Prospects of plant-derived exosome-like nanocarriers in oncology and tissue engineering.

Almost all cell types, either in vivo or in vitro, create extracellular vesicles (EVs). Among them are exosomes (EXOs), i.e., tiny nanovesicles containing a lipid bilayer, proteins, and RNAs that are actively involved in cellular communication, indicating that they may be exploited as both diagnostics and therapeutics for conditions like cancer. These nanoparticles can also be used as nanocarriers in many types of research to carry agents such as drugs. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) are currently under investigation as a substitute for EXOs formed from mammalian cells, allowing researchers to get beyond the technical constraints of mammalian vesicles. Because of their physiological, chemical, and biological properties, PENs have a lot of promise for use as nanocarriers in drug delivery systems that can deliver various dosages, especially when it comes to large-scale repeatability. The present study has looked at the origins and isolation techniques of PENs, their anticancer properties, their usage as nanocarriers in the treatment of different illnesses, and their antioxidant properties. These nanoparticles can aid in the achievement of therapeutic objectives, as they have benign, non-immunogenic side effects and can pass biological barriers. Time-consuming and perhaps damaging PEN separation techniques is used. For the current PEN separation techniques to be used in commercial and therapeutic settings, they must be altered. In this regard, the concurrent application of biological sciences can be beneficial for improving PEN separation techniques. PENs' innate metabolic properties provide them a great deal of promise for application in drug delivery systems. However, there could be a risk to both the loaded medications and the intrinsic bioactive components if these particles are heavily armed with drugs. Therefore, to prevent these side effects, more studies are needed to devise sophisticated drug-loading procedures and to learn more about the physiology of PENs.

Bioactive chitosan/poly(ethyleneoxide)/CuFe2O4 nanofibers for potential wound healing.

Wound healing is a complex process that often requires intervention to accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent complications. The goal of this research was to assess the potential of bioactive chitosan@poly (ethylene oxide)@CuFe2O4 (CS@PEO@CF) nanofibers for wound healing applications by evaluating their morphology, mechanical properties, and magnetic behavior. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to investigate their effectiveness in promoting wound healing treatment. The nanoparticles exhibited remarkable antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In the nanofibrous mats, the optimal concentration of CuFe2O4 was determined to be 0.1% Wt/V. Importantly, this concentration did not adversely affect the viability of fibroblast cells, which also identified the ideal concentration. The scaffold's hemocompatibility revealed nonhemolytic properties. Additionally, a wound-healing experiment demonstrated significant migration and growth of fibroblast cells at the edge of the wound. These nanofibrous mats are applied to treat rats with full-thickness excisional wounds. Histopathological analysis of these wounds showed enhanced wound healing ability, as well as regeneration of sebaceous glands and hair follicles within the skin. Overall, the developed wound dressing comprises CuFe2O4 nanoparticles incorporated into CS/PEO nanofibrous mats demonstrating its potential for successful application in wound treatment.

Cell-loaded genipin cross-linked collagen/gelatin skin substitute adorned with zinc-doped bioactive glass-ceramic for cutaneous wound regeneration.

An optimal tissue-engineered dermal substitute should possess biocompatibility and cell adhesion conduction to facilitate fibroblast and keratinocyte infiltration and proliferation, as well as angiogenesis potential to escalate wound healing. Zinc was doped to bioactive glass-ceramic (Zn-BGC) to promote biocompatibility and angiogenesis properties. Zn-BGC was then incorporated into a collagen (Col) and gelatin (Gel) porous scaffold. The bioactive porous bionanocomposite exhibited biocompatibility along with improved cell attachment and proliferation. Scaffolds including Col-Gel/Zn-BGC with or without mouse embryonic fibroblasts were applied on full-thickness skin wounds on the BALB/c mice to assess their wound healing potential in vivo. The results indicated that the biodegradation rate of the Col-Gel/Zn-BGC nanocomposites was comparable to the rate of skin tissue regeneration in vivo. Macroscopic wound healing results showed that Col-Gel/Zn-BGC loaded with mouse embryonic fibroblast possesses the smallest wound size, indicating the fastest healing process. Histopathological evaluations displayed that the optimal wound regeneration was observed in Col-Gel/Zn-BGC nanocomposites loaded with mouse embryonic fibroblasts indicated by epithelialization and angiogenesis; besides the number of fibroblasts and hair follicles was increased. The bioactive nanocomposite scaffold of Col-Gel containing Zn-BGC nanoparticles loaded with mouse embryonic fibroblasts can be employed as a desirable skin substitute to ameliorate cutaneous wound regeneration.

