Emerging drug delivery systems to alter tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment: Overcoming the challenges in immunotherapy for glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly proliferative, lethal cancer of the brain. The median survival at eight months is ca. 6.

PEGylated pH-Responsive Liposomes for Enhancing the Intracellular Uptake and Cytotoxicity of Paclitaxel in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

This study aimed to develop paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded PEGylated (PEG)-pH-sensitive (SpH) liposomes to enhance drug delivery efficiency and cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. PTX-loaded PEG-SpH liposomes were prepared using the thin film hydration method. ATR-FTIR compatibility studies revealed no significant interactions among liposome formulation components.

Prolonged retention of luliconazole nanofibers for topical mycotic condition: development, in vitro characterization and antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

An antifungal agent, luliconazole, is commercially available in cream or gel form. The major limitation of these conventional formulations is less residence time at the infection site. The primary objective of this work was to develop luliconazole-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (Luz-PVA) nanofibers for mycotic skin conditions with a longer retention.

Pulmonary administration of cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles of genistein for regulating blood glucose.

The research study focused on the development and characterization of sustained release formulation of genistein (GEN)-loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles to deliver in the form of dry powder inhaler (DPI) via pulmonary route to offer higher stability and anti-diabetic activity. The GEN-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by cross-linking reaction of CS and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). The optimized formulation displayed particle size (PS) of 684.

Central composite design augmented quality-by-design-based systematic formulation of erlotinib hydrochloride-loaded chitosan-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles.

This study aimed to formulate erlotinib hydrochloride (ERT-HCL)-loaded chitosan (CS) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) using Quality-by-Design (QbD) to optimize critical quality attributes (CQAs). Quality target product profile (QTPP) and CQAs were initially established. Based on L8-Taguchi screening and risk assessments, central composite design (CCD) design was used to optimize NPs.

Nanodiamond-based berberine aquasomes for enhancing penetration across epidermis to treat psoriasis.

The use of berberine hydrochloride (BCS class III) has limited application in psoriasis, when given as topical drug delivery systems, due to low permeability in the skin layer. Hence, berberine hydrochloride-loaded aquasome nanocarriers were developed for skin targeting, particularly epidermis (primary site of psoriasis pathophysiology) and enhance the skin permeability of berberine hydrochloride. Aquasomes were formulated using the adsorption method and characterized by structural morphology TEM, % drug adsorption, drug release profile (in-vitro and ex-vivo), in-vivo efficacy study and stability study.

Potentiation of Brain Bioavailability Using Thermoreversible Cubosomal Formulation.

The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate intranasal formulations of the thermoreversible fluoxetine cubosomal in situ gel. This gel was intended for permeation and bioavailability enhancement to target the brain effectively by bypassing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Fluoxetine-loaded cubosomes were prepared by the homogenization method followed by the cold method approach to develop in situ gel.

Competitive inhibition of nicotine acetylcholine receptors using microneedles of nicotine and varenicline for smoking withdrawal therapy.

Current strategies for smoking withdrawal conditions involve monotherapy of nicotine and combinational therapy of nicotine with varenicline or bupropion as per the CDC and FDA. The available dosage forms for nicotine are patches, gums, inhalers and nasal sprays, bupropion and varenicline are available in tablet form. This research work focused on developing a microneedle delivery system to deliver combination drug for overcoming the obstacles encountered by oral route of administration of varenicline such as severe side effects (mood swings, agitation, depressed behaviour, seizures, etc), and nicotine therapy challenges such as short half-life, repeated dosing, nausea, and vomiting.

Bimatoprost-loaded lipidic nanoformulation development using quality by design: liposomes versus solid lipid nanoparticles in intraocular pressure reduction.

Bimatoprost is a drug used to lower intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma. Conventional eye drops have the limitations of repeated dosing, drug loss due to tear outflow and hence poor availability for action. Using a systematic quality by design approach, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles were formulated and further encapsulated in thermo-sensitive hydrogel.

Fragmented antibodies in non-small cell lung cancer: A novel nano-engineered delivery system for detection and treatment of cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a long history of defying traditional cytotoxic treatment. Significant advancements in biotechnology, cancer biology, and immunotherapy have provided new insights that have altered the landscape for the management of NSCLC, clearing the way for a new era of pharmaceuticals in the form of monoclonal antibodies and their fragments. Antibody fragments are superior to monoclonal antibodies because of their small size, which allows them to penetrate cells and tissues effectively.

Design and Characterization of Nanoflowers-based Biosensor for Estimation of Bilirubin in Jaundice.

Nanoflowers (NFs) are flower-shaped nanoparticulate systems with a higher surface-to-volume ratio and good surface adsorption. Jaundice indicates yellow discoloration of skin, sclera, and mucus membrane and is a clinical indication of bilirubin accumulation in the blood which occurs as a consequence of the incapability of the liver to excrete bilirubin in the biliary tree or conjugate bilirubin and higher production of bilirubin in the body. Several methods have been developed so far for bilirubin estimation in jaundice like the spectrophotometric method, chemiluminescence method, etc.

Biodegradable Polymer-Based Microspheres for Depot Injection-Industry Perception.

The discovery of proteins and peptides marked the actual beginning for pharmaceutical companies to do research on novel delivery systems for delivering these therapeutic proteins. Biodegradable polymer-based microspheres for controlled-release depot injection are known for decades and have proved to be one of the best possible approaches. Despite being known for decades, the commercial success of microsphere-based delivery systems remains limited.

