Biomaterials-Based Strategies to Enhance Angiogenesis in Diabetic Wound Healing

Amidst the present healthcare issues, diabetes is unique as an emerging class of affliction with chronicity in a majority of the population. To check and control its effects, there have been huge turnover and constant development of management strategies, and though a bigger part of the health care area is involved in achieving its control and the related issues such as the effect of diabetes on wound healing and care and many of the works have reached certain successful outcomes, still there is a huge lack in managing it, with maximum effect yet to be attained. Studying pathophysiology and involvement of various treatment options, such as tissue engineering, application of hydrogels, drug delivery methods, and enhancing angiogenesis, are at constantly developing stages either direct or indirect. In this review, we have gathered a wide field of information and different new therapeutic methods and targets for the scientific community, paving the way toward more settled ideas and research advances to cure diabetic wounds and manage their outcomes.

Synthesis and characterization of pH-sensitive nanocarrier based chitosan-g-poly(itaconic acid) for ciprofloxacin delivery for anti-bacterial application

This study aims to develop pH-sensitive and controlled release of ciprofloxacin from ciprofloxacin-loaded grafted chitosan-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs) for the treatment of bacterial infections in the human colon. For this aim, first, the chitosan-g-poly(itaconic acid) [Chit-g-poly (Itac)] was synthesized via grafting of itaconic acid onto chitosan in the presence of cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) under an inert atmosphere using conventional methods, while zinc oxide nanoparticles (Zn-NPs) were prepared via sol-gel technique. Characterization of the synthesized Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs was analyzed using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TGA, and zeta potential analysis. The antibacterial efficacy of Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs against three pathogenic bacteria, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, was superior to that of tetracycline reference drugs, as evidenced by larger inhibition zones. Cytotoxicity assessment of Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs on the human chondrocyte cell line C28/I2 via MTT assay revealed 100 % cell viability at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. The loading efficiency of ciprofloxacin into Gchit/Zn-NPs was evaluated at various ratios, demonstrating lower loading efficiency; however, sustained release of ciprofloxacin from Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs was excellent, with 98.13 % release observed at pH 7.2 over 10 h. Kinetic analysis of ciprofloxacin release followed the first-order kinetic models.

A novel approach to pH-Responsive targeted cancer Therapy: Inhibition of FaDu cancer cell proliferation with a pH low insertion Peptide-Conjugated DGAT1 inhibitor

Targeting enzymes involved in lipid metabolism is increasingly recognized as a promising anticancer strategy. Efficient inhibition of diacylglycerol O-transferase 1 (DGAT1) can block fatty acid (FA) storage. This, in turn, triggers an increase in free polyunsaturated FA concentration, leading to peroxidation and ferroptosis. In this study, we report the development of a pH-sensitive peptide (pHLIP)-drug conjugate designed to selectively deliver DGAT1 inhibitors to cancer cells nested within the acidic microenvironment of tumors. We utilized two previously established pHLIP sequences for coupling with drugs. The study of DGAT1 conjugates in large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) of different compositions did not reveal enhanced pH-dependent insertion compared to POPC LUVs. However, using in vitro 3D tumor spheroids, significant antiproliferative effects were observed upon exposure to pHLIP-T863 (DGAT1 inhibitor) conjugates, surpassing the inhibitory activity of T863 alone. In conclusion, our study provides the first evidence that pHLIP-based conjugates with DGAT1 inhibitors have the potential to specifically target the acidic compartment of tumors. Moreover, it sheds light on the limitations of LUV models in capturing the pH-dependency of such conjugates.

Natural rubber latex-based biomaterials for drug delivery and regenerative medicine: Trends and directions

Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) has shown to be a promising biomaterial for use as a drug delivery system to release various bioactive compounds. It is cost-effective, easy to handle, biocompatible, and exhibits pro-angiogenic and pro-healing properties for both soft and hard tissues. NRL releases compounds following burst and sustained release kinetics, exhibiting first-order release kinetics. Moreover, its pore density can be adjusted for tailored kinetics profiles. In addition, biotechnological applications of NRL in amblyopia, smart mattresses, and neovaginoplasty have demonstrated success. This comprehensive review explores NRL's diverse applications in biotechnology and biomedicine, addressing challenges in translating research into clinical practice. Organized into eight sections, the review emphasizes NRL's potential in wound healing, drug delivery, and metallic nanoparticle synthesis. It also addresses the challenges in enhancing NRL's physical properties and discusses its interactions with the human immune system. Furthermore, examines NRL's potential in creating wearable medical devices and biosensors for neurological disorders. To fully explore NRL's potential in addressing important medical conditions, we emphasize throughout this review the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration. In conclusion, this review advances our understanding of NRL's role in biomedical and biotechnological applications, offering insights into its diverse applications and promising opportunities for future development.

Targeted delivery of rifaximin using P6.2-decorated bifunctional PLGA nanoparticles for combating Staphylococcus aureus infections

The emergence of antibiotic resistance makes the treatment of bacterial infections difficult and necessitates the development of alternative strategies. Targeted drug delivery systems are attracting great interest in overcoming the limitations of traditional antibiotics. Here, we aimed for targeted delivery of rifaximin (RFX) by decorating RFX-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) with synthetic P6.2 peptide, which was used as a targeting agent for the first time. Our results showed that encapsulation of RFX into NPs increased its antibacterial activity by improving its solubility and providing controlled release, while P6.2 modification allowed targeting of NPs to S. aureus bacterial cells. A promising therapeutic approach for bacterial infections, these P6.2-conjugated RFX-loaded PLGA NPs (TR-NP) demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against both strains of S. aureus. The antibacterial activity of RFX-loaded PLGA NPs (R-NP) showed significant results with an increase of 8 and 16-fold compared to free RFX against S. aureus and MRSA, respectively. Moreover, the activity of targeted nanoparticles was found to be increased 32 or 16-fold with an MBC value of 0.0078 μg/mL. All nanoparticles were found to be biocompatible at doses where they showed antimicrobial activity. Finally, it revealed that P6.2-conjugated targeted nanoparticles extremely accumulated in S. aureus rather than E. coli.

Barcode lipids for absolute quantitation of liposomes in ocular tissues

Lipid-based drug formulations are promising systems for improving delivery of drugs to ocular tissues, such as retina. To develop lipid-based systems further, an improved understanding of their pharmacokinetics is required, but high-quality in vivo experiments require a large number of animals, raising ethical and economic questions. In order to expedite in vivo kinetic testing of lipid-based systems, we propose a barcode approach that is based on barcoding liposomes with non-endogenous lipids. We developed and evaluated a liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry method to quantify many liposomes simultaneously in aqueous humor, vitreous, and neural retina at higher than ±20% precision and accuracy. Furthermore, we showed in vivo suitability of the method in pharmacokinetic evaluation of six different liposomes after their simultaneous injection into the rat vitreal cavity. We calculated pharmacokinetic parameters in vitreous and aqueous humor, quantified liposome concentrations in the retina, and quantitated retinal distribution of the liposomes in the rats. Compared to individual injections of the liposome formulations, the barcode-based study design enabled reduction of animal numbers from 72 to 12. We believe that the proposed approach is reliable and will reduce and refine ocular pharmacokinetic experiments with liposomes and other lipid-based systems.

Self-assembled poloxamer-legumin/vicilin nanoparticles for the nanoencapsulation and controlled release of folic acid

Plant-based food proteins are a promising choice for the preparation of nanoparticles (NPs) due to their high digestibility, low cost, and ability to interact with various compounds and nutrients. Moreover, nanoencapsulation offers a potential solution for protecting nutrients during processing and enhancing their bioavailability. This study aimed to develop and evaluate nanoparticles (NPs) based on legumin/vicilin (LV) proteins extracted from fava beans, with the goal of encapsulating and delivering a model nutraceutical compound, folic acid (FA). Specifically, NPs were self-assembled from LV proteins extracted from commercially available frozen fava beans using a pH-coacervation method with poloxamer 188 (P188) and chemically cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Microscopy and spectroscopy studies were carried out on the empty and FA-loaded NPs in order to evaluate the particle morphology, size, size distribution, composition, mechanism of formation, impact of FA loading and release behavior. In vitro studies with Caco-2 cells also confirmed that the empty and FA-loaded nanoparticles were non-toxic. Thus, the LV-NPs are good candidates as food additives for the delivery and stabilization of nutrients as well as in drug delivery for the controlled release of therapeutics.

