Drug Delivery Research Articles

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(Her2)-targeted pH-responsive MR/NIRF bimodal imaging-mediated nano-delivery system for the diagnosis and treatment of undifferentiated thyroid cancer.

Undifferentiated thyroid cancer (ATC) is highly malignant and does not respond well to sorafenib (SRF) treatment owing to the lack of specificity of SRF targeting. Drug delivery nanosystems can improve the efficiencies of drug in treating various cancer types. However, many conventional drug delivery nanosystems lack targeting and exhibit unresponsive drug release. Therefore, we developed a pH-responsive nano-targeted drug delivery systems using human serum albumin (HSA) as a carrier to generate manganese dioxide (MnO2)@HSA nanoparticles (NPs), then encapsulated SRF and the fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) and finally modifyed the targeting antibody pertuzumab in the outer layer of the nano complexes, resulting in SRF/ICG/MnO2@HSA-pertuzumab (HISMP) NPs. This system targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 on the cell membrane surface of thyroid cancer cells and is designed to accumulate at tumor sites. Then, pH-responsive release of divalent manganese ions, ICG, and SRF enables magnetic resonance/fluorescence (MR/NIRF) dual-modality imaging and precise drug delivery for diagnostic and therapeutic integration. Various characterization analyses including transmission electron microscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, and particle size analysis confirm that we successfully synthesized HISMP NPs with a diameter of 150.709nm. The results of CCK8 cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays show that HISMP NPs exhibited high cytotoxicity and induce apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells. In vivo MR/NIRF imaging experiments confirmed that the HISMP NPs specifically aggregated at tumor sites and have good in vivo MR/NIRF imaging ability and effective anti-tumor activity. The nano-delivery system is expected to provide a theoretical foundation for the efficient ATC diagnosis and therapy.

Antibody-Free Glycogen Nanoparticles Engage Human Immune T Cells for Intracellular Delivery of Small Drugs or mRNA.

T cells play a major role in immune defense against viral infections and diseases such as cancer. Accordingly, developing nanoparticle (NP) systems to effectively deliver therapeutics to T cells is of interest. However, NP-mediated delivery of drugs to T cells is challenging because of the nonphagocytic nature of T cells. To engage T cells and induce cellular internalization, NPs are typically decorated with specific receptor-targeting antibodies, often using laborious and costly procedures. Herein, we report that natural glycogen NPs (i.e., nanosugars) with different sizes (20-80 nm) and surface charges (neutral and positively charged) engage Jurkat T cells, undergo intracellular trafficking, and release encapsulated drug without the use of receptor-targeting antibodies. Specifically, glycogen-resveratrol constructs are employed to reactivate HIV-1 latently infected Jurkat T cells (J-Lat A2) and trigger proviral expression. Both neutral and positively charged glycogen NPs engage with J-Lat A2 cells. Large (84 ± 29 nm) and positively charged (23 ± 5 mV) NPs, denoted phytoglycogen-ethylenediamine (PGEDA) NPs, readily associate with the cell membrane and are internalized (60%) in J-Lat A2 cells but remain confined in the endocytic vesicles, with moderate reactivation of latent HIV-1 (4.7 ± 0.5%). Conversely, small (21 ± 5 nm) and positively charged (10 ± 6 mV) NPs, bovine glycogen-EDA (BGEDA) NPs, associate slowly with T cells but show nearly 100% internalization and efficient endosomal escape properties, resulting in 1.5-fold higher reactivation of latent HIV-1 in T cells. PGEDA NPs and BGEDA NPs are also internalized by primary human T cells (>90% cell association) and enable the transfection of mRNA, with BGEDA NPs showing a 2-fold higher transfection than PGEDA NPs. This work highlights the potential of BGEDA NPs for the effective intracellular delivery of small-molecule drugs and mRNA in T cells.

