Applications In Drug Delivery Systems Research Articles

Recent progress in lactate oxidase-based drug delivery systems for enhanced cancer therapy.

Lactate oxidase (LOX) is a natural enzyme that efficiently consumes lactate. In the presence of oxygen, LOX can catalyse the formation of pyruvate and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from lactate. This process led to acidity alleviation, hypoxia, and a further increase in oxidative stress, alleviating the immunosuppressive state of the tumour microenvironment (TME). However, the high cost of LOX preparation and purification, poor stability, and systemic toxicity limited its application in tumour therapy. Therefore, the rational application of drug delivery systems can protect LOX from the organism's environment and maintain its catalytic activity. This paper reviews various LOX-based drug-carrying systems, including inorganic nanocarriers, organic nanocarriers, and inorganic-organic hybrid nanocarriers, as well as other non-nanocarriers, which have been used for tumour therapy in recent years. In addition, this area's challenges and potential for the future are highlighted.

Diffusion of individual nanoparticles in cylindrical diatom frustule.

Diatoms are characterised by silica cell walls (frustules), which have highly ordered micro-/nano-structures. As the synthesis of such structures remains challenging, diatom frustules offer a promising alternative to conventional porous particles in micro-/nano-engineering. In particular, for applications in drug delivery systems, biosensors, and filters, an understanding of particle motion inside frustules is of great importance. In this study, we investigated nanoparticle (NP) motions inside diatom frustules using the single particle tracking (SPT) method. For these measurements, the diameter of the NP was about one-tenth smaller than that of the frustule. Inside the frustule, the diffusion motions of the NPs were suppressed, but this suppression was weakened near the exit of the frustule. Moreover, diffusion anisotropy between the axial and radial directions of the frustule was observed. This anisotropy is difficult to detect with ensemble methods; thus, the SPT method is a powerful approach for investigating NP motions in frustules.

Harnessing the potential of antimicrobial peptides: current advances and future applications

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising class of naturally occurring molecules with diverse structures and functions, offering a potent defense mechanism against microbial pathogens. This review explores the multifaceted role of AMPs in combating infections and their potential applications in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. We discuss the mechanisms of action of AMPs, their structural diversity, modes of synthesis, and recent advancements in enhancing their stability and efficacy. Furthermore, we highlight the therapeutic potential of AMPs in treating multidrug-resistant infections, their role as alternatives to conventional antibiotics, and their applications in wound healing, immunomodulation, and drug delivery systems. Additionally, we examine the challenges associated with the clinical translation of AMPs and propose strategies to overcome these hurdles. Overall, this review underscores the importance of AMPs as versatile antimicrobial agents and emphasizes their potential to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

Advancements in application of chitosan and cyclodextrins in biomedicine and pharmaceutics: recent progress and future trends.

The global community is faced with numerous health concerns such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, diabetes, joint pain, osteoporosis, among others. With the advancement of research in the fields of materials chemistry and medicine, pharmaceutical technology and biomedical analysis have entered a new stage of development. The utilization of natural oligosaccharides and polysaccharides in pharmaceutical/biomedical studies has gained significant attention. Over the past decade, several studies have shown that chitosan and cyclodextrin have promising biomedical implications in background analysis, ongoing development, and critical applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical research fields. This review introduces different types of saccharides/natural biopolymers such as chitosan and cyclodextrin and discusses their wide-ranging applications in the biomedical/pharmaceutical research area. Recent research advances in pharmaceutics and drug delivery based on cyclodextrin, and their response to smart stimuli, as well as the biological functions of cyclodextrin and chitosan, such as the immunomodulatory effects, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, have also been discussed, along with their applications in tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery systems. Finally, the innovative applications of chitosan and cyclodextrin in the pharmaceutical/biomedicine were reviewed, and current challenges, research/technological gaps, and future development opportunities were surveyed.

Sub-100 nm carriers by template polymerization for drug delivery applications.

