Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles: General aspects and in vitro toxicity

Evaluation of anticancer efficacy of survivin si-RNA functionalized combined drug-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles in a lung cancer mouse model

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of mortality globally. Nanotechnology-mediated targeted drug delivery approach is one of the promising strategies for the treatment of lung cancer. Due to their multifactorial role, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), have attracted a lot of attention for drug delivery. The emerging dual-drug co-delivery approach has drawn much attention due to circumventing various drug-resistant mechanisms in tumor cells. Further, functionalization of si-RNA (survivin) to the dual drugs (etoposide plus carfilzomib) or (docetaxel plus carfilzomib) loaded MSNs can be a potential tool to inhibit gene expression specifically. In the present study, we investigated the comparative therapeutic efficacy of co-delivered anticancer drugs functionalized with survivin siRNA in MSNs for lung cancer. According to our findings, this kind of combination therapy has inhibited the function of the survivin protein while promoting increased therapeutic efficacy due to synergistic pharmacological activity, and found si-RNA- (etoposide plus carfilzomib) to be a better candidate for lung cancer treatment in the future.

Development and characterisation of co-axial electrosprayed curcumin-loaded mesoporous silica and polymer composite coated microneedles

The research presented adopts electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) technology to fabricate ideal nanocarriers incorporating curcumin to permeate across the skin strata. For the first time, we uncover the novel synthesis of curcumin-loaded mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) surface functionalised by co-axial electrospraying (ES) and directly deposited onto microneedle (MN) devices. Curcumin was selected for its neuroprotective role however; its crystalline nature hampers its clinical application. To overcome this, the ES technique was utilised to encapsule poorly soluble curcumin when loaded into the silaceous network of MSNs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data revealed the amorphous transformation of curcumin within the mesopores of the silica framework. In-silico docking analysis demonstrated stable properties of curcumin, PEG, PLGA and MSNs, offering insights into the drug-polymer interactions. Moreover, ES yielded nanoparticles below 150 nm with over 89 % encapsulation efficiency across all formulations, improving bioavailability and therapeutic effectivity of curcumin. For further potential therapeutic enhancement (and targeting efficacy), nanoparticles were engineered through co-axial technologies for sustained delivery aspects, forming core-shell coated MSNs (indicated by SEM, TEM and CLSM). Optimised formulations were electrosprayed onto solid MN devices for transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). Ex vivo studies utilising Franz cells achieved rapid permeation (74.72 ± 4.1 % in 40 min) for unencapsulated curcumin (F2) while Cur-loaded MSNs fabricated via coaxial electrospray (F8) provided sustained release (70.41 ± 3.8 % in 120 min). Furthermore, in vivo histopathological examination confirmed the successful piercing of MN shafts across the stratum corneum. The work herein establishes a foundation for the sustained delivery of curcumin-loaded MSNs, validating MN array patches as a treatment modality and paving the way for the development of advanced TDDS. Finally, coupled to what is known already, the outcomes shown provide a basis to explore opportunities for novel transdermal delivery systems.

