Nanomedicine: A New Frontier in Alzheimer's Disease Drug Targeting.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder affecting elderly individuals, characterized by progressive cognitive decline leading to dementia. This review examines the challenges posed by anatomical and biochemical barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB), and p-glycoproteins in delivering effective therapeutic agents to the central nervous system (CNS) for AD treatment. This article outlines the fundamental role of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and NMDA(N-Methyl-D-Aspartate) receptor antagonists in conventional AD therapy and highlights their limitations in terms of brain-specific delivery. It delves into the intricacies of BBB and pglycoprotein-mediated efflux mechanisms that impede drug transport to the CNS. The review further discusses cutting-edge nanomedicine-based strategies, detailing their composition and mechanisms that enable effective bypassing of BBB and enhancing drug accumulation in brain tissues. Conventional therapies, namely AChEIs and NMDA receptor antagonists, have shown limited efficacy and are hindered by suboptimal brain penetration. The advent of nanotechnology-driven therapeutic delivery systems offers promising strategies to enhance CNS targeting and bioavailability, thereby addressing the shortcomings of conventional treatments. Various nanomedicines, encompassing polymeric and metallic nanoparticles (MNPs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and carbon nanotubes, have been investigated for their potential in delivering anti-AD agents like AChEIs, polyphenols, curcumin, and resveratrol. These nanocarriers exhibit the ability to traverse the BBB and deliver therapeutic payloads to the brain, thereby holding immense potential for effective AD treatment and early diagnostic approaches. Notably, nanocarriers loaded with AChEIs have shown promising results in preclinical studies, exhibiting improved therapeutic efficacy and sustained release profiles. This review underscores the urgency of innovative drug delivery approaches to overcome barriers in AD therapy. Nanomedicine-based solutions offer a promising avenue for achieving effective CNS targeting, enabling enhanced bioavailability and sustained therapeutic effects. As ongoing research continues to elucidate the complexities of CNS drug delivery, these advancements hold great potential for revolutionizing AD treatment and diagnosis.

Nanotechnology-mediated delivery of resveratrol as promising strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): progress and promises.

INTRODUCTION: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Resveratrol exhibits potential as a therapeutic intervention against TNBC by regulating various pathways such as the PI3K/AKT, RAS/RAF/ERK, PKCδ, and AMPK, leading to apoptosis through ROS-mediated CHOP activationand the expression of DR4 and DR5. However, the clinical efficacy of resveratrol is limited due to its poor biopharmaceutical characteristics and low bioavailability at the tumor site. Nanotechnology offers a promising approach to improving the biopharmaceutical characteristics of resveratrol to achieve clinical efficacy in different cancers. The small dimension (<200 nm) of nanotechnology-mediated drug delivery system is helpful to improve the bioavailability, internalization into the TNBC cell, ligand-specific targeted delivery of loaded resveratrol to tumor site including reversal of MDR (multi-drug resistance) condition. AREAS COVERED: This manuscript provides a comprehensive discussion on the structure-activity relationship (SAR), underlying anticancer mechanism, evidence of anticancer activity in in-vitro/in-vivo investigations, and the significance of nanotechnology-mediated delivery of resveratrol in TNBC. EXPERT OPINION: Advanced nano-formulations of resveratrol such as oxidized mesoporous carbon nanoparticles, macrophage-derived vesicular system, functionalized gold nanoparticles, etc. have increased the accumulation of loaded therapeutics at the tumor-site, and avoid off-target drug release. In conclusion, nano-resveratrol as a strategy may provide improved tumor-specific image-guided treatment options for TNBC utilizing theranostic approach.