Size-controlled drug delivery systems (DDSs) have gained significant attention in the field of pharmaceutical sciences due to their potential to enhance drug efficacy, minimize side effects, and improve patient compliance. This review provides a concise overview of the preparation method, advancements, and applications of size-controlled drug delivery systems focusing on the sub-100 nm size DDSs. The importance of tailoring the size for achieving therapeutic goals is briefly mentioned. We highlight the concept of "template polymerization", a well-established method in covalent polymerization that offers precise control over molecular weight. We demonstrate the utility of this approach in crafting a monolayer of a polymer around biomolecule templates such as DNA, RNA, and protein, achieving the generation of DDSs with sizes ranging from several tens of nanometers. A few representative examples of small-size DDSs that share a conceptual similarity to "template polymerization" are also discussed. This review concludes by briefly discussing the drug release behaviors and the future prospects of "template polymerization" for the development of innovative size-controlled drug delivery systems, which promise to optimize drug delivery precision, efficacy, and safety.

Erythrocyte-based Drug Delivery: How Far from Clinical Application?

Erythrocytes are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body. They have become suitable drug carriers due to outstanding advantages, such as a long lifespan in circulation, high biosafety, and low immunogenicity. Although erythrocyte-based drug delivery has good application prospects and has become a research hotspot in related fields, the application of erythrocyte-based drug delivery systems is rare in the clinic now. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of erythrocytes, diverse drug-loading approaches, and research progress of erythrocyte-based drug delivery systems. Finally, we explore the challenges of erythrocyte-based drug delivery in clinical application.

Characterization of hydroxypropylated cassava and potato starches: Functional and physicotechnical properties

Introduction: Starch modification is achieved using physical and chemical means to improve the physicochemical characteristics and stability of the molecule with potential applications in specialized drug delivery systems. Purpose: This study aimed to characterize cassava and potato starches modified via hydroxypropylation. Methods: Native cassava and potato starches were subjected to initial pre-gelatinization before being hydroxypropylated (HP) using propylene oxide. The native and HP-starch powders were characterized for their physicochemical properties, powder properties as well as high-resolution analyses using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Organoleptic evaluations indicated that native starches were white and smooth while HP-starches were off-white, coarse and glassy. The HP-cassava and potato starches significantly increased in solubility by 79.4 and 14.7%, respectively. The HP-starches also exhibited a reduction in the volume of sedimentation, while only the HP-cassava starch showed a reduced water retention capacity of 1.7133 g/g. Percentage syneresis was lower in both HP-cassava and potato starches with 4.16 and 1.08%, respectively. The HP-cassava and potato starches showed excellent flowability with corresponding Carr’s indices of 5.96 and 5.23% and angles of repose of 19.98 and 20.50°, respectively. DSC and FTIR results confirmed starch modification while SEM showed smooth flat particles. Conclusion: Hydroxypropylation enhanced the solubility, reduced the volume of sedimentation and improved the freeze-thaw stability of the native starches. It also increased the water retention capacity and moisture sorption of potato starch.

A Birds Eye View on Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Applications in Drug Delivery System

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) might provide fresh opportunities for treating challenging ailments. The SLN were established in the 1990s to replace emulsions and liposomes, in addition to polymeric nanoparticles (NP) as carrier systems. SLN are wet cohesive dispersions with solid biodegradable lipids as their matrices. Drug delivery techniques called SLN use both liquid and solid lipids as their primary matrices. It was demonstrated that SLNs have several benefits over conventional carriers for drug therapy, a longer half-life, tissue-targeted administration, higher permeability, enhanced bioavailability, enhanced solubility, as well as the capacity to enhance storage stability. Because of their exclusive size-dependent characteristics as well as their capability towards incorporating drugs, SLN’s currently a possibility towards designing promising pharmacological prototypes for drug transport as well as targeting. The objective of tailored as well as monitored drug delivery is now unsettling researchers’ interests across the globe, and can be accomplished through the support of SLNs. The present investigation emphasizes SLNs’ numerous characteristics as well as development and evaluation processes, formulation factors, delivery routes, surface changes, toxicity, and biomedical applications

Investigation of cellulose acetate electrospun films for controlled drug permeability

The current work examined the capability of electrospun film to act as a membrane for controlling drug permeability for its intended application in local drug delivery systems. Electrospun films of cellulose acetate were chosen as the model to utilize Taguchi design of experiment (DoE) that took into account the independent input variables (applied voltage, flow rate, collector distance and polymer concentration). Drug permeability and tensile strength were chosen as the response parameters. Applied voltage of 27 kV, flow rate of 1.25 mL/h, collector distance of 12.5 cm and polymer concentration of 19 % were found to be the ideal combination for higher tensile strength and lower drug permeability. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that, among the input parameters examined, polymer concentration was the most influencing for both the response parameters. The analysis of fiber morphology, fiber orientation and porosity of electrospun was also performed. The results indicated the ability of electrospun fiber to achieve drug permeability as low as 31.7 % (in initial 24 h) and highest tensile strength of 3.81 MPa.

