RSC Pharmaceutics最新文献

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are traditionally formulated using batch methodologies that are poorly scalable and require time consuming, hands-on purification procedures. Here, we prepared poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based polymeric NPs using a scalable microfluidics-based method and systematically investigated the impact of purification method (centrifugation versus tangential flow filtration (TFF)) to remove poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) on macrophage uptake, anti-inflammatory effects, biodistribution, and protein corona formation. TFF purification demonstrated significantly higher recovery of NPs compared to the centrifugation method, with little-to-no aggregation observed. PVA removal efficiency was superior with centrifugation, although TFF was comparable. NP cellular association, in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, and in vivo biodistribution studies suggested purification method-dependent alterations, which were correlated with protein corona profiles. This study underscores the potential of TFF, combined with microfluidics, as an efficient and high-yield purification method for NPs, and reveals the need for extensive confirmation of NP biological activity alongside physicochemical properties when developing NP therapeutics at-scale.

Multilayered nanofibrous scaffolds (MNSs) obtained by electrospinning have gained widespread attention owing to their control over the delivery of drugs. However, polymer and drug solubility issues in common solvent systems still limit their applications. The present work employed acetic acid : water : ethyl acetate (4 : 4 : 2 v/v/v) as a common solvent system for dissolving gelatin and heparin sodium (HS). A GL 20% w/v solution showing optimum viscosity and conductivity, and high encapsulation (89.2 ± 2.13%) was selected. Additionally, TPGS-1000 incorporated in GL reduced the surface tension for better electrospinning and additional free-radical scavenging activity (∼6 fold of blank nanofibers). The central layer was surrounded by upper and lower PCL–GL layers to control the release of the hydrophilic drug (HS). The electrospun PCL : GL layer sustained the release for ∼24 hours. The developed multilayered nanofibrous scaffolds showed accelerated wound healing in a diabetic rat model. Histological analysis of the wound confirmed the accelerated re-epithelialization and reduced inflammatory response. Laser Doppler flowmetry further showed a significant improvement in the blood flow at the wound site at day 14 and day 21, revealing neovascularization. Therefore, the developed multilayered nanofibrous scaffolds provided a plausible method for fabricating regenerative scaffolds for drug delivery and diabetic wound healing.

We describe the formation of a multidrug salt comprising sulbactam (SUL, β-lactamase inhibitor) and amantadine (AMNH, antiviral). Physicochemical investigation of the SUL·AMNH salt revealed enhanced thermal stability compared to pristine starting materials. In vitro studies found that salt formation in SUL·AMNH does not disrupt antibacterial activity against model organisms Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. To our knowledge, we show the first β-lactamase inhibitor-antiviral salt where both components have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the first multicomponent solid containing SUL. We envisage our strategy could inspire the design of multicomponent solids for antimicrobial combination therapies.

Nanomedicines offer high promise for the treatment of various diseases, and numerous novel approaches using nanomaterials have been developed over the years. In this report, we introduce a new strategy utilizing ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO) to trigger the rapid release of lipid-encapsulated therapeutics upon photo-irradiation with UV light (365 nm). In vitro studies demonstrate that encapsulation of nZnO effectively eliminates the cytotoxicity of nZnO, but this can be re-established upon release from the lipid coating. Using 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein as a model for hydrophilic drug loading, we show the ability to co-load drugs with nZnO into liposomes. Kinetic studies reveal the ability to release the majority of the dye within 60 minutes post-photo-irradiation and provide insights into factors that impact release kinetics. To further explore this, Jurkat T cell leukemia and T47D breast cancer cells were treated with co-encapsulated nZnO and the hydrophobic cancer drug paclitaxel. These studies revealed enhanced toxicity of the triggered release groups with an extreme difference noted in the viability profiles of the T47D breast cancer cell model. Taken together, these studies indicate that this system of co-encapsulating nZnO and chemotherapeutic drugs has the potential to minimize systemic toxicity, by controlling therapeutic release, while allowing for the localized selective destruction of cancer.

This work details the synthesis of five N-benzylated derivatives of thiabendazoles (L1–L5), four of which were previously unreported in the literature (L2–L5). The compounds were characterised using a comprehensive array of spectroscopic (FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C{1H}, and ¹⁹F{1H} NMR), spectrometric (MS-EI+) and diffractometric (SC-DRX) techniques. To evaluate the effect of increased fluorine substituents in the N-benzyl fragment, we conducted a parasitotoxic activity assay, testing the compounds at various concentrations of unhatched Taenia crassiceps cysticerci. The inclusion of the N-benzyl fragment and the increase in fluorine substituents led to an enhancement in the lipophilicity of thiabendazoles.

Liposomes, spherical phospholipid vesicles with a unique morphology mimicking that of body cells, have emerged as versatile nanoparticles for drug delivery. Their biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, targeted delivery, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics make them stand out over traditional drug delivery systems. Liposomes can be tailored in size, composition, lamellarity, and surface charge, offering a unique level of customization for various applications. Extensive research in liposome technology has led to the development of a wide range of liposomal formulations with enhanced functionalities, such as PEGylated liposomes, ligand-targeted liposomes, and stimuli-responsive liposomes. Beyond their crucial role in cancer treatment, liposomes play a significant role in influenza, COVID-19, cancer, and hepatitis A vaccines. They are also utilized in pain management, fungal treatment, brain targeting, and topical and ocular drug delivery. This review offers insight into the types of liposomes, their composition, preparation methods, characterization methods, and clinical applications. Additionally, it discusses challenges and highlights potential future directions in liposome-based drug delivery.

