Surface Engineering of Nanomaterials with Polymers, Biomolecules, and Small Ligands for Nanomedicine

A Review of Recent Developments in Biopolymer Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems with Antioxidative Properties: Insights into the Last Five Years

In recent years, biopolymer-based nano-drug delivery systems with antioxidative properties have gained significant attention in the field of pharmaceutical research. These systems offer promising strategies for targeted and controlled drug delivery while also providing antioxidant effects that can mitigate oxidative stress-related diseases. Generally, the healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, necessitating the continual development of innovative therapeutic approaches and drug delivery systems (DDSs). DDSs play a pivotal role in enhancing treatment efficacy, minimizing adverse effects, and optimizing patient compliance. Among these, nanotechnology-driven delivery approaches have garnered significant attention due to their unique properties, such as improved solubility, controlled release, and targeted delivery. Nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanotubes, etc., offer versatile platforms for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Additionally, biopolymer-based DDSs hold immense promise, leveraging natural or synthetic biopolymers to encapsulate drugs and enable targeted and controlled release. These systems offer numerous advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity. The utilization of polysaccharides, polynucleotides, proteins, and polyesters as biopolymer matrices further enhances the versatility and applicability of DDSs. Moreover, substances with antioxidative properties have emerged as key players in combating oxidative stress-related diseases, offering protection against cellular damage and chronic illnesses. The development of biopolymer-based nanoformulations with antioxidative properties represents a burgeoning research area, with a substantial increase in publications in recent years. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent developments within this area over the past five years. It discusses various biopolymer materials, fabrication techniques, stabilizers, factors influencing degradation, and drug release. Additionally, it highlights emerging trends, challenges, and prospects in this rapidly evolving field.

Unraveling the impact of nanopollution on plant metabolism and ecosystem dynamics

Nanopollution (NPOs), a burgeoning consequence of the widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) across diverse industrial and consumer domains, has emerged as a critical environmental issue. While extensive research has scrutinized the repercussions of NPs pollution on ecosystems and human health, scant attention has been directed towards unraveling its implications for plant life. This comprehensive review aims to bridge this gap by delving into the nuanced interplay between NPOs and plant metabolism, encompassing both primary and secondary processes. Our exploration encompasses an in-depth analysis of the intricate mechanisms governing the interaction between plants and NPs. This involves a thorough examination of how physicochemical properties such as size, shape, and surface characteristics influence the uptake and translocation of NPs within plant tissues. The impact of NPOs on primary metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient uptake, and water transport. Additionally, this study explored the multifaceted alterations in secondary metabolism, shedding light on the synthesis and modulation of secondary metabolites in response to NPs exposure. In assessing the consequences of NPOs for plant life, we scrutinize the potential implications for plant growth, development, and environmental interactions. The intricate relationships revealed in this review underscore the need for a holistic understanding of the plant-NPs dynamics. As NPs become increasingly prevalent in ecosystems, this investigation establishes a fundamental guide that underscores the importance of additional research to shape sustainable environmental management strategies and address the extensive effects of NPs on the development of plant life and environmental interactions.

Nanoemulsions: summary of a decade of research and recent advances

Nanoemulsions consist of a combination of several components such as oil, water, emulsifiers, surfactants and cosurfactants. Various techniques for producing nanoemulsions include high-energy and low-energy approaches such as high-pressure homogenization, microfluidization, jet disperser and phase inversion methods. The properties of a formulation can be influenced by elements such as the composition, concentration, size and charge of droplets, which in turn can affect the technique of manufacture. Characterization is conducted by the assessment of several factors such as physical properties, pH analysis, viscosity measurement and refractive index determination. This article offers a thorough examination of the latest developments in nanoemulsion technology, with a focus on their wide-ranging applications and promising future possibilities. It also discusses the administration of nanoemulsions through several methods.

