Curcumin and doxorubicin encapsulated in biocompatible clay-based nanomaterial: A strategy to overcome multidrug resistance.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) due to the overexpression of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump remains a significant challenge in cancer therapy, also in breast cancer. Traditional pharmacological approaches have focused on using inhibitors to modulate P-gp expression and function. Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa L.

Halloysite Nanotube-Based Delivery of Pyrazolo[3,4-]pyrimidine Derivatives for Prostate and Bladder Cancer Treatment.

Background/objectives: The development of therapies targeting unregulated Src signaling through selective kinase inhibition using small-molecule inhibitors presents a significant challenge for the scientific community. Among these inhibitors, pyrazolo[3,4-]pyrimidine heterocycles have emerged as potent agents; however, their clinical application is hindered by low solubility in water. To overcome this limitation, some carrier systems, such as halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), can be used.

Design of innovative and low-cost dopamine-biotin conjugate sensor for the efficient detection of protein and cancer cells.

The rapid, precise identification and quantification of specific biomarkers, toxins, or pathogens is currently a key strategy for achieving more efficient diagnoses. Herein a dopamine-biotin monomer was synthetized and oxidized in the presence of hexamethylenediamine, to obtain adhesive coatings based on polydopamine-biotin (PDA-BT) on different materials to be used in targeted molecular therapy. Insight into the structure of the PDA-BT coating was obtained by solid-state C NMR spectroscopy acquired, for the first time, directly onto the coating, deposited on alumina spheres.

Development of alginate film filled with halloysite-carbon dots for active food packaging.

The development of functional bionanocomposites for active food packaging is of current interest to replace non-biodegradable plastic coatings. In the present work, we report the synthesis of an alginate-based nanocomposite filled with modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to develop coatings with improved barrier properties for food packaging. Firstly, HNTs were chemically modified by the introduction of carbon dots units (CDs) onto their external surface (HNTs-CDs) obtaining a nanomaterial where CDs are uniformly present onto the tubes as verified by morphological investigations, with good UV absorption and antioxidant properties.

Comparison of Synthetic Pathways for Obtaining Fluorescent Nanomaterials Based on Halloysite and Carbon Dots for Potential Biological Sensing.

Recently, fluorescent sensors have gained considerable attention due to their high sensitivity, low cost and noninvasiveness. Among the different materials that can be used for this purpose, carbon dots (CDs) represent valuable candidates for applications in sensing. These, indeed, are easily synthesized, show high quantum yield and are highly biocompatible.

Hectorite/Phenanthroline-Based Nanomaterial as Fluorescent Sensor for Zn Ion Detection: A Theoretical and Experimental Study.

The development of fluorescent materials that can act as sensors for the determination of metal ions in biological fluids is important since they show, among others, high sensitivity and specificity. However, most of the molecules that are used for these purposes possess a very low solubility in aqueous media, and, thus, it is necessary to adopt some derivation strategies. Clay minerals, for example, hectorite, as natural materials, are biocompatible and available in large amounts at a very low cost that have been extensively used as carrier systems for the delivery of different hydrophobic species.

Carrier capability of halloysite nanotubes for the intracellular delivery of antisense PNA targeting mRNA of neuroglobin gene.

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a DNA mimic that shows good stability against nucleases and proteases, forming strongly recognized complementary strands of DNA and RNA. However, due to its feeble ability to cross the cellular membrane, PNA activity and its targeting gene action is limited. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are a natural and low-cost aluminosilicate clay.

Thixotropic Hydrogels Based on Laponite® and Cucurbituril for Delivery of Lipophilic Drug Molecules.

Invited for this month's cover are the collaborating groups of Prof. Serena Riela at University of Catania, Prof. César Viseras at University of Granada and Dr.

Investigation into Brazilian Palygorskite for Its Potential Use as Pharmaceutical Excipient: Perspectives and Applications.

Palygorskite is an aluminum and magnesium silicate characterized by its fibrous morphology, providing it with great versatility in industrial applications, including pharmaceuticals. Although most of the reserves are in the United States, in recent years occurrences of commercially exploited deposits in Brazil have been recorded, mainly in the country's northeast region. This has motivated this study, which analyzes raw Brazilian palygorskite compared to a commercial sample (Pharmasorb colloidal) to demonstrate its pharmaceutical potential.

Exploiting the interaction between halloysite and charged PNAs for their controlled release.

The design and development of nanomaterials that could be used in nanomedicine are of fundamental importance to obtain smart nanosystems for the treatment of several diseases. Halloysite, because of its interesting features, represents a suitable nanomaterial for the delivery of different biologically active species. Among them, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have attracted considerable attention in recent decades for their potential applications in both molecular antisense diagnosis and as therapeutic agents, although up to now, the actual clinical applications have been very limited.

Modification of halloysite lumen with dopamine derivatives as filler for antibiofilm coating.

Hypothesis: Development of nanocomposite coating with antibiofilm properties is of fundamental importance to efficient fight biofilm formation preventing infections in biomedical area. In this context, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), biocompatible and low-cost clay mineral, have been efficiently used as filler for different polymeric matrices affording several nanocomposites with appealing antimicrobial properties. The modification of HNTs surfaces represents a valuable strategy to improve the utilization of the clay for biological purposes.