Surfactant-based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy: Advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Cancer is one of the most formidable global health challenges, needing ongoing progress in therapeutic approaches. Conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, frequently suffer from low solubility, systemic toxicity, and a lack of tailored drug delivery, resulting in unwanted side effects and limited efficacy. Surfactant-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a viable method for increasing drug solubility, stability, and tailored transport to tumor locations. Surfactants, due to their amphiphilic character, play an important role in the development of various drug delivery systems, such as micelles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, and lipid-based nanoparticles, which improve drug bioavailability and therapeutic index. This article looks at the fundamental role of surfactants in drug administration, including their classification (ionic, nonionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic) and self-assembly behavior in the formation of micellar, vesicular, and emulsified nanocarriers. Various surfactant-based drug delivery platforms in oncology are explored, including polymeric and surfactant-stabilized micelles, liposomes (e.g., Doxil), nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). Furthermore, the use of surfactant-metal complexes in cancer therapy is emphasized because of their potential to improve therapeutic activity and selectivity. The review also looks at surfactant-enhanced drug targeting strategies, such as passive targeting using the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, active targeting with ligand-functionalized surfactant-based carriers, and stimuli-responsive systems designed for controlled drug release in the tumor microenvironment. Surfactant-based drug delivery advancements are explored, with an emphasis on current advances such as biodegradable and bio-inspired surfactants, combination therapies using surfactant-stabilized carriers, and AI-driven drug formulation techniques. Despite its potential, surfactant-based drug delivery systems confront several hurdles, including biocompatibility concerns, synthetic surfactant toxicity, stability issues, and scaling restrictions in pharmaceutical manufacture. Furthermore, regulatory barriers in clinical translation remain severe. Addressing these problems with innovative surfactant formulations, green chemical techniques, and sophisticated nanotechnological alterations will be critical to optimizing these systems for clinical use. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the progress, challenges, and future perspectives of surfactant-based drug delivery systems in cancer therapy, highlighting their potential to revolutionize oncology treatments by improving drug efficacy, reducing systemic toxicity, and enabling precision medicine.

Evaluation of co-foaming agents for enhanced removal of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by foam fractionation

Foam fractionation has emerged as a leading method to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from impacted aqueous matrices due to the low cost and rapid PFAS removal. Although foam fractionation has been shown to efficiently remove long-chain PFAS, cationic co-foaming agents are often necessary to improve the removal of short-chain PFAS. However, many of the best performing co-surfactants used for short-chain PFAS removal, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), are of concern due to their potential toxicity and low biodegradability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of lower-toxicity co-foaming agents for enhanced removal of both long-chain and short-chain PFAS compounds. Six candidate co-foaming agents were tested in a laboratory-scale foam fractionation system that consisted of a 60-cm acrylic column equipped with a 0.5-μm air diffusor, injection and sampling ports, and a vacuum-assisted foam collection reservoir. Based on the results of experiments conducted using water containing long- and short-chain PFAS, a naturally derived zwitterionic surfactant derived from Shea butter was identified as the most promising alternative co-foaming agent. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the shea butter derived surfactant (SBDS) performance was improved by lowering the pH to 3, and under these conditions, SBDS was able to remove greater than 99.5 % of the PFAS from groundwater collected from AFFF-impacted military installations. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of a low-toxicity, biodegradable co-foaming agent as a replacement for traditional cationic surfactants, which are known to be toxic and persistent in the environment.

Advances in silica nanoparticles for agricultural applications and biosynthesis

Nanotechnology has emerged as a revolutionary force in modern agriculture, opening new avenues for crop enhancement and sustainable farming practices. This review systematically evaluates the roles of silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) in agricultural applications, with particular emphasis on their biosynthesis pathways and functional mechanisms. SiO2 NPs have demonstrated considerable potential to enhance crop resilience against both biotic (pathogens, pests) and abiotic (heavy metals, salinity, drought) stresses through phytohormonal regulation, defense gene activation, and metabolic modulation. As nanocarriers, these particles enhance pesticide and fertilizer delivery accuracy, reduce environmental contamination, and promote plant growth. Biosynthesis methods of SiO2 NPs range from conventional physical-chemical techniques to eco-friendly green approaches, including the utilization of biological cells/extracts, natural biomaterials, and peptide templates. Although green synthesis offers sustainability advantages, the agricultural adoption of SiO2 NPs faces critical challenges, such as insufficient understanding of their long-term environmental persistence and ecotoxicological impacts, high production costs related to green synthesis, and incomplete regulatory frameworks. Addressing these challenges is essential to enable their broader use in agriculture.

