Multicomponent-Loaded Vesosomal Drug Carrier for Controlled and Sustained Compound Release

Preparation, Conformational Structure, and Proteolytic Activity of Papain Covalently Conjugated to Poly(ethylene glycol)-Tethered Lipid Bilayer Membranes

Conjugation of enzymes to lipid membranes is a key approach to reconstitute fascinating features of cell organelles and to deduce the nature of membrane-involved biological events. In this work, papain was covalently conjugated via a cross-linker to phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) tethered with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) at 25 °C and pH = 7.0, followed by chromatographic purification. The size of the PEG moiety and the type of cross-linker were optimized to obtain PEG-tethered liposome-conjugated papain (liposome-PEG-papain). Slight conformational changes of the membrane-conjugated papain in both its secondary and tertiary structures were revealed using circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence measurements. Notably, heat treatment of a liposome-PEG-papain dispersion at 77 or 84 °C caused permeabilization of the lipid membranes to 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Furthermore, liposome-PEG-papain exhibited the digestion activity of casein at 37 °C and pH = 7.6. The structural flexibility of liposomes as enzyme carriers may provide the opportunity to functionalize the membrane-conjugated biomacromolecules.

Interfacial-Design Mediated Construction of Hybrid Multicompartment Architectures with Layered Physicochemical Barriers for Separately Sequestration of Oxidation-Reduction Molecules and Their Redox Reaction Regulation

Hybrid multicompartment artificial architectures, inherited from different compartmental systems, possess separate microenvironments that can perform different functions. Herein, a hybrid compartmentalized architecture via hybridizing ferritin nanocage (Fn) with non-aqueous droplets using aminated-modified amphiphilic gelatin (AGEL) is proposed, which enables the generation of compartmentalized emulsions with hybrid multicompartments. The resulting compartmentalized emulsions are termed "hybrasome". Specifically, by chemically attaching ethylenediamine to gelatin, the programmed noncovalent docking of Fn-AGEL nanoparticles is implemented and their interfacial self-rearrangement generates hybrasome with layered physicochemical barriers. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy images show that Fn nanocages are deposited on the non-aqueous droplets, separated by gelatin layers. Interfacial adsorption kinetics reveal that lower permeation and rearrangement rates of Fn are responsible for their double-layered structure formation. By choosing oxidized iron nanoparticles and reductant carnosic acid (CA) as models, these two molecules are co-encapsulated separately within the hybrasome, resulting in significant inhibition of the redox reaction. After structural destruction in the intestine, a redox reaction is triggered and leads to the Fe2+ redox products release, which generates a suitable valence state of iron element for cell absorption. Overall, this approach may open up an avenue for facile construction of hybrid compartmentalized architectures used to co-encapsulate incompatible compounds separately and control the sequential release of targeted components.

Boosting the Sustained Release Performance of Metronidazole and Ornidazole with MIL-53(Fe) Derived Spherical Porous Carbon

Metal-organic framework (MOF) derived spherical porous carbon (SPC) has potential application value in the field of adsorption and sustained release of nitroimidazole drugs. This work used MIL-53(Fe) as a precursor and prepared spherical 3-aminophenol-formaldehyde resin containing MIL-53(Fe) crystals using the advanced Stöber method, followed by the successful preparation of MIL-53(Fe) derived SPC (MSPC) with a structure containing both micropores and mesopores through high-temperature carbonization. The effects of the doping amount of MIL-53(Fe) on the sphericity and particle size of MSPC were investigated. The drug uptake capacity and sustained release performances of MSPC for metronidazole (MNZ) and ornidazole (ONZ) were assessed through batch tests, along with an investigation into the impact of varying pH levels on the sustained release performances. The experimental findings revealed that the drug loading of MNZ and ONZ onto MSPC achieved 111 and 120 mg/g, respectively, with a sustained release time of up to 24 h. The drug loading process adhered to the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model and conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, whereas the sustained release mechanism was consistent with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Furthermore, cytotoxicity and cyclic drug loading experiments indicated that MSPC exhibited good biocompatibility and stability. Therefore, this study provides new ideas for the development of SPC drug carriers.