Porphyrin and doxorubicin mediated nanoarchitectonics of copper clusters: a bimodal theranostics for cancer diagnosis and treatment in vitro

Nanoarchitectonics, an emerging strategy, presents a promising alternative for developing highly efficient next-generation functional materials. Multifunctional materials developed using nanoarchitectonics help to mimic biological molecules. Porphyrin-based molecules can be effectively utilized to design such assemblies. Metal nanocluster is one of the functional materials that can shed more insight into developing nanoarchitectonic materials. Herein, an inherently near-infrared (NIR) fluorescing copper nanocluster (CuC)-mediated structural assembly via protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) and doxorubicin (Dox) is demonstrated as the functional material. Dox-loaded porphyrin-mediated CuC assembly shows singlet oxygen generation and 66% drug release at 15 min. Furthermore, the efficacy of this material is tested for cancer diagnosis and bimodal therapeutic strategy due to the fluorescing ability of the cluster and loading of PPIX as well as the drug, respectively. The nanoarchitecture exhibits targeted imaging and 83% cell death in HeLa cells upon laser irradiation with 10 nmoles and 20 nmoles of PPIX and Dox, respectively.

Special Issue: "Functionalized Nanomaterials and Structures for Biomedical Applications"

Nanoscale drug formulations are under wider and wider investigation due to their multiple unique advantages, such as stealth properties which avoid opsonization in the blood stream; specific ligand guided drug delivery to injured cells and tissues; on-demand release in sharp response to a series of endogenous and exogenous stimuli, allowing for predetermined programmed delivery to specific loci in the body and possible timing with circadian rhythms; increased cellular uptake due to their small dimensions and the possibility of intracellular delivery of the therapeutic cargo, especially when functionalized with cell penetrating agents; increased stability in biological fluids; augmented bioavailability; and tailored pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics [...].

Naturally Occurring Phytochemicals to Target Breast Cancer Cell Signaling

Almost 70% of clinically used antineoplastic drugs are originated from natural products such as plants, marine organism, and microorganisms and some of them are also structurally modified natural products. The naturally occurring drugs may specifically act as inducers of selective cytotoxicity, anti-metastatic, anti-mutagenic, anti-angiogenesis, antioxidant accelerators, apoptosis inducers, autophagy inducers, and cell cycle inhibitors in cancer therapy. Precisely, several reports have demonstrated the involvement of naturally occurring anti-breast cancer drugs in regulating the expression of oncogenic and tumor suppressors associated with carcinogen metabolism and signaling pathways. Anticancer therapies based on nanotechnology have the potential to improve patient outcomes through targeted therapy, improved drug delivery, and combination therapies. This paper has reviewed the current treatment for breast cancer and the potential disadvantages of those therapies, besides the various mechanism used by naturally occurring phytochemicals to induce apoptosis in different types of breast cancer. Along with this, the contribution of nanotechnology in improving the effectiveness of anticancer drugs was also reviewed. With the development of sciences and technologies, phytochemicals derived from natural products are continuously discovered; however, the search for novel natural products as chemoprevention drugs is still ongoing, especially for the advanced stage of breast cancer. Continued research and development in this field hold great promise for advancing cancer care and improving patient outcomes.

Amelioration of Cancer Employing Chitosan, Its Derivatives, and Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles: Recent Updates

The limitations associated with the conventional treatment of cancer have necessitated the design and development of novel drug delivery systems based mainly on nanotechnology. These novel drug delivery systems include various kinds of nanoparticles, such as polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, hydrogels, and polymeric micelles. Among the various kinds of novel drug delivery systems, chitosan-based nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researchers to treat cancer. Chitosan is a polycationic polymer generated from chitin with various characteristics such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and mucoadhesiveness, making it an ideal polymer to fabricate drug delivery systems. However, chitosan is poorly soluble in water and soluble in acidic aqueous solutions. Furthermore, owing to the presence of reactive amino groups, chitosan can be chemically modified to improve its physiochemical properties. Chitosan and its modified derivatives can be employed to fabricate nanoparticles, which are used most frequently in the pharmaceutical sector due to their possession of various characteristics such as nanosize, appropriate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, non-immunogenicity, improved stability, and improved drug loading capacity. Furthermore, it is capable of delivering nucleic acids, chemotherapeutic medicines, and bioactives using modified chitosan. Chitosan and its modified derivative-based nanoparticles can be targeted to specific cancer sites via active and passive mechanisms. Based on chitosan drug delivery systems, many anticancer drugs now have better effectiveness, potency, cytotoxicity, or biocompatibility. The characteristics of chitosan and its chemically tailored derivatives, as well as their use in cancer therapy, will be examined in this review.