Synthesis of calix (4) resorcinarene based amphiphilic macrocycle as an efficient nanocarrier for Amphotericin-B to enhance its oral bioavailability

The supramolecular-based macrocyclic amphiphiles have fascinating attention and find extensive utilization in the pharmaceutical industry for efficient drug delivery. In this study, we designed and synthesized a new supramolecular amphiphilic macrocycle to serve as an efficient nanocarrier, achieved by treating 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde with 1-bromotetradecane. The derivatized product was subsequently treated with resorcinol to cyclize, resulting in the formation of a calix(4)-resorcinarene-based supramolecular amphiphilic macrocycle. The synthesized macrocycle and intermediate products were characterized using mass spectrometry, IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The amphotericin-B (Amph-B)-loaded and unloaded amphiphiles were screened for biocompatibility studies, vesicle formation, particle shape, size, surface charge, drug entrapment, in-vitro release profile, and stability through atomic force microscopy (AFM), Zetasizer, HPLC, and FT-IR. Amph-B -loaded macrocycle-based niosomal vesicles were investigated for in-vivo bioavailability in rabbits. The synthesized macrocycle exhibited no cytotoxicity against normal mouse fibroblast cells and was found to be hemocompatible and safe in mice following an acute toxicity study. The drug-loaded macrocycle-based vesicles appeared spherical, nano-sized, and homogeneous in size, with a notable negative surface charge. The vesicles remained stable after 30 days of storage. The results of Amph-B oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics revealed that the newly tailored niosomal formulation enhanced drug solubility, protected drug degradation at gastric pH, facilitated sustained drug release at the specific target site, and delayed plasma drug clearance. Incorporating such advanced niosomal formulations in the field of drug delivery systems has the potential to revolutionize therapeutic outcomes and improve the quality of patient well-being.

Efficacy tumor therapeutic applications of stimuli-responsive block copolymer-based nano-assemblies

Block copolymers are composed of two or more blocks or segments with different chemical properties via various chemical bonds, which can assemble into nanoparticles with a "core-shell" structure. Due to the benefits of simple functionalization, superior drug-loading capacity, and good biocompatibility, various nano-assemblies based on block copolymers have become widely applied in the treatment of cancers in recent years. These nano-assemblies serve as carriers for anti-tumor bioactive, enhancing drug stability and prolonging their circulation time in vivo, which can reduce the toxic side effects of drugs and improve the therapeutic effect. However, the complex and heterogeneous tumor microenvironment poses challenges to the therapeutic efficacy of these nano-assemblies, having the result in the occurrence of drug resistance and the recurrence of tumors. Consequently, a diverse array of stimuli-responsive nano-assemblies has been devised in order to surmount these obstacles. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the utilization of stimuli-responsive nano-assemblies derived from block copolymers in the context of tumor treatment. The review summarizes block polymers responsive to internal stimuli (like ROS, redox, pH, and enzymes) and external stimuli (like light, and temperature), and discusses current challenges and prospects in this field, aiming to provide novel insights for clinical applications.

Deciphering the monocyte-targeting mechanisms of PEGylated cationic liposomes by investigating the biomolecular corona

Cationic liposomes specifically target monocytes in blood, rendering them promising drug-delivery tools for cancer immunotherapy, vaccines, and therapies for monocytic leukaemia. The mechanism behind this monocyte targeting ability is, however, not understood, but may involve plasma proteins adsorbed on the liposomal surfaces. To shed light on this, we investigated the biomolecular corona of three different types of PEGylated cationic liposomes, finding all of them to adsorb hyaluronan-associated proteins and proteoglycans upon incubation in human blood plasma. This prompted us to study the role of the TLR4 co-receptors CD44 and CD14, both involved in signalling and uptake pathways of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. We found that separate inhibition of each of these receptors hampered the monocyte uptake of the liposomes in whole human blood. Based on clues from the biomolecular corona, we have thus identified two receptors involved in the targeting and uptake of cationic liposomes in monocytes, in turn suggesting that certain proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans may serve as monocyte-targeting opsonins. This mechanistic knowledge may pave the way for rational design of future monocyte-targeting drug-delivery platforms.

Cell-mediated nanoparticle delivery systems: towards precision nanomedicine

Cell-mediated nanoparticle delivery systems (CMNDDs) utilize cells as carriers to deliver the drug-loaded nanoparticles. Unlike the traditional nanoparticle drug delivery approaches, CMNDDs take the advantages of cell characteristics, such as the homing capabilities of stem cells, inflammatory chemotaxis of neutrophils, prolonged blood circulation of red blood cells, and internalization of macrophages. Subsequently, CMNDDs can easily prolong the blood circulation, cross biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier and the bone marrow-blood barrier, and rapidly arrive at the diseased areas. Such advantageous properties make CMNDDs promising delivery candidates for precision targeting. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in CMNDDs fabrication and biomedical applications. Specifically, ligand-receptor interactions, non-covalent interactions, covalent interactions, and internalization are commonly applied in constructing CMNDDs in vitro. By hitchhiking cells, such as macrophages, red blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and platelets, nanoparticles can be internalized or attached to cells to construct CMNDDs in vivo. Then we highlight the recent application of CMNDDs in treating different diseases, such as cancer, central nervous system disorders, lung diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, with a brief discussion about challenges and future perspectives in the end.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Dentistry: A Literature Review

Although high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been applied widely in medicine, utilising its non-invasive dual ablation and thermal coagulation properties, its application in dentistry has primarily remained in the research phase, predominantly in in vitro studies. Nonetheless, there has been a consistent increase in the number of publications on this subject in recent decades, focusing on areas such as remineralisation of dentine surfaces, removal of smear layers, drug delivery, and microbial elimination. The number of advantages HIFU can offer, such as its non-surgical nature, absence of ionising radiation, lack of residue, and absence of aerosols, is driving this upward trend, indicating the potential for HIFU in clinical dentistry and ongoing efforts towards developing HIFU-based devices for routine dental use. This succinct review aims to outline the historical context, operational mechanisms of HIFU, summarise recent dental research, and provide a forward-looking perspective on the role of HIFU in modern clinical dentistry.

Assessment of chitosan-coated zinc cobalt ferrite nanoparticle as a multifunctional theranostic platform facilitating pH-sensitive drug delivery and OCT image contrast enhancement

Colorectal cancer (CC) is one of the most predominant malignancies in the world, with the current treatment regimen consisting of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), have gained popularity as first-line antineoplastic agents against CC but have several drawbacks, including variable absorption through the gastrointestinal tract, inconsistent liver metabolism, short half-life, toxicological reactions in several organ systems, and others. Therefore, herein, we develop chitosan-coated zinc-substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CZCFNPs) for the pH-sensitive (triggered by chitosan degradation within acidic organelles of cells) and sustained delivery of 5-FU in CC cells in vitro. Additionally, the developed nanoplatform served as an excellent exogenous optical coherence tomography (OCT) contrast agent, enabling a significant improvement in the OCT image contrast in a CC tissue phantom model with a biomimetic microvasculature. Further, this study opens up new possibilities for using OCT for the non-invasive monitoring and/or optimization of magnetic targeting capabilities, as well as real-time tracking of magnetic nanoparticle-based therapeutic platforms for biomedical applications. Overall, the current study demonstrates the development of a CZCFNP-based theranostic platform capable of serving as a reliable drug delivery system as well as a superior OCT exogenous contrast agent for tissue imaging.