Structural studies on the interaction of CTAB with alginate: Possibility of surfactant therapy with chemo sensitization effect

The present study reports the preparation of sodium alginate-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) nanoparticles (SANPs) through the interaction of a fixed concentration of alginate (0.2% w/v in water) with two different concentrations of CTAB i.e., below (0.4 mM) and above (1.2 mM) critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the elucidation of its structure on the basis of dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, small angle neutron scattering and zeta potential measurements. The results indicated that the concentration of CTAB dictated the hydrodynamic shape and size of SANPs. While both the micellized (> CMC) and monomeric forms (< CMC) of CTAB resulted in the formation of negatively charged near spherical particles, the SANPs containing micellized form of CTAB exhibited smaller and more compact hydrodynamic structure compared to those containing monomeric form of CTAB. The cytotoxicity studies involving cancerous cell lines (A549 and L132) indicated that the anticancer activity of CTAB was retained in the SANPs. Subsequently, encapsulation of doxorubicin (DOX), a potent anticancer drug in to SANPs enhanced the efficacy of the overall nano-formulation for effectively killing A549 and L132 cells. Additionally, the DOX loaded SANPs also exhibited the sustained and pH dependent drug release under reservoir-sink model. Together, polyelectrolyte complexation between alginate and CTAB appears as a novel strategy to design nano formulation exhibiting anticancer activity perse as well as for sensitizing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.

A kidney protection nanoparticle based on Alpinia oxyphylla fructus polysaccharide by modulating macrophage polarization

The use of natural polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine as carrier materials has great potentiality in drug delivery. Nootkatone (NKT) demonstrated good pharmacological activity in treating kidney injury, but its solubility and bioavailability are not very good which may affect the effectiveness of its therapeutic effect. Alpinia oxyphylla fructus polysaccharide (AOP), as a plant polysaccharide, has multiple pharmacological activities and may help to provide synergy for NKT. Therefore, AOP nanoparticles loaded with NKT (AOP-NKT NPs) were prepared for the prevention of acute kidney injury in this study. The sizes of AOP-NKT NPs are 291.60 ± 3.73 nm, and the Zeta potential values are 35.2 ± 0.65 mV. The nanoparticles exhibited excellent stability in pH, NaCl solution, temperature, and storage. The nanoparticles also improved the solubility and oral bioavailability of NKT. In biocompatibility experiments, AOP-NKT NPs showed lower macrophage toxicity than NKT, and the nanoparticles had good blood compatibility and in vivo biosafety. In vivo, prophylactic administration of this nanoparticle could enhance the ability of NKT in promoting macrophage M2 polarization, reducing renal inflammation and thus improve renal function and repair renal damage. In conclusion, the present study may provide the possibility for AOP as a nano delivery vehicle for renal injury protective drugs.

Controlled Synthesis of the FeB Nanometallic Glasses with Stronger Electron Donating Capability to Activate Molecular Oxygen for the Enhanced Ferroptosis Therapy

Considering the strong electron-donating ability and the superior biocompatibility, the integration of zero-valent iron nanostructure Fe0 (electron-reservoir) and zero-valent boron nanostructure B0 offers great promise for fabricating novel ferroptosis nanoagents. Nevertheless, the controlled and facile synthesis of alloyed Fe0 and B0 nanostructure-FeB nanometallic glasses (NMGs) has remained a long-standing challenge. Herein, a complexion-reduction strategy is proposed for the controlled synthesis of FeB NMGs with greater electron donating capacity to activate the molecular oxygen for improved ferroptosis therapy. In-depth mechanism reveales that the complexion-reduction strategy effectively prevent the long-range diffusion of Fe0, resulting in the amorphous alloyed Fe0 and B0 nanostructure-FeB nanoparticles (FeB NPs). The FeB NPs display stronger electron donating capability and electron transfer rate 9.4 times higher than that of the Fe0 NPs, which effectively activate the molecular oxygen to produce ∙O2 -, H2O2 and ∙OH. The in vitro cellular experiments confirm the FeB-ss-SiO₂ NPs (encapsulation with SiO2 outlayer containing -S-S- bonds) demonstrates the enhanced ferroptosis. The tumor-bearing mice models shows that FeB-ss-SiO₂ NPs exhibited superior biocompatibility and tumor inhibition effect (inhibition rate of 73%), which improve the overall survival rate for 30 days post-treatment. This study will provide an innovative way to design therapeutic nanoagents for cancer treatments.

