Nanosuspensions technology as a master key for nature products drug delivery and In vivo fate

A deep Insight into stabilization strategies and surface modification of nanocrystals and their implications in drug delivery: Focus on taxanes

Taxanes that are known for their high antitumor activity, have lipophilic structures and extremely low solubility in water, which causes several challenges in the development of their formulations and clinical applications. One of the commonly accepted methods to overcome this limitation is the use of nanocrystal (NC) technology. NCs increase the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as taxanes, by reducing the particle size. Despite the advantages of NCs, their nanometric particle size causes physical instability issues that can compromise the efficacy and safety of the formulation. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent advances in taxane formulations based on NCs. Common physical stability problems, such as aggregation, Ostwald ripening, sedimentation, and crystalline transformation, and common existing strategies, such as the use of electrostatic and steric stabilizers, layer-by-layer assembly technique, crosslinking and polymerization of stabilizers, and solidification of nanosuspensions, are discussed. Novel strategies including biomimetic coatings, incorporation of NCs into other nanocarriers, and surface modifications with regard to their effect on stability and drug delivery efficiency are also described. This review highlights the potential of these advanced stabilization techniques and surface modifications to improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety of NC formulations for poorly soluble taxanes, paving the way for more effective pharmaceutical applications.

Unlocking the Potential of Carrier Mediated Nano-biomedicine in Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review

Diabetes is a medical condition that belongs to the group of chronic diseases that affect how the body processes glucose, the primary source of energy for cells. Glucose comes indirectly from the consumed food and is carried by bloodstream to various cells in the body. Insulin, a hormone synthesized by the pancreas plays a vital role in the conversion of glucose to energy. Managing diabetes involves regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and taking medications or insulin as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Proper management of diabetes may lead to the prevention or delay of diabetic complications may further sever other diseases associated impediment. Drug delivery in the management of diabetes is designed to administer insulin or other diabetes medications in a controlled and convenient manner. Recently nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative approach in the management of diabetic complications, particularly through carrier-mediated nano-biomedicine. Several natural products have been studied and reported for their potential role in managing diabetes. While they may not replace standard medical treatments, some of these natural products could complement existing therapies and support overall diabetes management. Therefore, this review explores the potential of nanocarriers to enhance drug delivery systems for diabetes mellitus treatment, addressing the limitations of conventional therapies that often suffer from poor bioavailability and frequent dosing requirements. Studies have demonstrated that bridging these bioactive compounds significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy in the management of diabetes. Challenges remain in translating these technologies from laboratory settings to clinical applications; however, the potential benefits for improving glycemic control and overall quality of life for diabetic patients are substantial. Future research should focus on optimizing these nano-biomedicine strategies to realize their full therapeutic potential in diabetes management.

Characterisation and Stabilisation Mechanisms of Azelaic Acid Nanosuspensions: Insights from a Dual Stabiliser System

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the stabilisation mechanisms of azelaic acid nanosuspensions (AZA-NS) prepared by wet media milling (WMM) using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and chitosan as stabilisers. The aim was to elucidate the physical interactions relevant for stabilisation and to evaluate the effectiveness of a dual stabiliser approach to improve AZA-NS stability. Methods: AZA-NS were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to evaluate the chemical interactions, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for thermal properties, atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyse the adsorption of the stabiliser on the AZA surface and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to evaluate the crystallinity. Contact angle and immersion studies were performed to evaluate wettability, and alternative stabilisers were tested for comparison. Results: Highly concentrated AZA-NS (up to 20% drug loading) were successfully produced with particle sizes between 326.8 and 541.2 nm, which are in the optimal range for follicular drug delivery. FTIR confirmed stabilisation by adsorption and not by chemical interaction. DSC revealed a melting point depression, indicating a partial disorder of the crystal lattice. AFM imaging showed different adsorption patterns for HPMC and chitosan, suggesting better surface coverage compared to alternative stabilisers. XRD confirmed the retention of the AZA crystalline form after milling. Contact angle and immersion studies showed improved wettability due to the synergistic effects of HPMC and chitosan. Alternative stabilisers showed suboptimal performance, highlighting the superior stabilising potential of the HPMC-chitosan combination. Conclusions: This study provides important insights into the dual stabilisation mechanisms and highlights the importance of combining steric and electrostatic stabilisers for the formulation of stable nanosuspensions of medium soluble drugs such as AZA. These results support the development of optimised nanosuspensions with increased stability and improved pharmaceutical applicability.

