Nanoparticles Drug Delivery

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Medicines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 22816

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Guest Editor
1. CPIRN-UDI/IPG—Centro de Potencial e Inovação em Recursos Naturais, Unidade de Investigação para o Desenvolvimento do Interior do Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, Avenida Dr. Francisco de Sá Carneiro, No. 50, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
2. CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: nanomaterials; nanomedicine; photothermal therapy; drug delivery; theragnostic nanomaterials; gold-based nanostructures; stimuli-responsive nanoparticles
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties render to them a high potential to act as drug delivery systems. These nanomaterials can be engineered to transport different types of cargos such as drugs, small molecules, proteins, and genetic material, which enable their application in the treatment of many diseases. Additionally, therapeutics encapsulation in nanoparticles has the potential to increase drug bioavailability, avoid premature degradation, and reduce drug toxicity, resulting in improved therapeutics. Moreover, the development of “smart nanomaterials” allows the development of stimuli-responsive nanostructures that actively recognize the target tissue or cells, providing a spatial–temporal control over therapeutic action. Although nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have shown significant therapeutic benefits for multiple biomedical applications, their clinical progress has been slower than that expected when the “magic bullet” concept was presented.

This Special Issue aims to cover the application of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, both organic and inorganic nanostructures, in the biomedical field. We welcome the submission of research and review manuscripts for publication in the Special Issue “Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery”. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

  • Polymeric, lipidic, and inorganic-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems;
  • Targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles;
  • Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems;
  • Combinatorial drug delivery mediated by nanomaterials;
  • Nanoparticle drug delivery to the brain;
  • Nanoparticle drug delivery to cancer;
  • Nanoparticle application as theragnostic systems.

Dr. André Ferreira Moreira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • inorganic nanomaterials
  • organic nanoparticles
  • targeted drug delivery
  • stimuli-responsive
  • drug release kinetics
  • nanoparticles surface functionalization
  • oral drug delivery
  • intravenous administration

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 187 KiB  
Editorial
Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery Applications
by André Ferreira Moreira
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3565; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203565 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1591
Abstract
The “magic bullet” concept paved the way for nanomaterials’ development and innovation [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Drug Delivery)

Research

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14 pages, 2876 KiB  
Article
Accumulation and Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized with Spirulina platensis on Rats
by Ludmila Rudi, Inga Zinicovscaia, Liliana Cepoi, Tatiana Chiriac, Alexandra Peshkova, Anastasia Cepoi and Dmitrii Grozdov
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 2992; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11112992 - 7 Nov 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2748
Abstract
The effect of unmodified and functionalized Spirulina platensis biomass silver nanoparticles on rats during prolonged oral administration was assessed. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy, while their uptake by the biomass was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive [...] Read more.
The effect of unmodified and functionalized Spirulina platensis biomass silver nanoparticles on rats during prolonged oral administration was assessed. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy, while their uptake by the biomass was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis. The content of silver in the different organs of rats after a period of administration (28 days) or after an additional clearance period (28 days) was ascertained by using neutron activation analysis. In animals administrated with the unmodified nanoparticles, the highest content of silver was determined in the brain and kidneys, while in animals administrated with AgNP-Spirulina, silver was mainly accumulated in the brain and testicles. After the clearance period, silver was excreted rapidly from the spleen and kidneys; however, the excretion from the brain was very low, regardless of the type of nanoparticles. Hematological and biochemical tests were performed in order to reveal the effect of nanoparticles on rats. The difference in the content of eosinophils in the experimental and control groups was statistically significant. The hematological indices of the rats did not change significantly under the action of the silver nanoparticles except for the content of reticulocytes and eosinophils, which increased significantly. Changes in the biochemical parameters did not exceed the limits of normal values. Silver nanoparticles with the sizes of 8–20 nm can penetrate the blood–brain barrier, and their persistence after a period of clearance indicated the irreversibility of this process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Drug Delivery)
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14 pages, 3410 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the GSH-Mediated Formation of Mesoporous Silica-Coated Gold Nanoclusters for NIR Light-Triggered Photothermal Applications
by Natanael Fernandes, Carolina F. Rodrigues, Duarte de Melo-Diogo, Ilídio J. Correia and André F. Moreira
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1946; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081946 - 28 Jul 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3476
Abstract
Cancer light-triggered hyperthermia mediated by nanomaterials aims to eliminate cancer cells by inducing localized temperature increases to values superior to 42 °C, upon irradiation with a laser. Among the different nanomaterials with photothermal capacity, the gold-based nanoparticles have been widely studied due to [...] Read more.
Cancer light-triggered hyperthermia mediated by nanomaterials aims to eliminate cancer cells by inducing localized temperature increases to values superior to 42 °C, upon irradiation with a laser. Among the different nanomaterials with photothermal capacity, the gold-based nanoparticles have been widely studied due to their structural plasticity and advantageous physicochemical properties. Herein, a novel and straightforward methodology was developed to produce gold nanoclusters coated with mesoporous silica (AuMSS), using glutathione (GSH) to mediate the formation of the gold clusters. The obtained results revealed that GSH is capable of triggering and control the aggregation of gold nanospheres, which enhanced the absorption of radiation in the NIR region of the spectra. Moreover, the produced AuMSS nanoclusters mediated a maximum temperature increase of 20 °C and were able to encapsulate a drug model (acridine orange). In addition, these AuMSS nanoclusters were also biocompatible with both healthy (fibroblasts) and carcinogenic (cervical cancer) cells, at a maximum tested concentration of 200 μg/mL. Nevertheless, the AuMSS nanoclusters’ NIR light-triggered heat generation successfully reduced the viability of cervical cancer cells by about 80%. This confirms the potential of the AuMSS nanoclusters to be applied in cancer therapy, namely as theragnostic agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Drug Delivery)
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14 pages, 3594 KiB  
Article
Electrosprayed Ultra-Thin Coating of Ethyl Cellulose on Drug Nanoparticles for Improved Sustained Release
by Wei-Dong Huang, Xizi Xu, Han-Lin Wang, Jie-Xun Huang, Xiao-Hua Zuo, Xiao-Ju Lu, Xian-Li Liu and Deng-Guang Yu
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(9), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10091758 - 6 Sep 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3185
Abstract
In nanopharmaceutics, polymeric coating is a popular strategy for modifying the drug release kinetics and, thus, new methods for implementing the nanocoating processes are highly desired. In the present study, a modified coaxial electrospraying process was developed to formulate an ultra-thin layer of [...] Read more.
In nanopharmaceutics, polymeric coating is a popular strategy for modifying the drug release kinetics and, thus, new methods for implementing the nanocoating processes are highly desired. In the present study, a modified coaxial electrospraying process was developed to formulate an ultra-thin layer of ethyl cellulose (EC) on a medicated composite core consisting of tamoxifen citrate (TAM) and EC. A traditional single-fluid blending electrospraying and its monolithic EC-TAM nanoparticles (NPs) were exploited to compare. The modified coaxial processes were demonstrated to be more continuous and robust. The created NPs with EC coating had a higher quality than the monolithic ones in terms of the shape, surface smoothness, and the uniform size distribution, as verified by the SEM and TEM results. XRD patterns suggested that TAM presented in all the NPs in an amorphous state thanks to the fine compatibility between EC and TAM, as indicated by the attenuated total reflection (ATR)-FTIR spectra. In vitro dissolution tests demonstrated that the NPs with EC coating required a time period of 7.58 h, 12.79 h, and 28.74 h for an accumulative release of 30%, 50%, and 90% of the loaded drug, respectively. The protocols reported here open a new way for developing novel medicated nanoparticles with functional coating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Drug Delivery)
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Review

