Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Brain Imaging and Drug Delivery

Challenges and material innovations in drug delivery to central nervous system tumors

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors, encompassing a diverse array of neoplasms in the brain and spinal cord, pose significant therapeutic challenges due to their intricate anatomy and the protective presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The primary treatment obstacle is the effective delivery of therapeutics to the tumor site, which is hindered by multiple physiological, biological, and technical barriers, including the BBB. This comprehensive review highlights recent advancements in material science and nanotechnology aimed at surmounting these delivery challenges, with a focus on the development and application of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials emerge as potent tools in designing innovative drug delivery systems that demonstrate the potential to overcome the limitations posed by CNS tumors. The review delves into various strategies, including the use of lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic nanoparticles, all of which are engineered to enhance drug stability, BBB penetration, and targeted tumor delivery. Additionally, this review highlights the burgeoning role of theranostic nanoparticles, integrating therapeutic and diagnostic functionalities to optimize treatment efficacy. The exploration extends to biocompatible materials like biodegradable polymers, liposomes, and advanced material-integrated delivery systems such as implantable drug-eluting devices and microfabricated devices. Despite promising preclinical results, the translation of these material-based strategies into clinical practice necessitates further research and optimization.

IONPs-induced neurotoxicity via cascade of neuro-oxidative stress, parthanatos-mediated cell death, neuro-inflammation and neurodegenerative changes: Ameliorating effect of rosemary methanolic extract

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are widely used in various fields, particularly in medicine, where they can be directly injected for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, although they may induce certain types of toxicity. Therefore, the present work aimed to estimate the potential protective role of the oral extract of rosemary (RO)against the toxic effects of injected IONPs on the brain tissues of adult male rats, and to explore the potential underlying mechanisms involved in reversing such toxicity. Thirty adult male albino rats were allocated into five groups: the control, the vehicle (intravenous saline injection once/week), the RO extract group (orally gavaged100mg/kg/day), IONPs (intravenously injected 30 mg/kg once/week), and the combined RO+IONPs (orally gavaged RO extract 1 hrh before intravenous injection of IONPs). IONPs induced neurotoxicity via triggering a cascade of neuro-oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, and parthanatos-mediated neuronal cell death by increasing MDA, NO, TNF-α levels, PARP-1, AIF, and NF-κB mRNA expression alongside reducing GSH levels. These incidents contributed to neurodegenerative changes, reflected in increased mRNA expression of α-S, β-APP, and TDP-43. Additionally, IONPs induced structural degenerative changes and elevated iron levels in brain tissues reduced occludin expression, and disrupted the BBB. Furthermore, the concurrent oral RO extract alleviated these conditions and repaired BBB by increasing the occludin expression and ameliorating structural changes in brain tissues. Consequently, the current data provide evidence that RO supplementation during IONP administration holds promise to minimize potential health risks, which should be corroborated by translational studies.

Molecular imaging-guided diagnosis and treatment integration for brain diseases

In practical clinical scenarios, improved diagnostic methods have been developed for the precise visualization of molecular targets using molecular imaging in brain diseases. Recently, the introduction of innovative molecular imaging modalities across both macroscopic and mesoscopic dimensions, with remarkable specificity and spatial resolution, has expanded the scope of applications beyond diagnostic testing, with the potential to guide therapeutic interventions, offering real-time feedback in the context of brain therapy. The molecular imaging-guided integration of diagnosis and treatment holds the potential to revolutionize disease management by enabling the real-time monitoring of treatment responses and therapy adjustments. Given the vibrant and ever-evolving nature of this field, this review provides an integrated picture on molecular image-guided diagnosis and treatment integration for brain diseases involving the basic concepts, significant breakthroughs, and recent trends. In addition, based on the current achievements, some critical challenges are also discussed.

Inorganic nanoparticles and blood-brain barrier modulation: Advancing targeted neurological therapies

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective barrier that complicates the treatment of neurological disorders. Pharmaceutical compounds encounter significant challenges in crossing the central nervous system (CNS). Nanoparticles (NPs) are promising candidates for treating neurological conditions as they help facilitate drug delivery. This review explores the diverse characteristics and mechanisms of inorganic NPs (INPs), including metal-based, ferric-oxide, and carbon-based nanoparticles, which facilitate their passage through the BBB. Emphasis is placed on the physicochemical properties of NPs such as size, shape, surface charge, and surface modifications and their role in enhancing drug delivery efficacy, reducing immune clearance, and improving BBB permeability. Specific synthesis approaches are demonstrated, with an emphasis on the influence of each one on NP property, biological activity and the capability of an NP for its intended application. As for the advances in the field, the review emphasizes those characterized the NP formulation and surface chemistry that conquered the BBB and tested the need for its alteration. Current findings indicate that NP therapy can in the future enable effective targeting of specific brain disorders and eventually evolve this drug delivery system, which would allow for lower doses with less side effects.

Urchin-like magnetic nanoparticles loaded with type X collagen siRNA and Stattic to treat triple negative breast cancer under rotating magnetic field like an "enchanted micro-scalpel"

Magnetic nanoparticles effectively target drug delivery, contrast agents, biosensors, and more. Urchin-like magnetic nanoparticles (UMN) with abundant spike-like structures exhibit superior magneto-mechanical force to destroy tumor cells compared with other shapes of magnetic nanoparticles. However, when cell contents are released from tumor cells induced by magneto-mechanical force, they can act on surrounding tumor cells to facilitate tumor development. Therefore, multifunctional UMN is necessary. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important inflammatory factor which is released after cell rupture, it can activate the STAT3 signaling pathway to promote tumor progression. Type X collagen (COL10A1) is a significant component of the extracellular matrix, ranking second among all aberrant genes in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and its knockdown can suppress tumorigenesis and metastasis. Here, we built a rotating magnetic field (RMF) platform, and a novel UMN using a straightforward solvothermal method was synthesized, which was much simpler than existing method. Stattic (STAT3 inhibitor) and COL10A1 siRNA were loaded onto the UMN@PEI to form UMNP/St/si. The RMF drove UMNP/St/si disrupted the cell membrane, promoted cell death. The inhibitory effects of UMNP/St/si under RMF on TNBC were verified both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, despite the increase in IL-6 due to cell rupture, IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway was inhibited by Stattic, compensating for the deficiency of magneto-mechanical force. Moreover, the underlying mechanical mechanism of UMNP/St/si after exposure to RMF was also analyzed. It suggests that UMNP/St/si is a promising and effective strategy for TNBC treatment and provides valuable insights for treating other diseases as well.

The Future of Medicine: How 3D Printing Is Transforming Pharmaceuticals

Three-dimensional printing technology is transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing by shifting from conventional mass production to additive manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on personalized medicine. The integration of bioinks and AI-driven optimization is further enhancing this innovation, enabling drug production with precise dosages, tailored drug-release profiles, and unique multi-drug combinations that respond to individual patient needs. This advancement is significantly impacting healthcare by accelerating drug development, encouraging innovative pharmaceutical designs, and enhancing treatment efficacy. Traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing follows a one-size-fits-all approach, which often fails to meet the specific requirements of patients with unique medical conditions. In contrast, 3D printing, coupled with bioink formulations, allows for on-demand drug production, reducing dependency on large-scale manufacturing and storage. AI-powered design and process optimization further refine dosage forms, printability, and drug release mechanisms, ensuring precision and efficiency in drug manufacturing. These advancements have the potential to lower overall healthcare costs while improving patient adherence to medication regimens. This review explores the potential, challenges, and environmental benefits of 3D pharmaceutical printing, positioning it as a key driver of next-generation personalized medicine.

