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Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery
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Nanocarriers and Targeted 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 (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 73669

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Letizia Manca

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Guest Editor
Department of Scienzedella Vita e dell’Ambiente, Sezione di Scienze del Farmaco, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: cosmetics and cosmeceuticals; phytochemicals delivery; liposomes; phospholipid vesicles; antioxidants; antiaging; regenerative treatments; polyphenols; natural chemicals from agri-food by-products; keratinocytes; fibro-blasts; macrophages; in vitro testing; skin hydration; skin elasticity; in vivo clinical trials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Maria Manconi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life and Environmetal Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: cosmetics and cosmeceuticals; phytochemicals delivery; liposomes; phospholipid vesicles; antioxidants; anti-aging; regenerative treatments; polyphenols; natural chemicals from agri-food by-products; keratinocytes; fibroblasts; macrophages; in vitro testing; skin hydration; skin elasticity; in vivo clinical trials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Catalina Anisoara Peptu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Professor doctor docent Dimitrie Mangeron Street 73, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Interests: micro and nanoparticles as drug delivery systems, polymer films and hydrogels, polysaccharides

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanocarriers have shown great potential as delivery systems of drugs and natural bioactive molecules and play a promising role in the field of nanomedicine. They have been studied for a wide range of applications and are able to improve the sensitivity, efficacy, and safety of traditional or alternative drugs acting at systemic, organ, tissue, cell, and pathophysiological environment levels in multiple disease conditions. They represent a suitable solution to efficiently treat human pathologies via the smart formulation of synthetic or natural active molecules. The development of tailored nanocarriers with selected materials, special surface-modifying agents, and stabilizers may ensure the achievement of a specific site or specific tissues, reducing the administered dose and especially the side effects, whatever the chosen route of administration.

This Special Issue aims to collect original articles (full papers, communications, and reviews), from a broad community of scientists working on diverse applications of nanotechnology, and interdisciplinary teams focusing on recent advances in the formulation of nanocarriers, including but not limited to polymer nanoparticles, phospholipid vesicles, multifunctional nanocarriers, and surface-modified or stimuli-responsive nanoparticles or micelles. These have been designed as delivery systems for synthetic drugs, natural bioactive molecules, or plant extracts, and are able to reach the desired target site owing to their composition.

Dr. Maria Letizia Manca
Prof. Dr. Maria Manconi
Dr. Catalina Anisoara Peptu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Natural molecules
  • Plant extracts
  • Targeted delivery systems
  • Nanoparticles
  • Liposomes
  • Micelles
  • Oral delivery
  • Pulmonary delivery
  • Topical delivery
  • Parenteral administration.

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

26 pages, 9131 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Functionalisation of Superparamagnetic Nano-Rods towards the Treatment of Glioblastoma Brain Tumours
by Kinana Habra, Stéphanie E. B. McArdle, Robert H. Morris and Gareth W. V. Cave
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(9), 2157; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11092157 - 24 Aug 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3347
Abstract
The complete removal of glioblastoma brain tumours is impossible to achieve by surgery alone due to the complex finger-like tentacle structure of the tumour cells and their migration away from the bulk of the tumour at the time of surgery; furthermore, despite aggressive [...] Read more.
