Chinese White Wax Solid Lipid Nanoparticles as a Novel Nanocarrier of Curcumin for Inhibiting the Formation of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

Polyphenols and their nanoformulations as potential antibiofilm agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is a major problem in the therapeutic management of infectious diseases. Among the bacterial resistance mechanisms is the development of an enveloped protein and polysaccharide-hydrated matrix called a biofilm. Polyphenolics have demonstrated beneficial antibacterial effects. Phenolic compounds mediate their antibiofilm effects via disruption of the bacterial membrane, deprivation of substrate, protein binding, binding to adhesion complex, viral fusion blockage and interactions with eukaryotic DNA. However, these compounds have limitations of chemical instability, low bioavailability, poor water solubility and short half-lives. Nanoformulations offer a promising solution to overcome these challenges by enhancing their antibacterial potential. This review summarizes the antibiofilm role of polyphenolics, their underlying mechanisms and their potential role as resistance-modifying agents.

Development and optimization of in-situ gel containing chitosan nanoparticles for possible nose-to-brain delivery of vinpocetine

Vinpocetine (VIN), a derivative of vincamine found in the vinca plant, widens blood vessels in the brain and has been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and cerebrovascular disorders. Nevertheless, the clinical utility of VIN is constrained by factors such as low oral bioavailability owing to the first-pass metabolism that often demands frequent dosing of 3-4 tablets/day. In this regard, the present work aimed to develop VIN-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (VIN-CH-NPs) to surmount these limitations and in view to enhance delivery to the brain of VIN by minimizing systemic exposure. The chitosan (CH) nanoparticles (NP) were developed by ionotropic gelation technique employing tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a cross-linking agent. Employing Design of Experiments (DoE), the effect of CH and TPP concentrations and stirring speed were systematically optimized using Box Behnken design (BBD). The optimized batch of nanoparticles displayed a particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and drug loading of 130.6 ± 8.38 nm, +40.81 ± 0.11 mV, 97.56 ± 0.04 %, and 61 ± 0.89 %, respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy indicated the chemical integrity of the drug ruling out the interaction between the VIN and excipients used. DSC and PXRD data indicated that reduction of the crystallinity of VIN in the chitosan matrix. These VIN-CH-NPs manifested good stability, exhibiting an almost spherical morphology. To mitigate rapid mucociliary clearance upon intranasal administration, the optimized VIN-CH-NPs were incorporated into thermosensitive in situ gel (VIN-CHN-ISG). It was observed that the in-situ gel loaded with nanoparticles was opalescent with a pH level of 5.3 ± 0.38. It was also noted that the gelation temperature was 32 ± 0.89 °C, and the gelation time was approximately 15 s. The drug delivery to the brain through the nasal application of optimized VIN-NPs in situ gel was assessed in rats. The results indicated significant nasal application of the in-situ gel nearly doubled the Cmax (P < 0.05) and AUC0-t (P < 0.05) in the brain compared to oral administration. Nasal administration improved drug delivery to the brain by reducing systemic exposure to VIN. A histopathological study of the nasal mucosa revealed no irritation or toxicity, making it safe for nasal administration. These findings suggest that the developed NPs in-situ gel effectively targeted vinpocetine to the brain through the nasal pathway, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for managing Alzheimer's disease.

Curcumin-Loaded Bamboo Shoot Cellulose Nanofibers: Characterization and In Vitro Studies

Given its high biological and pharmacological activities, curcumin (CUR) offers promising applications in functional foods. However, its low stability and bioavailability have greatly hindered its application in the food industry. The present study prepared cellulose nanofiber (CNF) from bamboo shoot processing byproducts and investigated its potential as a low-cost carrier. Our results showed that CUR was immobilized on CNF surfaces mainly through hydrogen bonding and eventually encapsulated in CNF matrices, forming a CNF-CUR complex with an encapsulation efficiency of 88.34% and a loading capacity of 67.95%. The CUR encapsulated in the complex showed improved stability after thermal and UV light treatments. Moreover, a slow and extended release pattern of CUR in a simulated gastrointestinal tract was observed, which could be appropriately described using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. These results revealed that CNF is a promising protective carrier for the slow release of CUR, making it a better candidate for functional foods.

