Drug Delivery Research Articles

Combined helical-blade-strengthened co-flow focusing and high-throughput screening for the synthesis of highly homogeneous nanoliposomes

Nanoliposomes have been widely employed as promising drug delivery vehicles for the treatment of various diseases. However, the large-scale synthesis of drug-loaded nanoliposomes manifesting a highly uniform particle size is impeded by several unmet challenges. Herein a novel helical-blade-strengthened co-flow focusing (HBSCF) device was developed by installing multiple parallel helical blades in a commonly used co-flow focusing microfluidic device. This transformation in the microchannel structure may accelerate the mixing of aqueous and lipid streams in a radial direction, thereby affording the production of nanoliposomes with a significantly lower polydispersity index (PDI) value in terms of particle size. Moreover, a high-throughput experimental platform was developed by employing HBSCF device alongside its integration with various automation modules, which afforded 672 distinct experimental schemes for the synthesis and size characterization of drug-loaded nanoliposomes within 40 h. Afterwards, based on the above obtained large data set of nanoliposomes, a typical machine learning (ML) model pertaining to particle size was established to predict candidate synthesis schemes for the desired average particle size. Therefore, by narrowing the screening ranges through ML, the final synthesis scheme capable of producing liposomes with the desired particle size along with minimum PDI value can be precisely and rapidly obtained using automated experiments based on the same platform. Taken together, an effective integration of the HBSCF synthesis along with an automated high-throughput experimental platform may have broad implications for the industrialization and clinical application of nanomedicine.

A Comprehensive Review of Capsaicin and Its Role in Cancer Prevention and Treatment.

This study examines the fundamental chemical mechanisms responsible for capsaicin's advantageous impact on cancer, specifically investigating its influence on several biological processes such as inflammation in cancer metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cellular proliferation. This entity's connections with other signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, NF-B, and TRPV channels, which have been linked to tumor growth, are thoroughly examined in this work. This study presents a thorough analysis of preclinical studies and clinical trials investigating the efficacy of capsaicin in treating many forms of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, and others. Through tests conducted in both live organisms and laboratory settings, it has been determined that capsaicin has the ability to inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. (in vitro and in vivo). Researchers have also looked at the results of combining capsaicin with chemotherapy medications in traditional treatment. The efficacy and bioavailability of capsaicin as a viable medicinal drug are being studied, along with ways to improve its clinical value. The present investigation carefully assesses the challenges and potential options for maximizing the therapeutic benefits of capsaicin, including customized drug delivery and personalized therapeutic strategies. In finalization, this comprehensive investigation brings together the evidence currently obtainable on the anticancer properties of capsaicin, underscoring its potential as an autonomous treatment option in the struggle against cancer. Capsaicin is a compound of significant relevance for continuing research and clinical exploration in the field of cancer treatment due to its diverse mechanisms of action and ability for boosting prevailing therapy approaches.

Impact of Cross‐Linking on the Physicochemical and Physiological Characteristics of Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) Grains Starch

Barnyard millet starch (Echinochloa frumentacea) has been investigated for its potential in drug delivery systems due to its unique properties. This study examined the physicochemical and physiological properties of cross‐linked barnyard millet starch (BMS) using varying concentrations of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Physicochemical and physiological properties of the cross‐linked starches are analyzed. Cross‐linking resulted in reduced swelling capacity and solubility of starch samples. Morphological analysis revealed rough surfaces with cavities and minute cracks in cross‐linked starches. Acute and sub‐acute toxicity studies in test animals indicated no adverse effects, with LD50 values within acceptable limits at 2000 mg kg−1. Hematological, biochemical, and lipid profiles showed no significant alterations compared to the control group. The study demonstrated a low acute toxicity level and favorable safety profile for STPP‐cross‐linked starch. These findings highlighted the potential of cross‐linked barnyard millet starch as a carrier in drug delivery system and for food applications. This study supports the potential of cross‐linked barnyard millet starch in pharmaceutical formulations.