Nanostructures for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral respiratory infections: from influenza virus to SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Viruses are a major cause of mortality and socio-economic downfall despite the plethora of biopharmaceuticals designed for their eradication. Conventional antiviral therapies are often ineffective. Live-attenuated vaccines can pose a safety risk due to the possibility of pathogen reversion, whereas inactivated viral vaccines and subunit vaccines do not generate robust and sustained immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of strategies that combine nanotechnology concepts with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infectious diseases. The present review provides a comprehensive introduction to the different strains of viruses involved in respiratory diseases and presents an overview of recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of viral infections based on nanotechnology concepts and applications. Discussions in diagnostic/therapeutic nanotechnology-based approaches will be focused on H1N1 influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza virus type 3 infections, as well as COVID-19 infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus Delta variant and new emerging Omicron variant.

(Nano)platforms in breast cancer therapy: Drug/gene delivery, advanced nanocarriers and immunotherapy.

Breast cancer is the most malignant tumor in women, and there is no absolute cure for it. Although treatment modalities including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are utilized for breast cancer, it is still a life-threatening disease for humans. Nanomedicine has provided a new opportunity in breast cancer treatment, which is the focus of the current study. The nanocarriers deliver chemotherapeutic agents and natural products, both of which increase cytotoxicity against breast tumor cells and prevent the development of drug resistance. The efficacy of gene therapy is boosted by nanoparticles and the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9, Noncoding RNAs, and RNAi, promoting their potential for gene expression regulation. The drug and gene codelivery by nanoparticles can exert a synergistic impact on breast tumors and enhance cellular uptake via endocytosis. Nanostructures are able to induce photothermal and photodynamic therapy for breast tumor ablation via cell death induction. The nanoparticles can provide tumor microenvironment remodeling and repolarization of macrophages for antitumor immunity. The stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, including pH-, redox-, and light-sensitive, can mediate targeted suppression of breast tumors. Besides, nanoparticles can provide a diagnosis of breast cancer and detect biomarkers. Various kinds of nanoparticles have been employed for breast cancer therapy, including carbon-, lipid-, polymeric- and metal-based nanostructures, which are different in terms of biocompatibility and delivery efficiency.

Recapitulating Antioxidant and Antibacterial Compounds into a Package for Tissue Regeneration: Dual Function Materials with Synergistic Effect.

Oxidative damage and infection can prevent or delay tissue repair. Moreover, infection reinforces reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, which makes the wound's condition even worse. Therefore, the need for antioxidant and antibacterial agents is felt for tissue regeneration. There are emerging up-and-coming biomaterials that recapitulate both properties into a package, offering an effective solution to turn the wound back into a healing state. In this article, the principles of antioxidant and antibacterial activity are summarized. The review starts with biological aspects, getting the readers to familiarize themselves with tissue barriers against infection. This is followed by the chemistry and mechanism of action of antioxidant and antibacterial materials (dual function). Eventually, the outlook and challenges are underlined to provide where the dual-function biomaterials are and where they are going in the future. It is expected that the present article inspires the designing of dual-function biomaterials to more advanced levels by providing the fundamentals and comparative points of view and paving the clinical way for these materials.