Banana Peel Waste: An Emerging Cellulosic Material to Extract Nanocrystalline Cellulose.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) has gained attention due to its versatile properties such as biocompatibility, sustainability, high aspect ratio, and abundance of -OH groups that favor modifications of NCC. The objective of this paper is to develop NCC by extracting and characterizing NCC prepared from banana peel powder (BPP). BPP was subjected to alkali and bleaching treatment to remove lignin and hemicellulose and then subjected to acid hydrolysis to prepare NCC.

Aquasomes: Advanced Vesicular-based Nanocarrier Systems.

Background: Aquasomes are novel trilayered non-lipoidal vesicular nanocarriers that demonstrate structural similarity to ceramic nanoparticles with theranostic activity for diseases like ovarian cancer and antigen delivery.

Objective: The objective of the present article is to highlight the multifaceted potential of aquasomes over other nanocarriers for the treatment of various treatments like hemophilia A, cancer, and hepatitis.

Methods: Aquasomes enter the target cell by modifying the surface chemistry, extending drug release.

Non-oral routes, novel formulations and devices of contraceptives: An update.

Family planning enables society to prevent unintended pregnancies and helps in attaining desired spacing between the pregnancies. It is done with the use of contraceptive methods and infertility treatments. The use of contraceptives serves to ease maternal ill-health and reduce pregnancy-related deaths and helps to decrease the number of unsafe abortions and HIV transmission from mothers to newborns.

3D Printed Personalized Medicine for Cancer: Applications for Betterment of Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment.

Cancer treatment is challenging due to the tumour heterogeneity that makes personalized medicine a suitable technique for providing better cancer treatment. Personalized medicine analyses patient-related factors like genetic make-up and lifestyle and designs treatments that offer the benefits of reduced side effects and efficient drug delivery. Personalized medicine aims to provide a holistic way for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Quercetin-loaded platelets as a potential targeted therapy for glioblastoma multiforme cell line U373-MG.

Over the globe, the incidence of glioblastoma multiforme (GM) is very low, that is, 1-4 cases per 100,000, but it is fatal and cancer grows very fast inside the brain tissues, namely astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Because of the rapid growth, it is difficult to halt the dissemination of tumor in adjacent tissues. Although temozolomide (TMZ) is a currently approved standard of care, it develops resistance over the period.

Strategies for the delivery of antidiabetic drugs via intranasal route.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder defined by higher blood glucose levels in the body generally controlled by antidiabetic agents (oral) and insulin (subcutaneous). To avoid the limitations of the conventional routes such as lower bioavailability and pain at the site of injection in case of parenteral route modified delivery systems are proposed like transdermal, pulmonary and inhalation delivery and among the other delivery systems nasal drug delivery system that shows the advantages such as reduced frequency of dose, higher patient compliance, safety, ease of administration, prolonged residence time, improved absorption of drug in the body, higher bioavailability and stability. This review article discusses the strategies adopted for the delivery of antidiabetic drugs by the intranasal delivery system.

Adsorption of Cisplatin on Oxidized Graphene Nanoribbons for Improving the Uptake in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cell Line A549.

Background: Graphene nanoribbons are nanosized strips of graphene with unique physicochemical properties like higher drug loading capacity and affinity for tumor cells.

Objective: The principal objective of this research was to develop oxidized graphene nanoribbons (O-GNRs)-based delivery system for cisplatin against non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line A549 by selective endocytosis.

Methods: The O-GNRs prepared using various synthetic steps like oxidative unzipping were evaluated for various parameters like morphology, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) study, % adsorption efficacy, Differential scanning colometric (DSC) study and in-vitro efficacy studies.

Quality by Design Approach for Development and Optimization of Rifampicin Loaded Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles and Characterization.

Background: Rifampicin is one of the first-line drugs used for tuberculosis therapy. The therapy lasts for a long time. Thus, there is a need to develop a sustained release formulation of rifampicin for intravenous application.

Artificial intelligence (AI) impacting diagnosis of glaucoma and understanding the regulatory aspects of AI-based software as medical device.

Glaucoma, the group of eye diseases is characterized by increased intraocular pressure, optic neuropathy and visual field defect patterns. Early and correct diagnosis of glaucoma can prevent irreversible vision loss and glaucomatous structural damages to the eye. However, greater chances of misdiagnosis by the currently used conventional methods for diagnosis open up ways for more advanced techniques like the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Strategic consideration for effective chemotherapeutic transportation via transpapillary route in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. The current treatment option for breast cancer includes drug treatment (Chemotherapy and hormone therapy) or surgery (mastectomy and lumpectomy). The major drawbacks of chemotherapy include rapid metabolism, limited ductal exposure, lower bioavailability, higher elimination rate, undesirable side effects, and high dose of drug.

Phytoconstituents and pharmaco-therapeutic benefits of pitaya: A wonder fruit.

Dragon fruit has caught the attention of many researchers in the last few years because of its vast therapeutic potential. The fruit is enriched with several phytochemical constituents having tremendous pharmacological properties. It is traditionally used as a coloring agent.

Potential of Mirabegron and its Extended-release Formulations for the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome.

Background: Overactive bladder syndrome is a broadly occurring urological disorder with a distressing impact on the quality of life. The commonly used antimuscarinic drugs show poor patient compliance because of unsatisfactory potency, tolerability and high occurrence of adverse effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness etc. Mirabegron is the first approved β3-adrenoreceptor agonist, used as mono or in combination therapies for overactive bladder syndrome.

Current trends in theranostics for rheumatoid arthritis.

The very complexity of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) makes its prognosis and management challenging. The manifestations pertaining to RA emerge in the late stage of the disease when the damage to bone and cartilage has already occurred. Therefore early diagnosis of RA becomes critical in order to avoid further complications and disabilities.