Pharmaceutical 3D Printing Technology Integrating Nanomaterials and Nanodevices for Precision Neurological Therapies

Pharmaceutical 3D printing, combined with nanomaterials and nanodevices, presents a transformative approach to precision medicine for treating neurological diseases. This technology enables the creation of tailored dosage forms with controlled release profiles, enhancing drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The integration of nanoparticles, such as poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), chitosan, and metallic nanomaterials, into 3D-printed scaffolds improves treatment efficacy by providing targeted and prolonged drug release. Recent advances have demonstrated the potential of these systems in treating conditions like Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and brain tumors. Moreover, 3D printing allows for multi-drug combinations and personalized formulations that adapt to individual patient needs. Novel drug delivery approaches, including stimuli-responsive systems, on-demand dosing, and theragnostics, provide new possibilities for the real-time monitoring and treatment of neurological disorders. Despite these innovations, challenges remain in terms of scalability, regulatory approval, and long-term safety. The future perspectives of this technology suggest its potential to revolutionize neurological treatments by offering patient-specific therapies, improved drug penetration, and enhanced treatment outcomes. This review discusses the current state, applications, and transformative potential of 3D printing and nanotechnology in neurological treatment, highlighting the need for further research to overcome the existing challenges.

From lab coats to clinical trials: Evolution and application of electromagnetic fields for ischemic stroke rehabilitation and monitoring

Stroke is a neurovascular disorder which stands as one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, resulting in motor and cognitive impairment. Although the treatment approach depends on the time elapsed, the type of stroke and the availability of care centers, common interventions include thrombectomy or the administration of a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). While these methods restore blood flow, they fall short in helping patients regain lost function. With that, recent years have seen a rise in novel methods, one of which is the use of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Due to their ability to impact the charges in their vicinity, thereby altering the immune response and cell signaling, EMFs became suitable candidates for stroke rehabilitation. Based on their characteristics, therapeutic EMFs can be categorized into transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), pulsed (PEMFs) and low frequency (LF-EMFs) electromagnetic fields, among others. In addition to treatment, EMFs are being explored for stroke monitoring, utilizing external EMFs for imaging or recording innate EMFs linked to neural activity. Drawing from research on the effects of EMFs, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the physical principles and molecular mechanisms underlying the action of EMFs, along with a discussion of their application in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Finally, this paper not only addresses the importance of treatment availability and potential side-effects, but also delves into the technical and ethical challenges associated with the use of EMFs, while exploring their prospects and future opportunities.

Evaluation of anticancer activity of urotropine surface modified iron oxide nanoparticles using a panel of forty breast cancer cell lines

Urotropine, an antibacterial agent to treat urinary tract bacterial infections, can be also considered as a repurposed drug with formaldehyde-mediated anticancer activity. Recently, we have synthesized urotropine surface modified iron oxide nanoparticles (URO@Fe3O4 NPs) with improved colloidal stability and limited cytotoxicity against human fibroblasts. In the present study, we have investigated URO@Fe3O4 NP-mediated responses in a panel of forty phenotypically different breast cancer cell lines along with three non-cancerous corresponding cell lines. URO@Fe3O4 NPs promoted oxidative stress and FOXO3a-based antioxidant response in breast cancer cells. Elevated levels of GPX4 and decreased levels of ACSL4 in URO@Fe3O4 NP-treated breast cancer cells protected against ferroptotic cell death. On the contrary, URO@Fe3O4 NPs impaired the activity of PERK, a part of unfolded protein response (UPR), especially when the glucose supply was limited, that was accompanied by genetic instability, and apoptotic and/or necrotic cell death in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, this is the first comprehensive analysis of anticancer effects of URO@Fe3O4 NPs against a panel of forty breast cancer cell lines with different receptor status and in glucose replete and deplete conditions. We suggest that presented results might be helpful for designing new nano-based anti-breast cancer strategies.

Current strategic arsenal and advances in nose to brain nanotheranostics for therapeutic intervention of glioblastoma multiforme

The fight against Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is ongoing and the long-term outlook for GBM remains challenging due to low prognosis but every breakthrough brings us closer to improving patient outcomes. Significant hurdles in GBM are heterogeneity, fortified tumor location, and blood-brain barrier (BBB), hindering adequate drug concentrations within functioning brain regions, thus leading to low survival rates. The nasal passageway has become an appealing location to commence the course of cancer therapy. Utilization of the nose-to-brain (N2B) route for drug delivery takes a sidestep from the BBB to allow therapeutics to directly access the central nervous system (CNS) and enhance drug localization in the vicinity of the tumor. This comprehensive review provides insights into pertinent anatomy and cellular organization of the nasal cavity, present-day diagnostic tools, intracranial invasive therapies, and advancements in intranasal (IN) therapies in GBM models for better clinical outcomes. Also, this review highlights groundbreaking carriers and delivery techniques that could revolutionize GBM management such as biomimetics, image guiding-drug delivery, and photodynamic and photothermal therapies for GBM management.

Influencing inter-cellular junctions with nanomaterials

Cell-cell junctions are essential for maintaining tissue integrity and regulating a wide range of physiological processes. While the disruption of intercellular junctions may lead to pathological conditions, it also presents an opportunity for therapeutic interventions. Nanomaterials have emerged as promising tools for modulating cell-cell junctions, offering new avenues for innovative treatments. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the various nanomaterials interaction with cell-cell junctions. We discussed their underlying mechanisms, heterogenous effects on cellular behavior, and the therapeutic strategies of applying nanomaterial-induced intercellular junction disruption. Additionally, we address the challenges and opportunities involved in translating these strategies into clinical practice and discuss future directions for this rapidly advancing field.

PEGylated Ultrasmall Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as MRI Contrast Agents for Vascular Imaging and Real-Time Monitoring

Accurate imaging evaluations of pre- and post-treatment of cardiovascular diseases are pivotal for effective clinical interventions and improved patient outcomes. However, current imaging methods lack real-time monitoring capabilities with a high contrast and resolution during treatments. This study introduces PEGylated ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (PUSIONPs), which have undergone comprehensive safety evaluations, boasting an r1 value of 6.31 mM-1 s-1, for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Systematic comparisons against common clinical methods in rabbits reveal that PUSIONPs-enhanced MRA exhibited improved vascular contrast, clearer vascular boundaries, and superior vessel resolution. Moreover, owing to their nanosize, PUSIONPs demonstrate significantly prolonged blood circulation compared to small molecular contrast agents such as Magnevist and Ultravist. This extended circulation enables captivating real-time monitoring of thrombolysis treatment for up to 4 h in rabbit models postsingle contrast agent injection. Additionally, in larger animal models such as beagles and Bama minipigs, PUSIONPs-enhanced MRA also showcases superior contrast effects, boundary delineation, and microvessel visualization, underscoring their potential to transform cardiovascular imaging, particularly in real-time monitoring and high-resolution visualization during treatment processes.

