Curr Drug Deliv [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Advancing Small Nucleic Acid Drug Delivery: From Stability Challenges to Novel Therapeutic Applications.
Hussain MS, Bisht AS, Ali H … +1 more , Gupta G
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39817375 · Publisher ↗
Small nucleic acids (sNA) are revolutionizing several therapeutic environments in areas such as oncology as well as rare disease states. However, despite the progress in RNA modification, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and...
Small nucleic acids (sNA) are revolutionizing several therapeutic environments in areas such as oncology as well as rare disease states. However, despite the progress in RNA modification, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and GalNAc conjugation methods, issues like toxicity, immunogenicity, and stability limitations affect the application. Compared with viral and non-viral systems, LNPs have become more credible carriers to solve the problems of RNA degradation and realize more innovation, such as the first RNA interference drug, Patisiran. Likewise, methods for GalNAc conjugation have enabled liver-targeting therapies with better pharmacokinetic profiles. Relative to this subject, novel strategies such as exosome-mediated delivery and multifaceted systems involving LNP-GalNAc and exosome all hold more specificity and biostability. Some of the recent advancements in RNA chemical modifications involve the application of 1-methylpseudouridine which enhances the stability of the RNA and also reduces its immunogenic outcomes. Also, the application of AI in therapeutic areas includes establishing the delivery vectors, estimating severe side effects, and designing new nucleic acid therapies. In addition to hepatic targeting, tissue targetability is now being investigated for other purposes. A solution to the existing stability and targeting limitations is critical for the further development and enhanced use of sNA therapies in broad diseases, including chronic and complex diseases. The major focus of this review is on the recent development and potential future trends of sNA as a drug delivery system for precision medicine.
Recent Developments in Oral Drug Delivery of Prokinetic Agents: Nanoparticles and Beyond.
Dass R, Bhatia M, Rath G … +1 more , Dhingra AK
Curr Drug Deliv · 2026 · PMID 39812056 · Publisher ↗
Prokinetic agents are drugs used to enhance gastrointestinal motility and treat disorders such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and gastroparesis. pH-dependent release systems offer targeted drug delivery, allow...
Prokinetic agents are drugs used to enhance gastrointestinal motility and treat disorders such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and gastroparesis. pH-dependent release systems offer targeted drug delivery, allowing prokinetic agents to be released specifically in desired regions of the gastrointestinal tract. This optimizes drug efficacy and minimizes systemic side effects. Gastroretentive formulations enable sustained drug release, which is particularly beneficial in conditions requiring prolonged gastric residence time, such as gastroparesis. Nanoparticles have emerged as promising carriers for improving prokinetic agent delivery and enhancing drug stability, solubility, and absorption. These nano-systems protect drugs from degradation, leading to improved bioavailability and controlled drug release. Furthermore, incorporating mucoadhesive technologies promotes prolonged drug-mucosa interactions, facilitating enhanced drug absorption and reducing dosing frequency. These recent advancements have the potential to revolutionize the oral drug delivery of prokinetic agents, offering improved therapeutic outcomes, enhanced patient compliance, and reduced side effects. However, scalability, biocompatibility, and safety challenges warrant further investigation and validation through preclinical and clinical studies. This review highlights recent advances in oral drug delivery systems for prokinetic agents, focusing on innovative approaches such as pH-dependent release, gastroretentive formulations, nanoparticles, and mucoadhesive technologies. In conclusion, integrating advanced oral drug delivery systems for prokinetic agents presents a promising avenue for managing gastrointestinal disorders. Continued research and collaboration among academia, industry, and healthcare professionals are crucial to unlocking the full potential of these innovations and ultimately translating them into clinically effective treatments for patients.
Nanosystems for Intranasal Delivery of Therapeutics in Psychiatric Disorders.
Hamidi S, Shafiee-Kandjani AR, Salatin S
Curr Drug Deliv · 2026 · PMID 39810532 · Publisher ↗
Due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and issues with oral and other traditional routes of administration, psychiatric disorders present significant challenges in getting therapeutics into the brain. The nose-to-brain pat...
