Bio-inspired fractal-structured gel-drugs enable enhancing deep tumor penetration for efficient chemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis arises from complex interactions among genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and gut microbiota alterations. Recent advances in molecular biology, genomics, and microbiome research have identified novel therapeutic targets, enabling the development of innovative treatment strategies. Natural products derived from plants offer bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, gaining attention for IBD symptom management. Conventional therapeutic management includes aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, corticosteroids, and biologics; however, 30-50% of patients show inadequate response, and oral drug delivery faces challenges due to gastrointestinal environmental heterogeneity. Recent years have witnessed substantial advances in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for IBD, offering improved targeting capabilities, enhanced therapeutic efficacy, and better tolerability through stimuli-responsive platforms (ROS-sensitive, pH-responsive) and active targeting strategies. Nanoparticle-mediated gene therapy, including siRNA, miRNA, and emerging CRISPR-based approaches, represents a paradigm-shifting strategy for modulating aberrant gene expression in IBD. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current understanding of IBD pathophysiology, evaluates both conventional and emerging therapeutic approaches, and provides critical analysis of advanced nanoparticle delivery systems and gene-based therapeutic strategies.

Engineering silica nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for glioblastoma therapy

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for delivery of repurposed drugs with anti-chikungunya activity.

: The current scenario of research is moving from the nanosized scale. This research posits that nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, thereby addressing critical challenges in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and dermatological conditions. : In this study, a comprehensive review of various nanoformulation techniques was conducted, including nanoemulsions, lipid-based formulations, and polymeric nanoparticles. The study involved analyzing existing literature on the preparation methods, characterization, and optimization of nanoparticles for drug delivery. Additionally, case studies of approved and clinical trial drugs utilizing nanoparticle carriers were examined to assess their impact on bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes. : The findings indicate that nanoparticle formulations not only improve the solubility and stability of hydrophobic drugs but also facilitate targeted delivery, resulting in enhanced therapeutic effects and reduced side effects. Specific examples highlighted include the successful application of nanoparticles in gene therapy and oncology, demonstrating their potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms. By reviewing this article, the reviewer gets knowledge about the different array of tools, methods, and development achieved in the field of nanotechnology, and the article represents the sufficient information needed to achieve the best design of nanoformulation for drug development and bridge the gaps faced by researchers and the scientific community.

The complex nature of the pathophysiology and limited treatment options of AD make it a huge challenge in healthcare. The recent developments in nanotechnology have given fresh hope for diagnosing and treating AD, which could serve as a way out of the existing problems. This review dwells on the role of nanotechnology in AD and its applications at its early stages through the development of nanosensors and boost imaging methods. Additionally, nanotechnology-driven therapeutic strategies are being investigated with nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems that aim to target the blood-brain barrier, among others. Current research innovations, clinical trials, and prospects highlight the transformative potential of nanotechnology in reshaping AD management. Ethical issues related to applying nanomedicine in neurodegenerative diseases, as well as fears about nanoparticles, are carefully analyzed herein. Finally, this review concludes with a synthesis of how nanotechnology has affected Alzheimer's Disease (AD) while emphasizing emerging trends and future directions toward advancing research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This comprehensive overview underscores the pivotal role of nanotechnology in revolutionizing AD prognosis and therapy, paving the way for personalized and effective treatment strategies.