Minocycline nanoplatform penetrates the BBB and enables the targeted treatment of Parkinson's disease with cognitive impairment

Parkinson's disease (PD)-induced motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment are becoming increasingly common due to global population aging. However, efficient treatment strategies for these conditions are still lacking. Recent studies indicated that neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis could greatly worsen the symptoms of PD. Therefore, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory drugs could be useful in the management of PD. In the present study, minocycline (MIN)-loaded Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-MIN NPs) were prepared for the targeted treatment of PD. Owing to their near-infrared (NIR) irradiation-induced photothermal effects, the Fe3O4-MIN NPs could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus enhancing the delivery of Fe3O4-MIN NPs to the brain parenchyma. Subsequently, the Fe3O4-MIN NPs exerted strong anti-inflammatory effects and alleviated neuroinflammation in the brain. Furthermore, they exerted anti-oxidative effects, scavenging excessive reactive oxygen species in the brain parenchyma and thus protecting both dopaminergic and hippocampal neurons from neuroinflammation and apoptosis. Consequently, Fe3O4-MIN NPs + NIR treatment attenuated the motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment observed in PD mice. Notably, the Fe3O4-MIN NPs also showed high biocompatibility. Hence, these BBB-penetrating MIN-loaded Fe3O4 NPs demonstrate great therapeutic potential for PD accompanied by cognitive impairment.

Frontiers of Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment: Targeting Immune Cells in Brain Border Regions

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) demonstrate a complex interaction with the immune system, challenging the traditional view of the brain as an "immune-privileged" organ. Microglia were once considered the sole guardians of the brain's immune response. However, recent research has revealed the critical role of peripheral immune cells located in key brain regions like the meninges, choroid plexus, and perivascular spaces. These previously overlooked cells are now recognized as contributors to the development and progression of NDs. This newfound understanding opens doors for pioneering therapeutic strategies. By targeting these peripheral immune cells, we may be able to modulate the brain's immune environment, offering an alternative approach to treat NDs and circumvent the challenges posed by the blood-brain barrier. This comprehensive review will scrutinize the latest findings on the complex interactions between these peripheral immune cells and NDs. It will also critically assess the prospects of targeting these cells as a ground-breaking therapeutic avenue for these debilitating disorders.

Magnetic microscale polymeric nanocomposites in drug delivery: advances and challenges

Magnetic polymeric nanocomposites are a modern class of materials in which magnetic nanoparticles are embedded in a polymeric matrix. This combination of magnetic responsiveness and tuneable properties bestows versatility on this class of polymer nanocomposite material, which has potentially broad applications in drug delivery, imaging, environmental remediation and beyond. This review covers the uses of magnetic polymeric nanocomposites in drug delivery, discussing magnetic micelles, magnetic liposomes, magnetic hydrogels, magnetic sponges, magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles, magnetic microrobots, magnetic elastomers and magnetic scaffolds. The focus is on the role that might be played by magnetic nanocomposites as an interface between the magnetic and polymeric domains in the establishment of a new generation of advanced materials.

Emerging Promise of Green Synthesized Metallic Nanoparticles for the Management of Neurological Disorders

The management of neurological disorders is very challenging due to the presence of the bloodbrain barrier (BBB) that prevents the entry of drugs into the central nervous system (CNS). The advancement of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) provides a novel direction for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, there is a significant concern regarding the toxic effects of metal NPs on biological tissues like the brain. The green synthesis strategy offers a superior alternative to the traditional methods for the development of metallic NPs. Notable metal and metal oxide NPs can be produced using various bio-reductants derived from natural sources such as plant tissues, fungi, bacteria, yeast, and alga. These biological agents play double roles as they expedite the reduction process and act as capping and stabilizing agents. In this paper, we discuss the major neurological disorders and the physical barriers limiting the transport of therapeutics to the CNS. Moreover, a special focus is given to the unique features of green synthesized metallic NPs for therapeutic purposes in various neurological disorders. The insights provided will guide future research toward better outcomes and facilitate the development of innovative treatments for neurological disorders.

Nanomedicine and clinical diagnostics part I: applications in conventional imaging (MRI, X-ray/CT, and ultrasound)

Integrating nanotechnologies in diagnostic imaging presents a promising step forward compared to traditional methods, which carry certain limitations. Conventional imaging routes, such as X-ray/computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, derive significant advantages from nanoparticles (NPs), which allow researchers and clinicians to overcome some of the limitations of traditional imaging agents. In this literature review, we explore recent advancements in nanomaterials being applied in conventional diagnostic imaging techniques by exploring relevant reviews and original research papers (e.g. experimental models and theoretical model studies) in the literature. Collectively, there are numerous nanomaterials currently being examined for use in conventional imaging modalities, and each imaging technique has unique NPs with properties that can be manipulated to answer an array of clinical questions specific to that imaging modality. There are still challenges to consider, including getting regulatory approval for clinical research and routine use about long-term biocompatibility, which collectively emphasize the need for continued research to facilitate the integration of nanotechnology into routine clinical practice. Most importantly, there is a continued need for strong, collaborative efforts between researchers, biomedical engineers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders, which are necessary to bridge the persistent gap between translational ideas and implementation in clinical settings.

The Synergistic Potential of Hydrogel Microneedles and Nanomaterials: Breaking Barriers in Transdermal Therapy

The stratum corneum, which acts as a strong barrier against external agents, presents a significant challenge to transdermal drug delivery. In this regard, microneedle (MN) patches, designed as modern systems for drug delivery via permeation through the skin with the ability to pass through the stratum corneum, are known to be convenient, painless, and effective. In fact, MN have shown significant breakthroughs in transdermal drug delivery, and among the various types, hydrogel MN (HMNs) have demonstrated desirable inherent properties. Despite advancements, issues such as limited loading capacity, uncontrolled drug release rates, and non-uniform therapeutic approaches persist. Conversely, nanomaterials (NMs) have shown significant promise in medical applications, however, their efficacy and applicability are constrained by challenges including poor stability, low bioavailability, limited payload capacity, and rapid clearance by the immune system. Incorporation of NMs within HMNs offers new prospects to address the challenges associated with HMNs and NMs. This combination can provide a promising field of research for improved and effective delivery of therapeutic agents and mitigate certain adverse effects, addressing current clinical concerns. The current review highlights the use of NMs in HMNs for various therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Iron oxide nanoparticles induce ferroptosis under mild oxidative stress in vitro

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have the potential to be utilized in a multitude of fields, including biomedicine. Consequently, the potential health risks associated with their use must be carefully considered. Most biosafety evaluations of IONPs have focused on examining the impact of the material's distinctive physicochemical attributes. However, the specific attributes of individual cells are frequently disregarded, particularly under the oxidative stress conditions. This may result in an underestimation of potential risk and impede the clinical translation of IONPs. The present study thus sought to evaluate the potential cytotoxicity and underlying mechanisms of IONPs in a pathological state characterized by mild oxidative stress. A cell model of mild oxidative stress was initially established in vitro. Subsequently, a series of indicators, including cell viability, live/dead ratio, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxidative damage, were measured to assess the cytotoxicity of IONPs. Finally, a series of ferroptosis regulators were used to elucidate the involvement of ferroptosis. Preincubation with IONPs resulted in a significant reduction in cellular viability, morphological degeneration, elevated numbers of dead cells, impaired mitochondrial function, and increased oxidative damage under mild oxidative stress conditions in vitro. The cytotoxic effects of IONPs under mild oxidative stress are largely dependent on ROS and iron ions and are strongly associated with ferroptosis, which is based on the effects of ferroptosis regulators. The present in vitro study indicated that IONPs are toxic to cells under mild oxidative stress, which is linked to ferroptosis.

Chitosan-Based Nanocapsules as a Delivery System of Hydrophobic Carnosic Acid, A Model Neuroprotective Drug

Introduction

Since the population of Europe is rapidly aging, the number of cases of neurodegenerative diseases sharply increases. One of the most significant limitations of current neurodegenerative disease treatment is the inefficient delivery of neuroprotective drugs to the affected part of the brain. One of the promising methods to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antioxidants is their encapsulation in nanocarriers.

