Beyond liposomes: Recent advances on lipid based nanostructures for poorly soluble/poorly permeable drug delivery

Lipid-based nanosystems: the next generation of cancer immune therapy

Immunotherapy has become an important part of the oncotherapy arsenal. Its applicability in various cancer types is impressive, as well as its use of endogenous mechanisms to achieve desired ends. However, off-target or on-target-off-tumor toxicity, limited activity, lack of control in combination treatments and, especially for solid tumors, low local accumulation, have collectively limited clinical use thereof. These limitations are partially alleviated by delivery systems. Lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as revolutionary carriers due to favorable physicochemical characteristics, with specific applications and strengths particularly useful in immunotherapeutic agent delivery. The aim of this review is to highlight the challenges faced by immunotherapy and how lipid-based NPs have been, and may be further utilized to address such challenges. We discuss recent fundamental and clinical applications of NPs in a range of areas and provide a detailed discussion of the main obstacles in immune checkpoint inhibition therapies, adoptive cellular therapies, and cytokine therapies. We highlight how lipid-based nanosystems could address these through either delivery, direct modulation of the immune system, or targeting of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We explore advanced and emerging liposomal and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) systems for nucleic acid delivery, intrinsic and extrinsic stimulus-responsive formulations, and biomimetic lipid-based nanosystems in immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss the key challenges relating to the clinical use of lipid-based NP immunotherapies, suggesting future research directions for the near term to realize the potential of these innovative lipid-based nanosystems, as they become the crucial steppingstone towards the necessary enhancement of the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Nanomaterials for diabetes: diagnosis, detection and delivery

537 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes mellitus, a problem of glucose management that is related to a number of major health risks, including cardiovascular diseases. There is a need for new, efficient formulations of diabetic medications to address this condition and its related consequences because existing treatments have a number of drawbacks and limits. This encouraged the development of treatment plans to get around some of these restrictions, like low therapeutic drug bioavailability or patients' disobedience to existing therapies. Approaches based on nanotechnology have a lot of promise to enhance the treatment of diabetic patients. In order to manage blood glucose, this review article highlights recent developments and explores the potential applications of different materials (polymeric, ceramic, dendrimers, etc.) as nanocarriers for the delivery of insulin and other antidiabetic medications. Using an injectable and acid-degradable polymeric network produced by the electrostatic interaction of oppositely charged dextran nanoparticles loaded with insulin and glucose-specific enzymes, we reviewed a glucose-mediated release approach for the self-regulated delivery of insulin, in which, after a degradable nano-network was subcutaneously injected into type 1 diabetic mice,in vivoexperiments confirmed that these formulations improved glucose management. In addition, a discussion of silica-based nanocarriers, their potential for treating diabetes and controlling blood glucose levels, and an explanation of the role of dendrimers in diabetes treatment have been covered. This is done by utilizing the properties of silica nanoparticles, such as their tuneable particle and pore size, surface chemistry, and biocompatibility. The article summarized the significance of nanomaterials and their uses in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes overall, illuminating the field's potential and outlining its prospects for the future.

Development of thermosensitive liposome-containing in-situ gel systems for intranasal administration of thiocolchicoside and in vivo evaluation in a rabbit model

AIM

Thiocolchicoside (THC) is a drug under the category of BCS III. Due to its high molecular weight, it has poor oral bioavailability and low skin permeability. This study aims to find an alternative delivery method for THC that enhances its bioavailability through nasal application approach. In situ gels containing plain or liposomal THC with different combinations of Pluronic® F127 and PEG 400 were prepared.

METHOD

Liposome formulations were prepared using the thin film hydration method and tested for their characterization such as for drug content, particle size, and zeta potential. In vivo pharmacokinetic parameters of formulations such as Cmax, Tmax, and AUC were tested on the rabbit model. The formulations were also scrutinized for their cell viability properties.

RESULT

Formulation composition with 2% soybean phosphatidylcholine and 10 mg THC exhibited ∼94% entrapment efficiency, minimum particle size 101.32 nm, low polydispersity index 0.225 and +0.355 zeta potential. In situ liposomal dispersion containing 15% Pluronic® F127 turned into gel at nasal temperature. Cell lines were unharmed for 48 h. İn situ liposomal gels showed 1.5x higher blood concentration than the control formula.

CONCLUSION

In situ gels of liposomal THC formulations offer advantages over traditional nasal solutions, demonstrating comparable bioavailability to parenteral medication while also preserving the health of nasal mucosa cells.

Advancing liposome technology for innovative strategies against malaria

This review discusses the potential of liposomes as drug delivery systems for antimalarial therapies. Malaria continues to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity, particularly among children and pregnant women. Drug resistance due to patient non-compliance and troublesome side effects remains a significant challenge in antimalarial treatment. Liposomes, as targeted and efficient drug carriers, have garnered attention owing to their ability to address these issues. Liposomes encapsulate hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic drugs, thus providing comprehensive and suitable therapeutic drug delivery. Moreover, the potential of passive and active drug delivery enables drug concentration in specific target tissues while reducing adverse effects. However, successful liposome formulation is influenced by various factors, including drug physicochemical characteristics and physiological barriers encountered during drug delivery. To overcome these challenges, researchers have explored modifications in liposome nanocarriers to achieve efficient drug loading, controlled release, and system stability. Computational approaches have also been adopted to predict liposome system stability, membrane integrity, and drug-liposome interactions, improving formulation development efficiency. By leveraging computational methods, optimizing liposomal drug delivery systems holds promise for enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects in malaria therapy. This review consolidates the current understanding and highlights the potential of liposome strategies against malaria.

Encapsulation of phenolic acids within food-grade carriers systems: a systematic review

Phenolic acids are natural compounds with potential therapeutic effects against various diseases. However, their incorporation into food and pharmaceutical products is limited by challenges such as instability, low solubility, and reduced bioavailability. This systematic review summarizes recent advances in phenolic acid encapsulation using food-grade carrier systems, focusing on proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides. Encapsulation efficiency, release behavior, and bioavailability are examined, as well as the potential health benefits of encapsulated phenolic acids in food products. Strategies to address limitations of current encapsulation systems are also proposed. Encapsulation has emerged as a promising method to enhance the stability and bioavailability of phenolic acids in food products, and various encapsulation technologies have been developed for this purpose. The use of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates as carriers in food-grade encapsulation systems remains a common approach, but it is associated with certain limitations. Future research on phenolic acid encapsulation should focus on developing environmentally friendly, organic solvent-free, low-energy, scalable, and stable encapsulation systems, as well as co-encapsulation methods that combine multiple phenolic acids or phenolic acids with other bioactive substances to produce synergistic effects.