The complete removal of glioblastoma brain tumours is impossible to achieve by surgery alone due to the complex finger-like tentacle structure of the tumour cells and their migration away from the bulk of the tumour at the time of surgery; furthermore, despite aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments following surgery, tumour cells continue to grow, leading to the death of patients within 15 months after diagnosis. The naturally occurring carnosine dipeptide has previously demonstrated activity against in vitro cultured glioblastoma cells; however, at natural physiological concentrations, its activity is too low to have a significant effect. Towards realising the full oncological potential of carnosine, the dipeptide was embedded within an externally triggered carrier, comprising a novel nano rod-shaped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (ca. 86 × 19 × 11 nm) capped with a branched polyethyleneimine, which released the therapeutic agent in the presence of an external magnetic field. The new nano-carrier was characterized using electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, elemental analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. In addition to cytotoxicity studies, the carnosine carrier’s effectiveness as a treatment for glioblastoma was screened in vitro using the U87 human glioblastoma astrocytoma cell line. The labile carnosine (100 mM) suppresses both the U87 cells’ proliferation and mobility over 48 h, resulting in significant reduction in migration and potential metastasis. Carnosine was found to be fully released from the carrier using only mild hyperthermia conditions (40 °C), facilitating an achievable clinical application of the slow, sustained-release treatment of glioblastoma brain tumours that demonstrates potential to inhibit post-surgery metastasis with the added benefit of non-invasive monitoring via MRI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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13 pages, 1740 KiB  
Article
Loading of Beclomethasone in Liposomes and Hyalurosomes Improved with Mucin as Effective Approach to Counteract the Oxidative Stress Generated by Cigarette Smoke Extract
by Maria Letizia Manca, Maria Ferraro, Elisabetta Pace, Serena Di Vincenzo, Donatella Valenti, Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets, Catalina Anisoara Peptu and Maria Manconi
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11040850 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2533
Abstract
In this work beclomethasone dipropionate was loaded into liposomes and hyalurosomes modified with mucin to improve the ability of the payload to counteract the oxidative stress and involved damages caused by cigarette smoke in the airway. The vesicles were prepared by dispersing all [...] Read more.
In this work beclomethasone dipropionate was loaded into liposomes and hyalurosomes modified with mucin to improve the ability of the payload to counteract the oxidative stress and involved damages caused by cigarette smoke in the airway. The vesicles were prepared by dispersing all components in the appropriate vehicle and sonicating them, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. Unilamellar and bilamellar vesicles small in size (~117 nm), homogeneously dispersed (polydispersity index lower than 0.22) and negatively charged (~−11 mV), were obtained. Moreover, these vesicle dispersions were stable for five months at room temperature (~25 °C). In vitro studies performed using the Next Generation Impactor confirmed the suitability of the formulations to be nebulized as they were capable of reaching the last stages of the impactor that mimic the deeper airways, thus improving the deposition of beclomethasone in the target site. Further, biocompatibility studies performed by using 16HBE bronchial epithelial cells confirmed the high biocompatibility and safety of all the vesicles. Among the tested formulations, only mucin-hyalurosomes were capable of effectively counteracting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by cigarette smoke extract, suggesting that this formulation may represent a promising tool to reduce the damaging effects of cigarette smoke in the lung tissues, thus reducing the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke-associated diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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30 pages, 4897 KiB  
Article
Dendrimer Nanodevices and Gallic Acid as Novel Strategies to Fight Chemoresistance in Neuroblastoma Cells
by Silvana Alfei, Barbara Marengo, Guendalina Zuccari, Federica Turrini and Cinzia Domenicotti
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1243; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061243 - 26 Jun 2020
Cited by 49 | Viewed by 4676
Abstract
Human neuroblastoma (NB), a pediatric tumor inclined to relapse, after an initial response to therapy, usually develops resistance. Since several chemotherapeutics exert anticancer effect by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), NB cells overproduce antioxidant compounds becoming drugs-resistant. A strategy to sensitize NB cells [...] Read more.
