and pain to numerous patients. Transdermal insulin delivery is a substitute for traditional insulin injection to avoid pain from the injection. Transdermal methods include non-invasive and invasive methods. As the non-invasive methods could hardly get through the stratum corneum, minimally invasive devices, especially microneedles, could enhance the transappendageal route in transcutaneous insulin delivery, and could act as connectors between the tissue and outer environment or devices. Microneedle patches have been in quick development in recent years and with different types, materials and functions. In those patches, the smart microneedle patch could perform as a sensor and reactor responding to glucose to regulate the blood level. In the smart microneedles field, the phenylboronic acid system and the glucose oxidase system have been successfully applied on the microneedle platform. Insulin transdermal delivery strategy, microneedles technology and smart microneedles' development would be discussed in this review.

Iontophoresis of Biological Macromolecular Drugs

Over the last few decades, biological macromolecular drugs (e.g., peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids) have become a significant therapeutic modality for the treatment of various diseases. These drugs are considered superior to small-molecule drugs because of their high specificity and favorable safety profiles. However, such drugs are limited by their low oral bioavailability and short half-lives. Biological macromolecular drugs are typically administrated via invasive methods, e.g., intravenous or subcutaneous injections, which can be painful and induce needle phobia. Noninvasive transdermal delivery is an alternative administration route for the local and systemic delivery of biological macromolecular drugs. However, a challenge with the noninvasive transdermal delivery of biological macromolecular drugs is the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum, which is a physical barrier that restricts the entry of extraneous macromolecules. Iontophoresis (IP) relies on the application of a low level of electricity for transdermal drug delivery, in order to facilitate the skin permeation of hydrophilic and charged molecules. The IP of several biological macromolecular drugs has recently been investigated. Herein, we review the IP-mediated noninvasive transdermal delivery of biological macromolecular drugs, their routes of skin permeation, their underlying mechanisms, and their advance applications.

Effective Anticancer Therapy by Combination of Nanoparticles Encapsulating Chemotherapeutic Agents and Weak Electric Current

Delivery of medicines using nanoparticles via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect is a common strategy for anticancer chemotherapy. However, the extensive heterogeneity of tumors affects the applicability of the EPR effect, which needs to overcome for effective anticancer therapy. Previously, we succeeded in the noninvasive transdermal delivery of nanoparticles by weak electric current (WEC) and confirmed that WEC regulates the intercellular junctions in the skin by activating cell signaling pathways (J. Biol. Chem., 289, 2014, Hama et al.). In this study, we applied WEC to tumors and investigated the EPR effect with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulated nanoparticles (DOX-NP) administered via intravenous injection into melanoma-bearing mice. The application of WEC resulted in a 2.3-fold higher intratumor accumulation of nanoparticles. WEC decreased the amount of connexin 43 in tumors while increasing its phosphorylation; therefore, the enhancing of intratumor delivery of DOX-NP is likely due to the opening of gap junctions. Furthermore, WEC combined with DOX-NP induced a significant suppression of tumor growth, which was stronger than with DOX-NP alone. In addition, WEC alone showed tumor growth inhibition, although it was not significant compared with non-treated group. These results are the first to demonstrate that effective anticancer therapy by combination of nanoparticles encapsulating chemotherapeutic agents and WEC.

Formulation of biologics for alternative routes of administration: Current problems and perspectives

Introduction: Biologics (biopharmaceuticals) present new promising therapies for many diseases such as cancers, chronical inflammatory diseases and today's biggest challenge - COVID-19. Research: Today, most biologics have been synthetized using modern methods of biotechnology, in particular DNA recombinant technology. Current pharmaceutical forms of protein/peptide biopharmaceuticals are intended for parenteral route of administration due to their instability and large size of molecules. In order to improve patient compliance, many companies are working on developing adequate forms of biopharmaceuticals for alternative, non-invasive routes of administration. The aim of this work is to review current aspirations and problems in formulation of biopharmaceuticals for alternative (non-parenteral) routes of administration and to review the attempts to overcome them. These alternative routes of administration could be promising in prevention and treatment of COVID-19, among other serious diseases. Conclusion: The emphasis is on stabilizing monoclonal antibodies into special formulations and delivery systems; their application should be safer, more comfortable and reliable. When it comes to hormones, vaccines and smaller peptides, some companies have already registered drugs intended for nasal and oral delivery.