Materials and Methods

Encapsulation of carnosic acid into a chitosan-based nanoparticle system with ultrasound-assisted emulsification process was developed. The physicochemical properties (size, stability, concentration of nanoparticles) of obtained nanocapsules were analyzed. Also, the cytotoxicity and neuroprotective effect in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to toxic concentration of H2O2 of the obtained nanoparticles were evaluated in vitro.

Results and Discussion

The capsules with diameters between 90 and 150 nm and long-term stability were obtained. Cytotoxicity tests of empty capsules indicate that observed toxic effects were concentration dependent and lower concentrations (dilution above 500×) can be considered as safe for tested cells. Our study also indicates that encapsulation of carnosic acid decreased the cytotoxicity of empty nanocapsules and can efficiently protect SH-SY5Y cells from factors causing cell destruction. In addition, the neuroprotective efficacy of carnosic acid loaded nanocapsules was also demonstrated in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to toxic concentration of H2O2. The designed nanoparticles appear to possess sufficient biocompatibility to deserve their further evaluation in in vivo models.

Cationic Micelle-like Nanoparticles as the Carrier of Methotrexate for Glioblastoma Treatment

In the present study, ultra-small, magnetic, oleyl amine-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized with a cationic ligand, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and an anticancer drug, methotrexate, was incorporated into a micelle-like nanoparticle structure for glioblastoma treatment. Nanoparticles were further characterized for their physicochemical properties using spectroscopic methods. Drug incorporation efficiency, drug loading, and drug release profile of the nanoparticles were investigated. According to the results, max incorporation efficiency% of 89.5 was found for 25 µg/mL of methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles. The cumulative amount of methotrexate released reached 40% at physiological pH and 85% at a pH of 5.0 up to 12 h. The toxicity and anticancer efficacy of the nanoparticles were also studied on U87 cancer and L929 cells. IC50 concentration of nanoparticles reduced cell viability to 49% in U87 and 72% in L929 cells. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles was found to be 1.92-fold higher in U87 than in L929 cells. The total apoptosis% in U87 cells was estimated to be ~10-fold higher than what was observed in the L929 cells. Nanoparticles also inhibited the cell motility and prevented the metastasis of U87 cell lines. Overall, designed nanoparticles are a promising controlled delivery system for methotrexate to the cancer cells to achieve better therapeutic outcomes.

Current Advances in Viral Nanoparticles for Biomedicine

Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) have emerged as crucial tools in the field of biomedicine. Leveraging their biological and physicochemical properties, VNPs exhibit significant advantages in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases. Through techniques such as chemical bioconjugation, infusion, genetic engineering, and encapsulation, these VNPs have been endowed with multifunctional capabilities, including the display of functional peptides or proteins, encapsulation of therapeutic drugs or inorganic particles, integration with imaging agents, and conjugation with bioactive molecules. This review provides an in-depth analysis of VNPs in biomedicine, elucidating their diverse types, distinctive features, production methods, and complex design principles behind multifunctional VNPs. It highlights recent innovative research and various applications, covering their roles in imaging, drug delivery, therapeutics, gene delivery, vaccines, immunotherapy, and tissue regeneration. Additionally, the review provides an assessment of their safety and biocompatibility and discusses challenges and future opportunities in the field, underscoring the vast potential and evolving nature of VNP research.

Raman microscopy allows to follow internalization, subcellular accumulation and fate of iron oxide nanoparticles in cells

An important issue in the context of both potenial toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) and their medical applications is tracking of the internalization process of these nanomaterials into living cells, as well as their localization and fate within them. The typical methods used for this purpose are transmission electron microscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy as well as light-scattering techniques including dark-field microscopy and flow cytometry. All the techniques mentioned have their advantages and disadvantages. Among the problems it is necessary to mention complicated sample preparation, difficult interpretation of experimental data requiring qualified and experienced personnel, different behavior of fluorescently labeled IONP comparing to those label-free or finally the lack of possibility of chemical composition characteristics of nanomaterials. The purpose of the present investigation was the assessment of the usefulness of Raman microscopy for the tracking of the internalization of IONP into cells, as well as the optimization of this process. Moreover, the study focused on identification of the potential differences in the cellular fate of superparamagnetic nanoparticles having magnetite and maghemite core. The Raman spectra of U87MG cells which internalized IONP presented additional bands which position depended on the used laser wavelength. They occurred at the wavenumber range 1700-2400 cm-1 for laser 488 nm and below the wavenumber of 800 cm-1 in case of laser 532 nm. The intensity of the mentioned Raman bands was higher for the green laser (532 nm) and their position, was independent and not characteristic on the primary core material of IONP (magnetite, maghemite). The obtained results showed that Raman microscopy is an excellent, non-destructive and objective technique that allows monitoring the process of internalization of IONP into cells and visualizing such nanoparticles and/or their metabolism products within them at low exposure levels. What is more, the process of tracking IONP using the technique may be further improved by using appropriate wavelength and power of the laser source.

A Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-Based Antimicrobial Peptide Delivery System with Enhanced Anticancer Activity and Low Systemic Toxicity

BACKGROUND

The clinical efficacies of anticancer drugs are limited by non-selective toxic effects on healthy tissues and low bioavailability in tumor tissue. Therefore, the development of vehicles that can selectively deliver and release drugs at the tumor site is critical for further improvements in patient survival.

METHODS

We prepared a CEC nano-drug delivery system, CEC@ZIF-8, with a zeolite imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a carrier, which can achieve the response of folate receptor (FR). We characterized this system in terms of morphology, particle size, zeta potential, infrared (IR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and transcriptome analysis, and examined the in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake properties of CEC@ZIF-8 using cervical cancer cells. Lastly, we established a TC-1 tumor-bearing mouse model and evaluated its in vivo anti-cervical cancer activity.

RESULTS

The CEC@ZIF-8 nano-delivery system had favorable biocompatibility, heat stability, and pH responsiveness, with a CEC loading efficiency of 12%, a hydrated particle size of 174 ± 5.8 nm, a zeta potential of 20.57 mV, and slow and massive drug release in an acidic environment (pH 5.5), whereas release was 6% in a neutral environment (pH 7.4). At the same time, confocal imaging and cell viability assays demonstrated greater intracellular accumulation and more potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells compared to free CEC. The mechanism was analyzed by a series of transcriptome analyses, which revealed that CEC@ZIF-8 NPs differentially regulate the expression levels of 1057 genes in cancer cells, and indicated that the enriched pathways were mainly cell cycle and apoptosis-related pathways via the enrichment analysis of the differential genes. Flow cytometry showed that CEC@ZIF-8 NPs inhibited the growth of HeLa cells by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Flow cytometry also revealed that CEC@ZIF-8 NPs induced greater apoptosis rates than CEC, while unloaded ZIF-8 had little inherent pro-apoptotic activity. Furthermore, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also upregulated by CEC@ZIF-8 NPs while ROS inhibitors and caspase inhibitors reversed CEC@ZIF-8 NPs-induced apoptosis. Finally, CEC@ZIF-8 NPs also reduced the growth rate of xenograft tumors in mice without the systemic toxicity observed with cisplatin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The CEC@ZIF-8 nano-drug delivery system significantly enhanced the anti-cervical cancer effect of CEC both in vivo and in vitro, providing a more promising drug delivery system for clinical applications and tumor management. At the same time, this work demonstrates the clinical potential of CEC-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles for the selective destruction of tumor tissues.

Nanoformulations in the treatment of lung cancer: current status and clinical potential

OBJECTIVE

Recent developments in nanotechnology have regained hope in enabling the eradication of lung cancer, while overcoming the drawbacks of the classic therapeutics. Nevertheless, there are still formidable obstacles that hinder the translation of such platforms from the bench into the clinic. Herein, we shed light on the clinical potential of these formulations and discuss their future directions.

