Fluorescent quantum dots: An insight on synthesis and potential biological application as drug carrier in cancer.

Quantum dots (QDs) are nanocrystals of semiconducting material possessing quantum mechanical characteristics with capability to get conjugated with drug moieties. The particle size of QDs varies from 2 to 10 nm and can radiate a wide range of colours depending upon their size. Their wide and diverse usage of QDs across the world is due to their adaptable properties like large quantum yield, photostability, and adjustable emission spectrum. QDs are nanomaterials with inherent electrical characteristics that can be used as drug carrier vehicle and as a diagnostic in the field of nanomedicine. Scientists from various fields are aggressively working for the development of single platform that can sense, can produce a microscopic image and even be used to deliver a therapeutic agent. QDs are the fluorescent nano dots with which the possibilities of the drug delivery to a targeted site and its biomedical imaging can be explored. This review is mainly focused on the different process of synthesis of QDs, their application especially in the areas of malignancies and as a theranostic tool. The attempt is to consolidate the data available for the use of QDs in the biomedical applications.

Design and Evaluation of Sustained Release of Ornidazole by Dental Inserts.

Aim & Background: Ornidazole is an antimicrobial drug used to treat certain types of vaginal, urinary tract, and interstitial infections. The study aims to formulate and evaluate the dental inserts by using a drug candidate to sustained drug release to improve patient compliance, reduce dosing frequency, reduce the risk of dose dumping, and avoid the first-pass metabolism. They have better therapeutic efficacy and fewer side effects. METHODS: The dental inserts were prepared using various polymers alone and in combination with the different ratios of polymers. The evaluation parameters like thickness, drug content, content uniformity, moisture reuptake, weight variation, swelling studies, and erosion studies of the optimized inserts were studied. The in-vivo studies were conducted to determine the reduction of pocket depth in human volunteers. RESULTS: The system containing ethylcellulose and hydroxyl methyl propyl cellulose K100M (4:1) formulation F6 was optimized because drug release was sustained up to 120 hrs concerning other formulations. Optimized formulation followed first-order kinetics and Peppas release kinetics via fickian diffusion. There was no swelling, itching, irritation, and no reduction in the pocket depth in in-vivo studies. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that dental inserts could extend the release of Ornidazole for many hours and also enhance bioavailability. Furthermore, they also help in avoiding the first-pass effect. In vivo studies' observations showed no itching, irritation, swelling, and pocket-depth reduction.