Arteether nanoemulsion for enhanced efficacy against Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis malaria: an approach by enhanced bioavailability

Nanotechnology-Based Strategies in Parasitic Disease Management: From Prevention to Diagnosis and Treatment

Parasitic infections are a major global health issue causing significant mortality and morbidity. Despite substantial advances in the diagnostics and treatment of these diseases, the currently available options fall far short of expectations. From diagnosis and treatment to prevention and control, nanotechnology-based techniques show promise as an alternative approach. Nanoparticles can be designed with specific properties to target parasites and deliver antiparasitic medications and vaccines. Nanoparticles such as liposomes, nanosuspensions, polymer-based nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles have been shown to overcome limitations such as limited bioavailability, poor cellular permeability, nonspecific distribution, and rapid drug elimination from the body. These nanoparticles also serve as nanobiosensors for the early detection and treatment of these diseases. This review aims to summarize the potential applications of nanoparticles in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria, and trypanosomiasis. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these applications and their market values and highlights the need for further research in this field.

Analysis of complementarities between nanomedicine and phytodrugs for the treatment of malarial infection

The use of nanocarriers in medicine, so-called nanomedicine, is one of the most innovative strategies for targeting drugs at the action site and increasing their activity index and effectiveness. Phytomedicine is the oldest traditional method used to treat human diseases and solve health problems. The recent literature on the treatment of malaria infections using nanodelivery systems and phytodrugs or supplements has been analyzed. For the first time, in the present review, a careful look at the considerable potential of nanomedicine in promoting phytotherapeutic efficacy was done, and its key role in addressing a translation through a significant reduction of the current burden of malaria in many parts of the world has been underlined.

Opportunity in nanomedicine to counter the challenges of current drug delivery approaches used for the treatment of malaria: a review

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by the infected female Anopheles mosquito. The development of drug tolerance and challenges related to the drugs' pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters limits the antimalarial therapeutics response. Currently, nanotechnology-based drug delivery system provides an integrative platform for antimalarial therapy by improving the drug physicochemical properties, combating multidrug resistance, and lowering antimalarial drug-related toxicity. In addition, surface engineered nanocarrier systems offer a variety of alternatives for site-specific/targeted delivery of antimalarial therapeutics, anticipating better clinical outcomes at low drug concentrations and low toxicity profiles, as well as reducing the likelihood of the emergence of drug resistance. So, constructing nano carrier-based approaches for drug delivery has been considered the foremost strategy to combat malaria. This review focuses on the numerous nanotherapeutic strategies utilised to treat malaria as well as the benefits of nanotechnology as a potentially effective therapeutic.

Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.)

Pumpkin is a well-known multifunctional ingredient in the diet, full of nutrients, and has opened new vistas for scientists during the past years. The fruit of pumpkin including the flesh, seed, and peel are a rich source of primary and secondary metabolites, including proteins, carbohydrates, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, tryptophan, delta-7-sterols, and many other phytochemicals. This climber is traditionally used in many countries, such as Austria, Hungary, Mexico, Slovenia, China, Spain, and several Asian and African countries as a functional food and provides health promising properties. Other benefits of pumpkin, such as improving spermatogenesis, wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-ulcerative properties, and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia have also been confirmed by researchers. For better drug delivery, nanoemulsions and niosomes made from pumpkin seeds have also been reported as a health promising tool, but further research is still required in this field. This review mainly focuses on compiling and summarizing the most relevant literature to highlight the nutritional value, phytochemical potential, and therapeutic benefits of pumpkin.

Emerging trends and promises of nanoemulsions in therapeutics of infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are prevalent and have contributed to high morbidity rates by creating havoc like the COVID-19, 1918 influenza and Black Death (the plague) pandemics. Antimicrobial resistance, adverse effects, the emergence of co-infections and the high cost of antimicrobial therapies are major threats to the health of people worldwide while impacting overall healthcare and socioeconomic development. One of the most common ways to address this issue lies in improving existing antimicrobial drug-delivery systems. Nanoemulsions and their modified forms have been successfully employed for the delivery of antimicrobials to treat infectious diseases. In this article, the authors comprehensively reviewed how nanoemulsion-based formulation systems are shifting the paradigm for therapeutics and diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Nanoparticles Formulations of Artemisinin and Derivatives as Potential Therapeutics for the Treatment of Cancer, Leishmaniasis and Malaria