SIGNIFICANCE OF REVIEW

The current article sheds light on the recent advancements in the recruitment of nanoformulations against lung cancer, focusing on their unique features, merits, and demerits. Moreover, inorganic nanoparticles, including gold, silver, magnetic, and carbon nanotubes are highlighted as emerging drug delivery technologies. Furthermore, the clinical status of these formulations is discussed, with particular attention on the challenges that they encounter in their clinical translation. Lastly, the future perspectives in this promising area are inspired.

KEY FINDINGS

Nanoformulations have a promising potential in improving the physico-chemical properties, pharmacokinetics, delivery efficiency, and selectivity of lung cancer therapeutics. The key challenges that encounter their clinical translation include their structural intricacy, high production cost, scale-up issues, and unclear toxicity profiles. The application of biodegradable platforms improves the biosafety of lung cancer-targeted nanomedicine. Moreover, the design of novel targeting strategies that apply a lower number of components can promote their industrial scalability and deliver them to the market at affordable prices.

CONCLUSIONS

Nanomedicines have opened up new possibilities for treating lung cancer. Focusing on tackling the challenges that hinder their clinical translation will promote the future of this area of endeavor.

Advances and prospects of precision nanomedicine in personalized tumor theranostics

Tumor, as the second leading cause of death globally, following closely behind cardiovascular diseases, remains a significant health challenge worldwide. Despite the existence of various cancer treatment methods, their efficacy is still suboptimal, necessitating the development of safer and more efficient treatment strategies. Additionally, the advancement of personalized therapy offers further possibilities in cancer treatment. Nanomedicine, as a promising interdisciplinary field, has shown tremendous potential and prospects in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. As an emerging approach in oncology, the application of nanomedicine in personalized cancer therapy primarily focuses on targeted drug delivery systems such as passive targeting drug delivery, active targeting drug delivery, and environmentally responsive targeting drug delivery, as well as imaging diagnostics such as tumor biomarker detection, tumor cell detection, and in vivo imaging. However, it still faces challenges regarding safety, biocompatibility, and other issues. This review aims to explore the advances in the use of nanomaterials in the field of personalized cancer diagnosis and treatment and to investigate the prospects and challenges of developing personalized therapies in cancer care, providing direction for the clinical translation and application.

Dynamic-Covalent Mesoporous Silica Nanohybrid with pH/ROS-Responsive Drug Release for Targeted Tumor Therapy

Nanomedicine provides promising new methodologies for the treatment of tumors but still faces several limitations, including poor colloidal stability, uncontrollable drug release, and insufficient drug targeting. Herein, hyaluronic acid (HA) was used to modify the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) via a dynamic-covalent linker, phenylborate ester (PBAE), termed MA. The HA modifier provided enhanced colloidal stability to the hybrid nanoparticles. As expected, MA exhibited an improved biocompatibility and high potential for biomedical applications. Moreover, MA with a negatively charged surface effectively adsorbed the drug Doxorubicin (DOX) inside the carriers, ensuring minimal drug leakage. In an acidic and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-containing condition mimicking the tumor microenvironment, MA@DOX (MAD) continuously released its payloads, likely due to the cleavage of the pH/ROS-sensitive PBAE. Compared with free DOX, MAD had 2.2 times higher accessibility to tumor cells than free DOX. The favorable stability and cancer-selective drug release make this nanoformulation a promising platform for potent cancer treatment.

Development and characterization of lipid nanocapsules loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic targeting to the blood-brain barrier

Brain drug delivery is severely hindered by the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Its functionality relies on the interactions of the brain endothelial cells with additional cellular constituents, including pericytes, astrocytes, neurons, or microglia. To boost brain drug delivery, nanomedicines have been designed to exploit distinct delivery strategies, including magnetically driven nanocarriers as a form of external physical targeting to the BBB. Herein, a lipid-based magnetic nanocarrier prepared by a low-energy method is first described. Magnetic nanocapsules with a hydrodynamic diameter of 256.7 ± 8.5 nm (polydispersity index: 0.089 ± 0.034) and a ξ-potential of -30.4 ± 0.3 mV were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed efficient encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles within the oily core of the nanocapsules. Both thermogravimetric analysis and phenanthroline-based colorimetric assay showed that the iron oxide percentage in the final formulation was 12 wt.%, in agreement with vibrating sample magnetometry analysis, as the specific saturation magnetization of the magnetic nanocapsules was 12% that of the bare iron oxide nanoparticles. Magnetic nanocapsules were non-toxic in the range of 50-300 μg/mL over 72 h against both the human cerebral endothelial hCMEC/D3 and Human Brain Vascular Pericytes cell lines. Interestingly, higher uptake of magnetic nanocapsules in both cell types was evidenced in the presence of an external magnetic field than in the absence of it after 24 h. This increase in nanocapsules uptake was also evidenced in pericytes after only 3 h. Altogether, these results highlight the potential for magnetic targeting to the BBB of our formulation.

Hydrogels for Nucleic Acid Drugs Delivery

Nucleic acid drugs are one of the hot spots in the field of biomedicine in recent years, and play a crucial role in the treatment of many diseases. However, its low stability and difficulty in target drug delivery are the bottlenecks restricting its application. Hydrogels are proven to be promising for improving the stability of nucleic acid drugs, reducing the adverse effects of rapid degradation, sudden release, and unnecessary diffusion of nucleic acid drugs. In this review, the strategies of loading nucleic acid drugs in hydrogels are summarized for various biomedical research, and classify the mechanism principles of these strategies, including electrostatic binding, hydrogen bond based binding, hydrophobic binding, covalent bond based binding and indirect binding using various carriers. In addition, this review also describes the release strategies of nucleic acid drugs, including photostimulation-based release, enzyme-responsive release, pH-responsive release, and temperature-responsive release. Finally, the applications and future research directions of hydrogels for delivering nucleic acid drugs in the field of medicine are discussed.

Nanorobots mediated drug delivery for brain cancer active targeting and controllable therapeutics

Brain cancer pose significant life-threats by destructively invading normal brain tissues, causing dysneuria, disability and death, and its therapeutics is limited by underdosage and toxicity lying in conventional drug delivery that relied on passive delivery. The application of nanorobots-based drug delivery systems is an emerging field that holds great potential for brain cancer active targeting and controllable treatment. The ability of nanorobots to encapsulate, transport, and supply therapies directly to the lesion site through blood-brain barriers makes it possible to deliver drugs to hard-to-reach areas. In order to improve the efficiency of drug delivery and problems such as precision and sustained release, nanorobots are effectively realized by converting other forms of energy into propulsion and motion, which are considered as high-efficiency methods for drug delivery. In this article, we described recent advances in the treatment of brain cancer with nanorobots mainly from three aspects: firstly, the development history and characteristics of nanorobots are reviewed; secondly, recent research progress of nanorobots in brain cancer is comprehensively investigated, like the driving mode and mechanism of nanorobots are described; thirdly, the potential translation of nanorobotics for brain diseases is discussed and the challenges and opportunities for future research are outlined.