Bringing ophthalmology into the scientific world: Novel nanoparticle-based strategies for ocular drug delivery

The distinctive benefits and drawbacks of various drug delivery strategies to supply corneal tissue improvement for sense organs have been the attention of studies worldwide in recent decades. Static and dynamic barriers of ocular tissue prevent foreign chemicals from entering and inhibit the active absorption of therapeutic medicines. The distribution of different medications to ocular tissue is one of the most appealing and demanding tasks for investigators in pharmacology, biomaterials, and ophthalmology, and it is critical for cornea wound healing due to the controlled release rate and increased drug bioavailability. It should be mentioned that the transport of various types of medications into the different sections of the eye, particularly the cornea, is exceedingly challenging because of its distinctive structure and various barriers throughout the eye. Nanoparticles are being studied to improve medicine delivery strategies for ocular disease. Repetitive corneal drug delivery using biodegradable nanocarriers allows a medicine to remain in different parts of the cornea for extended periods of time and thus improve administration route effectiveness. In this review, we discussed eye anatomy, ocular delivery barriers, as well as the emphasis on the biodegradable nanomaterials ranging from organic nanostructures, such as nanomicelles, polymers, liposomes, niosomes, nanowafers, nanoemulsions, nanosuspensions, nanocrystals, cubosomes, olaminosomes, hybridized NPs, dendrimers, bilosomes, solid lipid NPs, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nanofiber to organic nanomaterials like silver, gold, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles. In addition, we describe the nanotechnology-based ophthalmic medications that are presently on the market or in clinical studies. Finally, drawing on current trends and therapeutic approaches, we discuss the challenges that innovative optical drug delivery systems confront and propose future research routes. We hope that this review will serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for developing innovative ophthalmic formulations.

Nanocrystals for Intravenous Drug Delivery: Composition Development, Preparation Methods and Applications in Oncology

Intravenous routes of drug delivery are widely used in clinical practice due to the advantages of fast onset of action and avoidance of first-pass effect. Still, it is difficult to develop poorly water-soluble drugs for intravenous administration. In recent years, the application of nanocrystal technology has become more and more widespread, mainly involving reducing the particle size to the nanoparticle size range and improving its physicochemical properties to enhance the bioavailability of drugs. Intravenous nanocrystals (INCs) can show unique advantages in the vasculature, with their high drug loading capacity, low toxicity, and overcoming low solubility, which makes them a new solution in tumor therapy. In addition, INCs are mainly suspended in aqueous/oil phase media, which makes them easy to inject. Therefore, INCs may serve as a novel strategy to address poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and associated toxicity. This review contains the compositional development of INCs, and preparation methods, and provides some insights into their application in oncology.

Approaches for Inclusion Complexes of Ezetimibe with Cyclodextrins: Strategies for Solubility Enhancement and Interaction Analysis via Molecular Docking

This study aimed to improve the solubility of ezetimibe (EZT), which has low aqueous solubility, by preparing complexes using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivatives. Phase solubility studies and Job's plot confirmed a high apparent stability constant for EZT with β-CD and even higher constants with its derivatives, establishing a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The composites were prepared using spray drying over a range of molar ratios, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Saturation solubility and in vitro dissolution tests revealed that solubility increased with higher CD molar ratios. EZT/RM-β-CD inclusion complexes (ICs) and EZT/DM-β-CD ICs exhibited a similar solubility, which was greater than that of EZT/HP-β-CD ICs and EZT/SBE-β-CD ICs (where RM, DM, HP, and SEB represent H, CH3, -CH2-CHOH-CH3 and -(CH2)4-SO3Na synthetic derivatives, respectively). Most complexes, except for EZT/SBE-β-CD at 1:2 or higher ratios, showed superior solubility compared with EZT powder and commercial products. Molecular docking simulations confirmed EZT inclusion within the CD, revealing hydrogen bonds and binding energies that aligned with solubility trends. These findings suggest that EZT complexes with β-CD derivatives significantly improve solubility, highlighting their potential for developing more effective oral solid formulations for hyperlipidemia treatment.

Pharmaceutical technological trends containing flavonoids: a patent review

Flavonoids such as silibinin, hesperetin, and phloretin exhibit well-documented biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant effects. However, their clinical application remains limited due to challenges such as poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and restricted intestinal absorption, which can significantly reduce their pharmacological efficacy. This review analyzed patents related to innovative pharmaceutical technologies for flavonoids. The analysis used databases from the World Intellectual Property Organization and the European Patent Office. Following a comprehensive screening process, 38 patents were selected for detailed examination. These patents highlighted numerous studies on novel formulations, characterizations, and proprietary conditions. This review highlights technologies, such as nanocapsules, nanoemulsions, solid dispersions, phospholipid carriers, inclusion complexes, microemulsions, and other advanced systems, which enhance bioactive molecules' water solubility and stability. Consequently, these technologies improve permeability and absorption through the intended administration route, demonstrating the potential of flavonoids as promising candidates for various treatments, particularly when integrated into pharmaceutical technologies.

Thermoresponsive Gels with Rosemary Essential Oil: A Novel Topical Carrier for Antimicrobial Therapy and Drug Delivery Applications