The prognosis for late-stage digestive system tumors is poor, largely due to the development of chemotherapy resistance. Although immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, has transformed the treatment landscape for some patients, strategies to further enhance the efficacy of combination therapies are still lacking, and the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. To systematically address these therapeutic challenges and explore potential solutions, this review delineates the key mechanisms driving chemoresistance in digestive system tumors. It encompasses both cell-intrinsic mechanisms-such as enhanced drug efflux and DNA repair pathways-and extrinsic factors mediated by the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cell infiltration and metabolic reprogramming. A special emphasis is placed on the dual immunomodulatory roles of chemotherapy-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) and its remodeling impact on the immune landscape. Given the considerable heterogeneity across digestive system cancers-including gastric, colorectal, and hepatic malignancies-the review also synthesizes recent advances in innovative combination strategies. These include immunochemotherapy, oncolytic virus, targeting of cancer stem cells (CSCs), epigenetic modulation, and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Ultimately, this work aims to offer a theoretical foundation and strategic directions to overcome clinical drug resistance and advance precision oncology in digestive system tumors.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common health problem worldwide and remains the leading cause of death and disease burden globally today. In recent years the increasing incidence of heart problems at younger ages has further exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, the rising cost of treatment places a significant financial burden on patients. Conventional treatment methods often face challenges such as non-targeted delivery, immediate release, short half-life and side effects. Considering these challenges nanoparticle-based drug delivery system has emerged as an increasingly effective technology. After successful use in cancer therapy, these techniques are now using their significant benefits in the treatment of CVD. Nanoparticle have the potential to deliver drugs at specific disease sites in a targeted manner, ensure controlled release, reduce side effects and improve drug biodistribution, thereby increasing treatment efficacy. Metal-based, lipid-based and polymer-based nanoparticles are considered suitable option for the therapy of CVD. In this review, we discuss how nanoparticles significantly improve upon conventional drug delivery systems by providing better targeting, controlled drug release, and reduced side effects and also cover mathematical modeling approaches that make nanoparticles more effective such as drug release models, drug diffusion model in heart tissue and non-Newtonian fluid models. These models help predict drug concentration, release rate and target site penetration making treatment more precise and personalized.

Therapeutic potential of hybridized nanoparticles embedded with hydrophobic and hydrophilic metallic elements: An optical thermometry approach.

Conventional chemotherapy for cancer treatment suffers from three major problems which include systemic toxicity and poor drug absorption and its inability to target specific tumors. Researchers developed nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (NDDS) to solve these problems. The system achieves controlled drug release and enhanced drug absorption through the EPR mechanism and delivers drugs directly to specific cells.The researchers conducted a study to develop and test PLGA-based nanoparticles that carry docetaxel (DTX) as a breast cancer treatment, which they designed to use folic acid (FA) for receptor-based active drug delivery. The researchers produced DTX-loaded PLGA nanoparticles through the nanoprecipitation method, which they analyzed to determine their particle size and zeta potential and polydispersity index (PDI) and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and morphology through dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The researchers tested the drug release of the sample by using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at two different pH values which included 7.4 and 5.0. The researchers used the MTT assay to study cytotoxicity effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and L929 normal fibroblast cells, while they tracked cellular uptake through confocal microscopy with rhodamine B-labeled nanoparticles. The optimized DTX-FA-PLGA-NPs showed a particle size of 182.4 nanometers with a standard deviation of 6.3 nanometers and a zeta potential measurement of −28.7 millivolts with a standard deviation of 1.4 millivolts and a PDI measurement of 0.18 with a standard deviation of 0.03 and an EE measurement of 87.6 with a standard deviation of 2.1 percent. The TEM analysis showed that the particles had a spherical shape and their surfaces appeared smooth. The invitro release profiles showed a dual phase pattern which started with an initial burst release of approximately 28 percent within four hours and continued until 85 percent of the substance was released after 72 hours with an increased release rate occurring at pH 5.0 which simulated the conditions found inside endosomes. The MTT assay showed that DTX-FA-PLGANPs had an IC50 value of 38.5 nM against MCF-7 cells which was significantly less than the IC50 value of free DTX which measured 112.3 nM and the IC50 value of non-targeted nanoparticles which measured 79.4 nM. The L929 cells showed no signs of cytotoxicity at all. The study demonstrated that FA-functionalized nanoparticles could be better internalized by MCF-7 cells which highly express folate receptors according to confocal microscopy results. The PLGA nanoparticles which have FA functionality show potential as a biocompatible delivery system that targets docetaxel to breast cancer cells while achieving better cancer cell killing effects and selective targeting abilities than both the free drug and the non-targeted drug delivery systems. The research findings require in-vivo studies to assess their potential for practical applications