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Biomedical Applications of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs)

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have garnered significant attention in biomedical applications due to their unique magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and versatility. This review comprehensively examines the synthesis methods, surface functionalization techniques, and diverse biomedical applications of IONPs. Various chemical and physical synthesis techniques, including coprecipitation, sol-gel processes, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal synthesis, and sonochemical routes, are discussed in detail, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Surface functionalization strategies, such as ligand exchange, encapsulation, and silanization, are explored to enhance the biocompatibility and functionality of IONPs. Special emphasis is placed on the role of IONPs in biosensing technologies, where their magnetic and optical properties enable significant advancements, including in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based biosensors, fluorescence biosensors, and field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors. The review explores how IONPs enhance sensitivity and selectivity in detecting biomolecules, demonstrating their potential for point-of-care diagnostics. Additionally, biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, and stem cell tracking are discussed. The challenges and future perspectives in the clinical translation of IONPs are also addressed, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize their properties and ensure safety and efficacy in medical applications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future potential of IONPs in both biosensing and broader biomedical fields.

An Approach to Apply BDNF Targeting Fe3O4-Based Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Anti-Alzheimer Agents

To search for novel anti-Alzheimer agents, multifunctional Fe3O4-based nanoparticles (FSSIO) is designed and prepared which contain ferulic acid (FA) and Simvastatin linked to the surface of Fe3O4 particles. In vitro tests confirmed that FSSIO possessed favorable biocompatibility and a pronounced ability to penetrate blood brain barrier. The FA moiety endowed the particles with remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and effectively protected neuron cells from the toxicity induced by Aβ. Moreover, the Simvastatin pharmacophore assists the particles up-regulate the expression level of BDNF and significantly promotes the expression levels of p-TrkB, p-ERK, p-PI3K and Akt, which consequently leads to the neurite outgrowth via regulating PI3K/ATK and TrkB-mediated signaling pathway. More importantly, in the Morris water maze test, FSSIO shows excellent activity to enhance the learning and memory retention of AD model rats.

Non-Invasive Techniques of Nose to Brain Delivery Using Nanoparticulate Carriers: Hopes and Hurdles

Intranasal drug delivery route has emerged as a promising non-invasive method of administering drugs directly to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers (BCSF). BBB and BCSF prevent many therapeutic molecules from entering the brain. Intranasal drug delivery can transport drugs from the nasal mucosa to the brain, to treat a variety of Central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Intranasal drug delivery provides advantages over invasive drug delivery techniques such as intrathecal or intraparenchymal which can cause infection. Many strategies, including nanocarriers liposomes, solid-lipid NPs, nano-emulsion, nanostructured lipid carriers, dendrimers, exosomes, metal NPs, nano micelles, and quantum dots, are effective in nose-to-brain drug transport. However, the biggest obstacles to the nose-to-brain delivery of drugs include mucociliary clearance, poor drug retention, enzymatic degradation, poor permeability, bioavailability, and naso-mucosal toxicity. The current review aims to compile current approaches for drug delivery to the CNS via the nose, focusing on nanotherapeutics and nasal devices. Along with a brief overview of the related pathways or mechanisms, it also covers the advantages of nasal drug delivery as a potential method of drug administration. It also offers several possibilities to improve drug penetration across the nasal barrier. This article overviews various in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo techniques to assess drug transport from the nasal epithelium into the brain.

Magnetic targeting enhances the neuroprotective function of human mesenchymal stem cell-derived iron oxide exosomes by delivering miR-1228-5p

BACKGROUND

Treating mitochondrial dysfunction is a promising approach for the treatment of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). HuMSC-derived exosomes (H-Ex) have shown powerful therapeutic effects in improving mitochondrial function, but the specific effects are unclear and its brain tissue targeting needs to be further optimized.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that H-Ex can improve mitochondrial dysfunction of neurons and significantly enhance the cognitive behavior performance of MCAO mice in OGD/R-induced SHSY5Y cells and MCAO mouse models. Based on this, we have developed an exosome delivery system loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Spion-Ex) that can effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The research results showed that under magnetic attraction, Spion-Ex can more effectively target the brain tissue and significantly improve mitochondrial function of neurons after stroke. Meanwhile, we further confirmed that miR-1228-5p is a key factor for H-Ex to improve mitochondrial function and cognitive behavior both in vivo and in vitro. The specific mechanism is that the increase of miR-1228-5p mediated by H-Ex can inhibit the expression of TRAF6 and activate the TRAF6-NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) pathway, thereby exerting protective effects against oxidative damage. More importantly, we found that under magnetic attraction, Spion-Ex exhibited excellent cognitive improvement effects by delivering miR-1228-5p.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research found that H-Ex has a good therapeutic effect on PSCI by increasing the expression of miR-1228-5p in PSCI, while H-Ex loaded with Spion-Ex exhibited more excellent effects on improving mitochondrial function and cognitive impairment under magnetic attraction, which can be used as a novel strategy for the treatment of PSCI.

Iron accumulation/overload and Alzheimer's disease risk factors in the precuneus region: A comprehensive narrative review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal loss. Early cerebral and body iron dysregulation and accumulation interact with AD pathology, particularly in the precuneus, a crucial functional hub in cognitive functions. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), a novel post-processing approach, provides insights into tissue iron levels and cerebral oxygen metabolism and reveals abnormal iron accumulation early in AD. Increased iron deposition in the precuneus can lead to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and accelerated neurodegeneration. Metabolic disorders (diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and obesity), genetic factors, and small vessel pathology contribute to abnormal iron accumulation in the precuneus. Therefore, in line with the growing body of literature in the precuneus region of patients with AD, QSM as a neuroimaging method could serve as a non-invasive biomarker to track disease progression, complement other imaging modalities, and aid in early AD diagnosis and monitoring.

Role of Neutrophils as Therapeutic Targets in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major health problem. It is one of the most common types of stroke and results in mortality in approximately half of patients. More than half of the fatalities occur in the first 2 days. In addition to the mass effect after ICH hemorrhage, complex pathophysiological mechanisms such as intracranial vessel vasospasm, microthrombosis, and inflammatory immune reaction also increase brain damage. Both resident (including microglia and astrocytes) and circulating immune cells (including neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes) involved in the inflammatory process. The inflammatory response is especially harmful in the acute phase due to harmful substances secreted by infiltrating immune cells. The inflammatory response also has beneficial effects, especially in the later stages. Their role in pathophysiology makes immune cells important therapeutic targets. General immunosuppressive approaches and depleting cell groups such as neutrophils or keeping them away from the lesion site may not be sufficient to prevent poor outcomes after ICH. This is most likely because they suppress anti-inflammatory activities and pro-inflammatory effects. Instead, directing immune cells to the beneficial subpopulation seems like a more rational solution. The pro-inflammatory N1 subpopulation of neutrophils damages the tissue surrounding ICH. In contrast, the N2 subpopulation is associated with anti-inflammatory reactions and tissue repair. Studies show that when neutrophils are polarized toward the N2 subpopulation, clinical outcomes improve and the volume of the infarct decreases. However, more research is still needed. This study aims to evaluate the role of neutrophils as immunotherapeutic targets in ICH in light of current knowledge.

Dual-functional Hydroxyapatite scaffolds for bone regeneration and precision drug delivery

Addressing infected bone defects remains a significant challenge in orthopedics, requiring effective infection control and bone defect repair. A promising therapeutic approach involves the development of dual-functional engineered biomaterials with drug delivery systems that combine antibacterial properties with osteogenesis promotion. The Hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds offer a one-stage treatment, eliminating the need for multiple surgeries and thereby streamlining the process and reducing treatment time. This review delves into the impaired bone repair mechanisms within pathogen-infected and inflamed microenvironments, providing a theoretical foundation for treating infectious bone defects. Additionally, it explores composite scaffolds made of antibacterial and osteogenic materials, along with advanced drug delivery systems that possess both antibacterial and bone-regenerative properties. By offering a comprehensive understanding of the microenvironment of infectious bone defects and innovative design strategies for dual-function scaffolds, this review presents significant advancements in treatment methods for infectious bone defects. Continued research and clinical validation are essential to refine these innovations, ensuring biocompatibility and safety, achieving controlled release and stability, and developing scalable manufacturing processes for widespread clinical application.

