pH-Sensitive Tacrolimus loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Oral Lipid Nanoparticles for Improving the Efficiency of Drug Delivery Systems in Ulcerative Colitis: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by persistent, recurrent, and relapsing inflammation of the mucosal layer. Its pathogenesis is complex and not yet fully understood, with current treatments mainly focused on alleviating symptoms through pharmacological methods. Direct drug administration for UC often leads to poor intestinal bioavailability, suboptimal targeting, and an increased risk of resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective drug delivery systems. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are promising candidates for UC drug delivery due to their high biocompatibility, stability, and customizable properties. Oral administration, as a preferred treatment approach for UC, offers benefits such as convenience, cost-effectiveness, and better patient compliance. However, oral drug delivery systems must navigate the complex gastrointestinal tract to effectively target colonic lesions, posing significant challenges for LNP-based systems. Researchers are exploring ways to enhance oral delivery efficiency by adjusting LNP composition, surface functionalization, and coating. This article reviews recent advancements in oral LNP research aimed at improving drug delivery efficiency for UC treatment and discusses future prospects.

Mechanistic understanding of pH as a driving force in cancer therapeutics

The development of pH-directed nanoparticles for tumor targeting represents a significant advancement in cancer biology and therapeutic strategies. These innovative materials have the ability to interact with the unique acidic microenvironment of tumors. They enhance drug delivery, increase therapeutic efficacy, and reduce systemic toxicity. The acidic conditions within tumors trigger the release of drugs from pH-responsive nanoparticles, ensuring targeted and controlled delivery directly to cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This review comprehensively explores the design, synthesis, and application of pH-stabilized nanoparticles in cancer therapy. It delves into the mechanisms of pH-responsive behavior, such as the use of pH-sensitive polymers and cleavable linkages that respond to the acidic tumor environment. Current strategies for nanoparticle stabilization, including surface coating, core-shell nanostructures, and hybrid nanoparticles, are discussed in detail, highlighting how these approaches enhance the stability and functionality of the nanoparticles in biological systems. Recent advancements in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are examined, showcasing multi-functional nanoparticles that combine therapeutic and diagnostic functions, as well as those designed for combination therapy to overcome drug resistance. This review identifies future directions in the field, such as the need for improved stability and biocompatibility, controlled and predictable drug release, and overcoming regulatory and manufacturing hurdles. Herein, we have highlighted the transformative potential of pH-stabilized nanoparticles in cancer therapy, offering a pathway towards more effective and targeted cancer treatments.