Genetically engineered cellular nanoparticles for biomedical applications

In recent years, nanoparticles derived from cellular membranes have been increasingly explored for the prevention and treatment of human disease. With their flexible design and ability to interface effectively with the surrounding environment, these biomimetic nanoparticles can outperform their traditional synthetic counterparts. As their popularity has increased, researchers have developed novel ways to modify the nanoparticle surface to introduce new or enhanced capabilities. Moving beyond naturally occurring materials derived from wild-type cells, genetic manipulation has proven to be a robust and flexible method by which nanoformulations with augmented functionalities can be generated. In this review, an overview of genetic engineering approaches to express novel surface proteins is provided, followed by a discussion on the various biomedical applications of genetically modified cellular nanoparticles.

Chitosan-Based Nano-Smart Drug Delivery System in Breast Cancer Therapy

Despite recent advances, cancer remains the primary killer on a global scale. Numerous forms of research have been conducted to discover novel and efficient anticancer medications. The complexity of breast cancer is a major challenge which is coupled with patient-to-patient variations and heterogeneity between cells within the tumor. Revolutionary drug delivery is expected to provide a solution to that challenge. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have prospects as a revolutionary delivery system capable of enhancing anticancer drug activity and reducing negative impacts on normal cells. The use of smart drug delivery systems (SDDs) as delivering materials to improve the bioactivity of NPs and to understand the intricacies of breast cancer has garnered significant interest. There are many reviews about CSNPs that present various points of view, but they have not yet described a series in cancer therapy from cell uptake to cell death. With this description, we will provide a more complete picture for designing preparations for SDDs. This review describes CSNPs as SDDSs, enhancing cancer therapy targeting and stimulus response using their anticancer mechanism. Multimodal chitosan SDDs as targeting and stimulus response medication delivery will improve therapeutic results.

Osteoimmunomodulatory Nanoparticles for Bone Regeneration

Treatment of large bone fractures remains a challenge for orthopedists. Bone regeneration is a complex process that includes skeletal cells such as osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and immune cells to regulate bone formation and resorption. Osteoimmunology, studying this complicated process, has recently been used to develop biomaterials for advanced bone regeneration. Ideally, a biomaterial shall enable a timely switch from early stage inflammatory (to recruit osteogenic progenitor cells) to later-stage anti-inflammatory (to promote differentiation and terminal osteogenic mineralization and model the microstructure of bone tissue) in immune cells, especially the M1-to-M2 phenotype switch in macrophage populations, for bone regeneration. Nanoparticle (NP)-based advanced drug delivery systems can enable the controlled release of therapeutic reagents and the delivery of therapeutics into specific cell types, thereby benefiting bone regeneration through osteoimmunomodulation. In this review, we briefly describe the significance of osteoimmunology in bone regeneration, the advancement of NP-based approaches for bone regeneration, and the application of NPs in macrophage-targeting drug delivery for advanced osteoimmunomodulation.

Nanoparticle Based Cardiac Specific Drug Delivery

Heart failure secondary to myocardial injuries is a leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, a growing number of novel therapies have emerged for injured myocardium repairment. However, delivering therapeutic agents specifically to the injured heart remains a significant challenge. Nanoparticles are the most commonly used vehicles for targeted drug delivery. Various nanoparticles have been synthesized to deliver drugs and other therapeutic molecules to the injured heart via passive or active targeting approaches, and their targeting specificity and therapeutic efficacies have been investigated. Here, we summarized nanoparticle-based, cardiac-specific drug delivery systems, their potency for treating heart diseases, and the mechanisms underlying these cardiac-targeting strategies. We also discussed the clinical studies that have employed nanoparticle-based cardiac-specific drug delivery.

Machine Learning for Property Prediction and Optimization of Polymeric Nanocomposites: A State-of-the-Art

Recently, the field of polymer nanocomposites has been an area of high scientific and industrial attention due to noteworthy improvements attained in these materials, arising from the synergetic combination of properties of a polymeric matrix and an organic or inorganic nanomaterial. The enhanced performance of those materials typically involves superior mechanical strength, toughness and stiffness, electrical and thermal conductivity, better flame retardancy and a higher barrier to moisture and gases. Nanocomposites can also display unique design possibilities, which provide exceptional advantages in developing multifunctional materials with desired properties for specific applications. On the other hand, machine learning (ML) has been recognized as a powerful predictive tool for data-driven multi-physical modelling, leading to unprecedented insights and an exploration of the system’s properties beyond the capability of traditional computational and experimental analyses. This article aims to provide a brief overview of the most important findings related to the application of ML for the rational design of polymeric nanocomposites. Prediction, optimization, feature identification and uncertainty quantification are presented along with different ML algorithms used in the field of polymeric nanocomposites for property prediction, and selected examples are discussed. Finally, conclusions and future perspectives are highlighted.

