Hydrophilic Drugs Research Articles

Dual Functional Antibacterial-Antioxidant Core/Shell Alginate/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanofiber Membrane: A Potential Wound Dressing.

Core/shell nanofibers offer the advantage of encapsulating multiple drugs with different hydrophilicity in the core and shell, thus allowing for the controlled release of pharmaceutic agents. Specifically, the burst release of hydrophilic drugs from such fiber membranes causes an instantaneous high drug concentration, whereas a long and steady release is usually desired. Herein, we tackle the problem of the initial burst release by the generation of core/shell nanofibers with the hydrophilic antibiotic drug gentamycin loaded within a hydrophilic alginate core surrounded by a hydrophobic shell of poly(ε-caprolactone). Emulsion electrospinning was used as the nanofibrous mesh generation procedure. This process also allows for the loading of a hydrophobic compound, where we selected a natural antioxidant molecule, betulin (BTL), to detoxify the radicals. The resulting nanofibers exhibited a cylindrical shape with a core/shell structure. In vitro tests showed a controlled release of gentamicin from nanofibers via diffusion. The drug reached 93% release in an alginate hydrogel film but only 50% release in the nanofibers, suggesting its potential to minimize the initial burst release. Antibacterial tests revealed significant activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The antioxidant property of betulin was confirmed through the DPPH assay, where the incorporation of 20% BTL revealed 37.3% DPPH scavenging. The nanofibers also exhibited favorable biocompatibility in cell culture studies, and no harmful effects on cell viability were observed. Overall, this research offers a promising approach to producing core/shell nanofibrous mats with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which could effectively address the requirements of wound dressings, including infection prevention and wound healing acceleration.

Preparation and Characterization of Liposomes in Novel Drug Delivery Systems: A Review

Liposomes have emerged as versatile drug delivery vehicles with the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles of various drugs. These lipid-based vesicles offer advantages such as biocompatibility, versatility in encapsulating hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, and the ability to target specific tissues or cells. This review provides a detailed examination of the preparation and characterization methods of liposomes in novel drug delivery systems (NDDS). It covers various techniques for liposome preparation, including conventional methods and advanced approaches, as well as the characterization parameters essential for evaluating liposomal formulations. Additionally, recent advancements, challenges, and future directions in the field are discussed.

Transferosomes: Advancing Vesicular Drug Delivery Systems for Dermatological Disorders - A Comprehensive Review

Abstract: The human skin is the largest organ, is a vital interface with the external environment, and maintains homeostasis through its layered structure of epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis forms a strong barrier against microorganisms, and the dermis consists of essential components like collagen and melanin, and the hypodermis aids in insulation and energy storage. The skin diseases, spanning the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, include psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, hyperpigmentation, and aging. The nanocarrier-based drug delivery, particularly transferosomes, shows promise in treating dermatological conditions. Transfersomes are composed of phospholipids and edge activators, and navigate skin structures with flexibility, enhancing drug permeation. They offer continuous drug release, accommodating both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs, and respond to osmotic gradients, optimizing transdermal delivery. Despite being non-invasive, formulation challenges and stability issues require attention. Studies demonstrate transferosomes' efficacy in treating conditions like acne, psoriasis, and melasma, demonstrating their potential for targeted drug delivery and overcoming conventional limitations in dermatology.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF Β-SITOSTEROL LOADED NIOSOMES FOR ENHANCED ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY: A POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Niosomes, vesicles formed by non-ionic surfactants, offer advantages in drug delivery by enhancing solubilization and encapsulating both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. This study focuses on β-sitosterol-loaded niosomes designed to protect its anti-diabetic properties. Formulated with Span™ 60, Span™ 80 and cholesterol, the niosomes showed high entrapment efficiency (90%) and favorable release kinetics. Stability studies confirmed their robustness in various conditions. In vivo experiments demonstrated significant improvements in body weight and blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The optimized formulation (NF8) exhibited controlled release and substantial antidiabetic activity, suggesting its potential as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Incorporated Drug Affects the Properties of Hydrophilic Nanofibers.