This study investigates the development and comprehensive characterization of innovative thermoresponsive gels incorporating rosemary essential oil (RoEO) encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles, with a focus on their potential applications in topical antimicrobial and wound healing therapies. RoEO, renowned for its robust antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties, was subjected to detailed chemical profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which identified oxygenated monoterpenes as its dominant constituents. PLGA microparticles were synthesized through an optimized oil-in-water emulsion technique, ensuring high encapsulation efficiency and structural integrity. These microparticles were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm functional group interactions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystalline properties, and thermal analysis for stability assessment. The synthesized microparticles displayed uniform size distribution and efficient encapsulation, demonstrating compatibility with the gel matrix. Two distinct thermoresponsive gel formulations were developed using varying ratios of Poloxamer 407 and Poloxamer 188 to achieve optimal performance. The gels were evaluated for key physicochemical properties, including pH, gelation temperature, viscosity, and rheological behavior. Both formulations exhibited thermoresponsive gelation at skin-compatible temperatures (27.6 °C and 32.9 °C), favorable pH levels (6.63 and 6.40), and shear-thinning behavior suitable for topical application. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against common pathogens associated with skin infections, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The RoEO-PLGA-loaded gels demonstrated significant inhibitory effects, confirming their potential as effective carriers for controlled and localized drug delivery. These findings underscore the promising application of RoEO-PLGA-loaded thermoresponsive gels in addressing challenges associated with topical antimicrobial therapies and wound care, offering an innovative approach to enhancing therapeutic outcomes. By integrating the bioactive potential of RoEO with the advanced delivery capabilities of PLGA microparticles and thermoresponsive gels, this study paves the way for the development of next-generation formulations tailored to meet the specific needs of localized drug delivery in skin health management.

Herbal Nanoformulations for Diabetes: Mechanisms, Formulations, and Clinical Impact

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus remains a global health challenge, demanding innovative therapeutic strategies. Herbal remedies have garnered attention for their potential in diabetes management, and recent advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the development of herbal nanoformulations with enhanced efficacy and bioavailability.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to comprehensively analyze the mechanisms, formulations, and clinical impact of herbal nanoformulations in managing diabetes mellitus.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies exploring the mechanisms of action, various formulations, and clinical outcomes of herbal nanoformulations in diabetes management.

RESULT

Herbal nanoformulations exert their anti-diabetic effects through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced bioavailability, improved tissue targeting, and potentiation of insulin signaling pathways. Various herbal ingredients, such as bitter melon, fenugreek, and Gymnema sylvestre, have been encapsulated into nanocarriers, like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles, to enhance their therapeutic potential. Clinical studies have demonstrated promising results, showing improvements in glycemic control, lipid profile, and antioxidant status with minimal adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

Herbal nanoformulations represent a promising avenue for the management of diabetes mellitus, offering improved therapeutic outcomes compared to conventional herbal preparations. Further research is warranted to optimize formulation strategies, elucidate long-term safety profiles, and explore the potential synergistic effects of herbal nanoformulations in combination therapies for diabetes management.

Advancements in Betulinic Acid-Loaded Nanoformulations for Enhanced Anti-Tumor Therapy

Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural compound obtained from plant extracts and is known for its diverse pharmacological effects, including anti-tumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Its potential in anti-tumor therapy has garnered considerable attention, particularly for the treatment of breast, lung, and liver cancers. However, the clinical utility of BA is greatly hindered by its poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and off-target toxicity. To address these issues, researchers have developed various BA-loaded nanoformulations, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and nanofibers, aiming to improve its solubility and bioavailability, prolong plasma half-life, and enhance targeting ability, thereby augmenting its anti-cancer efficacy. In preparing this review, we conducted extensive searches in well-known databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, using keywords like "betulinic acid", "nanoparticles", "drug delivery", "tumor", and "cancer", covering the literature from 2014 to 2024. The review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the application of BA-loaded nano-delivery systems for anti-tumor therapy and offers insights into their future development prospects.

An Amorphous Solid Dispersion of Baicalin and its Oral Therapeutic Effect on Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment currently faces multiple challenges including adverse effects, prolonged therapy durations, and high costs. Baicalin (BA) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory benefits for inflammatory bowel disease, and the objective of this scholarly work is to address the challenges associated with the poor aqueous solubility and diminished oral bioavailability of the compound in question, thereby offering an innovative therapeutic approach for the management of ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

We developed a baicalin-arginine complex (BA-Arg) by screening for suitable basic compounds and utilizing a freeze-drying method, resulting in an amorphous solid dispersion of BA.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that BA·Arg significantly enhances the intestinal absorption and transmembrane transport of BA without inducing toxicity in Caco-2 cells. Pharmacokinetic studies in healthy Wistar rats demonstrated significantly higher plasma concentrations of BA compared to free BA. In a mouse model induced by 3.5% dextran sodium sulfate, BA·Arg treatment markedly alleviated colitis symptoms as evidenced by reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased lymphocyte aggregation in the colon, and better preservation of intestinal mucosa. This improved the overall anti-colitis efficacy of BA.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our study presents a simple, eco-friendly formulation process that enhances BA solubility without the need for organic solvents, offering a practical and sustainable solution for developing BA-based therapies for UC.

