Self-Indicating Polymer Prodrug Nanoparticles for pH-Responsive Drug Delivery in Cancer Cells and Real-Time Monitoring of Drug Release.

Amphiphilic self-indicating and responsive polymer-based prodrugs have generated much interest as potential stimuli-responsive intelligent drug delivery systems (DDS) due to their ability to selectively deliver drugs to the cancer cells and to monitor real-time cellular uptake of the drug by imaging technique(s). In this direction, we have synthesized a new pH-responsive -vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and coumarin-based fluorescent self-indicating polymeric prodrug (SIPD), poly(NVP)--poly(FPA.DOX--FPA--CA).

Polymer Nanoparticles for Preferential Delivery of Drugs Only by Exploiting the Slightly Elevated Temperature of Cancer Cells and Real-Time Monitoring of Drug Release.

Rapid proliferation and a faster rate of glycolysis in cancer cells often result in an elevated local temperature (40-43 °C) at the tumor site. Nanoparticles prepared from polymers with two lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) can be utilized to take advantage of this subtle temperature elevation to deliver anticancer drugs preferably to the cancer cells, thereby enhancing the overall therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects. In this direction, we synthesized -vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) and substituted NVP (sub-NVP: C-NVP, C-NVP)-based polymers with precisely controlled LCSTs by varying the ratio of NVP and sub-NVP.

Innovative nanotheranostics: Smart nanoparticles based approach to overcome breast cancer stem cells mediated chemo- and radioresistances.

The alarming increase in the number of breast cancer patients worldwide and the increasing death rate indicate that the traditional and current medicines are insufficient to fight against it. The onset of chemo- and radioresistances and cancer stem cell-based recurrence make this problem harder, and this hour needs a novel treatment approach. Competent nanoparticle-based accurate drug delivery and cancer nanotheranostics like photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, chemodynamic therapy, and sonodynamic therapy can be the key to solving this problem due to their unique characteristics.

An overview of kinin mediated events in cancer progression and therapeutic applications.

Kinins are bioactive peptides generated in the inflammatory milieu of the tissue microenvironment, which is involved in cancer progression and inflammatory response. Kinins signals through activation of two G-protein coupled receptors; inducible Bradykinin Receptor B1 (B1R) and constitutive receptor B2 (B2R). Activation of kinin receptors and its cross-talk with receptor tyrosine kinases activates multiple signaling pathways, including ERK/MAPK, PI3K, PKC, and p38 pathways regulating cancer hallmarks.

Therapeutic Potential of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements in the Prevention of Viral Diseases: A Review.

Nowadays, despite enormous scientific advances, viral diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity worldwide, and their potential to spread is escalating, eventually turning into pandemics. Nutrition can play a major role in supporting the immune system of the body and for the optimal functioning of the cells of the immune system. A healthy diet encompassing vitamins, multi-nutrient supplements, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and probiotics can play a pivotal role in combating several viral invasions in addition to strengthening the immune system.