Reducing the effective dose of cisplatin using cobalt modified silver nano-hybrid as a carriers on MCF7 and HCT cell models

Cancer is a deadly illness with a convoluted pathogenesis. The most prevalent restrictions that frequently result in treatment failure for cancer chemotherapy include lack of selectivity, cytotoxicity, and multidrug resistance. Thus, considerable efforts have been focused in recent years on the establishment of a modernistic sector termed nano-oncology, which offers the option of employing nanoparticles (NPs) with the objective of detecting, targeting, and treating malignant disorders. NPs offer a focused approach compared to conventional anticancer methods, preventing negative side effects. In the present work, a successful synthetic process was used to create magnetic cobalt cores with an AgNPs shell to form bimetallic nanocomposites CoAg, then functionalized with Cis forming novel CoAg@Cis nanohybrid. The morphology and optical properties were determined by TEM, DLS, FTIRs and UV-vis spectroscopy, furthermore, anticancer effect of CoAg and CoAg@Cis nanohybrids were estimated using MTT assay on MCF7 and HCT cell lines. Our results showed that Co@Ag core shell is about 15 nm were formed with dark CoNPs core and AgNPs shell with less darkness than the core, moreover, CoAg@Cis has diameter about 25 nm which are bigger in size than Co@Ag core shell demonstrating the loading of Cis. It was observed that Cis, CoAg and CoAg@Cis induced a decline in cell survival and peaked at around 65%, 73%and 66% on MCF7 and 80%, 76%and 78% on HCT at 100 µg/ml respectively. Compared to Cis alone, CoAg and CoAg@Cis caused a significant decrease in cell viability. These findings suggest that the synthesized CoAg can be used as a powerful anticancer drug carrier.

A stochastic programming approach to the antibiotics time machine problem

Antibiotics Time Machine is an important problem to understand antibiotic resistance and how it can be reversed. Mathematically, it can be modeled as follows: Consider a set of genotypes, each of which contain a set of mutated and unmutated genes. Suppose that a set of growth rate measurements of each genotype under a set of antibiotics is given. The transition probabilities of a 'realization' of a Markov chain associated with each arc under each antibiotic are computable via a predefined function given the growth rate realizations. The aim is to maximize the expected probability of reaching to the genotype with all unmutated genes given the initial genotype in a predetermined number of transitions, considering the following two sources of uncertainties: (i) the randomness in growth rates, (ii) the randomness in transition probabilities, which are functions of growth rates. We develop stochastic mixed-integer linear programming and dynamic programming approaches to solve static and dynamic versions of the Antibiotics Time Machine Problem under the aforementioned uncertainties. We adapt a Sample Average Approximation approach that exploits the special structure of the problem and provide accurate solutions that perform very well in an out-of-sample analysis.

Drug delivery systems for wound healing treatment of upper airway injury

INTRODUCTION

Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure to maintain an open airway with risks for traumatic injury. Pathological changes resulting from intubation can cause upper airway complications, including vocal fold scarring, laryngotracheal stenosis, and granulomas and present with symptoms such as dysphonia, dysphagia, and dyspnea. Current intubation-related laryngotracheal injury treatment approaches lack standardized guidelines, relying on individual clinician experience, and surgical and medical interventions have limitations and carry risks.

AREAS COVERED

The clinical and preclinical therapeutics for wound healing in the upper airway are described. This review discusses the current developments on local drug delivery systems in the upper airway utilizing particle-based delivery systems, including nanoparticles and microparticles, and bulk-based delivery systems, encompassing hydrogels and polymer-based approaches.

EXPERT OPINION

Complex laryngotracheal diseases pose challenges for effective treatment, struggling due to the intricate anatomy, limited access, and recurrence. Symptomatic management often requires invasive surgical procedures or medications that are unable to achieve lasting effects. Recent advances in nanotechnology and biocompatible materials provide potential solutions, enabling precise drug delivery, personalization, and extended treatment efficacy. Combining these technologies could lead to groundbreaking treatments for upper airways diseases, significantly improving patients' quality of life. Research and innovation in this field are crucial for further advancements.

Synthesis, structural, multitargeted molecular docking analysis of anti-cancer, anti-tubercular, DNA interactions of benzotriazole based macrocyclic ligand

Biologically important macromolecule 1, 1', 3, 3' Bis - [2,3,5,6-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenebis(methylene)] dibenzotriazlinium dibromide hydrate (BTD) was synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, NMR and single-crystal XRD (SCXRD). SCXRD revealed that the compound was crystallized as a monoclinic system and associated through weak intermolecular interactions like H-bonding and π- π stacking interactions. These weak intermolecular interactions in BTD were studied using Crystal Explorer and Gaussian. The calculated energies for the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) showed the stability and reactivity of the title compound. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface analysis was used to investigate the crystal's nucleophilic and electrophilic reactive sites. The molecular shape and intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure were determined using Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots. Anticancer, anti-bacterial and DNA binding ability of BTD were investigated by experimental and theoretical techniques. The obtained results suggest that BTD possesses better anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and DNA binding abilities. The mode of action of antibiotic and anticancer approach was discussed. This provides promising therapeutic advantages for further development.

Luminescent Supramolecular Metallogels: Drug Loading and Eu(III) as Structural Probe

Supramolecular metallogels combine the rheological properties of gels with the color, magnetism, and other properties of metal ions. Lanthanide ions such as Eu(III) can be valuable components of metallogels due to their fascinating luminescence. In this work, we combine Eu(III) and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) into luminescent hydrogels. We investigate the tailoring of the rheological properties of these gels by changes in their metal:ligand ratio. Further, we use the highly sensitive Eu(III) luminescence to obtain information about the chemical structure of the materials. In special, we take advantage of computational calculations to employ an indirect method for structural elucidation, in which the simulated luminescent properties of candidate structures are matched to the experimental data. With this strategy, we can propose molecular structures for different EuIDA gels. We also explore the usage of these gels for the loading of bioactive molecules such as OXA, observing that its aldose reductase activity remains present in the gel. We envision that the findings from this work could inspire the development of luminescent hydrogels with tunable rheology for applications such as 3D printing and imaging-guided drug delivery platforms. Finally, Eu(III) emission-based structural elucidation could be a powerful tool in the characterization of advanced materials.

Anti-EGFR ScFv functionalized exosomes delivering LPCAT1 specific siRNAs for inhibition of lung cancer brain metastases

Brain metastasis (BM) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, limited treatments are available due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Upregulation of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) in NSCLC has been found to promote BM. Conversely, downregulating LPCAT1 significantly suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells. In this study, we firstly confirmed significant upregulation of LPCAT1 in BM sites compared to primary lung cancer by analyzing scRNA dataset. We then designed a delivery system based on a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and exosomes derived from HEK293T cells to enhance cell-targeting capabilities and increase permeability. Next, we loaded LPCAT1 siRNA (siLPCAT1) into these engineered exosomes (exoscFv). This novel scFv-mounted exosome successfully crossed the BBB in an animal model and delivered siLPCAT1 to the BM site. Silencing LPCAT1 efficiently arrested tumor growth and inhibited malignant progression of BM in vivo without detectable toxicity. Overall, we provided a potential platform based on exosomes for RNA interference (RNAi) therapy in lung cancer BM.

Chitosan coated selenium: A versatile nano-delivery system for molecular cargoes

The use of nanoscale delivery platforms holds tremendous potential to overcome the current limitations associated with the conventional delivery of genetic materials and hydrophobic compounds. Therefore, there is an imperative need to develop a suitable alternative nano-enabled delivery platform to overcome these limitations. This work reports the first one-step hydrothermal synthesis of chitosan functionalized selenium nanoparticles (Selenium-chitosan, SeNP) that are capable of serving as a versatile nanodelivery platform for different types of active ingredients. The chitosan functionalization modified the surface charge to allow the loading of active ingredients and improve biocompatibility. The effective loading of the SeNP was demonstrated using genetic material, a hydrophobic small molecule, and an antibiotic. Furthermore, the loading of active ingredients showed no detrimental effect on the specific properties (fluorescence and bactericidal) of the studied active ingredients. In vitro antimicrobial inhibitory studies exhibited good compatibility between the SeNP delivery platform and Penicillin G (Pen), resulting in a reduction of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) from 32 to 16 ppm. Confocal microscopy images showed the uptake of the SeNP by a macrophage cell line (J774A.1), demonstrating trackability and intracellular delivery of an active ingredient. In summary, the present work demonstrates the potential of SeNP as a suitable delivery platform for biomedical and agricultural applications.