Stimuli-Responsive Vesicles and Hydrogels Formed by a Single-Tailed Dynamic Covalent Surfactant in Aqueous Solutions

Controlling the hierarchical self-assembly of surfactants in aqueous solutions has drawn much attention due to their broad range of applications, from targeted drug release, preparation of smart material, to biocatalysis. However, the synthetic procedures for surfactants with stimuli-responsive hydrophobic chains are complicated, which restricts the development of surfactants. Herein, a novel single-tailed responsive surfactant, 1-methyl-3-(2-(4-((tetradecylimino) methyl) phenoxy) ethyl)-3-imidazolium bromides (C14PMimBr), was facilely fabricated in situ by simply mixing an aldehyde-functionalized imidazolium cation (3-(2-(4-formylphenoxy) ethyl)-1-methyl imidazolium bromide, BAMimBr) and aliphatic amine (tetradecylamine, TDA) through dynamic imine bonding. With increasing concentration, micelles, vesicles, and hydrogels were spontaneously formed by the hierarchical self-assembly of C14PMimBr in aqueous solutions without any additives. The morphologies of vesicles and hydrogels were characterized by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties and microstructure information of hydrogels were demonstrated by rheological measurement, X-ray diffraction, and density functional theory calculation. In addition, the vesicles could be disassembled and reassembled with the breakage and reformation of imine bonds by adding acid/bubbling CO2 and adding alkali. This work provides a simple method for constructing stimuli-responsive surfactant systems and shows great potential application in targeted drug release, drug delivery, and intelligent materials.

Review on Next-Gen Healthcare: The Role of MEMS and Nanomaterials in Enhancing Diagnostic and Therapeutic Outcomes

The convergence of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanomaterials is transforming healthcare by enabling breakthroughs in diagnostics, drug delivery, and biosensing. This synergistic integration offers unprecedented precision, miniaturization, and biocompatibility, overcoming critical challenges in detecting disease markers and delivering therapies. MEMS-based devices, when combined with nanomaterials, achieve heightened sensitivity and specificity, allowing for early diagnosis and targeted treatments across various medical applications. From cancer detection to neurotransmitter monitoring for mental health management, this fusion holds immense potential in advancing personalized medicine. As research in this domain continues to evolve, MEMS-nanomaterial technologies are poised to significantly enhance healthcare outcomes by improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and patient well-being. This review discusses recent advances, key challenges, and future perspectives on the role of MEMS and nanotechnology in shaping the future of healthcare innovation.

Numerical study of magneto convective ag (silver) graphene oxide (GO) hybrid nanofluid in a square enclosure with hot and cold slits and internal heat generation/absorption

Energy transmission is widely used in various engineering industries. In recent times, the utilization of hybrid nanofluids has become one of the most popular choices in various industrial fields to increase thermal performance and enhance power generation, entropy reduction, solar collectors, and solar systems. Motivated by this wide range of applications, the present article explores the mixed convection flow and heat transfer of magnetohydrodynamic \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:Ag$$\\end{document} (Silver) and \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:GO$$\\end{document} (Graphene) nanofluids hybrid nanofluids in a square enclosure with heat generation/absorption by using the MAC method. The vertical walls of the enclosure are assumed to be adiabatic. The horizontal walls are also assumed adiabatic except for the center portion of the top and bottom walls of the cavity. The center portion of the horizontal upper wall is maintained as a cold is \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:{(T}_{c})$$\\end{document}and the lower wall is maintained as hot \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:\\left({T}_{h}\\right)$$\\end{document}. The dimension equations are transformed into dimensionless form and then discretized and solved with the finite difference Marker and cell (MAC) method. Numerical modelling is implemented, by changing Richardson number \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:\\left(Ri\\right)$$\\end{document}, The results are located graphically using MATLAB software. The Nusselt number graph was displayed for the Reynolds number (Re), Richardson number\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:\\:\\left(Ri\\right)$$\\end{document}, and Hartmann number \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:\\left(Ha\\right)$$\\end{document}. The findings show that enhancing the values of the Richardson number and Reynolds number enhances the Nusselt number values except for the Hartmann number. The findings indicate that the combination of the new model is very good at predicting thermal conductivity and correlates experimental results well. The augmenting strength of magnetic force diminishes fluid flow. Developing the coefficients for the heat source and sink improves energy transmission and heat transfer enhancement. Hybrid nanofluids like \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:Ag-GO$$\\end{document} enhance heat transfer and efficiency. They improve cooling in heat exchangers, radiators, and electronics, boost solar energy systems, aid in cancer treatment and drug delivery, enhance geothermal and wind turbine efficiency, and improve manufacturing processes. Overall, they optimize thermal management in various applications.

