Nanotechnology-based Carriers Research Articles

Nanomaterials as a Potential Target for Infectious Parasitic Agents.

Despite the technological advancement in the era of personalized medicine and therapeutics development, infectious parasitic causative agents remain one of the most challenging areas of research and development. The disadvantages of conventional parasitic prevention and control are the emergence of multiple drug resistance as well as the non-specific targeting of intracellular parasites, which results in high dose concentration needs and subsequently intolerable cytotoxicity. Nanotechnology has attracted extensive interest to reduce medication therapy adverse effects including poor bioavailability and drug selectivity. Numerous nanomaterials-based delivery systems have previously been shown in animal models to be effective in the treatment of various parasitic infections. This review discusses a variety of nanomaterials-based antiparasitic procedures and techniques as well as the processes that allow them to be targeted to different parasitic infections. This review focuses on the key prerequisites for creating novel nanotechnology-based carriers as a potential option in parasite management, specifically in the context of human-related pathogenic parasitic agents.

Harnessing the potential of fatty Acid-Surfactant-Based micellar gel for enhanced topical delivery of Apremilast in psoriasis treatment

Apremilast (APR) is a potent anti-psoriatic agent that inhibits the phosphodiesterase 4 enzyme. Due to the poor oral bioavailability and associated systemic side effects the clinical applicability of APR has been constrained. Nanotechnology-based carrier system presents a novel option to increase the efficacy of the topical treatment of APR. The current investigation deals with the development of fatty acid-surfactant conjugate-based hybrid mixed micellar gel (HMMG) for the topical delivery of APR. The developed micelles exhibited an average size of 83.59 ± 4.46 nm, PDI of 0.239 ± 0.047, % entrapment efficiency of ∼ 94.78 ± 3.98 %, with % practical drug loading of ∼11.37 ± 3.14 %. TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of micelles. The hybrid micelles were further loaded in a carbopol®934P gel base for ease of application. Ex vivo permeation study revealed enhanced permeation and ∼ 38-fold higher retention in deeper layers of skin from a hybrid micellar gel. In vivo, assessment demonstrated augmented efficacy of APR-HMMG as compared to 0.1 % betamethasone valerate. Also, APR-HMMG showed no sign of irritation, suggesting superior safety as a topical application. Thus, the proposed formulation strategy represents a viable avenue for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of various anti-psoriatic moieties.

Novel therapeutic approaches for the management of hepatitis infections.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) & hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a substantial reason for morbidity and mortality around the world. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is connected with an enhanced risk of liver cirrhosis, liver decompensationand hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conventional therapy do face certain challenges, for example, poor tolerability and the growth of active resistance. Thus, novel treatment procedures are essential to accomplish the initiation of strong and stable antiviral immune reactions of the individuals. This review explores the current nanotechnology-based carriers for drug and vaccine delivery to treat HBV and HCV.

Emerging Trends and Therapeutic Advances of Nanoparticles in the Management of Fungal Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract: The prevalence of fungi infections has escalated in recent decades. Even though a large portion of fatalities caused by fungal infections are preventive, there is, however, an underappreciated subject for public health officials. Nanotechnology-based carriers have garnered considerable attention owing to their exceptional capabilities. The administration of antimycotic therapeutics with enhanced antifungal activity, bioavailability, localized action, and decreased cytotoxicity has been made possible by the use of nanoparticles (NPs) as effective drug delivery systems (DDS). This burgeoning field allows cross-disciplinary researchers to design and construct multifunctional NPs capable of targeting, diagnosing, and treating mycotic diseases. This research delves into an extensive exploration of various fungal infections and their therapeutic effectiveness through the utilization of a diverse range of cutting-edge nanocarrier-based technologies. These advanced technologies encompass transfersomes, ethosomes, transethosomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, microemulsions, micelles, as well as distinct types of nanoparticles, including polymeric, inorganic, metal, solid lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, and carbon nanotubes. The study examines the potential of these innovative delivery systems for combating fungal infections, shedding light on their efficacy and offering insights into their promising applications. By harnessing the distinctive properties and tailored characteristics of these nanocarriers, it becomes possible to optimize the delivery of antifungal agents, thus enhancing their therapeutic outcomes.

Bioinspired theranostic quantum dots: Paving the road to a new paradigm for cancer diagnosis and therapeutics

Despite extensive research, a complete cure remains lacking for most types of cancer. Nanotechnology-based carriers, such as liposomes, nanoparticles (NPs), dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and other nanocarriers, can target cancer cells, but their in vivo fate is unpredictable. Bioinspired quantum dots (BQDs) offer enhanced aqueous solubility, exceptionally low toxicity, biocompatibility, easy biofunctionalization, and selective cancer targeting. Due to their photoluminescence, high longitudinal relaxation value, photothermal effect upon laser irradiation, generation of singlet oxygen, and production of H2S for gas therapy, BQDs are excellent cancer theranostic agents. In this review, we highlight the theranostic application of, and existing challenges relating to BQDs.

