Purification processes of polymeric nanoparticles: How to improve their clinical translation?

Distribution of amiodarone between lipid nanocapsules and residual micelles: Tangential flow filtration as a purification method and its impact on cytotoxicity

Amiodarone (AMD) is an anti-arrhythmic drug prescribed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Despite its efficiency, AMD causes several extracardiac side effects due to its highly lipophilic nature, limiting its clinical use. Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) are a promising approach for encapsulating AMD and altering its whole-body biodistribution. It has been established that during the phase inversion composition process to prepare LNCs loaded with AMD (LNC-AMD), some residual micelles will also be formed. These residual micelles could contain AMD and impact the formulation's cytotoxicity. In this study, we present a scalable tangential flow filtration (TFF) process for the separation of micelles from LNCs. Subsequently, dynamic light scattering and asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation in combination with UV and RI detections are subtly associated with a mass balance to assess the efficiency of TFF in removing free polyethylene glycol and surfactant micelles. An encapsulation efficiency of 91 % in the LNCs was calculated with a drug loading of 7.2 mg per gram of dry matter constituting the LNCs. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the LNC vector and LNC-AMD candidate nanomedicines, both purified and non-purified, was evaluated on H9C2, A549, and HepG2 cell lines. It has been demonstrated that the elimination of free polyethylene glycol and residual surfactant micelles results in a substantial enhancement in cell viability. The cytotoxic results raise questions about the cell-specific uptake and distribution of purified LNCs.

Advancements in Using Polymeric Nanoparticles for Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration in Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders and glioblastoma represent a significant global health burden, affecting billions of individuals and contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. A primary obstacle in treating these conditions is the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a protective barrier that restricts the entry of most therapeutic agents into the brain. Despite this challenge, advancements in nanotechnology, specifically the development of polymeric nanoparticles, offer promising solutions for overcoming the BBB. Key strategies include surface modifications like PEGylation to enhance circulation time, receptor-mediated targeting for specific brain cells, and stimuli-responsive nanoparticles that release drugs in response to pH or reactive oxygen species. Ultrasound-guided delivery, intranasal administration, and magnetic nanoparticle guidance further enhance targeted delivery, while multifunctional nanoparticles enable combination therapies. These nanoparticles, with their customizable properties, allow for targeted and sustained delivery of drugs to the central nervous system, providing new hope in the treatment of both neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers. In this review, we explore recent strategies that exploit polymeric nanoparticles to improve drug delivery across the BBB, highlighting their potential in revolutionizing therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders.

Evaluation of Purification Methods for Minimizing Transgene Expression Background During Viral Manufacturing

Gene therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue, offering targeted treatments for various diseases. Purification of viral vectors presents a pivotal challenge, demanding the removal of impurities while preserving integrity and potency. During manufacturing, producer cells in transfection systems can be transiently transfected or retro-infected by the viral vectors they have just produced-a process referred to as "retro-transduction"-leading them to express the transgenes of interest. This can be a significant source of contamination in the viral solution pool, particularly when the transgenes encode extracellular, secreted proteins, resulting in cytotoxicity and reduced viral potency. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different viral purification systems commonly used in academic and industry settings in removing the transgene background from viral solutions. The efficiency of each system was assessed based on the levels of the secreted transgene Gaussia Luciferase (GLuc), which can be quickly detected in a solution and served as a readout for transgene background contamination in the viral pool during downstream processing. Through a systematic evaluation of purification methods, we identified the most effective approaches for producing pure viral batches with minimal transgene background, all while preserving viral potency and functionality. Our study revealed superior performance of batches that underwent purification via tangential flow filtration, which yielded over 90% reduction in GLuc background and the highest transduction efficiency rates. This work provides significant insights for advancing gene therapy applications that rely on the production of viral vectors encoding secreted transgenes.