The Histological and Biochemical Assessment of Monoiodoacetate-Induced Knee Osteoarthritis in a Rat Model Treated with Salicylic Acid-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) represent an important advance in the field of medicine with application in both diagnostic and drug delivery domains, offering a therapeutic approach that effectively overcomes physical and biological barriers. The current study aimed to assess whether oral administration of salicylic acid-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles (SaIONPs) may exhibit beneficial effects in alleviating histological lesions in a murine monoiodoacetate (MIA) induced knee osteoarthritis model. In order to conduct our study, 15 Wistar male rats were randomly distributed into 3 work groups: Sham (S), MIA, and NP. At the end of the experiments, all animals were sacrificed for blood, knee, and liver sampling. Our results have shown that SaIONPs reached the targeted sites and also had a chondroprotective effect represented by less severe histological lesions regarding cellularity, altered structure morphology, and proteoglycan depletion across different layers of the knee joint cartilage tissue. Moreover, SaIONPs induced a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and circulating Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) levels. The findings of this study suggest the therapeutic potential of SaIONPs knee osteoarthritis treatment; further studies are needed to establish a correlation between the administrated dose of SaIONPs and the improvement of the morphological and biochemical parameters.

Orally available dextran-aspirin nanomedicine modulates gut inflammation and microbiota homeostasis for primary colorectal cancer therapy

Reversing the aggravated immunosuppression hence overgrowth of colorectal cancer (CRC) caused by the gut inflammation and microbiota dysbiosis is pivotal for effective CRC therapy and metastasis inhibition. However, the low delivery efficiency and severe dose-limiting off-target toxicities caused by unsatisfied drug delivery systems remain the major obstacles in precisely modulating gut inflammation and microbiota in CRC therapy. Herein, a multifunctional oral dextran-aspirin nanomedicine (P3C-Asp) was utilized for oral treatment of primary CRC, as it could release salicylic acid (SA) while scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and held great potential in modulating gut microbiota with prebiotic (dextran). Oral P3C-Asp retained in CRC tissues for over 12 h and significantly increased SA accumulation in CRC tissues over free aspirin (10.8-fold at 24 h). The enhanced SA accumulation and ROS scavenging of P3C-Asp cooperatively induced more potent inflammation relief over free aspirin, characterized as lower level of cyclooxygenase-2 and immunosuppressive cytokines. Remarkably, P3C-Asp promoted the microbiota homeostasis and notably increased the relative abundance of strengthening systemic anti-cancer immune response associated microbiota, especially lactobacillus and Akkermansia to 6.66- and 103- fold over the control group. Additionally, a demonstrable reduction in pathogens associated microbiota (among 96% to 79%) including Bacteroides could be detected. In line with our findings, inflammation relief along with enhanced abundance of lactobacillus was positively correlated with CRC inhibition. In primary CRC model, P3C-Asp achieved 2.1-fold tumor suppression rate over free aspirin, with an overall tumor suppression rate of 85%. Moreover, P3C-Asp cooperated with αPD-L1 further reduced the tumor weight of each mouse and extended the median survival of mice by 29 days over αPD-L1 alone. This study unravels the synergistic effect of gut inflammation and microbiota modulation in primary CRC treatment, and unlocks an unconventional route for immune regulation in TME with oral nanomedicine.

Recent Applications of Chitosan and Its Derivatives in Antibacterial, Anticancer, Wound Healing, and Tissue Engineering Fields

Chitosan, a versatile biopolymer derived from chitin, has garnered significant attention in various biomedical applications due to its unique properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mucoadhesiveness. This review provides an overview of the diverse applications of chitosan and its derivatives in the antibacterial, anticancer, wound healing, and tissue engineering fields. In antibacterial applications, chitosan exhibits potent antimicrobial properties by disrupting microbial membranes and DNA, making it a promising natural preservative and agent against bacterial infections. Its role in cancer therapy involves the development of chitosan-based nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimising side effects. Chitosan also plays a crucial role in wound healing by promoting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and regulating inflammatory responses. Additionally, chitosan serves as a multifunctional scaffold in tissue engineering, facilitating the regeneration of diverse tissues such as cartilage, bone, and neural tissue by promoting cell adhesion and proliferation. The extensive range of applications for chitosan in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences is not only highlighted by the comprehensive scope of this review, but it also establishes it as a fundamental component for forthcoming research in biomedicine.