Research progress of polyphenols in nanoformulations for antibacterial application

Infectious disease is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, especially in low-income countries. The extensive use of antibiotics has led to an increase in antibiotic resistance, which poses a critical threat to human health globally. Natural products such as polyphenolic compounds and their derivatives have been shown the positive therapeutic effects in antibacterial therapy. However, the inherent physicochemical properties of polyphenolic compounds and their derivatives limit their pharmaceutical effects, such as short half-lives, chemical instability, low bioavailability, and poor water solubility. Nanoformulations have shown promising advantages in improving antibacterial activity by controlling the release of drugs and enhancing the bioavailability of polyphenols. In this review, we listed the classification and antibacterial mechanisms of the polyphenolic compounds. More importantly, the nanoformulations for the delivery of polyphenols as the antibacterial agent were summarized, including different types of nanoparticles (NPs) such as polymer-based NPs, metal-based NPs, lipid-based NPs, and nanoscaffolds such as nanogels, nanofibers, and nanoemulsions. At the same time, we also presented the potential biological applications of the nano-system to enhance the antibacterial ability of polyphenols, aiming to provide a new therapeutic perspective for the antibiotic-free treatment of infectious diseases.

Advances in Nanotechnology for Biofilm Inhibition

Biofilm-associated infections have emerged as a significant public health challenge due to their persistent nature and increased resistance to conventional treatment methods. The indiscriminate usage of antibiotics has made us susceptible to a range of multidrug-resistant pathogens. These pathogens show reduced susceptibility to antibiotics and increased intracellular survival. However, current methods for treating biofilms, such as smart materials and targeted drug delivery systems, have not been found effective in preventing biofilm formation. To address this challenge, nanotechnology has provided innovative solutions for preventing and treating biofilm formation by clinically relevant pathogens. Recent advances in nanotechnological strategies, including metallic nanoparticles, functionalized metallic nanoparticles, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, cyclodextrin-based delivery, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymer drug conjugates, and liposomes, may provide valuable technological solutions against infectious diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive review to summarize the recent advancements and limitations of advanced nanotechnologies. The present Review encompasses a summary of infectious agents, the mechanisms that lead to biofilm formation, and the impact of pathogens on human health. In a nutshell, this Review offers a comprehensive survey of the advanced nanotechnological solutions for managing infections. A detailed presentation has been made as to how these strategies may improve biofilm control and prevent infections. The key objective of this Review is to summarize the mechanisms, applications, and prospects of advanced nanotechnologies to provide a better understanding of their impact on biofilm formation by clinically relevant pathogens.

Exploring Possible Ways to Enhance the Potential and Use of Natural Products through Nanotechnology in the Battle against Biofilms of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens

Biofilms enable pathogenic bacteria to survive in unfavorable environments. As biofilm-forming pathogens can cause rapid food spoilage and recurrent infections in humans, especially their presence in the food industry is problematic. Using chemical disinfectants in the food industry to prevent biofilm formation raises serious health concerns. Further, the ability of biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens to tolerate disinfection procedures questions the traditional treatment methods. Thus, there is a dire need for alternative treatment options targeting bacterial pathogens, especially biofilms. As clean-label products without carcinogenic and hazardous potential, natural compounds with growth and biofilm-inhibiting and biofilm-eradicating potentials have gained popularity as natural preservatives in the food industry. However, the use of these natural preservatives in the food industry is restricted by their poor availability, stability during food processing and storage. Also there is a lack of standardization, and unattractive organoleptic qualities. Nanotechnology is one way to get around these limitations and as well as the use of underutilized bioactives. The use of nanotechnology has several advantages including traversing the biofilm matrix, targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and enhanced bioavailability, bioactivity, and stability. The nanoparticles used in fabricating or encapsulating natural products are considered as an appealing antibiofilm strategy since the nanoparticles enhance the activity of the natural products against biofilms of foodborne bacterial pathogens. Hence, this literature review is intended to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current methods in nanotechnology used for natural products delivery (biofabrication, encapsulation, and nanoemulsion) and also discuss the different promising strategies employed in the recent and past to enhance the inhibition and eradication of foodborne bacterial biofilms.

