Nanomedicine Research Articles

Polydots, soft nanoparticles, at membrane interfaces.

Soft nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging candidates for nano medicine, particularly for intercellular imaging and targeted drug delivery. Their soft nature, manifested in their dynamics, allows translocation into organisms without damaging their membranes. A crucial step towards incorporating soft dynamic NPs in nano medicine, is to resolve their interrelation with membranes. Here using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations we probe the interaction of soft NPs formed by conjugated polymers with a model membrane. These NPs, often termed polydots, are confined to their nano dimensions without any chemical tethers, forming dynamic long lived nano structures. Specifically, polydots formed by dialkyl para poly phenylene ethylene (PPE), with a varying number of carboxylate groups tethered to the alkyl chains to tune the interfacial charge of the surface of the NP are investigated at the interface with a model membrane that consists of di-palmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). We find that even though polydots are controlled only by physical forces, they retain their NP configuration as they transcend the membrane. Regardless of their size, neutral polydots spontaneously penetrate the membrane whereas carboxylated polydots must be driven in, with a force that depends on the charge at their interface, all without significant disruption to the membrane. These fundamental results provide a means to control the position of the nanoparticles with respect to the membrane interfaces, which is key to their therapeutic use.

Nanotechnology: Reviewing the New Concept of Drug Delivery

Nanotechnology is mostly applied in pharmaceutical research for so many reasons, but the real goals are to improve or enhance drug solubility/bioavailability and/or delivery to specific sites of action. Nanotechnology is also used to develop new and effective therapeutic devices. Nanotechnology involves the systematic study of smaller molecular structures with a size range between 0.1 to 100 nm. It is useful in various areas like the subspecialties of medicine such as cardiology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, cancer, and immunology, as well as biophysics, molecular biology, and bioengineering. Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology depends on the methods and principles of Nanoscience and nano medicine to pharmacies to develop new drug delivery systems which can overcome the drawbacks or limitations of conventional drug delivery systems.

Review on standardization of herbal drug and formulation

Herbal drug technology is used for converting botanical materials into medicines, where Standardization is an important step for the establishment of a consistent biological activity, a consistent chemical profile, or simply a quality assurance program for production and manufacturing of herbal drugs. In below we are studying various WHO specific guidelines for the assessment of the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal medicines as a prerequisite for global harmonization are of outmost importance. An the overview covering various techniques employed in extraction and characterization of herbal medicines as well as herbal Nano medicines standardization is reported.

Theme 2: Regulation for Bioactive loaded Nano medicine from herbal origin and their associated toxicity

Theme 2: Regulation for Bioactive loaded Nano medicine from herbal origin and their associated toxicity

Phytomediated synthesis of bimetallic Ag/Au nanoparticles using orange peel extract and assessment of their antibacterial and anitcancer potential

The current research interest in nanoscience centers around the synthesis of nanoparticle with noble metals due to their distinctive characteristics that has expanded their prospective utilization in various fields of science and technology. The study reports the green fabrication of bimetallic composite nanoparticles (CNPs) with silver (Ag) and gold(Au) via an eco-friendly mode with a biomaterial, orange peel (OP) extract as a reductant. The reaction of aqueous solutions of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) with the OP extract resulted in rapid production of stable CNPs having spectacular spherical shapes and other morphologies. The characterization of the synthesized CNPs included the following analyses; UV–vis spectrophotometer, (DLS) dynamic light scattering technique for the particles average size was found to be 138 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.249. To identify the functional groups in biomolecules that emphasizes the reducing and capping agent for NPs, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been used. The characterization of as prepared NPs has been complemented with (TEM) transmission Electron Microscopy, and (SEM) scanning Electron Microscopy along with the (EDS) energy dispersive spectrometry for the elemental screening of the sample. Furthermore, antibacterial effect and the cytotoxicity activity against the human MDA cell line of the bimetallic CNPs were investigated. The key findings showed that the CNPs suspension possesses potent cytotoxic activity (and was highly effective against bacterial strains. Thus, the finding support the prospective therapeutic potential of the nanoparticles in nano medicine.