Due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and issues with oral and other traditional routes of administration, psychiatric disorders present significant challenges in getting therapeutics into the brain. The nose-to-brain pathway, also known as intranasal delivery, has shown promise in overcoming these barriers since it targets the brain directly and bypasses the BBB. This review explores nanocarriers' potential for intranasal delivery of therapeutics in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, and nanoemulsions, offer unique advantages for enhancing the delivery of various therapeutic agents to the brain via the intranasal route. The methodology involved conducting preliminary searches on databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords related to "psychiatric disorders, intranasal delivery, nose-to-brain drug delivery, and nano formulations for intranasal delivery." This review highlights the advantages of the intranasal drug delivery pathway as a non-invasive, reliable, and efficient method for targeting the brain by bypassing the BBB. Furthermore, it discusses the application of various novel nanocarrier-based formulations, including nanoparticles, in-situ gels, nanoemulsions, hydrogels, and liposomes, for the effective intranasal delivery of therapeutics in the treatment of psychiatric conditions such as mood and anxiety disorders schizophrenia, and other illnesses.
Development, Optimization, and Evaluation of Rutin-Loaded Liposomes in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Nautiyal G, Sharma SK, Kaushik D … +1 more , Pandey P
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39810531 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, progressively distinctive via cartilage destruction, auto-antibody production, severe joint pain, and synovial inflammation. Nanotechnology represents o...
INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, progressively distinctive via cartilage destruction, auto-antibody production, severe joint pain, and synovial inflammation. Nanotechnology represents one of the utmost promising scientific technologies of the 21st century. Nanocarriers could be the key to unlocking its potential by encapsulating Rutin in targeted drug delivery systems, potentially for targeted Rheumatoid arthritis therapy. OBJECTIVE: The rationale of current research is to prepare liposomes loaded with a bioflavonoid drug rutin for effective management of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: This study investigated the formulation of rutin liposomes using the thin-film hydration technique, also known as the Bangham method. A Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the formulation parameters. The LP2 batch was then characterized for its mean particle size, zeta potential, shape, diffraction pattern, and thermal properties. Finally, the anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory potential of the rutin liposomes were evaluated using appropriate assays. RESULTS: Out of thirteen batches, LP2 was found to be an optimized batch with a mean particle size of 167.1 nm, zeta potential -13.50 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 61.22%. The above results showed higher stability of rutin liposomes. Further characterization of LP2 for morphological assessment, XRD analysis, and DSC revealed its spherical shape less than 1 μm, polycrystalline nature, and thermographic peak at 139°C, respectively. Evaluation of the antioxidant properties and antiinflammatory potential of LP2 revealed its maximum therapeutic potential in the reduction of inflammation and protein denaturation when evaluated assays. CONCLUSION: Rutin liposomal formulation has tremendous potential for the management of Rheumatoid arthritis due to its enhanced bioavailability, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties when compared to free rutin.
Facile Synthesis of Monodisperse Gold Nanorods, Gold Nanobipyramids and Gold Nanocups with Different Coatings and Evaluation of Their Cellular Cytotoxicity.
Zuo F, Zhou S, Wu X … +3 more , Wang B, He J, Qiu X
Curr Drug Deliv · 2026 · PMID 39806973 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Assessing the cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) has gained importance due to their development in the biomedical field. METHODS: In this study, we systematically synthesized gold nanorods (GNRs), go...
INTRODUCTION: Assessing the cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) has gained importance due to their development in the biomedical field. METHODS: In this study, we systematically synthesized gold nanorods (GNRs), gold nanobipyramids (GNBPs), and gold nanocups (GNCs) using a seed-mediated method, with an average length of 32.53 ± 4.67 nm, 72.90 ± 7.54 nm and 118.01 ± 11.02 nm, respectively. RESULTS: Furthermore, using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, we assessed the cellular cytotoxicity of three different types of GNPs with various different surface coatings, such as organic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The results showed that the cytotoxic behavior of GNPs was shape-dependent in the concentration range of 3.125 -100 µg/mL. The types of GNPs and their surface coating had a significant impact on how the GNPs behaved in cells. Compared to PEG-coated GNPs, which do not induce cell injury, CTAB-coated GNPs show more noticeable cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Furthermore, compared to GNCs, the toxicity of GNRs and GNBPs against GES-1 cells, RAW 264.7 cells and LX-2 cells was greater. Our research provides an important new understanding of the effects of surface modification on the biocompatibility and the shape of GNPs in the biomedical field.
pH-sensitive Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles Encapsulating β-Hydroxyisovalerylshikonin for Targeted Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.
Zhang H, Wang Q, Wang S … +3 more , Zhou R, Cai J, Hu X
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39781716 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, and current treatment methods have limited effectiveness. Therefore, developing new and more effective therapeutic strategies is crucial. T...