Design, QSAR Methodology, Synthesis and Assessment of Some Structurally Different Xanthone Derivatives as Selective Cox-2 Inhibitors for their Anti-inflammatory Properties.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammation can be defined as a complex biological response that is produced by body tissues to harmful agents like pathogens, irritants, and damaged cells and thereby acts as a protective response incorporating immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators. Histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, leukotrienes (LTB4), prostaglandins (PGE2), prostacyclins, reactive oxygen species, proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1, IL-11, TNF- anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-4, IL-10, IL-11, IL-6 and IL-13, etc. all have different effects on both pro and anti-inflammatory mediators. Incorporation of combinatorial chemistry and computational studies have helped the researchers to design xanthones moieties with high selectivity that can serve as a lead compound and help develop potential compounds that can act as effective COX-2 inhibitors. The study aims to design and develop different series of substituted hydroxyxanthone derivatives with anti-inflammatory potential. METHODS: The partially purified synthetic xanthone derivatives were orally administered to the carrageenan induced paw oedemic rat models at the dose of 100 mg/kg, and their effect in controlling the degree of inflammation was measured at the time interval of 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hrs. respectively. Further, these compounds were also subjected to modern analytical studies like UV, IR, NMR and mass spectrometry or their characterization. RESULTS: The results drawn out of the in silico, in vitro, in vivo and analytical studies concluded that the hydroxyxanthone derivatives can obstruct the enzyme COX-2 and produce anti-inflammatory action potentially. CONCLUSION: With the aim to evaluate the compounds for their anti-inflammatory activity, it was observed that the newly designed xanthonic compounds also possess a safe toxicity margin and hence can be utilized by the researchers to develop hybrid xanthonic moieties that can specifically target the enzyme COX-2.

Chitosan-based topical formulation integrated with green-synthesized silver nanoparticles utilizing Camellia sinensis leaf extracts: A promising approach for managing infected wounds.

This study explores the eco-friendly biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing Camellia sinensis leaf extract. We assess their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, we impregnated AgNPs into 2 % chitosan (CHS) gel and assessed their wound-healing potential in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds. Optimized AgNPs demonstrated a mean particle size of 36.90 ± 1.22 nm and a PDI of 0.049 ± 0.001. Green-synthesized AgNPs exhibited enhanced free radical inhibition (IC50: 31.45 µg/mL, 34.01 µg/mL, 27.40 µg/mL) compared to leaf extract (IC50: 52.67 µg/mL, 59.64 µg/mL, 97.50 µg/mL) in DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assays, respectively. The MIC/MBC values of AgNPs against E. coli and S. aureus were 5 ppm/ 7.5 ppm and 10 ppm/ 15 ppm, respectively. Furthermore, our study showed that green-synthesized AgNPs at MIC significantly reduced the biofilm production of E. coli (70.37 %) and S. aureus (67.40 %). The CHS/AgNPs gel exhibited potent wound healing activities, comparable to a commercial cream with the re-epithelialization period of 8.16 ± 0.75. Histological analysis demonstrated enhanced skin regeneration with a thicker epidermal layer, well-defined papillary dermal structure, and organized collagen fibers. In summary, these findings hold promise for addressing bacterial infections, particularly those associated with biofilms-related wound infections.

Phytochemicals as potential inhibitors of interleukin-8 for anticancer therapy: in silico evaluation and molecular dynamics analysis.

Within the realm of soluble factors that have emerged as potential targets for therapeutic intervention, the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) has garnered attention as a potential contributor to treatment responses in various cancer types. The utilization of naturally occurring anticancer compounds for treating cancer patients has shown substantial advancements in survival rates across early and advanced stages of the disease. In silico research findings provide support for the application of phytochemicals as potential inhibitors of IL-8, and phytochemicals exhibiting a high binding free energy and crucial interactions display promising anticancer properties, positioning them as candidates for future drug development. Noteworthy phytochemicals such as IMPHY006634 (Isohydnocarpin), IMPHY007957 (Chitranone) and IMPHY013015 (1-Hydroxyrutaecarpine) were predicted to possess inhibitory activity against IL-8, with calculated energies ranging from -9.9 to -9.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Several hydrogen bonds, including common amino acid residues Lys9 and CYS48, were identified. Molecular dynamics calculations conducted on these potent inhibitors demonstrated their stability throughout a 200 ns simulation, as indicated by metrics such as RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, H-bonds, PCA and FEL analysis. Moreover, PASS analysis and adherence of these natural compounds to drug-likeness rules like Lipinski's further strengthen their candidacy. Considering these calculations and various parameters, these three prominent natural compounds emerge as promising candidates for anti-IL-8 therapy in the management of cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

3D Printing Technology as a Promising Tool to Design Nanomedicine-Based Solid Dosage Forms: Contemporary Research and Future Scope.