EDITORIAL

It is with immense pleasure and excitement that I extend my warmest greetings to you as we embark on a new journey with the latest issue of the International Journal of Pharmacy and Integrated Health Sciences (IJPIHS). This edition holds special significance as it focuses on the critical fields of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacy, and Drug Delivery Systems, showcasing their profound impact on healthcare applications.
 Pharmaceutical Sciences, as a multidisciplinary field, plays a pivotal role in advancing medicine and improving patient outcomes. The relentless pursuit of knowledge in this domain has led to transformative breakthroughs in drug discovery, development, and delivery, positively influencing global healthcare. In this issue, we present a diverse array of research articles, reviews, and perspectives that highlight cutting-edge advancements in pharmaceutical sciences. The journey from the laboratory to the clinic is a long and intricate one, requiring unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts from researchers, pharmacists, clinicians, and regulatory agencies. The rich tapestry of contributions in this issue is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the scientific community. The valuable insights and experiences shared by clinical pharmacy practitioners in this issue underscore the indispensable role they play in promoting safe, effective, and personalized pharmacotherapy. From nanotechnology-based carriers to targeted delivery strategies, advancements in drug delivery have redefined the possibilities of treatment modalities, enhanced therapeutic efficiency and minimized adverse effects.
 The tireless efforts of researchers in Pharmaceutical Sciences have paved the way for novel drug candidates and therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the close collaboration between researchers and clinical pharmacists ensures that these discoveries are translated into real-world clinical practice, benefiting patients across the globe. As we explore the myriad aspects of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacy, and Drug Delivery Systems in this issue, it is essential to reflect on the challenges that lie ahead. From addressing drug resistance and medication errors to ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge treatments, our collective responsibility is to surmount these hurdles and strive for the betterment of healthcare worldwide.
 As Editor in Chief of IJPIHS, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the authors, reviewers, and editorial team members for their unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity. Your dedication to staying informed and sharing knowledge is the driving force behind our pursuit of excellence.
 In conclusion, I encourage all readers to immerse themselves in the enriching content of this issue, fostering curiosity and inspiring new ideas in the fields of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Integrated Health Sciences. Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey.

Codelivery of Phytochemicals with Conventional Anticancer Drugs in Form of Nanocarriers.

Anticancer drugs in monotherapy are ineffective to treat various kinds of cancer due to the heterogeneous nature of cancer. Moreover, available anticancer drugs possessed various hurdles, such as drug resistance, insensitivity of cancer cells to drugs, adverse effects and patient inconveniences. Hence, plant-based phytochemicals could be a better substitute for conventional chemotherapy for treatment of cancer due to various properties: lesser adverse effects, action via multiple pathways, economical, etc. Various preclinical studies have demonstrated that a combination of phytochemicals with conventional anticancer drugs is more efficacious than phytochemicals individually to treat cancer because plant-derived compounds have lower anticancer efficacy than conventional anticancer drugs. Moreover, phytochemicals suffer from poor aqueous solubility and reduced bioavailability, which must be resolved for efficacious treatment of cancer. Therefore, nanotechnology-based novel carriers are employed for codelivery of phytochemicals and conventional anticancer drugs for better treatment of cancer. These novel carriers include nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes that provide various benefits of improved solubility, reduced adverse effects, higher efficacy, reduced dose, improved dosing frequency, reduced drug resistance, improved bioavailability and higher patient compliance. This review summarizes various phytochemicals employed in treatment of cancer, combination therapy of phytochemicals with anticancer drugs and various nanotechnology-based carriers to deliver the combination therapy in treatment of cancer.

The therapeutic potential of triptolide and celastrol in neurological diseases

Neurological diseases are complex diseases affecting the brain and spinal cord, with numerous etiologies and pathogenesis not yet fully elucidated. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. (TWHF) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of medicinal use in China and is widely used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. With the rapid development of modern technology, the two main bioactive components of TWHF, triptolide and celastrol, have been found to have anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects and can be used in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including neurological diseases. In this paper, we summarize the preclinical studies of triptolide and celastrol in neurological diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, brain and spinal cord injury, and epilepsy. In addition, we review the mechanisms of action of triptolide and celastrol in neurological diseases, their toxicity, related derivatives, and nanotechnology-based carrier system.

