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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Novel Nano and Microencapsulation Technologies in Pharmaceutics
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Novel Nano and Microencapsulation Technologies in Pharmaceutics

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2022) | Viewed by 13059

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Anastasia Detsi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografou, Greece
Interests: organic chemistry; green chemistry; medicinal chemistry; nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Eleni Kavetsou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
Interests: organic chemistry; chemistry of natural products; medicinal chemistry; nanotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During the last twenty years, nano- and microparticles have received immense research attention for the development of various drug-delivery systems. Naturally derived nano- and microcarriers such as cyclodextrins; yeast cells; and sodium-alginate-, chitosan-, and lipid-based nanoparticles, as well as synthetic polymeric biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles, have been extensively used for the successful preparation of sustained-release drug-delivery systems. Moreover, hybrid nanosystems (based on organic or inorganic frameworks) have been developed in order to increase the pharmaceutical potential of drugs such as commercially available APIs, novel synthesized compounds, or natural products (e.g., essential oils and plant extracts). Drugs presenting activities such as anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and ultraviolet filter activity have been successfully encapsulated in various nano- and microsystems that have been applied in a wide range of applications such as cancer treatment, photodynamic therapy, vaccines, and cosmetics development. This Special Issue will focus on topics related to the development of novel personalized and “smart” systems using advanced nano- and microparticles and hybrid systems.

Prof. Dr. Anastasia Detsi
Dr. Eleni Kavetsou
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

  • nano-/microparticles
  • drug delivery
  • release profile
  • biomedicine

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 3405 KiB  
Article
Embedding Biomimetic Magnetic Nanoparticles Coupled with Peptide AS-48 into PLGA to Treat Intracellular Pathogens
by Salvatore Calogero Gaglio, Ylenia Jabalera, Manuel Montalbán-López, Ana Cristina Millán-Placer, Marina Lázaro-Callejón, Mercedes Maqueda, María Paz Carrasco-Jimenez, Alejandro Laso, José A. Aínsa, Guillermo R. Iglesias, Massimiliano Perduca and Concepción Jiménez López
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(12), 2744; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14122744 - 8 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2587
Abstract
Among the strategies employed to overcome the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria, directed chemotherapy combined with local therapies (e.g., magnetic hyperthermia) has gained great interest. A nano-assembly coupling the antimicrobial peptide AS-48 to biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles (AS-48-BMNPs) was demonstrated to have potent bactericidal effects [...] Read more.
Among the strategies employed to overcome the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria, directed chemotherapy combined with local therapies (e.g., magnetic hyperthermia) has gained great interest. A nano-assembly coupling the antimicrobial peptide AS-48 to biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles (AS-48-BMNPs) was demonstrated to have potent bactericidal effects on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria when the antimicrobial activity of the peptide was combined with magnetic hyperthermia. Nevertheless, intracellular pathogens remain challenging due to the difficulty of the drug reaching the bacterium. Thus, improving the cellular uptake of the nanocarrier is crucial for the success of the treatment. In the present study, we demonstrate the embedding cellular uptake of the original nano-assembly into THP-1, reducing the toxicity of AS-48 toward healthy THP-1 cells. We optimized the design of PLGA[AS-48-BMNPs] in terms of size, colloidal stability, and hyperthermia activity (either magnetic or photothermal). The stability of the nano-formulation at physiological pH values was evaluated by studying the AS-48 release at this pH value. The influence of pH and hyperthermia on the AS-48 release from the nano-formulation was also studied. These results show a slower AS-48 release from PLGA[AS-48-BMNPs] compared to previous nano-formulations, which could make this new nano-formulation suitable for longer extended treatments of intracellular pathogens. PLGA[AS-48-BMNPs] are internalized in THP-1 cells where AS-48 is liberated slowly, which may be useful to treat diseases and prevent infection caused by intracellular pathogens. The treatment will be more efficient combined with hyperthermia or photothermia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Nano and Microencapsulation Technologies in Pharmaceutics)
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11 pages, 1898 KiB  
Article
Sustained Delivery of a Monoclonal Antibody against SARS-CoV-2 by Microencapsulated Cells: A Proof-of-Concept Study
by Assem Ashimova, Askhat Myngbay, Sergey Yegorov, Baurzhan Negmetzhanov, Irina Kadyrova, Angelina Yershova, Ulpan Kart, Matthew S. Miller and Gonzalo Hortelano
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(10), 2042; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14102042 - 24 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2185
Abstract
Background: Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy is a promising antiviral intervention for Coronovirus disease (COVID-19) with a potential for both treatment and prophylaxis. However, a major barrier to implementing mAb therapies in clinical practice is the intricate nature of mAb preparation and delivery. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Background: Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy is a promising antiviral intervention for Coronovirus disease (COVID-19) with a potential for both treatment and prophylaxis. However, a major barrier to implementing mAb therapies in clinical practice is the intricate nature of mAb preparation and delivery. Therefore, here, in a pre-clinical model, we explored the possibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mAb delivery using a mAb-expressing encapsulated cell system. Methods: Murine G-8 myoblasts were transfected with plasmids coding for the heavy and light chains of CR3022, a well-characterized SARS-CoV-2 mAb that targets the Spike receptor binding domain (RBD), and then encapsulated into alginate microcapsules. The microcapsules were then intraperitoneally implanted into immunocompetent (C57/BL6J) mice and changes in circulating CR3022 titres were assessed. The in vitro and ex vivo characterization of the mAb was performed using western blotting, RBD ELISA, and microscopy. Results: Transfected G-8 myoblasts expressed intact CR3022 IgG at levels comparable to transfected HEK-293 cells. Cell encapsulation yielded microcapsules harbouring approximately 1000 cells/capsule and sustainably secreting CR3022 mAb. Subsequent peritoneal G-8 microcapsule implantation into mice resulted in a gradual increase of CR3022 concentration in blood, which by day 7 peaked at 1923 [1656–2190] ng/mL and then gradually decreased ~4-fold by day 40 post-implantation. Concurrently, we detected an increase in mouse anti-CR3022 IgG titers, while microcapsules recovered by day 40 post-implantation showed a reduced per-microcapsule mAb production. Summary: We demonstrate here that cell microencapsulation is a viable approach to systemic delivery of intact SARS-CoV-2 mAb, with potential therapeutic applications that warrant further exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Nano and Microencapsulation Technologies in Pharmaceutics)
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16 pages, 2424 KiB  
Article
Topical Delivery of Niacinamide to Skin Using Hybrid Nanogels Enhances Photoprotection Effect
by Renata Basto, Raquel Andrade, Cláudia Nunes, Sofia A. Costa Lima and Salette Reis
Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(11), 1968; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13111968 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4371
Abstract
Niacinamide (NIA) has been widely used in halting the features of ageing by acting as an antioxidant and preventing dehydration. NIA’s physicochemical properties suggest difficulties in surpassing the barrier imposed by the stratum corneum layer to reach the target in the skin. To [...] Read more.
Niacinamide (NIA) has been widely used in halting the features of ageing by acting as an antioxidant and preventing dehydration. NIA’s physicochemical properties suggest difficulties in surpassing the barrier imposed by the stratum corneum layer to reach the target in the skin. To improve cutaneous delivery of NIA, a hybrid nanogel was designed using carrageenan and polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers combined with jojoba oil as a permeation enhancer. Three different types of transethosomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method, made distinct by the presence of either an edge activator or a permeation enhancer, to allow for a controlled delivery of NIA. Formulations were characterized by measurements of size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity, and by evaluating their chemical interactions and morphology. Skin permeation assays were performed using Franz diffusion cells. The hybrid hydrogels exhibited robust, porous, and highly aligned macrostructures, and when present, jojoba oil changed their morphology. Skin permeation studies with transethosomes-loaded hydrogels showed that nanogels per se exhibit a more controlled and enhanced permeation, in particular when jojoba oil was present in the transethosomes. These promising nanogels protected the human keratinocytes from UV radiation, and thus can be added to sunscreens or after-sun lotions to improve skin protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Nano and Microencapsulation Technologies in Pharmaceutics)
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Review

