Synthesis of Capsaicin Loaded Silver Nanoparticles Using Green Approach and Its Anti-Bacterial Activity Against Human Pathogens

Ultrasonic synthesis of green lipid nanocarriers loaded with Scutellaria barbata extract: a sustainable approach for enhanced anticancer and antibacterial therapy

Ultrasonic manufacturing has emerged as a promising eco-friendly approach to synthesize lipid-based nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. This study presents the novel ultrasonic preparation of lipid nanocarriers loaded with Scutellaria barbata extract, repurposed for anticancer and antibacterial use. High-frequency ultrasonic waves enabled the precise self-assembly of DSPE-PEG, Span 40, and cholesterol to form nanocarriers encapsulating the therapeutic extract without the use of toxic solvents, exemplifying green nanotechnology. Leveraging the inherent anticancer and antibacterial properties of Scutellaria barbata, the study demonstrates that lipid encapsulation enhances the bioavailability and controlled release of the extract, which is vital for its therapeutic efficacy. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed the increase in size and successful encapsulation post-loading, along with an augmented negative zeta potential indicating enhanced stability. A high encapsulation efficiency of 91.93% was achieved, and in vitro assays revealed the loaded nanocarriers' optimized release kinetics and improved antimicrobial potency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, compared to the free extract. The combination of ultrasonic synthesis and Scutellaria barbata in an eco-friendly manufacturing process not only advances green nanotechnology but also contributes to sustainable practices in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The data suggest that this innovative nanocarrier system could provide a robust platform for the development of nanotechnology-based therapeutics, enhancing drug delivery efficacy while aligning with environmental sustainability.

Curcumin and Capsaicin-Loaded Ag-Modified Mesoporous Silica Carriers: A New Alternative in Skin Treatment

Biologically active substances of natural origin offer a promising alternative in skin disease treatment in comparison to synthetic medications. The limiting factors for the efficient application of natural compounds, such as low water solubility and low bioavailability, can be easily overcome by the development of suitable delivery systems. In this study, the exchange with the template procedure was used for the preparation ofa spherical silver-modified mesoporous silica nanocarrier. The initial and drug-loaded formulations are fully characterized by different physico-chemical methods. The incipient wetness impregnation method used to load health-promoting agents, curcumin, and capsaicin in Ag-modified carriers separately or in combinationresulted in high loading efficiency (up to 33 wt.%). The interaction between drugs and carriers was studied by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The release experiments of both active substances from the developed formulations were studied in buffers with pH 5.5, and showed improved solubility. Radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays were successfully used for the evaluation of the antiradical and antioxidant capacity of the curcumin or/and capsaicin loaded on mesoporous carriers. Formulations containing a mixture of curcumin and capsaicin were characterized bypotentiation of their antiproliferative effect against maligning cells, and it was confirmed that the system for simultaneous delivery of both drugs has lower IC₅₀ values than the free substances.The antibacterial tests showed better activity of the obtained delivery systems in comparison with the pure curcumin and capsaicin. Considering the obtained results, it can be concluded that the obtained delivery systems are promising for potential dermal treatment.

A Review on the Delivery of Plant-Based Antidiabetic Agents Using Nanocarriers: Current Status and Their Role in Combatting Hyperglycaemia

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic syndrome that is associated with high blood glucose levels. The number of diabetic patients is increasing every year and the total number of cases is expected to reach more than 600 million worldwide by 2045. Modern antidiabetic drugs alleviate hyperglycaemia and complications that are caused by high blood glucose levels. However, due to the side effects of these drugs, plant extracts and bioactive compounds with antidiabetic properties have been gaining attention as alternative treatments for diabetes. Natural products are biocompatible, cheaper and expected to cause fewer side effects than the current antidiabetic drugs. In this review, various nanocarrier systems are discussed, such as liposomes, niosomes, polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles and metallic nanoparticles. These systems have been applied to overcome the limitations of the current drugs and simultaneously improve the efficacy of plant-based antidiabetic drugs. The main challenges in the formulation of plant-based nanocarriers are the loading capacity of the plant extracts and the stability of the carriers. A brief review of lipid nanocarriers and the amphipathic properties of phospholipids and liposomes that encapsulate hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic drugs is also described. A special emphasis is placed on metallic nanoparticles, with their advantages and associated complications being reported to highlight their effectiveness for treating hyperglycaemia. The present review could be an interesting paper for researchers who are working in the field of using plant extract-loaded nanoparticles as antidiabetic therapies.