PMMA-Based Nanocomposites for Odontology Applications: A State-of-the-Art

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a well-known polymer of the methacrylate family, is extensively used in biomedicine, particularly in odontological applications including artificial teeth, dentures and denture bases, obturators, provisional or permanent crowns, and so forth. The exceptional PMMA properties, including aesthetics, inexpensiveness, simple manipulation, low density, and adjustable mechanical properties, make it a perfect candidate in the field of dentistry. However, it presents some deficiencies, including weakness regarding hydrolytic degradation, poor fracture toughness, and a lack of antibacterial activity. To further enhance its properties and solve these drawbacks, different approaches can be performed, including the incorporation of nanofillers. In this regard, different types of metallic nanoparticles, metal oxide nanofillers, and carbon-based nanomaterials have been recently integrated into PMMA matrices with the aim to reduce water absorption and improve their performance, namely their thermal and flexural properties. In this review, recent studies regarding the development of PMMA-based nanocomposites for odontology applications are summarized and future perspectives are highlighted.

Advanced Carbon-Based Polymeric Nanocomposites for Forensic Analysis

Nanotechnology is a powerful tool and fast-growing research area in many novel arenas, ranging from biomedicine to engineering and energy storage. Nanotechnology has great potential to make a significant positive contribution in forensic science, which deals with the identification and investigation of crimes, finding relationships between pieces of evidence and perpetrators. Nano-forensics is related to the development of nanosensors for crime investigations and inspection of terrorist activity by analyzing the presence of illicit drugs, explosives, toxic gases, biological agents, and so forth. In this regard, carbon nanomaterials have huge potential for next-generation nanosensors due to their outstanding properties, including strength combined with flexibility, large specific surface area, high electrical conductivity, and little noise. Moreover, their combination with polymers can provide nanocomposites with novel and enhanced performance owed to synergy between the composite components. This review concisely recapitulates up-to-date advances in the development of polymer composites incorporating carbon-based nanomaterials for forensic science. The properties of the different carbon nanomaterials, several methods used to analyze functional polymeric nanocomposites, and their applications in forensic investigation are discussed. Furthermore, present challenges and forthcoming outlooks on the design of new polymer/carbon nanomaterial composites for crime prevention are highlighted.

Magnetic Nanoparticles: Current Advances in Nanomedicine, Drug Delivery and MRI

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have evolved tremendously during recent years, in part due to the rapid expansion of nanotechnology and to their active magnetic core with a high surface-to-volume ratio, while their surface functionalization opened the door to a plethora of drug, gene and bioactive molecule immobilization. Taming the high reactivity of the magnetic core was achieved by various functionalization techniques, producing MNPs tailored for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular or neurological disease, tumors and cancer. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are established at the core of drug-delivery systems and could act as efficient agents for MFH (magnetic fluid hyperthermia). Depending on the functionalization molecule and intrinsic morphological features, MNPs now cover a broad scope which the current review aims to overview. Considering the exponential expansion of the field, the current review will be limited to roughly the past three years.

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials 3.0

Carbon-based nanomaterials are currently attracting a lot of interest in many fields, ranging from medicine and biotechnology to electronics, energy storage, and sensing applications [...]

Graphene-Based Polymer Composites for Flexible Electronic Applications

Graphene-based nanomaterials have gained a lot of interest over the last years in flexible electronics due to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties, as well as their potential of surface modification. Their flexibility and processability make them suitable for electronic devices that require bending, folding, and stretching, which cannot be fulfilled by conventional electronics. These nanomaterials can be assembled with various types of organic materials, including polymers, and biomolecules, to generate a variety of nanocomposites with greater stretchability and healability, higher stiffness, electrical conductivity, and exceptional thermal stability for flexible lighting and display technologies. This article summarizes the main characteristics and synthesis methods of graphene, its oxidized form graphene oxide (GO), and reduced GO derivative, as well as their corresponding polymeric composites, and provides a brief overview about some recent examples of these nanocomposites in flexible electronic applications, including electrodes for solar cells and supercapacitors, electronic textiles, and transistors.