The chief purpose of the current study is to fabricate nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-based gel for localized delivery of repurposed albendazole (ABZ) against skin cancer to reduce systemic and other organ-related side effects and enhance patient compliance. ABZ NLCs were constructed by the melt-emulsification ultrasonication method and optimized using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The ABZ NLCs were analyzed for mean particle size, % entrapment efficiency (%EE), and zeta potential. Furthermore, an NLC-based gel was developed using optimized ABZ NLCs and the Carbopol-934 gelling agent and characterized for physical properties, viscosity, texture, ex vivo skin permeation, in vitro cytotoxicity, stability, etc. The optimized ABZ NLCs displayed a %EE of 89.85 ± 5.6% and a particle size of 176.5 ± 7.3 nm. The pH of the ABZ NLC-based gel developed using 1.0% w/v of Carbopol-934 was between 5.1 and 6.0. The viscosity of the optimized ABZ NLC-based gel was 6.64 ± 0.67 Pa s. Besides, the NLC-based gel exhibited better and controlled ABZ release at pH 5.5 and 6.8 than the conventional ABZ gel. The ex vivo permeation of ABZ from NLCs and the NLC-based gel was 5.1 and 4.5-fold higher, respectively, than from the conventional gel. Notably, the in vitro cytotoxicity against B16F10 cells of ABZ NLCs was 1.7-fold and 2.2-fold higher than those of pure ABZ and the ABZ NLC-based gel. A negligible cytotoxicity of the developed formulations was seen in normal HaCaT cells (human epidermal cells), signifying the compatibility of these formulations with healthy cells. Moreover, the ABZ-incorporated NLCs and NLC gel remained stable for twelve weeks at 4 ± 2 °C. Thus, the given research concludes that the NLC-loaded gel could be a harmless, efficient, and novel choice to treat skin cancer using repurposed ABZ.

This study addresses the potential use of single-glucose microbial amphiphiles as pohospholipid-free drug carriers. Microbial amphiphiles, also known as biosurfactants, are molecules obtained from the fermentation of bacteria, fungi or yeast and are largely studied for their antimicrobial, cleaning or anti-pollution potential. However, recent understanding of their self-assembly properties combined with their interactions with macromolecules suggests broader potential applications, one being the phospholipid-free formulation of drugs. In this study, we demonstrate that this class of bio-based molecules can be directly used to design colloidally-stable vesicular carriers for hydrophobic drugs, without employing phospholipid supports, and that the actives can be delivered to human cells. In this study, multilamellar wall vesicles (MLWVs) have been synthesised using a microbial glycolipid amphiphile and poly-L-lysine, held together by electrostatic attractive interactions. Curcumin, a highly lipophilic molecule, was used as a natural drug model to evaluate the present colloidal system as a potential nanocarrier. The cell uptake of the curcumin-loaded nanocarriers was significantly higher for HeLa cells (50%) compared to normal human dermal fibroblasts (35%) and THP-1-derived macrophages (20%). The cytotoxic effect of delivered curcumin or other pharmaceuticals (doxorubicin, docetaxel, paclitaxel) was higher in HeLa cells as the cell viability was reduced by 50%.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), most commonly recognised for their role in COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, are important delivery vehicles for nucleic acid (mRNA, siRNA) therapies. The physicochemical attributes, such as size, nucleic acid encapsulation and electric charge, may have a significant impact on the efficacy of these medicines. In this study, adjustments to aqueous to lipid phase ratios were assessed for their impact on LNP size and other critical quality attributes (CQAs). It was observed that minor adjustments of aqueous-to-organic lipid phase ratios can be used to precisely control the size of ALC-0315-formulated LNPs. This was then used to evaluate the impact of phase ratio and corresponding size ranges on the in vitro and in vivo expression of these LNPs. In HEK293 cells, larger LNPs led to higher expression of the mRNA cargo within the LNPs, with a linear correlation between size and expression. In THP-1 cells this preference for larger LNPs was observed up to 120 d.nm after which there was a fall in expression. In BALB/c mice, however, LNPs at the lowest phase ratio tested, >120 d.nm, showed reduced expression compared to those of range 60–120 d.nm, within which there was no significant difference between sizes. These results suggest a robustness of LNP expression up to 120 d.nm, larger than those <100 d.nm conventionally used in medicine.

Despite being a transformative intervention in treating obesity, bariatric surgery, encompassing procedures like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy, presents unique challenges in postoperative pain management due to altered pharmacokinetics in both adult and pediatric populations. Opioid medication, while being effective, poses risks of addiction and life-threatening side effects, thus, inviting alternative therapeutic approaches. Nanotechnology holds promise as it provides targeted solutions via nano-drug delivery systems, thereby reducing adverse effects and enhancing efficacy in an altered gastrointestinal system. Different methods, including subcutaneous and nasal delivery systems, prolong drug release, offer potential alternatives for patients with modified drug absorption and metabolism, as demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro studies investigating tramadol, ketamine, fentanyl, buprenorphine and others. Currently, safety issues associated with nanocarriers hinder their clinical deployment. This review prompts a new perspective on nano-controlled release methods and their applications in opioid analgesia, indicating that nanotechnology could address the pharmacokinetic challenges in pain management post-bariatric surgery. Alternative strategies, including the use of endogenous neuropeptides, are discussed for mitigating opioid-related complications and improving pain management outcomes.