Hydrophilic nanofibers offer promising potential for the delivery of drugs with diverse characteristics. Yet, the effects of different drugs incorporated into these nanofibers on their properties remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically explored how model drugs, namely ibuprofen, carvedilol, paracetamol, and metformin (hydrochloride), affect hydrophilic nanofibers composed of polyethylene oxide and poloxamer 188 in a 1:1 weight ratio. Our findings reveal that the drug affects the conductivity and viscosity of the polymer solution for electrospinning, leading to distinct changes in the morphology of electrospun products. Specifically, drugs with low solubility in ethanol, the chosen solvent for polymer solution preparation, led to the formation of continuous nanofibers with uniform diameters. Additionally, the lower solubility of metformin in ethanol resulted in particle appearance on the nanofiber surface. Furthermore, the incorporation of more hydrophilic drugs increased the surface hydrophilicity of nanofiber mats. However, variations in the physicochemical properties of the drugs did not affect the drug loading and drug entrapment efficiency. Our research also shows that drug properties do not notably affect the immediate release of drugs from nanofibers, highlighting the dominant role of the hydrophilic polymers used. This study emphasizes the importance of considering specific drug properties, such as solubility, hydrophilicity, and compatibility with the solvent used for electrospinning, when designing hydrophilic nanofibers for drug delivery. Such considerations are crucial for optimizing the properties of the drug delivery system, which is essential for achieving therapeutic efficacy and safety.

Progress in the Preparation and Application of Inulin-Based Hydrogels.

Inulin, a natural polysaccharide, has emerged as a promising precursor for the preparation of hydrogels due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural versatility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in the preparation, characterization, and diverse applications of inulin-based hydrogels. Different synthesis strategies, including physical methods (thermal induction and non-thermal induction), chemical methods (free-radical polymerization and chemical crosslinking), and enzymatic approaches, are discussed in detail. The unique properties of inulin-based hydrogels, such as stimuli-responsiveness, antibacterial activity, and their potential as fat replacers, are highlighted. Special emphasis is given to their promising applications in drug delivery systems, especially for colon-targeted delivery, due to the selective degradation of inulin via colonic microflora. The ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs further expands their therapeutic potential. In addition, the applications of inulin-based hydrogels in responsive materials, the food industry, wound dressings, and tissue engineering are discussed. While significant progress has been achieved, challenges and prospects in optimizing synthesis, improving mechanical properties, and exploring new functionalities are discussed. Overall, this review highlights the remarkable properties of inulin-based hydrogels as a promising class of biomaterials with immense potential in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, and materials science fields.

Synchronized Codelivery of Combination Chemotherapies Intratumorally Using a Lipidic Lyotropic Liquid Crystal System.

In this work, an injectable in situ depot-forming lipidic lyotropic liquid crystal (L3C) system is developed to codeliver a precisely synchronized combination of chemotherapeutics intratumorally. The developed L3C system is composed of amphiphilic lipids and surfactants, including monoolein, phosphatidylcholine, tocopherol acetate, and d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate. Owing to its amphiphilic nature, the developed formulation can coaccommodate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic chemotherapeutic moieties simultaneously. The study presents a proof of concept by designing a combination chemotherapy regimen in vitro and demonstrating its in vivo translation using doxorubicin and paclitaxel as model hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug moieties, respectively. The synchronized combination of the two chemotherapeutics with maximum synergistic activity was identified, coloaded in the developed L3C system at predefined stoichiometric ratios, and evaluated for antitumor efficacy in the 4T1 breast tumor model in BALB/c mice. The drug-loaded L3C formulation is a low-viscosity injectable fluid with a lamellar phase that transforms into a hexagonal mesophase depot system upon intratumoral injection. The drug-loaded depot system locally provides sustained intratumoral delivery of the chemotherapeutics combination at their precisely synchronized ratio for over a period of one month. Results demonstrate that the exposure of the tumor to the precisely synchronized intratumoral chemotherapeutics combination via the developed L3C system resulted in significantly higher antitumor activity and reduced cardiotoxicity compared to the unsynchronized combination chemotherapy or the synchronized but uncoordinated drug delivery administered by a conventional intravenous route. These findings demonstrate the potential of the developed L3C system for achieving synchronized codelivery of the chemotherapeutics combination intratumorally and improving the efficacy of combination chemotherapy.

