Recent Avenues In Treatment Of Liver Diseases: Role Of Nanotechnology

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, millions of people are affected by liver disorders and issues, and the successful treatment of patients seems challenging even after many treatment strategies. Presently, doctors are left with treatments like liver transplantation and resection. Researchers found it challenging to target the liver due to various drawbacks such as opsonization, mechanical entrapment, and RES uptake.

METHODS

Literature (from the past ten years) on different research data on the treatment of liver diseases and study reports on the development of various nanocarriers targeting the liver have been collected using multiple search engines such as ScienceDirect, j-gate, google scholar, PubMed, sci-hub, etc. and data have been compiled accordingly.

RESULTS

The basics of liver anatomy and various liver cells and pathophysiology of liver diseases, and liver targeting have been mentioned better to understand the further treatment of various liver disorders. Various Liver diseases such as hepatitis B, liver fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, acute liver failure, and liver cirrhosis have been detailed in multiple research studies related to their treatment. Various strategies for active and passive liver targeting have also been overviewed. Several advanced reported nanocarriers (liposomes, polymeric micelles, nanoparticles, micro and nanoemulsions, and phytosomes) are mentioned and their potential in treating liver disorders has been summarized by compiling research reports related to these nanocarriers.

CONCLUSION

The fabrication of nanomedicine incorporating nanocarriers and biomaterials for treating liver diseases is a big challenge. Understanding various aspects of liver anatomy and liver cells is the prime requirement while designing successful liver-targeted nano/microcarriers. Also, the choice of advanced or modified polymeric material in liver targeting is very crucial for their specific liver cell targeting, for their biocompatibility and biodegradability point of view.

Nanocarriers Based Ocular Therapeutics: Updates, Challenges and Future Prospectives

BACKGROUND

Ocular disorders mainly affect patient's eyesight and quality of life. Formulation scientists encounter a hurdle in drug distribution to ocular tissues. Anatomical barriers (static and dynamic) and physiological barriers, such as nasolacrimal drainage system, blinking action of eye, and metabolic barriers and efflux pumps, are the principal obstacles to medication delivery to the posterior and anterior parts. Over the last twenty years, ophthalmic research has evolved rapidly for the development of innovative, safe, and patient friendly formulations and drug delivery devices or techniques that may get over these obstacles and sustain drug levels in tissues.

METHODS

Literature from the past ten years has been collected using various search engines, such as ScienceDirect, J-Gate, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Sci-Hub, etc., and research data have been compiled according to various novel carrier systems.

RESULTS

Nanocarriers have been shown to be helpful in overcoming the drawbacks of traditional ocular dosing forms. Modification of standard topical solutions by both permeability and viscosity imparters has resulted in breakthroughs in anterior segment medication delivery. Various nanocarriers, including liposomes, implants, dendrimers, nanosuspensions, nanoparticles, solid lipid nanocarriers, niosomes and proniosomes have been studied for enhanced penetration and the successful targeted drug administration to various ocular locations.

CONCLUSION

Recently developed nanocarriers for ocular delivery have proved to be cost-effective, efficacious, safe, and sustained-release carriers, which can be incorporated in suitable dosage forms. In this review, the authors have discussed various challenges in ocular drug administration. Various research reports on advancements in ocular drug delivery based on modified drug delivery carriers have been analyzed and included. Additionally, marketed formulations and patent literature on ocular drug delivery have been added as a part to support the review content.