Cellular probing using phytoceuticals encapsulated advanced delivery systems in ameliorating lung diseases: Current trends and future prospects

Chronic respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma have posed a significant healthcare and economic cost over a prolonged duration worldwide. At present, available treatments are limited to a range of preventive medicines, such as mono- or multiple-drug therapy, which necessitates daily use and are not considered as viable treatments to reverse the inflammatory processes of airway remodelling which is inclusive of the alteration of intra and extracellular matrix of the airway tract, death of epithelial cells, the increase in smooth muscle cell and the activation of fibroblasts. Hence, with the problem in mind a considerable body of study has been dedicated to comprehending the underlying factors that contribute to inflammation within the framework of these disorders. Hence, adequate literature that has unveiled the necessary cellular probing to reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract by improving the selectivity and precision of a novel treatment. However, through cellular probing cellular mechanisms such as the downregulation of various markers, interleukin 8, (IL-8), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been uncovered. Hence, to target such cellular probes implementation of phytoceuticals encapsulated in an advanced drug delivery system has shown potential to be a solution with in vitro and in vivo studies highlighting their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the high costs associated with advanced drug delivery systems and the limited literature focused exclusively on nanoparticles pose significant challenges. Additionally, the biochemical characteristics of phytoceuticals due to poor solubility, limited bioavailability, and difficulties in mass production makes it difficult to implement this product as a treatment for COPD and asthma. This study aims to examine the integration of many critical features in the context of their application for the treatment of chronic inflammation in respiratory disorders.

In vitro modelling of intramuscular injection site events

INTRODUCTION

Intramuscular (IM) injections deliver a plethora of drugs. The majority of IM-related literature details dissolution and/or pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, using methods with limited assessments of post-injection events that can impact drug fate, and absorption parameters. Food and Drug Association guidelines no longer require preclinical in vivo modeling in the U.S.A. Preclinical animal models fail to correlate with clinical outcomes, highlighting the need to study, and understand, IM drug fate in vitro using bespoke models emulating human IM sites. Post-IM injection events, i.e. underlying processes that influence PK outcomes, remain unacknowledged, complicating the application of in vitro methods in preclinical drug development. Understanding such events could guide approaches to predict and modulate IM drug fate in humans.

AREAS COVERED

This article reviews challenges in biorelevant IM site modeling (i.e. modeling drug fate outcomes), the value of technologies available for developing IM injectables, methods for studying drug fate, and technologies for training in performing IM administrations. PubMed, Web-of-Science, and Lens databases provided papers published between 2014 and 2024.

EXPERT OPINION

IM drug research is expanding what injectable therapeutics can achieve. However, post-injection events that influence PK outcomes remain poorly understood. Until addressed, advances in IM drug development will not realize their full potential.

Research Progress of Triptolide Against Fibrosis

Fibrosis leads to organ failure and death, which is the final stage of many chronic diseases. Triptolide (TPL) is a terpenoid extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F (TwHF). Triptolide and its derivatives (Omtriptolide, Minnelide, (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide) have been proven to have a variety of pharmacological effects. This study comprehensively reviewed the antifibrotic mechanism of TPL and its derivatives, and discussed the application of advanced nanoparticles (NPs) drug delivery system in the treatment of fibrotic diseases by TPL. The results show that TPL can inhibit immune inflammatory response, relieve oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), regulate collagen deposition and inhibit myofibroblast production to play an anti-fibrosis effect and reduce organ injury. A low dose of TPL has no obvious toxicity. Under pathological conditions, a toxic dose of TPL has a protective effect on organs. The emergence of TPL derivatives (especially Minnelide) and NPs drug delivery systems promotes the anti-fibrosis effect of TPL and reduces its toxicity, which may be the main direction of anti-fibrosis research in the future.

Sorafenib tosylate-loaded nanosuspension: preparation, optimization, and in vitro cytotoxicity study against human HepG2 carcinoma cells

This study aimed to optimize nanosuspension of sorafenib tosylate (an anticancer hydrophobic drug molecule) using a central composite design. Nanosuspension was prepared using a nanoprecipitation-ultrasonication approach. FTIR and DSC analyses demonstrated that the drug and excipients were physicochemically compatible. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed amorphous form of the payload in the formulation. The optimized formulation (batch NSS6) had a zeta potential of -18.1 mV, a polydispersity of 0.302, and a particle size of 97.11 nm. SEM analysis confirmed formation of rod-shaped particles. After 24 h, about 64.45% and 86.37% of the sorafenib tosylate was released in pH 6.8 and pH 1.2, respectively. The MTT assay was performed on HepG2 cell lines. IC50 value of the optimized batch was 39.4 µg/mL. The study concluded that sorafenib tosylate nanosuspension could be a promising approach in the treatment of hepatocellular cancer.

Nanosuspensions in ophthalmology: Overcoming challenges and enhancing drug delivery for eye diseases

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in using nanosuspensions for controlled drug delivery in ophthalmology. It highlights the significance of ophthalmic drug delivery due to the prevalence of eye diseases and delves into various aspects of this field. The article explores molecular mechanisms, drugs used, and physiological factors affecting drug absorption. It also addresses challenges in treating both anterior and posterior eye segments and investigates the role of mucus in obstructing micro- and nanosuspensions. Nanosuspensions are presented as a promising approach to enhance drug solubility and absorption, covering formulation, stability, properties, and functionalization. The review discusses the pros and cons of using nanosuspensions for ocular drug delivery and covers their structure, preparation, characterization, and applications. Several graphical representations illustrate their role in treating various eye conditions. Specific drug categories like anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, glucocorticoids, and more are discussed in detail, with relevant studies. The article also addresses current challenges and future directions, emphasizing the need for improved nanosuspension stability and exploring potential technologies. Nanosuspensions have shown substantial potential in advancing ophthalmic drug delivery by enhancing solubility and absorption. This article is a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical professionals in this field, offering insights into recent developments, challenges, and future prospects in nanosuspension use for ocular drug delivery.