PH-responsive graphene oxide loaded with targeted peptide and anticancer drug for OSCC therapy.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of cancer occurring in the oral and maxillofacial regions. Despite of the advances in the diagnosis and treatment, the overall 5-year survival rate has remained about 40%–50% in the past decades. Various nanotechnology-based carrier systems have been investigated for their potentials in the OSCC treatment. However, because of the lack of active targeting of tumors, their application is limited. Studies have shown that gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed on many human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we aimed to develop a GRPR-targeted nano-graphene oxide (NGO) nanoprobe drug delivery system for OSCC therapy. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 was synthesized by the non-covalent bonding method to couple carboxylated NGO with BBN-AF750 (bombesin antagonist peptides conjugated to Alexa Fluor 750) and DOX (doxorubicin) through π-π and hydrogen bonding. Internalization and antitumor activities were carried out in human HSC-3 cancer cells. The tumor pH microenvironment was simulated to study the release of antitumor drug DOX from the DOX@NGO-ant BBN-AF750 complex under different pH conditions. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 showed internalization into HSC-3 cells. The IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) was 5 µg/ml for DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 in HSC-3 cells. Furthermore, DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 showed a pH-sensitive drug release rate, and a dose-dependent and pH-responsive cytotoxicity in HSC-3 cells. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 presents the characteristics ensuring a slow release of DOX from the nanoprobe, thereby protecting the drug from degradation and prolonging the half-life of the drug. This report provides a versatile strategy to achieving targeted and imaging-guided therapy of OSCC.

Treatment of Tuberculosis in Nano Era: Recent Avenues

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), which mostly affects the lungs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report 2020, there were over 10 million cases of tuberculosis worldwide, with around 1.4 million people dying, wherein India accounts for over 26% of the global burden. Prolonged treatment, high pill burden, low compliance, development of multiple drug resistance and subsequent intolerable toxicity lead to the emergence of new nanotechnology-based drug delivery approaches involving micro-metric and nano-metric carriers. Nanotechnology is superior to conventional therapies as it offers site specific drug delivery of antimicrobial drugs that increases therapeutic efficacy and reduces systemic toxicity associated with higher doses and also prevents the drug from early degradation, increased solubility and blood retention time. This review focuses on the different nanotechnological carriers via pulmonary route, including liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanocarriers, dendrimers, nanoparticles, microspheres and microparticles for tackling the problems related to the treatment of TB. The current review gives a summary of the possible utilization of nanotechnology-based carrier systems to overcome the disadvantages of TB therapy. It also provides a summary of the importance and advancements of directing nanocarriers at bacterial reservoir. Eventually, the article presents an overview of the success in clinical application of such systems.

Nose-to-brain lipid nanocarriers: An active transportation across BBB in migraine management

The present study focused on the development and evaluation of nanotechnology-based carrier systems of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to enhance the permeation and bioavailability of zolmitriptan across blood-brain-barrier (BBB). SLNs are the emerging field of nanotechnology with numerous applications like cosmetics and pharmaceutical research. Zolmitriptan-loaded SLNs were prepared by high-pressure homogenization method for targeted drug delivery to the brain. The SLNs were found to be round in shape with particle size ranging from 110 to 200 nm and zeta potential upto − 24.83 ± 3.03 mV which indicates good colloidal stability. The maximum entrapment efficiency of zolmitriptan in SLNs was found to be 84.17 ± 12.24%. The in-vitro drug release and ex-vivo release studies exhibited 95.85 ± 2.44% and 82.06 ± 2.94% drug release, respectively for 24 h. In-vivo studies was performed on male Wistar rats wherein the concentration of zolmitriptan was estimated in cerebrospinal fluid by LC-MS method. The selected formulation incorporated with SLNs showed significant enhancement in pharmacokinetic parameters like AUC (37.05 ± 2.45 ng/mL), Cmax (42.08 ± 1.32 ng/mL), Tmax (30 min), and t1/2 (1.28 h). Zolmitriptan-loaded SLNs via intranasal administration offers a novel approach to effectively circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism than conventional oral route with 4-fold alleviation in permeation and 2-fold improvement in bioavailability.

Nanoarchitectures in Management of Fungal Diseases: An Overview

Fungal infections, from mild itching to fatal infections, lead to chronic diseases and death. Antifungal agents have incorporated chemical compounds and natural products/phytoconstituents in the management of fungal diseases. In contrast to antibacterial research, novel antifungal drugs have progressed more swiftly because of their mild existence and negligible resistance of infections to antifungal bioactivities. Nanotechnology-based carriers have gained much attention due to their magnificent abilities. Nanoarchitectures have served as excellent carriers/drug delivery systems (DDS) for delivering antifungal drugs with improved antifungal activities, bioavailability, targeted action, and reduced cytotoxicity. This review outlines the different fungal diseases and their treatment strategies involving various nanocarrier-based techniques such as liposomes, transfersomes, ethosomes, transethosomes, niosomes, spanlastics, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, polymer nanocomposites, metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials, and nanoemulsions, among other nanotechnological approaches.