Innovative Silica Acorn Core-Shell Nanostructures: Morphological Control and Applications in Chromatography

This study introduces the synthesis and characterization of advanced silica core-shell nanostructures, with an emphasis on the innovative Si-ACS (Silica Acorn Core-Shell) design and its modified counterparts. Employing the classic Stöber method, SiCore particles were first produced, followed by the creation of the acorn-like Si-ACS structures. A key aspect of this research is the exploration of the effects of CTAB and TEOS concentrations on the morphology and properties of the silica shells. The study reveals that surfactant concentration influences shell morphology from corn-like to uniformly thin structures, as well as the shell thickness. Specifically, increasing the CTAB concentration from 45.8 mM to 166.9 mM increased the silica shell thickness from 160 to 280 nm, demonstrating the significant impact of surfactant concentration on shell formation. Si-ACS particles exhibited a surface area of 55.54 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.64 cm3/g, as evidenced by BET measurements, indicating successful mesopore formation critical for catalytic and adsorption applications. The materials were further modified with cholesterol and tetraethyl pentaamine (TEPA), which was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Additionally, the study demonstrates the application of these functionalized nanostructures as chromatographic columns. In particular, the dual-mode interactions of Si-ACS-CHOL-TEPA significantly improve the separation of phthalate esters, thereby highlighting the potential of these materials in advanced analytical and biotechnological applications.

ZnO-Polyaniline Nanocomposite Functionalised with Laccase Enzymes for Electrochemical Detection of Cetyltrimethylammonuium Bromide (CTAB)

The direct discharge of cationic surfactants into environmental matrices has exponentially increased due to their wide application in many products. These compounds and their degraded products disrupt microbial dynamics, hinder plant survival, and affect human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop electroanalytical assessment techniques for their identification, determination, and monitoring. In our study, ZnO-PANI nanocomposites were electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), followed by the immobilization of laccase enzymes and the electrodeposition of polypyrrole (PPy), to form a biosensor that was used for the detection of CTAB. A UV-Vis analysis showed bands corresponding to the π-π* transition of benzenoid and quinoid rings, π-polaron band transition and n-π*polaronic transitions associated with the extended coil chain conformation of PANI, and the presence and interaction of ZnO with PANI and type 3 copper in the laccase enzymes. The FTIR analysis exhibited peaks corresponding to N-H and C-N stretches and bends for amine, C=C stretches for conjugated alkenes, and a C-H bend for aromatic compounds. A high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) analysis proved that PANI and ZnO-PANI were deposited as fibres with hairy topography resulting from covalent bonding with the laccase enzymes. The modified electrode (PPy-6/GCE) was used as a platform for the detection of CTAB with three linear ranges of 0.5-100 µM, 200-500 µM, and 700-1900 µM. The sensor displayed a high sensitivity of 0.935 μA μM-1 cm-2, a detection limit of 0.0116 µM, and acceptable recoveries of 95.02% and 87.84% for tap water and wastewater, respectively.

Dual-targeting galactose-functionalized hyaluronic acid modified lipid nanoparticles delivering silybin for alleviating alcoholic liver injury

