Extended Release of Metronidazole Drug Using Chitosan/Graphene Oxide Bionanocomposite Beads as the Drug Carrier

Polysaccharides and proteins-based bionanocomposites for microencapsulation of probiotics to improve stability and viability in the gastrointestinal tract: A review

Probiotics have recently received significant attention due to their various benefits, such as the modulation of gut flora, reduction of blood sugar and insulin resistance, prevention and treatment of digestive disorders, and strengthening of the immune system. One of the major issues concerning probiotics is the maintenance of their viability in the presence of digestive conditions and extended shelf life during storage. To address this concern, numerous techniques have been explored to achieve success. Among these methods, the microencapsulation of probiotics has been proposed as the most effective way to overcome this challenge. The combination of nanomaterials with biopolymer coating is considered a novel approach to improve its viability and effective delivery. The use of polysaccharides and proteins-based bionanocomposites for microencapsulation of probiotics has emerged as an efficient and promising approach for maintaining cell viability and targeted delivery. This review article aims to investigate the use of different bionanocomposites in microencapsulation of probiotics and their effect on cell survival in long-term storage and harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for Drug/Gene Delivery: An Overview of the Production Techniques and Difficulties Encountered in Their Industrial Development

Over the past decade, the therapeutic potential of nanomaterials as novel drug delivery systems complementing conventional pharmacology has been widely acknowledged. Among these nanomaterials, lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) have shown remarkable pharmacological performance and promising therapeutic outcomes, thus gaining substantial interest in preclinical and clinical research. In this review, we introduce the main types of LNPs used in drug formulations such as liposomes, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles, focusing on their main physicochemical properties and therapeutic potential. We discuss computational studies and modeling techniques to enhance the understanding of how LNPs interact with therapeutic cargo and to predict the potential effectiveness of such interactions in therapeutic applications. We also analyze the benefits and drawbacks of various LNP production techniques such as nanoprecipitation, emulsification, evaporation, thin film hydration, microfluidic-based methods, and an impingement jet mixer. Additionally, we discuss the major challenges associated with industrial development, including stability and sterilization, storage, regulatory compliance, reproducibility, and quality control. Overcoming these challenges and facilitating regulatory compliance represent the key steps toward LNP's successful commercialization and translation into clinical settings.

Miscibility studies on carboxymethyl chitosan and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) mixtures

The production of polymer mixtures is a widely used method to improve polymer performance, as such mixtures can combine advantageous properties from each component. In this study, mixtures based on carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) were characterized using steady shear measurements, viscometry, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Viscometry and steady shear studies were performed on solutions of the native polymers and their mixtures with various weight proportions (80/20, 50/50, and 20/80%w/w). The rheological tests revealed that the apparent viscosity of solutions of CMCh/PVP mixtures was higher than that of the native polymer solutions. The rheological data showed that CMCh solutions and their mixtures were typical pseudoplastic liquids, which could be accurately described by the Cross and power law models. Viscometric parameters were determined using the method proposed by Garcia et al., which indicated good miscibility between CMCh and PVP in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the morphology, structure, and thermal properties of CMCh films changed when PVP was added. The obtained analytical data showed the formation of stable mixtures of CMCh and PVP, with a high miscibility ratio between these polymers, through intermolecular interactions between the polymer chains.

An Update on Graphene Oxide: Applications and Toxicity

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted much attention in the past few years because of its interesting and promising electrical, thermal, mechanical, and structural properties. These properties can be altered, as GO can be readily functionalized. Brodie synthesized the GO in 1859 by reacting graphite with KClO3 in the presence of fuming HNO3; the reaction took 3-4 days to complete at 333 K. Since then, various schemes have been developed to reduce the reaction time, increase the yield, and minimize the release of toxic byproducts (NO2 and N2O4). The modified Hummers method has been widely accepted to produce GO in bulk. Due to its versatile characteristics, GO has a wide range of applications in different fields like tissue engineering, photocatalysis, catalysis, and biomedical applications. Its porous structure is considered appropriate for tissue and organ regeneration. Various branches of tissue engineering are being extensively explored, such as bone, neural, dentistry, cartilage, and skin tissue engineering. The band gap of GO can be easily tuned, and therefore it has a wide range of photocatalytic applications as well: the degradation of organic contaminants, hydrogen generation, and CO2 reduction, etc. GO could be a potential nanocarrier in drug delivery systems, gene delivery, biological sensing, and antibacterial nanocomposites due to its large surface area and high density, as it is highly functionalized with oxygen-containing functional groups. GO or its composites are found to be toxic to various biological species and as also discussed in this review. It has been observed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels gradually increase over a period after GO is introduced in the biological systems. Hence, GO at specific concentrations is toxic for various species like earthworms, Chironomus riparius, Zebrafish, etc.

Graphene oxide modification enhances the activity of chitosan against Fusarium graminearum in vitro and in vivo

Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum), a pathogen for Fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat, significantly reduces wheat yield and poses potential threats to human food safety. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) modified chitosan (GO-CS composite) was synthesized and its antifungal activity against F. graminearum in vitro and in vivo was evaluated. The ¹HNMR and FTIR results revealed the reaction between the carboxyl groups in GO and the amino groups in chitosan (CS). In vitro, the combination of GO and CS resulted in a significant synergistic inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of F. graminearum relative to single GO or CS. The EC₅₀ value of the GO-CS composite was 14.07 μg/mL, which was much lower than that of GO or CS alone. In vivo, the GO-CS composite significantly reduced the disease incidence and severity compared with single GO or CS, and the control efficacy could reach 60.01 %. Microbial cells might be ultimately damaged when interacting with GO-CS due to various mechanisms such as biological effects and physical barriers. Overall, the combination of GO and CS provides new opportunities for their application in the control of fungi.

Customizing nano-chitosan for sustainable drug delivery

Chitosan is a natural polymer with acceptable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical stability; hence, it has been widely appraised for drug and gene delivery applications. However, there has been no comprehensive assessment to tailor-make chitosan cross-linkers of various types and functionalities as well as complex chitosan-based semi- and full-interpenetrating networks for drug delivery systems (DDSs). Herein, various fabrication methods developed for chitosan hydrogels are deliberated, including chitosan crosslinking with and without diverse cross-linkers. Tripolyphosphate, genipin and multi-functional aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and epoxides are common cross-linkers used in developing biomedical chitosan for DDSs. Methods deployed for modifying the properties and performance of chitosan hydrogels, via their composite production (semi- and full-interpenetrating networks), are also cogitated here. In addition, recent advances in the fabrication of advanced chitosan hydrogels for drug delivery applications such as oral drug delivery, transdermal drug delivery, and cancer therapy are discussed. Lastly, thoughts on what is needed for the chitosan field to continue to grow is also debated in this comprehensive review article.

Graphene Oxide Thin Films with Drug Delivery Function

Graphene oxide has been used in different fields of nanomedicine as a manager of drug delivery due to its inherent physical and chemical properties that allow its use in thin films with biomedical applications. Several studies demonstrated its efficacy in the control of the amount and the timely delivery of drugs when it is incorporated in multilayer films. It has been demonstrated that oxide graphene layers are able to work as drug delivery or just to delay consecutive drug dosage, allowing the operation of time-controlled systems. This review presents the latest research developments of biomedical applications using graphene oxide as the main component of a drug delivery system, with focus on the production and characterization of films, in vitro and in vivo assays, main applications of graphene oxide biomedical devices, and its biocompatibility properties.