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, and current treatment methods have limited effectiveness. Therefore, developing new and more effective therapeutic strategies is crucial. This study aims to establish pH-responsive silk fibroin (SF) nanoparticles encapsulating β-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (SF@β-HIVS) to enhance the therapeutic effects against pancreatic cancer. METHODS: SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles were prepared using a self-assembly technique and characterized under different pH conditions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The effects of SF@β-HIVS on the viability, apoptosis, and migration of PANC-1 cells were assessed through in vitro experiments. Additionally, in vivo experiments using a PANC-1 xenograft mouse model evaluated the antitumor activity and biosafety of SF@β-HIVS. RESULTS: SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles exhibited a uniformly distributed spherical structure under pH 7.4 conditions and rapidly disintegrated in acidic environments, releasing the drug. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SF@β-HIVS significantly inhibited PANC-1 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed cell migration. In vivo, experiments confirmed the significant antitumor activity and good biosafety of SF@β-HIVS. CONCLUSION: This study successfully developed pH-responsive SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles and validated their potential in treating pancreatic cancer. These findings provided a foundation for the clinical application of SF@β-HIVS in pancreatic cancer treatment.
Natural Hydrogel-based Drug Delivery System: A Global Scenario, Current Development, and Future Prospective.
Shukur MFA, Makhijani S, Ingle RG … +1 more , Saifee M
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39781715 · Publisher ↗
Pharmaceutical giants (e.g., Ashland, Bausch & Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Neurelis, etc.) promote the growth of hydrogels globally. Hydrogel-based drug delivery system (DDS) market size accounted for USD 6415 mi...
Pharmaceutical giants (e.g., Ashland, Bausch & Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Neurelis, etc.) promote the growth of hydrogels globally. Hydrogel-based drug delivery system (DDS) market size accounted for USD 6415 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach USD 12,357 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% from 2022 to 2030. Hydrogels, characterized by their unique three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers, have emerged as a keystone in the advancement of biomaterial science. Existing trends in the advancement of hydrogel drug delivery systems (DDS) involve the release of drugs in response to specific triggers such as pH, temperature, or enzymes for targeted drug delivery and to reduce the potential for systemic toxicity. They excel in their ability to achieve high drug loading capacities, their ease of manufacturing, and their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability. These attributes not only promise crucial mechanistic features but also offer robust protection for labile drugs and enable the encapsulation of multiple therapeutic agents. Thus, hydrogels stand as promising candidates in various biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, ensuring controlled release and compatibility essential for therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, hydrogels have massive applications in tissue engineering, wound healing, cosmetics, and biomaterials (e.g., contact lenses and implantable devices). Furthermore, hydrogels possess the capability to release active drug(s) under sustained conditions as recommended. Their exceptional qualities position hydrogels as a preferred choice on a global scale. Moreover, they enhance bioavailability, optimize dosage regimens, promote patient compliance, and minimize adverse effects. Furthermore, hydrogels are recommended for use in clinical trials to enhance therapeutic drug delivery outcomes. Despite their remarkable properties, hydrogels do have certain disadvantages, including expensive manufacturing costs and incompatibility with certain drugs. The author has highlighted the fundamental ideas about hydrogels, their classification, global scenario, current developments in the field, and their potential applications. Overall, hydrogel application is progressing rapidly, toward more proficient and effective DDS in the future.
DSPE-mPEG2000-Modified Podophyllotoxin Long-Circulating Liposomes for Targeted Delivery: Their Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation.
Zhang L, Li R, Zhang H … +2 more , Suo X, Guo B
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39757676 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: DSPE-mPEG2000 is a phospholipid and polyethylene glycol conjugate used in various biomedical applications, including drug delivery, gene transfection, and vaccine delivery. Due to the hydrophilic and hydrop...
INTRODUCTION: DSPE-mPEG2000 is a phospholipid and polyethylene glycol conjugate used in various biomedical applications, including drug delivery, gene transfection, and vaccine delivery. Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of DSPE-mPEG2000, it can serve as a drug carrier, encapsulating drugs in liposomes to enhance stability and efficacy. METHODS: In this study, long-circulating podophyllotoxin liposomes (Lc-PTOX-Lps) were prepared using DSPE-mPEG2000 as a modifying material and evaluated for their pharmacokinetics and anticancer activity. RESULTS: Lc-PTOX-Lps had an encapsulation rate of 87.11±1.77%, an average particle size of 168.91±7.07 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.19±0.04, and a zeta potential of -24.37±0.36 mV. In vitro release studies showed that Lc-PTOX-Lps exhibited a significant slow-release effect. The long-circulating liposomes demonstrated better stability compared to normal liposomes and exhibited a significant slow-release profile. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that Lc-PTOX-Lps had a prolonged half-life, reduced in vivo clearance, and improved bioavailability. Additionally, Lc-PTOX-Lps exhibited better anticancer effects on MCF-7 cells and lower toxicity to normal cells compared to PTOX. CONCLUSION: Lc-PTOX-Lps were synthesized using a simple and effective method, and Lc-PTOXLps are promising anticancer agents.
