Ferulic acid-loaded polymeric nanoparticles prepared from nano-emulsion templates facilitate internalisation across the blood-brain barrier in model membranes.

A hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, namely ferulic acid (FA) has been successfully encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) based on poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA). FA-loaded polymeric NPs were prepared from O/W nano-emulsion templates using the phase inversion composition (PIC) low-energy emulsification method. The obtained PLGA NPs exhibited high colloidal stability, good drug-loading capacity, and particle hydrodynamic diameters in the range of 74 to 117 nm, depending on the FA concentration used.

Complexation Nanoarchitectonics of Carbon Dots with Doxorubicin toward Photodynamic Anti-Cancer Therapy.

Carbon dots (Cdots) are known as photosensitizers in which the nitrogen doping is able to improve the oxygen-photosensitization performance and singlet-oxygen generation. Herein, the characteristics of nanoconjugates of nitrogen-doped Cdots and doxorubicin were compared with the property of nitrogen-doped Cdots alone. The investigation was performed for the evaluation of pH-dependent zeta potential, quantum yield, photosensitization efficiency and singlet-oxygen generation, besides spectroscopy (UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectra) and cytotoxicity on cancer model (HeLa cells).

Rosmarinic Acid-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles Prepared by Low-Energy Nano-Emulsion Templating: Formulation, Biophysical Characterization, and In Vitro Studies.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a caffeic acid derivative, has been loaded in polymeric nanoparticles made up of poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) through a nano-emulsion templating process using the phase-inversion composition (PIC) method at room temperature. The obtained RA-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were colloidally stable exhibiting average diameters in the range of 70-100 nm. RA was entrapped within the PLGA polymeric network with high encapsulation efficiencies and nanoparticles were able to release RA in a rate-controlled manner.

A nanocellulose-based platform towards targeted chemo-photodynamic/photothermal cancer therapy.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have advantages as drug delivery carriers because of their biocompatibility and the presence of hydroxyl groups which favor chemical modification and drug binding. The present study describes the development of novel multifunctional rod-like CNCs-based carriers as therapeutic platforms: CNCs were hybridized with folic acid for actively targeting tumor cells, carbon dots (Cdots) for both imaging and photodynamic/photothermal treatments and doxorubicin (DOX) as an anticancer drug. Hybridized carriers displayed excellent drug-loading capacity.

Blood-brain barrier dysfunction in hemorrhagic transformation: a therapeutic opportunity for nanoparticles and melatonin.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, estimated that one-sixth of the world population will suffer it once in their life. The most common type of this medical condition is the ischemic stroke (IS), produced by a thrombotic or embolic occlusion of a major cerebral artery or its branches, leading to the formation of a complex infarct region caused by oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and endothelial dysfunction. Nowadays, the immediate treatment for IS involves thrombolytic agents or mechanical thrombectomy, depending on the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Ethylcellulose nanoparticles prepared from nano-emulsion templates as new folate binding haemocompatible platforms.

Ethylcellulose is a biocompatible polymer attracting increasing interest for biomedical applications. In the present work, the formation of folate-ethylcellulose nanoparticle complexes from nano-emulsion templates prepared by a low-energy approach, using aqueous components suitable for biomedical applications has been investigated. The composition of the aqueous component is shown to be crucial for the formation of stable nano-emulsions and influences the zeta potential values.

Functionalized PLGA nanoparticles prepared by nano-emulsion templating interact selectively with proteins involved in the transport through the blood-brain barrier.

During the last few decades, extensive efforts has been made to design nanocarriers to transport drugs into the central nervous system (CNS). However, its efficacy is limited due to the presence of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) which greatly reduces drug penetration making Drug Delivery Systems (DDS) necessary. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have been reported to be appropriate for this purpose and in particular, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been used for its ability to entrap small molecule drugs with great efficiency and the ease with which it functionalizes NPs.

Short and ultrashort antimicrobial peptides anchored onto soft commercial contact lenses inhibit bacterial adhesion.

Commercial soft contact lenses were chemically modified to incorporate antibacterial properties. Contact lenses and especially soft contact lenses present a risk of eye microbial infection that eventually may lead to vision loss. This is a significant health issue given the large population of contact lenses wearers worldwide.

Biomedical perfluorohexane-loaded nanocapsules prepared by low-energy emulsification and selective solvent diffusion.