Engineering and Development of a Tissue Model for the Evaluation of Microneedle Penetration Ability, Drug Diffusion, Photothermal Activity, and Ultrasound Imaging: A Promising Surrogate to Ex Vivo and In Vivo Tissues.

Driven by regulatory authorities and the ever-growing demands from industry, various artificial tissue models have been developed. Nevertheless, there is no model to date that is capable of mimicking the biomechanical properties of the skin whilst exhibiting the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity properties of the skin layers. As a proof-of-concept study, tissue surrogates based on gel and silicone are fabricated for the evaluation of microneedle penetration, drug diffusion, photothermal activity, and ultrasound bioimaging. The silicone layer aims to imitate the stratum corneum while the gel layer aims to mimic the water-rich viable epidermis and dermis present in in vivo tissues. The diffusion of drugs across the tissue model is assessed, and the results reveal that the proposed tissue model shows similar behavior to a cancerous kidney. In place of typical in vitro aqueous solutions, this model can also be employed for evaluating the photoactivity of photothermal agents since the tissue model shows a similar heating profile to skin of mice when irradiated with near-infrared laser. In addition, the designed tissue model exhibits promising results for biomedical applications in optical coherence tomography and ultrasound imaging. Such a tissue model paves the way to reduce the use of animals testing in research whilst obviating ethical concerns.

(Nano)platforms in bladder cancer therapy: Challenges and opportunities.

Urological cancers are among the most common malignancies around the world. In particular, bladder cancer severely threatens human health due to its aggressive and heterogeneous nature. Various therapeutic modalities have been considered for the treatment of bladder cancer although its prognosis remains unfavorable. It is perceived that treatment of bladder cancer depends on an interdisciplinary approach combining biology and engineering. The nanotechnological approaches have been introduced in the treatment of various cancers, especially bladder cancer. The current review aims to emphasize and highlight possible applications of nanomedicine in eradication of bladder tumor. Nanoparticles can improve efficacy of drugs in bladder cancer therapy through elevating their bioavailability. The potential of genetic tools such as siRNA and miRNA in gene expression regulation can be boosted using nanostructures by facilitating their internalization and accumulation at tumor sites and cells. Nanoparticles can provide photodynamic and photothermal therapy for ROS overgeneration and hyperthermia, respectively, in the suppression of bladder cancer. Furthermore, remodeling of tumor microenvironment and infiltration of immune cells for the purpose of immunotherapy are achieved through cargo-loaded nanocarriers. Nanocarriers are mainly internalized in bladder tumor cells by endocytosis, and proper design of smart nanoparticles such as pH-, redox-, and light-responsive nanocarriers is of importance for targeted tumor therapy. Bladder cancer biomarkers can be detected using nanoparticles for timely diagnosis of patients. Based on their accumulation at the tumor site, they can be employed for tumor imaging. The clinical translation and challenges are also covered in current review.

miRNA-encapsulated abiotic materials and biovectors for cutaneous and oral wound healing: Biogenesis, mechanisms, and delivery nanocarriers.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as therapeutic agents have attracted increasing interest in the past decade owing to their significant effectiveness in treating a wide array of ailments. These polymerases II-derived noncoding RNAs act through post-transcriptional controlling of different proteins and their allied pathways. Like other areas of medicine, researchers have utilized miRNAs for managing acute and chronic wounds. The increase in the number of patients suffering from either under-healing or over-healing wound demonstrates the limited efficacy of the current wound healing strategies and dictates the demands for simpler approaches with greater efficacy. Various miRNA can be designed to induce pathway beneficial for wound healing. However, the proper design of miRNA and its delivery system for wound healing applications are still challenging due to their limited stability and intracellular delivery. Therefore, new miRNAs are required to be identified and their delivery strategy needs to be optimized. In this review, we discuss the diverse roles of miRNAs in various stages of wound healing and provide an insight on the most recent findings in the nanotechnology and biomaterials field, which might offer opportunities for the development of new strategies for this chronic condition. We also highlight the advances in biomaterials and delivery systems, emphasizing their challenges and resolutions for miRNA-based wound healing. We further review various biovectors (e.g., adenovirus and lentivirus) and abiotic materials such as organic and inorganic nanomaterials, along with dendrimers and scaffolds, as the delivery systems for miRNA-based wound healing. Finally, challenges and opportunities for translation of miRNA-based strategies into clinical applications are discussed.