Bentonite- and Palygorskite-Based Gels for Topical Drug Delivery Applications.

Bentonite or palygorskite-based hydrogels have recently been suggested as a strategy to increase bioavailability and control the retention and release of therapeutic candidates. In this work, clay-based hydrogels loaded with diclofenac acid nanocrystals have been successfully designed and developed. The aim was to improve diclofenac solubility, its dissolution rate and to enhance its local bioavailability after topical application.

Antioxidant Efficacy and "In Vivo" Safety of a Bentonite/Vitamin C Hybrid.

L-ascorbic acid (LAA), commonly known as vitamin C, is an excellent and recognized antioxidant molecule used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. Several strategies have been developed in order to preserve its chemical stability, connected with its antioxidant power, but there is little research regarding the employment of natural clays as LAA host. A safe bentonite (Bent)-which was verified by in vivo ophthalmic irritability and acute dermal toxicity assays-was used as carrier of LAA.

Experimental and Computational Study for the Design of Sulfathiazole Dosage Form with Clay Mineral.

Sulfathiazole is an antimicrobial belonging to the family of sulfonamides, which were the first antibiotics to be discovered. Sulfathiazole is generally administered orally, and its main disadvantage is that it has low aqueous solubility, requiring high doses for its administration. This fact has led to side effects and the generation of bacterial resistance to the drug over time.

Design and development of polydioxanone scaffolds for skin tissue engineering manufactured via green process.

Fiber spinning technologies attracted a great interest since the beginning of the last century. Among these, electrospinning is a widely diffuse technique; however, it presents some drawbacks such as low fiber yield, high energy demand and the use of organic solvents. On the contrary, centrifugal spinning is a more sustainable method and allows to obtain fiber using centrifugal force and melted materials.

Clay-Based Hydrogels as Drug Delivery Vehicles of Curcumin Nanocrystals for Topical Application.

The poor water solubility of a significant number of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) remains one of the main challenges in the drug development process, causing low bioavailability and therapeutic failure of drug candidates. Curcumin is a well-known Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class IV drug, characterized by lipophilicity and low permeability, which hampers topical bioavailability. Given these premises, the aim of this work was the design and the development of curcumin nanocrystals and their incorporation into natural inorganic hydrogels for topical application.

Exploring the cellular uptake of hectorite clay mineral and its drug carrier capabilities.

In the last years, the use of clay minerals for pharmaceutical purposes has increased due to their interesting properties. Hectorite (Ht) is a clay belonging to the smectite group which has attracted attention for applications in biology, tissue engineering and as drug carrier and delivery system. However, the mechanisms involved in Ht cellular uptake and transport into cells, are still unclear.

Smart nano-in-microparticles to tackle bacterial infections in skin tissue engineering.

Chronic wounds (resulting from underlying disease, metabolic disorders, infections, trauma, and even tumours) pose significant health problems. In this work, microparticles, based on polysaccharides (maltodextrin or dextran) and amino acids, and doped with antibacterial nanoparticles (CuO or ZnO NPs) are designed. Smart nano-in-microparticles with a hierarchical 3D structure are developed.

Hybrid Lipid/Clay Carrier Systems Containing Annatto Oil for Topical Formulations.

Nanocomposites formed by clay and lipid carriers (NLCs) show a high potential for providing controlled release and specific delivery of bioactive molecules and have recently gained attention in the pharmaceutical sector due to their ability to transport hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Recent studies have recognized the biological activity of the oil of Bixa orellana L. (AO) with regards to its healing, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-leishmanial properties.

Maltodextrin-amino acids electrospun scaffolds cross-linked with Maillard-type reaction for skin tissue engineering.

The goal of this work is the design and the development of scaffolds based on maltodextrin (MD) to recover chronic lesions. MD was mixed with arginine/lysine/polylysine and the electrospinning was successfully used to prepare scaffolds with uniform and continuous nanofibers having regular shape and smooth surface. A thermal treatment was applied to obtain insoluble scaffolds in aqueous environment, taking the advantage of amino acids-polysaccharide conjugates formed via Maillard-type reaction.

Nanocarrier based on halloysite and fluorescent probe for intracellular delivery of peptide nucleic acids.

The development of systems able to deliver genetic material into a target site is a challenge for modern medicine. Single-stranded peptide nucleic acids have attracted attention as promising therapeutic molecules for diagnostic and gene therapy. However, their poor cell membrane permeability represents a drawback for biomedical applications.

Prodrug based on halloysite delivery systems to improve the antitumor ability of methotrexate in leukemia cell lines.

The prodrug approach, as well as the development of specific systems able to deliver a chemotherapeutic agent in the target site, decreasing the side effects often associated with its administration, are still a challenging. In this context, both methotrexate drug molecules (MTX) and biotin ligand moieties, whose receptors are overexpressed on the surface of several cancer cells, were loaded on halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to develop nanomaterial based on multifunctional and "smart" delivery systems. To highlight the crucial role played by biotin, carrier systems based on HNTs and MTX were also synthetized.