Mesoporous Polydopamine Nano-Bowls Demonstrate a High Entrapment Efficiency and pH-Responsive Release of Paclitaxel for Suppressing A549 Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro.

The effectiveness of paclitaxel (PTX) in treating non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is restricted by its poor pharmacokinetic profile and side effects. This limitation stems from the lack of a suitable delivery vector to efficiently target cancer cells. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop an efficient carrier for the optimised delivery of PTX in NSCLC therapy.

Non-surgical Synergistic Interventions for the Treatment of Skin Cancer.

Skin cancer is broadly classified into two categories i.e., non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and malignant melanoma (MM), with MM having a greater fatality rate than NMSC.

A Novel Intrauterine Device for the Spatio-Temporal Release of Norethindrone Acetate as a Counter-Estrogenic Intervention in the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.

The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a widely occurring condition affecting millions of women worldwide. The current treatment of GSM involves the use of orally or vaginally administered estrogens, often with the risk of endometrial hyperplasia. The utilization of progestogens offers a means to counteract the effects of estrogen on the endometrial tissue, decreasing unwanted side effects and improving therapeutic outcomes.

3D bioprinted microneedles: merging drug delivery and scaffold science for tissue-specific applications.

Introduction: Three-Dimensional (3D) microneedles have recently gained significant attention due to their versatility, biocompatibility, enhanced permeation, and predictable behavior. The incorporation of biological agents into these 3D constructs has advanced the traditional microneedle into an effective platform for wide-ranging applications.

Areas Covered: This review discusses the current state of microneedle fabrication as well as the developed 3D printed microneedles incorporating labile pharmaceutical agents and biological materials for potential biomedical applications.

A Micro-In-Macro Gastroretentive System for the Delivery of Narrow-Absorption Window Drugs.

A micro-in-macro gastroretentive and gastrofloatable drug delivery system (MGDDS), loaded with the model-drug ciprofloxacin, was developed in this study to address the limitations commonly experienced in narrow-absorption window (NAW) drug delivery. The MGDDS, which consists of microparticles loaded in a gastrofloatable macroparticle (gastrosphere) was designed to modify the release of ciprofloxacin, allowing for an increased drug absorption via the gastrointestinal tract. The prepared inner microparticles (1-4 µm) were formed by crosslinking chitosan (CHT) and Eudragit RL 30D (EUD), with the outer gastrospheres prepared from alginate (ALG), pectin (PEC), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA).

Intravaginal Drug Delivery Systems to Treat the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Towards the Design of Safe and Efficacious Estrogen-loaded Prototypes.

Estrogens locally delivered to the vagina by tablets, capsules, rings, pessaries, and creams are the most common and highly recommended platforms to treat the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Estradiol, an essential estrogen, is routinely administered alone, or in combination with progestins, to effectively alleviate the symptoms associated with moderate to severe menopause when non-pharmacological interventions are not indicated. Since the risk and side effects of estradiol use depends on the administered amount and duration of use, the lowest effective dose of estradiol is recommended when long-term treatment is required.

Can Nanomedicinal Approaches Provide an Edge to the Efficacy of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors?

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective drug molecules for the treatment of various cancers. Nanomedicinal interventions and approaches may not only provide carrying capacities for TKIs but also potentially target tumor-specific environments and even cellular compartments. Nano-inspired drug delivery systems may hence enhance the efficacy of the drugs through enhanced tumour-availability resulting in greater efficacy and decreased side effects.

Antineoplastic nano-lipobubbles for passively targeted ovarian cancer therapy.

The multivariate challenges associated with successful ovarian cancer therapy severely compromises the outcome of therapy and patient quality of life. Coated cholesterol (CHO) and distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) nano-lipobubbles (NLBs) loaded with silibinin and camptothecin were synthesized and evaluated as a possible intravenous delivery system for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Cytotoxicity analysis in addition to in vitro release, zeta potential and drug entrapment studies were conducted on the NLBs.

3D Printed, PVA⁻PAA Hydrogel Loaded-Polycaprolactone Scaffold for the Delivery of Hydrophilic In-Situ Formed Sodium Indomethacin.

3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL)-blended scaffolds have been designed, prepared, and evaluated in vitro in this study prior to the incorporation of a polyvinyl alcohol⁻polyacrylic acid (PVA⁻PAA) hydrogel for the delivery of in situ-formed sodium indomethacin. The prepared PCL⁻PVA⁻PAA scaffold is proposed as a potential structural support system for load-bearing tissue damage where inflammation is prevalent. Uniaxial strain testing of the PCL-blended scaffolds were undertaken to determine the scaffold’s resistance to strain in addition to its thermal, structural, and porosimetric properties.