3D printing technology in medicine is gaining great attention from researchers since the FDA approved the first 3D-printed tablet (Spritam®) on the market. This technique permits the fabrication of various types of dosage forms with different geometries and designs. Its feasibility in the design of different types of pharmaceutical dosage forms is very promising for making quick prototypes because it is flexible and does not require expensive equipment or molds. However, the development of multi-functional drug delivery systems, specifically as solid dosage forms loaded with nanopharmaceuticals, has received attention in recent years, although it is challenging for formulators to convert them into a successful solid dosage form. The combination of nanotechnology with the 3D printing technique in the field of medicine has provided a platform to overcome the challenges associated with the fabrication of nanomedicine-based solid dosage forms. Therefore, the major focus of the present manuscript is to review the recent research developments that involved the formulation design of nanomedicine-based solid dosage forms utilizing 3D printing technology. Utilization of 3D printing techniques in the field of nanopharmaceuticals achieved the successful transformation of liquid polymeric nanocapsules and liquid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) to solid dosage forms such as tablets and suppositories easily with customized doses as per the needs of the individual patient (personalized medicine). Furthermore, the present review also highlights the utility of extrusion-based 3D printing techniques (Pressure-Assisted Microsyringe-PAM; Fused Deposition Modeling-FDM) to produce tablets and suppositories containing polymeric nanocapsule systems and SNEDDS for oral and rectal administration. The manuscript critically analyzes contemporary research related to the impact of various process parameters on the performance of 3D-printed solid dosage forms.

Nanotheranostics: application of nanosensors in diabetes management.

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to discuss the use of nanomaterials like nanosensors for diagnosing Diabetes and highlight their applications in the treatment of Diabetes. Methods: Diabetes mellitus (D.M.) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia. Orally administered antidiabetic drugs like glibenclamide, glipalamide, and metformin can partially lower blood sugar levels, but long-term use causes kidney and liver damage. Recent breakthroughs in nanotheranostics have emerged as a powerful tool for diabetes treatment and diagnosis. Results: Nanotheranostics is a rapidly developing area that can revolutionize diabetes diagnosis and treatment by combining therapy and imaging in a single probe, allowing for pancreas-specific drug and insulin delivery. Nanotheranostic in Diabetes research has facilitated the development of improved glucose monitoring and insulin administration modalities, which promise to improve the quality of life for people with Diabetes drastically. Further, nanomaterials like nanocarriers and unique functional nanomaterials used as nano theranostics tools for treating Diabetes will also be highlighted. Conclusion: The nanosensors discussed in this review article will encourage researchers to develop innovative nanomaterials with novel functionalities and properties for diabetes detection and treatment.

Exosomes as natural nanocarrier-based drug delivery system: recent insights and future perspectives.

Exosomes are nanosized (size ~ 30-150 nm) natural vesicular structures released from cells by physiological processes or pathological circumstances. Exosomes are growing in popularity as a result of their many benefits over conventional nanovehicles, including their ability to escape homing in the liver or metabolic destruction and their lack of undesired accumulation before reaching their intended targets. Various therapeutic molecules, including nucleic acids, have been incorporated into exosomes by different techniques, many of which have shown satisfactory performance in various diseases. Surface-modified exosomes are a potentially effective strategy, and it increases the circulation time and produces the specific drug target vehicle. In this comprehensive review, we describe composition exosomes biogenesis and the role of exosomes in intercellular signaling and cell-cell communications, immune responses, cellular homeostasis, autophagy, and infectious diseases. In addition, we discuss the role of exosomes as diagnostic markers, and their therapeutic and clinical implications. Furthermore, we addressed the challenges and outstanding developments in exosome research and discuss future perspectives. In addition to the current status of exosomes as a therapeutic carrier, the lacuna in the clinical development lifecycles along with the possible strategies to fill the lacuna have been addressed.