Methods for the Encapsulation of Hydrophilic Drugs in Lipid-Based Nanocarriers, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: A Short Review and Perspective

Methods for the Encapsulation of Hydrophilic Drugs in Lipid-Based Nanocarriers, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: A Short Review and Perspective

Influence of Surfactant on the Skin Permeation of Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone.

Patch tests are often used in safety evaluations to identify the substance causing skin irritation, but the same substance can sometimes give positive or negative results depending on the test conditions. Here, we investigated differences in the skin penetration of two test compounds under different application conditions. We studied the effects of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the nonionic surfactant polysorbate 80 (PS) on skin penetration of the preservatives methylisothiazolinone (MT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCT), which are used in cosmetics such as shampoos. The skin permeation of MT was enhanced by SDS but was unchanged by PS. Skin impedance decreased in the presence of SDS whereas PS had the same effect as the control aqueous solution, suggesting that SDS reduction of the barrier function of skin affects the permeation of MT, a hydrophilic drug. Application of a mixture of MCT and MT in the presence of SDS did not affect the skin permeation of MCT whereas the permeation of MT was enhanced by SDS, indicating that the skin permeation of MCT is less affected by SDS than is MT. Thus, attention should be paid to the possible effect of co-solutes, especially hydrophilic drugs.

Targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil and shikonin by blended and coated chitosan/pectin nanoparticles for treatment of colon cancer

Herein, 5-fluorouracil and shikonin (extracted from Fusarium tricinctum) were loaded in chitosan/pectin nanoparticle (CS/PEC-NPs), prepared by blending (B-CS/PEC-NPs) and coating (C-CS/PEC-NPs) methods. The nanoparticles characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Differential Light Scattering (DLS). Then, some properties of the nanoparticles such as drug release rate and the nanoparticles cytotoxicity were studied. The FTIR, XRD, EDX, SEM and DLS results showed that the nanoparticles synthesized properly with an almost spherical morphology, an average size of 82–93 nm for B-CS/PEC-NPs, an average diameter of below 100 nm (mostly 66–89 nm) for C-CS/PEC-NPs, and hydrodynamic diameter of 310–817 nm. The drug release results indicated the lower release rate of drugs for B-CS/PEC-NPs relative to C-CS/PEC-NPs at different pHs, high release rate of drugs for the nanoparticles in the simulated large intestinal fluids containing pectinase, and Korsmeyer-Peppas model for release of the drugs. The results showed more cytotoxicity of B-CS/PEC-NPs containing drugs, especially B-CS/PEC-NPs containing both drugs (B-CS/PEC/5-FU/SHK-NPs) after treating with pectinase (IC50 of 18.6 μg/mL). In conclusion, despite the limitation of C-CS/PEC-NPs for simultaneous loading of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, B-CS/PEC-NPs showed suitable potency for loading and targeted delivery of the drugs.

Nanosponges: A Targeted Drug Delivery System

The latest advances in nanotechnology have resulted in the development of a targeted drug delivery system. However, in order to efficiently target a molecule to a specific place with a drug delivery system, a specialized drug delivery system is required. The discovery of nanosponge has been a big step toward overcoming challenges such as drug toxicity, low bioavailability, and predictable drug release because they can accept both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Nanosponges, a newly developed colloidal system, have the potential to address concerns such as medicine toxicity, lower bioavailability, and drug release over a large region because they can be adjusted to operate with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic pharmaceuticals. Nanosponges are small structures with a three-dimensional network and porous hollow. Nanosponges are small structures with a three-dimensional network and porous hollow. They can be easily created by crosslinking cyclodextrins with various chemicals. Because of Cyclodextrin's excellent biocompatibility, stability, and safety, a number of Cyclodextrin-based drug delivery systems have been rapidly developed. The nanosponge drug delivery system has a wide range of applications, including cancer, autoimmune illnesses, theranostic uses, increased bioavailability, and stability. This review delves into the benefits and downsides, preparation procedures, factors influencing their preparation, characterisation techniques, applications, and the most recent advancements in nanosponges. Nanosponges can also act as an efficient carrier of enzymes, proteins, vaccines, and antibodies. The current review focuses on the method of preparation, characterisation, and possible application in drug delivery systems.