Drug Delivery Strategies for Antivirals against Hepatitis B Virus.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant health challenge due to associated morbidity and mortality from cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer that eventually results in the breakdown of liver functionality. Nanotechnology has the potential to play a pivotal role in reducing viral load levels and drug-resistant HBV through drug targeting, thus reducing the rate of evolution of the disease. Apart from tissue targeting, intracellular delivery of a wide range of drugs is necessary to exert a therapeutic action in the affected organelles.

Targeted Delivery of Amantadine-loaded Methacrylate Nanosphere-ligands for the Potential Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and analyse poly(DL-lactic acid)-methacrylic acid nanospheres bound to the chelating ligand diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)  for the targeted delivery of amantadine in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: The nanospheres were prepared by a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique statistically optimized employing a 3-Factor Box-Behnken experimental design. Analysis of the particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity (Pdl), morphology, drug entrapment and drug release kinetics were carried out.

In Vitro-In Vivo Evaluation of an Oral Ghost Drug Delivery Device for the Delivery of Salmon Calcitonin.

An orally administered site-specific Oral Ghost Drug Delivery (OGDD) device was developed and evaluated for the administration of salmon calcitonin. In vitro drug release studies have been undertaken using biorelevant media and aspirated gastrointestinal fluid from a large white pig in addition to characterization of a formulated trimethyl chitosan blend formulated and prepared into a loaded mini-pellet system. In vivo drug release analysis in a large white pig model has further been undertaken on the OGDD device and a commercial intramuscular injection to ascertain the release properties of the OGDD device in an animal model in comparison with the currently used treatment option for the administration of salmon calcitonin.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a Hydrogel-Based Microneedle Device for Transdermal Electro-Modulated Analgesia.

With a significant portion of the world suffering from chronic pain, the management and treatment of this condition still requires extensive research to successfully mobilize and functionalize its sufferers. This article details the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a transdermal electro-modulated hydrogel-microneedle array (EMHM) device for the treatment of chronic pain. In vitro characterization of the electro-modulated hydrogel was undertaken before the determination of the in vivo release, histopathologic and pharmacokinetic profiles of the EMHM in a Sprague Dawley rat model.

A review of the chemical modification techniques of starch.

Starch is a naturally occurring storage copolymer with unique physicochemical properties. There are, however, some key structural properties of starch that can be modified in order to functionalize the copolymer to meet specific requirements. Specifically, the chemical modification of starch provides a variety of physicochemical benefits, some of which have been used previously to functionalize preformed drug delivery systems.

A Dual-Biotic System for the Concurrent Delivery of Antibiotics and Probiotics: In Vitro, Ex Vivo, In Vivo and In Silico Evaluation and Correlation.

Purpose: A delayed release bio-polymeric Dual-Biotic system has been extensively evaluated in this study to overcome the therapeutic issue of probiotic killing due to incorrect administration with the antibiotic.

Methods: In vitro and ex vivo release and characterization studies have been undertaken on the Dual-Biotic system. In vivo analyses utilizing a Large White pig model were also performed with commercial products used as a comparison.

Design and evaluation of an oral multiparticulate system for dual delivery of amoxicillin and Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Aim: A delayed-release dual delivery system for amoxicillin and the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus was developed and evaluated.

Materials & Methods: Statistical optimization of a cross-linked denatured ovalbumin protective matrix was first synthesized using a Box-Behnken experimental design prior to encapsulation with glyceryl monostereate. The encapsulated ovalbumin matrix was thereafter incorporated with amoxicillin in a gastro-resistant capsule.

A gastro-resistant ovalbumin bi-layered mini-tablet-in-tablet system for the delivery of Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic to simulated human intestinal and colon conditions.

Objectives: The viability of probiotic bacteria during formulation processes and delivery is vital to ensure health benefits. This study focuses on the use of gastro-resistant denatured ovalbumin for the targeted delivery of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus to simulated human intestinal and colon conditions through a bi-layered mini-tablet-in-tablet system (BMTTS).

Methods: The BMTTS consists of two gastro-resistant ovalbumin mini-tablets containing L.

A review of the advancements in probiotic delivery: Conventional vs. non-conventional formulations for intestinal flora supplementation.

Probiotic delivery systems are widely used nutraceutical products for the supplementation of natural intestinal flora. These delivery systems vary greatly in effectiveness to exert health benefits for a patient. Probiotic delivery systems can be categorized into conventional, pharmaceutical formulations, and non-conventional, mainly commercial food-based, products.