Trends in Nanocarrier based Delivery Systems of Methotrexate: Update 2020

Methotrexate is commonly used as anticancer and anti-inflammatory agent to cure various types of cancerous and auto-immune disorders. An optimum dose of MXT is proven to inhibit the di-hydro-folate-reductase that obstruct the purine multiplication. The nanotechnology-based carriers have outranged in since decade and fabricated as multifunctional complexes to cater medicinal agents for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. The present review aims on upbringing the understanding the various formulation development of MXT-loaded nanocarriers that have been reported with significance in the treatment of cancers. Also, in this paper, we have comprehensively listed various marketed MXT nanoformulation available in the market with a great safety, efficacy and been promising with great results in patients across the globe.

A succinct review on the therapeutic potential and delivery systems of Eugenol

Eugenol; a botanical bioactive substance in clove, basil, cinnamon, and nutmeg was reported to exhibit several therapeutic benefits. Eugenia caryophyllata (i.e; clove) is the major natural source of eugenol with about forty-five to ninety percent of its essential oil. WHO recommended eugenol as a safe, non-mutagenic drug; therefore, it has attracted the attention of many scientists. Two main aspects are dealt with in the current review article, the pharmacological potential of eugenol and the innovative novel delivery systems used for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of eugenol. In the former section, we summarized the therapeutic mechanisms/indications of eugenol, and in the latter section, we reported some nanotechnology-based carriers for the delivery of eugenol. Eugenol exhibits several pharmacological activities as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anticancer, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, gastroprotective, and antihyperlipidemic. Several studies discussed combining eugenol with natural and synthetic drugs for enhancing their therapeutic effect with minimal side effects. The promising therapeutic activities of eugenol have led to the fabrication of novel eugenol-entrapped nano delivery systems as microemulsions, nanoemulsions, nanocapsules, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, and ethosomes for further augmentation of its therapeutic activities as well exerting a sustained action. In conclusion, this concise review with some selected studies further complements the reports in the literature, stating that eugenol is a valuable compound in terms of its biological activities and that these biological activities can be enhanced by encapsulation in nanocarriers.

Ocular Drug Delivery Systems Using Contact Lenses.

The use of contact lenses as ocular drug delivery systems has been considered intuitive for decades. However, at this time, there are no approved products using such systems. In this article, we review the challenges with current therapies, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of different drug classes and the patient population. In addition, we note the relative lack of clinical studies, and list potential products in active development at this time. In particular, we address the alignment of time course of the therapeutic need, the pharmacokinetics of the molecule, and the delivery characteristics of the systems (e.g., pulsatile vs. zero-order). We also discuss the needs of various populations including the elderly (who may have motor and cognitive issues as well as presbyopia) and the young. While a contact lens delivery system may also provide refractive correction, to date, most of the studies have used noncorrective (plano) lenses. We also considered nanotechnology-based carrier systems. We generalize the development of contact lens delivery systems to all ocular delivery systems in which there are relatively few product approvals and long development times.

Targeting Cancer Via Resveratrol-Loaded Nanoparticles Administration: Focusing on In Vivo Evidence.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenol endowed with potential therapeutic effects in chronic diseases, particularly in cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide in the twenty-first century. The advent of nanotechnology application in the field of drug delivery allows to overcome the constrains associated with the conventional anticancer treatments, in particular chemotherapy, reducing its adverse side effects, off target risks and surpassing cancer multidrug chemoresistance. Moreover, the use of nanotechnology-based carriers in the delivery of plant-derived anticancer agents, such as RSV, has already demonstrated to surpass the poor water solubility, instability and reduced bioavailability associated with phytochemicals, improving their therapeutic activity, thus prompting pharmaceutical developments. This review highlights the in vivo anticancer potential of RSV achieved by nanotherapeutic approaches. First, RSV physicochemical, stability and pharmacokinetic features are described. Thereupon, the chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive properties of RSV are underlined, emphasizing the RSV numerous cancer molecular targets. Lastly, a comprehensive analysis of the RSV-loaded nanoparticles (RSV-NPs) developed and administered in different in vivo cancer models to date is presented. Nanoparticles (NPs) have shown to improve RSV solubility, stability, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in cancer tissues, enhancing markedly its in vivo anticancer activity. RSV-NPs are, thus, considered a potential nanomedicine-based strategy to fight cancer; however, further studies are still necessary to allow RSV-NP clinical translation.