Chitosan-based nanoscale systems for doxorubicin delivery: Exploring biomedical application in cancer therapy.

Green chemistry has been a growing multidisciplinary field in recent years showing great promise in biomedical applications, especially for cancer therapy. Chitosan (CS) is an abundant biopolymer derived from chitin and is present in insects and fungi. This polysaccharide has favorable characteristics, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease of modification by enzymes and chemicals. CS-based nanoparticles (CS-NPs) have shown potential in the treatment of cancer and other diseases, affording targeted delivery and overcoming drug resistance. The current review emphasizes on the application of CS-NPs for the delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (DOX), in cancer therapy as they promote internalization of DOX in cancer cells and prevent the activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) to reverse drug resistance. These nanoarchitectures can provide co-delivery of DOX with antitumor agents such as curcumin and cisplatin to induce synergistic cancer therapy. Furthermore, co-loading of DOX with siRNA, shRNA, and miRNA can suppress tumor progression and provide chemosensitivity. Various nanostructures, including lipid-, carbon-, polymeric- and metal-based nanoparticles, are modifiable with CS for DOX delivery, while functionalization of CS-NPs with ligands such as hyaluronic acid promotes selectivity toward tumor cells and prevents DOX resistance. The CS-NPs demonstrate high encapsulation efficiency and due to protonation of amine groups of CS, pH-sensitive release of DOX can occur. Furthermore, redox- and light-responsive CS-NPs have been prepared for DOX delivery in cancer treatment. Leveraging these characteristics and in view of the biocompatibility of CS-NPs, we expect to soon see significant progress towards clinical translation.

Electrically conductive carbon-based (bio)-nanomaterials for cardiac tissue engineering.

A proper self-regenerating capability is lacking in human cardiac tissue which along with the alarming rate of deaths associated with cardiovascular disorders makes tissue engineering critical. Novel approaches are now being investigated in order to speedily overcome the challenges in this path. Tissue engineering has been revolutionized by the advent of nanomaterials, and later by the application of carbon-based nanomaterials because of their exceptional variable functionality, conductivity, and mechanical properties. Electrically conductive biomaterials used as cell bearers provide the tissue with an appropriate microenvironment for the specific seeded cells as substrates for the sake of protecting cells in biological media against attacking mechanisms. Nevertheless, their advantages and shortcoming in view of cellular behavior, toxicity, and targeted delivery depend on the tissue in which they are implanted or being used as a scaffold. This review seeks to address, summarize, classify, conceptualize, and discuss the use of carbon-based nanoparticles in cardiac tissue engineering emphasizing their conductivity. We considered electrical conductivity as a key affecting the regeneration of cells. Correspondingly, we reviewed conductive polymers used in tissue engineering and specifically in cardiac repair as key biomaterials with high efficiency. We comprehensively classified and discussed the advantages of using conductive biomaterials in cardiac tissue engineering. An overall review of the open literature on electroactive substrates including carbon-based biomaterials over the last decade was provided, tabulated, and thoroughly discussed. The most commonly used conductive substrates comprising graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers in cardiac repair were studied.

