Solid lipid nanoparticles: a review on recent perspectives and patents

Nanotechnology in medicine revolutionizing drug delivery for cancer and viral infection treatments

Advancements in nanotechnology were vastly applied in medicine and pharmacy, especially in the field of nano-delivery systems. It took a long time for these systems to ensure precise delivery of very delicate molecules, such as RNA, to cells at concentrations that yield remarkable efficiency, with success rates reaching 95.0% and 94.5%. These days, there are several advantages of using nanotechnological solutions in the prevention and treatment of cancer and viral infections. Its interventions improve treatment outcomes both due to increased effectiveness of the drug at target location and by reducing adverse reactions, thereby increasing patient adherence to the therapy. Based on the current knowledge an updated review was made, and perspective, opportunities and challenges in nanomedicine were discussed. The methods employed include comprehensive examination of existing literature and studies on nanoparticles and nano-delivery systems including both in vitro tests performed on cell cultures and in vivo assessments carried out on appropriate animal models, with a specific emphasis on their applications in oncology and virology. This brings together various aspects including both structure and formation as well as its association with characteristic behaviour in organisms, providing a novel perspective. Furthermore, the practical application of these systems in medicine and pharmacy with a focus on viral diseases and malignancies was explored. This review can serve as a valuable guide for fellow researchers, helping them navigate the abundance of findings in this field. The results indicate that applications of nanotechnological solutions for the delivery of medicinal products improving therapeutic outcomes will continue to expand.

Optimization of atorvastatin and quercetin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles using Box-Behnken design

Aim: The study explores the synergistic potential of atorvastatin (ATR) and quercetin (QUER)- loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) in combating breast cancer. Materials & methods: SLNs were synthesized using a high-shear homogenization method and optimized using Box-Behnken design. The SLNs were characterized and evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity. Results: The optimized SLN exhibited narrow size distribution (PDI = 0.338 ± 0.034), a particle size of 72.5 ± 6.5 nm, higher entrapment efficiency (<90%), sustained release and spherical surface particles. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies showed a significant reduction in IC50 values on MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Conclusion: We report a novel strategy of repurposing well-known drugs and encapsulating them into SLNs as a promising drug-delivery system against breast cancer.

Nanomedicine for colon-targeted drug delivery: strategies focusing on inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer

The nanostructured drug-delivery systems for colon-targeted drug delivery are a promising field of research for localized diseases particularly influencing the colonic region, in other words, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and colorectal cancer. There are various drug-delivery approaches designed for effective colonic disease treatment, including stimulus-based formulations (enzyme-triggered systems, pH-sensitive systems) and magnetically driven drug-delivery systems. In addition, targeted drug delivery by means of overexpressed receptors also offers site specificity and reduces drug resistance. It also covers GI tract-triggered emulsifying systems, nontoxic plant-derived nanoformulations as advanced drug-delivery techniques as well as nanotechnology-based clinical trials toward colonic diseases. This review gives insight into advancements in colon-targeted drug delivery to meet site specificity or targeted drug-delivery requirements.

Old drug, new tricks: polymer-based nanoscale systems for effective cytarabine delivery

Cytarabine, an antimetabolite antineoplastic agent, has been utilized to treat various cancers. However, because of its short half-life, low stability, and limited bioavailability, achieving an optimal plasma concentration requires continuous intravenous administration, which can lead to toxicity in normal cells and tissues. Addressing these limitations is crucial to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of cytarabine while minimizing its adverse effects. The use of novel drug delivery systems, such as polymer-based nanocarriers have emerged as promising vehicles for targeted drug delivery due to their unique properties, including high stability, biocompatibility, and tunable release kinetics. In this review, we examine the application of various polymer-based nanocarriers, including polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, polymer-drug conjugates, and nano-hydrogels, for the delivery of cytarabine. The article highlights the limitations of conventional cytarabine administration which often lead to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and systemic toxicity. The rationale for using polymer-based nanocarriers is discussed, highlighting their ability to overcome challenges by providing controlled drug release, improved stability, and enhanced targeting capabilities. In summary, this review offers a valuable resource for drug delivery scientists by providing insights into the design principles, formulation strategies, and potential applications of polymer-based nanocarriers that can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of cytarabine.

Exploring the interplay between the TGF-βpathway and SLN-mediated transfection: implications for gene delivery efficiency in prostate cancer and non-cancer cells

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are widely recognized for their biocompatibility, scalability, and long-term stability, making them versatile formulations for drug and gene delivery. Cellular interactions, governed by complex endocytic and signaling pathways, are pivotal for successfully applying SLN as a therapeutic agent. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the intricate interplay between SLN and cells by investigating the influence of specific endocytic and cell signaling pathways, with a focus on the impact of the TGF-βpathway on SLN-mediated cell transfection in both cancerous and non-cancerous prostate cells. Here, we systematically explored the intricate mechanisms governing the interactions between solid lipid nanoparticles and cells. By pharmacologically manipulating endocytic and signaling pathways, we analyzed alterations in SLNplex internalization, intracellular traffic, and cell transfection dynamics. Our findings highlight the significant role of macropinocytosis in the internalization and transfection processes of SLNplex in both cancer and non-cancer prostate cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that the TGF-βpathway is an important factor influencing endosomal release, potentially impacting gene expression and modulating cell transfection efficiency. This study provides novel insights into the dynamic mechanisms governing the interaction between cells and SLN, emphasizing the pivotal role of TGF-βsignaling in SLN-mediated transfection, affecting internalization, intracellular transport, and release of the genetic cargo. These findings provide valuable insight for the optimization of SLN-based therapeutic strategies in prostate-related applications.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): A promising candidate for lung cancer targeting

Lung cancer stands as the foremost health issue and the principal reason for mortality worldwide. It is projected that India will see over 1.73 million new cases and more than 880,000 deaths related to cancer, with lung cancer being a significant contributor. The efficiency of existing chemotherapy procedures is not optimal because of less soluble nature and short half-life of anticancer substances. More precipitated toxicity and non-existence of targeting propensity can lead to severe side effects, non-compliance, and inconvenience for patients. Nonetheless, the domain of nanomedicine has undergone a revolution in the past few years with the advent of novel drug delivery mechanisms that tackle the drawbacks of conventional approaches. Diverse nanoparticle-based drug delivery methods, including liposomes, nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier and solid lipid nanoparticle that encapsulated chemotherapy drugs, are currently employed for efficient lung cancer therapy. NLCs, recognized as the second-generation lipid nanocarriers, are a focused drug delivery mechanism that has garnered significant interest owing to their multitude of advantages such as increased stability, minimal toxicity, prolonged shelf life, superior encapsulation capability, and biocompatible nature. This review focuses on the NLCs carrier system, discussing its preparation methods, types, characterization, applications, and future prospects in lung cancer treatment.

Could nanotechnology improve exercise performance? Evidence from animal studies

This review provides the current state of knowledge regarding the use of nutritional nanocompounds on exercise performance. The reviewed studies used the following nanocompounds: resveratrol-loaded lipid nanoparticles, folic acid into layered hydroxide nanoparticle, redox-active nanoparticles with nitroxide radicals, and iron into liposomes. Most of these nutritional nanocompounds seem to improve performance in endurance exercise compared to the active compound in the non-nanoencapsulated form and/or placebo. Nutritional nanocompounds also induced the following physiological and metabolic alterations: 1) improved antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative stress; 2) reduction in inflammation status; 3) maintenance of muscle integrity; 4) improvement in mitochondrial function and quality; 5) enhanced glucose levels during exercise; 6) higher muscle and hepatic glycogen levels; and 7) increased serum and liver iron content. However, all the reviewed studies were conducted in animals (mice and rats). In conclusion, nutritional nanocompounds are a promising approach to improving exercise performance. As the studies using nutritional nanocompounds were all conducted in animals, further studies in humans are necessary to better understand the application of nutritional nanocompounds in sport and exercise science.