Nanoparticles in cancer theragnostic and drug delivery: A comprehensive review

This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of how nanotechnology has revolutionized cancer theragnostic, which combines diagnostic and therapeutic methods to customize cancer treatment. The study examines the unique attributes, uses, and difficulties linked to different types of nanoparticles, including gold, iron oxide, silica, Quantum dots, Carbon nanotubes, and liposomes, in the context of cancer treatment. In addition, the paper examines the progression of nanotheranostics, emphasizing its uses in precise medication administration, photothermal therapy, and sophisticated diagnostic methods such as MRI, CT, and fluorescence imaging. Moreover, the article highlights the capacity of nanoparticles to improve the effectiveness of drugs, reduce the overall toxicity in the body, and open up new possibilities for treating cancer by releasing drugs in a controlled manner and targeting specific areas. Furthermore, it tackles concerns regarding the compatibility of nanoparticles and their potential harmful effects, emphasizing the significance of continuous study to improve nanotherapeutic methods for use in medical treatments. The review finishes by outlining potential future applications of nanotechnology in predictive oncology and customized medicine.

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Treatment of Brain Diseases: A Review

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a vital role in safeguarding the central nervous system by selectively controlling the movement of substances between the bloodstream and the brain, presenting a substantial obstacle for the administration of therapeutic agents to the brain. Recent breakthroughs in nanoparticle-based delivery systems, particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), provide promising solutions for addressing the BBB. MOFs have become valuable tools in delivering medications to the brain with their ability to efficiently load drugs, release them over time, and modify their surface properties. This review focuses on the recent advancements in molecular-based approaches for treating brain disorders, such as glioblastoma multiforme, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. This paper highlights the significant impact of MOFs in overcoming the shortcomings of conventional brain drug delivery techniques and provides valuable insights for future research in the field of neurotherapeutics.

Multifunctional Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Promising Magnetic Biomaterials in Drug Delivery: A Review

A wide range of applications using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in biomedical applications, such as in biomedicine as well as in biotechnology, have been extensively expanding over the last years. Their potential is tremendous in delivery and targeting systems due to their advantages in biosubstance binding. By applying magnetic materials-based biomaterials to different organic polymers, highly advanced multifunctional bio-composites with high specificity, efficiency, and optimal bioavailability are designed and implemented in various bio-applications. In modern drug delivery, the importance of a successful therapy depends on the proper targeting of loaded bioactive components to specific sites in the body. MNPs are nanocarrier-based systems that are magnetically guided to specific regions using an external magnetic field. Therefore, MNPs are an excellent tool for different biomedical applications, in the form of imaging agents, sensors, drug delivery targets/vehicles, and diagnostic tools in managing disease therapy. A great contribution was made to improve engineering skills in surgical diagnosis, therapy, and treatment, while the advantages and applicability of MNPs have opened up a large scope of studies. This review highlights MNPs and their synthesis strategies, followed by surface functionalization techniques, which makes them promising magnetic biomaterials in biomedicine, with special emphasis on drug delivery. Mechanism of the delivery system with key factors affecting the drug delivery efficiency using MNPs are discussed, considering their toxicity and limitations as well.

Current advance of nanotechnology in diagnosis and treatment for malignant tumors

Cancer remains a significant risk to human health. Nanomedicine is a new multidisciplinary field that is garnering a lot of interest and investigation. Nanomedicine shows great potential for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Specifically engineered nanoparticles can be employed as contrast agents in cancer diagnostics to enable high sensitivity and high-resolution tumor detection by imaging examinations. Novel approaches for tumor labeling and detection are also made possible by the use of nanoprobes and nanobiosensors. The achievement of targeted medication delivery in cancer therapy can be accomplished through the rational design and manufacture of nanodrug carriers. Nanoparticles have the capability to effectively transport medications or gene fragments to tumor tissues via passive or active targeting processes, thus enhancing treatment outcomes while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Simultaneously, nanoparticles can be employed in the context of radiation sensitization and photothermal therapy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of malignant tumors. This review presents a literature overview and summary of how nanotechnology is used in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. According to oncological diseases originating from different systems of the body and combining the pathophysiological features of cancers at different sites, we review the most recent developments in nanotechnology applications. Finally, we briefly discuss the prospects and challenges of nanotechnology in cancer.

Harnessing nanomedicine for modulating microglial states in the central nervous system disorders: Challenges and opportunities

Microglia are essential for maintaining homeostasis and responding to pathological events in the central nervous system (CNS). Their dynamic and multidimensional states in different environments are pivotal factors in various CNS disorders. However, therapeutic modulation of microglial states is challenging due to the intricate balance these cells maintain in the CNS environment and the blood-brain barrier's restriction of drug delivery. Nanomedicine presents a promising avenue for addressing these challenges, offering a method for the targeted and efficient modulation of microglial states. This review covers the challenges faced in microglial therapeutic modulation and potential use of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. We provide an in-depth examination of nanoparticle applications for modulating microglial states in a range of CNS disorders, encompassing neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, infections, traumatic injuries, stroke, tumors, chronic pain, and psychiatric conditions. This review highlights the recent advancements and future prospects in nanomedicine for microglial modulation, paving the way for future research and clinical applications of therapeutic interventions in CNS disorders.

Delineation of the role of G6PD in Alzheimer's disease and potential enhancement through microfluidic and nanoparticle approaches

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative pathologic entity characterized by the abnormal presence of tau and macromolecular Aβ deposition that leads to the degeneration or death of neurons. In addition to that, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) has a multifaceted role in the process of AD development, where it can be used as both a marker and a target. G6PD activity is dysregulated due to its contribution to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal death. In this context, the current review presents a vivid depiction of recent findings on the relationship between AD progression and changes in the expression or activity of G6PD. The efficacy of the proposed G6PD-based therapeutics has been demonstrated in multiple studies using AD mouse models as representative animal model systems for cognitive decline and neurodegeneration associated with this disease. Innovative therapeutic insights are made for the boosting of G6PD activity via novel innovative nanotechnology and microfluidics tools in drug administration technology. Such approaches provide innovative methods of surpassing the blood-brain barrier, targeting step-by-step specific neural pathways, and overcoming biochemical disturbances that accompany AD. Using different nanoparticles loaded with G6DP to target specific organs, e.g., G6DP-loaded liposomes, enhances BBB penetration and brain distribution of G6DP. Many nanoparticles, which are used for different purposes, are briefly discussed in the paper. Such methods to mimic BBB on organs on-chip offer precise disease modeling and drug testing using microfluidic chips, requiring lower sample amounts and producing faster findings compared to conventional techniques. There are other contributions to microfluid in AD that are discussed briefly. However, there are some limitations accompanying microfluidics that need to be worked on to be used for AD. This study aims to bridge the gap in understanding AD with the synergistic use of promising technologies; microfluid and nanotechnology for future advancements.