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26 pages, 1561 KiB  
Review
Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery: An Overview with Emphasis on Vitamin D and K Transportation
by Andreea Crintea, Alina Gabriela Dutu, Alina Sovrea, Anne-Marie Constantin, Gabriel Samasca, Aurelian Lucian Masalar, Brigitta Ifju, Eugen Linga, Lidia Neamti, Rares Andrei Tranca, Zsolt Fekete, Ciprian Nicolae Silaghi and Alexandra Marioara Craciun
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1376; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081376 - 17 Apr 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6146
Abstract
Mounting evidence shows that supplementation with vitamin D and K or their analogs induces beneficial effects in various diseases, e.g., osteoarticular, cardiovascular, or carcinogenesis. The use of drugs delivery systems via organic and inorganic nanocarriers increases the bioavailability of vitamins and analogs, enhancing [...] Read more.
Mounting evidence shows that supplementation with vitamin D and K or their analogs induces beneficial effects in various diseases, e.g., osteoarticular, cardiovascular, or carcinogenesis. The use of drugs delivery systems via organic and inorganic nanocarriers increases the bioavailability of vitamins and analogs, enhancing their cellular delivery and effects. The nanotechnology-based dietary supplements and drugs produced by the food and pharmaceutical industries overcome the issues associated with vitamin administration, such as stability, absorption or low bioavailability. Consequently, there is a continuous interest in optimizing the carriers’ systems in order to make them more efficient and specific for the targeted tissue. In this pioneer review, we try to circumscribe the most relevant aspects related to nanocarriers for drug delivery, compare different types of nanoparticles for vitamin D and K transportation, and critically address their benefits and disadvantages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Drug Delivery)
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12 pages, 2216 KiB  
Review
Physical Enhancement? Nanocarrier? Current Progress in Transdermal Drug Delivery
by Noriyuki Uchida, Masayoshi Yanagi and Hiroki Hamada
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020335 - 28 Jan 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4420
Abstract
A transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is a method that provides drug adsorption via the skin. TDDS could replace conventional oral administration and blood administration because it is easily accessible. However, it is still difficult to design efficient TDDS due to the high [...] Read more.
A transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is a method that provides drug adsorption via the skin. TDDS could replace conventional oral administration and blood administration because it is easily accessible. However, it is still difficult to design efficient TDDS due to the high barrier property of skin covered with stratum corneum, which inhibits the permeation of drug molecules. Thus far, TDDS methods by applying physical stimuli such as microneedles and chemical stimuli such as surfactants have been actively developed. However, it has been hard to avoid inflammation at the administration site because these methods partially destroy the skin tissue. On the other hand, TDDS with nanocarriers minimizing damage to the skin tissues has emerged together with the development of nanotechnology in recent years. This review focuses on current trends in TDDS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles Drug Delivery)
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