Regulation of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence and Application of Nanotherapeutics to Eradicate S. aureus Infection

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile pathogen known to cause hospital- and community-acquired, foodborne, and zoonotic infections. The clinical infections by S. aureus cause an increase in morbidity and mortality rates and treatment costs, aggravated by the emergence of drug-resistant strains. As a multi-faceted pathogen, it is imperative to consolidate the knowledge on its pathogenesis, including the mechanisms of virulence regulation, development of antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm formation, to make it amenable to different treatment strategies. Nanomaterials provide a suitable platform to address this challenge, with the potential to control intracellular parasitism and multidrug resistance where conventional therapies show limited efficacy. In a nutshell, the first part of this review focuses on the impact of S. aureus on human health and the role of virulence factors and biofilms during pathogenesis. The second part discusses the large diversity of nanoparticles and their applications in controlling S. aureus infections, including combination with antibiotics and phytochemicals and the incorporation of antimicrobial coatings for biomaterials. Finally, the limitations and prospects using nanomaterials are highlighted, aiming to foster the development of novel nanotechnology-driven therapies against multidrug-resistant S. aureus.

Curcumin Nanoparticles Inhibiting Ferroptosis for the Enhanced Treatment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Incorporation of Antibiotics into Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: A Promising Approach to Reduce Antibiotic Resistance Emergence

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health as current antibiotics are becoming useless against resistant infectious pathogens. Consequently, new antimicrobial strategies are urgently required. Drug delivery systems represent a potential solution to improve current antibiotic properties and reverse resistance mechanisms. Among different drug delivery systems, solid lipid nanoparticles represent a highly interesting option as they offer many advantages for nontoxic targeted drug delivery. Several publications have demonstrated the capacity of SLNs to significantly improve antibiotic characteristics increasing treatment efficiency. In this review article, antibiotic-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle-related works are analyzed to summarize all information associated with applying these new formulations to tackle the antibiotic resistance problem. The main antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and relevant solid lipid nanoparticle characteristics are presented to later discuss the potential of these nanoparticles to improve current antibiotic treatment characteristics and overcome antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Moreover, solid lipid nanoparticles also offer new possibilities for other antimicrobial agents that cannot be administrated as free drugs. The advantages and disadvantages of these new formulations are also discussed in this review. Finally, given the progress of the studies carried out to date, future directions are discussed.

Systematic Development and Characterization of Novel, High Drug-Loaded, Photostable, Curcumin Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing

The study aims to develop high drug-loaded (about 15% lipid matrix) curcumin solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs) for wound healing. CSLNs prepared by hot, high-pressure homogenization, without using organic solvents, were optimized using the Taguchi design followed by the central composite design. The optimized CSLNs exhibited a high assay/drug content (0.6% w/w), solubility (6 × 105 times), and EE (75%) with a particle size < 200 nm (PDI-0.143). The CSLNs were safe (in vitro and in vivo), photostable, autoclavable, stable up to one year at 30 °C and under refrigeration and exhibited a controlled release (zero-order; 5 days). XRD, FTIR, and DSC confirmed solubilization and entrapment of the curcumin within the SLNs. TEM and FESEM revealed a smooth and spherical shape. The CSLNs showed a significant antimicrobial effect (MIC of 64 µg/mL for planktonic cells; 512 µg/mL for biofilm formation; and 2 mg/mL for mature biofilm) against Staphylococcus aureus 9144, while free curcumin dispersion did not exhibit any effect. This is the first report on the disruption of mature biofilms by curcumin solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs). The cell proliferation potential of CSLNs was also evaluated in vitro while the wound healing potential of CSLNs (incorporated in a hydrogel) was assessed in vivo. In (i) nitrogen mustard gas and (ii) a full-thickness excision wound model, CSLNs exhibited (a) significantly faster wound closure, (b) histologically and immunohistochemically better healing, (c) lower oxidative stress (LPO) and (d) inflammation (TNFα), and (e) increased angiogenesis (VEGF) and antioxidant enzymes, i.e., catalase and GSH levels. CSLNs thus offer a promising modern wound therapy especially for infected wounds, considering their effects in mature biofilm disruption.

Curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes

The development and spread of resistance to antimicrobial drugs is hampering the management of microbial infectious and wound healing processes. Curcumin is the most active and effective constituent of Curcuma longa L., also known as turmeric, and has a very long and strong history of medicinal value for human health and skincare. Curcumin has been proposed as strong antimicrobial potentialities and many attempts have been made to determine its ability to conjointly control bacterial growth and promote wound healing. However, low aqueous solubility, poor tissue absorption and short plasma half-life due its rapid metabolism needs to be solved for made curcumin formulations as suitable treatment for wound healing. New curcumin nanoformulations have been designed to solve the low bioavailability problem of curcumin. Thus, in the present review, the therapeutic applications of curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes is described.

Curcumin Loaded and Co-loaded Nanosystems: A Review from a Biological Activity Enhancement Perspective

BACKGROUND

Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound exhibiting multiple bioactivities that have been evaluated in vitro, in vivo as well as through clinical studies in humans. Some of them include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and central nervous system protective effects. Further, curcumin is generally recognized as a safe substance because of its low toxicity. However, its molecular structure is susceptible to changes in pH, oxidation, photodegradation, low aqueous solubility, and biotransformation compromising its bioavailability; these drawbacks are successfully addressed through nanotechnology.

OBJECTIVE

The present review systematizes findings on the enhancement of curcumin's beneficial effects when it is loaded and co-loaded into different types of nanosystems covering liposomes, polymeric and solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier, lipid-polymeric hybrids, self- -assembled and protein-based core-shell systems in relation to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and central nervous system protective bioactivities.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin is a versatile molecule capable of exerting antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, and central nervous system protective effects in an enhanced manner using the possibilities offered by the nanotechnology-based approach. Its enhanced bioactivities are associated with increments in solubility, stability, bioavailability, as well as in improved intracellular uptake and cell internalization. These advantages, in addition to curcumin's low toxicity, indicate the potential of curcumin to be loaded and co-loaded into nanosystems capable of providing a controlled release and targeted administration.

Current Applications of Nanoemulsions in Cancer Therapeutics

Nanoemulsions are pharmaceutical formulations composed of particles within a nanometer range. They possess the capacity to encapsulate drugs that are poorly water soluble due to their hydrophobic core nature. Additionally, they are also composed of safe gradient excipients, which makes them a stable and safe option to deliver drugs. Cancer therapy has been an issue for several decades. Drugs developed to treat this disease are not always successful or end up failing, mainly due to low solubility, multidrug resistance (MDR), and unspecific toxicity. Nanoemulsions might be the solution to achieve efficient and safe tumor treatment. These formulations not only solve water-solubility problems but also provide specific targeting to cancer cells and might even be designed to overcome MDR. Nanoemulsions can be modified using ligands of different natures to target components present in tumor cells surface or to escape MDR mechanisms. Multifunctional nanoemulsions are being studied by a wide variety of researchers in different research areas mainly for the treatment of different types of cancer. All of these studies demonstrate that nanoemulsions are efficiently taken by the tumoral cells, reduce tumor growth, eliminate toxicity to healthy cells, and decrease migration of cancer cells to other organs.