An overview of the neuroprotective potential of rosmarinic acid and its association with nanotechnology-based delivery systems: A novel approach to treating neurodegenerative disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are characterized by slow and progressive neuronal dysfunction induced by the degeneration of neuronal cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, the neuroprotective effects of natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities has been clearly demonstrated. This appears to be an attractive therapeutic approach for ND, particularly regarding the use of polyphenols. In this review, we present an overview of the neuroprotective potential of rosmarinic acid (RA) and discuss the use of nanotechnology as a novel approach to treating ND. RA presents a variety of biological important activities, i.e. the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, prevention of neurodegeneration and damage reduction. However, its poor bioavailability represents a limitation in terms of pharmacodynamics. In this sense, nanotechnology-based carriers could allow for the administration of higher but still safe amounts of RA, aiming for CNS delivery. Nasal administration could be a pleasant route for delivery to the CNS, as this represents a direct route to the CNS. With these advantages, RA-loaded nanotechnology-based therapy through the nasal route could be promising approach for the treatment of ND.

Nanotechnology as a Promising Strategy for Anticancer Drug Delivery.

Cancer was and still a very stressful and urgent disease condition representing a leading cause of death in developed as well as developing countries. Although, much research work in both medical and pharmaceutical fields has evolved in the past few years in addition to some promising clinical trials and few market products, cancer becomes much wilder, threatening and getting more lives. Most approaches have focused on the synthesis of new active ingredients or chemical modification of available ones, formulating them in suitable dosage forms aiming for targeted and effective drug delivery with minimal side effects. Recently, application of nanotechnology through formulation of nanocarriers has acquired much more attention in treating different types of cancer tumors. Being explored in cancer therapy, nanocarriers have shown a promising capability to enhance intracellular uptake of active agents, promoting their accumulation in the tumor mass in addition to the reduction of the cellular toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapeutics. In view of the above findings, this review discusses recent advances in nanotechnology-based carriers for cancer drug delivery, providing detailed description of different nanocarriers from historical perspective since the first developed carrier up to the new strategies adopted to formulate novel multifunctional targeted nanocarriers for cancer therapy. The findings of this review illustrate the potential of nanotechnology-based carriers as an emerging technology for more satisfying and selective cancer therapy.

Nanoformulation-based sequential combination cancer therapy.

Although combining two or more treatments is regarded as an indispensable approach for effectively treating cancer, the traditional cocktail-based combination therapies are seriously limited by coordination issues that fail to account for differences in the pharmacokinetics and action sites of each drug. The careful manipulation of dosing regimens, such as by the sequential application of combination treatments, may satisfy the temporal and spatial needs of each drug and achieve successful combination antitumor therapy. Nanotechnology-based carriers might be the best tools for sequential combination therapy, as they can be loaded with multiple cargos and may provide targeted and sustained delivery to target tumor cells. Single nanoformulations capable of sequentially releasing drugs have shown synergistic anticancer activity, such as by sensitizing tumor cells through cascaded drug delivery or remodeling the tumor vasculature and microenvironment to enhance the tumor distribution of nanotherapeutics. This review highlights the use of nanotechnology-based multistage drug delivery for cancer treatment, focusing on the ability of such formulations to enhance antitumor efficacy by applying sequential treatment and modulating dosing regimens, which are challenges currently being faced in the clinic.

Roles of Nanotechnological Approaches in Periodontal Disease Therapy

Formulation scientists are faced with a great hurdle of delivering a therapeutic agent into the periodontal pockets, because of the anatomical complexity of the route and the lesion’s contours that often leads to poor penetration of the drug to the area. However, recent nanotechnology advancement and innovations through nanodentistry, are increasingly providing a suitable solution for the treatment of many dental disorders including periodontal disease. These nanodentistry innovative approaches have vowed to revolutionize dental therapeutics by way of using nanomaterials, biotechnology, and nanorobotics, that can significantly influence and transform dental disease’s diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The advances have offered possibilities for providing high-quality dental care to a vast number of people around the globe who are currently suffering from periodontal disease. Novel nanotechnology-based carriers and materials such as polymeric nanoparticles, nanogels, nanopores, nanotubes, scaffold matrices, nanoneedles, nanocrystals, quantum dots, nanofibers, and nanofillers have demonstrated promising efficacy and their roles in the disease therapy are of great significance. The aim of this review article is to provide important recent updates on the various nanotechnology-base approaches for periodontal disease therapy. The roles of these recently investigated approaches in the disease treatment are also covered in the review.