Fabrication and in vitro/vivo evaluation of quercetin nanocrystals stabilized by glycyrrhizic acid for liver targeted drug delivery

The purpose of this study was to design novel drug nanocrystals (NCs) stabilized by glycyrrhizic acid (GL) for achieving liver targeted drug delivery due to the presence of GL receptor in the hepatocytes. Quercetin (QT) exhibits good pharmacological activities for the treatment of liver diseases, including liver steatosis, fatty hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. It was selected as a model drug owing to its poor water solubility. QT NCs stabilized by GL (QT-NCs/GL) were fabricated by wet media milling technique and systemically evaluated. QT-NCs stabilized by poloxamer 188 (QT-NCs/P188) were prepared as a reference for comparison of in vitro and in vivo performance with QT-NCs/GL. QT-NCs/GL and QT-NCs/P188 with similar particle size around 130 nm were successfully fabricated by wet media milling technique. Both of QT-NCs/GL and QT-NCs/P188 showed irregular particles and short rods under SEM. XRPD revealed that QT-NCs/GL and QT-NCs/P188 remained in crystalline state with reduced crystallinity. QT-NCs/GL and QT-NCs/P188 exhibited significant solubility increase and drug release improvement of QT as compared to raw QT. No significant difference for the plasma concentration-time curves and pharmacokinetic parameters of QT were found following intravenous administration of QT-NCs/GL and QT-NCs/P188. However, a significantly higher liver distribution of QT following intravenous administration of QT-NCs/GL was observed in comparison to QT-NCs/P188, indicating QT-NCs stabilized by GL could achieve liver targeted delivery of QT. It could be concluded that GL used as stabilizer of QT NCs have a great potential for liver targeted drug delivery.

Synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles by double emulsion and pH-driven: encapsulation of antibiotics and natural products for combating Escherichia coli infections

The design, development, and obtaining of nanostructured materials, such as polymeric nanoparticles, have garnered interest due to loading therapeutic agents and its broad applicability. Polymeric nanoparticle synthesis employs advanced techniques such as the double emulsion approach and the pH-driven method, allowing the efficient incorporation of active compounds into these matrices. These loading methods ensure compound stability within the polymeric structure and enable control of the release of therapeutic agents. The ability of loaded polymeric nanoparticles to transport and release therapeutic agents on target manner represents a significant advancement in the quest for effective therapeutic solutions. Amid escalating concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance, interventions using polymeric nanostructures stand out for the possibility of carrying antimicrobial agents and enhancing antibacterial action against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making a new therapeutic approach or complement to conventional treatments. In this sense, the capability of these polymeric nanoparticles to act against Escherichia coli underscores their relevance in controlling bacterial infections. This mini-review provides a comprehensive synthesis of promising techniques for loading therapeutic agents into polymeric nanoparticles highlighting methodologies and their implications, addressing prospects of combating bacterial infections caused by E. coli. KEY POINTS: • The double emulsion method provides control over size and release of bioactives. • The pH-driven method improves the solubility, stability, and release of active. • The methods increase the antibacterial action of those encapsulated in PNPs.

Recent advances in nanoformulation-based delivery for cancer immunotherapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and its treatment faces several challenges. Phytoconstituents derived from recently discovered medicinal plants through nanotechnology potentially target cancer cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and exert their effects selectively through the generation of reactive oxygen species through β-catenin inhibition, DNA damage, and increasing caspase 3/9 and p53 expression. These nanocarriers act specifically against different cancer cell lines such as HT-29, MOLT-4 human leukemia cancer and MCF-7 cell lines SKOV-3, Caov-3, SW-626, HepG2, A-549, HeLa, and MCF-7. This review comprehensively elaborates on the cellular and molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic prospects of various plant-mediated nanoformulations to attain a revolutionary shift in cancer immunotherapy.

Construction, characterization and bioactivity evaluation of curcumin nanocrystals with extremely high solubility and dispersion prepared by ultrasound-assisted method

Curcumin (Cur) as a natural pigment and biological component, can be widely used in food and beverages. However, the water insolubility of Cur significantly limits its applications. In this study, we prepared a series of nanocrystals via ultrasound-assisted method to improve the solubility and availability of Cur. The results showed artemisia sphaerocephala krasch polysaccharide (ASKP), gum arabic (GA) and wheat protein (WP) were outstanding stabilizers for nanocryatals except traditional agent, poloxamer 188 (F68). The obtained curcumin nanocrystals (Cur-NC) displayed a rod-shaped, crystal- and nanosized structure, and extremely high loading capacity (more over 80 %, w/w). Compared with raw powder, Cur-NC greatly improved the water solubility and dispersibility, and the slow and complete release of Cur of Cur-NC also endowed them excellent antioxidant capacities even at 10 μg/mL. Importantly, as functional factor additive in beverages (e.g. water and emulsion), Cur-NC could increase the content of Cur to at least 600 μg/mL and retain a good stability. Overall, we provided an effective improvement method for the liposoluble active molecules (e.g. Cur) based on the nanocrystals, which not only tremendously enhanced its water solubility, but also strengthened its bioactivity. Notably, our findings broadened the application of water-insoluble compounds.