Cancer, malaria, and leishmaniasis remain the deadly diseases around the world although several strategies of treatment have been developed. However, most of the drugs used to treat the aforementioned diseases suffer from several pharmacological limitations such as poor pharmacokinetics, toxicity, drug resistance, poor bioavailability and water solubility. Artemisinin and its derivatives are antimalarial drugs. However, they also exhibit anticancer and antileishmanial activity. They have been evaluated as potential anticancer and antileishmanial drugs but their use is also limited by their poor water solubility and poor bioavailability. To overcome the aforementioned limitations associated with artemisinin and its derivatives used for the treatment of these diseases, they have been incorporated into nanoparticles. Several researchers incorporated this class of drugs into nanoparticles resulting in enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Their potential efficacy for the treatment of parasitic infections such as malaria and leishmaniasis and chronic diseases such as cancer has been reported. This review article will be focused on the nanoparticles formulations of artemisinin and derivatives for the treatment of cancer, malaria, and leishmaniasis and the biological outcomes (in vitro and in vivo).

Nanoemulsion composed of 10-(4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl)thio)decan-1-ol), a synthetic analog of 3-alkylpiridine marine alkaloid: development, characterization, and antimalarial activity

Malaria treatment is based on a reduced number of antimalarial drugs, and drug resistance has emerged, leading to the search for new antimalarial drugs incorporated into pharmaceutical formulations. In this study, 10-(4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl)thio)decan-1-ol) (thiazoline), a synthetic analog of 3-alkylpiridine marine alkaloid, and a potent antimalarial substance, was incorporated into O/W nanoemulsion. This formulation was prepared by a 2³ factorial design. It was characterized by globule diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro thiazoline release at pH 2 and 6.86, and accelerated stability. In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity was determined against P. falciparum and P. berghei, respectively. Thiazoline nanoemulsion showed 248.8 nm of globule diameter, 0.236 of polydispersity index, -38.5 mV of zeta potential, 96.92% encapsulation efficiency, and it was stable for 6 months. Thiazoline release profiles differed in acidic and neutral media, but in both cases, the nanoemulsion controlled and prolonged the thiazoline delivery. Thiazoline nanoemulsion exerted in vitro antimalarial activity against the parasite (IC₅₀ = 1.32 µM), and it significantly reduced the in vivo parasitemia for 8 days without increasing the survival time of animals. Therefore, the thiazoline nanoemulsion represents a strategy to treat malaria combining an antimalarial candidate and a new nanocarrier.

Green Micro- and Nanoemulsions for Managing Parasites, Vectors and Pests

The management of parasites, insect pests and vectors requests development of novel, effective and eco-friendly tools. The development of resistance towards many drugs and pesticides pushed scientists to look for novel bioactive compounds endowed with multiple modes of action, and with no risk to human health and environment. Several natural products are used as alternative/complementary approaches to manage parasites, insect pests and vectors due to their high efficacy and often limited non-target toxicity. Their encapsulation into nanosystems helps overcome some hurdles related to their physicochemical properties, for instance limited stability and handling, enhancing the overall efficacy. Among different nanosystems, micro- and nanoemulsions are easy-to-use systems in terms of preparation and industrial scale-up. Different reports support their efficacy against parasites of medical importance, including Leishmania, Plasmodium and Trypanosoma as well as agricultural and stored product insect pests and vectors of human diseases, such as Aedes and Culex mosquitoes. Overall, micro- and nanoemulsions are valid options for developing promising eco-friendly tools in pest and vector management, pending proper field validation. Future research on the improvement of technical aspects as well as chronic toxicity experiments on non-target species is needed.

Health Benefits of Fennel, Rosemary Volatile Oils and their Nano-Forms in Dyslipidemic Rat Model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Dyslipidemia is a major health problem that may lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In the present research, a biological experiment was run on dyslipidemic rats to study the health benefits of the volatile oils (VOs) of fennel and rosemary in its original and nano-form using chitosan as carrier.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were divided into 6 groups; normal control, dyslipidemic control and 4 test groups with dyslipidemia and treated by VOs of fennel and rosemary and their respective nano-forms separately. Glucose tolerance test was carried out after 4 weeks. Parameters reflecting oxidative stress/antioxidant plasma catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood uric acid, were assessed. Plasma lipid profile and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as inflammatory biomarker were determined. Liver and kidney function were assessed as determinant of the safety of the different VO forms. Twenty four hour urinary volume was measured to assess creatinine clearance and to evaluate the possible diuretic activity of the VOs.

RESULTS

Dyslipidemic control rats showed dyslipidemia, increased CVDs risk, liver dysfunction, elevated MDA and TNF-α with marked increase in blood sugar after half an hour of glucose ingestion compared to normal control. Treatment with the four VOs forms improved the majority of the biochemical parameters.

CONCLUSION

All treatment showed cardio and hepato- protective effect and safety towards kidney and blood sugar. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were significantly improved by the different treatments; both VO forms of fennel were more efficient in ameliorating inflammation.