Nanomodulators targeting endothelial WNT and pericytes to reversibly open the blood-tumor barrier for boosted brain tumor therapy

The blood-brain barrier (BBB)/blood-tumor barrier (BTB) impedes brain entry of most brain-targeted drugs, whether they are water-soluble or hydrophobic. Endothelial WNT signaling and neoplastic pericytes maintain BTB low permeability by regulating tight junctions. Here, we proposed nitazoxanide (NTZ) and ibrutinib (IBR) co-loaded ICAM-1-targeting nanoparticles (NI@I-NPs) to disrupt the BTB in a time-dependent, reversible, and size-selective manner by targeting specific ICAM-1, inactivating WNT signaling and depleting pericytes in tumor-associated blood vessels in breast cancer brain metastases. At the optimal NTZ/IBR mass ratio (1:2), BTB opening reached the optimum effect at 48-72 h without any sign of intracranial edema and cognitive impairment. The combination of NI@I-NPs and chemotherapeutic drugs (doxorubicin and etoposide) extended the median survival of mice with breast cancer brain metastases. Targeting BTB endothelial WNT signaling and tumor pericytes via NI@I-NPs could open the BTB to improve chemotherapeutic efficiency against brain metastases.

Lymphatic Uptake of a Highly Lipophilic Protease Inhibitor Prodrug from a Lipid-Based Formulation is Limited by Instability in the Intestine

Dabigatran etexilate (DABE) is a lipophilic double alkyl ester prodrug of dabigatran (DAB) which is a serine protease inhibitor used clinically as an anticoagulant. Recently, translocation of serine protease enzymes, including trypsin, from the gut into the mesenteric lymph and then blood has been associated with organ failure in acute and critical illnesses (ACIs). Delivery of DABE into mesenteric lymph may thus be an effective strategy to prevent organ failure in ACIs. Most drugs access the mesenteric lymph in low quantities following oral administration, as they are rapidly transported away from the intestine via the blood. Here, we examine the potential to deliver DABE into the mesenteric lymph by promoting association with lymph lipid transport pathways via co-administration with a lipid-based formulation (LBF). A series of self-emulsifying LBFs were designed and tested in vitro for their potential to form stable DABE loaded emulsions and keep DABE solubilised and stable over time in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The LBFs were found to form fine emulsions with a droplet size of 214 ± 30 nm and DABE was stable in the formulation. The stability of DABE in vitro in simulated intestinal conditions, plasma and lymph samples was also evaluated to ensure stability in collected samples and to evaluate whether the prodrug is likely to release active DAB. Ultimately, a highly uniform and stable self-emulsifying Type III A LBF of DABE was chosen for progression into in vivo studies in male Sprague Dawley rats to confirm the lymphatic uptake and plasma pharmacokinetics. Both in vitro and in vivo in plasma and lymph, DABE was rapidly converted to an intermediate and DAB. The main species present in vivo in both plasma and lymph was DAB and mass transport of DABE and DAB in lymph was minimal (∼0.5 % of dose). Importantly, the concentration of DABE in lymph was substantially (20-176 fold) higher than in plasma, supporting that if the prodrug were stable and did not convert to DAB in the intestine, it would be lymphatically transported. Future studies will therefore focus on optimizing the design of the prodrug and formulation to improve stability during absorption and further promote lymphatic uptake.

Oligonucleotide based nanogels for cancer therapeutics

Oligonucleotide-based nanogels, as nascent biomaterials, possess several unique functional, structural, and physicochemical features with excellent drug-loading capacity and high potential for cancer gene therapy. Ongoing studies utilizing oligonucleotide-based nanogels hold great promise, as these cutting-edge nanoplatforms can be elegantly developed with predesigned oligonucleotide sequences and complementary strands which are self-assembled or chemically crosslinked leading to the development of nanogels with predictable shape and tunable size with the desired functional properties. Current paper provides a summary of the properties, preparation methods, and applications of oligonucleotide-based nanogels in cancer therapy. The review is focused on both conventional and modified forms of oligonucleotide-based nanogels, including targeted nanogels, smart release nanogels (responsive to stimuli such as pH, temperature, and enzymes), as well as nanogels used for gene delivery. Their application in cancer immunotherapy and vaccination, photodynamic therapy, and diagnostic applications when combined with other nanoparticles is further discussed. Despite emerging designs in the development of oligonucleotide based nanogels, this field of study is still in its infancy, and clinical translation of these versatile nano-vehicles might face challenges. Hence, extensive research must be performed on in vivo behavior of such platforms determining their biodistribution, biological fate, and acute/subacute toxicity.

Microfluidic strategies for engineering oxygen-releasing biomaterials

In the field of tissue engineering, local hypoxia in large-cell structures (larger than 1 mm3) poses a significant challenge. Oxygen-releasing biomaterials supply an innovative solution through oxygen ⁠ delivery in a sustained and controlled manner. Compared to traditional methods such as emulsion, sonication, and agitation, microfluidic technology offers distinct benefits for oxygen-releasing material production, including controllability, flexibility, and applicability. It holds enormous potential in the production of smart oxygen-releasing materials. This review comprehensively covers the fabrication and application of microfluidic-enabled oxygen-releasing biomaterials. To begin with, the physical mechanism of various microfluidic technologies and their differences in oxygen carrier preparation are explained. Then, the distinctions among diverse oxygen-releasing components in regards for oxygen-releasing mechanism, oxygen-carrying capacity, and duration of oxygen release are presented. Finally, the present obstacles and anticipated development trends are examined together with the application outcomes of oxygen-releasing biomaterials based on microfluidic technology in the biomedical area. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Oxygen is essential for sustaining life, and hypoxia (a condition of low oxygen) is a significant challenge in various diseases. Microfluidic-based oxygen-releasing biomaterials offer precise control and outstanding performance, providing unique advantages over traditional approaches for tissue engineering. However, comprehensive reviews on this topic are currently lacking. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of various microfluidic technologies and their applications for developing oxygen-releasing biomaterials. We compare the characteristics of organic and inorganic oxygen-releasing biomaterials and highlight the latest advancements in microfluidic-enabled oxygen-releasing biomaterials for tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery. This review may hold the potential to make a significant contribution to the field, with a profound impact on the scientific community.

Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Promoting the Proliferation and Migration of Human Fibroblast Cells

Chronic wound healing is often a prolonged process with the migration and proliferation of fibroblast cells playing crucial roles. Electrical stimulation (ES) has emerged as a promising physical therapy modality to promote these key events. In this study, we address this issue by employing a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as an electrical stimulator for both drug release and the stimulation of fibroblast cells. The flexible TENG with a sandwich structure was fabricated using a PCL nanofibrous layer, Kapton, and silicon rubber. The TENG could be folded to any degree and twisted, and it could return to its original shape when the force was removed. Cultured cells received ES twice and three times daily for 8 days, with a 30 min interval between sessions. By applying current in a safe range and appropriate time (twice daily), fibroblasts demonstrate an accelerated proliferation and migration rate. These observations were confirmed through cell staining. Additionally, in vitro tests demonstrated the TENG's ability to simultaneously provide ES and release vitamin C from the patch. After 2 h, the amount of released drug increased 2 times in comparison to the control group. These findings provide support for the development of a TENG for the treatment of wounds, which underlines the promise of this new technique for developing portable electric stimulation devices.