Impact of Poria Cocos Nanoparticles Extract Against Ehrlich Solid Tumour Induced Toxicity, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Female Mice Kidney

Introduction: The field of cancer nano therapeutics is quickly evolving, and it is being used to address a number of issues with traditional drug delivery techniques. The goal of this study was to find out more about the impact of novel bioactive Poria-loaded sun flowers nanoparticles (Poria Nps) as anti-carcinogenic agent for Ehrlich solid tumour (EST). Methods: A total number of 40 adult female mice were divided into 4 groups included control group, Poria Nps group, EST group, and EST treated with Poria Nps group. Results: EST induced toxicity, apoptosis and oxidative stress while treatments of EST with Poria Nps improved this alteration in kidney functions and structure. Moreover, Poria Nps could scavenge free radicals producing beneficial effects against EST induced renal toxicity through activation of oxidative stress and apoptosis. The constructed novel oral nanoparticles developed have promising features in vivo as well as a high level of safety for efficient cancer treatment. Conclusion: Poria cocos nanoparticles (Poria Nps) kill the cancer cells through apoptosis which thereby regulates the proliferation of cancer cells and inhibits its spread to other organs.

Emerging platinum(0) nanotherapeutics for efficient cancer therapy.

Platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapy has been necessary for clinical cancer treatment. However, traditional bivalent drugs are hindered by poor physicochemical properties, severe toxic side effects, and drug resistance. Currently, elemental Pt(0) nanotherapeutics (NTs) have emerged to tackle the dilemma. The inherent acid-responsiveness of Pt(0) NTs could help to improve tumor selectivity and alleviate toxic effects. Moreover, the metal nature of Pt facilitates the great combination of Pt(0) NTs with photothermal and photodynamic therapy and imaging-guided diagnosis. Based on recent important researches, this review provides an updated introduction to Pt(0) NTs. First, the challenges of traditional Pt-based chemotherapy have been outlined. Then, Pt(0) NTs with multiple applications of tumor theranostics have been overviewed. Furthermore, the combinations of Pt(0) NTs with other therapeutical modalities are introduced. Last but not least, we envision the possible challenges and prospects associated with Pt(0) NTs.

Nanotechnological approaches for diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer: a review of recent trends

Formulations from nanotechnology platform promote therapeutic drug delivery and offer various advantages such as biocompatibility, non-inflammatory effects, high therapeutic output, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility in comparison with free drug delivery. Due to inherent shortcomings of conventional drug delivery to cancerous tissues, alternative nanotechnological-based approaches have been developed for such ailments. Ovarian cancer is the leading gynecological cancer with higher mortality rates due to its reoccurrence and late diagnosis. In recent years, the field of medical nanotechnology has witnessed significant progress in addressing existing problems and improving the diagnosis and therapy of various diseases including cancer. Nevertheless, the literature and current reviews on nanotechnology are mainly focused on its applications in other cancers or diseases. In this review, we focused on the nanoscale drug delivery systems for ovarian cancer targeted therapy and diagnosis, and different nanocarriers systems including dendrimers, nanoparticles, liposomes, nanocapsules, and nanomicelles for ovarian cancer have been discussed. In comparison to non-functionalized counterparts of nanoformulations, the therapeutic potential and preferential targeting of ovarian cancer through ligand functionalized nanoformulations’ development has been reviewed. Furthermore, numerous biomarkers such as prostatic, mucin 1, CA-125, apoptosis repeat baculoviral inhibitor-5, human epididymis protein-4, and e-cadherin have been identified and elucidated in this review for the assessment of ovarian cancer. Nanomaterial biosensor-based tumor markers and their various types for ovarian cancer diagnosis are explained in this article. In association, different nanocarrier approaches for the ovarian cancer therapy have also been underpinned. To ensure ovarian cancer control and efficient detection, there is an urgent need for faster and less costly medical tools in the arena of oncology.

Effect of Folic Acid Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles in Treatment of RA Like Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats

Objective: Nano medicine has become one of the promising research areas, opening new horizons in disease diagnosis and treatment. Recent years have witnessed a surge in the development of Nano medicine for combating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common autoimmune arthritis. RA is characterized by progressive inflammation and persistent synovitis, leading to joint destruction, functional incapability, and ultimately disability. Although there has been a tremendous evolution in disease assessment and treatment, many patients still fail to attain remission. Therefore, developing new drugs that specifically target inflamed joints and simultaneously attenuate other possible damages to healthy tissues is indispensable. This study was done to evaluate the potential of folic acid conjugated silver nanoparticles (FA-AgNPs) as RA therapy. Methods: In the CFA-arthritic rat model, FA-AgNPs & methotrexate were administered for 8 consecutive weeks. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by measuring paw volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. For safety concerns, complete blood picture (CBC), liver and renal function tests were evaluated. Joints histological assessment was also carried out. Results: FA-AgNPs significantly reduced paw volume, paw weight, ESR, CRP, RF, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels compared with arthritic non-treated rats, demonstrating good anti-inflammatory activity. Likewise, histology of tarsal joints depicted comparatively lesser inflammatory cellular infiltration and diminished cartilage erosions. Methotrexate displayed comparable results. In contrast to methotrexate, FA-AgNPs showed normal CBC & significantly improved liver and renal function tests. Conclusion: FA-AgNPs exhibited substantial anti-arthritic activity. This notable anti-arthritic potential of FA-AgNPs was as good as the current standard treatment of methotrexate (MTX) with higher biosafety.

Industrialization's eye view on theranostic nanomedicine.

The emergence of nanomedicines (NMs) in the healthcare industry will bring about groundbreaking improvements to the current therapeutic and diagnostic scenario. However, only a few NMs have been developed into clinical applications due to a lack of regulatory experience with them. In this article, we introduce the types of NM that have the potential for clinical translation, including theranostics, multistep NMs, multitherapy NMs, and nanoclusters. We then present the clinical translational challenges associated with NM from the pharmaceutical industry’s perspective, such as NMs’ intrinsic physiochemical properties, safety, scale-up, lack of regulatory experience and standard characterization methods, and cost-effectiveness compared with their traditional counterparts. Overall, NMs face a difficult task to overcome these challenges for their transition from bench to clinical use.

Current Drug Targeting using siRNA-based Nano Therapeutics for Pulmonary Diseases.

The importance of siRNA in nano drug delivery systems to target important pulmonary disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, and others, is reviewed in this perspective. The great majority of lung illnesses are caused by protein misfolding. As a result, siRNA-based therapies are increasingly being used to target the gene. Given the difficulties of delivering bare siRNA, siRNA protection may ensure its efficacy in gene therapy. These issues could be solved with a nano-based siRNA delivery systems. In this context, a siRNA-based nanocarrier for major pulmonary disorders has been explored.

Biologically Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Carbon Tetrachloride as an Anti Cancer Drug: A Review

Cancer is a life-threatening disease, curing it is one of the primary tasks for scientists around the world. One of the major fields that have exceptional abilities to control cancer is nanotechnology and nano medicines. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have flexible platforms for therapeutic and biomedical practice. There is a vital need to manufacture a new anti-cancerous drug. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have a great potential to act as an anti-cancerous drug. A common effect of zinc nanoparticle and carbon tetrachloride is the primary concern on the liver, biologically synthesized nanoparticles can be used for this cure purpose. This review study aims to explain the effects of synthesized nanoparticles on the rat in the presence of CCl4; Combination of toxic substance with the presence of nanoparticle can give us a better idea on the effectiveness of nanoparticle. Keywords: Zinc oxide nanoparticles, Liver cirrhosis, Carbon tetrachloride, Liver function

Tangled quest of post-COVID-19 infection-caused neuropathology and what 3P nano-bio-medicine can solve?

COVID-19-caused neurological problems are the important post-CoV-2 infection complications, which are recorded in ~ 40% of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Neurodegeneration (ND) is one of the most serious complications. It is necessary to understand its molecular mechanism(s), define research gaps to direct research to, hopefully, design new treatment modalities, for predictive diagnosis, patient stratification, targeted prevention, prognostic assessment, and personalized medical services for this type of complication. Individualized nano-bio-medicine combines nano-medicine (NM) with clinical and molecular biomarkers based on omics data to improve during- and post-illness management or post-infection prognosis, in addition to personalized dosage profiling and drug selection for maximum treatment efficacy, safety with least side-effects. This review will enumerate proteins, receptors, and enzymes involved in CoV-2 entrance into the central nervous system (CNS) via the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and list the repercussions after that entry, ranging from neuroinflammation to neurological symptoms disruption mechanism. Moreover, molecular mechanisms that mediate the host effect or viral detrimental effect on the host are discussed here, including autophagy, non-coding RNAs, inflammasome, and other molecular mechanisms of CoV-2 infection neuro-affection that are defined here as hallmarks of neuropathology related to COVID-19 infection. Thus, a couple of questions are raised; for example, “What are the hallmarks of neurodegeneration during COVID-19 infection?” and “Are epigenetics promising solution against post-COVID-19 neurodegeneration?” In addition, nano-formulas might be a better novel treatment for COVID-19 neurological complications, which raises one more question, “What are the challenges of nano-bio-based nanocarriers pre- or post-COVID-19 infection?” especially in the light of omics-based changes/challenges, research, and clinical practice in the framework of predictive preventive personalized medicine (PPPM / 3P medicine).