Preparation and Evaluation of Tetrandrine Nanocrystals to Improve Bioavailability.
Xue F, Yang L, Ma S … +4 more , Chang JH, Liu P, Liu XG, Wang RX
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39722488 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Tetrandrine (TET) has multiple pharmacological activities, but its water solubility is poor, which is the main reason for its low bioavailability. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to pre...
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Tetrandrine (TET) has multiple pharmacological activities, but its water solubility is poor, which is the main reason for its low bioavailability. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to prepare TET nanocrystals (TET-NCs) using a grinding method to enhance the dissolution rate and ultimately improve the bioavailability of TET. METHODS: TET-NCs were synthesized via media milling, employing Poloxam 407 (P407) as surface stabilizer and mannitol as a cryoprotectant during freeze-drying. The crystal structure, particle diameter, and zeta potential were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The in vitro release behavior and pharmacokinetics of TET-NCs were assessed. The cytotoxicity of TET and TET-NCS on RAW264.7 cells was determined by the CCK-8 method. RESULTS: The particle size of TET-NCs was 360.0±7.03 nm, PDI was 0.26±0.03, and zeta potential was 6.64±0.22 mV. The cumulative dissolution within 60 minutes was 96.40±2.31%. The pharmacokinetic study showed that AUC0-72 h and Cmax of TET-NCs were significantly enhanced by 3.07 and 2.57 times, respectively, compared with TET (p<0.01). TET-NCs significantly increased the cell inhibition on RAW264.7 cells compared to the TET (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The preparation of TET-NCs enhanced dissolution rate and bioavailability significantly, and it also improved the inhibition effect of RAW264.7 cells.
Exploring Naturally-Derived Targeted Nano Delivery Therapy for Burn Wound Healing with Special Emphasis on Preclinical Outcomes.
Bhuyan A, Dey P, Gogoi H … +1 more , Mandal S
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39629567 · Publisher ↗
Plant bioactives are being used since the early days of medicinal discovery for their various therapeutic activities and are safer compared to modern medicines. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately...
Plant bioactives are being used since the early days of medicinal discovery for their various therapeutic activities and are safer compared to modern medicines. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 180,000 deaths from burns occur every year with the majority in countries. Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in this domain, with numerous plant bioactive and their various nanoformulations demonstrating promising preclinical burn wound healing activity and identified plant-based nanotechnology of various materials through some variations of cellular mechanisms. A comprehensive search was conducted on scientific databases like PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar to retrieve relevant literature on burn wound, plants, nano formulations and in vivo studies from 1990 to 2024. From a total of approximately 180 studies, 40 studies were screened out following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, which reported 40 different plants and plant extracts with their various nano-formulations (NFs) that were used against burn wounds preclinically. This study provides the current scenario of naturallyderived targeted therapy, exploring the impact of natural products on various nanotechnology in burn wound healing on a preclinical model. This comprehensive review provides the application of herbal nano-formulations (HBNF) for the treatment of burn wounds. Natural products and their derivatives may include many unidentified bioactive chemicals or untested nano-formulations that might be useful in today's medical toolbox. Mostly, nano-delivery system modulates the bioactive compound's effectiveness on burn wounds and increases compatibility by suppressing inflammation. However, their exploration remains incomplete, necessitating possible pathways and mechanisms of action using clinical models.
Innovative Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery: A Novel Approach for Diabetic Foot Ulcer.
Parveen R, Ali F, Singh SD
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39513302 · Publisher ↗
Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a chronic wound, and a person with diabetes has an increased lifetime risk of foot ulcers (19%-34%) and high morbidity (65% recurrence in 3-5 years, 20% lifetime amputation). Recent data have...
Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a chronic wound, and a person with diabetes has an increased lifetime risk of foot ulcers (19%-34%) and high morbidity (65% recurrence in 3-5 years, 20% lifetime amputation). Recent data have shown rising amputation rates, especially in the younger and minority populations. This abstract discusses innovative approaches for addressing this issue. This highlights the use of nanotechnology-based drug nanocomposite systems for natural wound healing therapies, with a focus on nanoparticles, nano-emulsions, and nanogels. This review also emphasizes the potential of hydrogels for drug delivery, highlighting their versatility in various medical applications. Furthermore, it delves into the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNP's) for treating diabetic wounds while acknowledging the need to address potential toxicity concerns. Finally, the abstract discusses the utilization of traditional herbal medicine and the integration of modern science to advance wound care, particularly focusing on wound microbiome, immune response, and controlled herbal medicine delivery. This study also highlights clinical trials conducted on DFU. Overall, these abstracts highlight the importance of exploring diverse and innovative solutions to chronic wound management.
Fluconazole-loaded Hyaluronic Acid-modified Transfersomal Hydrogels Containing D-panthenol for Ocular Delivery in Fungal Keratitis Management.
Das B, Nayak AK, Mallick S
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39428929 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Fungal keratitis (mycotic keratitis) is an eye infection in which the cornea is infected by fungi and such fungal keratitis management can be effectively possible by ocular administration of antifungal drugs....
BACKGROUND: Fungal keratitis (mycotic keratitis) is an eye infection in which the cornea is infected by fungi and such fungal keratitis management can be effectively possible by ocular administration of antifungal drugs. OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of the present research were to develop and evaluate fluconazoleloaded transfersomal hydrogels for ocular delivery in the effective management of fungal keratitis. METHODS: A 2 factorial design-based approach was used for statistical optimization, where (A) the ratio of lipid to edge activators, (B) the amount of hyaluronic acid (% HA), and (C) the ratio of edge activators (sodium deoxycholate to Span 80) were taken as three factors. The average vesicle diameter (Z, nm) of transfersomes was taken as a response. Further, fluconazole-loaded transfersomes (FTO) were incorporated into 1% Carbopol 940-based hydrogel (OF1) and 2% HMPC K4M-based hydrogel (OF2) containing D-panthenol (5% w/w). RESULTS: The optimal variable setting for the optimized formulations of FTO was (A) = 9.15, (B) = 0.30%, and (C) = 3.00. FTO exhibited 66.39 nm Z, 0.247 polydispersity index, - 33.10 mV zeta potential, and 65.38 ± 1.77 % DEE, and desirable elasticity. TEM image of FTO demonstrated a unilamellar vesicular structure. The ex vivo ocular permeation of fluconazole from transfersomal hydrogels was sustained over 24 h. All the transfersomal hydrogels showed good bioadhesion and excellent antifungal activity with respect to the zone of inhibition against Candida albicans than Aspergillus fumigates, in vitro. HET-CAM study results demonstrated that both the hydrogels were nonirritant and safe for ocular. Short-term physical stability study suggested the stability of the developed formulation. CONCLUSION: The current research demonstrated a new way to enhance the ocular penetration of fluconazole via transfersomal hydrogel formulations for ocular delivery in the effective management of fungal keratitis.
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-based Topical Gels as Novel Drug Delivery System: A Comprehensive Overview.
Biswas UK, Sen S, Sharma S … +3 more , Paul M, Nayak AK, Bose A
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39428928 · Publisher ↗
Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are lipidic nanocarriers that recover the permanency and capacity of drug payloads. NLCs are well-known as second-generation lipid nanocarriers with an unstructured matrix, presenting...
Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are lipidic nanocarriers that recover the permanency and capacity of drug payloads. NLCs are well-known as second-generation lipid nanocarriers with an unstructured matrix, presenting potentially advantageous nanocarrier systems with marketable opportunities because of reproducible production methodologies and biocompatible lipidic excipients. These (NLCs) are now recognized as a very promising nanocarrier structure for the efficient delivery of drugs via different administration routes. In recent years, several NLC-based gels have been developed and evaluated for topical delivery of many drugs and other therapeutic agents. This review article presents an overview of NLC-based topical gels investigated to deliver drugs via ocular, dermal, and transdermal routes. In addition, the classification, manufacturing, characterizations, advantages, and disadvantages of NLCs are addressed in this article. We also discussed different evaluations of NLC-based topical gels.
Improved Therapeutic Efficacy: Liposome-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Delivering Thymoquinone to MCF-7 Cells.
Arvejeh PM, Chermahini FA, Soltani A … +4 more , Lorigooini Z, Rafieian-Kopaei M, Mobini GR, Khosravian P
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39415581 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with thymoquinone showing promise as a therapeutic agent, but hindered by poor solubility. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to enhance TQ delivery to MC...