Development of chitosan-folate modified PLGA nanoparticles for targeted delivery of diosgenin as an anticancer agent

Diosgenin as a potential phytoconstituent and steroidal saponin manifested significant anticancer agents against various cancers. To enhance its solubility and bioavailability in cancer treatment, we loaded diosgenin (PubChem CID: 99474) in poly(lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticle coated with folic acid-chitosan (Da-PFC-NPs). The diosgenin nano-formulation was characterized and its antioxidant and anticancer properties were surveyed respectively. The obtained results illustrated that the Da-PFC-NPs were spherical and stable with a size of 218 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.41. The Da-PFC-NPs indicated potential free radical scavenging using ABTS and DPPH assay. Meanwhile, it demonstrated selective toxicity against the TUBO breast cancer cell with IC50 values of 104.45 μg/ml and did not show toxicity on normal cells (I929 cell line). The invivo funding exhibited that Da-PFC-NPs notably  altered the liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM). Besides that, different doses of Da-PFC-NPs (50 and 100 mg/kg) remarkedly enhance the expression of caspase 3 and decrease HER2 genes. In light of this experiment, we can conclude that Da-PFC-NPs have promise as novel carrier for improving the delivery of diosgenin in cancer therapy.

Tumor-targeted and stimulus-responsive polymeric prodrug nanoparticles to enhance the anticancer therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin

Polymeric prodrug nanoparticles have gained increasing attention in the field of anticancer drug delivery because of their dual functions as a drug carrier and a therapeutic agent. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent for various cancers but causes cardiotoxicity. In this work, we developed polymeric prodrug (pHU) nanoparticles that serve as both a drug carrier of DOX and a therapeutic agent. The composition of pHU includes antiangiogenic hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), covalently incorporated through hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-responsive peroxalate. To enhance cancer cell specificity, pHU nanoparticles were surface decorated with taurodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) to facilitate p-selectin-mediated cancer targeting. TUDCA-coated and DOX-loaded pHU nanoparticles (t-pHUDs) exhibited controlled release of DOX triggered by H2O2, characteristic of the tumor microenvironment. t-pHUDs also effectively suppressed cancer cell migration and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in response to H2O2. In animal studies, t-pHUDs exhibited highly potent anticancer activity. Notably, t-pHUDs, with their ability to accumulate preferentially in tumors due to the p-selectin targeting, surpassed the therapeutic efficacy of equivalent DOX and pHU nanoparticles alone. What is more, t-pHUDs significantly suppressed VEGF expression in tumors and mitigated hepato- and cardiotoxicity of DOX. Given their cancer targeting ability, enhanced therapeutic efficacy and minimized off-target toxicity, t-pHUDs present an innovative and targeted approach with great translational potential as an anticancer therapeutic agent.

Influence of physico-chemical properties of two lipoxin emulsion-loaded hydrogels on pre-polarized macrophages: a comparative analysis

Inflammation, a crucial defense mechanism, must be rigorously regulated to prevent the onset of chronic inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. Specialized pro resolving mediators (SPMs) such as lipoxin A4 (LXA4) have demonstrated their ability to facilitate the resolution of inflammation by orchestrating a transition of M1 pro-inflammatory macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. However, the hydrophobic and chemically labile nature of LXA4 necessitates the development of a delivery system capable of preserving its integrity for clinical applications. In this study, two types of emulsion were formulated using different homogenization processes:mechanical overhead stirrer (MEB for blank Emulsion and MELX for LXA4 loaded-Emulsion) or Luer-lock syringes (SEB for blank Emulsion and SELX for LXA4 loaded-Emulsion)). Following characterization, including size and droplet morphology assessment by microscopy, the encapsulation efficiency (EE) was determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). To exert control over LXA4 release, these emulsions were embedded within silanized hyaluronic acid hydrogels. A comprehensive evaluation, encompassing gel time, swelling, and degradation profiles under acidic, basic, and neutral conditions, preceded the assessment of LXA4 cumulative release using LC-MS/MS. Physicochemical results indicate that H-MELX (Mechanical overhead stirrer LXA4 Emulsion loaded-Hydrogel) exhibits superior efficiency over H-SELX (Luer-lock syringes LXA4 Emulsion loaded-Hydrogel). While both formulations stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and promoted a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype, LXA4 emulsion-loaded hydrogels displayed a diminished pro-inflammatory activity compared to blank emulsion-loaded hydrogels. These findings highlight the biological efficacy of LXA4 within both systems, with H-SELX outperforming H-MELX in terms of efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first successful demonstration of the biological efficacy of LXA4 emulsion-loaded hydrogel systems on macrophage polarization. These versatile H-MELX and H-SELX formulations can be customized to enhance their biological activity making them promising tools to promote the resolution of inflammation in diverse clinical applications.

Selective Intracellular Delivery of Antibodies in Cancer Cells with Nanocarriers Sensing Endo/Lysosomal Enzymatic Activity

The differential enzymatic activity in the endo/lysosomes of particular cells could trigger targeted endosomal escape functions, enabling selective intracellular protein delivery. However, this strategy may be jeopardized due to protein degradation during endosomal trafficking. Herein, using custom made fluorescent probes to assess the endosomal activity of cathepsin B (CTSB) and protein degradation, we found that certain cancer cells with hyperacidified endosomes grant a spatiotemporal window where CTSB activity surpass protein digestion. This inspired the engineering of antibody-loaded polymeric nanocarriers having CTSB-activatable endosomal escape ability. The nanocarriers selectively escaped from the endo/lysosomes in the cells with high endosomal CTSB activity and delivered active antibodies to intracellular targets. This study provides a viable strategy for cell-specific protein delivery using stimuli-responsive nanocarriers with controlled endosomal escape.

Phospholipid-inspired alkoxylation induces crystallization and cellular uptake of luminescent COF nanocarriers

The porous nature and structural variability of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) make them preferred for drug loading and delivery applications. However, most COF materials suffer from poor luminescent properties and inefficiency for cell uptake. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate the crucial role of long alkoxy chains in the synthesis of crystalline COF nanostructures with high cellular uptake efficiency. After luminescence integration through band engineering, the semiconducting COF exhibits an optical bandgap of 2.05 eV, an emission wavelength of 632 nm, a high quantum yield of 37 %, and excellent fluorescence stability (100 % at 3 h). Such excellent optical properties of the designed COF nanocarriers enable quantitative evaluations of cellular uptake and visual tracking of drug delivery. It was demonstrated that the cellular uptake efficiency was enhanced by orders of magnitude for the COF after the introduction of long n-octyloxy chains, which firstly delivered the anticancer camptothecin (CPT) to cell lysosomes, and then underwent "endo/lysosomal escape" to induce cell apoptosis. In vivo assay evidenced a significant enhancement in the therapeutic effect with a 96 % inhibition of tumor growth after 14 days of treatment. This progress sheds light on designing cutting-edge drug delivery nanosystems based on COF materials with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functions.

Cascaded controlled delivering growth factors to build vascularized and osteogenic microenvironment for bone regeneration

The process of bone regeneration is intricately regulated by various cytokines at distinct stages. The establishment of early and efficient vascularization, along with the maintenance of a sustained osteoinductive microenvironment, plays a crucial role in the successful utilization of bone repair materials. This study aimed to develop a composite hydrogel that would facilitate the creation of an osteogenic microenvironment for bone repair. This was achieved by incorporating an early rapid release of VEGF and a sustained slow release of BMP-2. Herein, the Schiff base was formed between VEGF and the composite hydrogel, and VEGF could be rapidly released to promote vascularization in response to the early acidic bone injury microenvironment. Furthermore, the encapsulation of BMP-2 within mesoporous silica nanoparticles enabled a controlled and sustained release, thereby facilitating the process of bone repair. Our developed composite hydrogel released more than 80% of VEGF and BMP-2 in the acidic medium, which was significantly higher than that in the neutral medium (about 60%). Moreover, the composite hydrogel demonstrated a significant improvement in the migratory capacity and tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, the composite hydrogel exhibited an augmented ability for osteogenesis, as confirmed by the utilization of ALP staining, alizarin red staining, and the upregulation of osteogenesis-related genes. Notably, the composite hydrogel displayed substantial osteoinductive properties, compared with other groups, the skull defect in the composite hydrogels combined with BMP-2 and VEGF was full of new bone, basically completely repaired, and the BV/TV value was greater than 80%. The outcomes of animal experiments demonstrated that the composite hydrogel effectively promoted bone regeneration in cranial defects of rats by leveraging the synergistic effect of an early rapid release of VEGF and a sustained slow release of BMP-2, thereby facilitating vascularized bone regeneration. In conclusion, our composite hydrogel has demonstrated promising potential for vascularized bone repair through the enhancement of angiogenesis and osteogenic microenvironment.

