Gel Encapsulated Nanoparticles

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 5649

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: functional food; gel; emulsion; natural products

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Guest Editor
College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
Interests: gel; emulsion; soft matter; encapsulation

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
Interests: functional gel; emulsion; macromolecule

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Guest Editor
School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Interests: ncapsulation; natural products; emulsions; gel

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will advance knowledge and educate scholars in gels through cutting-edge research and innovative ideas related to the design, characterization, and application of colloidal systems in science and technology. Our primary goal is to generate, disseminate, and preserve knowledge through publications showcasing the latest advancements in colloid science. We provide a platform for scholars to exchange ideas, collaborate, and inspire new ideas and practical solutions to real-world challenges. Our Special Issue fosters a collaborative and supportive scholarly community, encouraging researchers to submit their research and share their findings with the community. We uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and rigor, committed to contributing to the advancement of knowledge and developing practical solutions to global challenges in gels. Our goal is to shape the future of the field by providing a platform for scholars to work creatively, effectively, and judiciously towards this common goal.

We welcome submissions related to gels, emulsions, soft matter, encapsulation, and other relevant research areas. 

Prof. Yuanying Ni
Dr. Yuxiao Wang
Dr. Haiteng Tao
Prof. Dr. Hongxun Tao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gel
  • emulsion
  • soft matter
  • encapsulation
  • colloid
  • application

 

