The Use of Natural Materials in Film Coating for Controlled Oral Drug Release.

Background: Although synthetic materials have been used in film coating processes for drug delivery for many years, substantial studies on natural materials have also been conducted because of their biodegradable and unique properties.

Methods: Because of the ability to form and modify films for controlled oral drug delivery, increasing attention has been shown to these materials in the design of film coating systems in recent research.

Results: This review aims to provide an overview of natural materials focusing on film coating for oral delivery, specifically in terms of their classification and their combinations in film coating formulations for adjusting the desired properties for controlled drug delivery.

Design of Zein Conjugation and Surface Modification for Targeting Drug Delivery.

Various strategies for the use of zein for controlled drug release have been investigated and reported in the literature, especially engineering strategies for using zein conjugates to enhance oral bioavailability and targeted delivery, which has attracted interest in recent research. Although still limited, the ability to fabricate self-assembling nanoparticles loaded with molecules of interest offering functional groups for potential conjugation could yield zein-based conjugates with promise as materials for drug delivery. In the current review, recent studies on zein-based conjugates with outstanding features are discussed based on the various types of conjugation.

Investigation of Crystallization and Salt Formation of Poorly Water-Soluble Telmisartan for Enhanced Solubility.

The crystal changes and salt formation of poorly water-soluble telmisartan (TEL) in various solvents were investigated for enhanced solubility, stability and crystallinity. Polymorphic behaviors of TEL were characterized by dispersing in distilled water, acetone, acetonitrile, DMSO, or ethanol using Method I: without heat and then dried under vacuum at room temperature; and Method II: with heat below boiling temperature, cooled at 5 °C, and then dried under vacuum at 40 °C. For salt formation (Method III), the following four powdered mixtures were prepared by dispersing in solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) (pH 1.

Fattigation-platform nanoparticles using apo-transferrin stearic acid as a core for receptor-oriented cancer targeting.

A major hurdle in cancer treatment is the precise targeting of drugs to the cancer site. As many cancer cells overexpress the transferrin receptor (TfR), the transferrin (Tf)-TfR interaction is widely exploited to target cancer cells. In this study, novel amphiphilic apo-Tf stearic acid (TfS) conjugates were prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) assay.

Biodistribution and in vivo performance of fattigation-platform theranostic nanoparticles.

This study was aimed at characterizing superparamagnetic nanoparticles surface-functionalized with gelatin-oleic acid (GOAS-MNPs) and loaded with paclitaxel by assessing the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of paclitaxel in tissues and the in vivo efficacy of antitumor activity after the administration of the drug. Initially, instrumental analysis was performed to examine the particle size distribution, surface charge, and morphology of the paclitaxel-loaded GOAS-MNPs. Furthermore, we evaluated their magnetic properties and performed T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on cells.

Encapsulation of Solid Dispersion in Solid Lipid Particles for Dissolution Enhancement of Poorly Water-Soluble Drug.

Background: The aim of this research was to engineer solid dispersion lipid particles (SDSLs) in which a solid dispersion (SD) was encapsulated to form the core of solid lipid particles (SLs), thereby achieving an efficient enhancement in the dissolution of a poorly water-soluble drug.

Methods: Ultrasonication was introduced into the process to obtain micro/nanoscale SLs. The mechanism of dissolution enhancement was investigated by analysing the crystalline structure, molecular interactions, and particle size of the formulations.

Fattigation-platform theranostic nanoparticles for cancer therapy.

A new conceptual nanoparticle consisting of a silica-coated iron oxide magnetic core and a fattigation-based biocompatible shell with oleic acid and hydrophilic protein (gelatin). The prepared particle can be a useful theranostics platform material for diagnostic imaging and as a drug delivery system. Oleic acid and gelatin were conjugated on the silica-coated magnetic nanoparticle surface to provide three primary functionalities: 1) enhancing biocompatibility and solubility in aqueous solution and providing the ability to incorporate hydrophobic chemical drugs into the shell for delivery, 2) improving treatment-response magnetic monitoring as a diagnostic agent with low nanotoxicity, and 3) increasing anticancer efficacy owing to the controlled release of the incorporated drug in cells and in an animal model.