Different therapeutic approaches in melasma: advances and limitations

Melasma is a chronic hyperpigmentation skin disorder that is more common in the female gender. Although melasma is a multifactorial skin disorder, however, sun-exposure and genetic predisposition are considered as the main etiologic factors in melasma occurrence. Although numerous topical and systemic therapeutic agents and also non-pharmacologic procedural treatments have been considered in melasma management, however, the commonly available therapeutic options have several limitations including the lack of sufficient clinical effectiveness, risk of relapse, and high rate of unwanted adverse drug reactions. Recruitment of nanotechnology for topical drug delivery in melasma management can lead to enhanced skin penetration, targeted drug delivery to the site of action, longer deposition at the targeted area, and limit systemic absorption and therefore systemic availability and adverse drug reactions. In the current review, first of all, the etiology, pathophysiology, and severity classification of melasma have been considered. Then, various pharmacologic and procedural therapeutic options in melasma treatment have been discussed. Afterward, the usage of various types of nanoparticles for the purpose of topical drug delivery for melasma management was considered. In the end, numerous clinical studies and controlled clinical trials on the assessment of the effectiveness of these novel topical formulations in melasma management are summarized.

Progress in the Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases Based on Nanosized Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely used in clinical practice to treat diseases related to central nervous system (CNS) damage. However, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) constitutes a significant impediment to the effective delivery of TCM, thus substantially diminishing its efficacy. Advances in nanotechnology and its applications in TCM (also known as nano-TCM) can deliver active ingredients or components of TCM across the BBB to the targeted brain region. This review provides an overview of the physiological and pathological mechanisms of the BBB and systematically classifies the common TCM used to treat CNS diseases and types of nanocarriers that effectively deliver TCM to the brain. Additionally, drug delivery strategies for nano-TCMs that utilize in vivo physiological properties or in vitro devices to bypass or cross the BBB are discussed. This review further focuses on the application of nano-TCMs in the treatment of various CNS diseases. Finally, this article anticipates a design strategy for nano-TCMs with higher delivery efficiency and probes their application potential in treating a wider range of CNS diseases.

An overview on recent patents and technologies on nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery

INTRODUCTION

Nucleic acid-based therapeutics offer groundbreaking potential for treating genetic diseases and advancing next-generation vaccines. Despite their promise, challenges in efficient delivery persist due to the properties of nucleic acids. Nanoparticles (NPs) serve as vital carriers, facilitating effective delivery to target cells, and addressing these challenges. Understanding the global landscape of patents in this field is essential for fostering innovation and guiding decision-making for researchers, the pharmaceutical industry, and regulatory agencies.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides a comprehensive overview of patent compositions, applications, and manufacturing aspects concerning NPs as nucleic acid delivery systems. It delves into temporal trends, protection locations, market dynamics, and the most influential technological domains. In this work, we provide valuable insights into the advancements and potential of NP-based nucleic acid delivery systems, with a special focus on their pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge therapeutic solutions.

EXPERT OPINION

Investment in NPs for nucleic acid delivery has significantly surged in recent years. However, translating these therapies into clinical practice faces obstacles, including the need for robust clinical evidence, regulatory compliance, and streamlined manufacturing processes. To address these challenges, our review article summarizes recent advances. We aim to engage researchers worldwide in the development of these promising technologies.

Leveraging Lymphatic System Targeting in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus for Improved Clinical Outcomes

The role of advanced drug delivery strategies in drug repositioning and minimizing drug attrition rates, when applied early in drug discovery, is poised to increase the translational impact of various therapeutic strategies in disease prevention and treatment. In this context, drug delivery to the lymphatic system is gaining prominence not only to improve the systemic bioavailability of various pharmaceutical drugs but also to target certain specific diseases associated with the lymphatic system. Although the role of the lymphatic system in lupus is known, very little is done to target drugs to yield improved clinical benefits. In this review, we discuss recent advances in drug delivery strategies to treat lupus, the various routes of drug administration leading to improved lymph node bioavailability, and the available technologies applied in other areas that can be adapted to lupus treatment. Moreover, this review also presents some recent findings that demonstrate the promise of lymphatic targeting in a preclinical setting, offering renewed hope for certain pharmaceutical drugs that are limited by efficacy in their conventional dosage forms. These findings underscore the potential and feasibility of such lymphatic drug-targeting approaches to enhance therapeutic efficacy in lupus and minimize off-target effects of the pharmaceutical drugs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The World Health Organization estimates that there are currently 5 million humans living with some form of lupus. With limited success in lupus drug discovery, turning to effective delivery strategies with existing drug molecules, as well as those in the early stage of discovery, could lead to better clinical outcomes. After all, effective delivery strategies have been proven to improve treatment outcomes.

State of the art in pediatric nanomedicines

In recent years, the continuous development of innovative nanopharmaceuticals is expanding their biomedical and clinical applications. Nanomedicines are being revolutionized to circumvent the limitations of unbound therapeutic agents as well as overcome barriers posed by biological interfaces at the cellular, organ, system, and microenvironment levels. In many ways, the use of nanoconfigured delivery systems has eased challenges associated with patient differences, and in our opinion, this forms the foundation for their potential usefulness in developing innovative medicines and diagnostics for special patient populations. Here, we present a comprehensive review of nanomedicines specifically designed and evaluated for disease management in the pediatric population. Typically, the pediatric population has distinguishing needs relative to those of adults majorly because of their constantly growing bodies and age-related physiological changes, which often need specialized drug formulation interventions to provide desirable therapeutic effects and outcomes. Besides, child-centric drug carriers have unique delivery routes, dosing flexibility, organoleptic properties (e.g., taste, flavor), and caregiver requirements that are often not met by traditional formulations and can impact adherence to therapy. Engineering pediatric medicines as nanoconfigured structures can potentially resolve these limitations stemming from traditional drug carriers because of their unique capabilities. Consequently, researchers from different specialties relentlessly and creatively investigate the usefulness of nanomedicines for pediatric disease management as extensively captured in this compilation. Some examples of nanomedicines covered include nanoparticles, liposomes, and nanomicelles for cancer; solid lipid and lipid-based nanostructured carriers for hypertension; self-nanoemulsifying lipid-based systems and niosomes for infections; and nanocapsules for asthma pharmacotherapy.