Recent Updates on Diverse Nanoparticles and Nanostructures in Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications with Special Focus on Smart Protein Nanoparticles: A Review.

Nanomedicine enables advanced therapeutics, diagnostics, and predictive analysis, enhancing treatment outcomes and patient care. The choices and development of high-quality organic nanoparticles with relatively lower toxicity are important for achieving advanced medical goals. Among organic molecules, proteins have been prospected as smart candidates to revolutionize nanomedicine due to their inherent fascinating features. The advent of protein nanoarchitectures, which explore the biomolecular corona, offers new insights into their efficient tissue penetration and therapeutic potential. This review examines various animal- and plant-based protein nanoparticles, highlighting their source, activity, products, and unique biomedical applications in regenerative medicine, targeted therapies, gene and drug delivery, antimicrobial activity, bioimaging, immunological adjuvants, etc. It provides an extensive discussion on recent applications of protein nanoparticles across diverse biomedical fields as well as the evolving landscape of other nanoproducts and nanodevices for sensitive medical procedures. Furthermore, this review introduces different preparation technologies of protein nanoparticles, emphasizing how their design and construction significantly influence loading capacity, stability, and targeting effects. Additionally, we delve into the construction of different user-friendly multifunctional modular bioarchitectures by the assembly of protein nanoparticles (PNPs), marking a significant breakthrough in therapies. This review also considers the challenges of synthetic nanomaterials and the emergence of natural alternatives, which provides insights into protein nanoparticle research.

Modular Plasmonic Nanopore for Opto‐Thermal Gating

AbstractSolid‐state nanopore gating inspired by biological ion channels is gaining increasing traction due to a large range of applications in biosensing and drug delivery. Integration of stimuli‐responsive molecules such as poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) inside nanopores can enable temperature‐dependent gating, which so far has only been demonstrated using external heaters. In this work, plasmonic resonators are combined inside the nanopore architecture with PNIPAM to enable optical gating of individual or multiple nanopores with micrometer resolution and a switching speed of a few milliseconds by thermo‐plasmonics effects. A temperature change of 40 kelvin per millisecond is achieved and demonstrates the efficacy of this method using nanopore ionic conductivity measurements that enable selective activation of individual nanopores in an array. Moreover, the selective gating of specific nanopores in an array can set distinct ionic conductance levels: low, medium, and high (i.e., “0,” “1,” and “2”), which can be exploited for logical gating with optical signal control. Such selective optical gating in nanopore arrays marks a breakthrough in nanofluidics, as it paves the way toward smart devices that offer multifunctional applications including biosensing, targeted drug delivery, and fluidic mixing.

High-Flow Nasal Aerosol Therapy; Regional Aerosol Deposition and Airway Responsiveness.