Critical assessment of purification processes for the robust production of polymeric nanomedicine

Polymeric nanoparticles are among the most widely used nanocarriers for delivering therapeutic molecules. However, their synthesis processes often generate undesirable impurities that could be toxic and challenging to eliminate. In this study, we compared three purification techniques - centrifugation, dialysis, and tangential flow filtration (TFF) - to evaluate their efficacy in removing residual drug, surfactant, and solvent while preserving the nanoparticles' physicochemical features (hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, polydispersity index). Centrifugation excels in eliminating unencapsulated drug and residual surfactant but significantly affects the nanoparticles' physicochemical properties, such as colloidal stability and size homogeneity. On the other hand, dialysis is a gentler technique effective in removing residual solvent but less so for residual surfactant and unencapsulated drug. TFF emerges as a balanced approach, offering a compromise between the two but none of these techniques achieves satisfactory purification at lab-scale alone. While each technique has its merits, none can meet all requirements independently. The optimal purification strategy often involves a combination of techniques, determined on a case-by-case basis considering factors like purity levels, time, costs, and the preservation of critical properties such as drug loading and colloidal stability. This study underscores the need for a nuanced approach in selecting purification strategies for polymeric nanoparticles in drug delivery applications.

A pH-responsive microneedle patch for the transdermal delivery of biomineralized insulin nanoparticles to diabetes treatment

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease, and insulin injection administration remains the most commonly used treatment approach in clinical practice. However, this method faces the risks of insufficient specificity and high toxic side effects on normal tissues. Therefore, developing more effective drug administration methods is crucial for improving the safety and bioavailability of insulin. In this study, a swellable composite microneedle delivery system loaded with biomineralized insulin nanoparticles was constructed for effective diabetes treatment via percutaneous administration. The microneedle arrays were prepared by using N-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (N-2-HACC) and hyaluronic acid (HA) with the assistance of β-Glycerophosphate Tetrahydrate (β-GP). Glucose oxidase (GOx) and calcium phosphate-biomineralized insulin nanoparticles (BINPs) were co-encapsulated in the microneedle arrays. After insertion into the skin, the interstitial fluid and high glucose concentration facilitated the sustained transdermal delivery of BINPs from the tips of the microneedle patches and the glucose-responsive release of insulin. The constructed composite microneedle patches demonstrated desirable therapeutic effects for diabetes with high biosafety, biodegradation and long-lasting effects. This study proposes a new strategy for developing intelligent drug delivery systems based on polymeric microneedle patches, and it is expected to be used in the broader biomedical field with potential applications.

Microfluidic Nanoparticle Separation for Precision Medicine

A deeper understanding of disease heterogeneity highlights the urgent need for precision medicine. Microfluidics, with its unique advantages, such as high adjustability, diverse material selection, low cost, high processing efficiency, and minimal sample requirements, presents an ideal platform for precision medicine applications. As nanoparticles, both of biological origin and for therapeutic purposes, become increasingly important in precision medicine, microfluidic nanoparticle separation proves particularly advantageous for handling valuable samples in personalized medicine. This technology not only enhances detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment accuracy, but also reduces invasiveness in medical procedures. This review summarizes the fundamentals of microfluidic nanoparticle separation techniques for precision medicine, starting with an examination of nanoparticle properties essential for separation and the core principles that guide various microfluidic methods. It then explores passive, active, and hybrid separation techniques, detailing their principles, structures, and applications. Furthermore, the review highlights their contributions to advancements in liquid biopsy and nanomedicine. Finally, it addresses existing challenges and envisions future development spurred by emerging technologies such as advanced materials science, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence. These interdisciplinary collaborations are anticipated to propel the platformization of microfluidic separation techniques, significantly expanding their potential in precision medicine.

From Preformulative Design to In Vivo Tests: A Complex Path of Requisites and Studies for Nanoparticle Ocular Application. Part 1: Design, Characterization, and Preliminary In Vitro Studies