Alcoholic liver injury stands as a predominant pathogenic contributor to the global burden of liver diseases, with alcohol consumption serving as a significant determinant of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Given that liver-targeted therapy for mitigating alcoholic liver injury remains to be a major clinical challenge due to the poor specificity and instability associated with single targeting modification in actively targeted nanomedicine systems, bifunctional targeting modification may serve as a more promising strategy. Here, galactose-functionalized hyaluronic acid (Gal-HA) coated cationic solid lipid nanoparticles carrying silybin (Gal-HA/SIL-SLNPs) featuring dual-targeting hyaluronic acid (HA) and galactose (Gal) moieties, enabled specific liver surface targeting of asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) and cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) proteins to enhance silybin uptake, while simultaneously ameliorating the deficiencies of positively charged lipid nanoparticles as drug carriers and preserving their stability in the bloodstream. Based on the findings, Gal-HA/SIL-SLNPs with excellent biocompatibility demonstrated improved cellular internalization and liver distribution, while also displaying ideal curative properties in a mouse model of alcohol-induced liver injury without causing damage to other organs. This work suggests that Gal-HA/SIL-SLNPs with dual modification may represent an encouraging approach for developing more effective liver targeted nano-drug delivery systems to achieve accurate medication for alcoholic liver injury.

Controlled Release of Amphoteric Surfactant from Mesoporous Nanosilica To Enhance Natural Gas Production at High Temperatures

Surfactants are widely used as foaming agents to remove liquid accumulation in gas wells, enhancing natural gas production. The surfactant used in traditional foam sticks was dissolved and released as foam in a short period, especially at elevated downhole temperatures. This often requires the addition of foam sticks to maintain foam. To solve this problem, this study studies the utilization of nano silica to incorporate the amphoteric surfactant, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAB), into the mesoporous structure of silica nanocomposite as foam sticks for controlled release of CAB. Mesoporous nano silica was prepared by a sol-gel acid-catalyzed process with a silica precursor. The formation of nanocomposite solid sticks containing the amphoteric surfactant was achieved by aging and drying. The composite was characterized by various techniques: infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, energy-dispersive spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray diffraction. Results showed that 49.3% of CAB was encapsulated within the mesoporous structure of 30-50 nm nano silica. CAB release over time in aqueous solution at 130 °C exhibited 10.1% surfactant left in the nanocomposite after 72 h, as determined by thermal analysis. Surfactant release was systematically evaluated through foam performance tests. The study revealed that CAB could be control-released over 168 h via CAB diffusion from mesoporous silica. This study provides a longer-lasting foam method to enhance gas production by utilizing mesoporous silica as a control release medium for gas well deliquification.

Strategies to Regulate the Degradation and Clearance of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Review

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted extensive attention as drug delivery systems because of their unique meso-structural features (high specific surface area, large pore volume, and tunable pore structure), easily modified surface, high drug-loading capacity, and sustained-release profiles. However, the enduring and non-specific enrichment of MSNs in healthy tissues may lead to toxicity due to their slow degradability and hinder their clinical application. The emergence of degradable MSNs provided a solution to this problem. The understanding of strategies to regulate degradation and clearance of these MSNs for promoting clinical trials and expanding their biological applications is essential. Here, a diverse variety of degradable MSNs regarding considerations of physiochemical properties and doping strategies of degradation, the biodistribution of MSNs in vivo, internal clearance mechanism, and adjusting physical parameters of clearance are highlighted. Finally, an overview of these degradable and clearable MSNs strategies for biosafety is provided along with an outlook of the encountered challenges.

Sulfated Chitosan-Modified CuS Nanocluster: A Versatile Nanoformulation for Simultaneous Antibacterial and Bone Regenerative Therapy in Periodontitis