Placental Drug Delivery to Treat Pre-Eclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction

Pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR) continue to cause unacceptably high levels of morbidity and mortality, despite significant pharmaceutical and technological advances in other disease areas. The recent pandemic has also impacted obstetric care, as COVID-19 infection increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. This review explores the reasons why it lacks effective drug treatments for the placental dysfunction that underlies many common obstetric conditions and describes how nanomedicines and targeted drug delivery approaches may provide the solution to the current drug drought. The ever-increasing range of biocompatible nanoparticle formulations available is now making it possible to selectively deliver drugs to uterine and placental tissues and dramatically limit fetal drug transfer. Formulations that are refractory to placental uptake offer the possibility of retaining drugs within the maternal circulation, allowing pregnant individuals to take medicines previously considered too harmful to the developing baby. Liposomes, ionizable lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and adenoviral vectors have all been used to create efficacious drug delivery systems for use in pregnancy, although each approach offers distinct advantages and limitations. It is imperative that recent advances continue to be built upon and that there is an overdue investment of intellectual and financial capital in this field.

Lipid Nanoparticles in Lung Cancer Therapy

This manuscript explores the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in addressing the pivotal challenges of lung cancer treatment, including drug delivery inefficacy and multi-drug resistance. LNPs have significantly advanced targeted therapy by improving the precision and reducing the systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutics such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel. This manuscript details the design and benefits of various LNP systems, including solid lipid-polymer hybrids, which offer controlled release and enhanced drug encapsulation. Despite achievements in reducing tumor size and enhancing survival, challenges such as manufacturing complexity, biocompatibility, and variable clinical outcomes persist. Future directions are aimed at refining targeting capabilities, expanding combinatorial therapies, and integrating advanced manufacturing techniques to tailor treatments to individual patient profiles, thus promising to transform lung cancer therapy through interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory innovation.

Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanosystems: A Rational Fusion for Advanced Therapeutic Delivery

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are spherical vesicles composed of ionizable lipids that are neutral at physiological pH. Despite their benefits, unmodified LNP drug delivery systems have substantial drawbacks, including a lack of targeted selectivity, a short blood circulation period, and in vivo instability. lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) are the next generation of nanoparticles, having the combined benefits of polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes. LPHNPs are being prepared from both natural and synthetic polymers with various techniques, including one- or two-step methods, emulsification solvent evaporation (ESE) method, and the nanoprecipitation method. Varieties of LPHNPs, including monolithic hybrid nanoparticles, core-shell nanoparticles, hollow core-shell nanoparticles, biomimetic lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, and polymer-caged liposomes, have been investigated for various drug delivery applications. However, core-shell nanoparticles having a polymeric core surrounded by a highly biocompatible lipid shell are the most commonly explored LPHNPs for the treatment of various diseases. In this review, we will shed light on the composition, methods of preparation, classification, surface functionalization, release mechanism, advantages and disadvantages, patents, and clinical trials of LPHNPs, with an emphasis on core-shell-structured LPHNPs.

Nanostructured Antimicrobials for Quality and Safety Improvement in Dairy Products

In the food sector, one of the most important economic activities is the dairy industry, which has been facing many challenges in order to meet the increasing demand by consumers for natural and minimally processed products with high quality. In this sense, the application of innovative and emerging technologies can be an interesting alternative, for example, the use of nanotechnology in packaging and as delivery systems. This technology has the potential to improve the quality and safety of dairy products, representing an interesting approach for delivering food preservatives and improving the mechanical, barrier and functional properties of packaging. Several applications and promising results of nanostructures for dairy product preservation can be found throughout this review, including the use of metallic and polymeric nanoparticles, lipid-based nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofilms and nanocoatings. In addition, some relevant examples of the direct application of nanostructured natural antimicrobials in milk and cheese are presented and discussed, as well as the use of milk agar as a model for a preliminary test. Despite their high cost and the difficulties for scale-up, interesting results of these technologies in dairy foods and packaging materials have promoted a growing interest of the dairy industry.

Pickering Emulsions Enhance Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin Nanocrystals: The Effect of Oil Types

Nanocrystals (NCs) have the potential to enhance the oral bioavailability of Class IV drugs in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) due to the absorption of the intact crystals. The performance is compromised by the dissolution of NCs. Drug NCs have recently been adopted as solid emulsifiers to prepare nanocrystal self-stabilized Pickering emulsions (NCSSPEs). They are advantageous in high drug loading and low side effects due to the specific drug loading mode and the absence of chemical surfactants. More importantly, NCSSPEs may further enhance the oral bioavailability of drug NCs by impeding their dissolution. This is especially true for BCS IV drugs. In this study, curcumin (CUR), a typical BCS IV drug, was adopted to prepare CUR-NCs stabilized Pickering emulsions using either indigestible (isopropyl palmitate, IPP) or digestible (soybean oil, SO) oils, i.e., IPP-PEs and SO-PEs. The optimized formulations were spheric with CUR-NCs adsorbed on the water/oil interface. The CUR concentration in the formulation reached 20 mg/mL, which was far beyond the solubility of CUR in IPP (158.06 ± 3.44 μg/g) or SO (124.19 ± 2.40 μg/g). Moreover, the Pickering emulsions enhanced the oral bioavailability of CUR-NCs, being 172.85% for IPP-PEs and 152.07% for SO-PEs. The digestibility of the oil phase affected the amounts of CUR-NCs that remained intact in lipolysis and, thus, the oral bioavailability. In conclusion, converting NCs into Pickering emulsions provides a novel strategy to enhance the oral bioavailability of CUR and BCS IV drugs.

Dual-Drug Delivery by Anisotropic and Uniform Hybrid Nanostructures: A Comparative Study of the Function and Substrate-Drug Interaction Properties

By utilizing nanoparticles to upload and interact with several pharmaceuticals in varying methods, the primary obstacles associated with loading two or more medications or cargos with different characteristics may be addressed. Therefore, it is feasible to evaluate the benefits provided by co-delivery systems utilizing nanoparticles by investigating the properties and functions of the commonly used structures, such as multi- or simultaneous-stage controlled release, synergic effect, enhanced targetability, and internalization. However, due to the unique surface or core features of each hybrid design, the eventual drug-carrier interactions, release, and penetration processes may vary. Our review article focused on the drug's loading, binding interactions, release, physiochemical, and surface functionalization features, as well as the varying internalization and cytotoxicity of each structure that may aid in the selection of an appropriate design. This was achieved by comparing the actions of uniform-surfaced hybrid particles (such as core-shell particles) to those of anisotropic, asymmetrical hybrid particles (such as Janus, multicompartment, or patchy particles). Information is provided on the use of homogeneous or heterogeneous particles with specified characteristics for the simultaneous delivery of various cargos, possibly enhancing the efficacy of treatment techniques for illnesses such as cancer.