Ocular pathologies are widely diffused worldwide, and their effective treatment, combined with a high patient compliance, is sometimes challenging to achieve due to the barriers of the eye; in this context, the use of nanoparticles for topical ophthalmic application could represent a successful strategy. Aiming to develop nanoplatforms with potential clinical applications, great attention has to be paid to their features, in relation to the route of administration and to the pharmacopoeial requirements. This review (part 1) thus embraces the preliminary steps of nanoparticle development and characterization. At the beginning, the main barriers of the eye and the different administration routes are resumed, followed by a general description of the advantages of the employment of nanoparticles for ocular topical administration. Subsequently, the preformulative steps are discussed, deepening the choice of raw materials and determining the quantitative composition. Then, a detailed report of the physicochemical and technological characterization of nanoparticles is presented, analyzing the most relevant tests that should be performed on nanoparticles to verify their properties and the requisites (both mandatory and suggested) demanded by regulatory agencies. In conclusion, some preliminary noncellular in vitro evaluation methods are described. Studies from in vitro cellular assays to in vivo tests will be discussed in a separate (part 2) review paper. Hence, this overview aims to offer a comprehensive tool to guide researchers in the choice of the most relevant studies to develop a nanoplatform for ophthalmic drug administration.

Preparation and evaluation of Puerarin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for improving oral bioavailability in SD rats

BACKGROUND

Puerarin (Pue) is an isoflavone compound with significant therapeutic effect on cardiovascular diseases, but its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability limit clinical application.

METHODS

In this study, Pue was prepared into PLGA nanoparticles (Pue-PLGA NPs) by emulsion solvent volatilization method. The morphology, particle size, Zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) of the NPs were characterized. Additionally, their stability and in vitro release were evaluated. SD rats were orally administered wtih Pue and Pue-PLGA NPs, and a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was established to determine the concentration of blood samples and to investigate the pharmacokinetic behaviour of Pue and Pue-PLGA NPs in rats.

RESULTS

The NPs were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as regular spheroids and uniformly dispersed. The average particle size of the NPs was (167.1±5.26）nm, the Zeta potential was (-29.88±2.46)mV, the encapsulation rate was (83.12 %±4.73 %) and the drug loading capacity was (7.75 %±1.81 %). The results of in vitro release showed that the drug was released slowly and continuously from the NPs, reaching the release platform in 24 h, and the cumulative release amount was (88.55±2.86) %. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the AUC0-24, AUC0-∞, Cmax, Tmax, t1/2, MRT0-24 and MRT0-∞ of Pue-PLGA NPs were 2.196, 1.978, 1.327, 1.5, 1.385, 3.915 and 3.140 times of Pue, respectively. The relative bioavailability was (197.82±25.28) %.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that the prepared nanoparticles had small particle size, high encapsulation rate, drug loading capacity and good slow-release effect, and could significantly improve the oral bioavailability of Pue in rats.

Celastrol-Loaded Hyaluronic Acid/Cancer Cell Membrane Lipid Nanoparticles for Targeted Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and its prevention and treatment face severe challenges. It is crucial to improve the targeting of drugs on tumor cells and tissues. Celastrol (CeT), as an active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine, possesses strong antitumor effects, especially in triggering apoptosis of HCC. However, due to its toxicity and lack of targeting, its application is greatly limited. HMCLPs, a nano-biomimetic platform carrying CeT with controllable drug release, enhanced targeting, and immunocompatibility, were developed for the first time, which can be used for the treatment of HCC. By utilizing homologous cell membranes and hyaluronic acid (HA), HMCLPs can precisely target tumor regions and release CeT in a controlled manner. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that HMCLPs loaded with CeT significantly increased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induced mitochondrial damage, and triggered apoptosis of HCC cells, resulting in effective treatment with minimal adverse reaction. The development of HMCLPs as a nanocarrier system for CeT delivery offers a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC. This innovative approach improves the targeted delivery and bioavailability of CeT, dramatically induces apoptosis in HCC cells, and exerts its powerful antitumor effects while minimizing systemic toxicity. The present study highlights the potential of combining innovative nanocarriers with powerful natural compounds such as CeT to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity.

Amyloid-β-targeting immunotherapies for Alzheimer's disease

Recent advances in clinical passive immunotherapy have provided compelling evidence that eliminating amyloid-β (Aβ) slows cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the modest benefits and side effects observed in clinical trials indicate that current immunotherapy therapy is not a panacea, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of AD mechanisms and the significance of early intervention through optimized immunotherapy or immunoprevention. This review focuses on the centrality of Aβ pathology in AD and summarizes recent clinical progress in passive and active immunotherapies targeting Aβ, discussing their lessons and failures to inform future anti-Aβ biotherapeutics design. Various delivery strategies to optimize Aβ-targeting immunotherapies are outlined, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks in overcoming challenges such as poor stability and limited tissue accessibility of anti-Aβ biotherapeutics. Additionally, the perspectives and challenges of immunotherapy and immunoprevention targeting Aβ are concluded in the end, aiming to guide the development of next-generation anti-Aβ immunotherapeutic agents towards improved efficacy and safety.