Recent Progress in Chitosan-Based Nanomedicine for Its Ocular Application in Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a degenerative, chronic ocular disease that causes irreversible vision loss. The major symptom of glaucoma is high intraocular pressure, which happens when the flow of aqueous humor between the front and back of the eye is blocked. Glaucoma therapy is challenging because of the low bioavailability of drugs from conventional ocular drug delivery systems such as eye drops, ointments, and gels. The low bioavailability of antiglaucoma agents could be due to the precorneal and corneal barriers as well as the low biopharmaceutical attributes of the drugs. These limitations can be overcome by employing nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. Over the last decade, there has been a lot of interest in chitosan-based nanoparticulate systems to overcome the limitations (such as poor residence time, low corneal permeability, etc.) associated with conventional ocular pharmaceutical products. Therefore, the main aim of the present manuscript is to review the recent research work involving the chitosan-based nanoparticulate system to treat glaucoma. It discusses the significance of the chitosan-based nanoparticulate system, which provides mucoadhesion to improve the residence time of drugs and their ocular bioavailability. Furthermore, different types of chitosan-based nanoparticulate systems are also discussed, namely nanoparticles of chitosan core only, nanoparticles coated with chitosan, and hybrid nanoparticles of chitosan. The manuscript also provides a critical analysis of contemporary research related to the impact of this chitosan-based nanomedicine on the corneal permeability, ocular bioavailability, and therapeutic performance of loaded antiglaucoma agents.

Nanomaterials-Based Novel Immune Strategies in Clinical Translation for Cancer Therapy.

Immunotherapy shows a lot of promise for addressing the problems with traditional cancer treatments. Researchers and clinicians are working to create innovative immunological techniques for cancer detection and treatment that are more selective and have lower toxicity. An emerging field in cancer therapy, immunomodulation offers patients an alternate approach to treating cancer. These therapies use the host's natural defensive systems to identify and remove malignant cells in a targeted manner. Cancer treatment is now undergoing somewhat of a revolution due to recent developments in nanotechnology. Diverse nanomaterials (NMs) have been employed to overcome the limits of conventional anti-cancer treatments such as cytotoxic, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Aside from that, NMs could interact with live cells and influence immune responses. In contrast, unexpected adverse effects such as necrosis, hypersensitivity, and inflammation might result from the immune system (IS)'s interaction with NMs. Therefore, to ensure the efficacy of immunomodulatory nanomaterials, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay that exists between the IS and NMs. This review intends to present an overview of the current achievements, challenges, and improvements in using immunomodulatory nanomaterials (iNMs) for cancer therapy, with an emphasis on elucidating the mechanisms involved in the interaction between NMs and the immune system of the host.

Topical gel containing Polysiloxanes and hyaluronic acid for skin scar: Formulation design, characterization, and In vivo activity.

BACKGROUND: Scar formation is undesirable both cosmetically and functionally. It shows that silicone gel is effective in preventing and improving scars formed due to a wound formation after injury. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates whether a silicone gel composition based on a novel concept of infusing a biologically active material such as hyaluronic acid and/or salts with various polysiloxane derivatives in a specific proportion to achieve desired viscosity range and their action has a synergistic beneficial effect on skin scar after injury. METHODS: We have developed a topical gel utilizing a combination of emulsifiers, sodium hyaluronate, polysiloxane, and its derivatives. The method of preparation comprises mixing of aqueous phase dispersion and polysiloxanes blend under stirring at room temperature. RESULTS: It results in the formation of a homogenous smooth gel formulation. The developed topical gel formulation was characterized for physicochemical properties, rheology, stability, and anti-scar activity in Wistar rats. It was found that the developed formulation system consists of desirable attributes for skin applications. In vivo investigation of developed polysiloxane gel formulation for anti-scar activity shown promising outcomes compared to marketed product (Kelo-cote scar gel). Furthermore, a histopathology study of healed skin tissues observed the formation of microscopic skin structures compared to the Kelo-cote scar gel. CONCLUSIONS: It indicates that the combination of polysiloxanes and sodium hyaluronate resulting an improvement in anti-scar activity compared to the marketed product containing polysiloxanes alone.

Enhanced In Vivo Wound Healing Efficacy of a Novel Piperine-Containing Bioactive Hydrogel in Excision Wound Rat Model.