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with thymoquinone showing promise as a therapeutic agent, but hindered by poor solubility. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to enhance TQ delivery to MCF-7 breast cancer cells using mesitylene- mesoporous silica nanoparticles coated with liposomes, designed for controlled drug release. METHODS: Nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel method and coated with phosphatidylserine- cholesterol liposomes. Different nanocharacterization techniques and in vitro assays were employed to assess the drug release kinetics, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis. RESULTS: The nanoparticles exhibited favorable properties, including a large pore size of 3.6 nm, a surface area of 248.96 m2/g, and a hydrodynamic size of 171.571 ± 8.342 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.182 ± 0.017, indicating uniformity and stability. The successful lipid bilayer coating was confirmed by a zeta potential shift from +6.25 mV to -5.65 mV. The coated nanoparticles demonstrated a slow and sustained drug release profile, with cellular uptake of FITC-formulated nanoparticles being approximately 5-fold higher than free FITC (P < 0.0001). Cytotoxicity assays revealed a significant reduction in cell viability (P < 0.0001), reaching an IC50 value of 25 μM at 48 hours. Apoptosis rates were significantly higher in cells treated with the formulated TQ compared to the free drug and control at both 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This nanoformulation significantly enhanced TQ delivery, offering a promising strategy for targeted breast cancer therapy. Further preclinical studies are recommended to advance this approach in cancer treatment.
Local Delivery of Ginger Extract a Nanofibrous Membrane Suppresses Human Skin Melanoma B16F10 Cells Growth Targeting Ras/ERK and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways: An Study.
Wei W, Zhang T, Yuan B … +1 more , Rohani S
Curr Drug Deliv · 2026 · PMID 39411964 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Metastatic melanoma poses a significant threat globally, with a distressingly low ten-year survival rate of only 10%. While FDA-approved treatments such as dacarbazine and high-dose IL-2 have been employed...
INTRODUCTION: Metastatic melanoma poses a significant threat globally, with a distressingly low ten-year survival rate of only 10%. While FDA-approved treatments such as dacarbazine and high-dose IL-2 have been employed in clinical settings, their limitations underscore the urgent need for more effective therapies. AIM: This study aimed to develop a potential anticancer local treatment through the extraction of various amounts of ginger extract loaded into Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers. METHODS: The anticancer activity of the produced membranes was studied on human skin melanoma B16F10 cells. Other in vitro experiments such as cell migration assay, cell proliferation assay, cell viability assay, scanning electron microscopy assay, real-time PCR assay, and ant-inflammatory assay were performed for the characterization of the delivery system. Tissue toxicity of the developed patches was studied in a rat model. RESULTS: The study showed that scaffolds loaded with 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 0% of ginger extract had around 784.98 ± 202.31 nm, 771.86 ± 219.07 nm, 820.65 ± 242.43 nm, 785.19 ± 203.99 nm, and 671.29 ± 184.09 nm of mean fiber size, respectively. The ginger extract-loaded membranes suppressed the growth and migration activity of human skin melanoma B16F10 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Real-time PCR assay showed that the developed membranes modulated the expression levels of Ras/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Animal study results showed that our developed patches were not toxic against liver or skin tissues. CONCLUSION: Ginger extract-loaded PVA nanofibers exhibited promising anticancer potential against melanoma cells, suggesting a viable localized treatment option.
Alleviation of Tumor Invasion by the Development of Natural Polymer-based Low-risk Chemotherapeutic Systems - review on the Malignant Carcinoma Treatments.
Natarajan V
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39411940 · Full text
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: The spread of tumors (48% in men and 51% in women), as well as the protection of malignant tumors by stromal cells and complex blood vessels, pose significant challenges to drug delivery to tumors...
