Applications In Drug Delivery Systems Research Articles

Natural Products Treat Colorectal Cancer by Regulating miRNA.

Diseases are evolving as living standards continue to improve. Cancer is the main cause of death and a major public health problem that seriously threatens human life. Colorectal cancer is one of the top ten most common malignant tumors in China, ranking second after gastric cancer among gastrointestinal malignant tumors, and its incidence rate is increasing dramatically each year due to changes in the dietary habits and lifestyle of the world's population. Although conventional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have profoundly impacted the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), drug resistance and toxicity remain substantial challenges. Natural products, such as dietary therapeutic agents, are considered the safest alternative for treating CRC. In addition, there is substantial evidence that natural products can induce apoptosis, inhibit cell cycle arrest, and reduce the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells by targeting and regulating the expression and function of miRNAs. Here, we summarize the recent research findings on the miRNA-regulation-based antitumor mechanisms of various active ingredients in natural products, highlighting how natural products target miRNA regulation in colon cancer prevention and treatment. The application of natural drug delivery systems and predictive disease biomarkers in cancer prevention and treatment is also discussed. Such approaches will contribute to the discovery of new regulatory mechanisms associated with disease pathways and provide a new theoretical basis for developing novel colon cancer drugs and compounds and identifying new therapeutic targets.

Plasma Modification Techniques for Natural Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems.

Natural polymers have attracted significant attention in drug delivery applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility. However, their surface properties often limit their use as drug delivery vehicles, as they may exhibit poor wettability, weak adhesion, and inadequate drug loading and release. Plasma treatment is a promising surface modification technique that can overcome these limitations by introducing various functional groups onto the natural polymer surface, thus enhancing its physicochemical and biological properties. This review provides a critical overview of recent advances in the plasma modification of natural polymer-based drug delivery systems, with a focus on controllable plasma treatment techniques. The review covers the fundamental principles of plasma generation, process control, and characterization of plasma-treated natural polymer surfaces. It discusses the various applications of plasma-modified natural polymer-based drug delivery systems, including improved biocompatibility, controlled drug release, and targeted drug delivery. The challenges and emerging trends in the field of plasma modification of natural polymer-based drug delivery systems are also highlighted. The review concludes with a discussion of the potential of controllable plasma treatment as a versatile and effective tool for the surface functionalization of natural polymer-based drug delivery systems.

Enhancing Healthcare Outcomes and Modulating Apoptosis- and Antioxidant-Related Genes through the Nano-Phytosomal Delivery of Phenolics Extracted from Allium ampeloprasum.

The application of nano drug delivery systems, particularly those utilizing natural bioactive compounds with anticancer properties, has gained significant attention. In this study, a novel nano-phytosome-loaded phenolic rich fraction (PRF) derived from Allium ampeloprasum L. was developed. The antitumor activity of the formulation was evaluated in BALB/c mice with TUBO colon carcinoma. The PRF-loaded nano-phytosome (PRF-NPs) exhibited a sphere-shaped structure (226 nm) and contained a diverse range of phenolic compounds. Animal trials conducted on TUBO tumor-bearing mice demonstrated that treatment with PRF-NPs at a dosage of 50 mg TPC/Kg/BW resulted in significant improvements in body weight and food intake, while reducing liver enzymes and lipid peroxidation. The expression of apoptosis-related genes, such as Bax and caspase-3, was upregulated, whereas Bcl2 was significantly downregulated (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of GPx and SOD genes in the liver was notably increased compared to the control group. The findings suggest that the phytosomal encapsulation of the phenolic rich fraction derived from Allium ampeloprasum L. can enhance the bioavailability of natural phytochemicals and improve their antitumor properties. The development of PRF-NPs as a nano drug delivery system holds promise for effective breast cancer treatment.

Rational Design and Multicomponent Synthesis of Lipid-Peptoid Nanocomposites towards a Customized Drug Delivery System Assembly.