Lipid-core nanoparticles: Classification, preparation methods, routes of administration and recent advances in cancer treatment

Nanotechnological drug delivery platforms represent a new paradigm for cancer therapeutics as they improve the pharmacokinetic profile and distribution of chemotherapeutic agents over conventional formulations. Among nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoplatforms possessing a lipid core, that is, lipid-core nanoparticles (LCNPs), have gained increasing interest due to lipid properties such as high solubilizing potential, versatility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, due to the wide spectrum of morphologies and types of LCNPs, there is a lack of consensus regarding their terminology and classification. According to the current state-of-the-art in this critical review, LCNPs are defined and classified based on the state of their lipidic components in liquid lipid nanoparticles (LLNs). These include lipid nanoemulsions (LNEs) and lipid nanocapsules (LNCs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid nanocarriers (NLCs). In addition, we present a comprehensive and comparative description of the methods employed for their preparation, routes of administration and the fundamental role of physicochemical properties of LCNPs for efficient antitumoral drug-delivery application. Market available LCNPs, clinical trials and preclinical in vivo studies of promising LCNPs as potential treatments for different cancer pathologies are summarized.

Responsive Nanostructure for Targeted Drug Delivery

Currently, intelligent, responsive biomaterials have been widely explored, considering the fact that responsive biomaterials provide controlled and predictable results in various biomedical systems. Responsive nanostructures undergo reversible or irreversible changes in the presence of a stimulus, and that stimuli can be temperature, a magnetic field, ultrasound, pH, humidity, pressure, light, electric field, etc. Different types of stimuli being used in drug delivery shall be explained here. Recent research progress in the design, development and applications of biomaterials comprising responsive nanostructures is also described here. More emphasis will be given on the various nanostructures explored for the smart stimuli responsive drug delivery at the target site such as wound healing, cancer therapy, inflammation, and pain management in order to achieve the improved efficacy and sustainability with the lowest side effects. However, it is still a big challenge to develop well-defined responsive nanostructures with ordered output; thus, challenges faced during the design and development of these nanostructures shall also be included in this article. Clinical perspectives and applicability of the responsive nanostructures in the targeted drug delivery shall be discussed here.

Nanoformulations as a strategy to overcome the delivery limitations of cannabinoids

Medical cannabis has received significant interest in recent years due to its promising benefits in the management of pain, anxiety, depression and neurological and movement disorders. Specifically, the major phytocannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant such as (-) trans-Δ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have been shown to be responsible for the pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Recently, these phytocannabinoids have also attracted special attention in cancer treatment due to their well-known palliative benefits in chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, pain and loss of appetite along with their anticancer activities. Despite the enormous pharmacological benefits, the low aqueous solubility, high instability (susceptibility to extensive first pass metabolism) and poor systemic bioavailability restrict their utilization at clinical perspective. Therefore, drug delivery strategies based on nanotechnology are emerging to improve pharmacokinetic profile and bioavailability of cannabinoids as well as enhance their targeted delivery. Here, we critically review the nano-formulation systems engineered for overcoming the delivery limitations of native phytocannabinoids including polymeric and lipid-based nanoparticles (lipid nano capsules (LNCs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), nanoemulsions (NE) and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS)), ethosomes and cyclodextrins as well as their therapeutic applications.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Peculiar Strategy to Deliver Bio-Proactive Molecules

BACKGROUND

Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) provide numerous benefits compared to conventional dosage forms. Poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, frequent dosing, and particular hydrophilic lipophilic character of the drug are the biological factors associated with the traditional systems leading to the development of SLNs.

OBJECTIVE

For improving the solubility profile, enhancing the bioavailability, and attaining the best possible therapeutic effect of lipid inclined or aqueous inclined drug, formulating solid lipid nanoparticles is the best choice.

METHODS

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) have been projected as a colloidal carrier system with a size of 50-1,000 nm, collectively combining the benefits of other colloidal systems like liposomes, emulsions, etc., for delivering the drug at the target site. High absorption, high stability, and efficient drug packing enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the packed drug.

RESULT

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles can be developed in different dosage forms and administered via routes such as nasal, rectal, oral, topical, vaginal, ocular, and parenteral. They have higher physicochemical stability and the batch size can be easily scaled up at a low cost. Lipophilic as well as hydrophilic drugs can be easily incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles.

CONCLUSION

In this manuscript, the authors have reviewed different aspects of solid lipid nanoparticles, major principles behind mechanism methods, recent patents, applications, and therapeutic potentials of solid lipid nanoparticles.

Lipid-engineered nanotherapeutics for cancer management

Cancer causes significant mortality and morbidity worldwide, but existing pharmacological treatments are greatly limited by the inherent heterogeneity of cancer as a disease, as well as the unsatisfactory efficacy and specificity of therapeutic drugs. Biopharmaceutical barriers such as low permeability and poor water solubility, along with the absence of active targeting capabilities, often result in suboptimal clinical results. The difficulty of successfully reaching and destroying tumor cells is also often compounded with undesirable impacts on healthy tissue, including off-target effects and high toxicity, which further impair the ability to effectively manage the disease and optimize patient outcomes. However, in the last few decades, the development of nanotherapeutics has allowed for the use of rational design in order to maximize therapeutic success. Advances in the fabrication of nano-sized delivery systems, coupled with a variety of surface engineering strategies to promote customization, have resulted in promising approaches for targeted, site-specific drug delivery with fewer unwanted effects and better therapeutic efficacy. These nano systems have been able to overcome some of the challenges of conventional drug delivery related to pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and target specificity. In particular, lipid-based nanosystems have been extensively explored due to their high biocompatibility, versatility, and adaptability. Lipid-based approaches to cancer treatment are varied and diverse, including liposomal therapeutics, lipidic nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipidic carriers, lipid-polymer nanohybrids, and supramolecular nanolipidic structures. This review aims to provide an overview of the use of diverse formulations of lipid-engineered nanotherapeutics for cancer and current challenges in the field, as researchers attempt to successfully translate these approaches from bench to clinic.

Pluronic® triblock copolymer-based nanoformulations for cancer therapy: A 10-year overview

This paper provides a review of the literature on the use of Pluronic® triblock copolymers for drug encapsulation over the last 10 years. A special focus is given to the progress of drug delivery systems (e.g., micelles, liposomes, micro/nanoemulsions, hydrogels and nanogels, and polymersomes and niosomes); the beneficial aspects of Pluronic® triblock copolymers as biological response modifiers and as pharmaceutical additives, adjuvants, and stabilizers, are also discussed. The advantages and limitations encountered in developing site-specific targeting approaches based on Pluronic-based nanostructures in cancer treatment are highlighted, in addition to innovative examples for improving tumor cytotoxicity while reducing side effects.

