3D printed systems for colon-specific delivery of camptothecin-loaded chitosan micelles

A review of chitosan role in milk bioactive-based drug delivery, smart packaging and biosensors: Recent advances and developments

Chitosan, a versatile biopolymer derived from chitin, is increasingly recognized in the milk industry for its multifunctional applications in drug delivery, smart packaging, and biosensor development. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in chitosan production techniques. These include chemical, biological, and novel methods such as deep eutectic solvents (DES), microwave-assisted approaches, and laser-assisted processes. Surface modification strategies to enhance its functional properties are also discussed. The review highlights the development of various chitosan-based nanocarriers, including nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanogels, and nanocomposites. It emphasizes their stability when combined with milk bioactive ingredients like lipids, peptides, lactose, and minerals. The gastrointestinal fate and safety of chitosan nanoparticles are critically evaluated, showcasing their potential for safe consumption in dairy-related applications. In drug delivery systems, chitosan exhibits excellent compatibility with milk-derived carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals, enabling the development of innovative drug delivery platforms. Additionally, its incorporation into smart packaging materials enhances the shelf-life and quality of dairy products. Chitosan-based biosensors offer precise contaminant detection in the milk industry by enabling precise detection of contaminants such as Bisphenol A, melamine, bacteria, drugs, antibiotics, toxins, heavy metals, and allergens, thus ensuring food safety and quality. Emerging trends, including the integration of artificial intelligence, advanced gene editing, and multifunctional chitosan, are discussed, offering insights into future personalized delivery systems and merging food and drug technologies. The review concludes by highlighting gaps in current research and offering recommendations for future exploration. These suggestions aim to optimize chitosan's unique properties to address key challenges in the milk industry. This article serves as a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers aiming to innovate within the dairy sector using chitosan-based technologies.

3D printing of pharmaceutical dosage forms: Recent advances and applications

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also referred to as additive manufacturing, is considered to be a game-changing technology in many industries and is also considered to have potential use cases in pharmaceutical manufacturing, especially if individualization is desired. In this review article the authors systematically researched literature published during the last 5 years (2019 - spring 2024) on the topic of 3D printed dosage forms. Besides all kinds of oral dosage forms ranging from tablets and capsules to films, pellets, etc., numerous reports were also identified on parenteral and cutaneous dosage forms and also rectal, vaginal, dental, intravesical, and ophthalmic preparations. In total, more than 500 publications were identified and grouped according to the site of administration, and an overview of the manuscripts is presented here. Furthermore, selected publications are described and discussed in more detail. The review highlights the very different approaches that are currently used in order to develop 3D printed dosage forms but also addresses remaining challenges.

Techniques and applications in 3D bioprinting with chitosan bio-inks for drug delivery: A review

Three-dimensional bioprinting leverages computer-aided design to construct tissues and organs with specialized bioinks. A notable biomaterial for this purpose is chitosan, a natural polysaccharide sourced from crustacean exoskeletons. Chitosan's biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation make it an excellent component for bioinks. Initially, the rheological properties of chitosan presented challenges for its use in bioprinting. Enhancements in its printability and stability were achieved by integrating it with other natural or synthetic polymers, facilitating its successful application in bioprinting. Chitosan-based bioinks are particularly promising for controlled drug delivery. Incorporating pharmaceuticals directly into the bioink enables the printed structures to serve as localized, sustained-release systems. This approach offers multiple advantages, including precise drug delivery to targeted disease sites, increased therapeutic efficiency, and reduced systemic side effects. Moreover, bioprinting allows for the customization of drug delivery mechanisms to meet individual patient requirements. Although there have been considerable advancements, the use of chitosan-based bioinks in drug delivery is still an emerging field. This review highlights chitosan's essential role in both systemic and localized drug delivery, underscoring its significance and discussing ongoing trends in its application for pharmaceutical purposes.

Transformative applications of additive manufacturing in biomedical engineering: bioprinting to surgical innovations

This paper delves into the diverse applications and transformative impact of additive manufacturing (AM) in biomedical engineering. A detailed analysis of various AM technologies showcases their distinct capabilities and specific applications within the medical field. Special emphasis is placed on bioprinting of organs and tissues, a revolutionary area where AM has the potential to revolutionize organ transplantation and regenerative medicine by fabricating functional tissues and organs. The review further explores the customization of implants and prosthetics, demonstrating how tailored medical devices enhance patient comfort and performance. Additionally, the utility of AM in surgical planning is examined, highlighting how printed models contribute to increased surgical precision, reduced operating times, and minimized complications. The discussion extends to the 3D printing of surgical instruments, showcasing how these bespoke tools can improve surgical outcomes. Moreover, the integration of AM in drug delivery systems, including the development of innovative drug-loaded implants, underscores its potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. It also addresses personalized prosthetic implants, regulatory frameworks, biocompatibility concerns, and the future potential of AM in global health and sustainable practices.