Manufacturing Techniques and Surface Engineering of Polymer Based Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery to Cancer.

The evolution of polymer based nanoparticles as a drug delivery carrier via pharmaceutical nano/microencapsulation has greatly promoted the development of nano- and micro-medicine in the past few decades. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and chitosan, which are biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, have been approved by both the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicine Agency (EMA), making them ideal biomaterials that can be advanced from laboratory development to clinical oral and parental administrations. PLGA and chitosan encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) have successfully been developed as new oral drug delivery systems with demonstrated high efficacy.

Microemulsion-Based Mucoadhesive Buccal Wafers: Wafer Formation, In Vitro Release, and Ex Vivo Evaluation.

Microemulsion has the potentials to enhance dissolution as well as facilitate absorption and permeation of poorly water-soluble drugs through biological membranes. However, its application to govern a controlled release buccal delivery for local treatment has not been discovered. The aim of this study is to develop microemulsion-based mucoadhesive wafers for buccal delivery based on an incorporation of the microemulsion with mucoadhesive agents and mannitol.

Strategies of Engineering Nanoparticles for Treating Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) are typically referred to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and prion disease. These are commonly debilitating and, unfortunately, have few therapeutic options.

Objective: In this review, we describe some emerging advances in nanoengineering strategies for the treatment of NDs.

Sonication-Assisted Nanoprecipitation in Drug Delivery.

Sonication-assisted nanoprecipitation provides an effective tool for nanomedicine engineering in therapeutic improvement. In the scope of this review, original works in interdisciplinary areas of using sonication with precipitation method for nanoparticulate drug delivery systems and its applications in management of different diseases are discussed. The use of sonication-assisted nanoprecipitation has been proved to improve drug bioavailability, which attracts tremendous interests as an effective strategy for drug delivery.

Hydrophilic-hydrophobic polymer blend for modulation of crystalline changes and molecular interactions in solid dispersion.

This research study aimed to develop a new strategy for using a polymer blend in solid dispersion (SD) for dissolution enhancement of poorly water-soluble drugs. SDs with different blends of hydrophilic-hydrophobic polymers (zein/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose - zein/HPMC) were prepared using spray drying to modulate the drug crystal and polymer-drug interactions in SDs. Physicochemical characterizations, including power X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were performed to elucidate the roles of the blends in SDs.

An investigation of effects of modification processes on physical properties and mechanism of drug release for sustaining drug release from modified rice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of modification processes on physical properties and explain the mechanism of sustained drug release from modified rice (MR). Various types of Vietnamese rice were introduced in the study as the matrices of sustained release dosage form. Rice was thermally modified in water for a determined temperature at different times with a simple process.

Design of Fucoidan Functionalized - Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications.

This research aims to develop an iron oxide nanoparticle drug delivery system utilizing a recent material discovered from ocean, fucoidan. The material has drawn much interest due to many biomedical functions that have been proven for human health. One interesting point herein is that fucoidan is not only a sulfated polysaccharide, a polymer for stabilization of iron oxide nanoparticles, but plays a role of an anticancer agent also.

Nano-Precipitation: Preparation and Application in the Field of Pharmacy.

Over the last 30 years, nanoparticle-based medicine has received tremendous attention due to its advances with smart therapeutics and less toxicity. Few nanomedicine products have been approved for commercial use in the clinic (such as Doxil(®), Ambraxane(®)..

Perspectives of Engineered Marine Derived Polymers for Biomedical Nanoparticles.

Marine environment exhibits an enormous diversity of organisms which contains an abundant source of polysaccharides. As polymer matrix carriers, marine-based polymers possess several valuable properties including high stability, non-toxicity, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, with low production cost. Despite notable biological activities of these natural polymers, there are certain limitations in exploring their functions in applications of nano-sized drug delivery systems.

Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery to Colorectal Cancer: Formulation Strategies and Surface Engineering.

The evolution of polymer-based nanoparticle as a drug delivery carrier has greatly contributed to the development of advanced nano and micro-medicine in the past few decades. The polymer-based nanoparticles of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as poly (lactide-co-glycolide) and chitosan which have been approved by Food & Drug Administration and/or European Medicine Agency can particularly facilitate the maintaining of specific properties for a real transition from laboratory to the clinical oral and parental administration. This review presents an overview of the strategies of preparing polymeric nanoparticles and using them for targeting colorectal cancer.

Development of a Sustained Release Solid Dispersion Using Swellable Polymer by Melting Method.

Purpose: This study is to design a sustained release solid dispersion using swellable polymer by melting method.

Methods: Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 4000 (HPMC 4000) were used in solid dispersion for not only enhancing drug dissolution rate but also sustaining drug release. HPMC 4000 is a common swellable polymer in matrix sustained release dosage form, but could not be used in preparation of solid dispersion by melting method.

Modulation of particle size and molecular interactions by sonoprecipitation method for enhancing dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug.

Aim of present work was to originally elucidate the roles of ultrasonication method for modulating the size and molecular interactions in controlling release of poorly water-soluble drug. Curcumin was chosen as a model drug. Three types of polymers were investigated as carriers for preparation of polymeric nanoparticles under various ultrasonication conditions and polymer-drug ratios.

Design of sustained release tablet containing fucoidan.

The study introduced a new therapeutic agent, fucoidan, which can offer potential medical treatments including anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant activities, as well as anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. Fucoidan was included in sustained release formulations expected for an effective plasma drug concentration for approximately 24 h. The matrices based on the two polymers hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were prepared with various ratios between the polymers and fucoidan.

Amorphous isradipine nanosuspension by the sonoprecipitation method.

The aims of this study are to increase and explain the mechanism of dissolution enhancement of isradipine using the sonoprecipitation method for stable nanosuspensions. There have been still few of published researches on formulation of isradipine using nanoparticle engineering. Nanosuspension systems were prepared upon various factors including amplitude and the time length of ultrasonication.

Polymer conjugate-based nanomaterials for drug delivery.

The structure of polymeric amphiphiles with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups forming self-assembled nanoparticles have attracted increasing attention in studies of delivery systems of therapeutic agents. An amphiphilic carrier for self-assembly in an aqueous solution is preferable because of its structure with a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic outer shell, which can be applied to many biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields with numerous types of drugs. An amphiphilic carrier for self-assembly also represents the most appealing delivery system owing to its exceptional advantages in selectively delivering drugs to tumor cells and thus, reduction of side effects.

Biodistribution and pharmacokinetics in rats and antitumor effect in various types of tumor-bearing mice of novel self-assembled gelatin-oleic acid nanoparticles containing paclitaxel.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in Sprague-Dawley rats, anti-tumor activity and acute toxicity in different tumor-bearing mice of novel biocompatible nanoparticles. Paclitaxel (PTX) was selected as a model drug and loaded on different tumor types and at various doses. The nanoparticles were prepared using a newly synthesized gelatin-oleic acid conjugate via self-assembly in an aqueous solution.

Novel multifunctional biocompatible gelatin-oleic acid conjugate: self-assembled nanoparticles for drug delivery.

In this work, a novel, biocompatible conjugates of gelatin and oleic acid (GOC) were synthesized by a novel aqueous solvent-based method that overcame challenges of completely contrary solubility between gelatin and oleic acid (OA). The GO nanoparticles (GONs) and Paclitaxel encapsulated nanoparticles (PTX-GON) were prepared by self-assembly in water. These nanoparticles (NPs) were then conjugated with folic acid (FA) for targeting cervical cancer cells (Hela cells) and were characterized for their various physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties.