Sonochemical preparation of folate-decorated reductive-responsive carboxymethylcellulose-based nanocapsules for targeted drug delivery

Biopolymer-Based Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy: Opportunities and Challenges

Cancer, as the foremost challenge among human diseases, has plagued medical professionals for many years. While there have been numerous treatment approaches in clinical practice, they often cause additional harm to patients. The emergence of nanotechnology has brought new directions for cancer treatment, which can deliver anticancer drugs specifically to tumor areas. This article first introduces the application scenarios of nanotherapies and treatment strategies of nanomedicine. Then, the noteworthy characteristics exhibited by biopolymer materials were described, which make biopolymers stand out in polymeric nanomedicine delivery. Next, we focus on summarizing the state-of-art studies of five categories of proteins (Albumin, Gelatin, Silk fibroin, Zein, Ferritin), nine varieties of polysaccharides (Chitosan, Starch, Hyaluronic acid, Dextran, cellulose, Fucoidan, Carrageenan, Lignin, Pectin) and liposomes in the field of anticancer drug delivery. Finally, we also provide a summary of the advantages and limitations of these biopolymers, discuss the prevailing impediments to their application, and discuss in detail the prospective research directions. This review not only helps readers understand the current development status of nano anticancer drug delivery systems based on biopolymers, but also is helpful for readers to understand the properties of various biopolymers and find suitable solutions in this field through comparative reading.

Multistage Nanocarrier Based on an Oil Core-Graphene Oxide Shell

Potent synthetic drugs, as well as biomolecules extracted from plants, have been investigated for their selectivity toward cancer cells. The main limitation in cancer treatment is the ability to bring such molecules within each single cancer cell, which requires accumulation in the peritumoral region followed by homogeneous spreading within the entire tissue. In the last decades, nanotechnology has emerged as a powerful tool due to its ability to protect the drug during blood circulation and allow enhanced accumulation around the leaky regions of the tumor vasculature. However, the ideal size for accumulation of around 100 nm is too large for effective penetration into the dense collagen matrix. Therefore, we propose a multistage system based on graphene oxide nanosheet-based quantum dots (GOQDs) with dimensions that are 12 nm, functionalized with hyaluronic acid (GOQDs-HA), and deposited using the layer-by-layer technique onto an oil-in-water nanoemulsion (O/W NE) template that is around 100 nm in size, previously stabilized by a biodegradable polymer, chitosan. The choice of a biodegradable core for the nanocarrier is to degrade once inside the tumor, thus promoting the release of smaller compounds, GOQDs-HA, carrying the adsorbed anticancer compound, which in this work is represented by curcumin as a model bioactive anticancer molecule. Additionally, modification with HA aims to promote active targeting of stromal and cancer cells. Cell uptake experiments and preliminary penetration experiments in three-dimensional microtissues were performed to assess the proposed multistage nanocarrier.

Applications and advancements of polysaccharide-based nanostructures for enhanced drug delivery

Growing demand for highly effective, site-specific delivery of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals using nano-sized carriers has prompted increased scrutiny of carrier biocompatibility and biodegradability. To address these concerns, biodegradable natural polymers have emerged as a transformative domain, offering non-toxic, precisely targetable carriers capable of finely modulating cargo pharmacokinetics while generating innocuous decomposition by-products. This comprehensive review illuminates the emergence of polysaccharide-based nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. These systems establish an interactive interface between drug and targeted organs, guided by strategic modifications to polysaccharide backbones, which facilitate the creation of morphologically, constitutionally, and characteristically vibrant nanostructures through various fabrication routes, underpinning their pivotal role in biomedical applications. Advancements crucial to enhancing polysaccharide-based drug delivery, such as surface modifications and bioinspired modifications for enhanced targeting, and stimuli-responsive release, strategies to overcome biological barriers, enhance tumor penetration, and optimize therapeutic outcomes are highlighted. This review also examines some potent challenges, and the contemporary way out of them, and discusses future perspectives in the field.