Human neuroblastoma (NB), a pediatric tumor inclined to relapse, after an initial response to therapy, usually develops resistance. Since several chemotherapeutics exert anticancer effect by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), NB cells overproduce antioxidant compounds becoming drugs-resistant. A strategy to sensitize NB cells to chemotherapy involves reducing their antioxidant defenses and inducing ROS overproduction. Concerning this, although affected by several issues that limit their clinical application, antioxidant/pro-oxidant polyphenols, such as gallic acid (GA), showed pro-oxidant anti-cancer effects and low toxicity for healthy cells, in several kind of tumors, not including NB. Herein, for the first time, free GA, two GA-dendrimers, and the dendrimer adopted as GA reservoir were tested on both sensitive and chemoresistant NB cells. The dendrimer device, administered at the dose previously found active versus sensitive NB cells, induced ROS-mediated death also in chemoresistant cells. Free GA proved a dose-dependent ROS-mediated cytotoxicity on both cell populations. Intriguingly, when administered in dendrimer formulations at a dose not cytotoxic for NB cells, GA nullified any pro-oxidant activity of dendrimer. Unfortunately, due to GA, nanoformulations were inactive on NB cells, but GA resized in nanoparticles showed considerable ability in counteracting, at low dose, ROS production and oxidative stress, herein induced by the dendrimer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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16 pages, 2250 KiB  
Article
Amphotericin B Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles for Treatment of Leishmania Infections
by Mudassara Saqib, A. Shabbir Ali Bhatti, Nasir M. Ahmad, Naveed Ahmed, Gul Shahnaz, Noureddine Lebaz and Abdelhamid Elaissari
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061152 - 12 Jun 2020
Cited by 61 | Viewed by 5732
Abstract
Fungal infections in immune-compromised patients are an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Amphotericin B (Amp B) is considered a powerful fungicidal drug but its clinical usage has certain limitations when administered intravenously due to its toxicity and poor solubility. In consideration of [...] Read more.
Fungal infections in immune-compromised patients are an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Amphotericin B (Amp B) is considered a powerful fungicidal drug but its clinical usage has certain limitations when administered intravenously due to its toxicity and poor solubility. In consideration of such challenges, in cutaneous leishmaniasis, the topical application of Amp B can be a safer option in many aspects. Thus, herein, biopolymer of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) were developed with the loading of Amp B by nanoprecipitation for the treatment of topical leishmanial infections. Various parameters, such as concentration of PCL and surfactant Poloxamer 407, were varied in order to optimize the formation of nanoparticles for the loading of Amp B. The optimized formulation exhibited a mean hydrodynamic particle size of 183 nm with a spherical morphology and an encapsulation efficiency of 85%. The applications of various kinetic models reveal that drug release from nanoformulation follows Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetics and has a high diffusion exponent at a physiological pH of 7.4 as well a skin relevant pH = 5.5. The activity of the prepared nanoparticles was also demonstrated in Leishmania infected macrophages. The measured IC50 of the prepared nanoparticle formulation was observed to be significantly lower when compared to control free Amp B and AmBisome® for both L. tropica KWH23 and L. donovani amastigotes in order to demonstrate maximum parasite inhibition. The prepared topical nanoformulations are capable of providing novel options for the treatment of leishmaniasis, which can be possible after in vivo assays as well as the establishment of safety profiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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15 pages, 2665 KiB  
Article
Freeze-Dried Softisan® 649-Based Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Skin Delivery of Cyclosporine A
by Maria Inês Silva, Ana Isabel Barbosa, Sofia A. Costa Lima, Paulo Costa, Tiago Torres and Salette Reis
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10050986 - 21 May 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4336
Abstract
Inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, affect around one quarter to one third of the world population. Systemic cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressant agent, is included in the current therapeutic armamentarium of these diseases. Despite being highly effective, it is associated with [...] Read more.
Inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, affect around one quarter to one third of the world population. Systemic cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressant agent, is included in the current therapeutic armamentarium of these diseases. Despite being highly effective, it is associated with several side effects, and its topical administration is limited by its high molecular weight and poor water solubility. To overcome these limitations, cyclosporine A was incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles obtained from Softisan® 649, a commonly used cosmetic ingredient, aiming to develop a vehicle for application to the skin. The nanoparticles presented sizes of around 200 nm, low polydispersity, negative surface charge, and stability when stored for 8 weeks at room temperature or 4 °C. An effective incorporation of 88% of cyclosporine A within the nanoparticles was observed, without affecting its morphology. After the freeze-drying process, the Softisan® 649-based nanoparticles formed an oleogel. Skin permeation studies using pig ear as a model revealed low permeation of the applied cyclosporine A in the freeze-dried form of the nanoparticles in relation to free drug and the freshly prepared nanoparticles. About 1.0 mg of cyclosporine A was delivered to the skin with reduced transdermal permeation. These results confirm local delivery of cyclosporine A, indicating its promising topical administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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13 pages, 1501 KiB  
Article
Incorporation of Lippia citriodora Microwave Extract into Total-Green Biogelatin-Phospholipid Vesicles to Improve Its Antioxidant Activity
by Francisco Javier Leyva-Jiménez, Maria Letizia Manca, Maria Manconi, Carla Caddeo, José Antonio Vázquez, Jesús Lozano-Sánchez, Elvira Escribano-Ferrer, David Arráez-Román and Antonio Segura-Carretero
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(4), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040765 - 16 Apr 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2792
Abstract
Phytochemicals from Lippia citriodora leaves were extracted by applying an innovative technology based on the use of microwaves, which represents an alternative method to extract bioactive substances. The obtained extract was incorporated into phospholipid vesicles in order to promote the antioxidant effect of [...] Read more.
Phytochemicals from Lippia citriodora leaves were extracted by applying an innovative technology based on the use of microwaves, which represents an alternative method to extract bioactive substances. The obtained extract was incorporated into phospholipid vesicles in order to promote the antioxidant effect of the bioactive molecules present in L. citriodora extract. The extract was analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer by electrospray (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS) and different phytochemicals were detected and quantified. The whole extract was incorporated in liposomes, glycerosomes (liposomes modified with glycerol) and propylene glycol-containing vesicles (PG-PEVs). Moreover, a biopolymer obtained from fish by-product, that is Thunnus albacares skin, was added to improve the bioactivity of the formulations. The in vitro biocompatibility and the antioxidant efficacy of the extract in solution or loaded in the vesicles were tested in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (3T3). The results showed the superior bioactivity of the vesicle formulations over the aqueous solution of the extract, which points to an interesting strategy for the treatment of skin disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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12 pages, 1348 KiB  
Article
Comparison between Citral and Pompia Essential Oil Loaded in Phospholipid Vesicles for the Treatment of Skin and Mucosal Infections
by Iris Usach, Elisabetta Margarucci, Maria Letizia Manca, Carla Caddeo, Matteo Aroffu, Giacomo L. Petretto, Maria Manconi and José-Esteban Peris
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10020286 - 7 Feb 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4411
Abstract
Citrus species extracts are well known sources of bio-functional compounds with health-promoting effects. In particular, essential oils are known for their antibacterial activity due to the high content of terpenes. In this work, the steam-distilled essential oil from the leaves of Citrus limon [...] Read more.
Citrus species extracts are well known sources of bio-functional compounds with health-promoting effects. In particular, essential oils are known for their antibacterial activity due to the high content of terpenes. In this work, the steam-distilled essential oil from the leaves of Citrus limon var. pompia was loaded in phospholipid vesicles. The physico-chemical characteristics of the essential oil loaded vesicles were compared with those of vesicles that were loaded with citral, which is one of the most abundant terpenes of Citrus essential oils. The biocompatibility of the vesicles was assessed in vitro in human keratinocytes. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the vesicles was tested while using different bacterial strains and a yeast: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, respectively. The vesicles were small in size (~140 nm), slightly polydispersed (PI ~ 0.31), highly negatively charged (~ −73 mV), and able to incorporate high amounts of essential oil or citral (E% ~ 86%). Pompia essential oil and citral exhibited antimicrobial activity against all of the assayed microorganisms, with P. aeruginosa being the least sensitive. Citral was slightly more effective than pompia essential oil against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The incorporation of citral in vesicles improved its antifungal activity against C. albicans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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15 pages, 1341 KiB  
Article
Trastuzumab-Modified Gold Nanoparticles Labeled with 211At as a Prospective Tool for Local Treatment of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
by Łucja Dziawer, Agnieszka Majkowska-Pilip, Damian Gaweł, Marlena Godlewska, Marek Pruszyński, Jerzy Jastrzębski, Bogdan Wąs and Aleksander Bilewicz
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(4), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9040632 - 18 Apr 2019
Cited by 73 | Viewed by 7106
Abstract
Highly localized radiotherapy with radionuclides is a commonly used treatment modality for patients with unresectable solid tumors. Herein, we propose a novel α-nanobrachytherapy approach for selective therapy of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. This uses local intratumoral injection of [...] Read more.