Introduction: In normal subjects, during tidal breathing, aerosols deposit by settling in small airways. With obstructive lung disease (OLD), collapse of airways during expiration causes turbulence and increased deposition in central airways. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy, washing out dead space, may affect deposition mechanisms and drug delivery. This study compared aerosol deposition and airway responsiveness in OLD after traditional and HFNC nebulization therapy. Methods: Twelve subjects with moderate to severe OLD participated in a two-day study. Spirometry was measured pre- and post-aerosol inhalation. On Day 1 (D1) subjects tidally inhaled radiolabeled albuterol (99mTc DTPA) by mouth via AeroTech II, (Biodex. Shirley, NY). Day 2 (D2) inhalation was via HFNC using i-AIRE (InspiRx, Inc. Somerset, NJ). The HFNC system (60 L/m) was infused by syringe pump at 50 mL/h. D2 lung deposition was monitored in real time by gamma camera to match D1. Pre and post heart rate, O2 sat, and nasopharyngeal deposition (NP) were measured. Mechanistic contributions were modeled using multiple linear regression (MLR) of deposition rate (DR µg/m) as a function of breathing frequency, airway geometry (FEV1), and parenchymal integrity (DLCO). Results: Albuterol lung depositions were matched (p = 0.13) with D1 central/peripheral (sC/P) ratios 1.99 ± 0.98. Following HFNC, peripheral deposition increased (31% ± 33%, sC/P = 1.51 ± 0.43, p = 0.01). D2/D1% change FVC increased by 16.1 ± 16.7% (p = 0.003). NP deposition averaged 333% of lung. Heart rate and O2 sat were unaffected (p = 0.31, p = 0.63 respectively). DR analysis was markedly different between D1 (R2 = 0.82) and D2 (R2 = 0.12). Conclusion: In subjects with OLD, HFNC nebulization at 60 L/min was well tolerated and increased peripheral drug delivery. Spirometry significantly improved. Systemic effects were undetected indicating limited nasal absorption. MLR demonstrated that different mechanisms of deposition govern traditional vs HFNC aerosol delivery. Breath-enhanced nebulization via HFNC may provide controllable and effective aerosol therapy in OLD.

The potential cutaneous benefits of bentonites and montmorillonites.

Bentonites and montmorillonites, natural clay minerals originating from volcanic ash, possess unique properties that have traditionally been utilized in industrial applications. Recently, their potential biomedical applications, particularly in dermatology, have garnered significant interest. This review explores the cutaneous benefits of bentonites and montmorillonites, highlighting their anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, oil-absorbing, drug delivery, photoprotective, and anti-aging effects. Evidence from in vitro experiments, animal studies, and preliminary clinical trials demonstrate that these clays can significantly reduce inflammation, accelerate wound healing, absorb excess oil, enhance drug delivery, protect against ultraviolet radiation, and improve skin hydration and elasticity. Larger scale randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are needed to further establish the safety and efficacy of bentonites and montmorillonites. Given the increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients in skincare, bentonites and montmorillonites present a promising area for further research and development in dermatologic applications.

Dynamically Crosslinked Hydrogels Composed of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Tannic Acid for Sustained Release of Encapsulated Protein

AbstractPolysaccharide‐based hydrogels are promising for biomedical applications such as drug delivery owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivities. In particular, there is a need for hydrogels with injectability for minimally invasive therapies and controlled sustained release for sustained drug effect. Hydrogels made from carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and tannic acid (TA) (CMC‐TA) contain dynamic covalent bonds owing to autoxidation between CMC and TA, and interact with proteins via TA, elucidation of the detailed mechanism of dynamic covalent bonding in CMC‐TA hydrogels will facilitate stable loading and zero‐order release of proteins. Herein, the physical properties of oxidized CMC‐TA (Oxi‐CMC‐TA) prepared for the encapsulation and sustained release of proteins are explored. Following incubation at 37 °C for 24 h, CMC‐TA undergoes secondary crosslinking by autoxidation to produce Oxi‐CMC‐TA. Notably, CMC‐TA is viscoelastic and shear‐thinning, allowing for injection and 3D bioprinting. Indeed, CMC‐TA can be 3D‐printed with green fluorescent protein (GFP) encapsulated in its matrix. Oxi‐CMC‐TA also exhibits an affinity for protein owing to its gallol groups, enabling Oxi‐CMC‐TA to collect GFP in aqueous solutions against a concentration gradient. Moreover, Oxi‐CMC‐TA releases GFP over 15 days. Injectable, 3D‐printable, protein‐collecting, and zero‐order sustained‐releasing Oxi‐CMC‐TA has the potential to make a significant contribution to drug delivery.