Nanotechnology applications in rheumatology.

Nanomedicine (NM) is the medical use of nanotechnology (NT). NT is the study and control of nanoscale structures (between approximately 1 and 100nm). Nanomaterials are created by manipulating atoms and molecules at the nanoscale, resulting in novel physical and chemical properties. With its targeted tissue delivery capabilities, NT has enabled molecular modulation of the immune response and underlying inflammatory responses in individuals with rheumatic diseases (RD). NM has enabled targeted drug delivery, reduced adverse effects on non-target organs, raised drug concentration in synovial tissue, and slowed the progression of immune-mediated RD such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Thus, NM has evolved in rheumatology prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. Animal models have proven superior outcomes to conventional techniques of treating specific illnesses. Nanodiamond (ND) immunomodulatory applications have been proposed as an alternative to traditional nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of RA due to their small size and ability to be removed from the body without causing harm to the patient's organs, such as the liver. However, human clinical NM needs more research. We conducted a literature review to assess the present role of NM in clinical rheumatology, describing its current and future applications in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles-Plant Insignia Synthesis with Favorable Biomedical Activities and Less Toxicity, in the "Era of the-Green": A Systematic Review.

In the era of favoring environment-friendly approaches for pharmaceutical synthesis, “green synthesis” is expanding. Green-based nanomedicine (NM), being less toxic and if having biomedical acceptable activities, thence, the chemical methods of synthesis are to be replaced by plants for reductive synthesis. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) exhibited remarkable anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties, besides being a drug delivery tool. However, owing to limitations related to the chemical synthetic method, plant-mediated green synthesis has been recognized as a promising alternative synthetic method. This systematic review (SR) is addressing plant-based IONPs green synthesis, characteristics, and toxicity studies as well as their potential biomedical applications. Furthermore, the plant-based green-synthesized IONPs in comparison to nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized via other conventional methods, characteristics, and efficacy or toxicity profiles would be mentioned (if available). Search strategy design utilized electronic databases including Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar search. Selection criteria included recent clinical studies, available in the English language, published till PROSPERO registration. After screening articles obtained by first electronic database search, by title, abstract and applying the PICO criteria, the search results yielded a total of 453 articles. After further full text filtrations only 48 articles were included. In conclusion, the current SR emphasizes the perspective of the IONPs plant-mediated green synthesis advantage(s) when utilized in the biomedical pharmaceutical field, with less toxicity.

Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecules- (un)Attainable Targets for Nanomedicines

Endothelial cell adhesion molecules have long been proposed as promising targets in many pathologies. Despite promising preclinical data, several efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) ended in clinical-stage failure. In parallel, many well-validated approaches for targeting CAMs with nanomedicine (NM) were reported over the years. A wide range of potential applications has been demonstrated in various preclinical studies, from drug delivery to the tumor vasculature, imaging of the inflamed endothelium, or blocking immune cells infiltration. However, no NM drug candidate emerged further into clinical development. In this review, we will summarize the most advanced examples of CAM-targeted NMs and juxtapose them with known traditional drugs against CAMs, in an attempt to identify important translational hurdles. Most importantly, we will summarize the proposed strategies to enhance endothelial CAM targeting by NMs, in an attempt to offer a catalog of tools for further development.

New radiation therapy for cancer using monochromatic X-rays and nanoparticles

There are longstanding research efforts to improve treatments for cancers. Two treatment options are chemotherapy and radiation therapy but there is room for improvement and researchers at the Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Japan, have developed a new method that could lead to the development of a new type of cancer radiation therapy and save lives. The research team is led by Professor Fuyuhiko Tamanoi who is principal investigator at the Tamanoi Laboratory at Kyoto University and leader of the Quantum Nano Medicine Research Center. The method involves generating a cloud of electrons inside a cancer cell that causes DNA breaks, which has potential to eliminate cancer cells. This approach is built on the Auger effect which postulates that when high Z elements are irradiated with monochromatic X-rays, the energy from the X-rays are absorbed by the K-shell electron, which leads to the release of multiple electrons, which have the capability to produce DNA double strand breaks. To achieve the necessary conditions, the team used nanoparticle design combined with state-of-the-art X-ray technology. The team is also developing a new type of nanoparticle called Biodegradable periodic mesoporous organosilica (BPMO), which is a type of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN).