Recent Advances in the Development of Lipid-, Metal-, Carbon-, and Polymer-Based Nanomaterials for Antibacterial Applications

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are becoming a serious threat to public health worldwide. With an ever-reducing pipeline of last-resort drugs further complicating the current dire situation arising due to antibiotic resistance, there has never been a greater urgency to attempt to discover potential new antibiotics. The use of nanotechnology, encompassing a broad range of organic and inorganic nanomaterials, offers promising solutions. Organic nanomaterials, including lipid-, polymer-, and carbon-based nanomaterials, have inherent antibacterial activity or can act as nanocarriers in delivering antibacterial agents. Nanocarriers, owing to the protection and enhanced bioavailability of the encapsulated drugs, have the ability to enable an increased concentration of a drug to be delivered to an infected site and reduce the associated toxicity elsewhere. On the other hand, inorganic metal-based nanomaterials exhibit multivalent antibacterial mechanisms that combat MDR bacteria effectively and reduce the occurrence of bacterial resistance. These nanomaterials have great potential for the prevention and treatment of MDR bacterial infection. Recent advances in the field of nanotechnology are enabling researchers to utilize nanomaterial building blocks in intriguing ways to create multi-functional nanocomposite materials. These nanocomposite materials, formed by lipid-, polymer-, carbon-, and metal-based nanomaterial building blocks, have opened a new avenue for researchers due to the unprecedented physiochemical properties and enhanced antibacterial activities being observed when compared to their mono-constituent parts. This review covers the latest advances of nanotechnologies used in the design and development of nano- and nanocomposite materials to fight MDR bacteria with different purposes. Our aim is to discuss and summarize these recently established nanomaterials and the respective nanocomposites, their current application, and challenges for use in applications treating MDR bacteria. In addition, we discuss the prospects for antimicrobial nanomaterials and look forward to further develop these materials, emphasizing their potential for clinical translation.

Lipid-Based Nanoparticulate Systems for the Ocular Delivery of Bioactives with Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The complexity of the eye structure and its physiology turned ocular drug administration into one of the most challenging topics in the pharmaceutical field. Ocular inflammation is one of the most common ophthalmic disorders. Topical administration of anti-inflammatory drugs is also commonly used as a side treatment in tissue repair and regeneration. The difficulty in overcoming the eye barriers, which are both physical and chemical, reduces drug bioavailability, and the frequency of administration must be increased to reach the therapeutic effect. However, this can cause serious side effects. Lipid nanoparticles seem to be a great alternative to ocular drug delivery as they are composed from natural excipients and can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs of different sources, and their unique properties, as their excellent biocompatibility, safety and adhesion allow to increase the bioavailability, compliance and achieve a sustained drug release. They are also very stable, easy to produce and scale up, and can be lyophilized or sterilized with no significant alterations to the release profile and stability. Because of this, lipid nanoparticles show a great potential to be an essential part of the new therapeutic technologies in ophthalmology to deliver synthetic and natural anti-inflammatory drugs. In fact, there is an increasing interest in natural bioactives with anti-inflammatory activities, and the use of nanoparticles for their site-specific delivery. It is therefore expected that, in the near future, many more studies will promote the development of new nanomedicines resulting in clinical studies of new drugs formulations.

Oxime Therapy for Brain AChE Reactivation and Neuroprotection after Organophosphate Poisoning

One of the main problems in the treatment of poisoning with organophosphorus (OPs) inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is low ability of existing reactivators of AChE that are used as antidotes to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this work, modified cationic liposomes were developed that can penetrate through the BBB and deliver the reactivator of AChE pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM) into the brain. Liposomes were obtained on the basis of phosphatidylcholine and imidazolium surfactants. To obtain the composition optimized in terms of charge, stability, and toxicity, the molar ratio of surfactant/lipid was varied. For the systems, physicochemical parameters, release profiles of the substrates (rhodamine B, 2-PAM), hemolytic activity and ability to cause hemagglutination were evaluated. Screening of liposome penetration through the BBB, analysis of 2-PAM pharmacokinetics, and in vivo AChE reactivation showed that modified liposomes readily pass into the brain and reactivate brain AChE in rats poisoned with paraoxon (POX) by 25%. For the first time, an assessment was made of the ability of imidazolium liposomes loaded with 2-PAM to reduce the death of neurons in the brains of mice. It was shown that intravenous administration of liposomal 2-PAM can significantly reduce POX-induced neuronal death in the hippocampus.

Intestinal Absorption Study: Challenges and Absorption Enhancement Strategies in Improving Oral Drug Delivery

The oral route is the most common and practical means of drug administration, particularly from a patient’s perspective. However, the pharmacokinetic profile of oral drugs depends on the rate of drug absorption through the intestinal wall before entering the systemic circulation. However, the enteric epithelium represents one of the major limiting steps for drug absorption, due to the presence of efflux transporters on the intestinal membrane, mucous layer, enzymatic degradation, and the existence of tight junctions along the intestinal linings. These challenges are more noticeable for hydrophilic drugs, high molecular weight drugs, and drugs that are substrates of the efflux transporters. Another challenge faced by oral drug delivery is the presence of first-pass hepatic metabolism that can result in reduced drug bioavailability. Over the years, a wide range of compounds have been investigated for their permeation-enhancing effect in order to circumvent these challenges. There is also a growing interest in developing nanocarrier-based formulation strategies to enhance the drug absorption. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of the challenges faced by oral drug delivery and selected strategies to enhance the oral drug absorption, including the application of absorption enhancers and nanocarrier-based formulations based on in vitro, in vivo, and in situ studies.

Advancements in the studies of novel nanomaterials for inner ear drug delivery

Hearing loss is currently one of the most prevalent sensory disorders worldwide. Because both the blood-labyrinth barrier and the limited blood circulation in the inner ear restrain the effective delivery of most drugs to the inner ear tissues, current treatments for hearing loss are limited to mainly medication, hearing devices and cochlear surgery for therapeutic purposes, whereas treatments lack a noninvasive targeted drug-delivery system. With the continuously rapid development of new nanomaterials, the nanodelivery systems are expected to provide a potentially effective method of clinical treatment for hearing loss. This paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the commonly used drug-delivery methods and novel nanomaterials for inner ears as well as advancements in the targeted treatment of hearing loss.

