Recent advances in nanomedicine preparative methods and their therapeutic potential for colorectal cancer: a critical review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy that affects a large percentage of the global population. The conventional treatments for CRC have a number of limitations. Nanoparticles have emerged as a promising cancer treatment method due to their ability to directly target cancer cells and regulate drug release, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing side effects. This compilation examines the use of nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for CRC treatment. Different nanomaterials can be used to administer anticancer drugs, including polymeric nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, liposomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles. In addition, we discuss recent developments in nanoparticle preparation techniques, such as solvent evaporation, salting-out, ion gelation, and nanoprecipitation. These methods have demonstrated high efficacy in penetrating epithelial cells, a prerequisite for effective drug delivery. This article focuses on the various targeting mechanisms utilized by CRC-targeted nanoparticles and their recent advancements in this field. In addition, the review offers descriptive information regarding numerous nano-preparative procedures for colorectal cancer treatments. We also discuss the outlook for innovative therapeutic techniques in the management of CRC, including the potential application of nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery. The review concludes with a discussion of current nanotechnology patents and clinical studies used to target and diagnose CRC. The results of this investigation suggest that nanoparticles have great potential as a method of drug delivery for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Development and evaluation of ivabradine microspheres for controlled release

The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate controlled release formulations of ivabradine hydrochloride (HCl)-loaded microspheres consisting of Kollicoat MAE 100 P and ethyl cellulose prepared by the oil-in-oil solvent evaporation method. The drug was encapsulated into microspheres by an in situ method by varying the polymer contents. The resultant microspheres were characterized with respect to drug loading, flow properties, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermal analysis and release behavior. Chemically stable loaded microspheres were confirmed by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis and XRD. SEM images showed that the microspheres were spherical with smooth surfaces. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of the drug in pure form and revealed no interaction between the drug and polymers. XRD and DSC were conducted to determine the nature of the drug in drug-loaded microspheres, and the results revealed that the drug was present in amorphous form. The maximum percentage entrapment efficiency was found to be 82 ± 2·11%, and the percentage yield was 89 ± 3·31%. The maximum in vitro drug release was more than 90% for pH 7·4, which demonstrated that drug-loaded formulations had a pH-dependent drug release. Cumulative drug release data were analyzed by using different kinetic models. The Korsmeyer–Peppas equation was used to determine the value of n which follows non-Fickian diffusion.