These days an extensive amount of the attention of researchers is focused towards exploring bioactive compounds of natural or herbal origin for therapeutic intervention in different ailments of significant importance. One such novel bioactive compound that has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, is piperine. However, until today, piperine has not been explored for its potential to improve inflammation and enhance healing in acute and chronic wounds. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the wound healing potential of piperine hydrogel formulation after topical application. Hydrogels fit the need for a depot system at the wound bed, where they ensure a consistent supply of therapeutic agents enclosed in their cross-linked network matrices. In the present study, piperine-containing carbopol 934 hydrogels mixed with Aloe vera gels of different gel strengths were prepared and characterized for rheological behavior, spreadability, extrudability, and percent (%) content uniformity. Furthermore, the wound healing potential of the developed formulation system was explored utilizing the excision wound healing model. The results of an in vivo study and histopathological examination revealed early and intrinsic healing of wounds with the piperine-containing bioactive hydrogel system compared to the bioactive hydrogel system without piperine. Therefore, the study's findings establish that the piperine-containing bioactive hydrogel system is a promising therapeutic approach for wound healing application that should be diligently considered for clinical transferability.

Utilization of Nanotechnology to Improve Bone Health in Osteoporosis Exploiting Nigella sativa and Its Active Constituent Thymoquinone.

Osteoporosis, a chronic bone disorder, is one of the leading causes of fracture and morbidity risk. Numerous medicinally important herbs have been evaluated for their efficacy in improving bone mass density in exhaustive preclinical and limited clinical studies. Nigella sativa L. has been used as local folk medicine, and traditional healers have used it to manage various ailments. Its reported beneficial effects include controlling bone and joint diseases. The present manuscript aimed to provide a sound discussion on the pharmacological evidence of N. sativa and its active constituent, thymoquinone, for its utility in the effective management of osteoporosis. N. sativa is reported to possess anti-IL-1 and anti-TNF-α-mediated anti-inflammatory effects, leading to positive effects on bone turnover markers, such as alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. It is reported to stimulate bone regeneration by prompting osteoblast proliferation, ossification, and decreasing osteoclast cells. Thymoquinone from N. sativa has exhibited an antioxidant effect on bone tissue by reducing the FeNTA-induced oxidative stress. The present manuscript highlights phytochemistry, pharmacological effect, and the important mechanistic perspective of N. sativa and its active constituents for the management of osteoporosis. Further, it also provides sound discussion on the utilization of a nanotechnology-mediated drug delivery approach as a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic performance of N. sativa and its active constituent, thymoquinone, in the effective management of osteoporosis.

Green Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using Ocimum sanctum Leaf Extract: In Vitro Characterization and Its Healing Efficacy in Diabetic Wounds.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired glucose metabolism. Overproduction of free radicals due to chronic hyperglycemia may cause oxidative stress, which delays wound healing in diabetic conditions. For people with diabetes, this impeded wound healing is one of the predominant reasons for mortality and morbidity. The study aimed to develop an Ocimum sanctum leaf extract-mediated green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) and further incorporate them into 2% chitosan (CS) gel for diabetic wound healing. UV-visible spectrum analysis recorded the sharp peak at 235 and 320 nm, and this was the preliminary sign for the biosynthesis of TiO2 NPs. The FTIR analysis was used to perform a qualitative validation of the biosynthesized TiO2 nanoparticles. XRD analysis indicated the crystallinity of TiO2 NPs in anatase form. Microscopic investigation revealed that TiO2 NPs were spherical and polygonal in shape, with sizes ranging from 75 to 123 nm. The EDX analysis of green synthesized NPs showed the presence of TiO2 NPs, demonstrating the peak of titanium ion and oxygen. The hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index (PDI) of the TiO2 NPs were found to be 130.3 nm and 0.237, respectively. The developed TiO2 NPs containing CS gel exhibited the desired thixotropic properties with pseudoplastic behavior. In vivo wound healing studies and histopathological investigations of healed wounds demonstrated the excellent wound-healing efficacy of TiO2 NPs containing CS gel in diabetic rats.

Nanogels as Potential Delivery Vehicles in Improving the Therapeutic Efficacy of Phytopharmaceuticals.