Tuning the Fe-Gd nanoparticles co-functionalized mesoporous carbon from sphere to nanobowl for advanced bioapplications

Studies on the function-integrated nanocomposites with well-tuned morphologies have received considerable interest. Here, we reported the preparation of mesoporous carbon nanobowl integrated with stoichiometric γ-Fe2O3 and GdPO4 nanoparticles (Fe-Gd/MCN-B) for morphological advantage exploration. Followed by (i) emulsion-induced interface anisotropic assembly of polydopamine, (ii) solvent evaporation-induced sorption of Wells-Dawson-like heterometallic cluster of {Fe6Gd6P6} and (iii) temperature-programmed carbonization, Fe-Gd/MCN-B with the size around 200 nm was isolated. Our in-vitro studies revealed that Fe-Gd/MCN-B showed a 63.0 % amplified photoacoustic (PA) signal intensity as compared with its nanospherical analogue of Fe-Gd/MCN-S owing to the enhanced light harvesting and photothermal conversion on the interface of its nanobowl morphology. Furthermore, the combined magnetic resonance (MR) imagining, drug delivery and photothermal treatment efficacy in Fe-Gd/MCN-B were also validated in-vitro. These results demonstrated that the delicate design of the morphology of function-integrated nanocomposites is an available way for enhanced imaging performance.

Targeting capabilities of engineered extracellular vesicles for the treatment of neurological diseases.

Recent advances in research on extracellular vesicles have significantly enhanced their potential as therapeutic agents for neurological diseases. Owing to their therapeutic properties and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, extracellular vesicles are recognized as promising drug delivery vehicles for various neurological conditions, including ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, glioma, and psychosis.However, the clinical application of natural extracellular vesicles is hindered by their limited targeting ability and short clearance from the body. To address these limitations, multiple engineering strategies have been developed to enhance the targeting capabilities of extracellular vesicles, thereby enabling the delivery of therapeutic contents to specific tissues or cells. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the latest advancements in natural and targeting-engineered extracellular vesicles, exploring their applications in treating traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, glioma, and psychosis. Additionally, we summarized recent clinical trials involving extracellular vesicles and discussed the challenges and future prospects of using targeting-engineered extracellular vesicles for drug delivery in treating neurological diseases. This review offers new insights for developing highly targeted therapies in this field.

Sucupira oleoresin-based doxorubicin pH-sensitive nanoemulsions: A potential nanomedicine approach to enhance the safety profile and anticancer activity

Plant derivatives-based nanocarriers as a matrix for delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs are capable of enhancing conventional antitumor drugs' cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Bearing in mind that the use of doxorubicin-loaded sucupira oleoresin nanoemulsions can play a significant role in increasing specificity, and efficacy, whilst improvement the chemotherapy safety profile we hypothesize that this nanocarrier may be a powerful alternative strategy for cancer therapy. Thus, the aimed of this research was to prepare and characterize this nanoemulsion, as well as assess the antitumor activity and toxicity in an experimental murine breast cancer model. In the first place, the phytocompounds present in sucupira oleoresin were identified by Liquid chromatography docked Orbitrap-mass spectrometer. Afterward, the doxorubicin-loaded sucupira oleoresin nanoemulsion was prepared using hot homogenization followed by ultrasonic calibration method. Then, nanoemulsions were characterized in terms of mean diameter, polydispersity, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and kinetic release. Toxicity and in vivo antitumor activity were also evaluated. The bioactive compounds found in sucupira oleoresin were terpenes, especially sesqui- and vouacapan diterpenes, which have a wide range of biological activities. The sucupira oleoresin nanoemulsions with or without doxorubicin were stable under refrigeration, monodisperse featuring an average size of around 60 nm, and negative zeta potential. High encapsulation doxorubicin content (98 %) was related to the ion-pair formed between doxorubicin and oleic acid. Stability studies in different biological media suggest that the proposed formulation can remain stable after intravenous administration. Meanwhile, the release outcomes indicate a pH-responsive profile. In vivo studies show that nanoemulsions with a combination of doxorubicin and oleoresin exhibit better efficacy and reduced effects on organs of potential toxicity such as the liver, heart, and intestine as well as less body weight loss likened to the free drug. Owing to promising results, we highlight that the doxorubicin-loaded sucupira oleoresin nanoemulsion could supply gain better insights for the combined breast cancer treatment.

