Polysaccharide nanoparticles for oral controlled drug delivery: the role of drug-polymer and interpolymer interactions

Harnessing cerium-based biomaterials for the treatment of bone diseases

Bone, an actively metabolic organ, undergoes constant remodeling throughout life. Disturbances in the bone microenvironment can be responsible for pathologically bone diseases such as periodontitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Conventional bone tissue biomaterials are not adequately adapted to complex bone microenvironment. Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need to find an effective strategy to improve the status quo. In recent years, nanotechnology has caused a revolution in biomedicine. Cerium(III, IV) oxide, as an important member of metal oxide nanomaterials, has dual redox properties through reversible binding with oxygen atoms, which continuously cycle between Ce(III) and Ce(IV). Due to its special physicochemical properties, cerium(III, IV) oxide has received widespread attention as a versatile nanomaterial, especially in bone diseases. This review describes the characteristics of bone microenvironment. The enzyme-like properties and biosafety of cerium(III, IV) oxide are also emphasized. Meanwhile, we summarizes controllable synthesis of cerium(III, IV) oxide with different nanostructural morphologies. Following resolution of synthetic principles of cerium(III, IV) oxide, a variety of tailored cerium-based biomaterials have been widely developed, including bioactive glasses, scaffolds, nanomembranes, coatings, and nanocomposites. Furthermore, we highlight the latest advances in cerium-based biomaterials for inflammatory and metabolic bone diseases and bone-related tumors. Tailored cerium-based biomaterials have already demonstrated their value in disease prevention, diagnosis (imaging and biosensors) and treatment. Therefore, it is important to assist in bone disease management by clarifying tailored properties of cerium(III, IV) oxide in order to promote the use of cerium-based biomaterials in the future clinical setting. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this review, we focused on the promising of cerium-based biomaterials for bone diseases. We reviewed the key role of bone microenvironment in bone diseases and the main biological activities of cerium(III, IV) oxide. By setting different synthesis conditions, cerium(III, IV) oxide nanostructures with different morphologies can be controlled. Meanwhile, tailored cerium-based biomaterials can serve as a versatile toolbox (e.g., bioactive glasses, scaffolds, nanofibrous membranes, coatings, and nanocomposites). Then, the latest research advances based on cerium-based biomaterials for the treatment of bone diseases were also highlighted. Most importantly, we analyzed the perspectives and challenges of cerium-based biomaterials. In future perspectives, this insight has given rise to a cascade of cerium-based biomaterial strategies, including disease prevention, diagnosis (imaging and biosensors) and treatment.

Enhancing the therapeutic potential of isoliensinine for hypertension through PEG-PLGA nanoparticle delivery: A comprehensive in vivo and in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Hypertension, a highly prevalent chronic disease, is known to inflict severe damage upon blood vessels. In our previous study, isoliensinine, a kind of bibenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid which isolated from a TCM named Lotus Plumule (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn), exhibits antihypertensive and vascular smooth muscle proliferation-inhibiting effects, but its application is limited due to poor water solubility and low bioavailability. In this study, we proposed to prepare isoliensinine loaded by PEG-PLGA polymer nanoparticles to increase its efficacy METHOD: We synthesized and thoroughly characterized PEG-PLGA nanoparticles loaded with isoliensinine using a nanoprecipitation method, denoted as, PEG-PLGA@Isoliensinine. Additionally, we conducted comprehensive investigations into the stability of PEG-PLGA@Isoliensinine, in vitro drug release profiles, and in vivo pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, we assessed the antihypertensive efficacy of this nano-system through in vitro experiments on A7R5 cells and in vivo studies using AngII-induced mice.

