Preparation of Balangu (Lallemantia royleana) seed mucilage aerogels loaded with paracetamol: Evaluation of drug loading via response surface methodology

Creating and exploring carboxymethyl cellulose aerogels as drug delivery devices

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a well-known cellulose derivative used in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work, novel porous CMC materials, aerogels, were prepared and tested as a drug delivery device. CMC aerogels were made from CMC solutions, followed by non-solvent induced phase separation and drying with supercritical CO2. The influence of CMC characteristics and of processing conditions on aerogels' density, specific surface area, morphology and drug release properties were investigated. Freeze-drying of CMC solutions was also used as an alternative process to compare the properties of the as-obtained "cryogels" with those of aerogels. Aerogels were nanostructured materials with bulk density below 0.25 g/cm3 and high specific surface area up to 143 m2/g. Freeze drying yields highly macroporous materials with low specific surface areas (around 5-18 m2/g) and very low density, 0.01 - 0.07g/cm3. Swelling and dissolution of aerogels and cryogels in water and in a simulated wound exudate (SWE) were evaluated. The drug was loaded in aerogels and cryogels, and release kinetics in SWE was investigated. Drug diffusion coefficients were correlated with material solubility, morphology, density, degree of substitution and drying methods, demonstrating tuneability of new materials' properties in view of their use as delivery matrices.

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Biopolymer-Based Aerogels as Smart Platforms for Targeted Drug Delivery

Cancer stands as a leading cause of global mortality, with chemotherapy being a pivotal treatment approach, either alone or in conjunction with other therapies. The primary goal of these therapies is to inhibit the growth of cancer cells specifically, while minimizing harm to healthy dividing cells. Conventional treatments, often causing patient discomfort due to side effects, have led researchers to explore innovative, targeted cancer cell therapies. Thus, biopolymer-based aerogels emerge as innovative platforms, showcasing unique properties that respond intelligently to diverse stimuli. This responsiveness enables precise control over the release of anticancer drugs, enhancing therapeutic outcomes. The significance of these aerogels lies in their ability to offer targeted drug delivery with increased efficacy, biocompatibility, and a high drug payload. In this comprehensive review, the author discuss the role of biopolymer-based aerogels as an emerging functionalized platforms in anticancer drug delivery. The review addresses the unique properties of biopolymer-based aerogels showing their smart behavior in responding to different stimuli including temperature, pH, magnetic and redox potential to control anticancer drug release. Finally, the review discusses the application of different biopolymer-based aerogel in delivering different anticancer drugs and also discusses the potential of these platforms in gene delivery applications.

Aerogel-Like Material Based on PEGylated Hyperbranched Polymethylethoxysiloxane

Aerogels are a class of materials that have gained increasing attention over the past several decades due to their exceptional physical and chemical properties. These materials are highly porous, with a low density and high surface area, allowing for applications such as insulation, catalysis, and energy storage. However, traditional aerogels, such as pure silica aerogels, suffer from brittleness and fragility, which limit their usefulness in many applications. Herein, we have addressed this problem by using organosilicon compounds, namely polymethylsilsesquioxane derivatives, for the synthesis of aerogel-like materials. Specifically, we have developed a novel approach involving surfactant-free synthesis of microcapsules from partially PEGylated hyperbranched polymethylethoxysiloxane. Due to the highly diphilic nature of these compounds, they readily concentrate at the oil/water interface in aqueous emulsions encapsulating oil droplets. During the subsequent condensation, the organosilicon precursor is consumed for hexane encapsulation (yielding hollow microcapsules) followed by the formation of a continuous condensed phase. Concurrently, methyl groups ensure the hydrophobicity of the resulting materials, which eliminates the need of using additional reagents for their hydrophobization.