Effect of multidisciplinary team-style continuity of care and nutritional nursing on lung cancer: randomized study.

Aim: The clinical efficacy of systemic chemotherapy is limited due to the nonspecific delivery of anticancer drugs and is associated with serious systemic adverse effects. Therefore, integrated treatment and comprehensive care are particularly important for postoperative chemotherapy patients with lung cancer.Materials & methods: This study aimed to ascertain the application effect of multidisciplinary team (MDT)-style continuity of care combined with whole-process nutritional nursing in postoperative chemotherapy patients with lung cancer. Nutritional indices, immune function, adverse emotions, self-efficacy, self-care ability, quality of life and toxic reactions during chemotherapy were recorded in postoperative chemotherapy patients with lung cancer receiving routine care (control group) and MDT-style continuity of care combined with whole-process nutritional care (intervention group).Results: After care, the intervention group performed higher BMI, PA, TP and ALB, CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+, lower levels of CD8+, lower self-rating anxiety scale, self-rating depression scale and QLQ-C30 symptom domain scores and higher general self-efficacy scale, exercise of self-care agency scale and QLQ-C30 functional domain scores versus the control group (all p<0.05).Conclusion: MDT-style continuity of care combined with whole-process nutritional care can improve the nutritional status of postoperative chemotherapy patients with lung cancer, and in turn enhance their quality of life.

Application of nanoliposome as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging technique

AbstractLiposomes, nano‐sized vesicles primarily comprising phospholipids and cholesterol, have emerged as pivotal tools in medical imaging, notably in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), due to their biocompatibility and ability to encapsulate diverse molecules. Tailorable properties like size, surface charge, and encapsulation capacity make liposomes ideal for targeted delivery of imaging agents and drugs to specific tissues, improving pharmacokinetics. As MRI contrast agent (CA) carriers, liposomes encapsulate gadolinium, mitigating toxicity and boosting relaxivity and circulation times. Functionalization with targeting ligands and stimuli‐responsive designs enhances their controlled release and targeted delivery capabilities, crucial for cancer imaging and therapy. Benefits include reduced toxicity, prolonged circulation, targeted delivery, enhanced bioavailability, and potential for multimodal imaging. Challenges remain, such as stability, clearance, and manufacturing intricacies, requiring further research. Nonetheless, liposomal MRI CAs hold promise for enhancing diagnostic precision and therapeutic effectiveness in oncology and neurology, offering a robust pathway for future biomedical advancements. Addressing existing limitations could unlock their full potential in improving patient care and outcomes.

Hydration behavior of D-calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5) in the presence of sugar-based deep eutectic solvents at different temperatures: experimental and theoretical study

Considerable efforts have been devoted in recent years to enhancing the efficacy medicinal substance, leading to the discovery of innovative drug formulations and delivery techniques. The successful design of these processes necessitates a profound understanding at the molecular level of how these substances interact with biological membranes. Thorough thermodynamic investigations provide invaluable insights into these interactions and aid in selecting suitable compounds for pharmaceutical production. This study aims to determine the density and speed of sound for D-calcium pantothenate in mixtures of water and deep eutectic solvents (DESs), specifically choline chloride/sucrose, choline chloride/ glucose, and choline chloride/ fructose (with 2:1 molar ratio) over a temperature range of 288.15 K to 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. In order to predict the behavior of molecules, COSMO model (the Conductor-Like Screening Model) offer complementary strengths in quantum chemistry. This approach allows for calculating solvation free energies, making it ideal for predicting properties like solubility, where understanding solvent-solute interactions is crucial. By correlating the measured parameters using standard relationships, important partial molar parameters such as apparent molar volumes and apparent molar isentropic compressibility are calculated. Additionally, apparent molar isobaric expansion, and Hepler’s constant are derived from the density and speed of sound data. The experimental apparent molar volumes, and apparent molar isentropic compressibility data is fitted to the Redlich-Meyer equation to obtain significant quantities such as standard partial molar volume, and partial molar isentropic compression. The comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of this studied system holds immense significance for advancements in the pharmaceutical industry.