Highly localized radiotherapy with radionuclides is a commonly used treatment modality for patients with unresectable solid tumors. Herein, we propose a novel α-nanobrachytherapy approach for selective therapy of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. This uses local intratumoral injection of 5-nm-diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) labeled with an α-emitter (211At), modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains and attached to HER2-specific monoclonal antibody (trastuzumab). The size, shape, morphology, and zeta potential of the 5 nm synthesized AuNPs were characterized by TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) and DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) techniques. The gold nanoparticle surface was modified by PEG and subsequently used for antibody immobilization. Utilizing the high affinity of gold for heavy halogens, the bioconjugate was labelled with 211At obtained by α irradiation of the bismuth target. The labeling yield of 211At was greater than 99%. 211At bioconjugates were stable in human serum. Additionally, in vitro biological studies indicated that 211At-AuNP-PEG-trastuzumab exhibited higher affinity and cytotoxicity towards the HER2-overexpressing human ovarian SKOV-3 cell line than unmodified nanoparticles. Confocal and dark field microscopy studies revealed that 211At-AuNP-PEG-trastuzumab was effectively internalized and deposited near the nucleus. These findings show promising potential for the 211At-AuNP-PEG-trastuzumab radiobioconjugate as a perspective therapeutic agent in the treatment of unresectable solid cancers expressing HER2 receptors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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25 pages, 15311 KiB  
Article
An Available Strategy for Nasal Brain Transport of Nanocomposite Based on PAMAM Dendrimers via In Situ Gel
by Huichao Xie, Lingjun Li, Yue Sun, Yuzhen Wang, Shuang Gao, Yuan Tian, Xuemei Ma, Chengcheng Guo, Fumin Bo and Li Zhang
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9020147 - 24 Jan 2019
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 4976
Abstract
Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers are efficient drug carriers. The presence of a physiological pathway for nasal brain transport provides a potential path for direct brain-targeted delivery of dendrimer nanocomposites. In this study, we synthesized PAMAM dendrimer composites with a nanoscale size; the particle size [...] Read more.
Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers are efficient drug carriers. The presence of a physiological pathway for nasal brain transport provides a potential path for direct brain-targeted delivery of dendrimer nanocomposites. In this study, we synthesized PAMAM dendrimer composites with a nanoscale size; the particle size of PAE (Paeonol)/mPEG (the heterofunctional PEG polymer with a methoxy)-PAMAM G5.NHAc and mPEG-PAMAM G5.NH2-FITC were 72.41 ± 11.58 nm and 96.51 ± 7.77 nm, and the zeta potential of PAE/mPEG-PAMAM G5.NHAc and mPEG-PAMAM G5.NH2-FITC were + 0.57 ± 0.11 mv and + 9.60 ± 0.41 mv, respectively. The EE% and DL% of PAE in PAE/mPEG-PAMAM G5.NHAc were 53.77% and 13.92%, respectively. PAE/mPEG-PAMAM G5.NHAc/DGG ionic-sensitive in situ gel was prepared, the viscosity of solution and gel state were 112 ± 3.2 mPa and 1403 ± 38.5 mPa, respectively. The in vitro goat mucoadhesive strength of the gel was 4763.36 ± 85.39 dyne/cm2. In situ gel system was proven to be a non-Newtonian pseudo-plastic fluid with shear thinning, thixotropy and yield stress. The optimal model of PAE released from PAE/mPEG-PAMAM G5.NHAc and PAE/mPEG-PAMAM G5.NHAc/DGG were the Higuchi equation and the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the nanocomposites showed a concentration-dependence, and the cell viabilities of PAE/mPEG-PAMAM G5.NHAc were both higher than 95% between 0.0001 μM and 10 μM. mPEG-PAMAM G5.NH2-FITC was efficiently taken up by cells and exhibited strong fluorescence in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Significant accumulation of nanocomposites was observed in the brain after administration of the in situ gel group, and maximum accumulation was reached at 12 h. A small amount of accumulation was observed in the nanocomposite solution group only at 2 h. Therefore, the direct nasal brain transport efficiency of PAMAM dendrimer nanocomposites can be significantly improved after combining with in situ gel. PAMAM dendrimer nanocomposite/DGG is a potential drug delivery system for nasal brain transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 2870 KiB  
Review
Ultraflexible Liposome Nanocargo as a Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery System