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: The spread of tumors (48% in men and 51% in women), as well as the protection of malignant tumors by stromal cells and complex blood vessels, pose significant challenges to drug delivery to tumors. Modern chemotherapy, on the other hand, addresses tumor growth suppression by at least 60% through versatile formulation systems and numerous modifications to drug delivery systems. The renewable and naturally occurring polymers present invariably in all living cells form the fundamental foundation for most anticancer drug development. The review aims to discuss in detail the preparations of polysaccharide, lipid, and protein-based drug-loading vehicles for the targeted delivery of prominent anticancer drugs. It also provides an explanation of drug distribution in blood (cumulative releases of nearly 80% drug) and drug accumulation at tumor sites (1-5 mg/kg) due to enhanced permeability and retention (EPR). METHODS: Specific delivery examples for treating colorectal and breast carcinomas have been presented to distinguish the varied drug administration, bioavailability, and tumor internalization mechanisms between sugar, fatty acid, and amino acid polymers. Current therapy possibilities based on cutting-edge literature are provided, along with drug delivery systems tailored to tumor location and invasive properties. RESULTS: The unique combinations of the three natural polymers provide unparalleled solutions to minimize the toxicity (<20% drug release) of the chemotherapeutic drugs on normal tissues. Moreover, the development of a consolidated drug delivery system has contributed to a substantial reduction (dose reduction from 10.43 μM to 1.9 μM) in the undesirable consequences of higher dosages of chemotherapeutic drugs. CONCLUSION: The review extensively covers safe chemotherapeutic systems with significant advantages (tumor volume shrinkage of 4T1 cells from 1000 mm3 to 200 mm) in clinical applications of carcinoma treatments using natural polymers.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Induced by Wumei Pills Improves Chemotherapy-Induced Intestinal Mucositis in BALB/c Mice by Modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.
Lu D, Ji L, Liu F … +4 more , Liu H, Sun Z, Yan J, Wu H
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39400011 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Our previous studies have found that Wumei Pills can regulate the intestinal flora to inhibit chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis (CIM). However, there is still insufficient evidence to confirm that int...
BACKGROUND: Our previous studies have found that Wumei Pills can regulate the intestinal flora to inhibit chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis (CIM). However, there is still insufficient evidence to confirm that intestinal flora is the main link in the regulation of CIM by Wumei Pills, and its downstream mechanism is still unclear. METHOD: We first obtained the signal pathway of the intervention of Wumei Pill on CIM through network pharmacological analysis and then transplanted the bacterial solution into CIM mice, combined with Western Blot, HE, ELISA and other biological technology-related proteins and inflammatory factors. RESULTS: It showed that 97 kinds of effective ingredients and 205 kinds of targets of Wumei pills were screened out and the potential mechanism of Wumei Pills on CIM may be the NF-κB signaling pathway. In contrast with the control group, the results displayed that the weight, food intake, and mice's colon length were apparently decreased in the 5-Fu group, while the diarrhea score was increased. However, FMT reversed this change, and the difference was statistically significant. Additionally, FMT could improve the pathological state of inflammatory cell infiltration in mice, reduce histopathological scores of colon and jejunum, decrease the expression levels of IL-1β, MPO, TNF-α, and IL-6, reverse the activation of signaling pathway named TLR4/Myd88/ NF-κB and down-regulate protein expression, thereby exerting its anti-inflammatory activities. Further experiments have found that FMT could reverse the decreasing of tight junction proteins and mucins caused by 5-Fu, thereby repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, and FMT could also increase the content of acetic acid, propanoic acid, and butanoic acid in the feces of 5-Fu group. CONCLUSION: FMT can defend the intestinal mucosal barrier integrality by increasing the content of exercise fatty acids, and its mechanism may be in connection with its inhibition of TLR4/My- D88/NF-κB signal pathway to relieve inflammation.
Nanoparticle-Mediated Transcytosis in Tumor Drug Delivery: Mechanisms, Categories, and Novel Applications.
Doaa N, Detorgma SLR, Yang K … +2 more , Salama R, Zhang W
Curr Drug Deliv · 2026 · PMID 39390828 · Publisher ↗
The development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems has been extensively investigated across various therapies, leading to the creation of numerous nanomedicines for clinical use. However, these nanomedicines h...
The development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems has been extensively investigated across various therapies, leading to the creation of numerous nanomedicines for clinical use. However, these nanomedicines have yet to achieve the anticipated therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings, highlighting the urgent need for further research in this area. A primary challenge in nanomedicine research lies in ensuring that nanoparticles and therapeutic agents can effectively penetrate and accumulate within tumors. The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect has been previously explored as a means to enhance drug delivery to tumors, but recent findings have revealed its limitations, including variable responses, restricted penetration, clearance by the reticuloendothelial system, and non-specific accumulation. As an alternative approach, transcytosis has been explored for delivering drugs to specific organs or tissues, potentially bypassing some of the constraints of the EPR effect. For example, nanoparticles can be guided through barriers by targeting specific receptors on cell surfaces or by utilizing a different charge compared to tumor cells' surfaces. Therefore, this article explores transcytosis, including adsorptive, receptor-mediated, and cell-mediated subtypes, all of which have demonstrated promising results and offer potential solutions to enhance the effectiveness of nanomedicine delivery for cancer therapy.