Combination of polylactide with cellulose for biomedical applications: a recent overview

AbstractThis review summarizes the use of cellulose and polylactide for medical applications with particular emphasis on modern dressings. Although classic cotton and viscose dressings are still available and popular, the usefulness of new forms of cellulose (Cel) and its derivatives opens new wound treatment options. Therefore, trends in functionalizing traditional cellulose dressings, including products made of bacterial cellulose, and dressings from cellulose derivatives, are discussed. Polylactide (PLA), in turn, is a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester that fulfills plenty of tasks in many medical fields, from surgery to modern diagnostic methods. However, polylactide dressings can still be advantageous to the market. Thus, the next part of the article contains a recent update of available knowledge about PLA and its applications in regenerative medicine and drug-delivery systems. The last part is devoted to the possibilities of combining both materials in dressings and related problems and benefits. Methods for compatibilization with the surface of both polymers and new techniques for producing Cel/PLA composite materials are also described.

Nanomaterial marvels: Pioneering applications and cutting-edge advancements in drug delivery

Nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of medicine, particularly in the development of novel drug delivery systems. Nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems offer several advantages over traditional methods, including enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved bioavailability, targeted delivery, and reduced side effects. This review provides an overview of the applications and recent advancements in nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems. The first section of this review focuses on the different types of nanomaterials used in drug delivery, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, carbon-based nanomaterials, and metallic nanoparticles. Each nanomaterial has unique physicochemical properties that can be tailored to optimize drug encapsulation, release, and targeting. The second section highlights the importance of nanoscale characterization techniques in evaluating the properties and performance of nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems. Characterization techniques such as dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and spectroscopic methods enable researchers to analyze particle size, morphology, surface charge, drug loading, and release kinetics. The third section discusses the application of nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems in various therapeutic areas, including cancer treatment, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. These systems can be engineered to selectively accumulate at the target site, enhancing drug efficacy and minimizing off-target effects. The fourth section explores recent advancements in nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems, including stimulus-responsive and multifunctional nanocarriers. Stimuli-responsive systems can release drugs in response to specific triggers, such as changes in pH, temperature, or enzymatic activity, leading to site-specific drug release. Multifunctional nanocarriers combine drug delivery with diagnostic imaging, allowing real-time monitoring of drug distribution and therapeutic response. The final section addresses the challenges and future perspectives in the field of nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems. Challenges include regulatory considerations, toxicity concerns, scalability, and clinical translation. Future directions involve the development of personalized nanomedicine, combination therapy approaches, and integration with other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and gene editing. In conclusion, nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have shown great potential for improving the efficacy and safety of therapeutic interventions. The advancements in nanotechnology offer exciting opportunities for the development of next-generation drug delivery platforms, opening new avenues for personalized medicine and targeted therapies. However, further research and collaborations are required to address the challenges associated with clinical translation and ensure the safe and effective implementation of these systems in clinical practice.

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Advances and Challenges in Nanomedicine

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have garnered signiicant attention in the ield of nanomedicine due to their potential to revolutionize drug delivery and therapy. This paper comprehensively reviews the latest advancements in the design, fabrication,and clinical applications of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. The introduction outlines the fundamental concepts of nanoparticlebased drug delivery, elucidating their unique advantages and challenges. The subsequent section delves into the advancements in nanoparticle design and fabrication techniques, showcasing the diversity of approaches in tailoring nanoparticles for speciic therapeutic purposes. Overcoming biological barriers, particularly targeting and penetration, is discussed in detail, emphasizing strategies to enhance the eficiency of drug delivery to target sites. Clinical applications and success stories demonstrate the transformative impact of nanoparticle-based drug delivery in various therapeutic contexts. Despite remarkable progress, challenges and future directions are explored, highlighting the need for addressing issues such as safety, scalability, and regulatory approval. In conclusion, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advances and challenges in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, offering insights into their potential to reshape the landscape of modern medicine.