Liposome-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the harshest and most challenging cancers to treat, often labeled as incurable. Chemotherapy continues to be the most popular treatment yet yields a very poor prognosis. The main barriers such as inefficient drug penetration and drug resistance, have led to the development of drug carrier systems. The benefits, ease of fabrication and modification of liposomes render them as ideal future drug delivery systems. This review delves into the versatility of liposomes to achieve various mechanisms of treatment for pancreatic cancer. Not only are there benefits of loading chemotherapy drugs and targeting agents onto liposomes, as well as mRNA combined therapy, but liposomes have also been exploited for immunotherapy and can be programmed to respond to photothermal therapy. Multifunctional liposomal formulations have demonstrated significant pre-clinical success. Functionalising drug-encapsulated liposomes has resulted in triggered drug release, specific targeting, and remodeling of the tumor environment. Suppressing tumor progression has been achieved, due to their ability to more efficiently and precisely deliver chemotherapy. Currently, no multifunctional surface-modified liposomes are clinically approved for pancreatic cancer thus we aim to shed light on the trials and tribulations and progress so far, with the hope for liposomal therapy in the future and improved patient outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Considering that conventional treatments for pancreatic cancer are highly associated with sub-optimal performance and systemic toxicity, the development of novel therapeutic strategies holds outmost relevance for pancreatic cancer management. Liposomes are being increasingly considered as promising nanocarriers for providing not only an early diagnosis but also effective, highly specific, and safer treatment, improving overall patient outcome. This manuscript is the first in the last 10 years that revises the advances in the application of liposome-based formulations in bioimaging, chemotherapy, phototherapy, immunotherapy, combination therapies, and emergent therapies for pancreatic cancer management. Prospective insights are provided regarding several advantages resulting from the use of liposome technology in precision strategies, fostering new ideas for next-generation diagnosis and targeted therapies of pancreatic cancer.

Poly(aniline-co-melamine)@MnFe2O4 nanocatalyst for the synthesis of 4,4'-(arylmethylene) bis (1H-pyrazole-5-ol) derivatives, and 1,4- dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles and evaluation of their antioxidant, and anticancer activities.

In this work, magnetic poly(aniline-co-melamine) nanocomposite as an efficient heterogeneous polymer-based nanocatalyst was fabricated in two steps. First, poly(aniline-co-melamine) was synthesized through the chemical oxidation by ammonium persulfate, then the magnetic nanocatalyst was successfully prepared from the in-situ coprecipitation method in the presence of poly(aniline-co-melamine). The resulting poly(aniline-co-melamine)@MnFe2O4 was characterized by FTIR, FESEM, XRD, VSM, EDX, TGA, and UV-vis analyses. The catalytic activity of poly(aniline-co-melamine)@MnFe2O4 was investigated in the synthesis of 4,4'-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazole-5-ol) derivatives, and new alkylene bridging bis 4,4'-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazole-5-ol) derivatives in excellent yields. The yield of 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles, 4,4'-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazol-5-ol), yields, and new alkylene bridging bis 4,4'-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazol-5-ol) derivatives were obtained 89%-96%, 90%-96%, and 92%-96%, respectively. The poly(aniline-co-melamine)@MnFe2O4 nanocatalyst can be recycled without pre-activation and reloaded up to five consecutive runs without a significant decrease in its efficiency. In addition, the antioxidant activity of some derivatives was evaluated by DPPH assay. Results showed that the maximum antioxidant activity of 4,4'-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazole-5-ol) derivatives and 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles were 75% and 90%, respectively. Furthermore, 4,4'-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazole-5-ol) derivatives and 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles showed good potential for destroying colon cancer cell lines. Consequently, the poly(aniline-co-melamine)@MnFe2O4 nanocomposite is an excellent catalyst for green chemical processes owing to its high catalytic activity, stability, and reusability.