Nanotechnology, Green Synthesis and Biological Activity Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Incorporated Argemone Mxicana Leaf Extract.

Nanomaterial is a rapidly growing area that is used to create a variety of new materials and nanotechnology applications from medical, pharmaceuticals, chemical, mechanical, electronics and several environmental industries including physical, chemical and biological nanoparticles are very important in our daily life. Nanoparticles with leaf extract from the healthy plant are important in the area of research using biosynthesis methods. Because of it’s used as an environmentally ecofriendly, other than traditional physical and chemical strategies. In particular, biologically synthesized nanoparticles have become a key branch of nanotechnology. The present work presents a synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using an extract from the Argemone leaf Mexicana. Biosynthetic nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy analysis, a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) and a scanning electron microcopy (SEM), X-ray analysis with dispersive energy (EDAX). XRD is used to examine the crystalline size of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The FTIR test consists in providing evidence of the presence of targeted teams. UV is used for optical properties and calculates the energy of the bandwidth slot. The scanning microscope emission reveals the morphology of the surface and the energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirms the basic composition of zinc oxide nanoparticles. It is found that zinc nanoparticles are capable of achieving high anti-fungal efficacy and therefore have a high potential antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs, like antibacterial and high antioxidant. Zinc Oxide nanoparticles from the Argemone Mexicana leaf extract have several antimicrobial applications, such as medical specialty, cosmetics, food, biotechnology, nano medicine and drug delivery system. ZnO nanoparticles are important because they provide many practical applications in industry. The most important use of nanoparticles of ZnO would be strong antibacterial and antioxidant activity with a simple and efficient biosynthesis method may be used for future work applications.

Co-Delivery of Precisely Prescribed Multi-Prodrug Combination by an Engineered Nanocarrier enables Efficient Individualized Cancer Chemotherapy.

The limited anticancer drug library and the frequent occurrence of drug resistance have driven monotherapy-based cancer therapy into a difficult situation. Considering the formidable process of new drug discovery, combination therapy using currently available drugs is a potential alternative. Nevertheless, the barrier between in vitro combination screening and precise in vivo delivery remains insurmountable in the current free-drug- or nanoparticle (NP)-based combination therapy, which substantially hinders the application of combination therapy. Herein, a novel, precise drug delivery strategy to realize efficient and individualized combination therapy is proposed. Nanomedicine (NM) is engineered using a microfluidics-based mixer by combining rationally designed polymeric prodrugs of three commercial chemotherapeutics and a cascade-responsive block copolymer; the NM possesses ratiometric drug loading and synchronized drug release. In addition to quantitative drug loading and precisely controlled drug combination, consistent nanoproperties of these NPs make their in vivo fate predictable. Consequently, tumor growth and metastasis can be effectively inhibited by precisely prescribed NPs derived from in vitro combination screening. This proof-of-concept study clearly reveals the feasibility of overcoming the current drug-library limitations through precise delivery of any predetermined drug combination, facilitating translational research of individualized combination therapy.

Recent Advancements in Plant-Derived Nanomaterials Research for Biomedical Applications

Engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology are all involved in nanotechnology, which comprises a wide variety of multidisciplinary scientific field devices. The holistic utilization of metallic nanoparticles in the disciplines of bio-engineering and bio-medicine has attracted a great deal of attention. Medical nanotechnology research can offer immense health benefits for humans. While the advantages of developing nanomaterials have been well documented, it is precisely apparent that there are still some major issues that remain unattended to those need to be resolved immediately so as to ensure that they do not adversely affect living organisms in any manner. The existence of nanoparticles gives them particular value in biology and materials science, as an emerging scientific field, with multiple applications in science and technology, especially with numerous frontiers in the development of new materials. Presented here is a review of recent noteworthy developments regarding plant-derived nanomaterials and their use in the development of medicine and biomedical applications around the world.