Tetramethylpyrazine-loaded liposomes surrounded by hydrogel based on sodium alginate and chitosan as a multifunctional drug delivery System for treatment of atopic dermatitis

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) has low bioavailability due to its fast metabolism and short half-life, which is not conducive to transdermal treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Therefore, in this study, TMP was encapsulated into liposomes (Lip) by film dispersion method, and then the surface of Lip was modified by sodium alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CS). The tetramethylpyrazine-loaded liposomes in sodium alginate chitosan hydrogel called T-Lip-AC hydrogel. In vitro experiments, we found that T-Lip-AC hydrogel not only had the antibacterial effect of CS, but also enhanced the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of TMP. In addition, T-Lip-AC hydrogel could also provide a moist healing environment for AD dry skin and produce better skin permeability, and can also achieve sustained drug release, which is conducive to the treatment of AD. The lesions induced by 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were used as the AD lesions model to test the therapeutic effect of the T-Lip-AC hydrogel on AD in vivo. The studies have showed that T-Lip-AC hydrogel could effectively promote wound healing. Therefore, we have developed a T-Lip-AC hydrogel as multifunctional hydrogel drug delivery system, which could become an effective, safe and novel alternative treatment method for treating AD.

Nanosuspension-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Topical Applications

Nanosuspensions have garnered recent attention as a promising strategy for mitigating the bioavailability challenges of hydrophobic drugs, particularly those characterized by poor solubility in both aqueous and organic environments. Addressing solubility issues associated with poorly water-soluble drugs has largely resolved the need to enhance drug absorption and bioavailability. As mucosal formulations and topical administration progress in the future, nanosuspension drug delivery, straightforward formulation techniques, and versatile applications will continue to be subjects of interest. Nanosuspensions have undergone extensive scrutiny in preparation for topical applications, encompassing ocular, pulmonary, and dermal usage. Among the numerous methods aimed at improving cutaneous application, nanocrystals represent a relatively recent yet profoundly intriguing approach. Despite the increasing availability of various nanosuspension products, primarily designed for oral administration, only a limited number of studies have explored skin permeability and drug accumulation in the context of nanosuspensions. Nevertheless, the scant published research unequivocally underscores the potential of this approach for enhancing cutaneous bioavailability, particularly for active ingredients with low to medium solubility. Nanocrystals exhibit increased skin adhesiveness in addition to heightened saturation solubility and dissolution rate, thereby augmenting cutaneous distribution. The article provides a comprehensive overview of nanosuspensions for topical application. The methodology employed is robust, with a well-defined experimental design; however, the limited sample size raises concerns about the generalizability of the findings. While the results demonstrate promising outcomes in terms of enhanced drug delivery, the discussion falls short of addressing certain limitations. Additionally, the references largely focus on recent studies, but a more diverse inclusion of historical perspectives could offer a more holistic view of the subject.

Potential of Natural Products as Therapeutic Agents for Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammation is a complex biological response that plays a pivotal role in various pathological conditions, including inflammatory diseases. The search for effective therapeutic agents has led researchers to explore natural products due to their diverse chemical composition and potential therapeutic benefits. This review comprehensively examines the current state of research on natural products as potential therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases. The article discusses the antiinflammatory properties of various natural compounds, their mechanisms of action, and their potential applications in managing inflammatory disorders. Additionally, formulation and delivery systems, challenges and future prospects in this field are also highlighted.

Differential Signaling Pathways in Medulloblastoma: Nano-biomedicine Targeting Non-coding Epigenetics to Improve Current and Future Therapeutics

BACKGROUND

Medulloblastomas (MDB) are malignant, aggressive brain tumors that primarily affect children. The survival rate for children under 14 is approximately 72%, while for ages 15 to 39, it is around 78%. A growing body of evidence suggests that dysregulation of signaling mechanisms and noncoding RNA epigenetics play a pivotal role in this disease.

METHODOLOGY

This study conducted an electronic search of articles on websites like PubMed and Google. The current review also used an in silico databases search and bioinformatics analysis and an extensive comprehensive literature search for original research articles and review articles as well as retrieval of current and future medications in clinical trials.

RESULTS

This study indicates that several signaling pathways, such as sonic hedgehog, WNT/β-catenin, unfolded protein response mediated ER stress, notch, neurotrophins and TGF-β and ERK, MAPK, and ERK play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MDB. Gene and ncRNA/protein are also involved as an axis long ncRNA to sponge micro-RNAs that affect downstream signal proteins expression and translation affection disease pathophysiology, prognosis and present potential target hit for drug repurposing. Current treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy; unfortunately, the disease often relapses, and the survival rate is less than 5%. Therefore, there is a need to develop more effective treatments to combat recurrence and improve survival rates.

CONCLUSION

This review describes various MDB disease hallmarks, including the signaling mechanisms involved in pathophysiology, related-causal genes, epigenetics, downstream genes/epigenes, and possibly the causal disease genes/non-protein coding (nc)RNA/protein axis. Additionally, the challenges associated with MDB treatment are discussed, along with how they are being addressed using nano-technology and nano-biomedicine, with a listing of possible treatment options and future potential treatment modalities.