Non-melanoma skin cancers: physio-pathology and role of lipid delivery systems in new chemotherapeutic treatments

Non-melanoma carcinoma has high incidence rates and has two most common subtypes: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This type of carcinoma is usually not fatal; however, it can destroy sensory organs such as the nose, ears, and lips. The treatment of these injuries using non-invasive methods is thus strongly recommended. Some treatments for non-melanoma carcinoma are already well defined, such as surgery, cryosurgery, curettage and electrode section, and radiotherapy; however, these conventional treatments cause inflammation and scarring. In the non-surgical treatment of non-melanoma carcinoma, the topical administration of chemotherapeutic drugs contributes for an effective treatment with reduced side effects. However, the penetration of anticancer drugs in the deeper layers of the skin is required. Lipid delivery systems (liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers) have been developed to overcome epidermal barrier of the skin and to allow the drugs to reach tumor cells. These lipid nanoparticles contribute to control the release profile of the loaded chemotherapeutic drugs, maintaining their stability and increasing death of tumor cells. In this review, the characteristics of non-melanoma carcinoma will be discussed, describing the main existing treatments, together with the contribution of lipid delivery systems as an innovative approach to increase the effectiveness of topical therapies for non-melanoma carcinomas.

Current Progress in Cancer Treatment Using Nanomaterials

The pathological processes of cancer are complex. Current methods used for chemotherapy have various limitations, such as cytotoxicity, multi-drug resistance, stem-like cells growth, and lack of specificity. Several types of nanomaterials are used for cancer treatment. Nanomaterials 1–100 nm in size have special optical, magnetic, and electrical characteristics. Nanomaterials have been fabricated for cancer treatments to overcome cytotoxicity and low specificity, and improve drug capacity and bioavailability. Despite the increasing number of related studies, few nanodrugs have been approved for clinical use. To improve translation of these materials, studies of targeted drug delivery using nanocarriers are needed. Cytotoxicity, enhanced permeability and retention effects, and the protective role of the protein corona remain to be addressed. This mini-review summarizes new nanomaterials manufactured in studies and in clinical use, analyses current barriers preventing their translation to clinical use, and describes the effective application of nanomaterials in cancer treatment.

Nano-hydroxyapatite improves intestinal absorption of acetazolamide (BCS Class IV drug)–but how?

We earlier reported that coating poorly water-soluble drugs with nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAP) improves bioavailability after oral administration. In the present study, we coated BCS Class IV drug acetazolamide (AZ) with nano-HAP (AZ/HAP formulation), and investigated its bioavailability and nano-HAP’s role in promoting it. We tested AZ bioavailability after a single oral dose of the AZ/HAP formulation in rats, followed by a series of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo testing. The binding state of AZ and nano-HAP was analyzed by gel filtration chromatography. AZ permeability was studied using a Caco-2 cell monolayer assay kit, to test for tight junction penetration, then using an Ussing chamber mounted with intestinal epithelium, both with and without Peyer’s patch tissue, to examine the role of intracellular transport. Fluorescence-labeled nano-HAP particles were administered orally in rats to investigate their localization in the intestinal tract. The area under the blood concentration time-curve in rats was about 4 times higher in the AZ/HAP formulation group than in the untreated AZ group. Gel filtration analysis showed AZ and nano-HAP were not bound. The Caco-2 study showed equivalent AZ permeability for both groups, but without significant change in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), indicating that tight junctions were not penetrated. In the Ussing chamber study, no significant difference in AZ permeability between the two groups was observed for epithelium containing Peyer’s patch tissue, but for epithelium without Peyer’s patch tissue, at high concentration, significantly higher permeability in the AZ/HAP formulation group was observed. Fluorescent labeling showed nano-HAP particles were present in both intestinal villi and Peyer’s patch tissue 30 min after oral administration. Our results suggest that nano-HAP’s enhancement of drug permeability from the small intestine occurs not via tight junctions, but intracellularly, via the intestinal villi. Further study to elucidate the mechanism of this permeability enhancement is required.

Exploration of Lipid-Based Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Systems in Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic manifestation characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood resulting in several complications including diabetic wounds and ulcers, which predominantly require a longer duration of treatment and adversely affect the quality of life of the patients. Nanotechnology-based therapeutics (both intrinsic and extrinsic types) have emerged as a promising treatment in diabetic foot ulcer/chronic wounds owing to their unique characteristics and specific functional properties. In this review, we have focused on the significance of the use of lipids in the healing of diabetic ulcers, their interaction with the injured skin, and recent trends in lipid-based nanocarriers for the healing of diabetic wounds. Lipid nanocarriers are also being investigated for gene therapy in diabetic wound healing to encapsulate nucleic acids such as siRNA and miRNA, which could silence the expression of inflammatory cytokines overexpressed in chronic wounds. Additionally, these are also being explored for encapsulating proteins, peptides, growth factors, and other biological genetic material as therapeutic agents. Lipid-based nanocarriers encompassing a wide variety of carriers such as liposomes, niosomes, ethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and lipidoid nanoparticles that are explored for the treatment of foot ulcers supplemented with relevant research studies have been discussed in the present review. Lipid-based nanodrug delivery systems have demonstrated promising wound healing potential, particularly in diabetic conditions due to the enhanced efficacy of the entrapped active molecules.

Nanocarrier-Based Targeted Therapies for Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Due to poor inherent regeneration of the adult mammalian myocardium and challenges with effective drug delivery, there has been little progress in regenerative therapies. Nanocarriers, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and exosomes, offer many potential advantages for the therapy of myocardial infarction, including improved delivery, retention, and prolonged activity of therapeutics. However, there are many challenges that have prevented the widespread clinical use of these technologies. This review aims to summarize significant principles and developments in the field, with a focus on nanocarriers using ligand-based or cell mimicry-based targeting. Lastly, a discussion of limitations and potential future direction is provided.

A comparative biodistribution study of polymeric and lipid-based nanoparticles

Biodistribution of nanoencapsulated bioactive compounds is primarily determined by the size, shape, chemical composition and surface properties of the encapsulating nanoparticle, and, thus, less dependent on the physicochemical properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredient encapsulated. In the current work, we aimed to investigate the impact of formulation type on biodistribution profile for two clinically relevant nanoformulations. We performed a comparative study of biodistribution in healthy rats at several dose levels and durations up to 14-day post-injection. The studied nanoformulations were nanostructured lipid carriers incorporating the fluorescent dye IR780-oleyl, and polymeric nanoparticles containing the anticancer agent cabazitaxel. The biodistribution was approximated by quantification of the cargo in blood and relevant organs. Several clear and systematic differences in biodistribution were observed, with the most pronounced being a much higher (more than 50-fold) measured concentration ratio between cabazitaxel in all organs vs. blood, as compared to IR780-oleyl. Normalized dose linearity largely showed opposite trends between the two compounds after injection. Cabazitaxel showed a higher brain accumulation than IR780-oleyl with increasing dose injected. Interestingly, cabazitaxel showed a notable and prolonged accumulation in lung tissue compared to other organs. The latter observations could warrant further studies towards a possible therapeutic indication within lung and conceivably brain cancer for nanoformulations of this highly antineoplastic compound, for which off-target toxicity is currently dose-limiting in the clinic.

