Lipid based nanocarriers: A novel paradigm for topical antifungal therapy

Advancements in nanoparticle-based therapies for multidrug-resistant candidiasis infections: a comprehensive review

Candida auris, a rapidly emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, poses a global health threat, with cases reported in over 47 countries. Conventional detection methods struggle, and the increasing resistance ofC. auristo antifungal agents has limited treatment options. Nanoparticle-based therapies, utilizing materials like silver, carbon, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, polymer, and gold, show promise in effectively treating cutaneous candidiasis. This review explores recent advancements in nanoparticle-based therapies, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize antifungal therapy, particularly in combatingC. aurisinfections. The discussion delves into mechanisms of action, combinations of nanomaterials, and their application against multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens, offering exciting prospects for improved clinical outcomes and reduced mortality rates. The aim is to inspire further research, ushering in a new era in the fight against multidrug-resistant fungal infections, paving the way for more effective and targeted therapeutic interventions.

Revolutionizing transdermal drug delivery: unveiling the potential of cubosomes and ethosomes

The area of drug delivery systems has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, with a particular focus on improving efficacy, stability, and patient compliance. Transdermal drug delivery offers numerous benefits compared to conventional methods of drug administration through the skin. It helps in avoiding gastric irritation, hepatic first-pass metabolism, and gastric degradation of the drug. It bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, eliminating the risk of first-pass metabolism and allowing drugs to be administered without being affected by pH, enzymes, or intestinal bacteria. Additionally, it allows for sustained release of the drug, is noninvasive, and enhances patient adherence to the treatment regimen. The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) can serve as an alternative route for drug administration in individuals who cannot tolerate oral medications, experience nausea, or are unconscious. When compared to intravenous, hypodermic, and other parenteral routes, TDDS stands out due to its ability to eliminate pain, reduce the risk of infection, and prevent disease transmission associated with needle reuse. Consequently, the overall patient compliance is significantly improved with the utilization of TDDS. Among the noteworthy developments are cubosomes and ethosomes, two distinct yet promising carriers that have garnered attention for their unique properties. In conclusion, this review synthesizes the current knowledge on cubosomes and ethosomes, shedding light on their individual strengths and potential synergies. The exploration of their application in various therapeutic areas underscores their versatility and establishes them as key players in the evolving landscape of drug delivery systems.

Nanocarrier-Integrated Microneedles: Divulging the Potential of Novel Frontiers for Fostering the Management of Skin Ailments

The various kinds of nanocarriers (NCs) have been explored for the delivery of therapeutics designed for the management of skin manifestations. The NCs are considered as one of the promising approaches for the skin delivery of therapeutics attributable to sustained release and enhanced skin penetration. Despite the extensive applications of the NCs, the challenges in their delivery via skin barrier (majorly stratum corneum) have persisted. To overcome all the challenges associated with the delivery of NCs, the microneedle (MN) technology has emerged as a beacon of hope. Programmable drug release, being painless, and its minimally invasive nature make it an intriguing strategy to circumvent the multiple challenges associated with the various drug delivery systems. The integration of positive traits of NCs and MNs boosts therapeutic effectiveness by evading stratum corneum, facilitating the delivery of NCs through the skin and enhancing their targeted delivery. This review discusses the barrier function of skin, the importance of MNs, the types of MNs, and the superiority of NC-loaded MNs. We highlighted the applications of NC-integrated MNs for the management of various skin ailments, combinational drug delivery, active targeting, in vivo imaging, and as theranostics. The clinical trials, patent portfolio, and marketed products of drug/NC-integrated MNs are covered. Finally, regulatory hurdles toward benchtop-to-bedside translation, along with promising prospects needed to scale up NC-integrated MN technology, have been deliberated. The current review is anticipated to deliver thoughtful visions to researchers, clinicians, and formulation scientists for the successful development of the MN-technology-based product by carefully optimizing all the formulation variables.

Topical Nanoemulsions as Delivery Systems for Green Extracts of Pterocaulon balansae Aiming at the Treatment of Sporotrichosis

Coumarins are benzopyrones found in several plant genera, including Pterocaulon (Asteraceae). These compounds represent an important source of new treatments, especially as antimicrobial and antifungal agents. In this study, two coumarin-rich extracts from Pterocaulon balansae using green technologies were obtained through aqueous maceration (AE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Such extracts were incorporated into nanoemulsions (NAE and NSFE) composed of a medium-chain triglyceride oil core stabilized by phospholipids. The nanoemulsions exhibited droplet sizes between 127 and 162 nm, pH above 5.0, and viscosity of approximately 1.0 cP, properties compatible with the topical route. The coumarins permeation/retention from formulations through ear porcine skin using Franz-type diffusion cells were evaluated. Whatever the extract, coumarins were distributed in skin layers, especially in the dermis in both intact and impaired (tape stripping) skin. In addition, a significant increase in coumarins that reached up to the receptor fluid was observed for impaired skin, with increases of approximately threefold for NAE and fourfold for NSFE. Finally, antifungal activity of nanoemulsions was evaluated according to minimum inhibitory concentrations, and the values were 250 µg/mL for all strains tested. The overall results demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating P. balansae extracts into nanoemulsions and showed a potential alternative for the treatment of sporotrichosis.