by Kalvatala Sudhakar, Shivkanya Fuloria, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Kathiresan V. Sathasivam, Abul Kalam Azad, Shasank S. Swain, Mahendran Sekar, Sundram Karupiah, Omji Porwal, Alaka Sahoo, Dhanalekshmi Unnikrishnan Meenakshi, Vipin Kumar Sharma, Sanjay Jain, R. Narayana Charyulu and Neeraj Kumar Fuloria
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2557; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102557 - 29 Sep 2021
Cited by 50 | Viewed by 8199
Abstract
A selected active pharmaceutical ingredient must be incorporated into a cargo carrier in a particular manner so that it achieves its goal. An amalgamation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) should be conducted in such a manner that it is simple, professional, and more [...] Read more.
A selected active pharmaceutical ingredient must be incorporated into a cargo carrier in a particular manner so that it achieves its goal. An amalgamation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) should be conducted in such a manner that it is simple, professional, and more beneficial. Lipids/polymers that are known to be used in nanocarriers for APIs can be transformed into a vesicular formulation, which offers elegant solutions to many problems. Phospholipids with other ingredients, such as ethanol and water, form suitable vesicular carriers for many drugs, overcoming many problems related to poor bioavailability, poor solubility, etc. Ultraflexible liposomes are novel carriers and new frontiers of drug delivery for transdermal systems. Auxiliary advances in vesicular carrier research have been made, enabling polymer-coated ethanolic liposomes to avoid detection by the body’s immune system—specifically, the cells of the reticuloendothelial system. Ultraflexible liposomes act as a cargo system and a nanotherapeutic approach for the transport of therapeutic drugs and bioactive agents. Various applications of liposome derivatives in different diseases are emphasized in this review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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18 pages, 1576 KiB  
Review
Alzheimer’s Disease: An Overview of Major Hypotheses and Therapeutic Options in Nanotechnology
by Mugdha Agarwal, Mohammad Rizwan Alam, Mohd Kabir Haider, Md. Zubbair Malik and Dae-Kwang Kim
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010059 - 29 Dec 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5808
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressively fatal neurodegenerative disorder, is the most prominent form of dementia found today. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s begin to show the signs and symptoms, like decline in memory and cognition, long after the cellular damage has been initiated in [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressively fatal neurodegenerative disorder, is the most prominent form of dementia found today. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s begin to show the signs and symptoms, like decline in memory and cognition, long after the cellular damage has been initiated in their brain. There are several hypothesis for the neurodegeneration process; however, the lack of availability of in vivo models makes the recapitulation of AD in humans impossible. Moreover, the drugs currently available in the market serve to alleviate the symptoms and there is no cure for the disease. There have been two major hurdles in the process of finding the same—the inefficiency in cracking the complexity of the disease pathogenesis and the inefficiency in delivery of drugs targeted for AD. This review discusses the different drugs that have been designed over the recent years and the drug delivery options in the field of nanotechnology that have been found most feasible in surpassing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and reaching the brain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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29 pages, 3347 KiB  
Review
Niosomal Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Disease—Recent Advances and Future Prospects
by Saliha Durak, Monireh Esmaeili Rad, Abuzer Alp Yetisgin, Hande Eda Sutova, Ozlem Kutlu, Sibel Cetinel and Ali Zarrabi
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061191 - 18 Jun 2020
Cited by 103 | Viewed by 9650
Abstract
The eye is a complex organ consisting of several protective barriers and particular defense mechanisms. Since this organ is exposed to various infections, genetic disorders, and visual impairments it is essential to provide necessary drugs through the appropriate delivery routes and vehicles. The [...] Read more.
