Targeted SLNs for management of HIV-1 associated dementia

Self-assembled sodium alginate polymannuronate nanoparticles for synergistic treatment of ophthalmic infection and inflammation: Preparation optimization and in vitro/vivo evaluation

Frequent administrations are often needed during the treatment of ocular diseases due to the low bioavailability of the existing eye drops owing to inadequate corneal penetration and rapid drug washout. Herein, sodium alginate polymannuronate (SA) nanocarriers were developed using ionic gelation method that can provide better bioavailability through mucoadhesivity and sustained drug release by binding to the ocular mucus layer. This study disproves the common belief that only the G block of SA participates in the crosslinking reaction during ionic gelation. Self-assembly capability due to the linear flexible structure of the M block, better biocompatibility than G block along with the feasibility of controlling physicochemical characteristics postulate a high potential for designing efficient ocular drug delivery systems. Initially, four crosslinkers of varied concentrations were investigated. Taguchi design of experiment revealed the statistically significant effect of the crosslinker type and concentration on the particle size and stability. The best combination was detected by analyzing the particle size and zeta potential values that showed the desired microstructural properties for ocular barrier penetration. The desired combination was SA-Ca-1 that had particle size within the optimal corneal penetration range, that is 10-200 nm (135 nm). The drug carriers demonstrated excellent entrapment efficiency (∼89 % for Ciprofloxacin and ∼96 % for Dexamethasone) along with a sustained and simultaneous release of dual drug for at least 2 days. The nanoparticles also showed biocompatibility (4 ± 0.6 % hemolysis) and high mucoadhesivity (73 ± 2 % for 0.25 g) which was validated by molecular docking analysis. The prepared formulation was able to reduce the scleral inflammation of the rabbit uveitis models significantly within 3 days. Thus, the eye drop showed remarkable potential for efficient drug delivery leading to faster recovery.

Applications of Metallic Nanoparticles in the Skin Cancer Treatment

Skin cancer is one of leading cancers globally, divided into two major categories including melanoma and nonmelanoma. Skin cancer is a global concern with an increasing trend, hence novel therapies are essential. The local treatment strategies play a key role in skin cancer therapy. Nanoparticles (NPs) exert potential applications in medicine with huge advantages and have the ability to overcome common chemotherapy problems. Recently, NPs have been used in nanomedicine as promising drug delivery systems. They can enhance the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs, improve pharmacokinetic properties, modify bioavailability, and reduce drug metabolism. The high-efficient, nontoxic, low-cost, and specific cancer therapy is a promising goal, which can be achieved by the development of nanotechnology. Metallic NPs (MNPs) can act as important platforms. MNPs development seeks to enhance the therapeutic efficiency of medicines through site specificity, prevention of multidrug resistance, and effective delivery of therapeutic factors. MNPs are used as potential arms in the case of cancer recognition, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and colloidal mediators for magnetic hyperthermia of cancer. The applications of MNPs in the cancer treatment studies are mostly due to their potential to carry a large dose of drug, resulting in a high concentration of anticancer drugs at the target site. Therefore, off-target toxicity and suffering side effects caused by high concentration of the drug in other parts of the body are avoided. MNPs have been applied as drug carriers for the of improvement of skin cancer treatment and drug delivery. The development of MNPs improves the results of many cancer treatments. Different types of NPs, such as inorganic and organic NPs have been investigated in vitro and in vivo for the skin cancer therapy. MNPs advantages mostly include biodegradability, electrostatic charge, good biocompatibility, high drug payload, and low toxicity. However, the use of controlled-release systems stimulated by electromagnetic waves, temperature, pH, and light improves the accumulation in tumor tissues and improves therapeutic outcomes. This study (2019-2022) is aimed at reviewing applications of MNPs in the skin cancer therapy.

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.

Preparation of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Drug Delivery and the Effects of Preparation Parameters of Solvent Injection Method

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have emerged as potential drug delivery systems for various applications that are produced from physiological, biodegradable, and biocompatible lipids. The methods used to produce SLNs and NLCs have been well investigated and reviewed, but solvent injection method provides an alternative means of preparing these drug carriers. The advantages of solvent injection method include a fast production process, easiness of handling, and applicability in many laboratories without requirement of complicated instruments. The effects of formulations and process parameters of this method on the characteristics of the produced SLNs and NLCs have been investigated in several studies. This review describes the methods currently used to prepare SLNs and NLCs with focus on solvent injection method. We summarize recent development in SLNs and NLCs production using this technique. In addition, the effects of solvent injection process parameters on SLNs and NLCs characteristics are discussed.

Surface modified silk fibroin nanoparticles for improved delivery of doxorubicin: Development, characterization, in-vitro studies

Silk fibroin nanoparticles possess the hydrophobic nature which assists them to become a good substrate for reticulo-endothelial system (RES) and macrophageal uptake. Surface coating of these nanoparticles with hydrophilic stabilizers, like Tween-80 make them long circulating and facilitate their uptake by low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors to cross blood brain barrier (BBB). Surface modified silk fibroin nanoparticles bearing anti-cancer agent doxorubicin (DOX) were fabricated by desolvation method and coated with Tween-80 as surface modifier. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized for various physicochemical parameters, like particle size, surface charge, surface morphology by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and in vitro drug release along with in vitro cell cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and cellular uptake studies by flourocytometry on glioblastoma cell lines. Entrapment efficiency for the silk fibroin nanoparticles were found to be >85% for coated and uncoated nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with average diameter less than 150 nm having negative charge were found to show no toxicity of its own. The pro-inflammatory response of nanoparticles was observed by determining the cytokines level, such as TNF-α and IL-1β. Sustained drug release pattern from the nanoparticles with better cytotoxicty as compared to free drug was observed, signifying their potential ability to work as a drug delivery system.

Dual Drug Delivery Using Lactic Acid Conjugated SLN for Effective Management of Neurocysticercosis

PURPOSE

The debut study was aimed to develop Lactic acid (LA)-conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN-LA) bearing albendazole (ALB) and prednisolone (PRD) for effective management of neurocysticercosis (NCC).

METHODS

LA was coupled to SLN by post-insertion technique. SLNs were characterized for particle size and size distribution, shape, and percent drug entrapment efficiency. In vitro drug release kinetics, fluorescence study and in vitro transendothelial transport, hematological studies and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out to predict the fullest drug delivery potential.

RESULTS

Spherical SLNs (~100 nm) with good drug entrapments (~64 and ~78% for ALB and PRD, respectively) showed in vitro initial fast release (i.e., 20-40% drugs release in 4 h) followed by sustained release for more than 48 h. Fluorescence study and in vitro transendothelial transport depicted selective brain uptake of SLN-LA compared to SLN attributed to carrier mediated transport via monocarboxylic acid transporters (MCT - 1/2/3). Pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC0-t and AUMC0-t and Cllast showed good drugs withholding capacity of SLNs. Organ distribution studies reflected high accumulation of drugs (ALB, 7.6 ± 0.31%; PRD, 5.21 ± 0.24%) in the brain after 24 h in case of SLN-LA as compared to plain drugs solution. SLN-LA in hematological studies revealed insignificant toxicity to blood cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall study paved the potential advances in brain targeting with synergistic acting drugs for effective management of NCC.