Liposomal formulation of a new antifungal hybrid compound provides protection against Candida auris in the ex vivo skin colonization model

The newly emerged pathogen, Candida auris, presents a serious threat to public health worldwide. This multidrug-resistant yeast often colonizes and persists on the skin of patients, can easily spread from person to person, and can cause life-threatening systemic infections. New antifungal therapies are therefore urgently needed to limit and control both superficial and systemic C. auris infections. In this study, we designed a novel antifungal agent, PQA-Az-13, that contains a combination of indazole, pyrrolidine, and arylpiperazine scaffolds substituted with a trifluoromethyl moiety. PQA-Az-13 demonstrated antifungal activity against biofilms of a set of 10 different C. auris clinical isolates, representing all four geographical clades distinguished within this species. This compound showed strong activity, with MIC values between 0.67 and 1.25 µg/mL. Cellular proteomics indicated that PQA-Az-13 partially or completely inhibited numerous enzymatic proteins in C. auris biofilms, particularly those involved in both amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism processes, as well as in general energy-producing processes. Due to its hydrophobic nature and limited aqueous solubility, PQA-Az-13 was encapsulated in cationic liposomes composed of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC), 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride (DOTAP), and N-(carbonyl-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000)-1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, sodium salt (DSPE-PEG 2000), and characterized by biophysical and spectral techniques. These PQA-Az-13-loaded liposomes displayed a mean size of 76.4 nm, a positive charge of +45.0 mV, a high encapsulation efficiency of 97.2%, excellent stability, and no toxicity to normal human dermal fibroblasts. PQA-Az-13 liposomes demonstrated enhanced antifungal activity levels against both C. auris in in vitro biofilms and ex vivo skin colonization models. These initial results suggest that molecules like PQA-Az-13 warrant further study and development.

Transethosome as a versatile nano vehicle for various indications and its regulatory insights

Transethosomes, classified as 3rd generation nanocarriers, have gained global acclaim due to their profound potential in addressing diverse medical conditions. Their superior dermal penetration, attributed to essential constituents, such as edge activators and alcohol, sets them apart from other nanoformulations. The current review article embarks with an introduction followed by a comprehensive exploration of transethosome structures, differentiating them from fellow nanocarriers. A detailed analysis of characteristics and the spectrum of marketed products of various nanocarriers is also provided. Furthermore, the article offers a taxonomy of preparation methods of transethosomes and reports the frequently employed methods. It briefly surveys research studies encompassing various drug categories, spanning a wide range of medical conditions. In summary, this review article is dedicated to achieving several pivotal aims and objectives. We aim to substantiate the superior attributes of transethosomes when compared to conventional commercial products and other nanoformulations, demonstrating their clinical promise in addressing various human medical conditions. Additionally, we seek to elucidate the regulatory pathway required to secure approvals for transethosomes from relevant regulatory authorities and shine a light on their innovative potential as revealed in patent literature. Collectively, these objectives contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the significance and potential of transethosomes in the field of pharmaceutical nanotechnology.

Formulation of lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles of the phytochemical Fisetin and its in vivo assessment against severe acute pancreatitis

Fisetin (FST) is a naturally occurring flavonol that has recently emerged as a bioactive phytochemical with an impressive array of biological activities. To the author knowledge, boosting the activity of FST against severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) through a nanostructured delivery system (Nanophytomedicine) has not been achieved before. Thereupon, FST-loaded lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (FST-loaded LPHNPs) were prepared through conjoined ultrasonication and double emulsion (w/o/w) techniques. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluations were conducted. The optimized nanoparticle formula displayed a high entrapment efficiency % of 61.76 ± 1.254%, high loading capacity % of 32.18 ± 0.734, low particle size of 125.39 ± 0.924 nm, low particle size distribution of 0.357 ± 0.012, high zeta potential of + 30.16 ± 1.416 mV, and high mucoadhesive strength of 35.64 ± 0.548%. In addition, it exhibited a sustained in vitro release pattern of FST. In the in vivo study, oral pre-treatment of FST-loaded LPHNPs protected against L-arginine induced SAP and multiple organ injuries in rats compared to both FST alone and plain LPHNPs, as well as the untreated group, proven by both biochemical studies, that included both amylase and lipase activities, and histochemical studies of pancreas, liver, kidney and lungs. Therefore, the study could conclude the potential efficacy of the novel phytopharmaceutical delivery system of FST as a prophylactic regimen for SAP and consequently, associated multiple organ injuries.

