Synthesis and application of a series of amphipathic chitosan derivatives and the corresponding magnetic nanoparticle-embedded polymeric micelles

Recent progress in stimuli-responsive polymeric micelles for targeted delivery of functional nanoparticles

Stimuli-responsive polymeric micelles have emerged as a revolutionary approach for enhancing the in vivo stability, biocompatibility, and targeted delivery of functional nanoparticles (FNPs) in biomedicine. This article comprehensively reviews the preparation methods of these polymer micelles, detailing the innovative strategies employed to introduce stimulus responsiveness and surface modifications essential for precise targeting. We delve into the breakthroughs in utilizing these micelles to selectively deliver various FNPs including magnetic nanoparticles, upconversion nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and quantum dots, highlighting their transformative impact in the biomedical realm. Concluding, we present an insight into the current research landscape, addressing the challenges at hand, and envisioning the future trajectory in this burgeoning domain. Join us as we navigate the exciting confluence of polymer science and nanotechnology in reshaping biomedical solutions.

Recent Advances in Micro- and Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Based on Natural and Synthetic Biomaterials

Polymeric drug delivery technology, which allows for medicinal ingredients to enter a cell more easily, has advanced considerably in recent decades. Innovative medication delivery strategies use biodegradable and bio-reducible polymers, and progress in the field has been accelerated by future possible research applications. Natural polymers utilized in polymeric drug delivery systems include arginine, chitosan, dextrin, polysaccharides, poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic acid), and hyaluronic acid. Additionally, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide), poly(ethylenimine), dendritic polymers, biodegradable polymers, and bioabsorbable polymers as well as biomimetic and bio-related polymeric systems and drug-free macromolecular therapies have been employed in polymeric drug delivery. Different synthetic and natural biomaterials are in the clinical phase to mitigate different diseases. Drug delivery methods using natural and synthetic polymers are becoming increasingly common in the pharmaceutical industry, with biocompatible and bio-related copolymers and dendrimers having helped cure cancer as drug delivery systems. This review discusses all the above components and how, by combining synthetic and biological approaches, micro- and nano-drug delivery systems can result in revolutionary polymeric drug and gene delivery devices.

Smart Polymeric Micelles for Anticancer Hydrophobic Drugs

Cancer has become one of the deadliest diseases in our society. Surgery accompanied by subsequent chemotherapy is the treatment most used to prolong or save the patient's life. Still, it carries secondary risks such as infections and thrombosis and causes cytotoxic effects in healthy tissues. Using nanocarriers such as smart polymer micelles is a promising alternative to avoid or minimize these problems. These nanostructured systems will be able to encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs through modified copolymers with various functional groups such as carboxyls, amines, hydroxyls, etc. The release of the drug occurs due to the structural degradation of these copolymers when they are subjected to endogenous (pH, redox reactions, and enzymatic activity) and exogenous (temperature, ultrasound, light, magnetic and electric field) stimuli. We did a systematic review of the efficacy of smart polymeric micelles as nanocarriers for anticancer drugs (doxorubicin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, lapatinib, cisplatin, adriamycin, and curcumin). For this reason, we evaluate the influence of the synthesis methods and the physicochemical properties of these systems that subsequently allow an effective encapsulation and release of the drug. On the other hand, we demonstrate how computational chemistry will enable us to guide and optimize the design of these micelles to carry out better experimental work.

Progress in Polymeric Micelles for Drug Delivery Applications

Polymeric micelles (PMs) have made significant progress in drug delivery applications. A robust core-shell structure, kinetic stability and the inherent ability to solubilize hydrophobic drugs are the highlights of PMs. This review presents the recent advances and understandings of PMs with a focus on the latest drug delivery applications. The types, methods of preparation and characterization of PMs are described along with their applications in oral, parenteral, transdermal, intranasal and other drug delivery systems. The applications of PMs for tumor-targeted delivery have been provided special attention. The safety, quality and stability of PMs in relation to drug delivery are also provided. In addition, advanced polymeric systems and special PMs are also reviewed. The in vitro and in vivo stability assessment of PMs and recent understandings in this area are provided. The patented PMs and clinical trials on PMs for drug delivery applications are considered indicators of their tremendous future applications. Overall, PMs can help overcome many unresolved issues in drug delivery.

Advances in Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery

Nanoparticles (NPs) have an outstanding position in pharmaceutical, biological, and medical disciplines. Polymeric NPs based on chitosan (CS) can act as excellent drug carriers because of some intrinsic beneficial properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, bioactivity, easy preparation, and targeting specificity. Drug transport and release from CS-based particulate systems depend on the extent of cross-linking, morphology, size, and density of the particulate system, as well as physicochemical properties of the drug. All these aspects have to be considered when developing new CS-based NPs as potential drug delivery systems. This comprehensive review is summarizing and discussing recent advances in CS-based NPs being developed and examined for drug delivery. From this point of view, an enhancement of CS properties by its modification is presented. An enhancement in drug delivery by CS NPs is discussed in detail focusing on (i) a brief summarization of basic characteristics of CS NPs, (ii) a categorization of preparation procedures used for CS NPs involving also recent improvements in production schemes of conventional as well as novel CS NPs, (iii) a categorization and evaluation of CS-based-nanocomposites involving their production schemes with organic polymers and inorganic material, and (iv) very recent implementations of CS NPs and nanocomposites in drug delivery.

Synthesis and Characterization of N,N,N-trimethyl-O-(ureidopyridinium)acetyl Chitosan Derivatives with Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities

Chitosan is an active biopolymer, and the combination of it with other active groups can be a valuable method to improve the potential application of the resultant derivatives in food, cosmetics, packaging materials, and other industries. In this paper, a series of N,N,N-trimethyl-O-(ureidopyridinium)acetyl chitosan derivatives were synthesized. The combination of chitosan with ureidopyridinium group and quaternary ammonium group made it achieve developed water solubility and biological properties. The structures of chitosan and chitosan derivatives were confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR spectra, and elemental analysis. The prepared chitosan derivatives were evaluated for antioxidant property by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, hydroxyl radical scavenging ability, and superoxide radical scavenging ability. The results revealed that the synthesized chitosan derivatives exhibited improved antioxidant activity compared with chitosan. The chitosan derivatives were also investigated for antifungal activity against Phomopsis asparagus as well as Botrytis cinerea, and they showed a significant inhibitory effect on the selected phytopathogen. Meanwhile, CCK-8 assay was used to test the cytotoxicity of chitosan derivatives, and the results showed that most derivatives had low toxicity. These data suggested to develop analogs of chitosan derivatives containing ureidopyridinium group and quaternary ammonium group, which will provide a new kind of promising biomaterials having decreased cytotoxicity as well as excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Chitosan Derivatives and Their Application in Biomedicine

Chitosan is a product of the deacetylation of chitin, which is widely found in nature. Chitosan is insoluble in water and most organic solvents, which seriously limits both its application scope and applicable fields. However, chitosan contains active functional groups that are liable to chemical reactions; thus, chitosan derivatives can be obtained through the chemical modification of chitosan. The modification of chitosan has been an important aspect of chitosan research, showing a better solubility, pH-sensitive targeting, an increased number of delivery systems, etc. This review summarizes the modification of chitosan by acylation, carboxylation, alkylation, and quaternization in order to improve the water solubility, pH sensitivity, and the targeting of chitosan derivatives. The applications of chitosan derivatives in the antibacterial, sustained slowly release, targeting, and delivery system fields are also described. Chitosan derivatives will have a large impact and show potential in biomedicine for the development of drugs in future.