Biological Properties and Biomedical Applications of Pectin and Pectin-Based Composites: A Review.

Pectin has recently drawn much attention in biomedical applications due to its distinctive chemical and biological properties. Polymers like pectin with cell-instructive properties are attractive natural biomaterials for tissue repair and regeneration. In addition, bioactive pectin and pectin-based composites exhibit improved characteristics to deliver active molecules. Pectin and pectin-based composites serve as interactive matrices or scaffolds by stimulating cell adhesion and cell proliferation and enhancing tissue remodeling by forming an extracellular matrix in vivo. Several bioactive properties, such as immunoregulatory, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant activities, contribute to the pectin's and pectin-based composite's enhanced applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. Tissue engineering scaffolds containing pectin and pectin-based conjugates or composites demonstrate essential features such as nontoxicity, tunable mechanical properties, biodegradability, and suitable surface properties. The design and fabrication of pectic composites are versatile for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. This article reviews the promising characteristics of pectin or pectic polysaccharides and pectin-based composites and highlights their potential biomedical applications, focusing on drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Key Fabrications of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Effective Drug Delivery Using Flow Chemistry Reactors.

Chitosan nanoparticles have garnered considerable interest in the field of drug delivery owing to their distinctive properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and ability to encapsulate a wide range of drugs. However, the conventional methods (eg, the drop method) for synthesizing chitosan nanoparticles often face limitations in regard to controlling the particle size, morphology, and scalability, hindering their extensive application in drug delivery systems. To overcome these challenges, this study explores using a novel flow chemistry reactor design for fabricating clindamycin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles. By varying two critical operating parameters of flow chemistry, namely, the flow rate ratio and total flow rate, the impact of these parameters on the properties of chitosan nanoparticles is investigated using a central composite experimental design. The optimized conditions for nanoparticle preparation yielded remarkable results, with chitosan nanoparticles exhibiting a small size of 371.60 nm and an extremely low polydispersity index of 0.042. Furthermore, using novel design flow chemistry reactor, the productivity of chitosan nanoparticles was estimated to be 25,402.17 mg/min, which was ~12.71 times higher than that obtained via batch synthesis. The findings of this study indicate that the use of novel design flow chemistry reactor is promising for synthesizing clindamycin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles and other polymeric nanoparticles intended for drug delivery applications. This is primarily attributed to their ability to produce nanoparticles with a considerably reduced particle size distribution and smaller overall size. The demonstrated high productivity of this technique suggests the potential for industrial-scale nanoparticle manufacturing.

An Overview of the Electrospinning of Polymeric Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications Related to Drug Delivery

Electrospinning is a prominent technique for micro/nanofiber production and has received significant attention in the 21st century. It enables the production of ultrafine fibers using a variety of polymers, including synthetic, natural, and hybrid materials. Electrospun nanofibers (NFs) possess unique properties such as a high surface‐to‐volume ratio, tunable pore structures, and customizable composition, making them highly desirable in various fields such as biomedical science, textiles, sensors, filters, energy, and packaging. Herein, particular attention will be given to the application of NFs in biomedical fields. The use of NFs for the delivery of drugs, growth factors, proteins, nanoparticles, etc., holds significant promise in the field of biomedical science. To combine these compounds with NFs, various electrospinning techniques have been developed with outstanding improvements, and based on the requirements of the application type, different electrospinning processes are favored. In this review, the most common drug loading methods into NFs, generally used synthetic/natural polymers for NF production, and their application in drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and wound dressing will be mentioned. Finally, challenges and future perspectives for above mentioned biomedical applications are discussed.

Exceptionally Fast Temperature-Responsive, Mechanically Strong and Extensible Monolithic Non-Porous Hydrogels: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Intercalated with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose.