A New Approach for Preparing Stable High-Concentration Peptide Nanoparticle Formulations

The subcutaneous administration of therapeutic peptides would provide significant benefits to patients. However, subcutaneous injections are limited in dosing volume, potentially resulting in high peptide concentrations that can incur significant challenges with solubility limitations, high viscosity, and stability liabilities. Herein, we report on the discovery that low-shear resonant acoustic mixing can be used as a general method to prepare stable nanoparticles of a number of peptides of diverse molecular weights and structures in water without the need for extensive amounts of organic solvents or lipid excipients. This approach avoids the stability issues observed with typical high-shear, high-intensity milling methods. The resultant peptide nanosuspensions exhibit low viscosity even at high concentrations of >100 mg/mL while remaining chemically and physically stable. An example nanosuspension of cyclosporine nanoparticles was dosed in rats via a subcutaneous injection and exhibited sustained release behavior. This suggests that peptide nanosuspension formulations can be one approach to overcome the challenges with high-concentration peptide formulations.

Nanosuspensions as carriers of active ingredients: Chemical composition, development methods, and their biological activities

Nanosuspensions (NSps) are colloidal dispersions of particles that have the potential to solve the delivery problems of active ingredients associated with their low solubility in water or instability due to environmental factors. It is essential to consider their chemical composition and preparation methods because they directly influence drug loading, size, morphology, solubility, and stability; these characteristics of nanosuspensions influence the delivery and bioavailability of active ingredients. NSps provides high loading of drugs, protection against degrading agents, rapid dissolution, high particle stability, and high bioavailability of active ingredients across biological membranes. In addition, they provide lower toxicity compared to other nanocarriers, such as liposomes or polymeric nanoparticles, and can modify the pharmacokinetic profiles, thus improving their safety and efficacy. The present review aims to address all aspects related to the composition of NSps, the different methods for their production, and the main factors affecting their stability. Moreover, recent studies are described as carriers of active ingredients and their biological activities.

Overview of Recent Advances in Nano-Based Ocular Drug Delivery

Ocular diseases profoundly impact patients' vision and overall quality of life globally. However, effective ocular drug delivery presents formidable challenges within clinical pharmacology and biomaterial science, primarily due to the intricate anatomical and physiological barriers unique to the eye. In this comprehensive review, we aim to shed light on the anatomical and physiological features of the eye, emphasizing the natural barriers it presents to drug administration. Our goal is to provide a thorough overview of various characteristics inherent to each nano-based drug delivery system. These encompass nanomicelles, nanoparticles, nanosuspensions, nanoemulsions, microemulsions, nanofibers, dendrimers, liposomes, niosomes, nanowafers, contact lenses, hydrogels, microneedles, and innovative gene therapy approaches employing nano-based ocular delivery techniques. We delve into the biology and methodology of these systems, introducing their clinical applications over the past decade. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and challenges illuminated by recent studies. While nano-based drug delivery systems for ophthalmic formulations are gaining increasing attention, further research is imperative to address potential safety and toxicity concerns.

Nano Drug Delivery Strategies for an Oral Bioenhanced Quercetin Formulation

Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been credited with a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties. However, the oral use of quercetin is limited due to its poor water solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and rapid plasma clearance. Quercetin has been studied extensively when used with various nanodelivery systems for enhancing quercetin bioavailability. To enhance its oral bioavailability and efficacy, various quercetin-loaded nanosystems such as nanosuspensions, polymer nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, emulsions, liposomes or phytosomes, micelles, solid lipid nanoparticles, and other lipid-based nanoparticles have been investigated in in-vitro cells, in-vivo animal models, and humans. Among the aforementioned nanosystems, quercetin phytosomes are attracting more interest and are available on the market. The present review covers insights into the possibilities of harnessing quercetin for several therapeutic applications and a special focus on anticancer applications and the clinical benefits of nanoquercetin formulations.

Formulation and Characterization of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Nanosuspension Based on Bottom-Up Technology and Box-Behnken Design Optimization

BACKGROUND

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a therapeutic agent used for the treatment of cholestatic hepatobiliary diseases in pediatric patients. It is a bile acid that presents high lipophilicity, and it belongs to Class II of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), which exhibits low water solubility and high intestinal permeability, which leads to poor oral absorption. The objective of this work was to design and optimize UDCA nanosuspensions by means of the precipitation-ultrasonication method to improve the solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability of UDCA.

METHODS

A three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design was used to optimize formulation variables and obtain uniform, small-particle-size UDCA nanosuspensions. The independent variables were: stabilizer percentage (X1), amplitude (X2), and sonication time (X3), and the dependent variable was the particle size (Y1). In the precipitation-ultrasonication method, UDCA was dissolved in acetone:PEG 400 (1:1 v/v) and quickly incorporated into the antisolvent (pre-cooled aqueous dispersion of HPMC E-15 0.3%), by means of intense sonication at 50 W for 5 min, controlling temperature through an ice water bath. The lyophilization efficacy was evaluated by means of a cryoprotective efficacy test, working with 10% maltose at -80 °C. The nanosuspensions were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The physicochemical stability was determined at 25 °C and 4 °C at 7, 14, 30, and 60 days, and the UDCA content was analyzed via HPLC-UV. An in vitro dissolution assay and an oral bioavailability study were performed in male Wistar rats.