Preparation and application of curcumin loaded with citric acid crosslinked chitosan-gelatin hydrogels

While oral administration offers safety benefits, its therapeutic efficacy is hindered by various physiological factors within the body. In this study, a novel approach was explored using a matrix consisting of 2 % chitosan and 2 % gelatin, with citric acid (CA) serving as a green cross-linking agent (ranging from 0.4 % to 1.0 %), and curcumin (Cur) as the model drug to formulate hydrogel carriers. The results showed that a 0.4 % CA concentration, the hydrogel (CGA0.4) reached swelling equilibrium in deionized water within 40 min, exhibiting a maximum swelling index was 539 g/g. The addition of Cur to the CGA hydrogel (CGACur) notably enhanced release efficiency, particularly in simulated intestinal fluid, where Cur release rates exceeded 40 % within 100 min compared to below 8 % in other solutions. Among these hydrogels, CGA0.4Cur exhibited the fastest degradation rate in the combined solution, reaching >90 % degradation after 7 days. Additionally, Cur and CA demonstrated positive effects on the tensile strength, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of hydrogels. Compare to the bioaccessibility of CGC (27 %), those of CGACur had increased to over 34 %. These findings offer provide theoretical support for CA-crosslinked chitosan/gelatin gels in delivering hydrophobic bioactive molecules and their application in intestinal drug delivery system.

Substrate-free dissolving microneedles with barbed shape to increase adhesion and drug-delivery efficiency to skin

Microneedle drug delivery has recently emerged as a clinical method, and dissolving microneedles (DMNs) offer exclusive simplicity and efficiency, compared to the other kinds of microneedles. The tips of most currently available DMNs are cone/house-shaped to result in a lower penetration force. Penetration of the needle tips into the skin relies mainly on the back tape or external pressure, and their adhesion to the skin is relatively low. In addition, only the drug in the part of tips that are pierced into the dermis can be dissolved, resulting in drug waste. Inspired from the barbed structure of the honeybee stinger, we reported substrate-free DMNs with a barbed structure by a dual-molding process, which is suitable for mass production. Those DMNs showed 3-fold greater adhesion force between the needle tips and the skin, better dissolution and deeper penetration than house-shaped DMNs in vivo under the same conditions. For the in situ treatment of psoriasis in mice, the barbed DMNs required only the half dose of house-shaped DMNs to achieve similar efficacy.

Unveiling the potentials of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers in microparticle systems: Opportunities and challenges in processing techniques

Conventional drug delivery systems are associated with various shortcomings, including low bioavailability and limited control over release. Biodegradable polymeric microparticles have emerged as versatile carriers in drug delivery systems addressing all these challenges. This comprehensive review explores the dynamic landscape of microparticles, considering the role of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials. Within the continuously evolving domain of microparticle preparation methods, this review offers valuable insights into the latest advancements and addresses the factors influencing microencapsulation, which is pivotal for harnessing the full potential of microparticles. Exploration of the latest research in this dynamic field unlocks the possibilities of optimizing microencapsulation techniques to produce microparticles of desired characteristics and properties for different applications, which can help contribute to the ongoing evolution in the field of pharmaceutical science.

Multifunctional thiolated chitosan/puerarin composite hydrogels with pH/glutathione dual responsiveness for potential drug carriers

Puerarin (PUE), a natural and biologically active isoflavone extracted from Chinese medicine Pueraria lobata, can self-assemble to form a hydrogel without other chemical modifications. However, although PUE hydrogel has pH responsivity, but it is difficult to adapt to the changeable pathological environment. Therefore, thiolated chitosan (TCS) is synthesized and hybridized with PUE hydrogel to prepare TCS10/PUE composite hydrogel. The results of rheological measurement showed that the resultant composite hydrogels inherited the low loss performance of TCS hydrogel, which means that they have stronger elasticity. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed that TCS10/PUE composite hydrogel has a fibrous-network structure. X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) proved the existence of hydrogen bonds and disulfide bonds in the formation of composite hydrogel. Degradation experiment showed that TCS10/PUE composite hydrogels have pH and glutathione (pH/GSH) dual sensitivity. Furthermore, TCS10/PUE composite hydrogels exhibited multi-functionality including thixotropy, cytocompatibility, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Berberine chloride hydrate (BCH) was further used as a model drug for in vitro release study. BCH and PUE could be released cooperatively under pH/GSH dual responsivity. These results indicated that the resultant composite hydrogel has eminent pH/GSH dual responsivity and could act as a potential new intelligent drug carrier.

Nanocarriers address intracellular barriers for efficient drug delivery, overcoming drug resistance, subcellular targeting and controlled release

The cellular barriers are major bottlenecks for bioactive compounds entering into cells to accomplish their biological functions, which limits their biomedical applications. Nanocarriers have demonstrated high potential and benefits for encapsulating bioactive compounds and efficiently delivering them into target cells by overcoming a cascade of intracellular barriers to achieve desirable therapeutic and diagnostic effects. In this review, we introduce the cellular barriers ahead of drug delivery and nanocarriers, as well as summarize recent advances and strategies of nanocarriers for increasing internalization with cells, promoting intracellular trafficking, overcoming drug resistance, targeting subcellular locations and controlled drug release. Lastly, the future perspectives of nanocarriers for intracellular drug delivery are discussed, which mainly focus on potential challenges and future directions. Our review presents an overview of intracellular drug delivery by nanocarriers, which may encourage the future development of nanocarriers for efficient and precision drug delivery into a wide range of cells and subcellular targets.

Smart co-delivery of plasmid DNA and doxorubicin using MCM-chitosan-PEG polymerization functionalized with MUC-1 aptamer against breast cancer

This study introduces an innovative co-delivery approach using the MCM-co-polymerized nanosystem, integrating chitosan and polyethylene glycol, and targeted by the MUC-1 aptamer (MCM@CS@PEG-APT). This system enables simultaneous delivery of the GFP plasmid and doxorubicin (DOX). The synthesis of the nanosystem was thoroughly characterized at each step, including FTIR, XRD, BET, DLS, FE-SEM, and HRTEM analyses. The impact of individual polymers (chitosan and PEG) on payload retardation was compared to the co-polymerized MCM@CS@PEG conjugation. Furthermore, the DOX release mechanism was investigated using various kinetic models. The nanosystem's potential for delivering GFP plasmid and DOX separately and simultaneously was assessed through fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The co-polymerized nanosystem exhibited superior payload entrapment (1:100 ratio of Plasmid:NPs) compared to separately polymer-coated counterparts (1:640 ratio of Plasmid:NPs). Besides, the presence of pH-sensitive chitosan creates a smart nanosystem for efficient DOX and GFP plasmid delivery into tumor cells, along with a Higuchi model pattern for drug release. Toxicity assessments against breast tumor cells also indicated reduced off-target effects compared to pure DOX, introducing it as a promising candidate for targeted cancer therapy. Cellular uptake findings demonstrated the nanosystem's ability to deliver GFP plasmid and DOX separately into MCF-7 cells, with rates of 32% and 98%, respectively. Flow cytometry results confirmed efficient co-delivery, with 42.7% of cells showing the presence of both GFP-plasmid and DOX, while 52.2% exclusively contained DOX. Overall, our study explores the co-delivery potential of the MCM@CS@PEG-APT nanosystem in breast cancer therapy. This system's ability to co-deliver multiple agents preciselyopens new avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies.