Mechanisms of Penetration Enhancement and Transport Utilizing Skin Keratine Liposomes for the Topical Delivery of Licochalcone A

Keratin liposomes have emerged as a useful topical drug delivery system given theirenhanced ability to penetrate the skin, making them ideal as topical drug vehicles. However, the mechanisms of the drug penetration enhancement of keratin liposomes have not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, licochalcone A(LA)-loaded skin keratin liposomes (LALs) were prepared to investigate their mechanisms of penetration enhancement on the skin and inB16F10 cells. Skin deposition studies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), attenuated total reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and skin distribution and intracellular distribution studies were carried out to demonstrate the drug enhancement mechanisms of LALs. We found that the optimal application of LALs enhanced drug permeation via alterations in the components, structure, and thermodynamic properties of the stratum corneum (SC), that is, by enhancing the lipid fluidization, altering the skin keratin, and changing the thermodynamic properties of the SC. Moreover, hair follicles were the main penetration pathways for the LA delivery, which occurred in a time-dependent manner. In the B16F10 cells, the skin keratin liposomes effectively delivered LA into the cytoplasm without cytotoxicity. Thus, LAL nanoparticles are promising topical drug delivery systems for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Optimization of the Conditions of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) Synthesis

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have been synthesized as potential drug delivery systems. They are classified as solid lipid nanocarriers that can successfully carry both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. SLNs are based on a biocompatible lipid matrix that is enzymatically degraded into natural components found in the human body. Solid lipid nanoparticles are suitable for the incorporation of hydrophobic active ingredients such as curcumin. The study included the optimization of lipid nanoparticle composition, incorporation of the active compound (curcumin), a stability evaluation of the obtained nanocarriers and characterization of their lipid matrix. Through process optimization, a dispersion of solid lipid nanoparticles (solid lipid:surfactant—2:1.25 weight ratio) predisposed to the incorporation of curcumin was developed. The encapsulation efficiency of the active ingredient was determined to be 99.80%. In stability studies, it was found that the most suitable conditions for conducting high-pressure homogenization are 300 bar pressure, three cycles and a closed-loop system. This yields the required values of the physicochemical parameters (a particle size within a 200−450 nm range; a polydispersity index of <30%; and a zeta potential of about |±30 mV|). In this work, closed-loop high-pressure homogenization was used for the first time and compared to the currently preferred open-loop method.

Microgels and Nanogels for the Delivery of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs

While microgels and nanogels are most commonly used for the delivery of hydrophilic therapeutics, the water-swollen structure, size, deformability, colloidal stability, functionality, and physicochemical tunability of microgels can also offer benefits for addressing many of the barriers of conventional vehicles for the delivery of hydrophobic therapeutics. In this review, we describe approaches for designing microgels with the potential to load and subsequently deliver hydrophobic drugs by creating compartmentalized microgels (e.g., core-shell structures), introducing hydrophobic domains in microgels, leveraging host-guest interactions, and/or applying "smart" environmentally responsive materials with switchable hydrophobicity. In particular, the challenge of promoting hydrophobic drug loading without compromising the inherent advantages of microgels as delivery vehicles and ensuring practically relevant release kinetics from such structures is highlighted, with an eye toward the practical translation of such vehicles to the clinic.

Preformulation and characterization of raloxifene-loaded lipid nanoparticles for transdermal administration

Transdermal administration of raloxifene hydrochloride (RLX)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) has been proposed to circumvent its low oral bioavailability (2%). Preformulation studies were carried out to evaluate drug-excipient compatibility of various adjuvants commonly used for NLC preparation (waxes, cholesterol, compritol, gelucire, span 60, span 80, span 85, tween 80, poloxamer 188, oleic acid, caprylic/capric triglyceride, and castor oil). It was used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), isothermal stress testing (IST), and solubility studies. The most promising excipients were chosen for NLC obtention, and full characterization was done, including in vitro skin permeation. DSC curves suggested drug-excipient interaction among some compounds, and the IST study showed incompatibility of RLX with waxes, compritol, cholesterol, span 60, and poloxamer 188. Solubility studies helped select gelucire, caprylic/capric triglyceride, span 80, and tween 80 for NLC production. Twelve NLCs were obtained (NLC1 to NLC12), but NLC7 and NLC8 were the most promising ones. In vitro release studies demonstrated that NLC7 and NLC8 were able to control RLX release (14.74 and 9.07% at 24 h, respectively) compared with the unloaded drug (> 90% at 24 h). Unloaded RLX did not permeate the diffusion cells' receptor medium and showed higher drug skin retention (11-fold) than RLX-loaded NLC. NLC reduced RLX skin retention, favoring drug permeation to deeper skin layers. NLC7 increased drug flux is 2.4-fold. NLC7 is a promising formulation for RLX transdermal drug delivery.

Skin interaction, permeation, and toxicity of silica nanoparticles: Challenges and recent therapeutic and cosmetic advances

Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) received more attention with the emergence of nanotechnology with the aim and promise of becoming innovative drug delivery systems. They have been fulfilling this objective with excellence and nowadays they play a central role in biomedical applications. New SNPs application routes are being explored such as the epidermal, dermal, and transdermal routes. With that, novel models of synthesis, functionalization, and applications constantly appear. However, it is essential that such innovations are accompanied by in-depth studies on permeation, biodistribution, metabolization, and elimination of the generated by-products. Such studies are still incipient, if not rare. This article reviews significant findings on SNPs and their skin interactions. An extensive literature review on SNPs synthesis and functionalization methodologies was performed, as well as on the skin characteristics, skin permeation mechanisms, and in vivo toxicity assessments. Furthermore, studies of the past 5 years on the main therapeutic and cosmetic products employing SNPs, with greater emphasis on in vivo and ex vivo studies were included.

Nanotechnology-based approaches in the fight against SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by highly-infectious virus namely severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in infection of millions of individuals and deaths across the world. The need of an hour is to find the innovative solution for diagnosis, prevention, and cure of the COVID-19 disease. Nanotechnology is emerging as one of the important tool for the same. In the present review we discuss the applications of nanotechnology-based approaches that are being implemented to speed up the development of diagnostic kits for SARS-CoV-2, development of personal protective equipments, and development of therapeutics of COVID-19 especially the vaccine development.