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 6178 KiB  
Article
Development and Comparative Evaluation of Ciprofloxacin Nanoemulsion-Loaded Bigels Prepared Using Different Ratios of Oleogel to Hydrogels
by Rania Hamed, Wala’a Abu Alata, Mohammad Abu-Sini, Dina H. Abulebdah, Alaa M. Hammad and Rafa Aburayya
Gels 2023, 9(7), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9070592 - 23 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1238
Abstract
Nanoemulsions and bigels are biphasic delivery systems that can be used for topical applications. The aim of this study was to incorporate an oil-in-water ciprofloxacin hydrochloride nanoemulsion (CIP.HCl NE) into two types of bigels, Type I (oleogel (OL)-in-hydrogel (WH)) and Type II (WH-in-OL) [...] Read more.
Nanoemulsions and bigels are biphasic delivery systems that can be used for topical applications. The aim of this study was to incorporate an oil-in-water ciprofloxacin hydrochloride nanoemulsion (CIP.HCl NE) into two types of bigels, Type I (oleogel (OL)-in-hydrogel (WH)) and Type II (WH-in-OL) to enhance drug penetration into skin and treat topical bacterial infections. Bigels were prepared at various ratios of OL and WH (1:1, 1:2, and 1:4). Initially, CIP.HCl NE was prepared and characterized in terms of droplet size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, morphology, and thermodynamic and chemical stability. Then CIP.HCl NE was dispersed into the OL or WH phase of the bigel. The primary physical stability studies showed that Type I bigels were physically stable, showing no phase separation. Whereas Type II bigels were physically unstable, hence excluded from the study. Type I bigels were subjected to microstructural, rheological, in vitro release, antimicrobial, and stability studies. The microscopic images showed a highly structured bigel network with nanoemulsion droplets dispersed within the bigel network. Additionally, bigels exhibited pseudoplastic flow and viscoelastic properties. A complete drug release was achieved after 4–5 h. The in vitro and ex vivo antimicrobial studies revealed that bigels exhibited antimicrobial activity against different bacterial strains. Moreover, stability studies showed that the rheological properties and physical and chemical stability varied based on the bigel composition over three months. Therefore, the physicochemical and rheological properties, drug release rate, and antimicrobial activity of Type I bigels could be modified by altering the OL to WH ratio and the phase in which the nanoemulsion dispersed in. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel Encapsulated Nanoparticles)
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19 pages, 4623 KiB  
Article
Biosorption of Escherichia coli Using ZnO-Trimethyl Chitosan Nanocomposite Hydrogel Formed by the Green Synthesis Route
by Ibrahim Birma Bwatanglang, Faruq Mohammad, John Nahadi Janet, Wasmia Mohammed Dahan, Hamad A. Al-Lohedan and Ahmed A. Soleiman
Gels 2023, 9(7), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9070581 - 17 Jul 2023
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Abstract
In this study, we tested the biosorption capacity of trimethyl chitosan (TMC)-ZnO nanocomposite (NC) for the adsorptive removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in aqueous suspension. For the formation of ZnO NPs, we followed the green synthesis route involving Terminalia mantaly [...] Read more.
In this study, we tested the biosorption capacity of trimethyl chitosan (TMC)-ZnO nanocomposite (NC) for the adsorptive removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in aqueous suspension. For the formation of ZnO NPs, we followed the green synthesis route involving Terminalia mantaly (TM) aqueous leaf extract as a reducing agent, and the formed ZnO particles were surface-coated with TMC biopolymer. On testing of the physicochemical characteristics, the TM@ZnO/TMC (NC) hydrogel showed a random spherical morphology with an average size of 31.8 ± 2.6 nm and a crystal size of 28.0 ± 7.7 nm. The zeta potential of the composite was measured to be 23.5 mV with a BET surface area of 3.01 m2 g−1. The spectral profiles of TM@ZnO/TMC NC hydrogel on interaction with Escherichia coli (E. coli) revealed some conformational changes to the functional groups assigned to the stretching vibrations of N-H, C-O-C, C-O ring, and C=O bonds. The adsorption kinetics of TM@ZnO/TMC NC hydrogel revealed the pseudo-second-order as the best fit mechanism for the E. coli biosorption. The surface homogeneity and monolayer adsorption of the TM@ZnO/TMC NC hydrogel reflects majorly the entire adsorption mechanism, observed to display the highest correlation for Jovanovic, Redlich–Peterson, and Langmuir’s isotherm models. Further, with the use of TM@ZnO/TMC NC hydrogel, we measured the highest adsorption capacity of E. coli to be 4.90 × 10 mg g−1, where an in-depth mechanistic pathway was proposed by making use of the FTIR analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel Encapsulated Nanoparticles)
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17 pages, 6560 KiB  
Article
Beta Caryophyllene-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Topical Management of Skin Disorders: Statistical Optimization, In Vitro and Dermatokinetic Evaluation
by Mohammed Ghazwani, Umme Hani, Mohammed H. Alqarni and Aftab Alam
Gels 2023, 9(7), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9070550 - 06 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1367
Abstract
This work aimed to overcome the disadvantages of the oral administration of beta-caryophyllene and boost efficiency by developing a nanostructured lipid carrier for topical administration of the drug in skin disorders. The heat emulsification method was utilized to produce beta-caryophyllene-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers. [...] Read more.
This work aimed to overcome the disadvantages of the oral administration of beta-caryophyllene and boost efficiency by developing a nanostructured lipid carrier for topical administration of the drug in skin disorders. The heat emulsification method was utilized to produce beta-caryophyllene-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers. The newly created formulation was examined for its particle size, entrapment efficiency, and zeta potential after being improved using the Box–Behnken Design. The chosen formulation underwent tests to determine its ex vivo skin retention, dermatokinetic, in vitro release, antioxidant, and confocal laser scanning microscopy study. The findings of the characterization of the nanostructured lipid carriers demonstrated that the particles had a spherical form and a size of 210.86 nm (0.263 polydispersity index). The entrapment efficiency was determined to be 86.74%, and the zeta potential was measured to be −26.97 mV. The in vitro release investigation showed that nanostructure lipid carriers were capable of releasing regulated amounts of beta-caryophyllene for up to 24 hrs. In comparison to the traditional gel formulation, the ex vivo investigation demonstrated a 1.94-fold increase in the skin’s capacity to retain the substance. According to the findings of the study, nanostructure lipid carriers loaded with beta-caryophyllene have the potential to be investigated for use as a topical administration method in skin disorders with enhanced skin retention and effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel Encapsulated Nanoparticles)
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23 pages, 6922 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Potential Nanoemulgels for Boosting Transdermal Glimepiride Delivery and Upgrading Its Anti-Diabetic Activity
by Marwa H. Abdallah, Amr S. Abu Lila, Hanan M. El-Nahas and Tarek M. Ibrahim
Gels 2023, 9(6), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9060494 - 18 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1235
Abstract
Transdermal drug delivery has been widely adopted as a plausible alternative to the oral route of administration, especially for drugs with poor systemic bioavailability. The objective of this study was to design and validate a nanoemulsion (NE) system for transdermal administration of the [...] Read more.
Transdermal drug delivery has been widely adopted as a plausible alternative to the oral route of administration, especially for drugs with poor systemic bioavailability. The objective of this study was to design and validate a nanoemulsion (NE) system for transdermal administration of the oral hypoglycemic drug glimepiride (GM). The NEs were prepared using peppermint/bergamot oils as the oil phase and tween 80/transcutol P as the surfactant/co-surfactant mixture (Smix). The formulations were characterized using various parameters such as globule size, zeta potential, surface morphology, in vitro drug release, drug-excipient compatibility studies, and thermodynamic stability. The optimized NE formulation was then incorporated into different gel bases and examined for gel strength, pH, viscosity, and spreadability. The selected drug-loaded nanoemulgel formulation was then screened for ex vivo permeation, skin irritation, and in vivo pharmacokinetics. Characterization studies revealed the spherical shape of NE droplets with an average size of ~80 nm and a zeta potential of −11.8 mV, which indicated good electrokinetic stability of NE. In vitro release studies revealed enhanced drug release from the NE formulation compared to the plain drug. GM-loaded nanoemulgel showed a 7-fold increment in drug transdermal flux compared to plain drug gel. In addition, the GM-loaded nanoemulgel formulation did not elicit any signs of inflammation and/or irritation on the applied skin, suggesting its safety. Most importantly, the in vivo pharmacokinetic study emphasized the potential of nanoemulgel formulation to potentiate the systemic bioavailability of GM, as manifested by a 10-fold rise in the relative bioavailability compared to control gel. Collectively, transdermal NE-based GM gel might represent a promising alternative to oral therapy in the management of diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel Encapsulated Nanoparticles)
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