A Preliminary Report Regarding the Morphological Changes of Nano-Enabled Pharmaceutical Formulation on Human Lung Carcinoma Monolayer and 3D Bronchial Microtissue

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, the development of enabled pharmaceutical nanoparticles of solid lipid type is continuously growing, because they have the potential to be used for targeted drug release leading to an increased effect of chemotherapy, being used in lung cancer nano-diagnosis and nano-therapy. The current study reports the preliminary results obtained regarding the biological effect of a new nano-enabled pharmaceutical formulation in terms of its cytotoxic and biosafety profile. Materials and Methods: The pharmaceutical formulations consist of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) obtained via the emulsification-diffusion method by loading green iron oxide nanoparticles (green-IONPs) with a pentacyclic triterpene (oleanolic acid-OA). Further, a complex biological assessment was performed, employing three-dimensional (3D) bronchial microtissues (EpiAirwayTM) to determine the biosafety profile of the SLN samples. The cytotoxic potential of the samples was evaluated on human lung carcinoma, using an in vitro model (A549 human lung carcinoma monolayer). Results: The data revealed that the A549 cell line was strongly affected after treatment with SLN samples, especially those that contained OA-loaded green-IONPs obtained with Ocimum basilicum extract (under 30% viability rates). The biosafety profile investigation of the 3D normal in vitro bronchial model showed that all the SLN samples negatively affected the viability of the bronchial microtissues (below 50%). As regards the morphological changes, all the samples induce major changes such as loss of the surface epithelium integrity, loss of epithelial junctions, loss of cilia, hyperkeratosis, and cell death caused by apoptosis. Conclusions: In summary, the culprit for the negative impact on viability and morphology of 3D normal bronchial microtissues could be the too-high dose (500 µg/mL) of the SLN sample used. Nevertheless, further adjustments in the SLN synthesis process and another complex in vitro evaluation will be considered for future research.

Novel Therapeutic Hybrid Systems Using Hydrogels and Nanotechnology: A Focus on Nanoemulgels for the Treatment of Skin Diseases

Topical and transdermal drug delivery are advantageous administration routes, especially when treating diseases and conditions with a skin etiology. Nevertheless, conventional dosage forms often lead to low therapeutic efficacy, safety issues, and patient noncompliance. To tackle these issues, novel topical and transdermal platforms involving nanotechnology have been developed. This review focuses on the latest advances regarding the development of nanoemulgels for skin application, encapsulating a wide variety of molecules, including already marketed drugs (miconazole, ketoconazole, fusidic acid, imiquimod, meloxicam), repurposed marketed drugs (atorvastatin, omeprazole, leflunomide), natural-derived compounds (eucalyptol, naringenin, thymoquinone, curcumin, chrysin, brucine, capsaicin), and other synthetic molecules (ebselen, tocotrienols, retinyl palmitate), for wound healing, skin and skin appendage infections, skin inflammatory diseases, skin cancer, neuropathy, or anti-aging purposes. Developed formulations revealed adequate droplet size, PDI, viscosity, spreadability, pH, stability, drug release, and drug permeation and/or retention capacity, having more advantageous characteristics than current marketed formulations. In vitro and/or in vivo studies established the safety and efficacy of the developed formulations, confirming their therapeutic potential, and making them promising platforms for the replacement of current therapies, or as possible adjuvant treatments, which might someday effectively reach the market to help fight highly incident skin or systemic diseases and conditions.

Applications of Nanotechnology-mediated Herbal Nanosystems for Ophthalmic Drug

In recent years, herbal nanomedicines have gained tremendous popularity for novel drug discovery. Nanotechnology has provided several advances in the healthcare sector, emerging several novel nanocarriers that potentiate the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of the herbal drug. The recent advances in nanotechnology with accelerated strategies of ophthalmic nanosystems have paved a new path for overcoming the limitations associated with ocular drug delivery systems, such as low bioavailability, poor absorption, stability, and precorneal drug loss. Ophthalmic drug delivery is challenging due to anatomical and physiological barriers. Due to the presence of these barriers, the herbal drug entry into the eyes can be affected when administered by following multiple routes, i.e., topical, injectables, or systemic. However, the advancement of nanotechnology with intelligent systems enables the herbal active constituent to successfully entrap within the system, which is usually difficult to reach employing conventional herbal formulations. Herbal-loaded nanocarrier drug delivery systems demonstrated enhanced herbal drug permeation and prolonged herbal drug delivery. In this current manuscript, an extensive search is conducted for original research papers using databases Viz., PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, etc. Further painstaking efforts are made to compile and update the novel herbal nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructure lipid carriers, micelles, niosomes, nanoemulsions, dendrimers, etc., which are mostly used for ophthalmic drug delivery system. This article presents a comprehensive survey of diverse applications used for the preventative measures and treatment therapy of varied eye disorders. Further, this article highlights the recent findings that the innovators are exclusively working on ophthalmic nanosystems for herbal drug delivery systems. The nanocarriers are promising drug delivery systems that enable an effective and supreme therapeutic potential circumventing the limitations associated with conventional ocular drug delivery systems. The nanotechnology-based approach is useful to encapsulate the herbal bioactive and prevent them from degradation and therefore providing them for controlled and sustained release with enhanced herbal drug permeation. Extensive research is still being carried out in the field of herbal nanotechnology to design an ophthalmic nanosystem with improved biopharmaceutical properties.

A Novel Handrub Tablet Loaded with Pre- and Post-Biotic Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Combining Virucidal Activity and Maintenance of the Skin Barrier and Microbiome

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a holobiont tablet with rapid dispersibility to provide regulation of the microbiota, virucidal activity, and skin barrier protection.

METHODS

A 23 factorial experiment was planned to define the best formulation for the development of the base tablet, using average weight, hardness, dimensions, swelling rate, and disintegration time as parameters to be analyzed. To produce holobiont tablets, the chosen base formulation was fabricated by direct compression of prebiotics, postbiotics, and excipients. The tablets also incorporated solid lipid nanoparticles containing postbiotics that were obtained by high-pressure homogenization and freeze-drying. The in vitro virucidal activity against alpha-coronavirus particles (CCoV-VR809) was determined in VERO cell culture. In vitro analysis, using monolayer cells and human equivalent skin, was performed by rRTq-PCR to determine the expression of interleukins 1, 6, 8, and 17, aquaporin-3, involucrin, filaggrin, FoxO3, and SIRT-1. Antioxidant activity and collagen-1 synthesis were also performed in fibroblast cells. Metagenomic analysis of the skin microbiome was determined in vivo before and after application of the holobiont tablet, during one week of continuous use, and compared to the use of alcohol gel. Samples were analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.

RESULTS

A handrub tablet with rapid dispersibility was developed for topical use and rinse off. After being defined as safe, the virucidal activity was found to be equal to or greater than that of 70% alcohol, with a reduction in interleukins and maintenance or improvement of skin barrier gene markers, in addition to the reestablishment of the skin microbiota after use.

CONCLUSIONS

The holobiont tablets were able to improve the genetic markers related to the skin barrier and also its microbiota, thereby being more favorable for use as a hand sanitizer than 70% alcohol.

Harnessing the multifunctionality of lipid-based drug delivery systems for the local treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread joint condition affecting millions globally, presenting a growing socioeconomic burden thus making the development of more effective therapeutic strategies crucial. This review emphasizes recent advancements in lipid-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) for intra-articular administration of OA therapeutics, encompassing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, small molecule disease-modifying OA drugs, and RNA therapeutics. Liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, lipidic mesophases, extracellular vesicles and composite systems exhibit enhanced stability, targeted delivery, and extended joint retention, which contribute to improved therapeutic outcomes and minimized systemic drug exposure. Although active targeting strategies hold promise, further research is needed to assess their targeting efficiency in physiologically relevant conditions. Simultaneously, multifunctional DDSs capable of delivering combinations of distinct therapeutic classes offer synergistic effects and superior OA treatment outcomes. The development of such long-acting systems that resist rapid clearance from the joint space is crucial, where particle size and targeting capabilities emerge as vital factors. Additionally, combining cartilage lubrication properties with sustained drug delivery has demonstrated potential in animal models, meriting further investigation in human clinical trials. This review highlights the crucial need for direct, head-to-head comparisons of novel DDSs with standard treatments, particularly within the same drug class. These comparisons are essential in accurately evaluating their effectiveness, safety, and clinical applicability, and are set to significantly shape the future of OA therapy.

