Advances in Nano-Scale Drug Delivery Systems

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 4561

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town, Penang 11800, Malaysia
Interests: biopharmaceutic studies; design and development of novel drug delivery systems

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
Interests: emulsion polymerization; drug stability; pharmaceutical nanotechnology; pharmaceutical research and development; pharmacokinetics
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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
Interests: vesicular systems; niosomes; stimuli-sensitive nanocarriers; inorganic nanoparticles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
Interests: drug stability; silver nanoparticles; polymeric nanoparticles; pharmaceutical analysis; transdermal and mucosal drug permeation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Nano-Scale Drug Delivery Systems.” In recent years, nano-scale drug delivery systems have been widely studied as a successful strategy for achieving the increased bioavailability, targeted delivery, protection, and stabilization of the incorporated drugs, as well as enhanced cellular penetration, reduced side effects, and improved therapy outcomes. This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in the development, characterization, evaluation, and in vivo/ex vivo analysis of different types of nanocarriers and their drug delivery applications. Manuscripts investigating the use of sustainable nanotechnologies are also welcome.

We welcome submissions of original research and review articles on the following topics:

  • Experimental design of nano-scale drug delivery systems
  • Lipid nanoparticles (solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers)
  • Polymeric nanoparticles
  • Inorganic nanoparticles (silver/gold/iron/zinc oxide/titanium dioxide nanoparticles)
  • Vesicular nano-scale carriers (liposomes, niosomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, etc.)
  • Dermal and transdermal drug delivery
  • Mucosal drug delivery
  • Parenteral drug delivery systems
  • Targeted drug delivery
  • Permeation enhancers of nanotechnologies
  • Stability studies on nano-scale drug carriers
  • Sustainable nanotechnologies in drug delivery
  • Novel and adaptive methods for the characterization of nanoparticles
  • Pharmaceutical analysis of nano-scale drug carriers
  • Nanotoxicity

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Kah Hay Yuen
Dr. Velichka Andonova
Dr. Viliana Eduardova Gugleva
Dr. Nadezhda Ivanova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanoparticles
  • nanocarriers
  • nano-scale vesicles
  • nanomedicine
  • nanotechnology
  • liposomes
  • niosomes
  • inorganic nanoparticles
  • metal nanoparticles
  • polymeric nanoparticles
  • lipid nanoparticles
  • drug delivery systems
  • targeted drug delivery
  • drug stability
  • nanotoxicity
  • permeation enhancement

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4885 KiB  
Article
Chlorhexidine–Silver Nanoparticle Conjugation Leading to Antimicrobial Synergism but Enhanced Cytotoxicity
by Nadezhda Ivanova, Neli Ermenlieva, Lora Simeonova, Iliyan Kolev, Iliya Slavov, Daniela Karashanova and Velichka Andonova
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(9), 2298; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15092298 - 9 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1819
Abstract
This study explored the potential synergism within chlorhexidine–silver nanoparticle conjugates against Influenza type A, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Silver nanoparticles (SN) were obtained by the reduction of silver ions with green tea total phenolic extract and conjugated [...] Read more.
This study explored the potential synergism within chlorhexidine–silver nanoparticle conjugates against Influenza type A, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Silver nanoparticles (SN) were obtained by the reduction of silver ions with green tea total phenolic extract and conjugated with chlorhexidine (Cx). The particles were characterized by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. A stable negatively charged nano-silver colloid (ζ = −50.01) was obtained with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 92.34 nm. In the presence of chlorhexidine, the spectral data and the shift of the zeta potential to positive values (ζ = +44.59) revealed the successful sorption of the drug onto the silver surface. The conjugates (SN-Cx) demonstrated potentiation in their effects against S. aureus and C. albicans and synergism against E. coli with minimal inhibitory concentrations of SN at 5.5 µg/mL + Cx 8.8 µg/mL. The SN showed excellent virucidal properties, increasing with time, and demonstrated low toxicity. However, the coupling of the cationic chlorhexidine with nano-silver did not reduce its intrinsic cytotoxicity on various cell lines (MDCK, BJ, and A549). The newly synthesized antimicrobial agent exhibited an extended and promising therapeutic spectrum and needs to be further evaluated regarding the designated route of administration in three-dimensional cell models (e.g., nasal, bronchial, dermal, ocular, etc.). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nano-Scale Drug Delivery Systems)
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22 pages, 12878 KiB  
Article
A Novel Semi-Solid Self-Emulsifying Formulation of Aprepitant for Oral Delivery: An In Vitro Evaluation
by Hakan Nazlı, Burcu Mesut, Özlem Akbal-Dağıstan and Yıldız Özsoy
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(5), 1509; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15051509 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2309
Abstract
Aprepitant is the first member of a relatively new antiemetic drug class called NK1 receptor antagonists. It is commonly prescribed to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Although it is included in many treatment guidelines, its poor solubility causes bioavailability issues. A particle [...] Read more.
Aprepitant is the first member of a relatively new antiemetic drug class called NK1 receptor antagonists. It is commonly prescribed to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Although it is included in many treatment guidelines, its poor solubility causes bioavailability issues. A particle size reduction technique was used in the commercial formulation to overcome low bioavailability. Production with this method consists of many successive steps that cause the cost of the drug to increase. This study aims to develop an alternative, cost-effective formulation to the existing nanocrystal form. We designed a self-emulsifying formulation that can be filled into capsules in a melted state and then solidified at room temperature. Solidification was achieved by using surfactants with a melting temperature above room temperature. Various polymers have also been tested to maintain the supersaturated state of the drug. The optimized formulation consists of CapryolTM 90, Kolliphor® CS20, Transcutol® P, and Soluplus®; it was characterized by DLS, FTIR, DSC, and XRPD techniques. A lipolysis test was conducted to predict the digestion performance of formulations in the gastrointestinal system. Dissolution studies showed an increased dissolution rate of the drug. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the formulation was tested in the Caco-2 cell line. According to the results, a formulation with improved solubility and low toxicity was obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nano-Scale Drug Delivery Systems)
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