Perfluorohexane-loaded nanocapsules are interesting materials for many biomedical applications such as oxygen delivery systems or contrast agents. However, their formulation into stable colloidal systems is challenging because of their hydro- and lipophobicity, high density and high vapour pressure. In this study, perfluorohexane-loaded polymeric nanocapsules are prepared for the first time by low-energy emulsification and selective solvent diffusion.

Ethylcellulose nanoparticles as a new "in vitro" transfection tool for antisense oligonucleotide delivery.

Oil-in-water nano-emulsions have been obtained in the HEPES 20 mM buffer solution / [Alkylamidoammonium:Kolliphor EL = 1:1] / [6 wt% ethylcellulose in ethyl acetate] system over a wide oil-to-surfactant range and above 35 wt% aqueous component at 25 °C. The nano-emulsion with an oil-to-surfactant ratio of 70/30 and 95 wt% aqueous component was used for nanoparticles preparation. These nanoparticles (mean diameter around 90 nm and zeta potential of +22 mV) were non-toxic to HeLa cells up to a concentration of 3 mM of cationic species.

Modulating size and surface charge of ethylcellulose nanoparticles through the use of cationic nano-emulsion templates.

Ethylcellulose nano-emulsions have been obtained by the low-energy phase inversion composition method in the Water / [Alkylamidoammonium: Cremophor WO7] / [6% ethylcellulose in ethyl acetate] system at 25 °C. It is shown that nano-emlulsions' composition variables (oil-to-surfactant ratio, cationic: nonionic surfactant ratio and polymer and water content) produce changes in their droplet diameter, surface charge and colloidal stability following defined trends. Nano-emulsions with good stability, droplet diameters between about 120 and 200 nm and surface charge from about 10 to 50 mV have been obtained.

Cubic liquid crystalline structures in diluted, concentrated and highly concentrated emulsions for topical application: Influence on drug release and human skin permeation.

Novel emulsions with a nanostructured continuous phase have been proposed as controlled drug delivery systems to enhance topical delivery of active ingredients avoiding systemic effects. In this study, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with two surfactant/water (S/W) weight ratios of 40:60 and 35:65, and oil concentrations of 10 wt% (diluted emulsion), 40 wt% (concentrated emulsion) and 85 wt% (highly concentrated emulsion) have been investigated to identify the presence of liquid crystalline structures and their influence on drug release and skin permeation. The emulsions have been characterized in terms of visual appearance, rheology and drug release.

Low-energy nano-emulsification approach as a simple strategy to prepare positively charged ethylcellulose nanoparticles.

Positively charged ethylcelulose nanoparticles have been obtained from alkylamidoammonium/Span 80 based nano-emulsion templates. Oil-in-water polymeric nano-emulsions form in a broad range of oil-to-surfactant ratios and water contents above 75 wt% by a low-energy method at 25 °C. Nano-emulsions with a water content of 90 wt% showed droplet sizes typically below 300 nm and high positive zeta potential values (∼55 mV).

NLCs as a potential carrier system for transdermal delivery of forskolin.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) composed of the substances generally recognized as safe (GRAS) were obtained by using a hot high-pressure homogenization technique (HPH). The influence of the number of homogenization cycles and concentration of a decyl glucoside surfactant on the NLC properties were studied. The system's stability was assessed by macroscopic observation, light backscattering and zeta potential measurements.

Hyaluronan based materials with catanionic sugar-derived surfactants as drug delivery systems.

In the present work novel drug delivery systems consisting in highly porous Hyaluronan foams for the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ketoprofen, have been obtained. A sugar-derived surfactant associated with ketoprofen was prepared and incorporated into the porous hyaluronan materials. The association between a lactose derived surfactant, Lhyd, and ketoprofen was obtained by acid-base reaction and its physicochemical properties were studied.

Nano-emulsions as vehicles for topical delivery of forskolin.

Two O/W forskolin-loaded nano-emulsions (0.075% wt.) based on medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and stabilized by a nonionic surfactant (Polysorbate 80 or Polysorbate 40) were studied as forskolin delivery systems.

Personalized Nanomedicine: A Revolution at the Nanoscale.

Nanomedicine is an interdisciplinary research field that results from the application of nanotechnology to medicine and has the potential to significantly improve some current treatments. Specifically, in the field of personalized medicine, it is expected to have a great impact in the near future due to its multiple advantages, namely its versatility to adapt a drug to a cohort of patients. In the present review, the properties and requirements of pharmaceutical dosage forms at the nanoscale, so-called nanomedicines, are been highlighted.