Exceptionally fast temperature-responsive, mechanically strong, tough and extensible monolithic non-porous hydrogels were synthesized. They are based on divinyl-crosslinked poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAm) intercalated by hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). HPMC was largely extracted after polymerization, thus yielding a 'template-modified' PNIPAm network intercalated with a modest residue of HPMC. High contents of divinyl crosslinker and of HPMC caused a varying degree of micro-phase-separation in some products, but without detriment to mechanical or tensile properties. After extraction of non-fixed HPMC, the micro-phase-separated products combine superior mechanical properties with ultra-fast T-response (in 30 s). Their PNIPAm network was highly regular and extensible (intercalation effect), toughened by hydrogen bonds to HPMC, and interpenetrated by a network of nano-channels (left behind by extracted HPMC), which ensured the water transport rates needed for ultra-fast deswelling. Moreover, the T-response rate could be widely tuned by the degree of heterogeneity during synthesis. The fastest-responsive among our hydrogels could be of practical interest as soft actuators with very good mechanical properties (soft robotics), while the slower ones offer applications in drug delivery systems (as tested on the example of Theophylline), or in related biomedical engineering applications.

Polymer-Based Self-Assembled Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma Treatment: Design Strategies and Recent Advances.

Glaucoma has become the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness, and one of its main characteristics is high intraocular pressure. Currently, the non-surgical drug treatment scheme to reduce intraocular pressure is a priority method for glaucoma treatment. However, the complex and special structure of the eye poses significant challenges to the treatment effect and safety adherence of this drug treatment approach. To address these challenges, the application of polymer-based self-assembled drug delivery systems in glaucoma treatment has emerged. This review focuses on the utilization of polymer-based self-assembled structures or materials as important functional and intelligent carriers for drug delivery in glaucoma treatment. Various drug delivery systems, such as eye drops, hydrogels, and contact lenses, are discussed. Additionally, the review primarily summarizes the design strategies and methods used to enhance the treatment effect and safety compliance of these polymer-based drug delivery systems. Finally, the discussion delves into the new challenges and prospects of employing polymer-based self-assembled drug delivery systems for the treatment of glaucoma.

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Advances and Challenges in Nanomedicine

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have garnered significant attention in the field of nanomedicine due to their potential to revolutionize drug delivery and therapy. This paper comprehensively reviews the latest advancements in the design, fabrication, and clinical applications of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. The introduction outlines the fundamental concepts of nanoparticle-based drug delivery, elucidating their unique advantages and challenges. The subsequent section delves into the advancements in nanoparticle design and fabrication techniques, showcasing the diversity of approaches in tailoring nanoparticles for specific therapeutic purposes. Overcoming biological barriers, particularly targeting and penetration, is discussed in detail, emphasizing strategies to enhance the efficiency of drug delivery to target sites. Clinical applications and success stories demonstrate the transformative impact of nanoparticle-based drug delivery in various therapeutic contexts. Despite remarkable progress, challenges and future directions are explored, highlighting the need for addressing issues such as safety, scalability, and regulatory approval. In conclusion, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advances and challenges in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, offering insights into their potential to reshape the landscape of modern medicine.

Rapid correction of hyperglycemia: A necessity but at what price? A brief report of a patient living with type 1 diabetes

The complication of diabetes, which is known as diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), is a significant concern due to its association with high rates of disability and mortality. It not only severely affects patients’ quality of life, but also imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system. In spite of efforts made in clinical practice, treating DFU remains a challenging task. While mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has been extensively studied in treating DFU, the current efficacy of DFU healing using this method is still inadequate. However, in recent years, several MSCs-based drug delivery systems have emerged, which have shown to increase the efficacy of MSC therapy, especially in treating DFU. This review summarized the application of diverse MSCs-based drug delivery systems in treating DFU and suggested potential prospects for the future research.

Cellular and molecular overview of gestational diabetes mellitus: Is it predictable and preventable?

The complication of diabetes, which is known as diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), is a significant concern due to its association with high rates of disability and mortality. It not only severely affects patients’ quality of life, but also imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system. In spite of efforts made in clinical practice, treating DFU remains a challenging task. While mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has been extensively studied in treating DFU, the current efficacy of DFU healing using this method is still inadequate. However, in recent years, several MSCs-based drug delivery systems have emerged, which have shown to increase the efficacy of MSC therapy, especially in treating DFU. This review summarized the application of diverse MSCs-based drug delivery systems in treating DFU and suggested potential prospects for the future research.