Periodontitis, a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease worldwide, is triggered by periodontopathogenic bacteria, resulting in the progressive destruction of periodontal tissue, particularly the alveolar bone. To effectively address periodontitis, this study proposed a nanoformulation known as CuS@MSN-SCS. This formulation involves coating citrate-grafted copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles with mesoporous silica (MSNs), followed by surface modification using amino groups and sulfated chitosan (SCS) through electrostatic interactions. The objective of this formulation is to achieve efficient bacteria removal by inducing ROS signaling pathways mediated by Cu2+ ions. Additionally, it aims to promote alveolar bone regeneration through Cu2+-induced pro-angiogenesis and SCS-mediated bone regeneration. As anticipated, by regulating the surface charges, the negatively charged CuS nanoparticles capped with sodium citrate were successfully coated with MSNs, and the subsequent introduction of amine groups using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane was followed by the incorporation of SCS through electrostatic interactions, resulting in the formation of CuS@MSN-SCS. The developed nanoformulation was verified to not only significantly exacerbate the oxidative stress of Fusobacterium nucleatum, thereby suppressing bacteria growth and biofilm formation in vitro, but also effectively alleviate the inflammatory response and promote alveolar bone regeneration without evident biotoxicity in an in vivo rat periodontitis model. These findings contribute to the therapeutic effect on periodontitis. Overall, this study successfully developed a nanoformulation for combating bacteria and facilitating alveolar bone regeneration, demonstrating the promising potential for clinical treatment of periodontitis.

Photocrosslinked gelatin/chondroitin sulfate/chitosan-based composites with tunable multifunctionality for bone tissue regeneration

Novel hydrogel-based multifunctional systems prepared utilizing photocrosslinking and freeze-drying processes (PhotoCross/Freeze-dried) dedicated for bone tissue regeneration are presented. Fabricated materials, composed of methacrylated gelatin, chitosan, and chondroitin sulfate, possess interesting features including bioactivity, biocompatibility, as well as antibacterial activity. Importantly, their degradation and swellability might be easily tuned by playing with the biopolymeric content in the photocrosllinked systems. To broaden the potential application and deliver the therapeutic features, mesoporous silica particles functionalized with methacrylate moieties decorated with hydroxyapatite and loaded with the antiosteoporotic drug, alendronate, (MSP-MA-HAp-ALN) were dispersed within the biopolymeric sol and photocrosslinked. It was demonstrated that the obtained composites are characterized by a significantly extended degradation time, ensuring optimal conditions for balancing hybrids removal with the deposition of fresh bone. We have shown that attachment of MSP-MA-HAp-ALN to the polymeric matrix minimizes the initial burst effect and provides a prolonged release of ALN (up to 22 days). Moreover, the biological evaluation in vitro suggested the capability of the resulted systems to promote bone remodeling. Developed materials might potentially serve as scaffolds that after implantation will fill up bone defects of various origin (osteoporosis, tumour resection, accidents) providing the favourable conditions for bone regeneration and supporting the infections' treatment.

Advances in stabilization of metallic nanoparticle with biosurfactants- a review on current trends

Recently, research based on new biomaterials for stabilizing metallic nanoparticles has increased due to their greater environmental friendliness and lower health risk. Their stability is often a critical factor influencing their performance and shelf life. Nowadays, the use of biosurfactants is gaining interest due to their sustainable advantages. Biosurfactants are used for various commercial and industrial applications such as food processing, therapeutic applications, agriculture, etc. Biosurfactants create stable coatings surrounding nanoparticles to stop agglomeration and provide long-term stability. The present review study describes a collection of important scientific works on stabilization and capping of metallic nanoparticles as biosurfactants. This review also provides a comprehensive overview of the intrinsic properties and environmental aspects of metal nanoparticles coated with biosurfactants. In addition, future methods and potential solutions for biosurfactant-mediated stabilization in nanoparticle synthesis are also highlighted. The objective of this study is to ensure that the stabilized nanoparticles exhibit biocompatible properties, making them suitable for applications in medicine and biotechnology.

Small molecules modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles orally deliver indomethacin with synergistic effect

Molecularly functional drug delivery systems possessed huge potentials to realize novel drug administration. To explore small molecules modified drug delivery, a series of small molecules modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (L-Mal-MSNs, D-Mal-MSNs) were established by grafting small molecules. Poorly water-soluble indomethacin (IMC) was chosen to load into these small molecules modified carriers as well as corresponding control carrier, and further to study characteristics and delivery effects of drug loaded carriers. The results indicated that all these small molecules modified carriers formed hydrogen bonds with drugs and can successfully convert drug crystal phase to amorphous state so as to enhance drug dissolution compared to raw drug. In vivo rat intestinal perfusion demonstrated that IMC loaded L-Mal-MSNs performed the fastest drug absorption while analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of IMC loaded D-Mal-MSNs turned out to be the best, giving hints that D-malic acid exhibited best synergic functions for IMC. The herein small molecules modified delivery system is an effective solution strategy for the current application of analgesia and anti-inflammatory drugs with outstanding significance.