Nanotechnology has assumed a significant role over the last decade in the development of various technologies applied to health sciences. This becomes even more evident with its application in controlled drug delivery systems. In this context, peptoids are a promising class of compounds for application as nanocarriers in drug delivery systems. These compounds can be obtained efficiently and with highly functionalized structural diversity via the Ugi 4-component reaction (U-4CR). Herein, we report the design of the process control strategy for the future development of lipid-peptoid-based customized drug delivery system assemblies. Over 20 lipid-peptoid nanocomposites were synthesized via the U-4CR in good to excellent yields. These products were successfully submitted to the nanoparticle formation by the emulsification-evaporation process from lipophilic solution and analyzed via Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Several molecules generated nanoparticles with a size ≤200 nm, making them good candidates for drug delivery systems, such as in cancer treatment.

Nanoemulsions as medicinal components in insoluble medicines

Background: Medicine’s success relies on solubility, which is the process of dissolving a solid substance in a fluid phase to create a uniform molecular dispersion. However, hydrophobic active medicinal components exhibit poor solubility in water, limiting their effectiveness and incorporation into medications. Aim: This review explores the potential of nanoemulsions as a solution for delivering hydrophobic medicinal components with low solubility. The study investigates the benefits of nanoemulsions, including enhanced absorption, effective targeting, controlled release, and protection of encapsulated bioactive ingredients. Materials and methods: Nanoemulsions are formulated by combining two immiscible liquids with emulsifying agents within a thermodynamically stable colloidal dispersion system. The review categorizes various preparation techniques into high-energy and low-energy spontaneous emulsification methods. The choice of preparation procedures and materials used significantly affects the stability of nanoemulsions over time. Evaluation of nanoemulsions includes studying medication release in vitro, in vitro permeation, stability and thermodynamic stability, shelf life, viscosity, interfacial tension, pH, and osmolarity. Results: Nanoemulsions, such as Celecoxib (Phase Inversion), acetylsalicylic acid (Ultrasonication), and Flurbiprofen (Homogenization and Ultrasonication), offer distinct advantages for medications with low solubility compared to conventional emulsions. These nanoemulsions comprise small droplets with a larger surface area, promoting enhanced absorption. They demonstrate effective targeting, controlled release, and protection of encapsulated bioactive ingredients. Moreover, the diminutive droplet sizes of nanoemulsions contribute to their reduced susceptibility to issues like flocculation, coalescence, sedimentation, or creaming. Conclusion: Nanoemulsions hold great promise in overcoming the solubility limitations of hydrophobic medicinal components. They provide enhanced absorption, effective targeting, controlled release, and protection of bioactive ingredients. The choice of preparation techniques and materials plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability of nanoemulsions over time. Further studies are warranted to optimize their use and explore their potential applications in drug delivery systems.

Advances and Prospects for Hydrogel-Forming Microneedles in Transdermal Drug Delivery.

Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is one of the key approaches for treating diseases, avoiding first-pass effects, reducing systemic adverse drug reactions and improving patient compliance. Microneedling, iontophoresis, electroporation, laser ablation and ultrasound facilitation are often used to improve the efficiency of TDD. Among them, microneedling is a relatively simple and efficient means of drug delivery. Microneedles usually consist of micron-sized needles (50-900 μm in length) in arrays that can successfully penetrate the stratum corneum and deliver drugs in a minimally invasive manner below the stratum corneum without touching the blood vessels and nerves in the dermis, improving patient compliance. Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs) are safe and non-toxic, with no residual matrix material, high drug loading capacity, and controlled drug release, and they are suitable for long-term, multiple drug delivery. This work reviewed the characteristics of the skin structure and TDD, introduced TDD strategies based on HFMs, and summarized the characteristics of HFM TDD systems and the evaluation methods of HFMs as well as the application of HFM drug delivery systems in disease treatment. The HFM drug delivery system has a wide scope for development, but the translation to clinical application still has more challenges.