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64 pages, 24551 KiB  
Review
Dendritic Polymers in Tissue Engineering: Contributions of PAMAM, PPI PEG and PEI to Injury Restoration and Bioactive Scaffold Evolution
by Michael Arkas, Michail Vardavoulias, Georgia Kythreoti and Dimitrios A. Giannakoudakis
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(2), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020524 - 4 Feb 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3091
Abstract
The capability of radially polymerized bio-dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers for medical applications is well established. Perhaps the most important implementations are those that involve interactions with the regenerative mechanisms of cells. In general, they are non-toxic or exhibit very low toxicity. Thus, they [...] Read more.
The capability of radially polymerized bio-dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers for medical applications is well established. Perhaps the most important implementations are those that involve interactions with the regenerative mechanisms of cells. In general, they are non-toxic or exhibit very low toxicity. Thus, they allow unhindered and, in many cases, faster cell proliferation, a property that renders them ideal materials for tissue engineering scaffolds. Their resemblance to proteins permits the synthesis of derivatives that mimic collagen and elastin or are capable of biomimetic hydroxy apatite production. Due to their distinctive architecture (core, internal branches, terminal groups), dendritic polymers may play many roles. The internal cavities may host cell differentiation genes and antimicrobial protection drugs. Suitable terminal groups may modify the surface chemistry of cells and modulate the external membrane charge promoting cell adhesion and tissue assembly. They may also induce polymer cross-linking for healing implementation in the eyes, skin, and internal organ wounds. The review highlights all the different categories of hard and soft tissues that may be remediated with their contribution. The reader will also be exposed to the incorporation of methods for establishment of biomaterials, functionalization strategies, and the synthetic paths for organizing assemblies from biocompatible building blocks and natural metabolites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Nano and Microencapsulation Technologies in Pharmaceutics)
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