Microparticulate and nanotechnology mediated drug delivery system for the delivery of herbal extracts

Tissue regeneration properties of hydrogels derived from biological macromolecules: A review

The successful tissue engineering depends on the development of biologically active scaffolds that possess optimal characteristics to effectively support cellular functions, maintain structural integrity and aid in tissue regeneration. Hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates in tissue regeneration due to their resemblance to the natural extracellular matrix and their ability to support cell survival and proliferation. The integration of hydrogel scaffold into the polymer has a variable impact on the pseudo extracellular environment, fostering cell growth/repair. The modification in size, shape, surface morphology and porosity of hydrogel scaffolds has consequently paved the way for addressing diverse challenges in the tissue engineering process such as tissue architecture, vascularization and simultaneous seeding of multiple cells. The present review provides a comprehensive update on hydrogel production using natural and synthetic biomaterials and their underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, it delves into the application of hydrogel scaffolds in tissue engineering for cardiac tissues, cartilage tissue, adipose tissue, nerve tissue and bone tissue. Besides, the present article also highlights various clinical studies, patents, and the limitations associated with hydrogel-based scaffolds in recent times.

Diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease: Understanding disease mechanisms, their correlation, and promising dual activity of selected herbs

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This review explores the link between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and diabetes-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD). It emphasizes the shared pathophysiological links and mechanisms between the two conditions, focusing on reduced insulin levels and receptors, impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage in AD-affected brains-paralleling aspects of T2DM. The review suggests AD as a "diabetes of the brain," supported by cognitive enhancement through antidiabetic interventions. It focuses on the traditionally used Indian herbs as a means to manage both conditions while addressing developmental challenges.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study explores the DM-AD connection, reviewing medicinal herbs with protective potential for both ailments, considering traditional uses and developmental challenges.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studied research, reviews, and ethnobotanical and scientific data from electronic databases and traditional books.

RESULTS

The study analyzes the pathophysiological links between DM and AD, emphasizing their interconnected factors. Eight Ayurvedic plants with dual protective effects against T2DM and AD are thoroughly reviewed with preclinical/clinical evidence. Historical context, phytoconstituents, and traditional applications are explored. Innovative formulations using these plants are examined. Challenges stemming from phytoconstituents' physicochemical properties are highlighted, prompting novel formulation development, including nanotechnology-based delivery systems. The study uncovers obstacles in formulating treatments for these diseases.

CONCLUSION

The review showcases the dual potential of chosen medicinal herbs against both diseases, along with their traditional applications, endorsing their use. It addresses formulation obstacles, proposing innovative delivery technologies for herbal therapies, while acknowledging their constraints. The review suggests the need for heightened investment and research in this area.

Nanomaterials-assisted photothermal therapy for breast cancer: State-of-the-art advances and future perspectives

Breast cancer (BC) remains an enigmatic fatal modality ubiquitously prevalent in different parts of the world. Contemporary medicines face severe challenges in remediating and healing breast cancer. Due to its spatial specificity and nominal invasive therapeutic regime, photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted much scientific attention down the lane. PTT utilizes a near-infrared (NIR) light source to irradiate the tumor target intravenously or non-invasively, which is converted into heat energy over an optical fibre. Dynamic progress in nanomaterial synthesis was achieved with specialized visual, physicochemical, biological, and pharmacological features to make up for the inadequacies and expand the horizon of PTT. Numerous nanomaterials have substantial NIR absorption and can function as efficient photothermal transducers. It is achievable to limit the wavelength range of an absorbance peak for specific nanomaterials by manipulating their synthesis, enhancing the precision and quality of PTT. Along the same lines, various nanomaterials are conjugated with a wide range of surface-modifying chemicals, including polymers and antibodies, which may modify the persistence of the nanomaterial and diminish toxicity concerns. In this article, we tend to put forth specific insights and fundamental conceptualizations on pre-existing PTT and its advances upon conjugation with different biocompatible nanomaterials working in synergy to combat breast cancer, encompassing several strategies like immunotherapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and radiotherapy coupled with PTT. Additionally, the role or mechanisms of nanoparticles, as well as possible alternatives to PTT, are summarized as a distinctive integral aspect in this article.

Unravelling the potential of mitochondria-targeted liposomes for enhanced cancer treatment

Mitochondria are the primary organelles of cells involved in various physiochemical and biochemical processes. Owing to their crucial role in cellular metabolism, mitochondria are favored therapeutic targets for the treatment and prevention of cancers. Recently, there has been growing interest in the use of mitochondria-specific functional nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to these organelles. Among several nanosystems, liposomes have garnered considerable attention owing to their exceptional drug delivery capabilities, biocompatibility, biodegradability, ease of manufacturing and established regulatory guidelines for market approval. In this context, the present review provides a brief insight into the association between mitochondria and tumor formation and advantages of mitochondrial targeting in cancer therapy. Furthermore, it discusses mitochondria-targeting functional liposomes for the treatment of various cancers, such as breast, lung, colon, among others.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Coleus amboinicus: A Comprehensive Review

Coleus amboinicus Benth., also known as Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng., is a perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family commonly found in tropical and warm regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Folk medicine commonly employs this remedy to address various ailments, including but not limited to asthma, headaches, skin disorders, coughs, constipation, colds, and fevers. Several phytoconstituents from various phytochemical classes, such as phenolics, terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavones, and tannins, have been identified in Coleus amboinicus up to the present time. Numerous pharmacological properties of Coleus amboinicus crude extracts have been documented through both in vitro and in vivo studies, including but not limited to antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, wound healing, analgesic, antirheumatic, and various other therapeutic effects. Due to its extensive history of traditional usage, the diverse array of bioactive phytochemicals, and numerous established pharmacological activities, Coleus amboinicus is widely regarded as having significant potential for clinical applications and warrants further exploration, development, and exploitation through research. With this context, the present study gathers information on the occurrence, biological description, cultivation, and nutritional values of Coleus amboinicus. Furthermore, it thoroughly discusses various phytoconstituents, along with their classes, present in Coleus amboinicus, followed by detailed descriptions of their pharmacological activities based on recent literature.

