Ocular delivery of sunitinib-loaded nanoparticles doped in tragacanthic acid hydrogel in treatment of diabetic retinopathy in rats

Natural remedies proposed for the management of diabetic retinopathy (DR): diabetic complications

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) represents a significant and serious complication associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), often resulting in considerable visual impairment or even blindness. The intricate pathological processes underlying DR complicate the effectiveness of current treatment modalities. Studies have highlighted the potential of natural products in the treatment of DR via several beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-neovascular, and anti-apoptotic properties. Flavonoids, saponins, saccharides, and alkaloids exhibited various beneficial effects in DR in in vivo and in vitro studies. However, the clinical utilization of these natural compounds is hindered by issues such as inadequate specificity, low bioavailability, and potential toxicity. Therefore, there is a pressing need for rigorous clinical studies to confirm the efficacy of natural products in preventing or mitigating the progression of DR.

Progressing nanotechnology to improve diagnosis and targeted therapy of Diabetic Retinopathy

The inherent limitations of traditional treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) have spurred the development of various nanotechnologies, offering a safer and more efficient approach to managing the disease. Nanomedicine platforms present promising advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of DR by enhancing imaging capabilities, enabling targeted and controlled drug delivery. These innovations ultimately lead to more effective and personalized treatments with fewer side effects. This review highlights the progress, challenges, and opportunities in developing effective diagnostics and therapeutics for DR. Additionally, it explores innovative engineering techniques that leverage our growing understanding of nano-bio interactions to create more potent nanotherapeutics for patients.

Injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers for the treatment of ocular diseases

Injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers, fabricated utilizing diverse chemical and physical methodologies, exhibit exceptional physical, chemical, and biological properties. They have multifaceted applications encompassing wound healing, tissue regeneration, and across diverse scientific realms. This review critically evaluates their largely uncharted potential in ophthalmology, elucidating their diverse applications across an array of ocular diseases. These conditions include glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disorders (spanning from age-related degeneration to trauma, infections, and underlying chronic illnesses), retina-associated ailments (such as diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)), eyelid abnormalities, and uveal melanoma (UM). This study provides a thorough analysis of applications of injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers across these ocular disorders. Injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers can be customized to have specific physical, chemical, and biological properties that make them suitable as drug delivery vehicles, tissue scaffolds, and sealants in the eye. For example, they can be engineered to have optimum viscosity to be injected intravitreally and sustain drug release to treat retinal diseases. Their porous structure and biocompatibility promote cellular infiltration to regenerate diseased corneal tissue. By accentuating their indispensable role in ocular disease treatment, this review strives to present innovative and targeted approaches in this domain, thereby advancing ocular therapeutics.

Development of dispersive solid phase extraction based on magnetic metal organic framework for the extraction of sunitinib in biological samples and its determination by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Herein, a simple, sensitive, and reliable dispersive solid phase extraction was reported for the efficient extraction of sunitinib from biological samples. To facilitate the extraction of the desired analyte from urine and plasma samples, magnetic MIL-101Cr (NH2) @SiO2 @ NiFe2O4 was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and applied as an effective sorbent during the extraction process. After adsorption of the drug using 10 mg of MIL-101Cr (NH2) @ SiO2 @ NiFe2O4 nanoparticles through vortexing (1 min), the sorbent was separatedfrom the sample solution using a magnet. To eluate the drug, the sorbent containing the sunitinib was contacted with 100 µL dimethylformamide. The eluent was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Reasonable validation data consisting of low limits of detection (0.14, 0.35, and 0.70 ng mL-1 in deionized water, plasma, and urine) and quantification (0.48, 1.2, and 2.4 ng mL-1 in deionized water, plasma, and urine, respectively), a wide linear range of the calibration curve (0.48-200, 1.2-200, and 2.4-100 ng mL-1 in deionized water, plasma, and urine, respectively) good extraction recovery (76 %), and low relative standard deviations for inter- and intra-day precisions (6.9 %) were obtained by the method. Eventually, the proposed procedure was effectively implemented on both plasma and urine samples, yielding successful outcomes.

New concepts drive the development of delivery tools for sustainable treatment of diabetic complications

Diabetic complications, especially diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and painful diabetic neuropathy, account for a large portion of patients with diabetes and display rising global prevalence. They are the leading causes of blindness, kidney failure and hypersensitivity to pain caused by diabetes. Current approved therapeutics against the diabetic complications are few and exhibit limited efficacy. The enhanced cell-specificity, stability, biocompatibility, and loading capacity of drugs are essential for the mitigation of diabetic complications. In the article, we have critically discussed the recent studies over the past two years in material sciences and biochemistry. The insightful concepts in these studies drive the development of novel nanoparticles and mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles to meet the need for treatment of diabetic complications. Their underlying biochemical principles, advantages and limitations have been in-depth analyzed. The nanoparticles discussed in the article include double-headed nanodelivery system, nanozyme, ESC-HCM-B system, soft polymer nanostars, tetrahedral DNA nanostructures and hydrogels. They ameliorate the diabetic complication through attenuation of inflammation, apoptosis and restoration of metabolic homeostasis. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles efficiently deliver therapeutic proteins to the retinal cells to suppress the angiogenesis, inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress to reverse diabetic retinopathy. Collectively, we provide a critical discussion on the concept, mechanism and therapeutic applicability of new delivery tools to treat these three devastating diabetic complications.

Hydrogels in Ophthalmology: Novel Strategies for Overcoming Therapeutic Challenges

The human eye's intricate anatomical and physiological design necessitates tailored approaches for managing ocular diseases. Recent advancements in ophthalmology underscore the potential of hydrogels as a versatile therapeutic tool, owing to their biocompatibility, adaptability, and customizability. This review offers an exploration of hydrogel applications in ophthalmology over the past five years. Emphasis is placed on their role in optimized drug delivery for the posterior segment and advancements in intraocular lens technology. Hydrogels demonstrate the capacity for targeted, controlled, and sustained drug release in the posterior segment of the eye, potentially minimizing invasive interventions and enhancing patient outcomes. Furthermore, in intraocular lens domains, hydrogels showcase potential in post-operative drug delivery, disease sensing, and improved biocompatibility. However, while their promise is immense, most hydrogel-based studies remain preclinical, necessitating rigorous clinical evaluations. Patient-specific factors, potential complications, and the current nascent stage of research should inform their clinical application. In essence, the incorporation of hydrogels into ocular therapeutics represents a seminal convergence of material science and medicine, heralding advancements in patient-centric care within ophthalmology.

Recent advances and future prospects: current status and challenges of the intraocular injection of drugs for vitreoretinal diseases

Effective drug therapy for vitreoretinal disease is a major challenge in the field of ophthalmology; various protective systems, including anatomical and physiological barriers, complicate drug delivery to precise targets. However, as the eye is a closed cavity, it is an ideal target for local administration. Various types of drug delivery systems have been investigated that take advantage of this aspect of the eye, enhancing ocular permeability and optimizing local drug concentrations. Many drugs, mainly anti-VEGF drugs, have been evaluated in clinical trials and have provided clinical benefit to many patients. In the near future, innovative drug delivery systems will be developed to avoid frequent intravitreal administration of drugs and maintain effective drug concentrations for a long period of time. Here, we review the published literature on various drugs and administration routes and current clinical applications. Recent advances in drug delivery systems are discussed along with future prospects.