The Importance of Nanocarrier Design and Composition for an Efficient Nanoparticle-Mediated Transdermal Vaccination

The World Health Organization estimates that the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus claimed more than 3 million lives in 2020 alone. This situation has highlighted the importance of vaccination programs and the urgency of working on new technologies that allow an efficient, safe, and effective immunization. From this perspective, nanomedicine has provided novel tools for the design of the new generation of vaccines. Among the challenges of the new vaccine generations is the search for alternative routes of antigen delivery due to costs, risks, need for trained personnel, and low acceptance in the population associated with the parenteral route. Along these lines, transdermal immunization has been raised as a promising alternative for antigen delivery and vaccination based on a large absorption surface and an abundance of immune system cells. These features contribute to a high barrier capacity and high immunological efficiency for transdermal immunization. However, the stratum corneum barrier constitutes a significant challenge for generating new pharmaceutical forms for transdermal antigen delivery. This review addresses the biological bases for transdermal immunomodulation and the technological advances in the field of nanomedicine, from the passage of antigens facilitated by devices to cross the stratum corneum, to the design of nanosystems, with an emphasis on the importance of design and composition towards the new generation of needle-free nanometric transdermal systems.

Self-Assembling Drug Formulations with Tunable Permeability and Biodegradability

This review focuses on key topics in the field of drug delivery related to the design of nanocarriers answering the biomedicine criteria, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and the ability to overcome biological barriers. For these reasons, much attention is paid to the amphiphile-based carriers composed of natural building blocks, lipids, and their structural analogues and synthetic surfactants that are capable of self-assembly with the formation of a variety of supramolecular aggregates. The latter are dynamic structures that can be used as nanocontainers for hydrophobic drugs to increase their solubility and bioavailability. In this section, biodegradable cationic surfactants bearing cleavable fragments are discussed, with ester- and carbamate-containing analogs, as well as amino acid derivatives received special attention. Drug delivery through the biological barriers is a challenging task, which is highlighted by the example of transdermal method of drug administration. In this paper, nonionic surfactants are primarily discussed, including their application for the fabrication of nanocarriers, their surfactant-skin interactions, the mechanisms of modulating their permeability, and the factors controlling drug encapsulation, release, and targeted delivery. Different types of nanocarriers are covered, including niosomes, transfersomes, invasomes and chitosomes, with their morphological specificity, beneficial characteristics and limitations discussed.

[Development of Biomembrane-mimetic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke]

Increase in vascular permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a distinct pathology following ischemic stroke. In previous studies, we demonstrated that liposomal drug delivery system (DDS)-based delivery of neuroprotectants is useful for treating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Additionally, our previous studies reported that combination therapy with liposomal fasudil plus tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a thrombolytic agent, brings about decrease in the risk of t-PA-derived cerebral hemorrhage and prolong the therapeutic time window of t-PA for treating acute ischemic stroke. However, accumulation of systemically administered liposomes into the brain parenchyma is still limited, and new technologies are needed that can overcome the BBB. The unique properties of leukocytes and exosomes, one of the extracellular vesicles, make them promising candidates for overcoming biological barriers (including the BBB) for drug delivery, as leukocytes and certain exosomes were reported to be able to permeate through the inflamed BBB in the ischemic stroke area. We prepared leukocyte-mimetic liposomes (LM-Lipo) via transfer of leukocyte membrane proteins by employing a phenomenon called intermembrane protein transfer, and demonstrated that LM-Lipo could pass through the layer of inflamed endothelial cells via regulation of intercellular junctions, like leukocytes. Additionally, we showed that LM-Lipo efficiently penetrated into spheroids of cancer cells, and inhibited their growth by entrapped doxorubicin. Taken together, it was suggested that imparting leukocyte-like characteristics to liposomes may be an effective approach to overcoming biological barriers. Herein, we summarize our findings regarding liposomal DDS for ischemic stroke therapy and recent approaches to develop biomembrane-mimetic DDS using leukocytes and exosomes.

Membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics-based therapeutics: Promising systems to combat bacteria and cancer in the drug-resistant era

Membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs) are antimicrobials or anticarcinogens that present a general killing mechanism through the physical disruption of cell membranes, in contrast to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, which act on precise targets such as DNA or specific enzymes. Owing to their rapid action, broad-spectrum activity, and mechanisms of action that potentially hinder the development of resistance, MDPs have been increasingly considered as future therapeutics in the drug-resistant era. Recently, growing experimental evidence has demonstrated that MDPs can also be utilized as adjuvants to enhance the therapeutic effects of other agents. In this review, we evaluate the literature around the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and anticancer activity of MDPs, and summarize the current development and mechanisms of MDPs alone or in combination with other agents. Notably, this review highlights recent advances in the design of various MDP-based drug delivery systems that can improve the therapeutic effect of MDPs, minimize side effects, and promote the co-delivery of multiple chemotherapeutics, for more efficient antimicrobial and anticancer therapy.

Overcoming thickened pathological skin in psoriasis via iontophoresis combined with tight junction-opening peptide AT1002 for intradermal delivery of NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide

Transdermal delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics has been demonstrated to be effective for psoriasis treatment. We previously reported the utility of iontophoresis (IP) using weak electric current (0.3-0.5 mA/cm²) for intradermal delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics via weak electricity-mediated intercellular junction cleavage, and subsequent exertion of nucleic acid function. However, the thickened pathological skin in psoriasis hampers permeation of IP-administered macromolecules. Thus, approaches are needed to more strongly cleave intercellular spaces and overcome the psoriatic skin barrier. Herein, we applied a combination of tight junction-opening peptide AT1002 with IP, as synergistic effects of weak electricity-mediated intercellular junction cleavage and the tight junction-opening ability of AT1002 may help overcome thickened psoriatic skin and facilitate macromolecule delivery. Pretreatment with IP of an AT1002 analog exhibiting positively-charged moieties before fluorescence-labeled oligodeoxynucleotide IP resulted in the oligodeoxynucleotide permeation into psoriatic skin, whereas IP of the oligodeoxynucleotide alone did not. Moreover, psoriasis-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels was significantly suppressed by NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide IP combined with the AT1002 analog, resulting in amelioration of epidermis hyperplasia. These results suggest that synergistic effects of IP and an AT1002 analog can overcome thickened psoriatic skin and enable intradermal delivery of NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide for psoriasis treatment.

Magnetically Driven Micro and Nanorobots

Manipulation and navigation of micro and nanoswimmers in different fluid environments can be achieved by chemicals, external fields, or even motile cells. Many researchers have selected magnetic fields as the active external actuation source based on the advantageous features of this actuation strategy such as remote and spatiotemporal control, fuel-free, high degree of reconfigurability, programmability, recyclability, and versatility. This review introduces fundamental concepts and advantages of magnetic micro/nanorobots (termed here as “MagRobots”) as well as basic knowledge of magnetic fields and magnetic materials, setups for magnetic manipulation, magnetic field configurations, and symmetry-breaking strategies for effective movement. These concepts are discussed to describe the interactions between micro/nanorobots and magnetic fields. Actuation mechanisms of flagella-inspired MagRobots (i.e., corkscrew-like motion and traveling-wave locomotion/ciliary stroke motion) and surface walkers (i.e., surface-assisted motion), applications of magnetic fields in other propulsion approaches, and magnetic stimulation of micro/nanorobots beyond motion are provided followed by fabrication techniques for (quasi-)spherical, helical, flexible, wire-like, and biohybrid MagRobots. Applications of MagRobots in targeted drug/gene delivery, cell manipulation, minimally invasive surgery, biopsy, biofilm disruption/eradication, imaging-guided delivery/therapy/surgery, pollution removal for environmental remediation, and (bio)sensing are also reviewed. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives for the development of magnetically powered miniaturized motors are discussed.

The Landscape of Non-Viral Gene Augmentation Strategies for Inherited Retinal Diseases

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders causing progressive loss of vision, affecting approximately one in 1000 people worldwide. Gene augmentation therapy, which typically involves using adeno-associated viral vectors for delivery of healthy gene copies to affected tissues, has shown great promise as a strategy for the treatment of IRDs. However, the use of viruses is associated with several limitations, including harmful immune responses, genome integration, and limited gene carrying capacity. Here, we review the advances in non-viral gene augmentation strategies, such as the use of plasmids with minimal bacterial backbones and scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) sequences, that have the capability to overcome these weaknesses by accommodating genes of any size and maintaining episomal transgene expression with a lower risk of eliciting an immune response. Low retinal transfection rates remain a limitation, but various strategies, including coupling the DNA with different types of chemical vehicles (nanoparticles) and the use of electrical methods such as iontophoresis and electrotransfection to aid cell entry, have shown promise in preclinical studies. Non-viral gene therapy may offer a safer and effective option for future treatment of IRDs.