Use of Commercial Mixed-Mode Stationary Phases and Sorbents in the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis and Solid-Phase Extraction of Ionized and Hydrophilic Bioactive Compounds.

Mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is increasingly used for the analysis of ionic and highly hydrophilic drugs, which are difficult to separate by conventional single-mode HPLC. In the former case, chromatographic separation is achieved using one of the several commercially available mixed-mode stationary phases, typically combinations of reversed and ion-exchange phases. Moreover, mixed-mode stationary phases can be used as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents. This review focuses on the recent applications of mixed-mode stationary phases in the chromatographic analysis of bioactive compounds, such as drugs, herbicides, and pesticides. Specifically, we briefly summarize HPLC methods utilizing mixed-mode stationary phases and SPE pretreatment procedures utilizing mixed-mode sorbents developed in the last decade, thus providing a reference work for overcoming the difficulties in analyzing ionized or hydrophilic drugs by conventional reversed-phase chromatography.

Nano-Formulation Approaches to Enhance Transdermal Drug Delivery-An Updated Review of Nanovesicular Carrier "Transethosomes".

Transdermal drug delivery is an attractive and patient-friendly route for administering therapeutic agents. However, the skin's natural barrier, the stratum corneum, restricts the passage of many drugs, limiting their effectiveness. To overcome this challenge, researchers have developed various nanocarriers to enhance drug penetration through the skin. Transethosomes, a novel and promising drug delivery system, have emerged as an innovative solution for improving transdermal drug delivery. Transethosomes are a hybrid of two established nanocarriers: ethosomes and transfersomes. Ethosomes are lipid-based vesicles that can accommodate lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs, while transfersomes are deformable lipid vesicles designed to enhance skin penetration. Transethosomes combine the advantages of both systems, making them ideal candidates for efficient transdermal drug delivery. They are composed of phospholipids, ethanol, and water and exhibit high flexibility, enabling them to squeeze through the tight junctions of the stratum corneum. This abstract reviews the key characteristics of transethosomes, including their composition, preparation methods, mechanisms of action, characterization parameters, and prospects. Moreover, the recent advancements and applications of transethosomes in delivering various therapeutic agents, such as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, hormones, and skincare products, are explored. The enhanced skin penetration capabilities of transethosomes can potentially reduce systemic side effects and improve patient compliance, making them a valuable tool in the field of transdermal drug delivery. In conclusion, transethosomes represent a promising platform for overcoming the challenges of transdermal drug delivery. Their unique properties enable efficient drug permeation through the skin, offering a more controlled and effective means of administering a wide range of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. This abstract highlights the potential of transethosomes as a valuable addition to the field of transdermal drug delivery and paves the way for further research and development in this area.

Water in nigella oil microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability of linagliptin.

Linagliptin is hydrophilic antidiabetic with poor oral bioavailability due to poor permeability and pre-systemic metabolism. The objective was to assess w/o microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability of linagliptin. Nigella oil was used as oily phase based on its reported antidiabetic effect. Isopropyl myristate (IPM) or capryol were combined with nigella oil to impart intestinal membrane permeabilizing abilities. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed utilizing nigella oil in presence and absence of isopropyl myristate or capryol as oily phase using Tween 60 as surfactant. W/O microemulsion formulations were selected from the constructed phase diagrams and linagliptin was loaded in the internal aqueous phase at a concentration of 0.5mg/ml. The prepared formulations were physically evaluated and linagliptin in vitro release was monitored. Eventually, the in vivo hypoglycemic effect was assessed using diabetic rats. The developed microemulsions were of w/o type and exhibited Newtonian flow behavior with nigella/capryol microemulsion recording the lowest viscosity. The recorded droplet size values were 104.9, 121.2 and 86.4nm for nigella, nigella/IPM and nigella/capryol microemulsions, respectively. All microemulsion formulations showed slower drug release rate compared with aqueous suspension with nigella/capryol microemulsion showing the highest release rate compared to other microemulsions. Release data from microemulsion best fitted to Higuchi model. In vivo oral hypoglycemic activity measurement reflected a more intensified hypoglycemic effect with rapid onset after oral ingestion of microemulsion compared to linagliptin dispersion. Nigella oil/IPM-based microemulsion was ranked as the most effective. The investigation highlighted the feasibility of w/o microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability of hydrophilic drugs like linagliptin.