Synthesis and Potential Applications of Lipid Nanoparticles in Medicine

Currently, carriers of active ingredients in the form of particles of a size measured in nanometers are the focus of interest of research centers worldwide. So far, submicrometer emulsions, liposomes, as well as microspheres, and nanospheres made of biodegradable polymers have been used in medicine. Recent studies show particular interest in nanoparticles based on lipids, and at the present time, are even referred to as the "era of lipid carriers". With the passage of time, lipid nanoparticles of the so-called first and second generation, SLN (Solid Lipid Nanoparticles) and nanostructured lipid carriers and NLC (Nanostructured Lipid Carriers), respectively, turned out to be an alternative for all imperfections of earlier carriers. These carriers are characterized by a number of beneficial functional properties, including, among others, structure based on lipids well tolerated by the human body, high stability, and ability to carry hydro- and lipophilic compounds. Additionally, these carriers can enhance the distribution of the drug in the target organ and alter the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug carriers to enhance the medical effect and minimize adverse side effects. This work is focused on the current review of the state-of-the-art related to the synthesis and applications of popular nanoparticles in medicine, with a focus on their use, e.g., in COVID-19 vaccines.

Cyclodextrins-in-Liposomes: A Promising Delivery System for Lippia sidoides and Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oils

Biological activity of essential oils (EOs) has been extensively reported; however, their low aqueous solubility, high photosensitivity, and volatility compromise a broad industrial use of these compounds. To overcome these limitations, we proposed a nanoencapsulation approach to protect EOs, that aims to increase their stability and modulate their release profile. In this study, drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposomes encapsulating two essential oils (Lippia sidoides and Syzygium aromaticum) and their respective major compounds (thymol and eugenol) were produced by ethanol injection and freeze-dried to form proliposomes and further physicochemically characterized. Liposomes showed high physical stability over one month of storage at 4 °C, with slight changes in the mean size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. Reconstituted proliposomes showed a mean size between 350 and 3300 nm, PDI from 0.29 to 0.41, and zeta potential between -22 and -26 mV. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction of proliposomes revealed a less-ordered crystalline structure, leading to high retention of the major bioactive compounds (between 73% and 93% for eugenol, and 74% and 84% for thymol). This work highlights the advantages of using drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposomes as delivery systems to retain volatile compounds, increasing their physicochemical stability and their promising potential to be utilized as carriers in products in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.

Nanostructured-lipid carriers-Chitosan hydrogel beads carrier system for loading of resveratrol: A new method of topical application

The aim of this study was to develop nanostructured-lipid carriers (NLC) encapsulated by Chitosan hydrogel beads for the efficient topical carrier. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were conducted to study the influence of the encapsulation on the characteristic of resveratrol-loaded NLC, and the results showed that there was no impact on resveratrol-loaded NLC. Chitosan hydrogel beads could significantly improve the physical stability of resveratrol-loaded NLC. In vitro release study revealed that resveratrol-loaded NLC-Chitosan hydrogel beads had a more significant sustained-release effect on resveratrol. In vitro transdermal studies suggested that the skin permeation of resveratrol was promoted by the effect of Chitosan hydrogel beads and increased resveratrol distribution in the skin. In vitro cytotoxicity showed that resveratrol-loaded NLC-Chitosan hydrogel beads did not exert a hazardous effect on L929 cells. Hence, NLC-Chitosan hydrogel beads might be a promising method for topical applications of resveratrol.

Drug Delivery Strategies for Curcumin and Other Natural Nrf2 Modulators of Oxidative Stress-Related Diseases

Oxidative stress is associated with a wide range of diseases characterised by oxidant-mediated disturbances of various signalling pathways and cellular damage. The only effective strategy for the prevention of cellular damage is to limit the production of oxidants and support their efficient removal. The implication of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in the cellular redox status has spurred new interest in the use of its natural modulators (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol). Unfortunately, most natural Nrf2 modulators are poorly soluble and show extensive pre-systemic metabolism, low oral bioavailability, and rapid elimination, which necessitates formulation strategies to circumvent these limitations. This paper provides a brief introduction on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in Nrf2 modulation and an overview of commonly studied formulations for the improvement of oral bioavailability and in vivo pharmacokinetics of Nrf2 modulators. Some formulations that have also been studied in vivo are discussed, including solid dispersions, self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems, and nanotechnology approaches, such as polymeric and solid lipid nanoparticles, nanocrystals, and micelles. Lastly, brief considerations of nano drug delivery systems for the delivery of Nrf2 modulators to the brain, are provided. The literature reviewed shows that the formulations discussed can provide various improvements to the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of natural Nrf2 modulators. This has been demonstrated in animal models and clinical studies, thereby increasing the potential for the translation of natural Nrf2 modulators into clinical practice.

Quercetin loaded liposomes modified with galactosylated chitosan prevent LPS/D-GalN induced acute liver injury

Quercetin (Que) has been proved to have various biological activities, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-virus, showing great potential in liver protection. However, its water insolubility leads to low bioavailability. Therefore, the development of a suitable drug delivery fashion is imminent. In recent years, liposomes have been widely used in the fields of drug delivery and gene transfer thanks to the cell membrane like structure, easy surface-modification and high encapsulation efficiency. Herein, we fabricated Que loaded anionic liposomes. Galactosylated chitosan (GC) was simply attached to the surfaces of liposomes through electrostatic adsorption to achieve targeted delivery by binding to asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). The results showed that Que loaded liposomes modified with GC (GC-Que-Lipo) could enrich the liver in mice through tail vein injection. Liposomes could achieve sustained drug release and GC-Que-Lipo promoted M2 polarization of macrophages. More importantly, it could maintain low content of AST, ALT, ALP and high level of GSH while reducing lipid oxidation, thereby protecting the liver from damage in acute liver injury model. In general, we expect to be able to acquire targeted and efficient delivery of quercetin through a facile approach, thus fulfill the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.

Development, formulation, and cellular mechanism of a lipophilic copper chelator for the treatment of Wilson's disease

Copper homeostasis is finely regulated in human to avoid any detrimental impact of free intracellular copper ions. Upon copper accumulation, biliary excretion is triggered in liver thanks to trafficking of the ATP7B copper transporter to bile canaliculi. However, in Wilson's disease this protein is mutated leading to copper accumulation. Current therapy uses Cu chelators acting extracellularly and requiring a life-long treatment with side effects. Herein, a new Cu(I) pro-chelator was encapsulated in long-term stable nanostructured lipid carriers. Cellular assays revealed that the pro-chelator protects hepatocytes against Cu-induced cell death. Besides, the cellular stresses induced by moderate copper concentrations, including protein unfolding, are counteracted by the pro-chelator. These data showed the pro-chelator efficiency to deliver intracellularly an active chelator that copes with copper stress and surpasses current and under development chelators. Although its biological activity is more mitigated, the pro-chelator nanolipid formulation led to promising results. This innovative approach is of outmost importance in the quest of better treatments for Wilson's disease.