Enhanced transdermal efficiency of curcumin-loaded peptide-modified liposomes for highly effective antipsoriatic therapy

Psoriasis is one of the most influential and fastest-growing inflammatory diseases of the skin. Curcumin (CRC) is an effective antipsoriatic drug that is often carried by nanoparticles or liposomes mainly administered via the skin. However, the therapeutic effectiveness and bioavailability of this drug are restricted due to the functions of the skin barrier to liposomes. Herein, we proposed a peptide-modified curcumin-loaded liposome (CRC-TD-Lip) to expedite the transdermal delivery of curcumin and enhance the inhibition of psoriasis. CRC-TD-Lip was prepared and dispersed uniformly with high stability and high curcumin encapsulation efficiency. We confirmed the improved intracellular uptake of CRC-TD-Lip, the increased inhibitory effect of CRC-TD-Lip on HaCaT cells, and the heightened transdermal ability of CRC-TD-Lip. Then, the enhanced antipsoriatic ability of CRC-TD-Lip was evaluated in vivo using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model. The results indicated that the developed CRC-TD-Lip can effectively improve the delivery of curcumin across the skin and enhance the antipsoriasis efficiency. This work can provide a strategy for enhancing the transdermal delivery efficiency of drugs for various skin diseases.

Novel Surface-Modified Bilosomes as Functional and Biocompatible Nanocarriers of Hybrid Compounds

In the present contribution, we demonstrate a new approach for functionalization of colloidal nanomaterial consisting of phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol-based vesicular systems modified by FDA-approved biocompatible components, i.e., sodium cholate hydrate acting as a biosurfactant and Pluronic P123—a symmetric triblock copolymer comprising poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) blocks Eight novel bilosome formulations were prepared using the thin-film hydration method followed by sonication and extrusion in combination with homogenization technique. The optimization studies involving the influence of the preparation technique on the nanocarrier size (dynamic light scattering), charge (electrophoretic light scattering), morphology (transmission electron microscopy) and kinetic stability (backscattering profiles) revealed the most promising candidate for the co-loading of model active compounds of various solubility; namely, hydrophilic methylene blue and hydrophobic curcumin. The studies of the hybrid cargo encapsulation efficiency (UV-Vis spectroscopy) exhibited significant potential of the formulated bilosomes in further biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, including drug delivery, anticancer treatment or diagnostics.

Weak Electric Current Treatment to Artificially Enhance Vascular Permeability in Embryonated Chicken Eggs

Technologies that overcome the barrier presented by vascular endothelial cells are needed to facilitate targeted delivery of drugs into tissue parenchyma by intravenous administration. We previously reported that weak electric current treatment (ET: 0.3-0.5 mA/cm²) applied onto skin tissue in a transdermal drug delivery technique termed iontophoresis induces cleavage of intercellular junctions that results in permeation of macromolecules such as small interfering RNA and cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) oligonucleotide through the intercellular space. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that application of ET to blood vessels could promote cleavage of intercellular junctions that artificially induces increase in vascular permeability to enhance extravasation of drugs from the vessels into target tissue parenchyma. Here we investigated the effect of ET (0.34 mA/cm²) on vascular permeability using embryonated chicken eggs, which have blood vessels in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), as an animal model. ET onto the CAM of the eggs significantly increased extravasation of intravenously injected calcein (M.W. 622.6), a low molecular weight compound model, and the macromolecule fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (M.W. 10000). ET-mediated promotion of penetration of FITC-dextran through vascular endothelial cells was also observed in transwell permeability assay using monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells without induction of obvious cellular damage. Confocal microscopy detected remarkable fluorescence derived from injected FITC-dextran in blood vessel walls. These results in embryonated chicken eggs suggest that ET onto blood vessels could artificially enhance vascular permeability to facilitate extravasation of macromolecules from blood vessels.