Construction and application of microneedle-mediated photothermal therapy and immunotherapy combined anti-tumor drug delivery system

Conventional treatments for tumors were frequently accompanied by drawbacks and side effects. It might be useful to use the revolutionary microneedle technology which combines photothermal therapy with tumor immunotherapy. In this study, we created a microneedle drug delivery system with mercapto-modified gold nanorods and immune checkpoint blocker anti-PD-1 polypeptide. With good mechanical strength, the microneedle system can efficiently penetrate the skin and deliver drugs. When inserted into human skin, anti-PD-1 peptides and gold nanorods can be released, boosting the capacity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to destroy tumor cells. Additionally, the elimination of the tumor is aided by the production of heat while being exposed to near-infrared light. This microneedle drug delivery system can enhance the immunological reaction and prolong the survival time of mice. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the system has mild toxic and side effects on normal tissues and can effectively inhibit the growth of tumors, indicating a bright prospect for the treatment of cancers.

Emerging Polymer-Based Nanosystem Strategies in the Delivery of Antifungal Drugs.

Nanosystems-based antifungal agents have emerged as an effective strategy to address issues related to drug resistance, drug release, and toxicity. Among the diverse materials employed for antifungal drug delivery, polymers, including polysaccharides, proteins, and polyesters, have gained significant attention due to their versatility. Considering the complex nature of fungal infections and their varying sites, it is crucial for researchers to carefully select appropriate polymers based on specific scenarios when designing antifungal agent delivery nanosystems. This review provides an overview of the various types of nanoparticles used in antifungal drug delivery systems, with a particular emphasis on the types of polymers used. The review focuses on the application of drug delivery systems and the release behavior of these systems. Furthermore, the review summarizes the critical physical properties and relevant information utilized in antifungal polymer nanomedicine delivery systems and briefly discusses the application prospects of these systems.

Preparation of pH-sensitive lignin nanoparticles and its application in hydrophobic drug delivery

The majority of current oral drugs are hydrophobic, and have the toxic side effects to the gastrointestinal tract, which limit their therapeutic efficacy. In order to improve the performance of drug formulations, the development of new functional materials is crucial for the technological breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical industry. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) give them great potential for application in this field. LNPs consist of a hydrophilic shell and hydrophobic core, which is particularly suitable for the capsulation of hydrophobic drugs, and then it would increase the stability and solubility of drugs and reduced the irritation to the stomach. In this study, alkali lignin (AL) was fractionated by 80% methanol to obtain targeted MAL with low molecular weight, high phenolic hydroxyl content and good homogeneity. The LNPs was prepared by quaternization modification of MAL and self-assembling in an ethanol/water mixture. Their application in the hydrophobic oral drug delivery system was evaluated and Ibuprofen (IBU) was used as a drug pattern. The effect of solvent exchange time (24 h, 36 h, 48 h and 60 h) on the formation process of IBU-loaded LNPs (IBU-LNPs) was investigated. The in vitro release experiments were conducted and it revealed that IBU release occurred priority in the intestine rather than the stomach, which were meeting the release requirements of ideal oral carrier. In addition, IBU-LNPs showed non-cytotoxic against the L929 cells and improved the bioavailability of IBU drugs. Therefore, this work proposes a preparation method of the smart lignin nanoparticle by screening characteristic lignin with higher reactivity and by modulating the solvent exchange time during the preparation process. Overall, LNPs showed the great potential of application in pharmaceuticals industry and was demonstrated a promising and green product.

Polyampholytes and Their Hydrophobic Derivatives as Excipients for Suppressing Protein Aggregation.