Versatile Methodology to Encapsulate Gold Nanoparticles in PLGA Nanoparticles Obtained by Nano-Emulsion Templating.

Purpose: Gold nanoparticles have been proved useful for many biomedical applications, specifically, for their use as advanced imaging systems. However, they usually present problems related with stability and toxicity.

Methods: In the present work, gold-nanoparticles have been encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles using a novel methodology based on nano-emulsion templating.

PLGA nanoparticles from nano-emulsion templating as imaging agents: Versatile technology to obtain nanoparticles loaded with fluorescent dyes.

The interest in polymeric nanoparticles as imaging systems for biomedical applications has increased notably in the last decades. In this work, PLGA nanoparticles, prepared from nano-emulsion templating, have been used to prepare novel fluorescent imaging agents. Two model fluorescent dyes were chosen and dissolved in the oil phase of the nano-emulsions together with PLGA.

Studies on the formation of polymeric nano-emulsions obtained via low-energy emulsification and their use as templates for drug delivery nanoparticle dispersions.

Ethylcellulose nanoparticles have been obtained from O/W nano-emulsions of the water/polyoxyethylene 10 oleyl ether/[ethyl acetate+4wt% ethylcellulose] system by low energy-energy emulsification at 25°C. Nano-emulsions with droplet sizes below 200nm and high kinetic stability were chosen for solubilising dexamethasone (DXM). Phase behaviour, conductivity and optical analysis studies of the system have evidenced for the first time that both, the polymer and the drug play a role on the structure of the aggregates formed along the emulsification path.

Galantamine-loaded PLGA nanoparticles, from nano-emulsion templating, as novel advanced drug delivery systems to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Polymeric nanoparticles could be promising drug delivery systems to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Among the various methods of nanoparticle preparation, nano-emulsion templating was used in the present study to prepare galantamine-loaded nano-emulsions by a low-energy emulsification method followed by solvent evaporation to obtain galantamine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles. This approach was found to be suitable because biocompatible, biodegradable and safe nanoparticles with appropriate features (hydrodynamic radii around 20 nm, negative surface charge and stability higher than 3 months) for their intravenous administration were obtained.

PLGA nanoparticles prepared by nano-emulsion templating using low-energy methods as efficient nanocarriers for drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

Neurodegenerative diseases have an increased prevalence and incidence nowadays, mainly due to aging of the population. In addition, current treatments lack efficacy, mostly due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that limits the penetration of the drugs to the central nervous system. Therefore, novel drug delivery systems are required.

Transdermal delivery of forskolin from emulsions differing in droplet size.

The skin permeation of forskolin, a diterpene isolated from Coleus forsholii, was studied using oil in water (O/W) emulsions as delivery formulations and also an oil solution for comparative purposes. Two forskolin-loaded emulsions of water/Brij 72:Symperonic A7/Miglyol 812:Isohexadecane, at 0.075 wt% forskolin concentration were prepared with the same composition and only differing in droplet size (0.

Rhamnolipids as emulsifying agents for essential oil formulations: antimicrobial effect against Candida albicans and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

This work examines the influence of essential oil composition on emulsification with rhamnolipids and their use as therapeutic antimicrobial agents against two opportunistic pathogens, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida albicans. Rhamnolipids, produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with waste frying oil as the carbon source, were composed of eight rhamnolipid homologues. The rhamnolipid mixture was used to produce emulsions containing essential oils (EOs) of Melaleuca alternifolia, Cinnamomum verum, Origanum compactum and Lavandula angustifolia using the titration method.

Quantifying the bioadhesive properties of surface-modified polyurethane-urea nanoparticles in the vascular network.

Nanomedicine research is currently requiring new standard methods to quantify the biocompatibility and bioadhesivity of emerging biomaterials designed to be used in contact with blood or soft tissues. In this study, we used biotinylated polyurethane-urea nanoparticles as a model to examine the applicabitility of an adapted hemagglutination assay to quantify the bioadhesive potential of these nanoparticles to red blood cells and, in turn, to extrapolate this data to vascular endothelial cells. We demonstrated that biotinylated nanoparticles adsorb to human erythrocytes and preferentially gather in erythrocyte contact areas.