The eye is a complex organ consisting of several protective barriers and particular defense mechanisms. Since this organ is exposed to various infections, genetic disorders, and visual impairments it is essential to provide necessary drugs through the appropriate delivery routes and vehicles. The topical route of administration, as the most commonly used approach, maybe inefficient due to low drug bioavailability. New generation safe, effective, and targeted drug delivery systems based on nanocarriers have the capability to circumvent limitations associated with the complex anatomy of the eye. Nanotechnology, through various nanoparticles like niosomes, liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, and different polymeric vesicles play an active role in ophthalmology and ocular drug delivery systems. Niosomes, which are nano-vesicles composed of non-ionic surfactants, are emerging nanocarriers in drug delivery applications due to their solution/storage stability and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, they are biocompatible, biodegradable, flexible in structure, and suitable for loading both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. These characteristics make niosomes promising nanocarriers in the treatment of ocular diseases. Hereby, we review niosome based drug delivery approaches in ophthalmology starting with different preparation methods of niosomes, drug loading/release mechanisms, characterization techniques of niosome nanocarriers and eventually successful applications in the treatment of ocular disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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18 pages, 639 KiB  
Review
Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System
by Daniel Mihai Teleanu, Irina Negut, Valentina Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu and Raluca Ioana Teleanu
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(3), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9030371 - 5 Mar 2019
Cited by 112 | Viewed by 8648
Abstract
The intricate microstructure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is responsible for the accurate intrinsic regulation of the central nervous system (CNS), in terms of neuronal pathophysiological phenomena. Any disruption to the BBB can be associated with genetic defects triggering or with local antigenic [...] Read more.
The intricate microstructure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is responsible for the accurate intrinsic regulation of the central nervous system (CNS), in terms of neuronal pathophysiological phenomena. Any disruption to the BBB can be associated with genetic defects triggering or with local antigenic invasion (either neurotoxic blood-derived metabolites and residues or microbial pathogens). Such events can be further related to systemic inflammatory or immune disorders, which can subsequently initiate several neurodegenerative pathways. Any degenerative process related to the CNS results in progressive and yet incurable impairment of neuronal cells. Since these particular neurons are mostly scanty or incapable of self-repair and regeneration processes, there is tremendous worldwide interest in novel therapeutic strategies for such specific conditions. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (AD and PD, respectively) are conditions found worldwide, being considered the most rampant degenerative pathologies related to CNS. The current therapy of these conditions, including both clinical and experimental approaches, mainly enables symptom management and subsidiary neuronal protection and even less disease regression. Still, a thorough understanding of the BBB pathophysiology and an accurate molecular and sub-molecular management of AD and PD will provide beneficial support for more specific and selective therapy. Since nanotechnology-derived materials and devices proved attractive and efficient platforms for modern biomedicine (including detection, imaging, diagnosis, medication, restoration and regeneration), a particular approach for AD and PD management relies on nanoparticle-based therapy. In this paper we will discuss relevant aspects related to the BBB and its impact on drug-based treatment and emphasize that nanoparticles are suitable and versatile candidates for the development of novel and performance-enhanced nanopharmaceuticals for neurodegenerative conditions therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocarriers and Targeted Drug Delivery)
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