Protein aggregation, which occurs under various physiological conditions, can affect cell function and is a major issue in the field of protein therapeutics. In this study, we developed a polyampholyte composed of ε-poly-l-lysine and succinic anhydride and evaluated its protein protection efficacy. This polymer was able to protect different proteins from thermal stress and its performance significantly exceeded that of previously reported zwitterionic polymers. In addition, we synthesized derivatives with varying degrees of hydrophobicity, which exhibited remarkably enhanced efficiency; thus, the polymer concentration required for protein protection was very low. By facilitating the retention of protein enzymatic activity and stabilizing the higher-order structure, these polymers enabled the protein to maintain its native state, even after being subjected to extreme thermal stress. Thus, such polyampholytes are extremely effective in protecting proteins from extreme stress and may find applications in protein biopharmaceuticals and drug delivery systems.

A novel convex acoustic lens-attached ultrasound drug delivery system and its testing in a murine melanoma subcutaneous model

Target-specific drug release is indispensable to improve chemotherapeutic efficacy as it enhances drug uptake and penetration into tumors. Sono-responsive drug-loaded nano-/micro-particles are a promising solution for achieving target specificity by exposing them to ultrasound near tumors. However, the complicated synthetic processes and limited ultrasound (US) exposure conditions, such as limited control of ultrasound focal depth and acoustic power, prevent the practical application of this approach in clinical practice. Here, we propose a convex acoustic lens-attached US (CALUS) as a simple, economic, and efficient alternative of focused US for drug delivery system (DDS) application. The CALUS was characterized both numerically and experimentally using a hydrophone. In vitro, microbubbles (MBs) inside microfluidic channels were destroyed using the CALUS with various acoustic parameters (acoustic pressure [P], pulse repetition frequency [PRF], and duty cycle) and flow velocity. In vivo, tumor inhibition was evaluated using melanoma-bearing mice by characterizing tumor growth rate, animal weight, and intratumoral drug concentration with/without CALUS DDS. US beams were measured to be efficiently converged by CALUS, which was consistent with our simulation results. The acoustic parameters were optimized through the CALUS-induced MB destruction test (P = 2.34 MPa, PRF = 100 kHz, and duty cycle = 9%); this optimal parameter combination successfully induced MB destruction inside the microfluidic channel with an average flow velocity of up to 9.6 cm/s. The CALUS also enhanced the therapeutic effects of an antitumor drug (doxorubicin) in vivo in a murine melanoma model. The combination of the doxorubicin and the CALUS inhibited tumor growth by ∼ 55% more than doxorubicin alone, clearly indicating synergistic antitumor efficacy. Our tumor growth inhibition performance was better than other methods based on drug carriers, even without a time-consuming and complicated chemical synthesis process. This result suggests that our novel, simple, economic, and efficient target-specific DDS may offer a transition from preclinical research to clinical trials and a potential treatment approach for patient-centered healthcare.

Electro-Responsive Conductive Blended Hydrogel Patch.

The proposed electro-responsive hydrogel has great benefit for transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) applications. To improve the physical or chemical properties of hydrogels, a number of researchers have previously studied the mixing efficiencies of the blended hydrogels. However, few studies have focused on improving the electrical conductivity and drug delivery of the hydrogels. We developed a conductive blended hydrogel by mixing alginate with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and silver nanowire (AgNW). We demonstrated that and the tensile strength of blended hydrogels were increased by a factor of 1.8 by blending GelMA and the electrical conductivity was enhanced by a factor of 18 by the addition of AgNW. Furthermore, the GelMA-alginate-AgNW (Gel-Alg-AgNW) blended hydrogel patch enabled on-off controllable drug release, indicating 57% doxorubicin release in response to electrical stimulation (ES) application. Therefore, this electro-responsive blended hydrogel patch could be useful for smart drug delivery applications.

Therapeutic applications of contact lens-based drug delivery systems in ophthalmic diseases

Traditional ophthalmic drugs, such as eye drops, gels and ointments, are accompanied by many problems, including low bioavailability and potential drug side effects. Innovative ophthalmic drug delivery systems have been proposed to overcome the limitations associated with traditional formulations. Recently, contact lens-based drug delivery systems have gained popularity owing to their advantages of sustained drug delivery, prolonged drug retention, improved bioavailability, and few drug side effects. Various methods have been successfully applied to drug-loaded contact lenses and prolonged the drug release time, such as chemical crosslinking, material embedding, molecular imprinting, colloidal nanoparticles, vitamin E modification, drug polymer film/coating, ion ligand polymerization systems, and supercritical fluid technology. Contact lens-based drug delivery systems play an important role in the treatment of multifarious ophthalmic diseases. This review discusses the latest developments in drug-loaded contact lenses for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases, including preparation methods, application in ophthalmic diseases and future prospects.

