Squarticles as the nanoantidotes to sequester the overdosed antidepressant for detoxification

Dynamic and Assembly Characteristics of Deep-Cavity Basket Acting as a Host for Inclusion Complexation of Mitoxantrone in Biotic and Abiotic Systems

We describe the preparation, dynamic, assembly characteristics of vase-shaped basket 13- along with its ability to form an inclusion complex with anticancer drug mitoxantrone in abiotic and biotic systems. This novel cavitand has a deep nonpolar pocket consisting of three naphthalimide sides fused to a bicyclic platform at the bottom while carrying polar glycines at the top. The results of 1 H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), 1 H NMR Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST), Calorimetry, Hybrid Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics (REMD), and Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (MicroED) measurements are in line with 1 forming dimer [12 ]6- , to be in equilibrium with monomers 1(R) 3- (relaxed) and 1(S) 3- (squeezed). Through simultaneous line-shape analysis of 1 H NMR data, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters characterizing these equilibria were quantified. Basket 1(R) 3- includes anticancer drug mitoxantrone (MTO2+ ) in its pocket to give stable binary complex [MTO⊂1]- (Kd =2.1 μM) that can be precipitated in vitro with UV light or pH as stimuli. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the basket is nontoxic, while at a higher proportion with respect to MTO it reduced its cytotoxicity in vitro. With well-characterized internal dynamics and dimerization, the ability to include mitoxantrone, and biocompatibility, the stage is set to develop sequestering agents from deep-cavity baskets.

Nano-mediated strategy for targeting and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer, with over 2.1 million cases diagnosed annually worldwide. It has a high incidence and mortality rate, leading to extensive research into various treatment options, including the use of nanomaterial-based carriers for drug delivery. With regard to cancer treatment, the distinct biological and physico-chemical features of nano-structures have acquired considerable impetus as drug delivery system (DDS) for delivering medication combinations or combining diagnostics and targeted therapy. This review focuses on the use of nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems in the treatment of lung cancer, including the use of lipid, polymer, and carbon-based nanomaterials for traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and phototherapy. The review also discusses the potential of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials for drug delivery in lung cancer, and the limitations and opportunities for improving the design of nano-based materials for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

A critical review of the novelties in the development of intravenous nanoemulsions

Nanoemulsions have gained increasing attention in recent years as a drug delivery system due to their ability to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. This systematic review aimed to collect and critically analyze recent novelties in developing, designing, and optimizing intravenous nanoemulsions appearing in articles published between 2017 and 2022. The applied methodology involved searching two electronic databases PubMed and Scopus, using the keyword "nanoemulsion" in combination with "intravenous" or "parenteral". The resulting original articles were classified by the method of preparation into different categories. An overview of the current methods used for the preparation of such formulations, including high- and low-energy emulsification, was provided. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods were discussed, as well as their potential impact on the properties of the developed intravenous nanoemulsions. The problem of inconsistency in intravenous nanoemulsion terminology may lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of their properties and applications was also undertaken. Finally, the regulatory aspects of intravenous nanoemulsions, the state of the art in the field of intravenous emulsifiers, and the future perspectives were presented.

ISOTHERMAL TITRATION CALORIMETRY (ITC) AS A PROMISING TOOL IN PHARMACEUTICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a technique for evaluating the thermodynamic profiles of connection between two molecules, allowing the experimental design of nanoparticles systems with drugs and/or biological molecules. Taking into account the relevance of ITC, we conducted, therefore, an integrative revision of the literature, from 2000 to 2023, on the main purposes of using this technique in pharmaceutical nanotechnology. The search were carried out in the Pubmed, Sciencedirect, Web of Science, and Scifinder databases using the descriptors "Nanoparticles", "Isothermal Titration Calorimetry", and "ITC". We have observed that the ITC technique has been increasingly used in pharmaceutical nanotechnology, seeking to understand the interaction mechanisms in the formation of nanoparticles. Additionally, to understand the behavior of nanoparticles with biological materials (proteins, DNA, cell membranes, among others), thereby helping to understand the behavior of nanocarriers in vivo studies. As a contribution, we intended to reveal the importance of ITC in the laboratory routine, which is itself a quick and easy technique to obtain relevant results that help to optimize the nanosystems formulation process.

Periphery-confined particulate systems for the management of neurodegenerative diseases and toxicity: Avoiding the blood-brain-barrier challenge

The blood-brain barrier prevents passage of large and hydrophilic molecules, undermining efforts to deliver most active molecules, proteins and other macromolecules. To date, nanoparticle-assisted delivery has been extensively studied to overcome this challenge but with limited success. On the other hand, for certain brain therapeutic applications, periphery-confined particles could be of immediate therapeutic usefulness. The modulation of CNS dysfunctions from the peripheral compartment is a promising approach, as it does not involve invasive interventions. From recent studies, three main roles could be identified for periphery-confined particles: brain tissue detoxification via the "sink-effect"; a "circulating drug-reservoir" effect to improve drug delivery to brain tissues, and finally, brain vascular endothelium targeting to diagnose or heal vascular-related dysfunctions. These applications are much easier to implement as they do not involve complex therapeutic and targeting strategies and do not require crossing biological barriers. Micro/nano-devices required for such applications will likely be simpler to synthesize and will involve fewer complex materials. Moreover, peripheral particles are expected to be less prone to neurotoxicity and issues related to their diffusion in confined space.

An Appraisal of Antidotes' Effectiveness: Evidence of the Use of Phyto-Antidotes and Biotechnological Advancements

Poisoning is the greatest source of avoidable death in the world and can result from industrial exhausts, incessant bush burning, drug overdose, accidental toxication or snake envenomation. Since the advent of Albert Calmette’s cobra venom antidote, efforts have been geared towards antidotes development for various poisons to date. While there are resources and facilities to tackle poisoning in urban areas, rural areas and developing countries are challenged with poisoning management due to either the absence of or inadequate facilities and this has paved the way for phyto-antidotes, some of which have been scientifically validated. This review presents the scope of antidotes’ effectiveness in different experimental models and biotechnological advancements in antidote research for future applications. While pockets of evidence of the effectiveness of antidotes exist in vitro and in vivo with ample biotechnological developments, the utilization of analytic assays on existing and newly developed antidotes that have surpassed the proof of concept stage, as well as the inclusion of antidote’s short and long-term risk assessment report, will help in providing the required scientific evidence(s) prior to regulatory authorities’ approval.

Protein-polysaccharide nanohybrids: Hybridization techniques and drug delivery applications

Complex nanosystems fabricated by hybridization of different types of materials such as lipids, proteins, or polysaccharides are usually superior to simple ones in terms of features and applications. Proteins and polysaccharides hold great potential for development of nanocarriers for drug delivery purposes based on their unique biocompatibility, biodegradability, ease of functionalization, improved biodistribution and minimal toxicity profiles. Protein-polysaccharide nanohybrids have gained a lot of attention in the past few years particularly for drug delivery applications. In this review, different hybridization techniques utilized in the fabrication of such nanohybrids including electrostatic complexation, Maillard conjugation, chemical coupling and electrospinning were thoroughly reviewed. Moreover, various formulation factors affecting the characteristics of the formed nanohybrids were discussed. We also reviewed in depth the outcomes of such hybridization ranging from stability enhancement, to toxicity reduction, improved biocompatibility, and drug release modulation. We also gave an insight on their limitations and what hinders their clinical translation and market introduction.