Hexadecylphosphocholine (Miltefosine) stabilized chitosan modified Ampholipospheres as prototype co-delivery vehicle for enhanced killing of L. donovani

Lipid nanoparticles are stable, biodegradable and biocompatible carriers offering excellent therapeutic efficacy. Here, a novel effort has been made to develop Miltefosine (HePC- hexadecylphosphocholine) stabilized chitosan anchored nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) of Amphotericin B (AmB) as co-delivery vehicle to enhance killing of L. donovani. The entrapment efficiency of AmB was achieved upto 85.3% for HePC-AmB-CNLCs with mean particle size of 150.8±8.4nm, and zeta potential value of +28.2±1.1mV, respectively. The cumulative amount of AmB released at even after the 24h was less than 65% from HePC-AmB-CNLCs and Tween-80-AmB-CNLCs. Intravenous administration of HePC-AmB-CNLCs revealed the significantly increased localization of AmB in both liver and spleen when estimated. FACS study represented enhanced uptake of FITC-HePC-CNLCs over FITC-HePC-NLCs in J774A.1 cell lines. Highly significant in vitro and in vivo anti-leishmanial activity (p<0.05 compared with Tween 80-AmB-CNLCs) was observed with HePC-AmB-CNLCs when tested against VL in Leishmania donovani-infected hamsters. The haemolysis and cytotoxicity studies showed the safety of HePC-AmB-CNLCs and Tween 80-AmB-CNLCs. The findings suggested that it would be preferable to deliver AmB through HePC stabilized chitosan anchored nanostructured lipid carriers for rapid and effective treatment with decreased adverse effects.

Nanopharmaceuticals as a solution to neglected diseases: Is it possible?

The study of neglected diseases has not received much attention, especially from public and private institutions over the last years, in terms of strong support for developing treatment for these diseases. Support in the form of substantial amounts of private and public investment is greatly needed in this area. Due to the lack of novel drugs for these diseases, nanobiotechnology has appeared as an important new breakthrough for the treatment of neglected diseases. Recently, very few reviews focusing on filiarasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, malaria, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis, and tuberculosis, and dengue virus have been published. New developments in nanocarriers have made promising advances in the treatment of several kinds of diseases with less toxicity, high efficacy and improved bioavailability of drugs with extended release and fewer applications. This review deals with the current status of nanobiotechnology in the treatment of neglected diseases and highlights how it provides key tools for exploring new perspectives in the treatment of a wide range of diseases.

Nanoemulgel using a bicephalous heterolipid as a novel approach to enhance transdermal permeation of tenofovir

Improvements in permeation enhancement strategies, such as nanoemulsions (NEs) and nanoemulgels (NEGs), have led to a renewed interest in transdermal drug delivery (TDD). This study aimed to investigate the potential of LLA1E, a novel dendritic permeation enhancer, as an oily phase in the development of a NEG for the TDD of tenofovir (TNF). TNF loaded NEs (TNEs) were prepared and analysed for mean globule diameter (MGD), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) and morphology. NEGs of the TNEs (TNEGs) were prepared and evaluated for ex vivo transdermal permeation efficacy. The skin integrity before and after the experiments was assessed using histology and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). TNEs had a MGD of 129.06±3.35nm, a PDI of 0.192±0.038 and a ZP of 20.9±2.02mV, with an incorporation efficiency of 91.94±0.84%. There was no significant change is these properties after incorporating the TNEs into the hydrogel, as MGD, PDI and ZP of TNEGs were found to be 136.13±5.21nm, 0.182±0.020 and -20.9±2.08mV respectively. Ex vivo permeation studies showed that the TNEG significantly enhanced the TNF permeation by 39.65-fold, with a cumulative amount of 1866.54±108.62μgcm^-2. Histological and TEER assessments showed no permanent effects on the skin by TNEG, indicating that this novel TNEG nanosystem has the potential to translate into clinical trials as treatment alternatives for HIV/AIDs patients.

Malaria treatment using novel nano-based drug delivery systems

We reside in an era of technological innovation and advancement despite which infectious diseases like malaria remain to be one of the greatest threats to the humans. Mortality rate caused by malaria disease is a huge concern in the twenty-first century. Multiple drug resistance and nonspecific drug targeting of the most widely used drugs are the main reasons/drawbacks behind the failure in malarial therapy. Dose-related toxicity because of high doses is also a major concern. Therefore, to overcome these problems nano-based drug delivery systems are being developed to facilitate site-specific or target-based drug delivery and hence minimizing the development of resistance progress and dose-dependent toxicity issues. In this review, we discuss about the shortcomings in treating malaria and how nano-based drug delivery systems can help in curtailing the infectious disease malaria.