How to Make and Characterize Hydroxyapatite from Eggshell Using the Hydrothermal Method: Potential Insights for Drug Delivery System

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has garnered significant attention as a versatile biomaterial with promising applications in drug delivery systems. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize HA derived from eggshells using the hydrothermal method and explore its potential insights for drug delivery systems. We delivered a step-by-step process to produce HA using a hydrothermal method, supported by several analyses, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to analyze the crystallinity structure, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The stage is continued with a study on the potential of HA as a drug delivery system with UV-Visible spectrophotometer instrumentation. The results suggest that the characterized HA suits drug delivery systems due to its favorable properties. This study contributes to the understanding of utilizing hydroxyapatite from eggshells as a viable material for drug delivery systems, opening avenues for further research and development in this field.

Chemistry Characterization and Application of Nanocrystals-based Drug Delivery System: Present to Future Perspective.

With the development of new technologies, various drugs with higher efficacy have been found, but their therapeutic use is still limited owing to poor water solubility, which leads to poor systemic bioavailability. Currently, about 40% of newly discovered drugs have a solubility issue. It is a major challenge for formulation scientists to overcome this problem and make a robust and effective formulation. One such unique approach is to formulate the drug as nanocrystals which alter the physical characteristics of the drug, resulting in the development of a novel formulation strategy for poorly soluble drugs. Nanocrystals are produced by various techniques such as top-down, bottom-up, or combination methods. Nanocrystals improve the clinical application of problematic drug molecules by decreasing the particle size, enhancing the dissolution rate and reducing the dose requirement, etc. This approach is not only improving the bioavailability of the drug but also facilitates the drug targeting to specific sites due to its feasibility of surface modification and all administration routes. This article deals with the various aspects of nanocrystals including chemistry, production, stabilization, characterization, and application in the field of pharmacy.

Application of Exosome-based Drug Delivery System in Combination Anticancer Treatment

Application of Exosome-based Drug Delivery System in Combination Anticancer Treatment

Rethinking the potential and necessity of drug delivery systems in neovascular age-related macular degeneration therapy.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the predominant threat to human vision and ultimately results in blindness. With the increase in the aging population, it has become a more crucial issue to human health. AMD is a multifactorial disease with the unique feature of uncontrollable angiogenesis during initiation and progression. Although increasing evidence indicates that AMD is largely hereditary, the predominant efficient treatment is antiangiogenesis, which mainly involves VEGF and HIF-α as therapeutic targets. The repeated administration of this treatment over the long term, generally through intravitreal injection, has called for the introduction of long-term drug delivery systems, which are expected to be achieved by biomaterials. However, the clinical results of the port delivery system indicate that the optimization of medical devices toward prolonging the activities of therapeutic biologics in AMD therapy seems more promising. These results indicate that we should rethink the possibility and potential of biomaterials as drug delivery systems in achieving long-term, sustained inhibition of angiogenesis in AMD therapy. In this review, the etiology, categorization, risk factors, pathogenesis, and current clinical treatments of AMD are briefly introduced. Next, the development status of long-term drug delivery systems is discussed, and the drawbacks and shortages of these systems are emphasized. By comprehensively considering the pathological aspect and the recent application of drug delivery systems in AMD therapy, we hope to find a better solution for the further development of long-term therapeutic strategies for AMD.