RESULT

The findings reveal that PEG-PLGA@Isoliensinine significantly improves isoliensinine absorption by A7R5 cells and enhances targeted in vivo distribution. This translates to a more effective reduction of AngII-induced hypertension and vascular smooth muscle proliferation.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we successfully prepared PEG-PLGA@Isoliensinine by nano-precipitation, and we confirmed that PEG-PLGA@Isoliensinine surpasses free isoliensinine in its effectiveness for the treatment of hypertension, as demonstrated through both in vivo and in vitro experiments.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study lays the foundation for isoliensinine's clinical use in hypertension treatment and vascular lesion protection, offering new insights for enhancing the bioavailability of traditional Chinese medicine components. Importantly, no toxicity was observed, affirming the successful implementation of this innovative drug delivery system in vivo and offers a promising strategy for enhancing the effectiveness of Isoliensinine and propose an innovative avenue for developing novel formulations of traditional Chinese medicine monomers.

Zein nanoparticles containing ceftazidime and tobramycin: antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria

Aims: This work describes the encapsulation of ceftazidime and tobramycin in zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) and the characterization of their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against Gram-negative bacteria. Materials & methods: ZNPs were synthesized by nanoprecipitation. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay and antibacterial and antibiofilm assays were performed by broth microdilution and violet crystal techniques. Results: ZNPs containing ceftazidime (CAZ-ZNPs) and tobramycin (TOB-ZNPs) showed drug encapsulation and thermal stability. Encapsulation of the drugs reduced their cytotoxicity 9-25-fold. Antibacterial activity, inhibition and eradication of biofilm by CAZ-ZNPs and TOB-ZNPs were observed. There was potentiation when CAZ-ZNPs and TOB-ZNPs were combined. Conclusion: CAZ-ZNPs and TOB-ZNPs present ideal physical characteristics for in vivo studies of antibacterial and antibiofilm activities.

Oral Insulin Delivery: A Review on Recent Advancements and Novel Strategies

BACKGROUND

Due to the lifestyle of people in the community in recent years, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus has increased, so New drugs and related treatments are also being developed.

INTRODUCTION

One of the essential treatments for diabetes today is injectable insulin forms, which have their problems and limitations, such as invasive and less admission of patients and high cost of production. According to the mentioned issues, Theoretically, Oral insulin forms can solve many problems of injectable forms.

METHODS

Many efforts have been made to design and introduce Oral delivery systems of insulin, such as lipid-based, synthetic polymer-based, and polysaccharide-based nano/microparticle formulations. The present study reviewed these novel formulations and strategies in the past five years and checked their properties and results.

RESULTS

According to peer-reviewed research, insulin-transporting particles may preserve insulin in the acidic and enzymatic medium and decrease peptide degradation; in fact, they could deliver appropriate insulin levels to the intestinal environment and then to blood. Some of the studied systems increase the permeability of insulin to the absorption membrane in cellular models. In most investigations, in vivo results revealed a lower ability of formulations to reduce BGL than subcutaneous form, despite promising results in in vitro and stability testing.

CONCLUSION

Although taking insulin orally currently seems unfeasible, future systems may be able to overcome mentioned obstacles, making oral insulin delivery feasible and producing acceptable bioavailability and treatment effects in comparison to injection forms.

Materials and structure of polysaccharide-based delivery carriers for oral insulin: A review

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that affects >500 million patients worldwide. Subcutaneous injection of insulin is the most effective treatment at present. However, regular needle injections will cause pain, inflammation, and other adverse consequences. In recent years, significant progress has been made in non-injectable insulin preparations. Oral administration is the best way of administration due to its simplicity, convenience, and good patient compliance. However, oral insulin delivery is hindered by many physiological barriers in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the low relative bioavailability of direct oral insulin delivery. To improve the relative bioavailability, a variety of insulin delivery vectors have been developed. Polysaccharides are used to achieve safe and effective insulin loading due to their excellent biocompatibility and protein affinity. The functional characteristics of polysaccharide-based delivery carriers, such as pH responsiveness, mucosal adhesion, and further functionalization modifications, enhance the gastrointestinal absorption and bioavailability of insulin. This paper reviews the materials and structures of oral insulin polysaccharide-based carriers, providing ideas for further improving the relative bioavailability of oral insulin.