Chitosan-based promising scaffolds for the construction of tailored nanosystems against osteoporosis: Current status and future prospects

Despite advancements in therapeutic techniques, restoring bone tissue after damage remains a challenging task. Tissue engineering or targeted drug delivery solutions aim to meet the pressing clinical demand for treatment alternatives by creating substitute materials that imitate the structural and biological characteristics of healthy tissue. Polymers derived from natural sources typically exhibit enhanced biological compatibility and bioactivity when compared to manufactured polymers. Chitosan is a unique polysaccharide derived from chitin through deacetylation, offering biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity. Its cationic charge sets it apart from other polymers, making it a valuable resource for various applications. Modifications such as thiolation, alkylation, acetylation, or hydrophilic group incorporation can enhance chitosan's swelling behavior, cross-linking, adhesion, permeation, controllable drug release, enzyme inhibition, and antioxidative properties. Chitosan scaffolds possess considerable potential for utilization in several biological applications. An intriguing application is its use in the areas of drug distribution and bone tissue engineering. Due to their excellent biocompatibility and lack of toxicity, they are an optimal material for this particular usage. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of osteoporosis, including its pathophysiology, current treatment options, the utilization of natural polymers in disease management, and the potential use of chitosan scaffolds for drug delivery systems aimed at treating the condition.

Exploiting Pharma 4.0 Technologies in the Non-Biological Complex Drugs Manufacturing: Innovations and Implications

The pharmaceutical industry has entered an era of transformation with the emergence of Pharma 4.0, which leverages cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing processes. These hold tremendous potential for enhancing the overall efficiency, safety, and quality of non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs), a category of pharmaceutical products that pose unique challenges due to their intricate composition and complex manufacturing requirements. This review attempts to provide insight into the application of select Pharma 4.0 technologies, namely machine learning, in silico modeling, and 3D printing, in the manufacturing process of NBCDs. Specifically, it reviews the impact of these tools on NBCDs such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, glatiramer acetate, iron carbohydrate complexes, and nanocrystals. It also addresses regulatory challenges associated with the implementation of these technologies and presents potential future perspectives, highlighting the incorporation of digital twins in this field of research as it seems to be a very promising approach, namely for the optimization of NBCDs manufacturing processes.

3D printed pH-responsive tablets containing N-acetylglucosamine-loaded methylcellulose hydrogel for colon drug delivery applications

The pH-responsive drug release approach in combination with three-dimensional (3D) printing for colon-specific oral drug administration can address the limitations of current treatments such as orally administered solid tablets. Such existing treatments fail to effectively deliver the right drug dosage to the colon. In order to achieve targeted drug release profiles, this work aimed at designing and producing 3D printed tablet shells using Eudragit® FS100 and polylactic acid (PLA) where the core was filled with 100 µl of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-loaded methyl cellulose (MC) hydrogel. To meet the requirements of such tablets, the effects of polymer blending ratios and MC concentrations on physical, thermal, and material properties of various components of the tablets and most importantly in vitro drug release kinetics were investigated. The tablets with 80/20 wt% of Eudragit® FS100/PLA and the drug-loaded hydrogel with 30 mg/ml GlcNAc and 3% w/v MC showed the most promising results having the best printability, processability, and drug release kinetics besides being non-cytotoxic. Manufacturing of these tablets will be the first milestone in shifting from the conventional "one size fits all" approach to personalized medicine where different dosages and various combinations of drugs can be effectively delivered to the inflammation site.

