Evaluation of In Vivo toxicity of Novel Biosurfactant from Candida parapsilosis loaded in PLA-PEG Polymeric Nanoparticles

Surfactin-Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles as an Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is an alarming global health concern and has stimulated the development of novel functional nanomaterials to combat multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the synthesis and application of surfactin-coated silver nanoparticles as an efficient antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against the drug-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa for safe dermal applications. Our in vivo studies showed no significant superficial dermal irritation, edema, and erythema, while microscopic analysis revealed that surfactin-coated silver nanoparticles caused no pathological alterations at the applied concentrations. These results support the potential use of surfactin-coated silver nanoparticles against drug-resistant bacterial biofilm infections and in skin wound dressing applications.

Harnessing the Potential of Biosurfactants for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications

Biosurfactants (BSs) are microbial compounds that have emerged as potential alternatives to chemical surfactants due to their multifunctional properties, sustainability and biodegradability. Owing to their amphipathic nature and distinctive structural arrangement, biosurfactants exhibit a range of physicochemical properties, including excellent surface activity, efficient critical micelle concentration, humectant properties, foaming and cleaning abilities and the capacity to form microemulsions. Furthermore, numerous biosurfactants display additional biological characteristics, such as antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects, and antioxidant, anticancer and immunomodulatory activities. Over the past two decades, numerous studies have explored their potential applications, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents, wound healing, anticancer treatments, immune system modulators and drug/gene carriers. These applications are particularly important in addressing challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formations in clinical, hygiene and therapeutic settings. They can also serve as coating agents for surfaces, enabling antiadhesive, suppression, or eradication strategies. Not least importantly, biosurfactants have shown compatibility with various drug formulations, including nanoparticles, liposomes, micro- and nanoemulsions and hydrogels, improving drug solubility, stability and bioavailability, and enabling a targeted and controlled drug release. These qualities make biosurfactants promising candidates for the development of next-generation antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anticancer, wound-healing, immunomodulating, drug or gene delivery agents, as well as adjuvants to other antibiotics. Analysing the most recent literature, this review aims to update the present understanding, highlight emerging trends, and identify promising directions and advancements in the utilization of biosurfactants within the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Biosurfactant from Candida: sources, classification, and emerging applications

Biosurfactants are surface-active molecules that are synthesized by many microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and yeast. These molecules are amphiphilic in nature, possessing emulsifying ability, detergency, foaming, and surface-activity like characteristics. Yeast species belongs to the genus Candida has gained globally enormous interest because of the diverse properties of biosurfactants produced by theme. In contrast to synthetic surfactants, biosurfactants are claimed to be biodegradable and non-toxic which labels them as a potent industrial compound. Biosurfactants produced by this genus are reported to possess certain biological activities, such as anticancer and antiviral activities. They also have potential industrial applications in bioremediation, oil recovery, agricultural, pharmaceutical, biomedical, food, and cosmetic industries. Various species of Candida have been recognized as biosurfactant producers, including Candida petrophilum, Candida bogoriensis, Candida antarctica, Candida lipolytica, Candida albicans, Candida batistae, Candida albicans, Candida sphaerica, etc. These species produce various forms of biosurfactants, such as glycolipids, lipopeptides, fatty acids, and polymeric biosurfactants, which are distinct according to their molecular weights. Herein, we provide a detailed overview of various types of biosurfactants produced by Candida sp., process optimization for better production, and the latest updates on the applications of these biosurfactants.

Pharmaceutical prospects of biosurfactants produced from fungal species

The development of novel types of biogenic surface-active compounds is of greater interest for combating many diseases and infections. In this respect research and development of biosurfactant has gained immense importance. Substantially, biosurfactant is defined as a class of active amphiphilic chemical compounds that comprise hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties on their surfaces. It is generally known that many kinds of microorganisms can be used to produce these surfactants or surface-active compounds. Hosting interesting features such as biodegradability, emulsifying/de-emulsifying capacity, low toxicity, and antimicrobial activities; these amphiphilic compounds in recent years have flourished as an ideal replacement for the chemically synthesized surfactant, and also have various commercial attractions. Both bacteria and fungi are the producers of these amphiphilic molecules; however, the pathogenicity of certain bacterial strains has caused a shift in interest toward fungi. Therefore, various fungi species have been reported for the production of biosurfactants amongst which Candida species have been the most studied strains. Biosurfactants uphold desired properties like antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiadhesion, and anticancer activity which proves them an ideal candidate for the application in various fields like pharmaceutical, gene therapy, medical insertion safety, immunotherapy to fight against many chronic diseases, and so forth. Hence, this review article discusses the pharmaceutical prospects of biosurfactants produced from different fungal species, providing new directions toward the discovery and development of molecules with novel structures and diverse functions for advanced application in the medical field.

