Lipid Nanocapsule: A Novel Approach to Drug Delivery System Formulation Development

Improving antifungal lipid-based drug delivery against Candida: a review

INTRODUCTION

Fungal infections, particularly those caused by Candida spp. have increased in recent years. A primary contributor to this surge was the COVID-19 pandemic, where many hospitalized patients had secondary fungal infections. Additionally, the emergence of resistant and multi-resistant fungal strains has become increasingly problematic due to the limited therapeutic options available in antifungal treatments.

AREAS COVERED

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent studies focused on the development and characterization of lipid-based nanosystems as an emerging and promising therapeutic alternative. These systems have been evaluated for their potential to deliver antifungal agents specifically targeting resistant Candida spp. strains, offering a controlled and sustained release of drugs.

EXPERT OPINION

Lipid-based nanomaterials are promising tools for the controlled and sustained release of drugs, particularly in treating Candida spp. infections. Although substantial research has been dedicated to development of these nanomaterials, only a few have reached clinical application, such as liposomal amphotericin B, for example. Therefore, it is critical to push forward with advancements to bring these nanomedicines into clinical practice, where they can contribute meaningfully to mitigating the challenge of resistant and lethal fungal strains.

Advances in nano-preparations for improving tetrandrine solubility and bioavailability

Tetrandrine (TET) is a natural bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Stephania species with a wide range of biological and pharmacologic activities; it mainly serves as an anti-inflammatory agent or antitumor adjuvant in clinical applications. However, limitations such as prominent hydrophobicity, severe off-target toxicity, and low absorption result in suboptimal therapeutic outcomes preventing its widespread adoption. Nanoparticles have proven to be efficient devices for targeted drug delivery since drug-carrying nanoparticles can be passively transported to the tumor site by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects, thus securing a niche in cancer therapies. Great progress has been made in nanocarrier construction for TET delivery due to their outstanding advantages such as increased water-solubility, improved biodistribution and blood circulation, reduced off-target irritation, and combinational therapy. Herein, we systematically reviewed the latest advancements in TET-loaded nanoparticles and their respective features with the expectation of providing perspective and guidelines for future research and potential applications of TET.

Food nanotechnology: opportunities and challenges

Food nanotechnology, which applies nanotechnology to food systems ranging from food production to food processing, packaging, and transportation, provides tremendous opportunities for conventional food science and industry innovation and improvement. Although great progress and rapid growth have been achieved in food nanotechnology research owing to the unique food features rendered by nanotechnology, at a fundamental level, food nanotechnology is still in its initial stages and the potential adverse effects of nanomaterials are still a controversial problem that attract public attention. Food-derived nanomaterials, compared to some inorganic nanoparticles and synthetic organic macromolecules, can be digested rapidly and produce similar digestion products to those produced normally, which become the mainstream and trend for food nanotechnology in practical applications, and are expected to be a vital tool for addressing the security problem and easing public concerns. These food-derived materials enable the favourable characteristics of nanostructures to be combined with the safety, biocompatibility, and bioactivity of natural food. Very recently, diverse food-derived nanomaterials have been explored and widely applied in multiple fields. Herein, we thoroughly summarize the fabrication and development of nanomaterials for use in food technology, as well as the recent advances in the improvement of food quality, revolutionizing food supply, and boosting food industries based on foodborne nanomaterials. The current challenges in food nanotechnology are also discussed. We hope this review can provide a detailed reference for experts and food manufacturers and inspire researchers to participate in the development of food nanotechnology for highly efficient food industry growth.

Lipidic Nanosystem as State-of-the-Art Nanovehicle for Biomedical Applications

Lipids have tremendously transformed the biomedical field, especially in the last few decades. Nanosystems, especially Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs), have emerged as the most demanding nanovehicle systems for delivering drugs, genes, and other diagnostic agents. Unique attributes and characteristic features such as higher encapsulation efficiency, stealth effect, ability to solubilize a wide range of drugs, capability to inhibit P-gp efflux pumps, and higher stability play a vital role in engaging this nanosystem. LNCs are a lipid-based nano-drug delivery method that combines the most significant traits of liposomes with polymeric nanoparticles. Structurally, LNCs have an oily core consisting of medium and long triglycerides and an aqueous phase encased in an amphiphilic shell. This manuscript crosstalks LNCs for various biomedical applications. A detailed elaboration of the structural composition, methods of preparation, and quality control aspects has also been attained, with particular emphasis on application approaches, ongoing challenges, and their possible resolution. The manuscript also expounds the preclinical data and discusses the patents atlas of LNCs to assist biomedical scientists working in this area and foster additional research.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01298-3.

Potential anticancer effect of free and nanoformulated Deferasirox for breast cancer treatment: in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) stands as the second-leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. Many chemotherapeutic treatments for BC come with significant adverse effects. Additionally, BC is recognized as one of the most resistant forms of malignancy to treatment. Consequently, there exists a critical need for innovative therapeutic agents that are both highly effective and exhibit reduced toxicity and side effects for patients. Deferasirox (DFX), an iron-chelating drug approved by the FDA for oral use, emerges as a promising contender in the fight against BC proliferation. DFX, primarily administered orally, is utilized to address chronic iron excess resulting from blood transfusions, and it is the inaugural treatment for chronic iron overload syndrome. However, DFX encounters limitations due to its poor water solubility.

AIM

This study aimed at incorporating DFX into lipid nanocapsules (DFX-LNCs) followed by investigating the anticancer effect of the DFX nanoform as compared to free DFX in-vitro and on an orthotopic BC mouse model in-vivo.

METHODS

The DFX-LNCs was prepared and imaged using TEM and also characterized in terms of particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), and polydispersity index (PDI) using DLS. Moreover, drug release, cytotoxicity, and anticancer effect were assessed in-vitro, and in-vivo.

RESULTS

The results revealed that DFX-LNCs are more cytotoxic than free DFX with IC50 of 4.417 µg/ml and 16.114 µg/ml, respectively, while the plain LNCs didn't show any cytotoxic effect on the 4T1 cell line (IC50 = 122.797 µg/ml). Besides, the apoptotic effect of DFX-LNCs was more pronounced than that of free DFX, as evidenced by Annexin V/PI staining, increased BAX expression, and decreased expression of BcL-2. Moreover, DFX-LNCs showed a superior antitumor effect in-vivo with potent antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects.

CONCLUSION

The newly developed DFX nanoform demonstrated a high potential as a promising therapeutic agent for BC treatment.