Chitosan in Oral Drug Delivery Formulations: A Review

Nanoformulations have become increasingly useful as drug delivery technologies in recent decades. As therapeutics, oral administration is the most common delivery method, although it is not always the most effective route because of challenges with swallowing, gastrointestinal discomfort, low solubility, and poor absorption. One of the most significant barriers that medications must overcome to exert a therapeutic effect is the impact of the first hepatic transit. Studies have shown that controlled-release systems using nanoparticles composed of biodegradable natural polymers significantly improve oral administration, which is why these materials have attracted significant attention. Chitosan possesses a wide variety of properties and functions in the pharmaceutical as well as healthcare industries. Drug encapsulation and transport within the body are two of its most important features. Moreover, chitosan can enhance drug efficacy by facilitating drug interaction with target cells. Based on its physicochemical properties, chitosan can potentially be synthesized into nanoparticles, and this review summarizes recent advances and applications of orally delivered chitosan nanoparticle interventions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Responsive Microneedles for Systemic Sclerosis Treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine, such as Tripterygium wilfordii and Paeonia lactiflora, has potential values in treating systemic sclerosis (SSc) and other autoimmune diseases, while their toxic side effect elimination and precise tropical drug delivery are still challenges. Here, we present multiple traditional Chinese medicine integrated photoresponsive black phosphorus (BP) microneedles (MNs) with the desired features for the SSc treatment. By employing a template-assisted layer-by-layer curing method, such MNs with triptolide (TP)/paeoniflorin (Pae) needle tips and BP-hydrogel needle bottoms could be well generated. The combined administration of TP and Pae can not only provide anti-inflammatory, detoxification, and immunomodulatory effects to treat skin lesions in the early stage of SSc but also remarkably reduce the toxicity of single drug delivery. Besides, the additive BPs possess good biocompatibility and near-infrared (NIR) responsiveness, imparting the MN photothermal-controlled drug release capability. Based on these features, we have demonstrated that the traditional Chinese medicine integrated responsive MNs could effectively improve skin fibrosis and telangiectasia, reduce collagen deposition, and reduce epidermal thickness in the SSc mouse models. These results indicated that the proposed Chinese medicine integrated responsive MNs had enormous potential in clinical therapy of SSc and other diseases.

3D printing of pharmaceuticals: approach from bench scale to commercial development

Background

The three-dimensional (3D) printing is paradigm shift in the healthcare sector. 3D printing is platform technologies in which complex products are developed with less number of additives. The easy development process gives edge over the conventional methods. Every individual needs specific dose treatment. 'One size fits all' is the current traditional approach that can shift to more individual specific in 3D printing. The present review aims to cover different perspectives regarding selection of drug, polymer and technological aspects for 3D printing. With respect to clinical practice, regulatory issue and industrial potential are also discussed in this paper.

Main body

The individualization of medicines with patient centric dosage form will become reality in upcoming future. It provides individual's need of dose by considering genetic profile, physiology and diseased condition. The tailormade dosages with unique drug loading and release profile of different geometrical shapes and sizes can easily deliver therapeutic dose. The technology can fulfill growing demand of efficiency in the dose accuracy for the patient oriented sectors like pediatric, geriatric and also easy to comply with cGMP requirements of regulated market. The clinical practice can focus on prescribing each individual's necessity of dose.

Conclusion

In the year 2015, FDA approved first 3D printed drug product, which is initiator in the new phase of manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. The tailormade formulations can be made in future for personalized medications. Regulatory approval from agencies can bring the 3DP product into the market. In the future, formulators can bring different sector-specific products for personalized need through 3DP pharmaceutical product.

Graphical Abstract

3D Printed Fractal-like Structures with High Percentage of Drug for Zero-Order Colonic Release

Colonic drug delivery of drugs is an area of great interest due to the need to treat high prevalence colonic local diseases as well as systemic conditions that may benefit from the advantages associated to this route of drug administration. In the last decade, the use of 3D printing technologies has expanded, offering the possibility of preparing personalized medicines in small batches directly at the point of care. The aim of this work is to design a high drug loaded 3D printed system prepared by a combination of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and Injection Volume Filling (IVF) techniques intended for zero-order colonic drug release. For this purpose, different batches of binary and ternary filaments based on the thermoplastic polyurethane Tecoflex EG-72D (TPU), theophylline anhydrous (AT) as model drug, and magnesium stearate as lubricant have been developed and characterized. Filaments with the highest drug load and the best rheological properties were selected for the manufacture of a printed fractal-like structure based on multiple toroids. This design was proposed to provide high surface area, leading to increased drug release and water uptake in the colonic region. This structure was 3D printed by FDM and then coated in a unique step by IVF technology using the enteric polymer DrugCoat S 12.5. This way, an additional coating process is avoided, reducing costs and production time. Studies of drug release confirmed the ability of the structures to provide a five-hour period of constant drug delivery in the colonic region.

Transdermal delivery via medical device technologies

INTRODUCTION

Despite their effectiveness and indispensability, many drugs are poorly solvated in aqueous solutions. Over recent decades, the need for targeted drug delivery has led to the development of pharmaceutical formulations with enhanced lipid solubility to improve their delivery properties. Therefore, a dependable approach for administering lipid-soluble drugs needs to be developed.