A micro-fabricated potentiometric platform with application in a COVID-19 drug quantification and the determination of its binding affinity to a supramolecular host

Recent applications in host–guest chemistry include advanced sensing technologies, drug formulations, and drug delivery. Quantification of host–guest binding constants is significant to the continued optimization of their use. Binding constants offer valuable information about the stability and affinity of the formedcomplex that is essential to both drug formulations and delivery. In this study a novel green, portable, disposable, and cost-efficient microfabricated potentiometric sensor is introduced and successfully applied to determine the concentration of remdesivir (RMD), a COVID-19 drug, and its binding affinity to the supramolecular host sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBEβCD) as a compatible solubilizing agent; to overcome the low water solubility of RMD which presents a significant challenge in its intravenous administration. The sensor incorporates multi-walled carbon nanotubes to improve stability and detection limits. To reduce interference effects and enhance the selectivity of the sensor for RMD, 4-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene was employed as an ionophore. A Nernstian potentiometric response for RMD over a concentration range of 1.0 × 10−3 to 1.0 × 10−6 M with a slope of 58.2 ± 0.9 mV decade−1 and a detection limit of 0.23 µM were achieved. The binding constant of the RMD-SBEβCD complex was determined to be 9.76 × 103 M−1. The proposed sensor was shown to be effective for drug quantification and measurements of binding affinities, providing valuable insights into the physicochemical properties of target drugs.

From Conventional to Cutting-Edge: A Comprehensive Review on Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract: The essential need for efficacious conveyance of therapeutics to specific tissues or cells, refinement of drug formulations, and the scalability of industrial production drives the pre-sent-day demand for enhanced drug delivery systems (DDS). Newly devised drugs often exhibit suboptimal biopharmaceutical properties, resulting in diminished patient adherence and adverse side effects. The paramount importance of site-specific drug delivery lies in its capacity to facili-tate the targeted administration of diverse therapeutic agents, catering to both localized ailments and systemic treatments. Alongside targeted drug delivery strategies encompassing ligand-based targeting and stimuli-responsive systems, the advent of cutting-edge nanotechnologies such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and micelles has marked a paradigm shift. Additionally, personalized medicines have emerged as a consequential facet of drug delivery, emphasizing the customization of treatment approaches. Researchers have explored an excess of methodologies in the advance-ment of these formulation technologies, including stimuli-responsive drug delivery, 3D printing, gene delivery, and various other innovative approaches. This comprehensive review aims to pro-vide a holistic understanding of the past, present, and future of drug delivery systems, offering in-sights into the transformative potential of emerging technologies.

PH/ Temperature/ Redox and Light-responsive Polymersome Structure and Application in Cancer Therapy: Smart Drug Delivery and Targeted Drug Release.

Improvements in cancer treatment are largely influenced by more people knowing about it and developing new ways to diagnose and treat it. New methods such as nanotheranostics and the use of tiny particles have greatly improved the diagnosis, control and treatment of cancer. They have also helped overcome problems with traditional treatments. Nanotheranostics contribute to personalized medicine by helping doctors choose the right treatment, track how well the treatment works, and plan future treatments. Polymers have many advantages as smart or durable drug formulations among small therapeutic platforms. These small sacks, which can be used for drug delivery and imaging, are not harmful to natural tissues and are becoming more popular. Scientists have found a special group of tiny particles made of polymers that can carry active ingredients. These particles show the potential of creating a useful platform for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases on a very small scale. In the past ten years, people have become more interested in polymersomes. They have been used for various medical purposes, such as controlling blood sugar, treating cancer and fighting bacteria. Polymers are stronger and more stable than liposomes. Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers are very important for faster translation and creation of useful medical formulations. Recent progress in this field includes the creation of intelligent, centralized and responsive containers. In this review, we will examine and provide information about polymersomes. We will discuss their properties and how they can be used as drug delivery systems.

An Overview of Hydrothermally Synthesized Titanate Nanotubes: The Factors Affecting Preparation and Their Promising Pharmaceutical Applications

Recently, titanate nanotubes (TNTs) have been receiving more attention and becoming an attractive candidate for use in several disciplines. With their promising results and outstanding performance, they bring added value to any field using them, such as green chemistry, engineering, and medicine. Their good biocompatibility, high resistance, and special physicochemical properties also provide a wide spectrum of advantages that could be of crucial importance for investment in different platforms, especially medical and pharmaceutical ones. Hydrothermal treatment is one of the most popular methods for TNT preparation because it is a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly water-based procedure. It is also considered as a strong candidate for large-scale production intended for biomedical application because of its high yield and the special properties of the resulting nanotubes, especially their small diameters, which are more appropriate for drug delivery and long circulation. TNTs’ properties highly differ according to the preparation conditions, which would later affect their subsequent application field. The aim of this review is to discuss the factors that could possibly affect their synthesis and determine the transformations that could happen according to the variation of factors. To fulfil this aim, relevant scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, etc.) were searched using the keywords titanate nanotubes, hydrothermal treatment, synthesis, temperature, time, alkaline medium, post treatment, acid washing, calcination, pharmaceutical applications, drug delivery, etc. The articles discussing TNTs preparation by hydrothermal synthesis were selected, and papers discussing other preparation methods were excluded; then, the results were evaluated based on a careful reading of the selected articles. This investigation and comprehensive review of different parameters could be the answer to several problems concerning establishing a producible method of TNTs production, and it might also help to optimize their characteristics and then extend their application limits to further domains that are not yet totally revealed, especially the pharmaceutical industry and drug delivery.