Production of liposomes by microfluidics: The impact of post-manufacturing dilution on drug encapsulation and lipid loss

Microfluidic mixing is recognized as a convenient method to produce liposomes for its scalability and reproducibility. Numerous studies have described the effect of process parameters such as flow rate ratios and total flow rate on size and size distribution of vesicles. In this work, we focused our attention on the effect of flow rate ratios on the encapsulation efficiency of liposomes, as we hypothesized that different amount of residual organic solvent could affect the retention of lipophilic drug molecules within the bilayer. In a further step, we investigated how the liposomes integrity and loading were impacted by different methods of solvent removal: direct dialysis and dilution & dialysis. Liposomes were prepared by rapidly mixing an ethanolic solution of lipids and a model drug with buffer in a herringbone micromixer, employing four different flow rate ratios (FRR, 4:1, 7:3, 3:2, 1:1). Quercetin, resveratrol and ascorbyl palmitate were used as model antioxidant drugs with different lipophilicity. Data showed that liposomes produced using lower flow rate ratios (i.e., with more residual ethanol) had lower encapsulation efficiencies as well as a more prominent loss of lipids from the bilayer following purification with direct dialysis. If the amount of residual ethanol was reduced to 5% (dilution & dialysis method), the lipids and drug leakage was prevented. Such effect was correlated with the drug aggregation propensity in different ethanol/water mixtures measured by molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, these results highlight the need to tailor the purification method basing on the molecular properties of the loaded drug to ensure high encapsulation and limit the waste of material.

Colloidal Characteristics of Poly(L-Lactic Acid)-b-Poly (ε-Caprolactone) Block Copolymer-Based Nanoparticles Obtained by an Emulsification/Evaporation Method

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), two biodegradable and biocompatible polymers that are commonly used for biomedical applications, are, respectively, the result of the ring-opening polymerization of LA and ε-CL, cyclic esters, which can be produced according to several mechanisms (cationic, monomer-activated cationic, anionic, and coordination-insertion), except for L-lactide, which is polymerized only by anionic, cationic, or coordination-insertion polymerization. A series of well-defined PLLA-b-PCL block copolymers have been obtained starting from the same PLLA homopolymer, having a molar mass of 2500 g·mol-1, and being synthesized by coordination-insertion in the presence of tin octoate. PCL blocks were obtained via a cationic-activated monomer mechanism to limit transesterification reactions, and their molar masses varied from 1800 to 18,500 g·mol-1. The physicochemical properties of the copolymers were determined by 1H NMR, SEC, and DSC. Moreover, a series of nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared starting from these polyester-based copolymers by an emulsification/evaporation method. The sizes of the obtained NPs varied between 140 and 150 nm, as a function of the molar mass of the copolymers. Monomodal distribution curves with PDI values under 0.1 were obtained by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and their spherical shape was confirmed by TEM. The increase in the temperature from 25 to 37 °C induced only a very slight decrease in the NP sizes. The results obtained in this preliminary study indicate that NPs have a temperature stability, allowing us to consider their use as drug-loaded nanocarriers for biomedical applications.

Nanogels: Recent Advances in Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

In the context of advanced nanomaterials research, nanogels (NGs) have recently gained broad attention for their versatility and promising biomedical applications. To date, a significant number of NGs have been developed to meet the growing demands in various fields of biomedical research. Summarizing preparation methods, physicochemical and biological properties, and recent applications of NGs may be useful to help explore new directions for their development. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the latest NG synthesis methodologies, highlighting advances in formulation with different types of hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymers. It also underlines recent biomedical applications of NGs in drug delivery and imaging, with a short section dedicated to biosafety considerations of these innovative nanomaterials. In conclusion, this article summarizes recent innovations in NG synthesis and their numerous applications, highlighting their considerable potential in the biomedical field.