The Analgesic Effect of Dexmedetomidine Loaded with Nano-Hydrogel as a Novel Nano-Drug Delivery System for Thoracic Paravertebral Block After Thoracic Surgery

Objective: To understand the effect of dexmedetomidine (Dex) thoracic paravertebral block combined with an injectable nano-drug delivery system in postoperative analgesia after thoracic surgery, an injectable nano-drug delivery system. Methods: Dex-loaded nano-hydrogel was first prepared in this study and its characteristics and drug release performance in vitro was investigated. Then, it was applied to the postoperative analgesia of 140 patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Results: It was found that the loading efficiency reached the highest when the ratio of Dex to injectable nano-hydrogel was 1:1; and at pH = 7.5, the cumulative release of 95.4%. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and cumulative effective pressure times of analgesia pump in the observation group were lower than those of the control group. The sleep time per day and satisfaction of analgesia within 48 h in patients from the observation group were higher than those of the control group. The proportion of patients with remedial analgesia within 48 hours, and the proportion of patients with nausea and vomiting were significantly lower in patients treated with Dex-loaded with nano-hydrogel. Conclusion: Injectable nano-drug delivery system had good drug release and combination of Dex thoracic paravertebral block and nano-drug delivery system could significantly relieve pain after thoracic surgery and improve patients’ sleep quality.

Metformin-Loaded Alginate Nanoparticles Inhibits Mouse Atherosclerosis by Regulating Macrophage Differentiation by Activating the Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Pathway

Objective: By modulating macrophage phenotype and the adenylate-activated protein kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway, metformin-loaded alginate nanoparticles may prevent atherosclerosis (As). Methods: Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentage of macrophages with distinct phenotypes (CD86 and CD206). Analysis of protein expression levels of iNOS, arginase 1, AMPK, pAMPK, STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 were performed by Western Blot. To confirm the in vitro findings, ApoE−/− mice were employed. Results: AMPK activity and the fraction of M2 macrophages dramatically increased in cells treated with Met, but STAT3 activity was considerably reduced. It was also shown that the Met group had much shorter aortas and lower levels of lipid deposition than that of the control group; also, the fraction of M1 macrophages in the lipid plaques of the animals treated with Met was dramatically reduced by using immunofluorescence labeling. There was a considerable increase in AMPK activity in the Met group, but STAT3 activity was dramatically lowered. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, STAT3 activity is regulated by activation of AMPK and macrophage development in plaques is prevented in mice by metformin-loaded alginate nanoparticles.

Ibuprofen-Loaded Chitosan-Lipid Nanoconjugate Hydrogel with Gum Arabic: Green Synthesis, Characterisation, In Vitro Kinetics Mechanistic Release Study and PGE2 Production Test

Ibuprofen is a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine that is often used to treat inflammation in general. When given orally, it produces gastrointestinal issues which lead to lower patient compliance. Ibuprofen transdermal administration improves both patient compliance and the efficacy of the drug. Nanoconjugation hydrogels were proposed as a controlled transdermal delivery tool for ibuprofen. Six formulations were prepared using different compositions including chitosan, lipids, gum arabic, and polyvinyl alcohol, through ionic interaction, maturation, and freeze–thaw methods. The formulations were characterised by size, drug conjugation efficiency, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further analysis of optimised hydrogels was performed, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), rheology, gel fraction and swelling ability, in vitro drug release, and in vitro macrophage prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) production testing. The effects of ibuprofen’s electrostatic interaction with a lipid or polymer on the physicochemical and dissolution characterisation of ibuprofen hydrogels were evaluated. The results showed that the S3 (with lipid conjugation) hydrogel provided higher conjugation efficiency and prolonged drug release compared with the S6 hydrogel.