Enhanced delivery of doxorubicin for breast cancer treatment using pH-sensitive starch/PVA/g-C3N4 hydrogel

This study introduces a starch/PVA/g-C3N4 nanocarrier hydrogel for pH-sensitive DOX delivery in breast cancer. DOX was loaded into the nanocarrier with 44.75 % loading efficiency and 88 % Entrapment Efficiency. The release of DOX from the starch/PVA/g-C3N4 hydrogel was pH-sensitive: DOX was released faster in the acidic environment pertinent to cancer tumors (with a pH level of 5.4) than in the surrounding regular tissue environment carrying a more neutral environment (pH 7.4). The release kinetics analysis, encompassing zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, revealed significant fitting with the Higuchi model at both pH 5.4 (R2 = 0.99, K = 9.89) and pH 7.4 (R2 = 0.99, K = 5.70) levels. Finally, we found that hydrogel was less damaging to healthy cells and more specific to apoptotic cells than the drug's free form. The starch/PVA/g-C3N4 hydrogel had low toxicity for both normal cells and breast cancer cells, whereas DOX loaded into the starch/PVA/g-C3N4 hydrogel had higher toxicity for cancer cells than the DOX-only control samples, and led to specific high apoptosis for cancer cells. The study suggests that DOX can be loaded into a starch/PVA/g-C3N4 hydrogel to improve the specificity of the drug's release in cancer tumors or in vitro breast cancer cells.

Fast skin healing chitosan/PEO hydrogels: In vitro and in vivo studies

Due to its outstanding qualities, particularly when it takes the shape of hydrogels, chitosan is a well-known biological macromolecule with many applications. When chitosan hydrogels are modified with other polymers, the desirable function as skin regeneration hydrogels is compromised; nevertheless, the mechanical properties can be improved, which is crucial for commercialization. In this study, for the first time, bimetallic zinc silver metal-organic frameworks (ZAg MOF) loaded with ascorbic acid were added to chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) based interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels that were crosslinked with biotin to improve their antimicrobial activity, mechanical characteristics, and sustainable treatment of wounds. Significant changes in the microstructure, hydrophilicity level, and mechanical properties were noticed. Ascorbic acid release patterns were upregulated in an acidic environment pH (5.5) that mimics the initial wound pH. Impressive cell viability (98 %), antimicrobial properties, and almost full skin healing in a short time were achieved for the non-replaceable chitosan/PEO developed hydrogels. Enhancing the wound healing of the treated animals using the prepared CS/PEO hydrogel dressing was found to be a result of the inhibition of dermal inflammation via decreasing IL-1β, suppressing ECM degradation (MMP9), stimulating proliferation through upregulation of TGF-β and increasing ECM synthesis as it elevates collagen 1 and α-SMA contents. The findings support the implementation of developed hydrogels as antimicrobial hydrogels dressing for fast skin regeneration.

Targeted delivery of elesclomol using a magnetic mesoporous platform improves prostate cancer treatment both in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

To improve the anticancer properties of elesclomol (ELC), targeted theranostic nanoparticles (NPs; APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC) were designed to increase the selectivity of the drug delivery system (DDS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ELC was synthesized and entrapped in the open porous structure of magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMNPs). The pore entrance of MMNPs was then blocked using gold gatekeepers. Finally, the external surfaces of the particles were grafted with functional polyethylene glycol (PEG) and EpCAM aptamer to generate biocompatible and targeted NPs. In the next step, the physicochemical properties of prepared NPs were fully evaluated and their anticancer potential was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The targeted NPs were successfully synthesized with a final size diameter of 81.13 ± 7.41 nm. The results indicated a pH-dependent release pattern, which sustained for 72 h despite an initial rapid release. Upon exposure to APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC, higher cytotoxicity was observed in human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) as compared with control Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, indicating higher specificity of targeted NPs against EpCAM-positive cancerous cells. Moreover, APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC could induce apoptosis in PC-3 cells. In vivo results on a PC-3 xenograft tumor model demonstrated that targeted NPs could significantly inhibit tumor growth and diminish severe side effects of ELC, compared to the free drug.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC could be considered a promising theranostic platform for the targeted delivery of ELC to improve its therapeutic effects in prostate cancer.

Magnetically navigated microbubbles coated with albumin/polyarginine and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

While microbubbles (MB) are routinely used for ultrasound (US) imaging, magnetic MB are increasingly explored as they can be guided to specific sites of interest by applied magnetic field gradient. This requires the MB shell composition tuning to prolong MB stability and provide functionalization capabilities with magnetic nanoparticles. Hence, we developed air-filled MB stabilized by a protein-polymer complex of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and poly-L-arginine (pArg) of different molecular weights, showing that pArg of moderate molecular weight distribution (15-70 kDa) enabled MB with greater stability and acoustic response while preserving MB narrow diameters and the relative viability of THP-1 cells after 48 h of incubation. After MB functionalization with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION), magnetic moment values provided by single MB confirmed the sufficient SPION deposition onto BSA + pArg MB shells. During MB magnetic navigation in a blood vessel mimicking phantom with magnetic tweezers and in a Petri dish with adherent mouse renal carcinoma cell line, we demonstrated the effectiveness of magnetic MB localization in the desired area by magnetic field gradient. Magnetic MB co-localization with cells was further exploited for effective doxorubicin delivery with drug-loaded MB. Taken together, these findings open new avenues in control over albumin MB properties and magnetic navigation of SPION-loaded MB, which can envisage their applications in diagnostic and therapeutic needs.

A drug delivery strategy emerges that has the potential to transform cancer therapy

The shortcomings of current approaches to treating cancer are driving the need for novel, innovative strategies that reduce the toxicity associated with chemotherapy and improve on the limited efficacy of immunotherapy. We believe that dual delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) via a suitable delivery system, with or without a relevant, additional, small-molecule therapeutic agent, will herald new era of treatment efficiency in cancer.

Injectable biocompatible RAFT mediated nitroxide nanogels: A robust ROS-reduction antioxidant approach

This work introduces novel nitroxide-based nanogels (NGs) crafted through controlled RAFT (Reversible Addition Fragmentation chain Transfer) polymerization, showcasing over 85% improved shelf-life compared to native superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes. These 30-40 nm NGs hold great promise for injectable delivery, effectively reducing foam cell formation and displaying potent antioxidant behavior against various reactive oxygen species (ROS), revolutionizing antioxidant therapy. Featuring a meticulously designed core-shell structure via precise RAFT polymerization, these NGs mimic SOD enzymatic activity with nitroxide-based antioxidants, providing unprecedented defense against ROS. Combining methacrylated 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-4-piperidyl methacrylate (PMA) and Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) monomers with precisely synthesized nitroxyl radicals results in exceptional properties. Validated through comprehensive analytical methods, these NGs exhibit remarkable stability, halting foam cell formation even at high concentrations, and demonstrate notable biocompatibility. Their ability to protect low density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidation for up to a month positions them at the forefront of combating cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis. This study pioneers injectable antioxidant therapy, offering an innovative approach to cardiovascular ailments. Targeting narrow plaques signifies a promising intervention, reshaping cardiovascular disease treatments. It highlights the potential of advanced drug delivery in biomedicine, promising more effective cardiovascular disease treatments.

Quantitative imaging of doxorubicin diffusion and cellular uptake in biomimetic gels with human liver tumor cells

Novel tumor-on-a-chip approaches are increasingly used to investigate tumor progression and potential treatment options. To improve the effect of any cancer treatment it is important to have an in depth understanding of drug diffusion, penetration through the tumor extracellular matrix and cellular uptake. In this study, we have developed a miniaturized chip where drug diffusion and cellular uptake in different hydrogel environments can be quantified at high resolution using live imaging. Diffusion of doxorubicin was reduced in a biomimetic hydrogel mimicking tissue properties of cirrhotic liver and early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (373 ± 108 µm2/s) as compared to an agarose gel (501 ± 77 µm2/s, p = 0.019). The diffusion was further lowered to 256 ± 30 µm2/s (p = 0.028) by preparing the biomimetic gel in cell media instead of phosphate buffered saline. The addition of liver tumor cells (Huh7 or HepG2) to the gel, at two different densities, did not significantly influence drug diffusion. Clinically relevant and quantifiable doxorubicin concentration gradients (1-20 µM) were established in the chip within one hour. Intracellular increases in doxorubicin fluorescence correlated with decreasing fluorescence of the DNA-binding stain Hoechst 33342 and based on the quantified intracellular uptake of doxorubicin an apparent cell permeability (9.00 ± 0.74 × 10-4 µm/s for HepG2) was determined. Finally, the data derived from the in vitro model were applied to a spatio-temporal tissue concentration model to evaluate the potential clinical impact of a cirrhotic extracellular matrix on doxorubicin diffusion and tumor cell uptake.