Polymer-Based Wound Dressings Loaded with Essential Oil for the Treatment of Wounds: A Review

Wound healing can result in complex problems, and discovering an effective method to improve the healing process is essential. Polymeric biomaterials have structures similar to those identified in the extracellular matrix of the tissue to be regenerated and also avoid chronic inflammation, and immunological reactions. To obtain smart and effective dressings, bioactive agents, such as essential oils, are also used to promote a wide range of biological properties, which can accelerate the healing process. Therefore, we intend to explore advances in the potential for applying hybrid materials in wound healing. For this, fifty scientific articles dated from 2010 to 2023 were investigated using the Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed databases. The principles of the healing process, use of polymers, type and properties of essential oils and processing techniques, and characteristics of dressings were identified. Thus, the plants Syzygium romanticum or Eugenia caryophyllata, Origanum vulgare, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum present prospects for application in clinical trials due to their proven effects on wound healing and reducing the incidence of inflammatory cells in the site of injury. The antimicrobial effect of essential oils is mainly due to polyphenols and terpenes such as eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, and thymol.

Remote Control of Energy Transformation-Based Cancer Imaging and Therapy

Cancer treatment requires precise tumor-specific targeting at specific sites that allows for high-resolution diagnostic imaging and long-term patient-tailorable cancer therapy; while, minimizing side effects largely arising from non-targetability. This can be realized by harnessing exogenous remote stimuli, such as tissue-penetrative ultrasound, magnetic field, light, and radiation, that enable local activation for cancer imaging and therapy in deep tumors. A myriad of nanomedicines can be efficiently activated when the energy of such remote stimuli can be transformed into another type of energy. This review discusses the remote control of energy transformation for targetable, efficient, and long-term cancer imaging and therapy. Such ultrasonic, magnetic, photonic, radiative, and radioactive energy can be transformed into mechanical, thermal, chemical, and radiative energy to enable a variety of cancer imaging and treatment modalities. The current review article describes multimodal energy transformation where a serial cascade or multiple types of energy transformation occur. This review includes not only mechanical, chemical, hyperthermia, and radiation therapy but also emerging thermoelectric, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric therapies for cancer treatment. It also illustrates ultrasound, magnetic resonance, fluorescence, computed tomography, photoluminescence, and photoacoustic imaging-guided cancer therapies. It highlights afterglow imaging that can eliminate autofluorescence for sustained signal emission after the excitation.

Leveraging high-throughput screening technologies in targeted mRNA delivery

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) has emerged as a promising molecular preventive and therapeutic approach that opens new avenues for healthcare. Although the use of delivery systems, especially lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), greatly improves the efficiency and stability of mRNA, mRNA tends to accumulate in the liver and hardly penetrates physiological barriers to reach the target site after intravenous injection. Hence, the rational design of targeting strategies aimed at directing mRNA to specific tissues and cells remains an enormous challenge in mRNA therapy. High-throughput screening (HTS) is a cutting-edge targeted technique capable of synthesizing chemical compound libraries for the large-scale experiments to validate the efficiency of mRNA delivery system. In this review, we firstly provide an overview of conventional low-throughput targeting strategies. Then the latest advancements in HTS techniques for mRNA targeted delivery, encompassing optimizing structures of large-scale delivery vehicles and developing large-scale surface ligands, as well as the applications of HTS techniques in extrahepatic systemic diseases are comprehensively summarized. Moreover, we illustrate the selection of administration routes for targeted mRNA delivery. Finally, challenges in the field and potential solutions to tackle them are proposed, offering insights for future development toward mRNA targeted therapy.