Electrospinning Recombinant Spider Silk Fibroin-Reinforced PLGA Membranes: A Biocompatible Scaffold for Wound Healing Applications.

Polylactide-polyglycolide (PLGA) is one of the most attractive polymeric biomaterials used to fabricate medical devices for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Nevertheless, the utilization of PLGA in load-bearing applications is restricted due to its inadequate mechanical properties. This study examines the potential of recombinant silk fibroin (eADF4), a readily producible biomaterial, as a reinforcing agent for PLGA. The PLGA/eADF4 composite membranes were developed by using the process of electrospinning. The spinnability of the electrospinning solutions and the physicochemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composite membranes were characterized. The addition of eADF4 increased the viscosity of the electrospinning solutions and enhanced both the mechanical characteristics and the thermal stability of the composites. This study demonstrates that PLGA membranes reinforced with recombinant spider silk fibroin are noncytotoxic, significantly enhance cell migration and wound closure, and do not trigger an inflammatory response, making them ideal candidates for advanced wound healing applications.

Functionalized nanostructures and targeted delivery systems with a focus on plant-derived natural agents for COVID-19 therapy: A review and outlook

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic strongly stimulated research on anti-SARS-CoV-2 virus treatments. The present study reviews a nanotechnology approach to this task, i.e., in other terms, a nanomedicine approach. Nanotechnology aims to create nanostructures or nanoparticles, also called nanoformulations, for targeted delivery of drugs, as well as improved drug release control. This approach is particularly promising to enhance the antiviral effect of natural pro-drugs. Here, we review several nanoformulations developed for the targeted delivery of medications against SARS-CoV-2. We draw special attention to repurposing strategies for known antiviral and natural therapies. Also, functionalized nanoparticles with specific targeting moieties and functional groups were discussed. The summary could motivate researchers to pursue more studies in this exciting area by seeking nanotechnology-based, cutting-edge, tailored delivery strategies for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Choline chloride-Urea based deep eutectic Solvent: Characterization, interfacial behavior and Synergism in binary (surfactant) systems

The paper focusses on the synthesis and characterization of choline chloride: urea (molar ratio 1:2) DES. The influence of the varying DES concentration on the surface and interfacial behavior of low-concentration commercial surfactant (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) was examined. The incorporation of DES into the surfactant solution resulted in an augmentation of electrophoretic mobility and absolute zeta potential values, indicative of enhanced surfactant adsorption at the interface. Sessile drop measurements demonstrated the capacity of binary mixture to modify the wettability of sandstone from intermediate-wet state to water-wet condition. In summary, physicochemical evaluation revealed the capability of DES to augment the self-assembly and wetting behavior of surfactant at low concentrations (below critical micelle concentration). The observed phenomenon in these solvents primarily finds utility in nanoscience, drug delivery systems, colloids, catalysis, and applications in many other fields.

Transforming cancer detection and treatment with nanoflowers.

Nanoflowers, an innovative class of nanoparticles with a distinctive flower-like structure, have garnered significant interest for their straightforward synthesis, remarkable stability, and heightened efficiency. Nanoflowers demonstrate versatile applications, serving as highly sensitive biosensors for rapidly and accurately detecting conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and foodborne infections. Nanoflowers, with their intricate structure, show significant potential for targeted drug delivery and site-specific action, while also exhibiting versatility in applications such as enzyme purification, water purification from dyes and heavy metals, and gas sensing through materials like nickel oxide. This review also addresses the structural characteristics, surface modification, and operational mechanisms of nanoflowers. The nanoflowers play a crucial role in preventing premature drug leakage from nanocarriers. Additionally, the nanoflowers contribute to averting systemic toxicity and suboptimal therapy efficiency caused by hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment during chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. This review entails the role of nanoflowers in cancer diagnosis and treatment. In the imminent future, the nanoflowers system is poised to revolutionize as a smart material, leveraging its exceptional surface-to-volume ratio to significantly augment adsorption efficiency across its intricate petals. This review delves into the merits and drawbacks of nanoflowers, exploring synthesis techniques, types, and their evolving applications in cancer.