Advanced application of nanotechnology in active constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have been used for centuries for the treatment and management of various diseases. However, their effective delivery to targeted sites may be a major challenge due to their poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and potential toxicity. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles and organic/inorganic nanohybrids based on active constituents from TCMs have been extensively studied as a promising strategy to improve the delivery of active constituents from TCMs to achieve a higher therapeutic effect with fewer side effects compared to conventional formulations. This review summarizes the recent advances in nanocarrier-based delivery systems for various types of active constituents of TCMs, including terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinones, from different natural sources. This review covers the design and preparation of nanocarriers, their characterization, and in vitro/vivo evaluations. Additionally, this review highlights the challenges and opportunities in the field and suggests future directions for research. Nanocarrier-based delivery systems have shown great potential in improving the therapeutic efficacy of TCMs, and this review may serve as a comprehensive resource to researchers in this field.

Belinostat loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticulate delivery system for breast cancer: improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in a tumor model

Despite various treatment modalities for breast cancer, it still persists as one of the most diagnosed types of cancer in females. The recent investigations in the epigenetics of breast cancer reveal several aberrations in the expression levels of various HDAC enzymes. Henceforth, the present work entails the formulation and characterization of a lipid polymer-based hybrid nanoparticulate (LPN) system for delivery of an epigenetic modulator drug, Belinostat, for its clinical application in breast cancer. The size of Belinostat nanoparticles prepared using a modified hot homogenization method was found to be 166.6 ± 19.95 nm with an encapsulation efficiency of 94.5 ± 5.1%. In vitro characterization for cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and protein expression in two different breast cancer cells, 4T1 and MCF 7, revealed the superiority of the formulation in comparison with the free drug in MCF 7 cells. Subsequently, the behaviour of the formulation in in vivo settings of healthy and breast cancer xenograft bearing animals was analyzed using pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies. The results revealed that the formulation demonstrated multi-fold improvement in the pharmacokinetic parameters in tumor bearing animals when compared with the free drug while no difference in pharmacokinetic behaviour was observed in healthy animals indicating the altered biodistribution and specificity of the formulation in breast tumor. This was confirmed by the biodistribution studies exhibiting 20-fold improved uptake and retention of the nanoparticulate formulation in tumor tissues of the animal model at the end of 4 h. Thus, the developed LPN system holds potential to act as a novel drug delivery system for Belinostat with several advantages over the free drug.

RNA Combined with Nanoformulation to Advance Therapeutic Technologies

Nucleic acid-based therapies have the potential to address numerous diseases that pose significant challenges to more traditional methods. RNA-based therapies have emerged as a promising avenue, utilizing nanoformulation treatments to target a range of pathologies. Nanoformulation offers several advantages compared to other treatment modalities, including targeted delivery, low toxicity, and bioactivity suitable for drug loading. At present, various types of nanoformulations are available, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), magnetic NPs, nanoshells, and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). RNA-based therapy utilizes intracellular gene nanoparticles with messenger RNA (mRNA) emerging prominently in cancer therapy and immunotechnology against infectious diseases. The approval of mRNA-based technology opens doors for future technological advancements, particularly self-amplifying replicon RNA (repRNA). RepRNA is a novel platform in gene therapy, comprising viral RNA with a unique molecular property that enables the amplification of all encoded genetic information countless times. As a result, repRNA-based therapies have achieved significant levels of gene expression. In this context, the primary objective of this study is to furnish a comprehensive review of repRNA and its applications in nanoformulation treatments, with a specific focus on encapsulated nanoparticles. The overarching goal is to provide an extensive overview of the use of repRNA in conjunction with nanoformulations across a range of treatments and therapies.

Regeneration of Pancreatic Cells Using Optimized Nanoparticles and l-Glutamic Acid-Gelatin Scaffolds with Controlled Topography and Grafted Activin A/BMP4

Regeneration of insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) under controlled conditions has a lot of promise to emulate the pancreatic mechanism in vivo as a foundation of cell-based diabetic therapy. l-Glutamic acid-gelatin scaffolds with orderly pore sizes of 160 and 200 μm were grafted with activin A and bone morphogenic proteins 4 (BMP4) to differentiate iPSCs into definitive endoderm (DE) cells, which were then guided with fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7)-grafted retinoic acid (RA)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (FR-SLNs) to harvest IPCs. Response surface methodology was adopted to optimize the l-glutamic acid-to-gelatin ratio of scaffolds and to optimize surfactant concentration and lipid proportion in FR-SLNs. Experimental results of immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and western blots revealed that activin A (100 ng/mL)-BMP4 (50 ng/mL)-l-glutamic acid (5%)-gelatin (95%) scaffolds provoked the largest number of SOX17-positive DE cells from iPSCs. Treatment with FGF7 (50 ng/mL)-RA (600 ng/mL)-SLNs elicited the highest number of PDX1-positive β-cells from differentiated DE cells. To imitate the natural pancreas, the scaffolds with controlled topography were appropriate for IPC production with sufficient insulin secretion. Hence, the current scheme using FR-SLNs and activin A-BMP4-l-glutamic acid-gelatin scaffolds in the two-stage differentiation of iPSCs can be promising for replacing impaired β-cells in diabetic management.

Engineered therapeutic proteins for sustained-release drug delivery systems

Proteins play a vital role in diverse biological processes in the human body, and protein therapeutics have been applied to treat different diseases such as cancers, genetic disorders, autoimmunity, and inflammation. Protein therapeutics have demonstrated their advantages, such as specific pharmaceutical effects, low toxicity, and strong solubility. However, several disadvantages arise in clinical applications, including short half-life, immunogenicity, and low permeation, leading to reduced drug effectiveness. The structure of protein therapeutics can be modified to increase molecular size, leading to prolonged stability and increased plasma half-life. Notably, the controlled-release delivery systems for the sustained release of protein drugs and preserving the stability of cargo proteins are envisioned as a potential approach to overcome these challenges. In this review, we summarize recent research progress related to structural modifications (PEGylation, glycosylation, poly amino acid modification, and molecular biology-based strategies) and promising long-term delivery systems, such as polymer-based systems (injectable gel/implants, microparticles, nanoparticles, micro/nanogels, functional polymers), lipid-based systems (liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers), and inorganic nanoparticles exploited for protein therapeutics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this review, we highlight recent advances concerning modifying proteins directly to enhance their stability and functionality and discuss state-of-the-art methods for the delivery and controlled long-term release of active protein therapeutics to their target site. In terms of drug modifications, four widely used strategies, including PEGylation, poly amino acid modification, glycosylation, and genetic, are discussed. As for drug delivery systems, we emphasize recent progress relating to polymer-based systems, lipid-based systems developed, and inorganic nanoparticles for protein sustained-release delivery. This review points out the areas requiring focused research attention before the full potential of protein therapeutics for human health and disease can be realized.