Novel thymohydroquinone gallate derivative loaded ligand modified quantum dots as pH-sensitive multi-modal theragnostic agent for cancer treatment

BackgroundNanomedicine, as the combination of radiopharmaceutical and nanocarrier (QDs), is developed for treating cancer. Gallic acid is antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic. Typical retention time of gallic acid is approximately 4 to 8 h. To increase the retention time gallic acid is converted to prodrug by adding lipophilic moieties, encapsulating in lipophilic nanoparticles, or liposome formation. Similarly, thymoquinone is powerful antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effect, with reduced DNA damage. MethodsIn this study, a hydrophilic drug (gallic acid) is chemically linked to the hydrophobic drug (thymohydroquinone) to overcome the limitations of co-delivery of drugs. Thymohydroquinone (THQG) as the combination of gallic acid (GA) and thymoquinone (THQ) is loaded onto the PEI functionalized antimonene quantum dots (AM-QDs) and characterized by FTIR, UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Zeta sizer, SEM and AFM, in-vitro and in-vivo assay, and hemolysis. ResultsThe calculated drug loading efficiency is 90 %. Drug release study suggests the drug combination is pH sensitive and it can encounters acidic pH, releasing the drug from the nanocarrier. The drug and drug-loaded nanocarrier possesses low cytotoxicity and cell viability on MCF-7 and Cal-27 cell lines. The proposed drug delivery system is radiolabeled with Iodine-131 (131I) and Technetium (99mTc) and its deposition in various organs of rats’ bodies is examined by SPECT-CT and gamma camera. Hemolytic activity of 2, 4, 6, and 8 μg/mL is 1.78, 4.16, 9.77, and 15.79 %, respectively, reflecting low levels of hemolysis. The system also sustains oxidative stress in cells and environment, decreasing ROS production to shield cells and keep them healthy. ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that the proposed drug carrier system can be used as a multi-modal theragnostic agent in cancer treatment.

A Versatile Virus-Mimetic Engineering Approach for Concurrent Protein Nanocage Surface-Functionalization and Cargo Encapsulation.

Naturally occurring protein nanocages like ferritin are self-assembled from multiple subunits. Because of their unique cage-like structure and biocompatibility, there is a growing interest in their biomedical use. A multipurpose and straightforward engineering approach does not exist for using nanocages to make drug-delivery systems by encapsulating hydrophilic or hydrophobic drugs and developing vaccines by surface functionalization with a protein like an antigen. Here, a versatile engineering approach is described by mimicking the HIV-1 Gap polyprotein precursor. Various PREcursors of nanoCages (PREC) are designed and created by linking two ferritin subunits via a flexible linker peptide containing a protease cleavage site. These precursors can have additional proteins at their N-terminus, and their protease cleavage generates ferritin-like nanocages named protease-induced nanocages (PINCs). It is demonstrated that PINC formation allows concurrent surface decoration with a protein and hydrophilic or hydrophobic drug encapsulation up to fourfold more than the amount achieved using other methods. The PINCs/Drug complex is stable and efficiently kills cancer cells. This work provides insight into the precursors' design rules and the mechanism of PINCs formation. The engineering approach and mechanistic insight described here will facilitate nanocages' applications in drug delivery or as a platform for making multifunctional therapeutics like mosaic vaccines.

Characterization Methods for Nanoparticle-Skin Interactions: An Overview.

Research progresses have led to the development of different kinds of nanoplatforms to deliver drugs through different biological membranes. Particularly, nanocarriers represent a precious means to treat skin pathologies, due to their capability to solubilize lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs, to control their release, and to promote their permeation through the stratum corneum barrier. A crucial point in the development of nano-delivery systems relies on their characterization, as well as in the assessment of their interaction with tissues, in order to predict their fate under in vivo administration. The size of nanoparticles, their shape, and the type of matrix can influence their biodistribution inside the skin strata and their cellular uptake. In this respect, an overview of some characterization methods employed to investigate nanoparticles intended for topical administration is presented here, namely dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the main fluorescence methods employed to detect the in vitro nanoparticles interaction with skin cell lines, such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting or confocal imaging, are described, considering different examples of applications. Finally, recent studies on the techniques employed to determine the nanoparticle presence in the skin by ex vivo and in vivo models are reported.