Magnetic nanocomposites for biomedical applications.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have solved numerous problems related to the repair and regeneration of damaged organs and tissues arising from aging, illnesses, and injuries. Nanotechnology has further aided tissue regeneration science and has provided outstanding opportunities to help disease diagnosis as well as treat damaged tissues. Based on the most recent findings, magnetic nanostructures (MNSs), in particular, have emerged as promising materials for detecting, directing, and supporting tissue regeneration. There have been many reports concerning the role of these nano-building blocks in the regeneration of both soft and hard tissues, but the subject has not been extensively reviewed. Here, we review, classify, and discuss various synthesis strategies for novel MNSs used in medicine. Advanced applications of magnetic nanocomposites (MG-NCs), specifically magnetic nanostructures, are further systematically reviewed. In addition, the scientific and technical aspects of MG-NC used in medicine are discussed considering the requirements for the field. In summary, this review highlights the numerous opportunities and challenges associated with the use of MG-NCs as smart nanocomposites (NCs) in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Stem cell membrane-coated abiotic nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

Nanoscale materials have been extensively employed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, the developed nanosystems still suffer from some limitations, namely the rapid elimination by the immune system, lack of targeting to specific cells, and insufficient biocompatibility. Therefore, novel strategies based upon a biomimetic approach have received attention to improving the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of nanosystems. One promising strategy is the application of a biomimetic coating consisting of cell membranes derived from different cell types onto nanoparticle cores. Stem cells have been investigated to develop targeted nanodevices owing to their excellent intrinsic tissue-specific homing features, protecting them from the immune system to reach the sites of inflammation. This targeting ability is conferred by a surface repertoire of stem cell-associated biomolecules. Such nanoscopical materials offer sustained circulation and boosted drug accumulation at target sites, augmenting therapeutic efficacy and safety. Additionally, the coating of nanoparticles with cell membranes acts as a camouflage mechanism to increase their circulation time. The current review explores the particular features of stem cell membrane coating as multifunctional biomimetic surface functionalization agents to camouflage nanoparticle cores. Biomedical applications of engineered stem cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, challenges in clinical translation, and their future prospects are addressed.

Cell loaded hydrogel containing Ag-doped bioactive glass-ceramic nanoparticles as skin substitute: Antibacterial properties, immune response, and scarless cutaneous wound regeneration.

An ideal tissue-engineered dermal substitute should possess angiogenesis potential to promote wound healing, antibacterial activity to relieve the bacterial burden on skin, as well as sufficient porosity for air and moisture exchange. In light of this, a glass-ceramic (GC) has been incorporated into chitosan and gelatin electrospun nanofibers (240-360 nm), which MEFs were loaded on it for healing acceleration. The GC was doped with silver to improve the antibacterial activity. The bioactive nanofibrous scaffolds demonstrated antibacterial and superior antibiofilm activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The nanofibrous scaffolds were biocompatible, hemocompatible, and promoted cell attachment and proliferation. Nanofibrous skin substitutes with or without Ag-doped GC nanoparticles did not induce an inflammatory response and attenuated LPS-induced interleukin-6 release by dendritic cells. The rate of biodegradation of the nanocomposite was similar to the rate of skin regeneration under in vivo conditions. Histopathological evaluation of full-thickness excisional wounds in BALB/c mice treated with mouse embryonic fibroblasts-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds showed enhanced angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis as well as regeneration of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles in vivo.

Advances in aptamer-based drug delivery vehicles for cancer therapy.

Overall, aptamers are special classes of nucleic acid-based macromolecules that are beginning to investigate because of their capability of avidity binding to a specific target for clinical use. Taking advantage of target-specific medicine led to more effective therapeutic and limitation of side effects of drugs. Herein, we discuss several aptamers and their binding capability and capacity for selecting tumor biomarkers and usage of them as targeting ligands for the functionalization of nanomaterials. We review recent applications based on aptamers and several nanoparticles to rise efficacy and develop carrier systems such as graphene oxide, folic acid, gold, mesopores silica, and various polymers and copolymer, polyethylene glycol, cyclodextrin, chitosan. The nanocarriers have been characterized by particle size, zeta potential, aptamer conjugation, and drug encapsulation efficiency. Hydrodynamic diameter and Zeta potential can used in order to monitor aptamers' crosslinking, in-vitro drug release, intracellular delivery of nanocarriers, and cellular cytotoxicity assay. Also, they are studied for cellular uptake and internalization to types of cancer cell lines such as colorectal, breast, prostate, leukemia and etc. The results are investigated in in-vivo cytotoxicity assay and cell viability assay. Targeted cancer therapy seems a good and promising strategy to overcome the systemic toxicity of chemotherapy.