Microparticles and nanoparticles-based approaches to improve oral treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, flagellated bacterium that colonizes the stomach of half the world's population. Helicobacter pylori infection causes pathologies of varying severity. Standard oral therapy fails in 15-20% since the barriers of the oral route decrease the bioavailability of antibiotics and the intrinsic factors of bacteria increase the rates of resistance. Nanoparticles and microparticles are promising strategies for drug delivery into the gastric mucosa and targeting H. pylori. The variety of building blocks creates systems with distinct colloidal, surface, and biological properties. These features improve drug-pathogen interactions, eliminate drug depletion and overuse, and enable the association of multiple actives combating H. pylori on several fronts. Nanoparticles and microparticles are successfully used to overcome the barriers of the oral route, physicochemical inconveniences, and lack of selectivity of current therapy. They have proven efficient in employing promising anti-H. pylori compounds whose limitation is oral route instability, such as some antibiotics and natural products. However, the current challenge is the applicability of these strategies in clinical practice. For this reason, strategies employing a rational design are necessary, including in the development of nano- and microsystems for the oral route.

Development of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Controlled Amiodarone Delivery

In various drug delivery systems, solid lipid nanoparticles are dominantly lipid-based nanocarriers. Amiodarone hydrochloride is an antiarrhythmic agent used to treat severe rhythm disturbances. It has variable and hard-to-predict absorption in the gastrointestinal tract because of its low solubility and high permeability. The aims of this study were to improve its solubility by encapsulating amiodarone into solid lipid nanoparticles using two excipients-Compritol® 888 ATO (pellets) (C888) as a lipid matrix and Transcutol® (T) as a surfactant. Six types of amiodarone-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (AMD-SLNs) were obtained using a hot homogenization technique followed by ultrasonication with varying sonication parameters. AMD-SLNs were characterized by their size distribution, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and drug loading. Based on the initial evaluation of the entrapment efficiency, only three solid lipid nanoparticle formulations (P1, P3, and P5) were further tested. They were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, near-infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and in vitro dissolution tests. The P5 formulation showed optimum pharmaco-technical properties, and it had the greatest potential to be used in oral pharmaceutical products for the controlled delivery of amiodarone.

Gout therapeutics and drug delivery

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis caused by persistently elevated uric acid levels. With the improvement of people's living standards, the consumption of processed food and the widespread use of drugs that induce elevated uric acid, gout rates are increasing, seriously affecting the human quality of life, and becoming a burden to health systems worldwide. Since the pathological mechanism of gout has been elucidated, there are relatively effective drug treatments in clinical practice. However, due to (bio)pharmaceutical shortcomings of these drugs, such as poor chemical stability and limited ability to target the pathophysiological pathways, traditional drug treatment strategies show low efficacy and safety. In this scenario, drug delivery systems (DDS) design that overcome these drawbacks is urgently called for. In this review, we initially describe the pathological features, the therapeutic targets, and the drugs currently in clinical use and under investigation to treat gout. We also comprehensively summarize recent research efforts utilizing lipid, polymeric and inorganic carriers to develop advanced DDS for improved gout management and therapy.

Enhanced Cellular Uptake and Transport of Bovine Lactoferrin Using Pectin- and Chitosan-Modified Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

AIM

The aim of this project is to use pectin- and chitosan-modified solid lipid nanoparticles for bovine lactoferrin to enhance its cellular uptake and transport.

METHODS

Solid lipid particles containing bovine lactoferrin (bLf) were formulated through the solvent evaporation technique, incorporating stearic acid along with either chitosan or pectin modification. bLf cellular uptake and transport were evaluated in vitro using the human adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 cell model.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The bLf-loaded SLPs showed no significant effect on cytotoxicity and did not induce apoptosis within the eight-hour investigation. The use of confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed that bLf follows the receptor-mediated endocytosis, whereas the primary mechanism for the cellular uptake of SLPs was endocytosis. The bLf-loaded SLPs had significantly more cellular uptake compared to bLf alone, and it was observed that this impact varied based on the time, temperature, and concentration. Verapamil and EDTA were determined to raise the apparent permeability coefficients (App) of bLf and bLf-loaded SLPs.

CONCLUSION

This occurred because they hindered efflux by interacting with P-glycoproteins and had a penetration-enhancing influence. These findings propose the possibility of an additional absorption mechanism for SLPs, potentially involving active transportation facilitated by the P-glycoprotein transporter in Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that SLPs have the potential to be applied as effective carriers to improve the oral bioavailability of proteins and peptides.

Advances and Opportunities in Nanoparticle Drug Delivery for Central Nervous System Disorders: A Review of Current Advances

This narrative review provides an overview of the current advances, challenges, and opportunities in nanoparticle drug delivery for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The treatment of central nervous system disorders is challenging due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. Promising approaches to address these issues and improve the efficacy of CNS disease therapies are provided by nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and solid lipid nanoparticles, can be modified to enhance targeting, stability, and drug-release patterns. They allow for the encapsulation of a variety of therapeutic compounds and can be functionalized with ligands or antibodies for active targeting, minimizing off-target effects. Additionally, nanoparticles can circumvent drug resistance processes and provide versatile platforms for applications that combine therapeutic and diagnostic functions. Although the delivery of CNS medications using nanoparticles has advanced significantly, there are still challenges to be resolved. These include understanding the BBB interactions, doing long-term safety studies, and scaling up the production. However, improvements in nanotechnology and a deeper comprehension of CNS disorders provide opportunities to enhance treatment results and address unmet medical requirements. Future research and ongoing clinical trials are required to further explore the potential of nanoparticle drug delivery for CNS disorders.

A review of technological developments in lipid nanoparticle application for mRNA vaccination

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology is critical to the advancement of mRNA vaccines. However, most studies focus on technical aspects and neglect the patent landscape. Moreover, there is a lack of differentiation of LNP technology differences among mRNA, mRNA vaccines, and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, leading to confusing comparisons. This study fills this gap by analyzing LNP technology in academic journals and patents for mRNA, mRNA vaccines, and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The results show (1) academic impact on journal articles and patents, but no direct positive correlation; (2) the USA leads in academic research and patents, with China following closely; and (3) many cited articles have sponsors, indicating the importance of industry-university collaboration. This research aids strategic planning in government, academia, and industry, by providing trend analysis of LNP technology in journals and patents.

Traversing the diverse avenues of exopolysaccharides-based nanocarriers in the management of cancer

Exopolysaccharides are unique polymers generated by living organisms such as algae, fungi and bacteria to protect them from environmental factors. After a fermentative process, these polymers are extracted from the medium culture. Exopolysaccharides have been explored for their anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects. Specifically, they have acquired massive attention in novel drug delivery strategies owing to their indispensable properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, and lack of irritation. Exopolysaccharides such as dextran, alginate, hyaluronic acid, pullulan, xanthan gum, gellan gum, levan, curdlan, cellulose, chitosan, mauran, and schizophyllan exhibited excellent drug carrier properties. Specific exopolysaccharides, such as levan, chitosan, and curdlan, have demonstrated significant antitumor activity. Moreover, chitosan, hyaluronic acid and pullulan can be employed as targeting ligands decorated on nanoplatforms for effective active tumor targeting. This review shields light on the classification, unique characteristics, antitumor activities and nanocarrier properties of exopolysaccharides. In addition, in vitro human cell line experiments and preclinical studies associated with exopolysaccharide-based nanocarriers have also been highlighted.