Nanogel is a promising drug delivery approach to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic prospect of phytopharmaceuticals. In the present review, phytopharmaceuticals with astonishing therapeutic utilities are being explored. However, their in vivo delivery is challenging, owing to poor biopharmaceutical attributes that impact their drug release profile, skin penetration, and the reach of optimal therapeutic concentrations to the target site. Nanogel and its advanced version in the form of nanoemulgel (oil-in-water nanoemulsion integrated gel matrix) offer better therapeutic prospects than other conventional counterparts for improving the biopharmaceutical attributes and thus therapeutic efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals. Nanoemulgel-loaded phytopharmaceuticals could substantially improve permeation behavior across skin barriers, subsequently enhancing the delivery and therapeutic effectiveness of the bioactive compound. Furthermore, the thixotropic characteristics of polymeric hydrogel utilized in the fabrication of nanogel/nanoemulgel-based drug delivery systems have also imparted improvements in the biopharmaceutical attributes of loaded phytopharmaceuticals. This formulation approach is about to be rife in the coming decades. Thus, the current review throws light on the recent studies demonstrating the role of nanogels in enhancing the delivery of bioactive compounds for treating various disease conditions and the challenges faced in their clinical translation.

Immunomodulatory effect of mushrooms and their bioactive compounds in cancer: A comprehensive review.

Despite enormous development in the field of drug development, cancer still remains elusive. Compromised immunity stands as a roadblock to the successful pharmacological execution of anti-cancer drugs used clinically currently. Recently some breakthrough cancer treatment strategy like nano-formulation, extracellular vesicles treatment, natural antioxidant therapy, targeted immunotherapy, gene therapy, thermal ablation and magnetic hyperthermia, and pathomics and radiomics has been developed and tested pre-clinically as well as clinically. However, clinical efficacy of such therapies is yet to establish and some are too costly to be utilized by patients from poor and developing countries. At this juncture, researchers are heading towards the search of medicines from natural sources that is higher safety margin and multitarget pharmacological efficacy compared to conventional treatments. Mushroom is used traditionally as food as well as drug since time immemorial due to its immunomodulatory effect which is loaded with proteins, low fat content and cholesterol. Mushrooms are recommended as one of the best vegetarian diets for immunosuppressed cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. Mushrooms are well-known for their anti-cancer activity that impacts hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and natural killer (NK) cells in the immune system. This comprehensive review article emphasizes on the molecular mechanisms of cancer genesis, conventional anti-cancer therapy as well as reported some significant breakthrough in anti-cancer drug development, anti-cancer activity of some selected species of mushrooms and their bioactive phytoconstituents followed by a brief discussion of recent anti-cancer efficacy of some metallic nanoparticles loaded with mushrooms.

Development of a Curcumin-Loaded Lecithin/Chitosan Nanoparticle Utilizing a Box-Behnken Design of Experiment: Formulation Design and Influence of Process Parameters.

Curcumin (CUR) has impressive pharmacologic properties, including cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity. However, the pharmaceutical application of CUR is limited due to its poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. The development of novel formulations has attracted considerable attention to the idea of applying nanobiotechnology to improve the therapeutic efficacy of these challenging compounds. In this study, CUR-loaded lecithin−chitosan nanoparticles (CUR/LCSNPs) were developed and optimized by the concentration of chitosan, lecithin, and stirring speed by a 3-factorial Box-Behnken statistical design, resulting in an optimal concentration of chitosan (A) and lecithin (B) with a 1200 rpm stirring speed (C), with applied constraints of minimal average particle size (Y1), optimal zeta potential (Y2), and maximum entrapment efficiency (%EE) (Y3). The mean particle size of the checkpoint formulation ranged from 136.44 ± 1.74 nm to 267.94 ± 3.72, with a zeta potential of 18.5 ± 1.39 mV to 36.8 ± 3.24 mV and %EE of 69.84 ± 1.51% to 78.50 ± 2.11%. The mean particle size, zeta potential, %EE, and % cumulative drug release from the optimized formulation were 138.43 ± 2.09 nm, +18.98 ± 0.72 mV, 77.39 ± 1.70%, and 86.18 ± 1.5%, respectively. In vitro drug release followed the Korsmeyer−Peppas model with Fickian diffusion (n < 0.45). The optimized technique has proven successful, resulting in a nanoformulation that can be used for the high loading and controlled release of lipophilic drugs.

Investigation of Factors Influencing Formation of Nanoemulsion by Spontaneous Emulsification: Impact on Droplet Size, Polydispersity Index, and Stability.