Advancing therapeutic efficacy: nanovesicular delivery systems for medicinal plant-based therapeutics

The utilization of medicinal plant extracts in therapeutics has been hindered by various challenges, including poor bioavailability and stability issues. Nanovesicular delivery systems have emerged as promising tools to overcome these limitations by enhancing the solubility, bioavailability, and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. This review explores the applications of nanovesicular delivery systems in antibacterial and anticancer therapeutics using medicinal plant extracts. We provide an overview of the bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants and their therapeutic properties, emphasizing the challenges associated with their utilization. Various types of nanovesicular delivery systems, including liposomes, niosomes, ethosomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles, among others, are discussed in detail, along with their potential applications in combating bacterial infections and cancer. The review highlights specific examples of antibacterial and anticancer activities demonstrated by these delivery systems against a range of pathogens and cancer types. Furthermore, we address the challenges and limitations associated with the scale-up, stability, toxicity, and regulatory considerations of nanovesicular delivery systems. Finally, future perspectives are outlined, focusing on emerging technologies, integration with personalized medicine, and potential collaborations to drive forward research in this field. Overall, this review underscores the potential of nanovesicular delivery systems for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plant extracts in antibacterial and anticancer applications, while identifying avenues for further research and development.

Evaluation of the Protective Role of Vitamin E against ROS-Driven Lipid Oxidation in Model Cell Membranes

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive oxygen-containing compounds generated by various factors in the body. Antioxidants mitigate the damaging effects of ROS by playing a critical role in regulating redox balance and signaling. In this study, the interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants in the context of lipid dynamics were investigated. The interaction between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an ROS and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) as an antioxidant was examined. Model membranes containing both saturated and unsaturated lipids served as experimental platforms to investigate the influence of H2O2 on phospholipid unsaturation and the role of antioxidants in this process. The results demonstrated that H2O2 has a negative effect on membrane stability and disrupts the lipid membrane structure, whereas the presence of antioxidants protects the lipid membrane from the detrimental effects of ROS. The model membranes used here are a useful tool for understanding ROS-antioxidant interactions at the molecular level in vitro.

Liposomes like advanced drug carriers: from fundamentals to pharmaceutical applications

AIMS

There are around 24 distinct lipid vesicles described in the literature that are similar to vesicular systems such as liposomes. Liposome-like structures are formed by combining certain amphiphilic lipids with a suitable stabiliser. Since their discovery and classification, self-assembled liposome-like structures as active drug delivery vehicles captured researchers' curiosity.

METHODOLOGY

This comprehensive study included an in-depth literature search using electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, focusing on studies on liposome and liposomes like structure, discussed in literature till 2024, their sizes, benefits, drawback, method of preparation, characterisation and pharmaceutical applications.

RESULTS

Pharmacosomes, cubosomes, ethosomes, transethosomes, and genosomes, all liposome-like structures, have the most potential due to their smaller size with high loading capacity, ease of absorption, and ability to treat inflammatory illnesses. Genosomes are futuristic because of its affinity for DNA/gene transport, which is an area of focus in today's treatments.

CONCLUSION

This review will critically analyse the composition, preparation procedures, drug encapsulating technologies, drug loading, release mechanism, and related applications of all liposome-like structures, highlighting their potential benefits with enhanced efficacy over each other and over traditional carriers by paving the way for exploring novel drug delivery systems in the Pharma industry.

Nanocarrier-Integrated Microneedles: Divulging the Potential of Novel Frontiers for Fostering the Management of Skin Ailments

The various kinds of nanocarriers (NCs) have been explored for the delivery of therapeutics designed for the management of skin manifestations. The NCs are considered as one of the promising approaches for the skin delivery of therapeutics attributable to sustained release and enhanced skin penetration. Despite the extensive applications of the NCs, the challenges in their delivery via skin barrier (majorly stratum corneum) have persisted. To overcome all the challenges associated with the delivery of NCs, the microneedle (MN) technology has emerged as a beacon of hope. Programmable drug release, being painless, and its minimally invasive nature make it an intriguing strategy to circumvent the multiple challenges associated with the various drug delivery systems. The integration of positive traits of NCs and MNs boosts therapeutic effectiveness by evading stratum corneum, facilitating the delivery of NCs through the skin and enhancing their targeted delivery. This review discusses the barrier function of skin, the importance of MNs, the types of MNs, and the superiority of NC-loaded MNs. We highlighted the applications of NC-integrated MNs for the management of various skin ailments, combinational drug delivery, active targeting, in vivo imaging, and as theranostics. The clinical trials, patent portfolio, and marketed products of drug/NC-integrated MNs are covered. Finally, regulatory hurdles toward benchtop-to-bedside translation, along with promising prospects needed to scale up NC-integrated MN technology, have been deliberated. The current review is anticipated to deliver thoughtful visions to researchers, clinicians, and formulation scientists for the successful development of the MN-technology-based product by carefully optimizing all the formulation variables.