Functionalized nanoparticles crossing the brain-blood barrier to target glioma cells

Glioma is the most common tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), with a 5-year survival rate of <35%. Drug therapy, such as chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic agents, remains one of the main treatment modalities for glioma, including temozolomide, doxorubicin, bortezomib, cabazitaxel, dihydroartemisinin, immune checkpoint inhibitors, as well as other approaches such as siRNA, ferroptosis induction, etc. However, the filter function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) reduces the amount of drugs needed to effectively target CNS tumors, making it one of the main reasons for poor drug efficacies in glioma. Thus, finding a suitable drug delivery platform that can cross the BBB, increase drug aggregation and retainment in tumoral areas and avoid accumulation in non-targeted areas remains an unsolved challenge in glioma drug therapy. An ideal drug delivery system for glioma therapy should have the following features: (1) prolonged drug life in circulation and effective penetration through the BBB; (2) adequate accumulation within the tumor (3) controlled-drug release modulation; (4) good clearance from the body without significant toxicity and immunogenicity, etc. In this regard, due to their unique structural features, nanocarriers can effectively span the BBB and target glioma cells through surface functionalization, providing a new and effective strategy for drug delivery. In this article, we discuss the characteristics and pathways of different nanocarriers for crossing the BBB and targeting glioma by listing different materials for drug delivery platforms, including lipid materials, polymers, nanocrystals, inorganic nanomaterials, etc.

Recent progress of nanomedicine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of memory disruption in elderly subjects, with the prevalence continuing to rise mainly because of the aging world population. Unfortunately, no efficient therapy is currently available for the AD treatment, due to low drug potency and several challenges to delivery, including low bioavailability and the impediments of the blood-brain barrier. Recently, nanomedicine has gained considerable attention among researchers all over the world and shown promising developments in AD treatment. A wide range of nano-carriers, such as polymer nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, dendritic nanoparticles, biomimetic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, etc., have been adapted to develop successful new treatment strategies. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent advances of different nanomedicine for their efficacy in pre-clinical studies. Finally, some insights and future research directions are proposed. This review can provide useful information to guide the future design and evaluation of nanomedicine in AD treatment.

Immune-Modulating Lipid Nanomaterials for the Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals

In recent years, with the approval of preventative vaccines for pandemics, lipid nanoparticles have become a prominent RNA delivery vehicle. The lack of long-lasting effects of non-viral vectors is an advantage for infectious disease vaccines. With the introduction of microfluidic processes that facilitate the encapsulation of nucleic acid cargo, lipid nanoparticles are being studied as delivery vehicles for various RNA-based biopharmaceuticals. In particular, using microfluidic chip-based fabrication processes, nucleic acids such as RNA and proteins can be effectively incorporated into lipid nanoparticles and utilized as delivery vehicles for various biopharmaceuticals. Due to the successful development of mRNA therapies, lipid nanoparticles have emerged as a promising approach for the delivery of biopharmaceuticals. Biopharmaceuticals of various types (DNA, mRNA, short RNA, proteins) possess expression mechanisms that are suitable for manufacturing personalized cancer vaccines, while also requiring formulation with lipid nanoparticles. In this review, we describe the basic design of lipid nanoparticles, the types of biopharmaceuticals used as carriers, and the microfluidic processes involved. We then present research cases focusing on lipid-nanoparticle-based immune modulation and discuss the current status of commercially available lipid nanoparticles, as well as future prospects for the development of lipid nanoparticles for immune regulation purposes.

Transforming Wound Management: Nanomaterials and Their Clinical Impact

Wound healing is a complex process that can be further complicated in chronic wounds, leading to prolonged healing times, high healthcare costs, and potential patient morbidity. Nanotechnology has shown great promise in developing advanced wound dressings that promote wound healing and prevent infection. The review article presents a comprehensive search strategy that was applied to four databases, namely Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using specific keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria to select a representative sample of 164 research articles published between 2001 and 2023. This review article provides an updated overview of the different types of nanomaterials used in wound dressings, including nanofibers, nanocomposites, silver-based nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles. Several recent studies have shown the potential benefits of using nanomaterials in wound care, including the use of hydrogel/nano silver-based dressings in treating diabetic foot wounds, the use of copper oxide-infused dressings in difficult-to-treat wounds, and the use of chitosan nanofiber mats in burn dressings. Overall, developing nanomaterials in wound care has complemented nanotechnology in drug delivery systems, providing biocompatible and biodegradable nanomaterials that enhance wound healing and provide sustained drug release. Wound dressings are an effective and convenient method of wound care that can prevent wound contamination, support the injured area, control hemorrhaging, and reduce pain and inflammation. This review article provides valuable insights into the potential role of individual nanoformulations used in wound dressings in promoting wound healing and preventing infections, and serves as an excellent resource for clinicians, researchers, and patients seeking improved healing outcomes.

Lipid Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Therapeutic Advances in the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Although various treatments are currently being developed, lung cancer still has a very high mortality rate. Moreover, while various strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer are being used in clinical settings, in many cases, lung cancer does not respond to treatment and presents reducing survival rates. Cancer nanotechnology, also known as nanotechnology in cancer, is a relatively new topic of study that brings together scientists from a variety of fields, including chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine. The use of lipid-based nanocarriers to aid drug distribution has already had a significant impact in several scientific fields. Lipid-based nanocarriers have been demonstrated to help stabilize therapeutic compounds, overcome barriers to cellular and tissue absorption, and improve in vivo drug delivery to specific target areas. For this reason, lipid-based nanocarriers are being actively researched and used for lung cancer treatment and vaccine development. This review discusses the improvements in drug delivery achieved with lipid-based nanocarriers, the obstacles that still exist with in vivo applications, and the current clinical and experimental applications of lipid-based nanocarriers in lung cancer treatment and management.

Lipid-based colloidal nanoparticles for applications in targeted vaccine delivery

Bioactive molecules and their effects have been influenced by their solubility and administration route. In many therapeutic reagents, the performance of therapeutics is dependent on physiological barriers in the human body and delivery efficacy. Therefore, an effective and stable therapeutic delivery promotes pharmaceutical advancement and suitable biological usage of drugs. In the biological and pharmacological industries, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as a potential carrier to deliver therapeutics. Since studies reported doxorubicin-loaded liposomes (Doxil®), LNPs have been applied to numerous clinical trials. Lipid-based nanoparticles, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid nanoparticles, have also been developed to deliver active ingredients in vaccines. In this review, we present the type of LNPs used to develop vaccines with attractive advantages. We then discuss messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery for the clinical application of mRNA therapeutic-loaded LNPs and recent research trend of LNP-based vaccine development.