Solid lipid nanoparticles, an effective carrier for classical antifungal drugs

Solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are an innovative group of nanosystems used to deliver medicine to their respective targets with better efficiency and bioavailability in contrast to classical formulations. SLNs are less noxious, have fewer adverse effects, have more biocompatibility, and have easy biodegradability. Lipophilic, hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs can be loaded into SLNs, to enhance their physical and chemical stability in critical environments. Certain antifungal agents used in different treatments are poorly soluble medications, biologicals, proteins etc. incorporated in SLNs to enhance their therapeutic outcome, increase their bioavailability and target specificity. SLNs-based antifungal agents are currently helpful against vicious drug-resistant fungal infections. This review covers the importance of SLNs in drug delivery of classical antifungal drugs, historical background, preparation, physicochemical characteristic, structure and sizes of SLNs, composition, drug entrapment efficacy, clinical evaluations and uses, challenges, antifungal drug resistance, strategies to overcome limitations, novel antifungal agents currently in clinical trials with special emphasis on fungal infections.

Lecithin and Chitosan as Building Blocks in Anti-Candida Clotrimazole Nanoparticles

The main focus when considering treatment of non-healing and infected wounds is tied to the microbial, particularly bacterial, burden within the wound bed. However, as fungal contributions in these microbial communities become more recognized, the focus needs to be broadened, and the remaining participants in the complex wound microbiome need to be addressed in the development of new treatment strategies. In this study, lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles loaded with clotrimazole were tailored to eradicate one of the most abundant fungi in the wound environment, namely C. albicans. Moreover, this investigation was extended to the building blocks and their organization within the delivery system. In the evaluation of the novel nanoparticles, their compatibility with keratinocytes was confirmed. Furthermore, these biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic carriers comprising clotrimazole (~189 nm, 24 mV) were evaluated for their antifungal activity through both disk diffusion and microdilution methods. It was found that the activity of clotrimazole was fully preserved upon its incorporation into this smart delivery system. These results indicate both that the novel carriers for clotrimazole could serve as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of fungi-infected wounds and that the building blocks and their organization affect the performance of nanoparticles.

Exploration of novel drug delivery systems in topical management of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the foremost disabling disorders in the world. There is no definitive treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. Hence, palliative treatment aims at minimizing pain, disability and improving function, performance and quality of life. Oral administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is associated with number of adverse effects and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Intra-articular injection has been the preferred route of drug administration. However, the clearance of drug from the arthritic site, risk of infections, cost and the pain associated with frequent injections make this route highly non-compliant to patients. Since osteoarthritis is a chronic condition which requires treatment for prolonged duration, there is an urgent need for another administration route which circumvents the hindrances linked with intra-articular route. Transdermal route across the skin locally at the osteoarthritis site could help in surpassing the disadvantages associated with intra-articular route. However, traversing skin barrier and reaching the chondrocytes with sufficient amount of the drug is extremely difficult. Nanocarrier-based approaches could hold an answer to the said shortcomings owing to their reduced size, targeting tunability and site specificity. In this article, we discuss the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, molecular targets, and utilization of nanocarrier-based approaches to strategize the treatment of osteoarthritis in a new direction, i.e. topical delivery of nanocarriers in osteoarthritis.

Progress of polymer-based strategies in fungal disease management: Designed for different roles

Fungal diseases have posed a great challenge to global health, but have fewer solutions compared to bacterial and viral infections. Development and application of new treatment modalities for fungi are limited by their inherent essential properties as eukaryotes. The microorganism identification and drug sensitivity analyze are limited by their proliferation rates. Moreover, there are currently no vaccines for prevention. Polymer science and related interdisciplinary technologies have revolutionized the field of fungal disease management. To date, numerous advanced polymer-based systems have been developed for management of fungal diseases, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. In this review, we provide an overview of current needs and advances in polymer-based strategies against fungal diseases. We high light various treatment modalities. Delivery systems of antifungal drugs, systems based on polymers' innate antifungal activities, and photodynamic therapies each follow their own mechanisms and unique design clues. We also discuss various prevention strategies including immunization and antifungal medical devices, and further describe point-of-care testing platforms as futuristic diagnostic and monitoring tools. The broad application of polymer-based strategies for both public and personal health management is prospected and integrated systems have become a promising direction. However, there is a gap between experimental studies and clinical translation. In future, well-designed in vivo trials should be conducted to reveal the underlying mechanisms and explore the efficacy as well as biosafety of polymer-based products.