Where Is Nano Today and Where Is It Headed? A Review of Nanomedicine and the Dilemma of Nanotoxicology

Worldwide nanotechnology development and application have fueled many scientific advances, but technophilic expectations and technophobic demands must be counterbalanced in parallel. Some of the burning issues today are the following: (1) Where is nano today? (2) How good are the communication and investment networks between academia/research and governments? (3) Is there any spotlight application for nanotechnology? Nanomedicine is a particular arm of nanotechnology within the healthcare landscape, focused on diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of emerging (such as coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) and contemporary (including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer) diseases. However, it may only represent the bright side of the coin. In fact, in the recent past, the concept of nanotoxicology has emerged to address the dark shadows of nanomedicine. The nanomedicine field requires more nanotoxicological studies to identify undesirable effects and guarantee safety. Here, we provide an overall perspective on nanomedicine and nanotoxicology as central pieces of the giant puzzle of nanotechnology. First, the impact of nanotechnology on education and research is highlighted, followed by market trends and scientific output tendencies. In the next section, the nanomedicine and nanotoxicology dilemma is addressed through the interplay of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo models with the support of omics and microfluidic approaches. Lastly, a reflection on the regulatory issues and clinical trials is provided. Finally, some conclusions and future perspectives are proposed for a clearer and safer translation of nanomedicines from the bench to the bedside.

Anticancer Biosurfactant-Loaded PLA-PEG Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in Human MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

Despite various advancements in cancer therapies, treating cancer efficiently without side effects is still a major concern for researchers. Anticancer drugs from natural sources need to be explored as a replacement for chemo drugs to overcome their limitations. In our previous studies, isolation, characterization, and anticancer properties of a novel biosurfactant from Candida parapsilosis were reported. In this study, we report the cytotoxicity of the polymeric nanoparticles of this novel biosurfactant toward breast cancer cells. Biosurfactant-encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles of polylactic acid-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) copolymers were synthesized by the double emulsion solvent evaporation method. Folic acid (FA) was used as a targeting ligand to actively deliver the anticancer cargo to the cancer site. The encapsulation efficiency of nanoparticles was observed as 84.9%, and Fickian diffusion was observed as a kinetic model for the release of biosurfactant from nanoparticles. The controlled delivery of the biosurfactant was noticed when encapsulated in PLA-PEG copolymer nanoparticles. Additionally, it was observed that FA enhanced the uptake and cytotoxicity of biosurfactant-loaded nanoparticles in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells compared to biosurfactant-loaded plain nanoparticles. Induction of apoptosis was observed in cancer cells by these nanoparticles. We explore a potential anticancer agent that can be further analyzed for its efficiency and can be used as an alternative tool.

Degradation Behavior of Polymers Used as Coating Materials for Drug Delivery-A Basic Review

The purpose of the work was to emphasize the main differences and similarities in the degradation mechanisms in the case of polymeric coatings compared with the bulk ones. Combined with the current background, this work reviews the properties of commonly utilized degradable polymers in drug delivery, the factors affecting degradation mechanism, testing methods while offering a retrospective on the evolution of the controlled release of biodegradable polymeric coatings. A literature survey on stability and degradation of different polymeric coatings, which were thoroughly evaluated by different techniques, e.g., polymer mass loss measurements, surface, structural and chemical analysis, was completed. Moreover, we analyzed some shortcomings of the degradation behavior of biopolymers in form of coatings and briefly proposed some solving directions to the main existing problems (e.g., improving measuring techniques resolution, elucidation of complete mathematical analysis of the different degradation mechanisms). Deep studies are still necessary on the dynamic changes which occur to biodegradable polymeric coatings which can help to envisage the future performance of synthesized films designed to be used as medical devices with application in drug delivery.

Poly ethylene glycol (PEG)-Related controllable and sustainable antidiabetic drug delivery systems

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most challenging threats to global public health. To improve the therapy efficacy of antidiabetic drugs, numerous drug delivery systems have been developed. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymeric family sharing the same skeleton but with different molecular weights which is considered as a promising material for drug delivery. In the delivery of antidiabetic drugs, PEG captures much attention in the designing and preparation of sustainable and controllable release systems due to its unique features including hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Due to the unique architecture, PEG molecules are also able to shelter delivery systems to decrease their immunogenicity and avoid undesirable enzymolysis. PEG has been applied in plenty of delivery systems such as micelles, vesicles, nanoparticles and hydrogels. In this review, we summarized several commonly used PEG-contained antidiabetic drug delivery systems and emphasized the advantages of stimuli-responsive function in these sustainable and controllable formations.