Investigating the effect of clay content and type on the mechanical performance of calcium alginate-based hybrid bio-capsules

This study aims to investigate the mechanical behavior of alginate-based simple and alginate@clay-based hybrid capsules under uniaxial compression using a Brookfield force machine. The effect of clay type and content on Young's modulus and nominal rupture stress of the capsules was investigated and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results showed that clay content improves the mechanical properties depending on its type. Montmorillonite and laponite clays showed optimal results at 3 wt% content, with a gain of 63.2 % and 70.34 % on Young's modulus, and a gain of 92.43 % and 108.66 % on nominal rupture stress, respectively, while kaolinite clay showed optimal results at 1.5 wt% content with an increase of 77.21 % on Young's modulus and 88.34 % on nominal rupture stress. However, exceeding the optimal content led to decrease the elasticity and rigidity due to the incomplete dispersion of clay particles in the hydrogel network. The theoretical modeling using Boltzmann superposition principle revealed that the elastic modulus was in good agreement with experimental values. Overall, this research provides insights into the mechanical behavior of alginate@clay-based capsules, which could have potential applications in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering.

Controlled ibuprofen release from Pickering emulsions stabilized by pH-responsive cellulose-based nanofibrils

Pickering emulsions represent a promising avenue in the field of controlled drug delivery systems. Recently, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and chitosan nanofibers (ChNFs) have gained interest as eco-friendly stabilizers for Pickering emulsions, yet their application in pH-responsive drug delivery systems remains unexplored. However, the potential of these biopolymer complexes in formulating stable, pH-responsive emulsions for controlled drug release is of significant interest. Here, we show the development of a highly stable, pH-responsive fish oil-in-water Pickering emulsion stabilized by ChNF/CNF complexes, with optimal stability achieved at a 0.2 wt% ChNF concentration and an average emulsion particle size of approximately 4 μm. Our results demonstrate long-term stability (16 days of storage) for ChNF/CNF-stabilized emulsions, with the interfacial membrane's pH modulation facilitating controlled, sustained ibuprofen (IBU) release. Furthermore, we observed a remarkable release of approximately 95 % of the embedded IBU within the pH range of 5–9, while the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the drug-loaded microspheres reached their peak at a 1 % IBU dosage, with values of 1 % and 87 %, respectively. This study highlights the potential of using ChNF/CNF complexes in designing versatile, stable, and entirely renewable Pickering systems for controlled drug delivery, with potential applications in food and eco-friendly products.

Application of Nano Drug Delivery System (NDDS) in Cancer Therapy: A Perspective.

Cancer is the biggest killer that threatens human health. Poor bioavailability and strong drug resistance of cancer drugs are common defects. In recent years, drug delivery therapy based on nanotechnology has become a focused research area, and nano drug delivery system has been widely studied in cancer treatment. Based on the articles and patents published on the application of nano drug delivery systems in cancer treatment in the past five years, this paper summarizes the types of nano drug delivery systems and their advantages and limitations in cancer treatment in order to provide a reference for future anticancer research on nano drug delivery systems. This perspective summarizes the types of nano drug delivery systems and their advantages and limitations in cancer treatment in recent five years, and proposes the development direction of nano drug delivery systems in the future. Based on the review of articles and patents, we found that the nano drug delivery system is mainly divided into encapsulated nano drug delivery system and covalently bound nanoprodrug delivery system. Its advantages in cancer treatment are mainly reflected in enhancing drug stability, improving bioavailability, reducing toxicity and better application in cancer diagnosis. However, nano drug delivery system is a new field of science, some of these drug delivery systems might have high toxicity and low bioavailability; the off-target phenomenon often occurs, and most studies are just focused on the early stage, its mechanism of action, clinical efficacy and patient tolerance, and the toxicity of treatment remains to be further investigated. This perspective systematically summarizes the types of nano drug delivery systems and their advantages and limitations in cancer treatment based on the published articles and patents obtained in the last five years. Future research on nano drug delivery system should consider the potential risks, and stable and efficient nano drug delivery systems should be designed to treat cancer by changing or functionalizing the nanomaterial.