Preparation and evaluation of oxidized-dextran based on antibacterial hydrogel for synergistic photodynamic therapy

Skin trauma is a widespread, extremely susceptible health issue that affects people all over the world. In this study, an innovative antibacterial hydrogel (ODAA hydrogel) with photosensitizer and antibiotics was developed. Oxidized dextran (ODEX) was used as a carrier to prepare a pH-responsive hydrogel by loading the antibiotic amikacin (AMK) and the photosensitizer hexyl 5-aminolevulinate (HAL) via imine bonds. The ODAA hydrogel has a uniformly distributed cavity structure. The cumulative release rates of HAL and AMK in a simulated inflammatory environment at pH 5.0 were approximately 62.3 % and 71.9 % during 15 days. These results demonstrate the ODAA hydrogel's ability to deliver antibiotics on demand, where the antibiotic content is reduced within the effective range. Regarding the in vitro antibacterial behavior, the combination of HAL and AMK synergistically destroyed the majority of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through several pathways with broad-spectrum antibacterial effects. ODAA hydrogel has been shown to be biocompatible, nearly non-cytotoxic, and capable of promoting wound healing. It is anticipated that the simultaneous targeted delivery of multiple drugs to lesions in the same carrier at ideal dose ratios for particular therapeutic combinations will produce the most synergistic effects.

Design of carboxymethylcellulose-conjugated polymeric prodrug micelles for enhanced in vivo performance of docetaxel

Docetaxel (DTX) has become one of the most important cytotoxic drugs to treat cancer; nevertheless, its poor hydrophilicity and non-specific distribution of DTX lead to detrimental side effects. In this article, we devised carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-conjugated polymeric prodrug micelles (mPEG-CMC-DTX PMs) for DTX delivery. The ester-bonded polymeric prodrug, mPEG-CMC-DTX, was synthesized and exhibited the capacity for self-assembling into polymeric micelles. The CMC is profusely substituted and acetylated to promote the coupling rate of DTX. Covalent binding of DTX and CMC through an ester bond can be hydrolyzed to dissociate the bond under the action of esterase in the tumor. The mPEG-CMC-DTX PMs displayed promoted drug loading (>50 %, wt), commendable stability, and sustained release behavior in vitro. The gradual release of the prodrug amplified the selectivity of cytotoxicity between normal cells and tumor cells, mitigating the systemic toxicity of mPEG-CMC-DTX PMs and enabling dose intensification. Notably, mPEG-CMC-DTX PMs demonstrated a superior antitumor efficacy and low systemic toxicity due to the elevated tolerance dosage (even at 40 mg/kg DTX). In summation, mPEG-CMC-DTX PMs harmonized the antitumor efficacy and toxicity of DTX. In essence, innovative perspectives for the rational design of CMC-conjugated polymeric prodrug micelles for the delivery of potently toxic drugs were proffered.

10-hydroxycamptothecin-loaded starch-based microcapsules with the stepwise responsive release strategy for targeted controlled release

Controlled and accurate drug release at the target site have been the focus of research. Especially in cancer therapy, economical, convenient and accurate delivery strategies could help to reduce the toxic effects of drugs on normal tissues and improve drug availability. In the study, glutathione (GSH)-responsive microcapsules (FA-RSMCs) were prepared by sonochemical method based on thiolated modified starch. 10-Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) was designed as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive polyprodrug (polyHCPT), which was loaded into the core of the microcapsules to obtain stepwise released drug delivery carriers. In the tumor microenvironment, FA-RSMCs first triggered GSH-responsive cleavage to release polyHCPT, followed by ROS-responsive cleavage of polyHCPT to release intact HCPT drug molecules. The results of experiments in simulated tumor microenvironment showed that FA-RSMCs exhibited good cascade-response release properties in vitro. It exhibited good anti-tumor ability and protection of normal cells in cytotoxicity in vitro. This strategy enhanced the accuracy and safety of targeted delivery of HCPT via microcapsules, which has potential for clinical application.

Chitosan/carboxymethylcellulose polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) are an effective material for dye and heavy metal adsorption from water

Granular macroscopic chitosan/carboxymethylcellulose polyelectrolytic complexes (CHS/CMC macro-PECs) were produced and tested as adsorbents for six pollutants often present in wastewaters: sunset yellow (YS), methylene blue (MB), Congo red (CR) and safranin (S), cadmium (Cd²⁺) and lead (Pb²⁺). The optimum adsorption pH values at 25 °C were 3.0, 11.0, 2.0, 9.0, 10.0, and 9.0 for YS, MB, CR, S, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺, respectively. Kinetic studies indicated that the pseudos-econd order model best represented the adsorption kinetics of YS, MB, CR, and Cd²⁺, whereas the pseudo-first order model was the most suitable for S and Pb²⁺ adsorption. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson isotherms were fitted to experimental adsorption data, with the Langmuir model providing the best fit. The maximum adsorption capacity (q_máx) of CHS/CMC macro-PECs for the removal of YS, MB, CR, S, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ was 37.81, 36.44, 70.86, 72.50, 75.43, and 74.42 mg/g, respectively (corresponding to 98.91 %, 94.71 %, 85.73 %, 94.66 %, 98.46 %, and 97.14 %). Desorption assays showed that CHS/CMC macro-PECs can be regenerated after adsorbing any of the six pollutants studied, with possibility of reuse. These results provide an accurate quantitative characterization of the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants on CHS/CMC macro-PECs, indicating a novel technological applicability of these two inexpensive, easy-to-obtain polysaccharides for water decontamination.