Nanoparticles as a Delivery System of Antigens for the Development of an Effective Vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii

Nanoparticles include particles ranging in size from nanometers to micrometers, whose physicochemical characteristics are optimized to make them appropriate delivery vehicles for drugs or immunogens important in the fight and/or prevention of infectious diseases. There has been a rise in the use of nanoparticles in preventive vaccine formulations as immunostimulatory adjuvants, and as vehicles for immunogen delivery to target immune cells. Toxoplasma is important worldwide, and may cause human toxoplasmosis. In immunocompetent hosts, infection is usually asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised patients it can cause serious neurological and ocular consequences, such as encephalitis and retinochoroiditis. Primary infection during pregnancy may cause abortion or congenital toxoplasmosis. Currently, there is no effective human vaccine against this disease. Evidence has emerged from several experimental studies testing nanovaccines showing them to be promising tools in the prevention of experimental toxoplasmosis. For the present study, a literature review was carried out on articles published over the last 10 years through the PubMed database, pertaining to in vivo experimental models of T. gondii infection where nanovaccines were tested and protection and immune responses evaluated. This review aims to highlight the way forward in the search for an effective vaccine for toxoplasmosis.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Multitasking Nano-Carriers for Cancer Treatment

Despite all the advances seen in recent years, the severe adverse effects and low specificity of conventional chemotherapy are still challenging problems regarding cancer treatment. Nanotechnology has helped to address these questions, making important contributions in the oncological field. The use of nanoparticles has allowed the improvement of the therapeutic index of several conventional drugs and facilitates the tumoral accumulation and intracellular delivery of complex biomolecules, such as genetic material. Among the wide range of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (nanoDDS), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have emerged as promising systems for delivering different types of cargo. Their solid lipid core, at room and body temperature, provides SLNs with higher stability than other formulations. Moreover, SLNs offer other important features, namely the possibility to perform active targeting, sustained and controlled release, and multifunctional therapy. Furthermore, with the possibility to use biocompatible and physiologic materials and easy scale-up and low-cost production methods, SLNs meet the principal requirements of an ideal nanoDDS. The present work aims to summarize the main aspects related to SLNs, including composition, production methods, and administration routes, as well as to show the most recent studies about the use of SLNs for cancer treatment.

Functionalized lipid-based drug delivery nanosystems for the treatment of human infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are still public health problems. Microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the main causing agents related to these diseases. In this context, the search for new effective strategies in prevention and/or treatment is considered essential, since current drugs often have side effects or end up, causing microbial resistance, making it a serious health problem. As an alternative to these limitations, nanotechnology has been widely used. The use of lipid-based drug delivery nanosystems (DDNs) has some advantages, such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, controlled release, the ability to carry both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, in addition to be easel scalable. Besides, as an improvement, studies involving the conjugation of signalling molecules on the surfaces of these nanocarriers can allow the target of certain tissues or cells. Thus, this review summarizes the performance of functionalized lipid-based DDNs for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Nano-based eye drop: Topical and noninvasive therapy for ocular diseases

Eye drops are the most accessible therapy for ocular diseases, while inevitably suffering from their lower bioavailability which highly restricts the treatment efficacy. The introduction of nanotechnology has attracted considerable interest as it has advantages over conventional ones such as prolonged ocular surface retention time and enhanced ocular barrier penetrating properties, and achieving higher bioavailability and improved treatment efficacy. This review describes various ocular diseases treated with eye drops as well as the physiological and anatomical ocular barriers faced with through drug administration. It also summarizes the recent advances regarding the utilization of nanotechnology in developing eye drops, and how to optimize the nanocarrier-based ocular drug delivery systems. The prospective future research directions for nano-based eye drops are also discussed here.

Nanomaterials: an intra-periodontal pocket drug-delivery system for periodontitis

Periodontitis is a microbiological condition that affects the tissues supporting the teeth. The fundamental to effective periodontal therapy is choosing the suitable antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent, together with the proper route of drug administration and delivery system. Intra-periodontal pocket approach with nano drug-delivery systems (NDDS) such as polymeric nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, liposomes, polymersomes, exosomes, nano micelles, niosome, solid lipid nanoparticles, nano lipid carriers, nanocomposites, nanogels, nanofibers, scaffolds, dendrimers, quantum dots, etc., will be appropriate route of drug administration and delivery system. This NDDS delivers the drugs at the site of infection to inhibit growth and promote tissue regeneration. The present review focused on providing comprehensive information on the NDDS for periodontitis, which enhanced therapeutic outcomes via intra-periodontal pocket delivery.

The Usefulness of Nanotechnology in Improving the Prognosis of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains a major public health problem both in terms of incidence and specific mortality despite recent developments in terms of prevention, such as smoking reduction policies and clinical management advances. Better lung cancer prognosis could be achieved by early and accurate diagnosis and improved therapeutic interventions. Nanotechnology is a dynamic and fast-developing field; various medical applications have been developed and deployed, and more exist as proofs of concepts or experimental models. We aim to summarize current knowledge relevant to the use of nanotechnology in lung cancer management. Starting from the chemical structure-based classification of nanoparticles, we identify and review various practical implementations roughly organized as diagnostic or therapeutic in scope, ranging from innovative contrast agents to targeted drug carriers. Available data are presented starting with standards of practice and moving to highly experimental methods and proofs of concept; particularities, advantages, limits and future directions are explored, focusing on the potential impact on lung cancer clinical prognosis.

Intranasal Polymeric and Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for CNS Drug Delivery

Nanomedicine is currently focused on the design and development of nanocarriers that enhance drug delivery to the brain to address unmet clinical needs for treating neuropsychiatric disorders and neurological diseases. Polymer and lipid-based drug carriers are advantageous for delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) due to their safety profiles, drug-loading capacity, and controlled-release properties. Polymer and lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs) are reported to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and have been extensively assessed in in vitro and animal models of glioblastoma, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disease. Since approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of intranasal esketamine for treatment of major depressive disorder, intranasal administration has emerged as an attractive route to bypass the BBB for drug delivery to the CNS. NPs can be specifically designed for intranasal administration by tailoring their size and coating with mucoadhesive agents or other moieties that promote transport across the nasal mucosa. In this review, unique characteristics of polymeric and lipid-based nanocarriers desirable for drug delivery to the brain are explored in addition to their potential for drug repurposing for the treatment of CNS disorders. Progress in intranasal drug delivery using polymeric and lipid-based nanostructures for the development of treatments of various neurological diseases are also described.

Nanosystems for Brain Targeting of Antipsychotic Drugs: An Update on the Most Promising Nanocarriers for Increased Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy

Orally administered antipsychotic drugs are the first-line treatment for psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, adverse drug reactions jeopardize clinical outcomes, resulting in patient non-compliance. The design formulation strategies for enhancing brain drug delivery has been a major challenge, mainly due to the restrictive properties of the blood-brain barrier. However, recent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo assays confirmed the advantage of the intranasal route when compared to oral and intravenous administration, as it allows direct nose-to-brain drug transport via neuronal pathways, reducing systemic side effects and maximizing therapeutic outcomes. In addition, the incorporation of antipsychotic drugs into nanosystems such as polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric mixed micelles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, nanoemulgels, nanosuspensions, niosomes and spanlastics, has proven to be quite promising. The developed nanosystems, having a small and homogeneous particle size (ideal for nose-to-brain delivery), high encapsulation efficiency and good stability, resulted in improved brain bioavailability and therapeutic-like effects in animal models. Hence, although it is essential to continue research in this field, the intranasal delivery of nanosystems for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other related disorders has proven to be quite promising, opening a path for future therapies with higher efficacy.

Coating Materials to Increase the Stability of Liposomes

Liposomes carry various compounds with applications in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic fields, and the administration route is especially parenteral, oral, or transdermal. Liposomes are used to preserve and release the internal components, thus maintaining the properties of the compounds, the stability and shelf life of the encapsulated products, and their functional benefits. The main problem in obtaining liposomes at the industrial level is their low stability due to fragile phospholipid membranes. To increase the stability of liposomes, phospholipid bilayers have been modified or different coating materials have been developed and studied, both for liposomes with applications in the pharmaceutical field and liposomes in the food field. In the cosmetic field, liposomes need no additional coating because the liposomal formulation is intended to have a fast penetration into the skin. The aim of this review is to provide current knowledge regarding physical and chemical factors that influence stability, coating materials for liposomes with applications in the pharmaceutical and food fields to increase the stability of liposomes containing various sensitive compounds, and absorption of the liposomes and commercial liposomal products obtained through various technologies available on the market.