Interest in nanoemulsion technology has increased steadily in recent years for its widespread applications in the delivery of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. Rational selection of the composition and the preparation method is crucial for developing a stable nanoemulsion system with desired physicochemical characteristics. In the present study, we investigate the influence of intricate factors including composition and preparation conditions that affect characteristic parameters and the stability of the nanoemulsion formation prepared by the spontaneous emulsification method. Octanoic acid, capryol 90, and ethyl oleate were selected to represent oil phases of different carbon-chain lengths. We explored the impact of the addition mode of the oil-Smix phase and aqueous phase, vortexing time, Km (surfactant/cosurfactant) ratio, and the replacement of water by buffers of different pH as an aqueous system. The phase behavior study showed that the Smix phase had a significant impact on the nanoemulsifying ability of the nanoemulsions composed of oil phases of varying carbon-chain lengths. The mode of mixing of the oil-Smix phase to the aqueous phase markedly influenced the mean droplet size and size distribution of the nanoemulsions composed of oil phases as capryol 90. Vortexing time also impacted the mean droplet size and the stability of the generated nanoemulsion system depending on the varying carbon-chain length of the oil phase. The replacement of the water phase by aqueous buffers of pH 1.2, 5.5, 6.8, and 7.4 has altered the mean droplet size and size distribution of the nanoemulsion system. Further, the Km ratio also had a significant influence on the formation of the nanoemulsion system. The findings of this investigation are useful in understanding how the formulation composition and process parameters of the spontaneous emulsification technique are responsible for affecting the physicochemical characteristics and stability of the nanoemulsion system composed of oil of varying carbon-chain (C8-C18) length.

Receptor-Targeted Surface-Engineered Nanomaterials for Breast Cancer Imaging and Theranostic Applications.

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in women and the major cause of worldwide cancer-related deaths among women. Various treatment strategies including conventional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, gene silencing and deliberately engineered nanomaterials for receptor mediated targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors, etc are being investigated by scientists to combat breast cancer. Smartly designed/fabricated nanomaterials are being explored to target breast cancer through enhanced permeation and retention effect; and also, being conjugated with suitable ligand for receptor-mediated endocytosis to target breast cancer for diagnostic, and theranostic applications. These receptor-targeted nanomedicines have shown efficacy to target specific tumor tissue/cells abstaining the healthy tissues/cells from cytotoxic effect of anticancer drug molecules. In the last few decades, theranostic nanomedicines have gained much attention among other nanoparticle systems due to their unique ability to deliver chemotherapeutic as well as diagnostic agents, simultaneously. Theranostic nanomaterials are emerging as novel paradigm with ability for concurrent delivery of imaging (with contrasting agents), targeting (with biomarkers), and anticancer therapeutics with one delivery system (as cancer theranostics) and can transpire as promising strategy to overcome various hurdles for effective management of breast cancer including its most aggressive form, triple-negative breast cancer.

Emerging advances in nanomedicine for breast cancer immunotherapy: opportunities and challenges.

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Early diagnosis and an appropriate therapeutic approach for all cancers are climacterics for a favorable prognosis. Targeting the immune system in breast cancer is already a clinical reality with notable successes, specifically with checkpoint blockade antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. However, there have been inevitable setbacks in the clinical application of cancer immunotherapy, including inadequate immune responses due to insufficient delivery of immunostimulants to immune cells and uncontrolled immune system modulation. Rapid advancements and new evidence have suggested that nanomedicine-based immunotherapy may be a viable option for treating breast cancer.

Cancer that begins in the breast is referred to as breast cancer. It may originate in either one or both breasts. It is one of the main causes of cancer-related death among women worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy is a game-changing treatment that improves the ability of the host defense system to spot and eliminate cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy. Cancer immunotherapy, also referred to as immuno-oncology, is a type of treatment option for breast cancer that uses the body's natural defense system to prevent, regulate and eliminate breast cancer. Immunotherapy is used to enhance or alter the functioning of the immune system so that it can locate and destroy cancer cells. Knowing how immunotherapy works and what to anticipate can often offer peace of mind to the patient who can then make informed decisions about care, especially if immunotherapy is part of the treatment plan for a particular patient.