Nucleic acid-based therapeutics for dermal wound healing.

Non-healing wounds have long been the subject of scientific and clinical investigations. Despite breakthroughs in understanding the biology of delayed wound healing, only limited advances have been made in properly treating wounds. Recently, research into nucleic acids (NAs) such as small-interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), plasmid DNA (pDNA), aptamers, and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) has resulted in the development of a latest therapeutic strategy for wound healing. In this regard, dendrimers, scaffolds, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, hydrogels, and metal nanoparticles have all been explored as NA delivery techniques. However, the translational possibility of NA remains a substantial barrier. As a result, different NAs must be identified, and their distribution method must be optimized. This review explores the role of NA-based therapeutics in various stages of wound healing and provides an update on the most recent findings in the development of NA-based nanomedicine and biomaterials, which may offer the potential for the invention of novel therapies for this long-term condition. Further, the challenges and potential for miRNA-based techniques to be translated into clinical applications are also highlighted.

Customizing nano-chitosan for sustainable drug delivery.

Chitosan is a natural polymer with acceptable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical stability; hence, it has been widely appraised for drug and gene delivery applications. However, there has been no comprehensive assessment to tailor-make chitosan cross-linkers of various types and functionalities as well as complex chitosan-based semi- and full-interpenetrating networks for drug delivery systems (DDSs). Herein, various fabrication methods developed for chitosan hydrogels are deliberated, including chitosan crosslinking with and without diverse cross-linkers. Tripolyphosphate, genipin and multi-functional aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and epoxides are common cross-linkers used in developing biomedical chitosan for DDSs. Methods deployed for modifying the properties and performance of chitosan hydrogels, via their composite production (semi- and full-interpenetrating networks), are also cogitated here. In addition, recent advances in the fabrication of advanced chitosan hydrogels for drug delivery applications such as oral drug delivery, transdermal drug delivery, and cancer therapy are discussed. Lastly, thoughts on what is needed for the chitosan field to continue to grow is also debated in this comprehensive review article.

Stimuli-responsive liposomal nanoformulations in cancer therapy: Pre-clinical & clinical approaches.

The site-specific delivery of antitumor agents is of importance for providing effective cancer suppression. Poor bioavailability of anticancer compounds and the presence of biological barriers prevent their accumulation in tumor sites. These obstacles can be overcome using liposomal nanostructures. The challenges in cancer chemotherapy and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers are first described in the current review. Then, stimuli-responsive liposomes including pH-, redox-, enzyme-, light-, thermo- and magneto-sensitive nanoparticles are discussed and their potential for delivery of anticancer drugs is emphasized. The pH- or redox-sensitive liposomes are based on internal stimulus and release drug in response to a mildly acidic pH and GSH, respectively. The pH-sensitive liposomes can mediate endosomal escape via proton sponge. The multifunctional liposomes responsive to both redox and pH have more capacity in drug release at tumor site compared to pH- or redox-sensitive alone. The magnetic field and NIR irradiation can be exploited for external stimulation of liposomes. The light-responsive liposomes release drugs when they are exposed to irradiation; thermosensitive-liposomes release drugs at a temperature of >40 °C when there is hyperthermia; magneto-responsive liposomes release drugs in presence of magnetic field. These smart nanoliposomes also mediate co-delivery of drugs and genes in synergistic cancer therapy. Due to lack of long-term toxicity of liposomes, they can be utilized in near future for treatment of cancer patients.