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on the role of acrolein in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis: involvement of amyloid-beta

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive and behavioral decline. Acrolein, an environmental pollutant and endogenous compound, is implicated in AD development. This research employs bibliometric analysis to assess current trends and key areas concerning acrolein-AD interaction.MethodsThe Web of Science was used to extensively review literature on acrolein and AD. Relevant data were systematically gathered and analyzed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and an online bibliometric tool.ResultsWe identified 120 English publications in this specialized field across 19 journals. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease was the most prominent. The primary contributors, both in terms of scientific output and influence, were the USA, the University of Kentucky, and Ramassamy C, representing countries/regions, institutions, and authors, respectively. In this field, the primary focus was on thoroughly studying acrolein, its roles, and its mechanisms in AD utilizing both in vivo and in vitro approaches. A significant portion of the research was based on proteomics, revealing complex molecular processes. The main focuses in the field were “oxidative stress,” “lipid peroxidation,” “amyloid-beta,” and “cognitive impairment.” Anticipated future research trajectories focus on the involvement of the internalization pathway, covering key areas such as synaptic dysfunction, metabolism, mechanisms, associations, neuroinflammation, inhibitors, tau phosphorylation, acrolein toxicity, brain infarction, antioxidants, chemistry, drug delivery, and dementia. Our analysis also supported our previous hypothesis that acrolein can interact with amyloid-beta to form a protein adduct leading to AD-like pathology and altering natural immune responses.ConclusionThis study provides a broad and all-encompassing view of the topic, offering valuable insights and guidance to fellow researchers. These emerging directions underscore the continuous exploration of the complexities associated with AD. The analyses and findings aim to enhance our understanding of the intricate relationship between acrolein and AD for future research.

Revolution in Cancer Treatment: How Are Intelligently Designed Nanostructures Changing the Game?

Nanoparticles (NPs) are extremely important tools to overcome the limitations imposed by therapeutic agents and effectively overcome biological barriers. Smart designed/tuned nanostructures can be extremely effective for cancer treatment. The selection and design of nanostructures and the adjustment of size and surface properties are extremely important, especially for some precision treatments and drug delivery (DD). By designing specific methods, an important era can be opened in the biomedical field for personalized and precise treatment. Here, we focus on advances in the selection and design of nanostructures, as well as on how the structure and shape, size, charge, and surface properties of nanostructures in biological fluids (BFs) can be affected. We discussed the applications of specialized nanostructures in the therapy of head and neck cancer (HNC), which is a difficult and aggressive type of cancer to treat, to give an impetus for novel treatment approaches in this field. We also comprehensively touched on the shortcomings, current trends, and future perspectives when using nanostructures in the treatment of cancer.

Autologous patient-derived exhausted nano T-cells exploit tumor immune evasion to engage an effective cancer therapy

BackgroundActive targeting by surface-modified nanoplatforms enables a more precise and elevated accumulation of nanoparticles within the tumor, thereby enhancing drug delivery and efficacy for a successful cancer treatment. However, surface functionalization involves complex procedures that increase costs and timelines, presenting challenges for clinical implementation. Biomimetic nanoparticles (BNPs) have emerged as unique drug delivery platforms that overcome the limitations of actively targeted nanoparticles. Nevertheless, BNPs coated with unmodified cells show reduced functionalities such as specific tumor targeting, decreasing the therapeutic efficacy. Those challenges can be overcome by engineering non-patient-derived cells for BNP coating, but these are complex and cost-effective approaches that hinder their wider clinical application. Here we present an immune-driven strategy to improve nanotherapeutic delivery to tumors. Our unique perspective harnesses T-cell exhaustion and tumor immune evasion to develop a groundbreaking new class of BNPs crafted from exhausted T-cells (NExT) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients by specific culture methods without sophisticated engineering.MethodsNExT were generated by coating PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) nanoparticles with TNBC-derived T-cells exhausted in vitro by acute activation. Physicochemical characterization of NExT was made by dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, and preservation and orientation of immune checkpoint receptors by flow cytometry. The efficacy of chemotherapy-loaded NExT was assessed in TNBC cell lines in vitro. In vivo toxicity was made in CD1 mice. Biodistribution and therapeutic activity of NExT were determined in cell-line- and autologous patient-derived xenografts in immunodeficient mice.ResultsWe report a cost-effective approach with a good performance that provides NExT naturally endowed with immune checkpoint receptors (PD1, LAG3, TIM3), augmenting specific tumor targeting by engaging cognate ligands, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy, and disrupting the PD1/PDL1 axis in an immunotherapy-like way. Autologous patient-derived NExT revealed exceptional intratumor accumulation, heightened chemotherapeutic index and efficiency, and targeted the tumor stroma in a PDL1+ patient-derived xenograft model of triple-negative breast cancer.ConclusionsThese advantages underline the potential of autologous patient-derived NExT to revolutionize tailored adoptive cancer nanotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy, which endorses their widespread clinical application of autologous patient-derived NExT.