A Multi-Component Nano-Co-Delivery System Utilizing Astragalus Polysaccharides as Carriers for Improving Biopharmaceutical Properties of Astragalus Flavonoids

Purpose

Enhancing the dissolution, permeation and absorption of active components with low solubility and poor permeability is crucial for maximizing therapeutic efficacy and optimizing functionality. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of natural polysaccharides as carriers to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of active components.

Methods

In this study, we employed four representative flavonoids in Astragali Radix, namely Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (CAG), Ononin (ON), Calycosin (CA) and Formononetin (FMN), as a demonstration to evaluate the potential of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) as carriers to improve the biopharmaceutical properties, sush as solubility, permeability, and absorption in vivo. In addition, the microstructure of the flavonoids-APS complexes was characterized, and the interaction mechanism between APS and flavonoids was investigated using multispectral technique and molecular dynamics simulation.

Results

The results showed that APS can self-assemble into aggregates with a porous structure and large surface area in aqueous solutions. These aggregates can be loaded with flavonoids through weak intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, thereby improving their gastrointestinal stability, solubility, permeability and absorption in vivo.

Conclusion

We discovered the self-assembly properties of APS and its potential as carriers. Compared with introducing external excipients, the utilization of natural polysaccharides in plants as carriers may have a unique advantage in enhancing dissolution, permeation and absorption.

Liposome-Derived Nanosystems for the Treatment of Behavioral and Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Promise of Niosomes, Transfersomes, and Ethosomes for Increased Brain Drug Bioavailability

Psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders are amongst the most prevalent and debilitating diseases, but current treatments either have low success rates, greatly due to the low permeability of the blood-brain barrier, and/or are connected to severe side effects. Hence, new strategies are extremely important, and here is where liposome-derived nanosystems come in. Niosomes, transfersomes, and ethosomes are nanometric vesicular structures that allow drug encapsulation, protecting them from degradation, and increasing their solubility, permeability, brain targeting, and bioavailability. This review highlighted the great potential of these nanosystems for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. Studies regarding the encapsulation of synthetic and natural-derived molecules in these systems, for intravenous, oral, transdermal, or intranasal administration, have led to an increased brain bioavailability when compared to conventional pharmaceutical forms. Moreover, the developed formulations proved to have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, including brain neurotransmitter level restoration and brain oxidative status improvement, and improved locomotor activity or enhancement of recognition and working memories in animal models. Hence, albeit being relatively new technologies, niosomes, transfersomes, and ethosomes have already proven to increase the brain bioavailability of psychoactive drugs, leading to increased effectiveness and decreased side effects, showing promise as future therapeutics.

Predicting the Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered Drugs across BCS Classes 1-4 by Virtual Bioequivalence Model

To evaluate the influence of solubility and permeability on the pharmacokinetic prediction performance of orally administered drugs using avirtual bioequivalence (VBE) model, a total of 23 orally administered drugs covering Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) classes 1-4 were selected. A VBE model (i.e., a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model integrated with dissolution data) based on a B²O simulator was applied for pharmacokinetic (PK) prediction in a virtual population. Parameter sensitivity analysis was used for input parameter selection. The predictive performances of PK parameters (i.e., AUC_0-t, C_max, and T_max), PK profiles, and bioequivalence (BE) results were evaluated using the twofold error, average fold error (AFE), absolute average fold error (AAFE), and BE reassessment metrics. All models successfully simulated the mean PK profiles, with AAFE < 2 and AFE ranging from 0.58 to 1.66. As for the PK parameters, except for the time of peak concentration, T_max, of isosorbide mononitrate, other simulated PK parameters were all within a twofold error. The simulated PK behaviors were comparable to the observed ones, both for test (T) and reference (R) products, and the simulated T/R arithmetic mean ratios were all within 0.88-1.16 of the observed values. These four evaluation metrics were distributed equally among BCS class 1-4 drugs. The VBE model showed powerful performance to predict the PK behavior of orally administered drugs with various combinations of solubility and permeability, irrespective of the BCS category.