Pioglitazone Phases and Metabolic Effects in Nanoparticle-Treated Cells Analyzed via Rapid Visualization of FLIM Images

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has proven to be a useful method for analyzing various aspects of material science and biology, like the supramolecular organization of (slightly) fluorescent compounds or the metabolic activity in non-labeled cells; in particular, FLIM phasor analysis (phasor-FLIM) has the potential for an intuitive representation of complex fluorescence decays and therefore of the analyzed properties. Here we present and make available tools to fully exploit this potential, in particular by coding via hue, saturation, and intensity the phasor positions and their weights both in the phasor plot and in the microscope image. We apply these tools to analyze FLIM data acquired via two-photon microscopy to visualize: (i) different phases of the drug pioglitazone (PGZ) in solutions and/or crystals, (ii) the position in the phasor plot of non-labelled poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs), and (iii) the effect of PGZ or PGZ-containing NPs on the metabolism of insulinoma (INS-1 E) model cells. PGZ is recognized for its efficacy in addressing insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and polymeric nanoparticles offer versatile platforms for drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and controlled release kinetics. This study lays the foundation for a better understanding via phasor-FLIM of the organization and effects of drugs, in particular, PGZ, within NPs, aiming at better control of encapsulation and pharmacokinetics, and potentially at novel anti-diabetics theragnostic nanotools.

A comprehensive review on enzyme-based biosensors: Advanced analysis and emerging applications in nanomaterial-enzyme linkage

Biosensors with nanomaterials and enzymes detect and quantify specific targets in samples, converting recognition into measurable signals. The study explores the intrinsic synergy between these elements for detecting and quantifying particular targets in biological and environmental samples, with results demonstrated through bibliometric analysis and a comprehensive review of enzyme-based biosensors. Using WoS, 57,331 articles were analyzed and refined to 880. Key journals, countries, institutions, and relevant authors were identified. The main areas highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of the field, and critical keywords identified five thematic clusters, revealing the primary nanoparticles used (CNTs, graphene, AuNPs), major application fields, basic application themes, and niche topics such as sensitive detection, peroxidase activity, and quantum dot utilization. The biosensor overview covered nanomaterials and their primary applications, addressing recent advances and inherent challenges. Patent analysis emphasized the U.S. leadership in the industrial sector, contrasting with China's academic prominence. Future studies should focus on enhancing biosensor portability and analysis speed, with challenges encompassing efficient integration with recent technologies and improving stability and reproducibility in the nanomaterial-enzyme interaction.

In vitro and in vivo toxicity of thiolated and PEGylated organosilica nanoparticles

This study comprises the comprehensive toxicological assessment of thiolated organosilica nanoparticles (NPs) synthesised from 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS). We investigated the influence of three different types of nanoparticles synthesised from 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane: the starting thiolated silica (Si-NP-SH) and their derivatives prepared by surface PEGylation with PEG 750 (Si-NP-PEG750) and 5000 Da (Si-NP-PEG5000) on biological subjects from in vitro to in vivo experiments to explore the possible applications of those nanoparticles in biomedical research. As a result of this study, we generated a comprehensive understanding of the toxicological properties of these nanoparticles, including their cytotoxicity in different cell lines, hemolytic properties, in vitro localisation, mucosal irritation properties and biodistribution in BALB/c mice. Our findings indicate that all three types of nanoparticles can be considered safe and have promising prospects for use in biomedical applications. Nanoparticles did not affect the viability of HPF, MCF7, HEK293 and A549 cell lines at low concentrations (up to 100 µg/mL); moreover, they did not cause organ damage to BALB/c mice at concentrations of 10 mg/kg. The outcomes of this study enhance our understanding of the impact of organosilica nanoparticles on health and the environment, which is vital for developing silica nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems and provides opportunities to expand the applications of organosilica nanoparticles.

Hurdles in translating science from lab to market in delivery systems for Cosmetics: An industrial perspective

In recent decades, a sweeping technological wave has reshaped the global economic landscape. Fueled by the unceasing forces of digital innovation and venture capital investment, this transformative machine has left a significant mark across numerous economic sectors. More recently, the emergence of 'deep tech' start-ups, focusing on areas such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, has infused a fresh wave of innovation into various sectors, including the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. This review explores the significance of innovation within the cosmetics sector, with a particular emphasis on delivery systems. It assesses the crucial process of bridging the gap between research and the market, particularly in the translation of nanotechnology into tangible real-world applications. With the rise of nanotechnology-based beauty ingredients, we can anticipate groundbreaking advancements that promise to surpass consumer expectations, ushering in a new era of unparalleled innovation in beauty products.

