Functionalized FcRn-targeted nanosystems for oral drug delivery: A new approach to colorectal cancer treatment

Synthesis and Characterization of Folic Acid-Functionalized DPLA-co-PEG Nanomicelles for the Targeted Delivery of Letrozole

An effective treatment for hormone-dependent breast cancer is chemotherapy using cytotoxic agents such as letrozole (LTZ). However, most anticancer drugs, including LTZ, are classified as class IV biopharmaceuticals, which are associated with low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and significant toxicity. As a result, developing a targeted delivery system for LTZ is critical for overcoming these challenges and limitations. Here, biodegradable LTZ-loaded nanocarriers were synthesized by solvent emulsification evaporation using nanomicelles prepared with dodecanol-polylactic acid-co-polyethylene glycol (DPLA-co-PEG). Furthermore, cancer cell-targeting folic acid (FA) was conjugated into the nanomicelles to achieve a more effective and safer cancer treatment. During our investigation, DPLA-co-PEG and DPLA-co-PEG-FA displayed a uniform and spherical morphology. The average diameters of DPLA-co-PEG and DPLA-co-PEG-FA nanomicelles were 86.5 and 241.3 nm, respectively. Our preliminary data suggest that both nanoformulations were cytocompatible, with ≥90% cell viability across all concentrations tested. In addition, the amphiphilic nature of the nanomicelles led to high drug loading and dispersion in water, resulting in the extended release of LTZ for up to 50 h. According to the Higuchi model, nanomicelles functionalized with FA have a greater potential for the controlled delivery of LTZ into target cells. This model was confirmed experimentally, as LTZ-containing DPLA-co-PEG-FA was significantly and specifically more cytotoxic (up to 90% cell death) toward MCF-7 cells, a hormone-dependent human breast cancer cell line, when compared to free LTZ and LTZ-containing DPLA-co-PEG. Furthermore, a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 87 ± 1 nM was achieved when MCF-7 cells were exposed to LTZ-containing DPLA-co-PEG-FA, whereas higher doses of 125 ± 2 and 100 ± 2 nM were required for free LTZ and LTZ-containing DPLA-co-PEG, respectively. Collectively, DPLA-co-PEG-FA represents a promising nanosized drug delivery system to target controllably the delivery of drugs such as chemotherapeutics.

Multilayered polymer coating modulates mucoadhesive and biological properties of camptothecin-loaded lipid nanocapsules

Lipid core nanocapsules (NCs) coated with multiple polymer layers were rationally designed as a potential approach for the colonic delivery of camptothecin (CPT). Chitosan (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA) and hypromellose phthalate (HP) were selected as coating materials, to modulate the mucoadhesive and permeability properties of CPT regarding the improvement of local and targeted action in the colon cancer cells. NCs were prepared by emulsification/solvent evaporation method and coated with multiple polymer layers by polyelectrolyte complexation technique. NCs exhibited spherical shape, negative zeta potential, and size ranged from 184 to 252 nm. The high efficiency of CPT incorporation (>94%) was evidenced. The ex vivo permeation assay showed that nanoencapsulation reduced the permeation rate of CPT through the intestinal mucosa by up to 3.5 times, and coating with HA and HP reduced the permeation percentage by 2 times when compared to NCs coated only with CS. The mucoadhesive capacity of NCs was demonstrated in gastric and enteric pH. Nanoencapsulation did not reduce the antiangiogenic activity of CPT and, additionally, it was observed that nanoencapsulation resulted in localized antiangiogenic action of CPT.

Dry Powder Inhaler with the technical and practical obstacles, and forthcoming platform strategies

A Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) is a technique as well as a device used to inhale formulation which is in the form of dry powder, and is inhaled through the nose or mouth. It was developed for the purpose of treating conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Asthma, and even cystic fibrosis etc. The aim of the review is to discuss the different methods of preparation of dry powders along with the characterization of DPI. Here we present the outline of different methods like supercritical fluid extraction (SCF), spray drying, and milling. The review focussed on various devices including single and multi-dose devices used in the DPI. It also highlights on recent advances in the DPI including nano particulate system, siRNA-based medication, liposomes, and pro-liposomes based delivery. In COVID-19 silver nanoparticles-based DPIs provide very prominent results in the infected lungs. Moreover, this review states that the AI-based DPI development provides and improvement in the bioavailability and effectiveness of the drug along with the role of artificial neural networks (ANN). The study also showed that nasally administered drugs (nose to brain) can easily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and enter the central nervous system (CNS) through the olfactory and trigeminal pathway which provides effective CNS concentrations at lower dosage. It is suggested that DPIs not only target respiratory complications but also treat CNS complications too. This review provides support and guides the researcher in the recent development and evaluation of DPI.