RESULTS

A significant impact was achieved in the optimized nanosuspension with 0.3% (stabilizer), 50 W (amplitude), and 5 min (sonication time), with a particle size of 352.4 nm, PDI of 0.11, and zeta potential of -4.30 mV. It presented adequate physicochemical stability throughout the study and the UDCA content was between 90% and 110%. In total, 86% of UDCA was dissolved in the in vitro dissolution test. The relative oral bioavailability was similar without significant statistical differences when comparing the lyophilized nanosuspension and the commercial tablet, the latter presenting a more erratic behavior. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the nanosuspension and the commercial tablet were Tmax (1.0 ± 0.9 h vs. 2.0 ± 0.8 h, respectively), Cmax (0.558 ± 0.118 vs. 0.366 ± 0.113 µM, respectively), ΔCmax (0.309 ± 0.099 vs. 0.232 ± 0.056, respectively), AUC (4.326 ± 0.471 vs. 2.188 ± 0.353 µg/mL.h, respectively, p < 0.02), and IAUC0-24h (2.261 ± 0.187 µg/mL.h vs. 1.924 ± 0.440 µg/mL.h, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The developed nanosuspension presents an appropriate dosage and administration for pediatric patients. On the other hand, it exhibits an adequate absorption and UDCA oral bioavailability.

Nanotechnology boosts the efficiency of tumor diagnosis and therapy

The incidence and mortality of cancer are gradually increasing. The highly invasive and metastasis of tumor cells increase the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment, so people pay more and more attention to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Conventional treatment methods, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, are difficult to eliminate tumor cells completely. And the emergence of nanotechnology has boosted the efficiency of tumor diagnosis and therapy. Herein, the research progress of nanotechnology used for tumor diagnosis and treatment is reviewed, and the emerging detection technology and the application of nanodrugs in clinic are summarized and prospected. The first part refers to the application of different nanomaterials for imaging in vivo and detection in vitro, which includes magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging and biomarker detection. The distinctive physical and chemical advantages of nanomaterials can improve the detection sensitivity and accuracy to achieve tumor detection in early stage. The second part is about the nanodrug used in clinic for tumor treatment. Nanomaterials have been widely used as drug carriers, including the albumin paclitaxel, liposome drugs, mRNA-LNP, protein nanocages, micelles, membrane nanocomplexes, microspheres et al., which could improve the drug accumulate in tumor tissue through enhanced permeability and retention effect to kill tumor cells with high efficiency. But there are still some challenges to revolutionize traditional tumor diagnosis and anti-drug resistance based on nanotechnology.

Intravenous nanocrystals: fabrication, solidification, in vivo fate, and applications for cancer therapy

INTRODUCTION

Intravenous nanocrystals (INCs) have shown intrinsic advantages in antitumor applications, particularly their properties of high drug loading, low toxicity, and controllable size. Therefore, it has a very bright application prospect as a drug delivery system.

AREAS COVERED

The ideal formulation design principles, fabrication, solidification, in vivo fate of INCs, the applications in drug delivery system (DDS) and the novel applications are covered in this review.

EXPERT OPINION

It is vital to select a suitable formulation and fabrication method to produce a stable and sterile INCs. Besides, the type of stabilizers and physical characteristics can also influence the in vivo fate of INCs, which is worthy of further studying. Based on wide researches about applications of INCs in cancer, biomimetic INCs are concerned increasingly for its favorable compatibility. The output of these studies suggested that INCs-based drug delivery could be a novel strategy for addressing the delivery of the drug that faces solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity problems.

Biochemical, structural characterization and in-vitro evaluation of antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antidiabetic activities of nanosuspensions of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract

Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a traditional medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Its therapeutic efficacy using nanosuspensions is still unclear for treating infectious diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the bioactivities, biochemical characterization, and bioavailability of freshly prepared nanosuspensions of C. zeylanicum. Structural and biochemical characterization of C. zeylanicum and its biological activities, such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, antiglycation, α-amylase inhibition, and cytotoxicity was performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). C. zeylanicum extract and nanosuspensions showed TPCs values of 341.88 and 39.51 mg GAE/100 g while showing TFCs as 429.19 and 239.26 mg CE/100g, respectively. DPPH inhibition potential of C. zeylanicum extract and nanosuspension was 27.3% and 10.6%, respectively. Biofilm inhibition activity revealed that bark extract and nanosuspension showed excessive growth restraint against Escherichia coli, reaching 67.11% and 66.09%, respectively. The α-amylase inhibition assay of extract and nanosuspension was 39.3% and 6.3%, while the antiglycation activity of nanosuspension and extract was 42.14% and 53.76%, respectively. Extracts and nanosuspensions showed maximum hemolysis at 54.78% and 19.89%, respectively. Results indicated that nanosuspensions possessed antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Further study, however, is needed to assess the clinical studies for the therapeutic use of nanosuspensions.