Lipid Nanocarriers for Hyperproliferative Skin Diseases

Simple Summary

Different drugs, including antiproliferative and corticosteroids in general, are recommended for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases (HSD). The effectiveness of many of these drugs is limited due to their low solubility in water and low penetration in the skin. The loading of these drugs in lipid nanocarriers, such as lipid nanoparticles and liposomes, has been considered as a successful solution to improve the drug bioavailability through the skin, to control their release kinetics and thus reduce the risk of potential side effects. In this work, we discuss the use of lipid nanocarriers loading drugs against HSD.

Abstract

Hyperproliferative skin diseases (HSD) are a group of diseases that include cancers, pre-cancerous lesions and diseases of unknown etiology that present different skin manifestations in terms of the degree and distribution of the injuries. Anti-proliferative agents used to treat these diseases are so diverse, including 5-aminolevulinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, methotrexate, paclitaxel, podophyllotoxin, realgar, and corticosteroids in general. These drugs usually have low aqueous solubility, which consequently decreases skin permeation. Thus, their incorporation in lipid nanocarriers has been proposed with the main objective to increase the effectiveness of topical treatment and reduce side effects. This manuscript aims to describe the advantages of using lipid nanoparticles and liposomes that can be used to load diversity of chemically different drugs for the treatment of HSD.

Liposomal formulations of oxybutynin and resiniferatoxin for the treatment of urinary diseases: improvement of drug tolerance upon intravesical

The use of liposomes for drug release has demonstrated to be a promising therapeutic platform for biomedical applications. In this study, intravesical administration of OXI (1.5 mM) and RTX (100 nM) was used to compare histological changes caused in Wistar female rats by the drugs both unloaded and loaded in liposomes. After instillation of formulations by intravesical catheter, bladders were removed and histological analysis carried out at pre-determined time intervals over a period of 60 days. Urinalysis was performed to verify the presence of infection and of liposomes. Results showed that RTX caused a higher bladder damage, with inflammatory reaction that reached all bladder layers. After 60 days, RTX-treated group showed urothelial alterations, collagen replacement by fibrosis and also abdominal adherence, but not the OXI-treated group. At the end of the assay, the liposomal-treated groups showed a minimal inflammatory reaction and significantly increased bladder size. Moreover, urinalysis confirmed the presence of liposomes in rat urine. RTX promoted higher bladder damage than OXI. Intravesical administration of liposomal OXI or RTX formulations minimized inflammatory reaction, with an extended drug effect on bladders. After a single intravesical administration, liposomes were found in rat urine samples after 60 days.

Ultradeformable vesicles: concepts and applications relating to the delivery of skin cosmetics

Skin aging is a phenomenon resulting in reduced self-confidence, thus becoming a major factor in social determinants of health. The use of active cosmetic ingredients can help prevent skin aging. Transfersomes are well known to be capable of deeply penetrating the dermis. This scoping review provides an insight into transfersomes and their prospective use in anti-aging cosmetics. Numerous reports exist highlighting the successful skin delivery of therapeutic agents such as high-molecular-weight, poorly water soluble and poorly permeable active ingredients by means of transfersomes. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that transfersomes increase the deposition, penetration and efficacy of active ingredients. However, the use of transfersomes in the delivery of active cosmetic ingredients is limited. Considering their similar physicochemical properties, transfersomes should possess considerable potential as a delivery system for anti-aging cosmetics.

Why do few drug delivery systems to combat neglected tropical diseases reach the market? An analysis from the technology's stages

INTRODUCTION

Many drugs used to combat schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis (SCL) have clinical limitations such as: high toxicity to the liver, kidneys and spleen; reproductive, gastrointestinal, and heart disorders; teratogenicity. In this sense, drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been described in the literature as a viable option for overcoming the limitations of these drugs. An analysis of the level of development (TRL) of patents can help in determine the steps that must be taken for promising technologies to reach the market.

AREAS COVERED

This study aimed to analyze the stage of development of DDSs for the treatment of SCL described in patents. In addition, we try to understand the main reasons why many DDSs do not reach the market. In this study, we examined DDSs for drugs indicated by WHO and treatment of SCL, by performing a search for patents.

EXPERT OPINION

In this present work we provide arguments that support the hypothesis that there is a lack of integration between academia and industry to finance and continue research, especially the development of clinical studies. We cite the translational research consortia as the potential alternative for developing DDSs to combat NTDs.

Lipid nanostructures for targeting brain cancer

Advancements in both material science and bionanotechnology are transforming the health care sector. To this end, nanoparticles are increasingly used to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy. Huge research is being carried out to improve the design, efficiency, and performance of these nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are also considered as a major area of research and development to meet the essential requirements for use in nanomedicine where safety, compatibility, biodegradability, biodistribution, stability, and effectiveness are requirements towards the desired application. In this regard, lipids have been used in pharmaceuticals and medical formulations for a long time. The present work focuses on the use of lipid nanostructures to combat brain tumors. In addition, this review summarizes the literature pertaining to solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (LNC), methods of preparation and characterization, developments achieved to overcome blood brain barrier (BBB), and modifications used to increase their effectiveness.

Multivesicular liposome: A lipid-based drug delivery system for efficient drug delivery

The advancement of delivery tools for therapeutic agents has brought several novel formulations with increased drug loading, sustained release, targeted delivery, and prolonged efficacy. Amongst the several novel delivery approaches, multivesicular liposome has gained potential interest because this delivery system possesses the above advantages. In addition, this multivesicular liposomal delivery prevents degradation of the entrapped drug within the physiological environment while administered. The special structure of the vesicles allowed successful entrapment of hydrophobic and hydrophilic therapeutic agents, including proteins and peptides. Furthermore, this novel formulation could maintain the desired drug concentration in the plasma for a prolonged period, which helps to reduce the dosing frequencies, improve bioavailability, and safety. This tool could also provide stability of the formulation, and finally gaining patient compliance. Several multivesicular liposomes received approval for clinical research, while others are at different stages of laboratory research. In this review, we have focused on the preparation of multivesicular liposomes along with their application in different ailments for the improvement of the performance of the entrapped drug. Moreover, the challenges of delivering multivesicular vesicles have also been emphasized. Overall, it could be inferred that multivesicular liposomal delivery is a novel platform of advanced drug delivery with improved efficacy and safety.