AREAS COVERED

The advent of 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the development of medical devices, which can effectively enable the delivery of lipophilic drugs to the targeted tissues. This review focuses on the use of microneedles and iontophoresis for transdermal drug delivery. Microneedle arrays, inkjet printing, and fused deposition modeling have emerged as valuable approaches for delivering several classes of drugs. In addition, iontophoresis has been successfully employed for the effective delivery of macromolecular drugs.

EXPERT OPINION

Microneedle arrays, inkjet printing, and fused deposition are potentially useful for many drug delivery applications; however, the clinical and commercial adoption rates of these technologies are relatively low. Additional efforts is needed to enable the pharmaceutical community to fully realize the benefits of these technologies.

Oral delivery of camptothecin-loaded multifunctional chitosan-based micelles is effective in reduce colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease with high incidence and mortality worldwide. The efficacy of conventional CRC chemotherapy is hampered by poor drug solubility and bioavailability and suboptimal pharmacokinetic profiles. In this work, camptothecin (CPT), a potent anticancer drug, was loaded into an amphiphilic chitosan modified with PEG and oleic acid, to reduce CRC progression after oral administration. While CPT-loaded micelles presented anticancer activity against HCT116, Caco-2 and HT29 CRC cell lines in vitro, empty micelles demonstrated a safe profile when incubated with human blood cells and colorectal cancer cell lines. In a more complex 3D CRC multicellular spheroid model, CPT-loaded micelles also exhibited a significant effect on the spheroid's metabolic activity and size reduction. Remarkably, in vivo studies performed in a HCT116 xenograft model, showed a significant reduction on the tumor growth during and after treatment with CPT-loaded micelles. Moreover, in a more biological relevant in vivo model of chemically-induced CRC, orally administered CPT-loaded micelles demonstrated a significant reduction on tumor incidence and inflammation signs. The findings here reported indicate that CPT-loaded into chitosan-based micelles, by improving drug solubility, alongside its safety profile for normal tissues, may have a promising role CRC chemotherapy.

Multiple Roles of Chitosan in Mucosal Drug Delivery: An Updated Review

Chitosan (CS) is a linear polysaccharide obtained by the deacetylation of chitin, which, after cellulose, is the second biopolymer most abundant in nature, being the primary component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans and insects. Since joining the pharmaceutical field, in the early 1990s, CS attracted great interest, which has constantly increased over the years, due to its several beneficial and favorable features, including large availability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, simplicity of chemical modifications, mucoadhesion and permeation enhancer power, joined to its capability of forming films, hydrogels and micro- and nanoparticles. Moreover, its cationic character, which renders it unique among biodegradable polymers, is responsible for the ability of CS to strongly interact with different types of molecules and for its intrinsic antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic activities. However, its pH-dependent solubility and susceptibility to ions presence may represent serious drawbacks and require suitable strategies to be overcome. Presently, CS and its derivatives are widely investigated for a great variety of pharmaceutical applications, particularly in drug delivery. Among the alternative routes to overcome the problems related to the classic oral drug administration, the mucosal route is becoming the favorite non-invasive delivery pathway. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the applications of CS and its derivatives in novel formulations intended for different methods of mucosal drug delivery.

3D Printing: Applications in Tissue Engineering, Medical Devices, and Drug Delivery

The gemstone of 3-dimensional (3D) printing shines up from the pyramid of additive manufacturing. Three-dimensional bioprinting technology has been predicted to be a game-changing breakthrough in the pharmaceutical industry since the last decade. It is fast evolving and finds its seats in a variety of domains, including aviation, defense, automobiles, replacement components, architecture, movies, musical instruments, forensic, dentistry, audiology, prosthetics, surgery, food, and fashion industry. In recent years, this miraculous manufacturing technology has become increasingly relevant for pharmaceutical purposes. Computer-aided drug (CAD) model will be developed by computer software and fed into bioprinters. Based on material inputs, the printers will recognize and produce the model scaffold. Techniques including stereolithography, selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, material extrusion, material jetting, inkjet-based, fused deposition modelling, binder deposition, and bioprinting expedite the printing process. Distinct advantages are rapid prototyping, flexible design, print on demand, light and strong parts, fast and cost-effective, and environment friendly. The present review gives a brief description of the conceptional 3-dimensional printing, followed by various techniques involved. A short note was explained about the fabricating materials in the pharmaceutical sector. The beam of light is thrown on the various applications in the pharma and medical arena.