Tuning Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Novel Avenues of Cancer Therapy

The global menace of cancer has led to an increased death toll in recent years. The constant evolution of cancer therapeutics with novel delivery systems has paved the way for translation of innovative therapeutics from bench to bedside. This review explains the significance of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as delivery vehicles with particular emphasis on cancer therapy, including novel opportunities for biomimetic therapeutics and vaccine delivery. Parameters governing MSN synthesis, therapeutic agent loading characteristics, along with tuning of MSN toward cancer cell specificity have been explained. The advent of MSN in nanotheranostics and its potential in forming nanocomposites for imaging purposes have been illustrated. Additionally, various hurdles encountered during the bench to bedside translation have been explained along with potential avenues to circumvent them. This also opens up new horizons in drug delivery, which could be useful to researchers in the years to come.

Nanotechnology based drug delivery systems: Does shape really matter?

As of today, the era of nanomedicine has brought numerous breakthroughs and overcome challenges in the treatment of various disorders. Various factors like size, charge and surface hydrophilicity have garnered significant attention by nanotechnologists. However, more exploration in the field of nanoparticle shape and geometry, one of the basic physical phenomenon is required. Tuning nanoparticle shape and geometry could potentially overcome pitfalls in therapeutics and biomedical fields. Thus, in this article, we unveil the importance of tuning nanoparticle shape selection across the delivery platforms. This article provides an in-depth understanding of nanoparticle shape modulation and advise the researchers on the ideal morphology selection tailored for each implication. We deliberated the importance of nanoparticle shape selection for specific implications with respect to organ targeting, cellular internalization, pharmacokinetics and bio-distribution, protein corona formation as well as RES evasion and tumor targeting. An additional section on the significance of shape transformation, a recently introduced novel avenue with applications in drug delivery was discussed. Furthermore, regulatory concerns towards nanoparticle shape which need to be addressed for harnessing their clinical translation will be explained.

Polymer nanotherapeutics: A versatile platform for effective rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis is an aggressive and severely debilitating disorder that is characterized by joint pain and cartilage damage. It restricts mobility in patients, leaving them unable to carry out simple tasks. RA presents itself with severe lasting pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and may cause permanent disability in patients. Treatment regimens currently employed for rheumatoid arthritis revolve around keeping clinical symptoms like joint pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness at bay. The current therapeutic interventions in rheumatoid arthritis involve the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and newer biological drugs that are engineered for inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. These conventional drugs are plagued with severe adverse effects because of their higher systemic distribution, lack of specificity and higher doses. Oral, intra-articular, and intravenous routes are routinely used for drug delivery which is associated with decreased patient compliance, high cost, poor bioavailability and rapid systemic clearance. All these drawbacks have enticed researchers to create novel strategies for drug delivery, the main approach being nanocarrier-based systems. In this article, we aim to consolidate the remarkable contributions of polymeric carrier systems including microneedle technology and smart trigger-responsive polymeric carriers in the management of rheumatoid arthritis along with its detailed pathophysiology. This review also briefly describes the safety and regulatory aspects of polymer therapeutics.

CaCO3-based carriers with prolonged release property for antifungal drug delivery to hair follicles

Superficial fungal infections are of serious concern worldwide due to their morbidity and increasing distribution across the globe in this era of growing antimicrobial resistance. Delivery of antifungals to target...

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers as a Novel Strategy for Topical Antifungal Therapy

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed as an alternative carrier system optimizing limitations found in topical treatments for superficial fungal infections, such as limited permeation through the skin. However, few published studies are focused on standardization and characterization of determinant variables of these lipid nanosystems' quality. Thus, this systematic review aims to compile information regarding the selection of lipids, surfactants, and preparation method that intimately relates to the final quality of this nanotechnology. For this, the search was carried with the following descriptors: 'nanostructured lipid carriers', 'topical', 'antifungal' separated by the Boolean operators 'and', present in the titles of the databases: Science Direct, Scopus and Pubmed. The review included experimental articles focused on the development of nanostructured lipid carriers targeted for topical application with antifungal activity, published from 2015 to 2021. Review articles, clinical studies, and studies on the development of other nanocarriers intended for other routes of administration were excluded from the study. The research included 26 articles, of which 58% were developed in India and Brazil, 53% published in the years 2019 and 2020. As for the selection of antifungal drugs incorporated into NLCs, the azole class had a preference over other classes, voriconazole being incorporated into 5 of the 26 developed NLC studied. It was also observed a predominance of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) as a liquid lipid and polysorbate 80 as a surfactant. Among other results, this review compiles the influences of each of the variables discussed in the quality parameters of NLCs, in order to guide future research involving the development of this technology. Graphical Abstract.

Self-Assembling Drug Formulations with Tunable Permeability and Biodegradability

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