In vitro/ex vivo evaluation of multifunctional collagen/chitosan/hyaluronic acid hydrogel-based alendronate delivery systems

Injectable hydrogel-based materials have emerged as promising alendronate (ALN) delivery systems for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, their intrinsic permeability limits the sustained delivery of small-molecule drugs. In response to this challenge, we present the multifunctional hybrids composed of mesoporous silica particles decorated with hydroxyapatite and loaded with alendronate (MSP-NH2-HAp-ALN), which are immobilized in collagen/chitosan/hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel. We have mainly focused on the biological in vitro/ex vivo evaluation of developed composites. It was found that the extracts released from tested systems do not exhibit hemolytic properties and are safe for blood elements and the human liver cell model. The resulting materials create an environment conducive to differentiating human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and reduce the viability of osteoclast precursors (RAW 264.7). Importantly, even the system with the lowest concentration of ALN caused a substantial cytotoxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells; their viability decreased to 20 % and 10 % of control on 3 and 7 day of culture. Additionally, prolonged ALN release (up to 20 days) with minimized burst release was observed, while material features (wettability, swellability, degradation, mechanical properties) depended on MSP-NH2-HAp-ALN content. The obtained data indicate that developed composites establish a high-potential formulation for safe and effective osteoporosis therapy.

Optimizing the method for removing MSNs templates using an ionic liquid ([C4mim]Cl)

The key step in preparing mesoporous silica is to remove the organic template agent, and the most common method used to achieve this goal is high-temperature calcination. However, this method has many disadvantages, one of which is that it reduces the silanol density on the surface of mesoporous silica, which affects its subsequent modification. Ionic liquids (ILs) are often used as extractants. In this work, the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl) IL is considered, and the effects of its concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time as well as HCl concentration on the extraction rate and silanol density were investigated using an IL extraction template agent (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)). The results show that an IL concentration of 10%, a reaction temperature of 120 °C, a reaction time of 12 h, and an HCl concentration of 1% are the best reaction parameters; with these parameters, the extraction rate and the silanol density were found to be 93.19% and 2.23%, respectively. The silanol density of mesoporous silica treated by calcination is only 0.81%. A higher silanol density provides more reaction sites, so that the modified mesoporous silica treated with the IL can be loaded with more Zn ions.

Manipulating supramolecular gels with surfactants: Interfacial and non-interfacial mechanisms

Gel is a class of self-supporting soft materials with applications in many fields. Fast, controllable gelation, micro/nano structure and suitable rheological properties are essential considerations for the design of gels for specific applications. Many methods can be used to control these parameters, among which the additive approach is convenient as it is a simple physical mixing process with significant advantages, such as avoidance of pH change and external energy fields (ultrasound, UV light and others). Although surfactants are widely used to control the formation of many materials, particularly nanomaterials, their effects on gelation are less known. This review summarizes the studies that utilized different surfactants to control the formation, structure, and properties of molecular and silk fibroin gels. The mechanisms of surfactants, which are interfacial and non-interfacial effects, are classified and discussed. Knowledge and technical gaps are identified, and perspectives for further research are outlined. This review is expected to inspire increasing research interest in using surfactants for designing/fabricating gels with desirable formation kinetics, structure, properties and functionalities.