Role of ursolic acid in preventing gastrointestinal cancer: recent trends and future perspectives

Gastrointestinal malignancies are one of the major worldwide health concerns. In the present review, we have assessed the plausible therapeutic implication of Ursolic Acid (UA) against gastrointestinal cancer. By modulating several signaling pathways critical in cancer development, UA could offer anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-metastatic properties. However, being of low oral bioavailability and poor permeability, its clinical value is restricted. To deliver and protect the drug, liposomes and polymer micelles are two UA nanoformulations that can effectively increase medicine stability. The use of UA for treating cancers is safe and appropriate with low toxicity characteristics and a predictable pharmacokinetic profile. Although the bioavailability of UA is limited, its nanoformulations could emerge as an alternative to enhance its efficacy in treating GI cancers. Further optimization and validation in the clinical trials are necessary. The combination of molecular profiling with nanoparticle-based drug delivery technologies holds the potential for bringing UA to maximum efficacy, looking for good prospects with GI cancer treatment.

Low-cost one-pot synthesis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles

The synthesis of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) with size and shape tunability, which is also industrially scalable, remains challenging. Surface functionalization of the nanoparticles is yet another active research subject. Although a variety of inorganic and organometallic precursors have been tried, which are demanding in terms of both cost and effort, the use of iron hydroxide, a simple and cheap iron precursor, has not been explored in detail for the synthesis of SPIONs following a thermal decomposition route. Here, we outline a simple one-pot thermal decomposition route that avoids separate precursor preparation and purification steps and, consequently, is easily scalable. The method involves the alcoholic hydrolysis of a simple iron salt into iron hydroxide, which, on addition of oleic acid, forms the precursor oleate complex in situ, which is subsequently thermally decomposed to produce monodispersed SPIONS. Minor modifications allow for particle dimensions (5-20 nm) and morphology (spheroid or cuboid) to be controlled. Additionally, we explored a simple ligand exchange process for rendering the hydrophobic nanoparticles hydrophilic. Trisodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA), a readily available polycarboxylate, can efficiently transfer the oleate-coated SPIONs to water without the need for separation from the crude reaction mixture. X-ray Rietveld refinement showed that particles obtained by this method had both the magnetite and wustite phases of iron oxide present. Magnetic measurements confirm that the iron oxide particles are superparamagnetic at room temperature, with typical blocking temperatures of 183 K for the spherical and 212 K for the cuboid ones.

Harnessing Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Effective Removal of Micro- and Nanoplastics: A Critical Review

The spread of micro- (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment has become a significant environmental concern, necessitating effective removal strategies. In this comprehensive scientific review, we examine the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a promising technology for the removal of MPs and NPs from water. We first describe the issues of MPs and NPs and their impact on the environment and human health. Then, the fundamental principles of using MNPs for the removal of these pollutants will be presented, emphasizing that MNPs enable the selective binding and separation of MPs and NPs from water sources. Furthermore, we provide a short summary of various types of MNPs that have proven effective in the removal of MPs and NPs. These include ferromagnetic nanoparticles and MNPs coated with organic polymers, as well as nanocomposites and magnetic nanostructures. We also review their properties, such as magnetic saturation, size, shape, surface functionalization, and stability, and their influence on removal efficiency. Next, we describe different methods of utilizing MNPs for the removal of MPs and NPs. We discuss their advantages, limitations, and potential for further development in detail. In the final part of the review, we provide an overview of the existing studies and results demonstrating the effectiveness of using MNPs for the removal of MPs and NPs from water. We also address the challenges that need to be overcome, such as nanoparticle optimization, process scalability, and the removal and recycling of nanoparticles after the completion of the process. This comprehensive scientific review offers extensive insights into the use of MNPs for the removal of MPs and NPs from water. With improved understanding and the development of advanced materials and methods, this technology can play a crucial role in addressing the issues of MPs and NPs and preserving a clean and healthy environment. The novelty of this review article is the emphasis on MNPs for the removal of MPs and NPs from water and a detailed review of the advantages and disadvantages of various MNPs for the mentioned application. Additionally, a review of a large number of publications in this field is provided.

The reprotoxic adverse side effects of neurogenic and neuroprotective drugs: current use of human organoid modeling as a potential alternative to preclinical models

The management of neurological disorders heavily relies on neurotherapeutic drugs, but notable concerns exist regarding their possible negative effects on reproductive health. Traditional preclinical models often fail to accurately predict reprotoxicity, highlighting the need for more physiologically relevant systems. Organoid models represent a promising approach for concurrently studying neurotoxicity and reprotoxicity, providing insights into the complex interplay between neurotherapeutic drugs and reproductive systems. Herein, we have examined the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotherapeutic drug-induced reprotoxicity and discussed experimental findings from case studies. Additionally, we explore the utility of organoid models in elucidating the reproductive complications of neurodrug exposure. Have discussed the principles of organoid models, highlighting their ability to recapitulate neurodevelopmental processes and simulate drug-induced toxicity in a controlled environment. Challenges and future perspectives in the field have been addressed with a focus on advancing organoid technologies to improve reprotoxicity assessment and enhance drug safety screening. This review underscores the importance of organoid models in unraveling the complex relationship between neurotherapeutic drugs and reproductive health.

Magneto-optical nanosystems for tumor multimodal imaging and therapy in-vivo

Multimodal imaging, which combines the strengths of two or more imaging modalities to provide complementary anatomical and molecular information, has emerged as a robust technology for enhancing diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy, as well as improving treatment monitoring. Moreover, the application of multimodal imaging in guiding precision tumor treatment can prevent under- or over-treatment, thereby maximizing the benefits for tumor patients. In recent years, several intriguing magneto-optical nanosystems with both magnetic and optical properties have been developed, leading to significant breakthroughs in the field of multimodal imaging and image-guided tumor therapy. These advancements pave the way for precise tumor medicine. This review summarizes various types of magneto-optical nanosystems developed recently and describes their applications as probes for multimodal imaging and agents for image-guided therapeutic interventions. Finally, future research and development prospects of magneto-optical nanosystems are discussed along with an outlook on their further applications in the biomedical field.

A comprehensive review on recent progress in chitosan composite gels for biomedical uses

Chitosan (CS) composite gels have emerged as promising materials with diverse applications in biomedicine. This review provides a concise overview of recent advancements and key aspects in the development of CS composite gels. The unique properties of CS, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial activity, make it an attractive candidate for gel-based composites. Incorporating various additives, such as nanoparticles, polymers, and bioactive compounds, enhances the mechanical, thermal, and biological and other functional properties of CS gels. This review discusses the fabrication methods employed for CS composite gels, including blending and crosslinking, highlighting their influence on the final properties of the gels. Furthermore, the uses of CS composite gels in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and 3D printing highlight their potential to overcome a number of the present issues with drug delivery. The biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, electroactive, thermosensitive and pH responsive behavior and controlled release capabilities of these gels make them particularly suitable for biomedical applications. In conclusion, CS composite gels represent a versatile class of materials with significant potential for a wide range of applications. Further research and development efforts are necessary to optimize their properties and expand their utility in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Advances in the Optimization of Fe Nanoparticles: Unlocking Antifungal Properties for Biomedical Applications

In recent years, nanotechnology has achieved a remarkable status in shaping the future of biological applications, especially in combating fungal diseases. Owing to excellence in nanotechnology, iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) have gained enormous attention in recent years. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive overview of Fe NPs covering key synthesis approaches and underlying working principles, the factors that influence their properties, essential characterization techniques, and the optimization of their antifungal potential. In addition, the diverse kinds of Fe NP delivery platforms that command highly effective release, with fewer toxic effects on patients, are of great significance in the medical field. The issues of biocompatibility, toxicity profiles, and applications of optimized Fe NPs in the field of biomedicine have also been described because these are the most significant factors determining their inclusion in clinical use. Besides this, the difficulties and regulations that exist in the transition from laboratory to experimental clinical studies (toxicity, specific standards, and safety concerns) of Fe NPs-based antifungal agents have been also summarized.