Folic Acid Functionalized Diallyl Trisulfide-Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Targeting Triple Negative Breast Cancer

DATS (diallyl trisulfide), an anti-oxidant and cytotoxic chemical derived from the plant garlic, has been found to have potential therapeutic activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Its hydrophobicity, short half-life, lack of target selectivity, and limited bioavailability at the tumor site limit its efficacy in treating TNBC. Overexpression of the Folate receptor on the surface of TNBC is a well-known target receptor for overcoming off-targeting, and lipid nanoparticles solve the limitations of limited bioavailability and short half-life. In order to overcome these constraints, we developed folic acid (FA)-conjugated DATS-SLNs in this research. The design of experiment (DoE) method was employed to optimize the FA-DATS-SLNs' nanoformulation, which resulted in a particle size of 168.2 ± 3.78 nm and a DATS entrapment of 71.91 ± 6.27%. The similarity index between MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines demonstrates that FA-DATS-SLNs are more therapeutically efficacious in the treatment of aggravating TNBC. Higher cellular internalization and efficient Bcl2 protein downregulation support the hypothesis that functionalization of the FA on the surface of DATS-SLNs improves anticancer efficacy when compared with DATS and DATS-SLNs. FA-functionalized DATS-SLNs have demonstrated to be a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC management.

Use of the quantum dot-labeled solid lipid nanoparticles for delivery of streptomycin and hydroxychloroquine: A new therapeutic approach for treatment of intracellular Brucella abortus infection

Brucellosis is considered one of the most important infectious diseases affecting any tissue and organ in the human body. Due to the intracellular pathogenesis of Brucella species, the use of conventional antibiotics for managing chronic brucellosis has several limitations. Therefore, the study focused on the use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) to deliver streptomycin (STR) for intracellular infection, with or without the combination of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to evaluate if there might be a boost in the antibiotic effect when using the STR or STR-NPs alone. We used the double emulsion technique to synthesize Nano drug carriers; afterward, the physicochemical characteristics of synthesized Nano drug carriers were determined. The in vitro antibacterial activity of free drugs and Nano drug carriers were evaluated using well diffusion, broth microdilution assays (BMD), and murine macrophage-like cells cell line J774A.1. Additionally, acute and chronic phases of brucellosis were inducted into Wistar rats, and healing capacity of Nano drug carriers on liver and spleen tissues was compared with free drugs. The zeta potential of nanoparticles, means of size, Polydispersity Index (PDI), drugs loading, and encapsulation efficiency were 15.2 mV, 312.5 ± 26 nm, 0.433 ± 0.09, 16.6% and 89.5%, respectively. Well diffusion and BMD methods did not show a significantly differ between free drugs and nano drug carriers. However, the Nano drug carriers remarkably decreased the number of bacteria in the cell line compared to the free drugs. STR/HCQ-SLN enhanced the healing processes of the liver and spleen after brucellosis induction. STR/HCQ-SLN showed better inhibitory effects against the chronic phase of B. abortus infection in comparison to the STR-SLN, but this difference was not statistically significant. Using nanoplatforms to enhance conventional anti-brucellosis agents is promising, green and safe. Due to the continuous release of drugs, drugs increase their accumulation at the site of infection, causing a more significant effect on the chronic and acute phases of brucellosis.

Exploration of novel drug delivery systems in topical management of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the foremost disabling disorders in the world. There is no definitive treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. Hence, palliative treatment aims at minimizing pain, disability and improving function, performance and quality of life. Oral administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is associated with number of adverse effects and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Intra-articular injection has been the preferred route of drug administration. However, the clearance of drug from the arthritic site, risk of infections, cost and the pain associated with frequent injections make this route highly non-compliant to patients. Since osteoarthritis is a chronic condition which requires treatment for prolonged duration, there is an urgent need for another administration route which circumvents the hindrances linked with intra-articular route. Transdermal route across the skin locally at the osteoarthritis site could help in surpassing the disadvantages associated with intra-articular route. However, traversing skin barrier and reaching the chondrocytes with sufficient amount of the drug is extremely difficult. Nanocarrier-based approaches could hold an answer to the said shortcomings owing to their reduced size, targeting tunability and site specificity. In this article, we discuss the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, molecular targets, and utilization of nanocarrier-based approaches to strategize the treatment of osteoarthritis in a new direction, i.e. topical delivery of nanocarriers in osteoarthritis.

Fortification by design: A rational approach to designing vitamin D delivery systems for foods and beverages

Over the past few decades, vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a serious global public health challenge. The World Health Organization has recommended fortification of foods with vitamin D, but this is often challenging because of its low water solubility, poor chemical stability, and low bioavailability. Studies have shown that these challenges can be overcome by encapsulating vitamin D within well-designed delivery systems containing nanoscale or microscale particles. The characteristics of these particles, such as their composition, size, structure, interfacial properties, and charge, can be controlled to attain desired functionality for specific applications. Recently, there has been great interest in the design, production, and application of vitamin-D loaded delivery systems. Many of the delivery systems reported in the literature are unsuitable for widespread application due to the complexity and high costs of the processing operations required to fabricate them, or because they are incompatible with food matrices. In this article, the concept of "fortification by design" is introduced, which involves a systematic approach to the design, production, and testing of colloidal delivery systems for the encapsulation and fortification of oil-soluble vitamins, using vitamin D as a model. Initially, the challenges associated with the incorporation of vitamin D into foods and beverages are reviewed. The fortification by design concept is then described, which involves several steps: (i) selection of appropriate vitamin D form; (ii) selection of appropriate food matrix; (iii) identification of appropriate delivery system; (iv) identification of appropriate production method; (vii) establishment of appropriate testing procedures; and (viii) system optimization.

Compritol-Based Alprazolam Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Sustained Release of Alprazolam: Preparation by Hot Melt Encapsulation

The current study was designed to investigate the feasibility of incorporating the water-insoluble lipophilic drug Alprazolam (Alp) into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to offer the combined benefits of the quick onset of action along with the sustained release of the drug. Therefore, compritol-based alprazolam-loaded SLNs (Alp-SLNs) would provide early relief from anxiety and sleep disturbances and long-lasting control of symptoms in patients with depression, thereby enhancing patient compliance. The optimized Alp-SLNs analyzed by DLS and SEM showed consistent particle size of 92.9 nm with PI values and standard deviation of the measurements calculated at <0.3 and negative surface charge. These characteristic values demonstrate the desired level of homogeneity and good physical stability of Alp-SLNs. The SLNs had a good entrapment efficiency (89.4%) and high drug-loading capacity (77.9%). SEM analysis revealed the smooth spherical morphology of the SLNs. The physical condition of alprazolam and absence of interaction among formulation components in Alp-SLNs was confirmed by FTIR and DSC analyses. XRD analysis demonstrated the molecular dispersion of crystalline alprazolam in Alp-SLNs. The in vitro release study implied that the release of Alp from the optimized Alp-SLN formulation was sustained as compared to the Alp drug solution because Alp-SLNs exhibited sustained release of alprazolam over 24 h. Alp-SLNs are a promising candidate to achieve sustained release of the short-acting drug Alp, thereby reducing its dosing frequency and enhancing patient compliance.