Seed gum-based delivery systems and their application in encapsulation of bioactive molecules

Now-a-days, the food/pharma realm faces with great challenges for the application of bioactive molecules when applying them in free form due to their instability in vitro/in vivo. For promoting the biological and functional properties of bioactive molecules, efficient delivery systems have played a pivotal role offering a controlled delivery and improved bioavailability/solubility of bioactives. Among different carbohydrate-based delivery systems, seed gum-based vehicles (SGVs) have shown great promise, facilitating the delivery of a high concentration of bioactive at the site of action, a controlled payload release, and less bioactive loss. SGVs are potent structures to promote the bioavailability, beneficial properties, and in vitro/in vivo stability of bioactive components. Here, we offer a comprehensive overview of seed gum-based nano- and microdevices as delivery systems for bioactive molecules. We have a focus on structural/functional attributes and health-promoting benefits of seed gums, but also strategies involving modification of these biopolymers are included. Diverse SGVs (nano/microparticles, functional films, hydrogels/nanogels, particles for Pickering nanoemulsions, multilayer carriers, emulsions, and complexes/conjugates) are reviewed and important parameters for bioactive delivery are highlighted (e.g. bioactive-loading capacity, control of bioactive release, (bio)stability, and so on). Future challenges for these biopolymer-based carriers have also been discussed. HighlightsSeed gum-based polymers are promising materials to design different bioactive delivery systems.Seed gum-based delivery systems are particles, fibers, complexes, conjugates, hydrogels, etc.Seed gum-based vehicles are potent structures to promote the bioavailability, beneficial properties, and in vitro/in vivo stability of bioactive components.

Extraction process and method validation for bioactive compounds from Citrus reticulata cv. Chachiensis: Application of response surface methodology and HPLC–DAD

Citrus reticulata cv. Chachiensis, a traditional Chinese herb, has extensive medicinal and edible effects. 3′,4′,5,6,7,8-Hexamethoxyflavone (HM) and 5,6,7,8,4′-pentamethoxyflavone (PM) are main bioactive compounds in Chachiensis, which have been reported to possess various biological properties. In this study, supercritical CO2 extraction (SCE) and high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) were utilized to prepare HM and PM from Chachiensis. The contents of target compounds were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography method with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD), which was validated using the following parameters: linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, stability, precision and accuracy. The SCE conditions were optimized using response surface methodology with central composite design. Obtained optimum conditions were temperature of 37.9 °C, pressure of 26.3 MPa, and modifier volume of 81.0 mL. Under above conditions, the recoveries of target compounds were 92.52 ± 0.83 and 96.36 ± 0.43%, respectively. The most appropriate solvent system for HSCCC was selected as n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:0.8:1:1.2, v/v). The HSCCC fractions were detected by HPLC-DAD, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR). The results indicated that this method was successfully applied to obtain HM and PM with high purities and high recoveries from Chachiensis.

Aerogels in drug delivery: From design to application

Aerogels are the lightest processed solid materials on Earth and with the largest empty volume fraction in their structure. Composition versatility, modularity, and feasibility of industrial scale manufacturing are behind the fast emergence of aerogels in the drug delivery field. Compared to other 3D materials, the high porosity (interconnected mesopores) and high specific surface area of aerogels may allow faster loading of small-molecule drugs, less constrained access to inner regions of the matrix, and more efficient interactions of the biological milieu with the polymer matrix. Processing in supercritical CO₂ medium for both aerogel production (drying) and drug loading (impregnation) has remarkable advantages such as absence of an oxidizing environment, clean manufacture, and easiness for the scale-up under good manufacturing practices. The aerogel solid skeleton dictates the chemical affinity to the different drugs, which in turn determines the loading efficiency and the release pattern. Aerogels can be used to increase the solubility of BCS Class II and IV drugs because the drug can be deposited in amorphous state onto the large surface area of the skeleton, which facilitates a rapid contact with the body fluids, dissolution, and release. Conversely, tuning the aerogel structure by functionalization with drug-binding moieties or stimuli-responsive components, application of coatings and incorporation of drug-loaded aerogels into other matrices may enable site-specific, stimuli-responsive, or prolonged drug release. The present review deals with last decade advances in aerogels for drug delivery. An special focus is paid first on the loading efficiency of active ingredients and release kinetics under biorelevant conditions. Subsequent sections deal with aerogels intended to address specific therapeutic demands. In addition to oral delivery, the physical properties of the aerogels appear to be very advantageous for mucosal administration routes, such as pulmonary, nasal, or transdermal. A specific section devoted to recent achievements in gene therapy and theranostics is also included. In the last section, scale up strategies and life cycle assessment are comprehensively addressed.