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer and poses treatment challenges owing to genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Conventional treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, often have limitations in terms of efficacy and tolerability. Advances in epigenetic therapies such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors offer promising avenues for reversing abnormal gene expression in OSCC. Mitochondria-targeted therapies leverage metabolic disruption and reactive oxygen species modulation to induce apoptosis. Immunotherapy, particularly with immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines, enhances the immune response against cancer cells. This review explores the interplay between the tumour microenvironment and oral microbiome in OSCC progression and treatment response. Additionally, RNA interference therapy and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems enable targeted therapeutic strategies, reduce off-target effects and improve efficacy. Although these approaches show potential, challenges in clinical translation remain. The integration of precision medicine with innovative drug delivery systems can significantly improve patient outcomes in oral cancer management.

RA is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation, cartilage destruction, and ultimately bone erosion that affects approximately 0.5-1% of the global population, with significant disability. Conventional therapies comprising NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and DMARDs frequently demonstrate systemic toxicity, gastrointestinal complications, and poor patient compliance. This manuscript discusses the role of nanoparticle-based dot-matrix transdermal drug delivery systems as a novel, non-invasive strategy for enhancing targeted, controlled, and localized drug delivery in the management of RA. The current literature on RA pathophysiology, existing pharmacological treatments, routes of administration, and the evolution of nanotechnology is integrated into the manuscript. Special attention is paid to nanoparticles based on chitosan due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and penetration-enhancing properties, and they were incorporated into dot matrix patch technology fitted with micro-depots for optimized skin permeation, sustained release, and reduced skin irritation. Traditional transdermal systems exhibit limitations in permeation through the stratum corneum, particularly for hydrophilic or high-molecular-weight substances. Incorporation of nanoparticles (size < 200nm) improves solubility, stability, shelf life, bioavailability, and enables targeted delivery of therapeutic agents into arthritic joints. This approach facilitates rapid onset of action followed by sustained and controlled drug release, allows individualized dosing, reduces skin irritation, and enhances patient compliance. Importantly, nanoparticle-mediated transdermal systems can effectively deliver conventional drugs such as methotrexate, NSAIDs, and herbal anti-inflammatory agents, as well as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including both conventional synthetic DMARDs and targeted synthetic agents. Additionally, this strategy bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby improving systemic availability while potentially reducing systemic adverse effects. The dot-matrix nanoscale transdermal drug delivery platform has great potential for treating RA, offering controlled, localized drug delivery with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity. In addition to the difficulties with scalability and commercial availability, the technology also requires further studies of its long-term safety profile before it can be developed.

This study presents an extended fractional Maxwell fluid model for pulsatile blood flow through a stenosed artery by incorporating the combined effects of a magnetic field, porous medium, chemical reaction, heat source, and suspended nanoparticles. Blood is modeled as a compressible, viscoelastic, and electrically conducting fluid, and the governing fractional-order coupled nonlinear partial differential equations for momentum, energy, and nanoparticle concentration are formulated in cylindrical coordinates. To capture fluid memory effects, the Caputo fractional derivative is employed, and the resulting system is solved semi-analytically using the Laplace transform method. The inverse Laplace transforms, involving modified Bessel functions, are computed numerically through the Concentrated Matrix-Exponential method implemented in Python to improve stability and accuracy. Validation against existing literature demonstrates excellent agreement. The parametric results show that increasing the Hartmann number, stenosis length, particle mass, and chemical reaction parameter reduces both velocity and nanoparticle concentration, whereas higher heat source, Peclet number, and nanoparticle concentration parameters enhance flow and particle dispersion. The findings further indicate that fractional-order effects strongly influence velocity behavior, with lower fractional orders producing stronger memory effects and smoother gradients. The study concludes that the proposed model improves the prediction of hemodynamic behavior under pathological arterial conditions and offers useful implications for magnetic-assisted therapies and nanoparticle-based drug delivery.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent systemic autoimmune inflammatory diseases worldwide, causing chronic, progressively worsening arthritis that may ultimately lead to disability. Despite the availability of numerous therapeutic agents, limitations exhibit, including poor aqueous solubility, suboptimal stability, inadequate permeability, short half-lives, and multi-organ toxicity during long-term or high-dose administration. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery offers a robust strategy to mitigate these deficiencies while maximizing therapeutic efficacy through controlled-release mechanisms and rational administration route design. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in nanoparticle drug delivery strategies for RA treatment from the perspective of three distinct mechanisms. It details the design rationales, therapeutic principles, and effects of various delivery systems, with particular emphasis on their interactions with the disease microenvironment and the entire body.