Fine-tuning mesoporous silica properties by a dual-template ratio as TiO2 support for dye photodegradation booster

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been integrated into the surface of mesoporous silica (SMG) synthesized via the hydrothermal approach and a dual template CTAB-Gelatin. XRD, nitrogen adsorption, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and UV-Vis DR spectroscopy were performed to evaluate a 1 wt% TiO₂/SMG material. After titania incorporation, the addition of gelatin during the synthesis of SMG increases the pore volume to 0.76 cc/g. The expansion of the silica pores is caused by the development of TiO₂ crystal grains on the mesoporous silica-gelatin. An increase in the gelatin-CTAB to mesoporous silica weight ratio modifies the surface area, pore size, and particle size without compromising the meso-structure. In this research, the TiO₂/SMG composite demonstrated much greater photodegradability for methylene blue (MB) than the TiO₂/mesoporous silica sample without gelatin. The experimental results indicate that the photocatalytic activity of methylene blue from SMG titania/silica samples is reliant on the adsorption ability of the composite and the photocatalytic activity of titania, with optimal activity from samples with the highest surface area and pore volume, which directly increase the Ti: Si ratio and decrease the photodegradability of the composite when the ratio is too high or too low.

Gold Nanorods with Mesoporous Silica Shell: A Promising Platform for Cisplatin Delivery

The versatile combination of metal nanoparticles with chemotherapy agents makes designing multifunctional drug delivery systems attractive. In this work, we reported cisplatin's encapsulation and release profile using a mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods system. Gold nanorods were synthesized by an acidic seed-mediated method in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant, and the silica-coated state was obtained by modified Stöber method. The silica shell was modified first with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and then with succinic anhydride to obtain carboxylates groups to improve cisplatin encapsulation. Gold nanorods with an aspect ratio of 3.2 and silica shell thickness of 14.74 nm were obtained, and infrared spectroscopy and ζ potential studies corroborated surface modification with carboxylates groups. On the other hand, cisplatin was encapsulated under optimal conditions with an efficiency of ~58%, and it was released in a controlled manner over 96 h. Furthermore, acidic pH promoted a faster release of 72% cisplatin encapsulated compared to 51% in neutral pH.

Advances of Antimicrobial Peptide-Based Biomaterials for the Treatment of Bacterial Infections

Owing to the increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates in hospitals globally and the lack of truly effective antimicrobial agents, antibiotic resistant bacterial infections have increased substantially. There is thus an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial drugs and their related formulations. In recent years, natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), AMP optimization, self-assembled AMPs, AMP hydrogels, and biomaterial-assisted delivery of AMPs have shown great potential in the treatment of bacterial infections. In this review, it is focused on the development prospects and shortcomings of various AMP-based biomaterials for treating animal model infections, such as abdominal, skin, and eye infections. It is hoped that this review will inspire further innovations in the design of AMP-based biomaterials for the treatment of bacterial infections and accelerate their commercialization.

Specific nanoarchitecture of silica nanoparticles codoped with the oppositely charged Mn2+ and Ru2+ complexes for dual paramagnetic-luminescent contrasting effects

The silica nanoparticles (SNs) co-doped with paramagnetic ([Mn(HL)]^n-,) and luminescent ([Ru(dipy)₃]²⁺) complexes are represented. The specific distribution of [Mn(HL)]^n- within the SNs allows to achieve about ten-fold enhancing in magnetic relaxivities in comparison with those of [Mn(HL)]^n- in solutions. The leaching of [Mn(HL)]^n- from the shell can be minimized through the co-doping of [Ru(dipy)₃]²⁺ into the core of the SNs. The co-doped SNs exhibit colloid stability in aqueous solutions, including those modeling a blood serum. The surface of the co-doped SNs was also decorated by amino- and carboxy-groups. The cytotoxicity, hemoagglutination and hemolytic activities of the co-doped SNs are on the levels convenient for "in vivo" studies, although the amino-decorated SNs cause more noticeable agglutination and suppression of cell viability. The co-doped SNs being intravenously injected into mice allows to reveal their biodistribution in both ex vivo and in vivo conditions through confocal microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging correspondingly.