Preparation and in vitro characterization of monoclonal antibody ranibizumab conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery

The application of cyclodextrins in drug solubilization and stabilization of nanoparticles for drug delivery and biomedical applications

Nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential applications in pharmaceutical formulations, drug delivery systems, and various biomedical fields. The versatility of colloidal NPs, including their ability to be tailored with various components and synthesis methods, enables drug delivery systems to achieve controlled release patterns, improved solubility, and increased bioavailability. The review discusses various types of NPs, such as nanocrystals, lipid-based NPs, and inorganic NPs (i.e., gold, silver, magnetic NPs), each offering unique advantages for drug delivery. Despite the promising potential of NPs, challenges such as physical instability and the need for surface stabilization remain. Strategies to overcome these challenges include the use of surfactants, polymers, and cyclodextrins (CDs). This review highlights the role of CDs in stabilizing colloidal NPs and enhancing drug solubility. The combination of CDs with NPs presents a synergistic approach that enhances drug delivery and broadens the range of biomedical applications. Additionally, the potential of CDs to enhance the stability and therapeutic efficacy of colloidal NPs, making them promising candidates for advanced drug delivery systems, is comprehensively reviewed.

Environmental effects and interaction of nanoparticles on beneficial soil and aquatic microorganisms

A steadily increasing production volume of nanoparticles reflects their numerous industrial and domestic applications. These economic successes come with the potential adverse effects on natural systems that are associated with their presence in the environment. Biological activities and effects of nanoparticles are affected by their entry method together with their specificities like their size, shape, charge, area, and chemical composition. Particles can be classified as safe or dangerous depending on their specific properties. As both aquatic and terrestrial systems suffer from organic and inorganic contamination, nanoparticles remain a sink for these contaminants. Researching the sources, synthesis, fate, and toxicity of nanoparticles has advanced significantly during the last ten years. We summarise nanoparticle pathways throughout the ecosystem and their interactions with beneficial microorganisms in this research. The prevalence of nanoparticles in the ecosystem causes beneficial microorganisms to become hazardous to their cells, which prevents the synthesis of bioactive molecules from undergoing molecular modifications and diminishes the microbe population. Recently, observed concentrations in the field could support predictions of ambient concentrations based on modeling methodologies. The aim is to illustrate the beneficial and negative effects that nanoparticles have on aqueous and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as the methods utilized to reduce their toxicity.

Recent achievements in nano-based technologies for ocular disease diagnosis and treatment, review and update

Ocular drug delivery is one of the most challenging endeavors among the various available drug delivery systems. Despite having suitable drugs for the treatment of ophthalmic disease, we have not yet succeeded in achieving a proper drug delivery approach with the least adverse effects. Nanotechnology offers great opportunities to overwhelm the restrictions of common ocular delivery systems, including low therapeutic effects and adverse effects because of invasive surgery or systemic exposure. The present review is dedicated to highlighting and updating the recent achievements of nano-based technologies for ocular disease diagnosis and treatment. While further effort remains, the progress illustrated here might pave the way to new and very useful ocular nanomedicines.

Nanotechnology for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye disease that is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people 50 years and older. Today, the most common treatment for AMD involves repeated intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs. However, the existing expensive therapies not only cannot cure this disease, they also produce a variety of side effects. For example, the number of injections increases the cumulative risk of endophthalmitis and other complications. Today, a single intravitreal injection of gene therapy products can greatly reduce the burden of treatment and improve visual effects. In addition, the latest innovations in nanotherapy provide the best drug delivery alternative for the treatment of AMD. In this review, we discuss the development of nano-drug delivery systems and gene therapy strategies for AMD in recent years. In addition, we discuss some novel targeting strategies and the potential application of these delivery methods in the treatment of AMD. Finally, we also propose that the combination of CRISPR/Cas9 technology with a new non-viral delivery system may be promising as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AMD.

State of the Art on Toxicological Mechanisms of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Strategies to Reduce Toxicological Risks

Metal nanoparticles have been extensively investigated for different types of pharmaceutical applications. However, their use has raised some concerns about their toxicity involving the increase of reactive oxygen species causing cellular apoptosis. Therefore, in this review we summarize the most relevant toxicity mechanisms of gold, silver, copper and copper oxide nanoparticles as well as production methods of metal nanoparticles. Parameters involved in their toxicity such as size, surface charge and concentration are also highlighted. Moreover, a critical revision of the literature about the strategies used to reduce the toxicity of this type of nanoparticles is carried out throughout the review. Additionally, surface modifications using different coating strategies, nanoparticles targeting and morphology modifications are deeply explained.

Lipid-Based Nanocarriers as Topical Drug Delivery Systems for Intraocular Diseases

Effective drug delivery to intraocular tissues remains a great challenge due to complex anatomical and physiological barriers that selectively limit the entry of drugs into the eye. To overcome these challenges, frequent topical application and regular intravitreal injections are currently used to achieve the desired drug concentrations into the eye. However, the repetitive installation or recurrent injections may result in several side effects. Recent advancements in the field of nanoparticle-based drug delivery have demonstrated promising results for topical ophthalmic nanotherapies in the treatment of intraocular diseases. Studies have revealed that nanocarriers enhance the intraocular half-life and bioavailability of several therapies including proteins, peptides and genetic material. Amongst the array of nanoparticles available nowadays, lipid-based nanosystems have shown an increased efficiency and feasibility in topical formulations, making them an important target for constant and thorough research in both preclinical and clinical practice. In this review, we will cover the promising lipid-based nanocarriers used in topical ophthalmic formulations for intraocular drug delivery.