Background: Co-delivery of two drugs with diverse physicochemical properties and a specific administration sequence holds great importance in cancer theranostics to overcome drug resistance and reduce side effects. Paclitaxel (PTX) and hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) have long been used clinically as chemotherapeutic agents for Nasopharyn-geal carcinoma (NPC). However, their clinical application is severely restricted by low water solubility, poor stability, and systemic adverse reactions. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems provide a promising platform for combination cancer therapy. Methods: In this study, folic acid-modified and dual drug-loaded self-assembled HCPT/PTX@FA@p-PS-SPIONs were successfully fabricated via the emulsification–solvent evaporation method using amphiphilic phosphorylated polystyrene (p-PS). The characterization, cellular uptake, and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles of the nanoparticles in NPC models were systematically investigated. Result: HCPT/PTX@FA@p-PS-SPIONs were successfully prepared with p-PS as the copolymer backbone. The nanoparticles exhibited a uniform particle size of 196.9 ± 5.5 nm and a zeta potential of −7.3 ± 0.7 mV. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) was 81.4 ± 2.5% for PTX and 67.6 ± 4.1% for HCPT. The drug loading (DL) efficiency was 18.4 ± 1.5% for PTX and 12.2 ± 1.0% for HCPT. HCPT/PTX@FA@p-PS-SPIONs showed favorable biocompatibility. Sustained and sequential release of the two drugs contributed to an enhanced therapeutic effect. Moreover, under magnetic field (MF) guidance, HCPT/PTX@FA@p-PS-SPIONs exhibited stronger inhibitory effects on NPC cells than single-drug, cocktail, or dual-drug groups, demonstrating the superiority of the combined therapy. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats revealed that the half-lives of PTX and HCPT were 3.9 ± 1.2 h and 4.7 ± 1.1 h, respectively, confirming that HCPT/PTX@FA@p-PS-SPIONs could resist rapid metabolism and clearance in vivo. Conclusions: The long-circulating, folic acid-targeted nanoparticles HCPT/PTX@FA@p-PS-SPIONs show great potential for the targeted therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH), classified as Group 3 pulmonary hypertension in the current clinical classification system, represents a complex and progressive cardiopulmonary disorder characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure due to chronic alveolar hypoxia. This condition significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic lung diseases and individuals residing at high altitudes. The pathogenesis of HPH involves a multifactorial interplay between sustained hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, pulmonary vascular remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammatory responses. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent advances in HPH pathophysiology and their clinical translation, with a focus on integrating molecular mechanisms with emerging therapeutic strategies. The pathogenesis of HPH involves a complex interplay of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling, mechanosensitive ion channel dysregulation (particularly TRPC channels), metabolic reprogramming featuring glycolytic shift and mitochondrial dysfunction, immune-inflammatory mechanisms including macrophage-centered immunopathology, and dysregulation of the nitroxidergic system. Recent clinical advances include refined risk stratification using advanced echocardiographic techniques, identification of novel biomarkers such as lactylation-associated proteins, and development of targeted therapies including immunomodulatory approaches, metabolic modulators, and epigenetic interventions. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating innovative strategies ranging from iron supplementation to nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Despite these advances, significant translational challenges remain, including limitations of preclinical models, patient heterogeneity, and the need for HPH-specific outcome measures. This review bridges the gap between mechanistic insights and clinical applications, offering an integrated framework that highlights precision medicine approaches, emerging therapeutic targets, and priority research directions for improving outcomes in this challenging condition.