Multi-Stimuli-Responsive Biocompatible Magnetic Nanocarrier as Drug Delivery System to MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.
Ehsanimehr S, Badr K, Dehaen W … +2 more , Irannejad VS, Moghadam PN
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39377387 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: The last strategy in targeted drug delivery systems is to deliver the anticancer drug to the tumor tissue to increase its therapeutic effect and minimize its undesirable side effects. In line with this goal...
INTRODUCTION: The last strategy in targeted drug delivery systems is to deliver the anticancer drug to the tumor tissue to increase its therapeutic effect and minimize its undesirable side effects. In line with this goal in this research, the redox/pH-responsive disulfide magnetic nanocarriers based on PF127-NH/L-cysteine-CM-β-CD-FA were synthesized and evaluated in a doxorubicin delivery system. METHODS: We effectively surrounded FeO nanoparticles with SiO using the sol-gel method, and then confidently coated them with oleic acid on FeO@SiO nanoparticles.. In another reaction, a PF127-NH/L-cysteine-CM-β-CD-FA was synthesized. The process involved modifying pluronic F127 (PF 127) with maleic anhydride and aminating it to form PF127-NH. The obtained PF127-NH was attached to L-cysteine, followed by condensing with carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin and then functionalized by folic acid. Finally, PF127-NH/L-cysteine-CM-β-CD-FA was coated on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles, and the resulting PF127-NH/L-cysteine-CM-β-CD-FA was disulfidated to form the final nanocarrier network, which was abbreviated as LCMNPs-SS. The doxorubicin was used as a model drug and loaded into the LCMNPs-SS nanocarrier. RESULTS: The LCMNPs-SS nanocarrier exhibited excellent properties for controlled release, with a well-defined release rate, a controllable level by an external magnet, and adjusting by DLdithiothreitol concentration. The LCMNPs-SS nanocarrier could also break apart when exposed to an oxidant or a change in pH. This meant that the drug release could be fine-tuned in response to temperature, pH, or more than one stimulus. CONCLUSION: These drug-carrying systems are valuable in reducing the dose of doxorubicin. High internalization of the synthesized LCMNPs-SS caused sped cellular uptake.
Betulin-NLC-hydrogel for the Treatment of Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation: Optimization, Characterisation, and and Evaluation.
Prakash D, Chaudhary A, Chaudhary A
Curr Drug Deliv · 2025 · PMID 39360545 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that poses significant challenges regarding effective and targeted drug delivery. Bioactive substances like betulin have shown tremendous utility in treatin...
INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that poses significant challenges regarding effective and targeted drug delivery. Bioactive substances like betulin have shown tremendous utility in treating these conditions; however, they pose limited utility owing to their physicochemical characteristics. Here, we aimed to develop a novel topical dosage form for treating psoriasis, utilising betulin-loaded Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) incorporated into a hydrogel matrix. METHODS: The optimization of the formulation was meticulously conducted using a design expert-13 software, and its diverse physicochemical attributes were thoroughly examined. Evaluating betulin's release pattern from the NLC-hydrogel demonstrated consistent and regulated drug release properties. Additionally, the formulation demonstrated improved skin penetration abilities as determined by skin permeation experiments employing Franz diffusion cells-furthermore, the therapeutic effectiveness of the betulin-NLC-hydrogel was assessed by an experiment carried out using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation model in BALB/c female mice. RESULTS: The NLCs exhibited a pH of 5.67±0.86, particle size of 148.16±12.66 nm, and zeta potential of -22.84±2.37 mV, ensuring stability and suitability for topical use. The gel, with a pH of 6.05±0.43 and viscosity of 17550±120 cPs, showed enhanced skin hydration and lipid restoration. Drug release studies indicated a slower release from NLCs and gel, improving skin retention. Stability tests revealed that the formulations were stable at room temperature but not at elevated temperatures. The safety profile of the formulation revealed no significant adverse effects on HaCaT cell lines. The NLC gel demonstrated significant anti-psoriatic activity, reducing inflammation and cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: The betulin-NLC-hydrogel formulation exhibited promising characteristics for the topical treatment of psoriasis, showcasing optimised drug delivery, sustained release, and notable therapeutic efficacy. The findings from this study provide a foundation for the potential clinical translation of this innovative topical dosage form for improved psoriasis management.
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