Cholesterol sulfate-mediated ion-pairing facilitates the self-nanoassembly of hydrophilic cationic mitoxantrone

HypothesisHydrophilic cationic drugs such as mitoxantrone hydrochloride (MTO) pose a significant delivery challenge to the development of nanodrug systems. Herein, we report the use of a hydrophobic ion-pairing strategy to enhance the nano-assembly of MTO. ExperimentsWe employed biocompatible sodium cholesteryl sulfate (SCS) as a modification module to form stable ion pairs with MTO, which balanced the intermolecular forces and facilitated nano-assembly. PEGylated MTO-SCS nanoassemblies (pMS NAs) were prepared via nanoprecipitation. We systematically evaluated the effect of the ratio of the drug module (MTO) to the modification module (SCS) on the nanoassemblies. FindingsThe increased lipophilicity of MTO-SCS ion pair could significantly improve the encapsulation efficiency (∼97 %) and cellular uptake efficiency of MTO. The pMS NAs showed prolonged blood circulation, maintained the same level of tumor antiproliferative activity, and exhibited reduced toxicity compared with the free MTO solution. It is noteworthy that the stability, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior of the pMS NAs increased in proportion to the molar ratio of SCS to MTO. This study presents a self-assembly strategy mediated by ion pairing to overcome the challenges commonly associated with the poor assembly ability of hydrophilic cationic drugs.

Ti3C2 (MXene), an advanced carrier system: role in photothermal, photoacoustic, enhanced drugs delivery and biological activity in cancer therapy.

In the realm of healthcare and the advancing field of medical sciences, the development of efficient drug delivery systems become an immense promise to cure several diseases. Despite considerable advancements in drug delivery systems, numerous challenges persist, necessitating further enhancements to optimize patient outcomes. Smart nano-carriers, for instance, 2D sheets nano-carriers are the recently emerging nanosheets that may garner attention for targeted delivery of bioactive compounds, drugs, and genes to kill cancer cells. Within these advancements, Ti3C2TX-MXene, characterized as a two-dimensional transition metal carbide, has surfaced as a prominent intelligent nanocarrier within nanomedicine. Its noteworthy characteristics facilitated it as an ideal nanocarrier for cancer therapy. In recent advancements in drug delivery research, Ti3C2TX-MXene 2D nanocarriers have been designed to release drugs in response to specific stimuli, guided by distinct physicochemical parameters. This review emphasized the multifaceted role of Ti3C2TX-MXene as a potential carrier for delivering poorly hydrophilic drugs to cancer cells, facilitated by various polymer coatings. Furthermore, beyond drug delivery, this smart nanocarrier demonstrates utility in photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy, further highlighting its significant role in cellular mechanisms.

Exploring drug release performance of hollow‐structured CS/SA/POSS composite gel spheres employing hydrophilic polymerizable AS‐POSS as crosslinker

AbstractThis study prepares a series of hollow‐structured CS/SA/POSS composite gel spheres with a diameter of ~2.5 mm by using hydrophilic Janus‐type polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (AS‐POSS) as a crosslinking agent in combination with sodium alginate and chitosan via electrostatic adsorption/free radical polymerization. As the content of POSS increases, the wall thickness of the gel spheres also increases from 20 to 30 μm, leading to a more compact and smooth wall structure in the polymerized CS/SA/POSS composite gel spheres. Additionally, the introduction and polymerization of POSS significantly enhance the stability, drug loading rate, and entrapment rate of the gel spheres, providing them with improved drug release capabilities. For hydrophilic drug doxorubicin, the loading rate and encapsulation rate reach 41.2% and 79.9%, respectively, while for the hydrophobic drug ibuprofen, they are 14.7% and 76.3%. Compared to some previously reported drug‐loaded gel materials, the gels prepared in this study demonstrate relatively higher drug loading performance. Thus, these hollow‐structured CS/SA/POSS composite gel spheres hold promise as innovative drug carriers in the biomedical field.