Development of Drug Carriers with Biocompatibility Based On Human Serum Albumin and β-Cyclodextrin Molecules and Study of Anticancer Activity

Herein, a novel molecule S4, which could form a uniform S4 spherical aggregate in water, was synthesized, and the S4 aggregate was used to load Dox to prepare the S4@Dox nanomedicine. The loading efficiency was 80.0 ± 4.5%. The pH response and slow release of Dox were the typical characteristics of the S4@Dox nanomedicine. In vitro experiments showed that cancer cells could successfully phagocytose S4 aggregates and the S4@Dox nanomedicine. The toxicity of S4 aggregates to MCF-7, HepG2, and H22 cells was low, and the S4@Dox nanomedicine had better antitumor activity and specific targeting, especially to the MCF-7 cells. The antitumor activity in vivo and in the tissue section showed that the S4@Dox nanomedicine could significantly reduce Dox toxicity, effectively induce the apoptosis of cancer cells, and effectively inhibit tumor growth, which showed that the nanomedicine had better antitumor activity.

The Most Recent Discoveries in Heterocyclic Nanoformulations for Targeted Anticancer Therapy

Every day, new cases of cancer patients whose recovery is delayed by multidrug resistance and chemotherapy side effects are identified, which severely limit treatment options. One of the most recent advances in nanotechnology is the effective usage of nanotechnology as drug carriers for cancer therapy. As a consequence, heterocyclic nanocarriers were put into practice to see whether they could have a better cure with positive results. The potential of a therapeutic agent to meet its desired goal is vital to its success in treating any disease. Heterocyclic moieties are molecules that have a wide variety of chemically therapeutic functions as well as a significant biological activity profile. Heterocyclic nano formulations play an important role in cell physiology and as possible arbitrators for typical biological reactions, making them valuable in cancer research. As a result, experts are working with heterocyclic nanoformulations to discover alternative approaches to treat cancer. Due to their unique physicochemical properties, heterocyclic compounds are real cornerstones in medicinal chemistry and promising compounds for the future drug delivery system. This review briefly explores the therapeutic relevance of heterocyclic compounds in cancer treatment, the various nanoformulations, and actively describes heterocyclic magnetic nano catalysts and heterocyclic moiety, as well as their mode of action, which have favorable anti - cancer effects.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Type B Gelatin and Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles: Potential Applications as Bioactive Molecule Carriers and Cell-Penetrating Agents

Gelatin and chitosan nanoparticles have been widely used in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and nanofood applications due to their high biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study proposed a highly efficient synthesis method for type B gelatin and low-molecular-weight (LMW) chitosan nanoparticles. Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) were synthesized by the double desolvation method and the chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) by the ionic gelation method. The sizes of the obtained CNPs and GNPs (373 ± 71 nm and 244 ± 67 nm, respectively) and zeta potential (+36.60 ± 3.25 mV and −13.42 ± 1.16 mV, respectively) were determined via dynamic light scattering. Morphology and size were verified utilizing SEM and TEM images. Finally, their biocompatibility was tested to assure their potential applicability as bioactive molecule carriers and cell-penetrating agents.