Abstract Green synthesis of nanoparticles is an emerging area which is environment-friendly and cost-effective with broad range of biomedical applications. In recent years, Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. has gained significant attention due to its therapeutic potential. The presence of bioactive compounds and easy isolation have provided many opportunities to fabricate nanoparticles using A. vera extracts. It contains several reducing agents (emodin, acemannan, glucomannans) capping agents (aloin, aloesin, emodin) and stabilizing agents (organic acid, acemannan) involved in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles ranging from 3 to 192 nm size. A. vera plant extract has been widely used in preparation of various metal (Ag, Au, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg, Ti, Ni and Se) nanoparticles. This review has reported working concentrations of nanoparticles ranged 25–780 µg/mL for AgNPs, 20–2000 µg/mL for AuNPs, 5–100 µg/mL for CuNPs, 390–1560 µg/mL for FeNPs, 10 mg/mL for ZnO, 1–5 mg/mL for MgO, and 125–500 µg/mL for NiNPs, across studies evaluating their antimicrobial, antioxidant, catalytic, and anticancer activities. Studies on anticancer activity of A. vera–based NPs in various in vitro (e.g. MCF-7, HeLa, MDA, HT-29, CC1-PI19, SiHa, HNCF-PI52, AMJ13, B16F10 etc.) and in vivo (e.g. Wistar rats) models, which is helpful in formulating nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, pharmaceuticals, and biosensors are also included. Overall, this review summarizes the latest research progress on the nanofabrication of various metal-based nanoparticles using extracts of A. vera, their characterization, and diverse biomedical applications.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with its incidence steadily rising owing to factors such as aging populations, lifestyle changes, and improved diagnostic capabilities. Surgery is an essential treatment; however, most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. Conventional therapies offer limited survival benefits, underscoring the need for innovative approaches. Local treatments have emerged as critical strategies for improving tumor control and patient outcomes, particularly in unresectable or metastatic cases. Recent advancements include refinements in radiofrequency ablation (RFA), stereotactic body radiotherapy, irreversible electroporation, cryotherapy, and brachytherapy. RFA is a well-known modality that has been used effectively for the treatment of solid tumors such as hepatocellular cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. Cryotherapy offers targeted ablation with extreme cold, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues, whereas brachytherapy delivers localized radiation with precision, enhancing efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are an emerging trend in immunotherapy and advanced imaging techniques. This review evaluates advancements and declines in local treatments for unresectable pancreatic cancer. It underscores the importance of addressing rising pancreatic cancer rates through personalized approaches, robust clinical trials, and multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder characterized by intricate pathological processes that result in severe motor and sensory deficits. Existing therapeutic approaches remain insufficient to achieve comprehensive functional restoration, indicating the necessity of alternative treatment strategies. In this study, an advanced nanoparticle-based drug delivery system was established using extracellular vesicles (EVs) modified with a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-responsive peptide, ACPP, to achieve the targeted delivery of paclitaxel (PTX). The ACPP-EVs@PTX formulation integrates the drug loading capacity of EVs, the lesion-targeting capability conferred by ACPP, and the neuroprotective properties of PTX. Enhanced accumulation of PTX at the SCI lesion site was achieved, accompanied by a reduction in the off-target distribution. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated marked therapeutic efficacy of ACPP-EVs@PTX through modulation of the SCI microenvironment, including stimulation of angiogenesis, attenuation of inflammatory responses, alleviation of oxidative stress, and promotion of axonal regeneration. In addition, the activation of PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy was observed, leading to improved mitochondrial function and enhanced neuronal repair. Behavioral evaluations further confirmed significant recovery of neurological function, supporting the translational potential of this multitarget, synergistic therapeutic strategy. Collectively, this work establishes an integrated therapeutic strategy for spinal cord repair and supports its translational potential.

Nanoparticle-enhanced approaches to stroke: Overcoming challenges in diagnosis and treatment.