Highly Ordered Nanoassemblies of Janus Spherocylindrical Nanoparticles Adhering to Lipid Vesicles.

In recent years, there has been a heightened interest in the self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) that is mediated by their adsorption onto lipid membranes. The interplay between the adhesive energy of NPs on a lipid membrane and the membrane's curvature energy causes it to wrap around the NPs. This results in an interesting membrane curvature-mediated interaction, which can lead to the self-assembly of NPs on lipid membranes. Recent studies have demonstrated that Janus spherical NPs, which adhere to lipid vesicles, can self-assemble into well-ordered nanoclusters with various geometries, including a few Platonic solids. The present study explores the additional effect of geometric anisotropy on the self-assembly of Janus NPs on lipid vesicles. Specifically, the current study utilized extensive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the arrangement of Janus spherocylindrical NPs on lipid vesicles. We found that the additional geometric anisotropy significantly expands the range of NPs' self-assemblies on lipid vesicles. The specific geometries of the resulting nanoclusters depend on several factors, including the number of Janus spherocylindrical NPs adhering to the vesicle and their aspect ratio. The lipid membrane-mediated self-assembly of NPs, demonstrated by this work, provides an alternative cost-effective route for fabricating highly engineered nanoclusters in three dimensions. Such structures, with the current wide range of material choices, have great potential for advanced applications, including biosensing, bioimaging, drug delivery, nanomechanics, and nanophotonics.

Baicalin nanodelivery system based on functionalized metal-organic framework for targeted therapy of osteoarthritis by modulating macrophage polarization

Intra-articular drugs used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) often suffer from poor pharmacokinetics and stability. Nano-platforms as drug delivery systems for drug delivery are promising for OA therapy. In this study, we reported an M1 macrophage-targeted delivery system Bai@FA-UIO-66-NH2 based on folic acid (FA) -modified metal-organic framework (MOF) loaded with baicalin (Bai) as antioxidant agent for OA therapy. With outstanding biocompatibility and high drug loading efficiency, Bai@FA-UIO-66-NH2 could be specifically uptaken by LPS-induced macrophages to serve as a potent ROS scavenger, gradually releasing Bai at the subcellular level to reduce ROS production, modulate macrophage polarization to M2, leading to alleviation of synovial inflammation in OA joints. The synergistic effect of Bai@FA-UIO-66-NH2 on macrophage polarization and ROS scavenging significantly improved the therapeutic efficacy of OA, which may provide a new insight into the design of OA precision therapy.

Advanced Dressings for Chronic Wound Management.

Wound healing, particularly for chronic wounds, presents a considerable difficulty due to differences in biochemical and cellular processes that occur in different types of wounds. Recent technological breakthroughs have notably advanced the understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to wound healing. The evolution in wound care has seen a transition from traditional textile dressings to a variety of advanced alternatives, including self-healing hydrogels, hydrofibers, foams, hydrocolloids, environment responsive dressings, growth factor-based therapy, bioengineered skin substitutes, and stem cell and gene therapy. Technological advancements, such as 3D printing and electronic skin (e-skin) therapy, contribute to the customization of wound healing. Despite these advancements, effectively managing chronic wounds remains challenging. This necessitates the development of treatments that consider performance, risk-benefit balance, and cost-effectiveness. This review discusses innovative strategies for the healing of chronic wounds. Incorporating biomarkers into advanced dressings, coupled with corresponding biosensors and drug delivery formulations, enables the theranostic approach to the treatment of chronic wounds. Furthermore, integrating advanced dressings with power sources and user interfaces like near-field communication, radio frequency identification, and Bluetooth enhances real-time monitoring and on-demand drug delivery. It also provides a thorough evaluation of the advantages, patient compliance, costs, and durability of advanced dressings, emphasizing smart formulations and their preparation methods.