Nanoparticle-Based Approaches for Treatment of Hematological Malignancies: a Comprehensive Review

Blood cancer, also known as hematological malignancy, is one of the devastating types of cancer that has significantly paved its mortality mark globally. It persists as an extremely deadly cancer type and needs utmost attention owing to its negligible overall survival rate. Major challenges in the treatment of blood cancer include difficulties in early diagnosis, as well as severe side effects resulting from chemotherapy. In addition, immunotherapies and targeted therapies can be prohibitively expensive. Over the past two decades, scientists have devised a few nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems aimed at overcoming this challenge. These therapeutic strategies are engineered to augment the cellular uptake, pharmacokinetics, and effectiveness of anticancer drugs. However, there are still numerous types of nanoparticles that could potentially improve the efficacy of blood cancer treatment, while also reducing treatment costs and mitigating drug-related side effects. To the best of our knowledge, there has been limited reviews published on the use of nano-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Therefore, we have made a concerted effort to provide a comprehensive review that draws upon recent literature and patents, with a focus on the most promising results regarding the use of nanoparticle-based approaches for the treatment of hematological malignancies. All these crucial points covered under a common title would significantly help researchers and scientists working in the area.

Progress in microsphere-based scaffolds in bone/cartilage tissue engineering

Bone/cartilage repair and regeneration have been popular and difficult issues in medical research. Tissue engineering is rapidly evolving to provide new solutions to this problem, and the key point is to design the appropriate scaffold biomaterial. In recent years, microsphere-based scaffolds have been considered suitable scaffold materials for bone/cartilage injury repair because microporous structures can form more internal space for better cell proliferation and other cellular activities, and these composite scaffolds can provide physical/chemical signals for neotissue formation with higher efficiency. This paper reviews the research progress of microsphere-based scaffolds in bone/chondral tissue engineering, briefly introduces types of microspheres made from polymer, inorganic and composite materials, discusses the preparation methods of microspheres and the exploration of suitable microsphere pore size in bone and cartilage tissue engineering, and finally details the application of microsphere-based scaffolds in biomimetic scaffolds, cell proliferation and drug delivery systems.

Development of Essential Oil Delivery Systems by 'Click Chemistry' Methods: Possible Ways to Manage Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Recently, rare diseases have received attention due to the need for improvement in diagnosed patients' and their families' lives. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare, severe, progressive, muscle-wasting disease. Today, the therapeutic standard for treating DMD is corticosteroids, which cause serious adverse side effects. Nutraceuticals, e.g., herbal extracts or essential oils (EOs), are possible active substances to develop new drug delivery systems to improve DMD patients' lives. New drug delivery systems lead to new drug effects, improved safety and accuracy, and new therapies for rare diseases. Herbal extracts and EOs combined with click chemistry can lead to the development of safer treatments for DMD. In this review, we focus on the need for novel drug delivery systems using EOs as the therapy for DMD and the potential use of click chemistry for drug delivery systems. New EO complex drug delivery systems may offer a new approach for improving muscle conditions and mental health issues associated with DMD. However, further research should identify the potential of these systems in the context of DMD. In this review, we discuss possibilities for applying EOs to DMD before implementing expensive research in a theoretical way.

Pluronics-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Flavonoids Anticancer Treatment

This research concerns the investigation of the preparation of polymeric nanocarriers containing a flavonoid-naringenin, xanthohumol or isoxanthohumol-based on Pluronics by the thin-film formation method. The size of the formed micelles and their stability upon dilution were evaluated using Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis; the high values of the drug loading and the encapsulation efficiency confirmed that the proposed systems of flavonoids delivery consisting of Pluronic P123 and F127 nanomicelles could effectively distribute the drug into tumour tissues, which makes these nanocarriers ideal candidates for passive targeting of cancer cells by the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect. The in vitro cytotoxicity of proposed flavonoids in the Pluronic formulations was investigated by the SRB assay with human colon cancer cells. We designed mixed polymeric micelles, which was a successful drug delivery system for the case of naringenin not being able to enhance the bioavailability and cytotoxic activity of xanthohumol and isoxanthohumol. Furthermore, it was observed that the higher amount of polymer in the formulation achieved better cytotoxic activity.

Advancements in nanoparticle-based treatment approaches for skin cancer therapy

Skin cancer has emerged as the fifth most commonly reported cancer in the world, causing a burden on global health and the economy. The enormously rising environmental changes, industrialization, and genetic modification have further exacerbated skin cancer statistics. Current treatment modalities such as surgery, radiotherapy, conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are facing several issues related to cost, toxicity, and bioavailability thereby leading to declined anti-skin cancer therapeutic efficacy and poor patient compliance. In the context of overcoming this limitation, several nanotechnological advancements have been witnessed so far. Among various nanomaterials, nanoparticles have endowed exorbitant advantages by acting as both therapeutic agents and drug carriers for the remarkable treatment of skin cancer. The small size and large surface area to volume ratio of nanoparticles escalate the skin tumor uptake through their leaky vasculature resulting in enhanced therapeutic efficacy. In this context, the present review provides up to date information about different types and pathology of skin cancer, followed by their current treatment modalities and associated drawbacks. Furthermore, it meticulously discusses the role of numerous inorganic, polymer, and lipid-based nanoparticles in skin cancer therapy with subsequent descriptions of their patents and clinical trials.