Nanodispersions of Polyelectrolytes Based on Humic Substances: Isolation, Physico-Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Activity

Natural polyelectrolytes, including in the form of complexes with colloidal particles, are increasingly used in pharmacy due to the possibility of regulated attachment of medicinal substances and their targeted delivery to the target organ. However, the formation, stability, and molecular-mass characteristics of polyelectrolyte nanodispersions (ND) vary depending on the nature and composition of the medium of their origin. This is due to the lack of standardized approaches to quality control and regulatory documentation for most natural ND. In this paper, we first introduced the isolation, followed by investigations into their physico-chemical properties and bioactivity. Using the dried droplet method, we were able to detect the “coffee ring effect”. Fractographic studies of the surface structure of EHA and FA dried samples using SEM showed its heterogeneity and the presence of submicron particles encapsulated in the internal molecular cavities of polyelectrolyte. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the ND chemical structure of benzo-α-pyron and benzo-γ-pyron, consisting of nanoparticles and a branched frame part. The main elements detected by X-ray fluorescence in humic substance extract and fulvic acid include Si, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, whereas Fe is in high concentrations. The UV-spectra and fluorescent radiation demonstrated the possibility of studying the effect of the fulvate chromone structure on its optical properties. It is shown that dilution of the initial solutions of polyelectrolytes 1:10 contributes to the detection of smaller nanoparticles and an increase in the absolute value of the negative ζ-potential as a factor of ND stability. A study of the EHS effect on the SARS-CoV-2 virus infectious titer in the Vero E6 cell showed the effective against virus both in the virucidal scheme (the SI is 11.90–22.43) and treatment/prevention scheme (the SI is 34.85–57.33). We assume that polyelectrolyte ND prevent the binding of the coronavirus spike glycoprotein to the receptor. Taking into account the results obtained, we expect that the developed approach can become unified for the standardization of the ND natural polyelectrolytes complex, which has great prospects for use in pharmacy and medicine as a drug with antiviral activity.

Spherical Cellulose Micro and Nanoparticles: A Review of Recent Developments and Applications

Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, is a versatile polysaccharide that is being exploited to manufacture innovative blends, composites, and hybrid materials in the form of membranes, films, coatings, hydrogels, and foams, as well as particles at the micro and nano scales. The application fields of cellulose micro and nanoparticles run the gamut from medicine, biology, and environment to electronics and energy. In fact, the number of studies dealing with sphere-shaped micro and nanoparticles based exclusively on cellulose (or its derivatives) or cellulose in combination with other molecules and macromolecules has been steadily increasing in the last five years. Hence, there is a clear need for an up-to-date narrative that gathers the latest advances on this research topic. So, the aim of this review is to portray some of the most recent and relevant developments on the use of cellulose to produce spherical micro- and nano-sized particles. An attempt was made to illustrate the present state of affairs in terms of the go-to strategies (e.g., emulsification processes, nanoprecipitation, microfluidics, and other assembly approaches) for the generation of sphere-shaped particles of cellulose and derivatives thereof. A concise description of the application fields of these cellulose-based spherical micro and nanoparticles is also presented.

Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles for Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems

Polysaccharide biomaterials have gained significant importance in the manufacture of nanoparticles used in colon-targeted drug delivery systems. These systems are a form of non-invasive oral therapy used in the treatment of various diseases. To achieve successful colonic delivery, the chemical, enzymatic and mucoadhesive barriers within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract must be analyzed. This will allow for the nanomaterials to cross these barriers and reach the colon. This review provides information on the development of nanoparticles made from various polysaccharides, which can overcome multiple barriers along the GI tract and affect encapsulation efficiency, drug protection, and release mechanisms upon arrival in the colon. Also, there is information disclosed about the size of the nanoparticles that are usually involved in the mechanisms of diffusion through the barriers in the GI tract, which may influence early drug degradation and release in the digestive tract.

In Silico Modeling and Simulation to Guide Bioequivalence Testing for Oral Drugs in a Virtual Population

Model-informed drug discovery and development (MID3) shows great advantages in facilitating drug development. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model is one of the powerful computational approaches of MID3, and the emerging field of virtual bioequivalence is well recognized to be the future of the physiologically based pharmacokinetic model. Based on the translational link between in vitro, in silico, and in vivo, virtual bioequivalence study can evaluate the similarity and potential difference of pharmacokinetic and clinical performance between test and reference formulations. With the aid of virtual bioequivalence study, the pivotal information of clinical trials can be provided to streamline the development for both new and generic drugs. However, a regulatory framework of virtual bioequivalence study has not reached its full maturity. Therefore, this article aims to present an overview of the current status of bioequivalence study, identify the framework of virtual bioequivalence studies for oral drugs, and also discuss the future opportunities of virtual bioequivalence in supporting the waiver and optimization of in vivo clinical trials.