Nanotechnology-based delivery systems to overcome drug resistance in cancer

Cancer nanomedicine is defined as the application of nanotechnology and nanomaterials for the formulation of cancer therapeutics that can overcome the impediments and restrictions of traditional chemotherapeutics. Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells can be defined as a decrease or abrogation in the efficacy of anticancer drugs that have different molecular structures and mechanisms of action and is one of the primary causes of therapeutic failure. There have been successes in the development of cancer nanomedicine to overcome MDR; however, relatively few of these formulations have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancer. This is primarily due to the paucity of knowledge about nanotechnology and the fundamental biology of cancer cells. Here, we discuss the advances, types of nanomedicines, and the challenges regarding the translation of in vitro to in vivo results and their relevance to effective therapies.

Gemcitabine-Vitamin E Prodrug-Loaded Micelles for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive cancer subtype presenting unmet clinical challenges. Conventional chemotherapy, which includes antimetabolite gemcitabine (GEM), is seriously undermined by a short half-life, its lack of targeting ability, and systemic toxicity. GEM incorporation in self-assembled nanosystems is still underexplored due to GEM's hydrophilicity which hinders efficient encapsulation. We hypothesized that vitamin E succinate-GEM prodrug (VES-GEM conjugate) combines hydrophobicity and multifunctionalities that can facilitate the development of Pluronic® F68 and Pluronic® F127 micelle-based nanocarriers, improving the therapeutic potential of GEM. Pluronic® F68/VES-GEM and Pluronic® F127/VES-GEM micelles covering a wide range of molar ratios were prepared by solvent evaporation applying different purification methods, and characterized regarding size, charge, polydispersity index, morphology, and encapsulation. Moreover, the effect of sonication and ultrasonication and the influence of a co-surfactant were explored together with drug release, stability, blood compatibility, efficacy against tumour cells, and cell uptake. The VES-GEM conjugate-loaded micelles showed acceptable size and high encapsulation efficiency (>95%) following an excipient reduction rationale. Pluronic® F127/VES-GEM micelles evidenced a superior VES-GEM release profile (cumulative release > 50%, pH = 7.4), stability, cell growth inhibition (<50% cell viability for 100 µM VES-GEM), blood compatibility, and extensive cell internalization, and therefore represent a promising approach to leveraging the efficacy and safety of GEM for PC-targeted therapies.

Construction of novel potentiometric sensors modified with biogenically synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles for sensitive detection of the opioid agonist-antagonist nalbuphine hydrochloride in its injection

Novel and sensitive potentiometric sensors were described for the assay of nalbuphine HCl (NBP) in authentic powder and injection samples. The developed sensors were modified with alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). The nanoscale materials were synthesized using the extract of Salvia officinalis leaves in an environmentally friendly manner. The synthesized metal oxides were fully confirmed by various analytical techniques. Scanning electron microscope confirmed the morphology of nanosized materials with even distribution and particle size of 55.07 ± 4.15 and 59.48 ± 4.50 nm for Al2O3NPs and CuONPs, respectively. The modified sensors were prepared in three different steps. Nalbuphine hydrochloride was mixed with phosphomolybdic acid to prepare the sensor material nalbuphine phosphomolybdate (NBP-PM). It was then mixed with polyvinyl chloride in the presence of o-nitrophenyl ether and metal oxide nanoparticles to form the membrane matrix. Finally, a copper wire was coated with the sensing material. Excellent potentials of 1.0 × 10-8-1.0 × 10-2 and 1.0 × 10-9-1.0 × 10-2 mol L-1 were measured with lower assay limits of 4.8 × 10-9 and 5.0 × 10-10 mol L-1. The average detection % were 99.28 ± 0.58% and 99.52 ± 0.28% for NBP-PM-Al2O3NPs and NBP-PM-CuONPs, correspondingly. The suitability of the described sensors was investigated in terms of various validation criteria, and the modified sensors exposed excellent applicability and insurance for the quantification of nalbuphine hydrochloride in its bulk samples and injections compared with another standard sensor. It is obvious that the developed NBP-PM-Al2O3NPs and NBP-PM-CuONPs will serve as suitable sensors for the determination of NBP.