Time-kill kinetic of nano-ZnO-loaded nanoliposomes against Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea

In vitro antimicrobial activity of nano-ZnO-loaded nanoliposomes at different levels of lecithin:nano-ZnO ratio (5:1, 15:1, and 25:1 w/w) against Aspergillus niger (IBRC-M 30095) and Botrytis cinerea (IBRC-M 30162) was evaluated. Nanoliposome formulations containing nano-ZnO were fabricated through thin-layer hydration sonication and heat methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of nano-ZnO-loaded nanoliposomes and free nano-ZnO against Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea were determined. The time-kill experiments were performed for each isolate. Results showed that the encapsulation of nano-ZnO in nanoliposome systems significantly enhanced their antimicrobial activities by improving the penetration of ZnO nanoparticles the fungi cell membrane. In vitro antifungal activity of nano-ZnO-loaded nanoliposomes against Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea was increased in thin-layer hydration sonication method compared with the heat method. The log phase for Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea was around 70 h. Adding nano-ZnO-loaded nanoliposomes to the culture medium shortened the log phase for both Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea. The highest antimicrobial activity of nanoliposomes was achieved using nanoliposomes containing the lecithin:nano-ZnO ratio of 25:1 (w/w) as compared to all samples. However, the length of the log phase growth cultures exposed to the nanoliposome formulations prepared by thin-layer hydration sonication method with the lecithin:nano-ZnO ratio of 25:1 (w/w) at MIC and MFC values was 60 and 40 h for both Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea, respectively.

Reviving the interest in the versatile drug nystatin: A multitude of strategies to increase its potential as an effective and safe antifungal agent

Nystatin is an antifungal molecule with a remarkable yet squandered versatility. In this review, its mechanism of action is explored, along with its extensive action spectrum and toxicity. A multitude of methodologies to tackle the drug's physical and chemical hurdles are outlined along with some proven-effective strategies to increase its activity and/or decrease its toxicity. A separate detailed section focused on micro and nanotechnology solutions addresses new drug delivery systems made of polymeric, metallic or lipid materials. Although the topical route depicts greater representativeness amongst these formulations, the intravenous, dental, oral, vaginal and inhalation routes are also mentioned. The unsuccessful previous attempts at developing parenteral formulations of nystatin or even the withdrawal of a nystatin-loaded multilamellar liposome should not divert research away from this drug. In fact, the interest in nystatin ought to be reawakened with the ongoing clinical trials on the promising nystatin-like genetically engineered derivate BSG005.

An updated review of folate-functionalized nanocarriers: A promising ligand in cancer

The uncontrolled release of drugs in conventional drug delivery systems has led to the introduction of new nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and the use of targeted nanocarriers for cancer treatment. These targeted nanocarriers, which consist of intelligent nanoparticles modified with targeting ligands, can deliver drugs to specified locations at the right time and reduce drug doses to prevent side effects. Folate is a suitable targeting ligand for folate receptors overexpressed on cancer cells and has shown promising results in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this review, we highlight the latest developments on the use of folate-conjugated nanoparticles in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the toxicity, biocompatibility and efficacy of these nanocarriers are discussed.

Enhanced Efficacy of Thiosemicarbazone Derivative-Encapsulated Fibrin Liposomes against Candidiasis in Murine Model

Candida albicans is the most studied species for the candidiasis infection and is becoming resistant towards existing antifungal drugs. Considering this, in the current study, we developed and characterized a fibrin liposome-based formulation encapsulating a novel thiosemicarbazone derivative, 2C, and evaluated its antifungal efficacy against murine candidiasis. The 2C-containing formulation was prepared by encapsulating 2C within the liposomes (2C-L) that were further encapsulated in the fibrin beads (2C-FL). The in-house synthesized 2C-FLs were spherical with a zeta potential of −34.12 ± 0.3 mV, an entrapment efficiency of 72.6 ± 4.7%, and a loading efficiency of 9.21 ± 2.3%, and they showed a slow and sustained release of 2C. Compared to free 2C, the formulation was non-toxic and exhibited serum stability, increased tissue specificity, and penetration. The 2C-FL formulation had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 4.92 ± 0.76 µg/mL and was able to induce apoptosis and necrosis in C. albicans in vitro. The administration of 2C-FL in C. albicans-infected mice prolonged their survival and antifungal effects when compared with the free 2C. The 2C-FL antifungal therapy significantly reduced the fungal burden and displayed an improved survival rate. In conclusion, the 2C thiosemicarbazone derivative possesses a potent antifungal activity that became more advantageous upon its encapsulation in the fibrin liposome delivery system.

Insight Into Nanoliposomes as Smart Nanocarriers for Greening the Twenty-First Century Biomedical Settings

The necessity to develop more efficient, biocompatible, patient compliance, and safer treatments in biomedical settings is receiving special attention using nanotechnology as a potential platform to design new drug delivery systems (DDS). Despite the broad range of nanocarrier systems in drug delivery, lack of biocompatibility, poor penetration, low entrapment efficiency, and toxicity are significant challenges that remain to address. Such practices are even more demanding when bioactive agents are intended to be loaded on a nanocarrier system, especially for topical treatment purposes. For the aforesaid reasons, the search for more efficient nano-vesicular systems, such as nanoliposomes, with a high biocompatibility index and controlled releases has increased considerably in the past few decades. Owing to the stratum corneum layer barrier of the skin, the in-practice conventional/conformist drug delivery methods are inefficient, and the effect of the administered therapeutic cues is limited. The current advancement at the nanoscale has transformed the drug delivery sector. Nanoliposomes, as robust nanocarriers, are becoming popular for biomedical applications because of safety, patient compliance, and quick action. Herein, we reviewed state-of-the-art nanoliposomes as a smart and sophisticated drug delivery approach. Following a brief introduction, the drug delivery mechanism of nanoliposomes is discussed with suitable examples for the treatment of numerous diseases with a brief emphasis on fungal infections. The latter half of the work is focused on the applied perspective and clinical translation of nanoliposomes. Furthermore, a detailed overview of clinical applications and future perspectives has been included in this review.

Curcumin entrapped hyaluronan containing niosomes: preparation, characterisation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, has numerous pharmacological activities; while it faces several bioavailability problems, due to its poor solubility and stability. So, many nanostructures have been designed to overcome these drawbacks. The aim of this study was to prepare a polymeric niosomal structure by incorporating hyaluronan to improve curcumin efficiencies. Hyaluronan containing niosomes were prepared by thin film hydration medium with slight modifications. In the formulation of hyaluronan containing niosomes size and zeta potential studies, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), in-vitro release test, DPPH antioxidant assay and in-vivo anti-inflammatory test were investigated. The results showed that hyaluronan containing niosomes were 249.83 ± 6.38 nm and the entrapment of curcumin was 98.28 ± 0.278% (w/w). In addition, the shape of the hyaluronan containing niosomes was spherical. 500 µl of the prepared formulation with 4.002 × 10^-7 moles of curcumin showed 100% antioxidant effect. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of the hyaluronan containing niosomes was higher than the anti-inflammatory effect of the simple suspension of curcumin.