Stimulus-responsive starch-based nanocapsules for targeted delivery and antimicrobial applications

Polysaccharide materials have attracted a widespread interest in the biomedical materials field due to their non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable properties. In this research, starch was modified with chloroacetic acid, folic acid (FA) and thioglycolic acid and then starch-based nanocapsules loaded with curcumin (FA-RSNCs@CUR) were prepared by the convenient oxidation method. The nanocapsules were prepared with stable particle size distribution of 100 nm. In the drug release test simulating the tumor microenvironment in vitro, the cumulative CUR release rate at 12 h was 85.18 %. Due to FA and FA receptor mediation, it only took 4 h for FA-RSNCs@CUR to achieve internalization by HeLa cells. In addition, cytotoxicity confirmed that starch-based nanocapsules have good biocompatibility as well as protection of normal cells in vitro. And FA-RSNCs@CUR showed certain antibacterial properties in vitro. Therefore, FA-RSNCs@CUR has good potential for future applications in food preservation and wound dressing, and so on.

Environmentally Friendly Zr-Based MOF for Pesticide Delivery: Ultrahigh Loading Capacity, pH-Responsive Release, Improved Leaf Affinity, and Enhanced Antipest Activity

The stimuli responsive pesticide delivery system (PDS) has drawn increasing attention in recent years, a system which can effectively improve the utilization of pesticides. In the current research, we report a pH responsive PDS by using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified Zr-based metal organic frameworks (UiO-66-NH₂) as the nanocarrier for acetamiprid (ATP). UiO-66-NH₂-CMC possesses a large surface area and abundant pores, which can effectively load ATP, and the loading rate is as high as 90.79%. Compared with free ATP, the ATP@UiO-66-NH₂-CMC nanopesticide exhibits pH responsive controlled release behavior, and the pesticide can sustained release to the medium. In addition, it also shows improved leaf affinity, which makes it easier to wet the leaf surface and improve the utilization of pesticide. Therefore, ATP@UiO-66-NH₂-CMC displays better antipest activity against aphids than free ATP does. Meanwhile, ATP@UiO-66-NH₂-CMC shows no negative effects on the germination and growth of maize, showing good biosafety. Moreover, the ATP@UiO-66-NH₂-CMC nanopesticide does not contain any toxic organic solvents or additives. Therefore, we hope that it can be a suitable candidate for plant protection and sustainable agriculture.

Advances in polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules for biomedical applications: A review

Biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharides are abundant and renewable natural materials. Polysaccharides and their derivatives are developed into various carrier materials for biomedical applications. In particular, advanced polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules have received extensive attention in biomedical applications due to their good encapsulation ability and tunability. In recent years, polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules have been widely used in drug carriers, gene carriers, antigen carriers, wound dressings, bioimaging and biosensors. Numerous research results have confirmed the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules in the above-mentioned biomedical applications. This review discussed and analyzed the latest research strategies and design considerations for these applications in detail. The preparation methods, application strategies, and design considerations of polysaccharide-based nano/microcapsules are summarized and analyzed, and their challenges and future research prospects in biomedicine are further discussed. It is expected to provide researchers with inspiration and design ideas.

Update of ultrasound-assembling fabrication and biomedical applications for heterogeneous polymer composites

As a power-driving approach, ultrasound irradiation is very appealing to the preparation or modification of new materials. In the review, we overviewed the latest development of ultrasound-mediated effects or reactions in polymer composites, and demonstrated its unique and powerful aspects on the polymerization or aggregation. The review generalized the different categories of heterogeneous polymer composites by defining the constituents, and described the shapes, sizes and basic properties of various purpose-specific or site-specific products. Importantly, the review paid more attention to the main biomedicine applications of heterogeneous polymer composites, such as drug or bioactive substance entrapment, delivery, release, imaging, and therapy, and emphasized many advantages of ultrasound-assembling approaches and heterogeneous polymer composites in biology and medicine fields. In addition, the review also indicated the prospective challenges of heterogeneous polymer composites both in ultrasound-assembling designs and in biomedical applications.