Co-delivery of VEGF and amoxicillin using LP-coated co-axial electrospun fibres for the potential treatment of diabetic wounds

Diabetic complications present throughout a wide range of body tissues, however one of the most widely recognised complications remains to be chronic diabetic wounds. Current treatment options largely rely on standard wound treatment routines which provide no promotion of wound healing mechanisms at different physiological stages of repair. Recently materials produced using novel additive manufacturing techniques have been receiving attention for applications in wound care and tissue repair. Additive manufacturing techniques have recently been used in the interest of targeted drug delivery and production of novel materials resembling characteristics of native tissues. The potential to exploit these highly tailorable manufacturing techniques for the design of novel wound care remedies is highly desirable. In the present study two additive manufacturing techniques are combined to produce a scaffold for the treatment of diabetic wounds. The combination of microfluidic manufacturing of an antimicrobial liposome (LP) formulation and a coaxial electrospinning method incorporating both antimicrobial and proangiogenic factors allowed dual delivery of therapeutics to target both infection and lack of vascularisation at wound sites. The coaxial fibres comprised of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) core containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and a poly (l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) shell blended with amoxicillin (Amox). Additionally, a liposomal formulation was produced to incorporate Amox and adhered to the surface of fibres loaded with Amox and VEGF. The liposomal loading provided the potential to deliver a much higher, more clinically relevant dose of Amox without detrimentally changing the mechanical properties of the material. The growth factor release was sustained up to 7-days in vitro. The therapeutic effect of the antibiotic loading was analysed using a disk diffusion method with a significant increase in zone diameter following LP adhesion, proving the full scaffold system had improved efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Additionally, the dual-loaded scaffolds show enhanced potential for supporting vascular growth in vitro, as demonstrated via a viability assay and tubule formation studies. Results showed a significant increase in the average total number of tubes from 10 in control samples to 77 in samples fully-loaded with Amox and VEGF.

Rhizobial oxidized 3-hydroxylbutanoyl glycan-based gelatin hydrogels with enhanced physiochemical properties for pH-responsive drug delivery

Rhizobial exopolysaccharide (EPS) is an acidic polysaccharide involved in nitrogen fixation-related signal transduction in the rhizosphere, serving as a structural support for biofilms, and protecting against various external environmental stresses. Rhizobial EPS as a hydrogel biomaterial was used for a pH-responsive drug delivery system combing with gelatins. Pure gelatin (GA) hydrogels have limited practical applications due to their poor mechanical strength and poor thermal stability. We developed new GA hydrogels using oxidized 3-hydroxylbutanoyl glycan (OHbG) as a polymer cross-linking agent to overcome these limitations. OHbG was synthesized from sodium periodate oxidation of 3-hydroxylbutanoyl glycan directly isolated from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae VF39. The newly fabricated OHbG/GA hydrogels exhibited 21-fold higher compressive stress and 4.7-fold higher storage modulus (G') than GA at the same strain. This result suggested that OHbG provided mechanical improvement. In addition, these OHbG/GA hydrogels showed effective pH-controlled drug release for 5-fluorouracil, self-healable, and self-antioxidant capacity by uronic acids of OHbG. Cell viability tests using HEK-293 cells in vitro also showed that the OHbG/GA hydrogels were non-toxic. This suggests that the new OHbG/GA hydrogels can be used as a potentially novel biomaterial for drug delivery based on its self-healing ability, antioxidant capacity, and pH-responsive drug delivery.

Chitosan hydrogels enriched with bioactive phloroglucinol for controlled drug diffusion and potential wound healing

We report a facile strategy to prepare chitosan (CS) hydrogels that eliminates the need for chemical crosslinking for advanced biomedical therapies. This approach gives controlled properties to the hydrogels by incorporating a natural bioactive phenolic compound, phloroglucinol (PG), into their microstructure. The adsorption of PG onto CS chains enhanced the hydrogels' antioxidant activity by up to 25 % and resulted in a denser, more entangled structure, reducing the pore size by 59 μm while maintaining porosity above 94 %. This allowed us to finely adjust pore size and swelling capacity. These structural properties make these hydrogels well-suited for wound healing dressings, promoting fibroblast proliferation and exhibiting excellent hemocompatibility. Furthermore, to ensure the versatility of these hydrogels, herein, we demonstrate their potential as drug delivery systems, particularly for dermal infections. The drug release can be controlled by a combination of drug diffusion through the swollen hydrogel and relaxation of the CS chains. In summary, our hydrogels leverage the synergistic effects of CS's antibacterial and antifungal properties with PG's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory attributes, positioning them as promising candidates for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, more specifically in advanced wound healing therapies with local drug delivery.

Unraveling the role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative condition with its prevalence projected to 8.9 million individuals globally in the year 2019. Parkinson's disease affects both motor and certain non-motor functions of an individual. Numerous research has focused on the neuroprotective effect of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in Parkinson's disease. Discovered in 1993, GDNF is a neurotrophic factor identified from the glial cells which was found to have selective effects on promoting survival and regeneration of certain populations of neurons including the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. Given this property, recent studies have focused on the exogenous administration of GDNF for relieving Parkinson's disease-related symptoms both at a pre-clinical and a clinical level. This review will focus on enumerating the molecular connection between Parkinson's disease and GDNF and shed light on all the available drug delivery approaches to facilitate the selective delivery of GDNF into the brain paving the way as a potential therapeutic candidate for Parkinson's disease in the future.

The interaction between particles and vascular endothelium in blood flow

Particle-based drug delivery systems have shown promising application potential to treat human diseases; however, an incomplete understanding of their interactions with vascular endothelium in blood flow prevents their inclusion into mainstream clinical applications. The flow performance of nano/micro-sized particles in the blood are disturbed by many external/internal factors, including blood constituents, particle properties, and endothelium bioactivities, affecting the fate of particles in vivo and therapeutic effects for diseases. This review highlights how the blood constituents, hemodynamic environment and particle properties influence the interactions and particle activities in vivo. Moreover, we briefly summarized the structure and functions of endothelium and simulated devices for studying particle performance under blood flow conditions. Finally, based on particle-endothelium interactions, we propose future opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies and provide solutions to challenges in particle delivery systems for accelerating their clinical translation. This review helps provoke an increasing in-depth understanding of particle-endothelium interactions and inspires more strategies that may benefit the development of particle medicine.

Bioinspired 3D scaffolds with antimicrobial, drug delivery, and osteogenic functions for bone regeneration

A major clinical challenge today is the large number of bone defects caused by diseases or trauma. The development of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with adequate properties is crucial for successful bone repair. In this study, we prepared biomimetic mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG)-based scaffolds with and without ceria addition (up to 3 mol %) to explore the biological structure and chemical composition of the marine sponge Spongia Agaricina (SA) as a sacrificial template. Micro-CT examination revealed that all scaffolds exhibited a highly porous structure with pore diameters primarily ranging from 143.5 μm to 213.5 μm, facilitating bone ingrowth. Additionally, smaller pores (< 75 μm), which are known to enhance osteogenesis, were observed. The undoped scaffold displayed the highest open porosity value of 90.83%. Cytotoxicity assessments demonstrated that all scaffolds were noncytotoxic and nongenotoxic toward osteoblast cells. Moreover, scaffolds with higher CeO2 content promoted osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, stimulating calcium and osteocalcin secretion. The scaffolds also exhibited antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as well as drug delivery ability. Our research findings indicated that the combination of MBG, natural biological structure, and the addition of Ce exhibited a synergistic effect on the structure and biological properties of scaffolds for applications in bone tissue engineering.