Cell-Penetrating Peptides-Mediated Therapeutic Agents Delivery into the Central Nervous System

Cell-Penetrating Peptides-Mediated Therapeutic Agents Delivery into the Central Nervous System

Erythrocyte-Membrane-Camouflaged Magnetic Nanocapsules With Photothermal/Magnetothermal Effects for Thrombolysis.

Venous/arterial thrombosis poses significant threats to human health. However, drug-enabled thrombolysis treatment often encounters challenges such as short half-life and low bioavailability. To address these issues, the design of erythrocyte-membrane (EM) camouflaged nanocapsules (USIO/UK@EM) incorporating ultra-small iron oxide (USIO) and urokinase (UK) drug, which exhibits remarkable photothermal/magnetothermal effects and drug delivery ability for venous/arterial thrombolysis, is reported. USIO, UK, and EM are coextruded to fabricate USIO/UK@EM with average sizes of 103.7nm. As USIO/UK@EM possesses wide photoabsorption and good magnetic properties, its solution demonstrates a temperature increase to 41.8-42.9°C within 5min when exposed to an 808nm laser (0.33mW cm-2) or alternating magnetic field (AMF). Such photothermal/magnetothermal effect along with UK confers impressive thrombolytic rates of 82.4% and 74.2%, higher than that (≈15%) achieved by UK alone. Further, the EM coating extends the circulating half-life (t1/2 = 3.28h). When USIO/UK@EM is administered to mice and rabbits, tail vein thrombus in mice and femoral artery thrombus in rabbits can be dissolved by the synergetic effect of thermothrombolysis and UK. Therefore, this study not only offers insights into the rational design of multifunctional biomimetic nanocapsules but also showcases a promising thrombolysis strategy utilizing nanomedicine.

Optimizing the performance of silica nanoparticles functionalized with a near-infrared fluorescent dye for bioimaging applications

Modified fluorescent nanoparticles continue to emerge as promising candidates for drug delivery, bioimaging, and labeling tools for various biomedical applications. The ability of nanomaterials to fluorescently label cells allow for the enhanced detection and understanding of diseases. Silica nanoparticles have a variety of unique properties that can be harnessed for many different applications, causing their increased popularity. In combination with an organic dye, fluorescent nanoparticles demonstrate a vast range of advantageous properties including long photostability, surface modification, and signal amplification, thus allowing ease of manipulation to best suit bioimaging purposes. In this study, the Stöber method with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and a fluorescent dye sulfo-Cy5-amine was used to synthesize fluorescent silica nanoparticles. The fluorescence spectra, zeta potential, quantum yield, cytotoxicity, and photostability were evaluated. The increased intracellular uptake and photostability of the dye-silica nanoparticles show their potential for bioimaging.

Bioengineered carbohydrate polymers for colon-specific drug release: Current trends and future prospects.

The worldwide health burden of colorectal cancer is still substantial, and traditional chemotherapeutic drugs sometimes have poor selectivity, which can result in systemic toxicity and unfavorable side effects. For colon-specific medication delivery, bioengineered carbohydrate polymers have shown promise as carriers. They may enhance treatment effectiveness while minimizing systemic exposure and associated side effects. The unique properties of these manufactured or naturally occurring biopolymers, such as hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and pectin, enable targeted medicine release. These qualities can be changed to meet the physiological needs of the colon. In the context of colorectal cancer therapy, this article provides a comprehensive overview of current developments and prospective future directions in the field of bioengineered carbohydrate polymer synthesis for colon-specific drug delivery. We discuss numerous techniques for achieving colon-targeted drug release, including enzyme-sensitive polymers, pH-responsive devices, and microbiota-activated processes. To increase tumor selectivity and cellular uptake, we also examine the inclusion of active targeting approaches, such as conjugating specific ligands. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of combination treatment strategies, which use the coadministration of numerous therapeutic medications to target multiple pathways implicated in cancer growth and address drug resistance mechanisms. We address recent biomimetic advances that potentially improve the biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and tumor penetration of carbohydrate polymer-based nanocarriers. These methods involve protein corona engineering and cell membrane coating. Furthermore, we look at the possibility of intelligent and sensitive systems that may adjust their behaviors in response to certain inputs or feedback loops, allowing for precise and regulated drug distribution.