Deoxycholic acid-functionalised nanoparticles for oral delivery of rhein

Rhein (RH) is a candidate for the treatment of kidney diseases. However, clinical application of RH is impeded by low aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability. Deoxycholic acid-conjugated nanoparticles (DNPs) were prepared by ionic interaction for enhancing intestinal absorption by targeting the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter in the small intestine. Resultant DNPs showed relatively high entrapment efficiency (90.7 ± 0.73)% and drug-loading efficiency (6.5 ± 0.29)% with a particle size of approximately 190 nm and good overall dispersibility. In vitro release of RH from DNPs exhibited sustained and pH-dependent profiles. Cellular uptake and apparent permeability coefficient (P_app) of the DNPs were 3.25- and 5.05-fold higher than that of RH suspensions, respectively. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study demonstrated significantly enhanced oral bioavailability of RH when encapsulated in DNPs, with 2.40- and 3.33-fold higher C_max and AUC_0-inf compared to RH suspensions, respectively. DNPs are promising delivery platforms for poorly absorbed drugs by oral administration.

Polysaccharide nanoparticles: from fabrication to applications

The present review highlights the developments in polysaccharide nanoparticles with a particular focus on applications in biomedicine, cosmetics and food.

Micro/nanosystems and biomaterials for controlled delivery of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents

INTRODUCTION

Microbial resistance is a severe problem for clinical practice due to misuse of antibiotics that promotes the development of surviving strategies by bacteria and fungi. Microbial cells surrounded by a self-produced polymer matrix, defined as biofilms, are inherently more difficult to eradicate. Biofilms endow bacteria with a unique resistance against antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents and play a crucial role in chronic infection.

AREAS COVERED

Biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance in the lung and wounds. Existing inhaled therapies for treatment of biofilm-associated lung infections. Role of pharmaceutical nanotechnologies to fight resistant microbes and biofilms.

EXPERT OPINION

The effectiveness of antibiotics has gradually decreased due to the onset of resistance phenomena. The formation of biofilms represents one of the most important steps in the development of resistance to antimicrobial treatment. The most obvious solution for overcoming this criticality would be the discovery of new antibiotics. However, the number of new molecules with antimicrobial activity brought into clinical development has considerably decreased. In the last decades the development of innovative drug delivery systems, in particular those based on nanotechnological platforms, has represented the most effective and economically affordable approach to optimize the use of available antibiotics, improving their effectiveness profile. Abbreviations AZT: Aztreonam; BAT: Biofilm antibiotic tolerance; CF: Cystic Fibrosis; CIP: Ciprofloxacin; CRS: Chronic Rhinosinusitis; DPPG: 1,2-dipalmytoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol; DSPC: 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine sodium salt; EPS: extracellular polymeric substance; FEV1: Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second; GSNO: S-nitroso-glutathione; LAE: lauroyl arginate ethyl; MIC: Minimum inhibitory Concentration; NCFB: Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis; NTM: Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria; NTM-LD: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria Lung Disease PA: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; pDMAEMA: poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate);pDMAEMA-co-PAA-co-BMA: poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-co-propylacrylic acid-co-butyl methacrylate; PEG: polyethylene glycol; PEGDMA: polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate;PCL: Poly-ε-caprolactone; PLA: poly-lactic acid; PLGA: poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid; PVA: poli-vinyl alcohol; SA: Staphylococcus aureus; TIP: Tobramycin Inhalation Powder; TIS: Tobramycin Inhalation Solution; TPP: Tripolyphosphate.