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Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions
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Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 February 2024) | Viewed by 12676

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Estefânia V.R. Campos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Engineering, Sorocaba Institute of Science and Technology (ICTS), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Avenida Três de Março, 511, Sorocaba 18087-180, SP, Brazil
Interests: nanobiotechnology; drug delivery; green nanomaterials; polymeric nanoparticles; lipidic nanoparticles
Dr. Jhones Luiz De Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Production Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
Interests: nanobiotechnology; drug-delivery; green nanomaterials; natural molecules; nanoencapsulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant-based nanocarriers play an important role in several biomedical applications, ranging from drug delivery to tissue engineering. Their unique properties, such as the ease of their surface functionalization, natural abundance, high stability and cost effectiveness, make them ideal candidates for health care applications. Plants are an invaluable source of different types of molecules, which are recognized to have several therapeutic properties, due to their chemical and structural diversity and the biodiversity of their components. Nowadays, it is unquestionable that nature-based products have been, and will be, key players for the development of advanced pharmaceutical formulations. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to publish original research and review articles focused on the development of plant-derived nanotherapeutics and nanocarriers for the development of better approaches to precision therapy.

Dr. Estefânia V.R. Campos
Dr. Jhones Luiz De Oliveira
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. Pharmaceuticals 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 2900 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

  • plant-based nanomaterials
  • green nanomaterials
  • drug delivery
  • natural nanotherapeutics
  • pharmaceutical nanoformulations
  • biogenic synthesis
  • phytonanotechnology

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2931 KiB  
Article
Novel Synthesis Approach for Natural Tea Polyphenol-Integrated Hydroxyapatite
by Xiaoxiang Ren, Zeng Yi and Xudong Li
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17020251 - 15 Feb 2024
Viewed by 731
Abstract
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) has garnered considerable interest in biomedical engineering for its diverse applications. Yet, the synthesis of HAP integrated with functional natural organic components remains an area ripe for exploration. This study innovatively utilizes the versatile properties of tea polyphenol (TP) to synthesize [...] Read more.
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) has garnered considerable interest in biomedical engineering for its diverse applications. Yet, the synthesis of HAP integrated with functional natural organic components remains an area ripe for exploration. This study innovatively utilizes the versatile properties of tea polyphenol (TP) to synthesize HAP nanomaterials with superior crystallinity and distinct morphologies, notably rod-like structures, via a chemical deposition process in a nitrogen atmosphere. This method ensures an enhanced integration of TP, as confirmed by thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis and a variety of microscopy techniques, which also reveal the dependence of TP content and crystallinity on the synthesis method employed. The research significantly impacts the field by demonstrating how synthesis conditions can alter material properties. It leads the way in employing TP-modified nano-HAP particles for biomedical applications. The findings of this study are crucial as they open avenues for the future development of tailored HAP nanomaterials, aiming at specific medical applications and advancements in nanotechnology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions)
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20 pages, 18622 KiB  
Article
Euphorbia royleana Boiss Derived Silver Nanoparticles and Their Applications as a Nanotherapeutic Agent to Control Microbial and Oxidative Stress-Originated Diseases
by Rehman Ullah, Saiqa Afriq Jan, Muhammad Nauman Khan, Moona Nazish, Asif Kamal, Alevcan Kaplan, Hany M. Yehia, Khaloud Mohammed Alarjani, Rashad Alkasir and Wajid Zaman
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(10), 1413; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16101413 - 04 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 996
Abstract
Nanotechnology is one of the most advance and multidisciplinary fields. Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology radically changed the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent various diseases in all aspects of human life. The use of plants and their extracts is one of [...] Read more.
Nanotechnology is one of the most advance and multidisciplinary fields. Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology radically changed the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent various diseases in all aspects of human life. The use of plants and their extracts is one of the most valuable methods towards rapid and single-step protocol preparation for various nanoparticles, keeping intact “the green principles” over the conventional ones and proving their dominance for medicinal importance. A facile and eco-friendly technique for synthesizing silver nanoparticles has been developed by using the latex of Euphorbia royleana as a bio-reductant for reducing Ag+ ions in an aqueous solution. Various characterization techniques were employed to validate the morphology, structure, and size of nanoparticles via UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and EDS. FTIR spectroscopy validates different functional groups associated with biomolecules stabilizing/capping the silver nanoparticles, while SEM and XRD revealed spherical nanocrystals with FCC geometry. The results revealed that latex extract-mediated silver nanoparticles (LER-AgNPs) exhibited promising antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and -negative bacterial strains (Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus viridians). Both latex of E. royleana and LER-AgNPs were found to be potent in scavenging DPPH free radicals with respective EC50s and EC70s as 0.267% and 0.518% and 0.287% and 0.686%. ROSs produced in the body damage tissue and cause inflammation in oxidative stress-originated diseases. H2O2 and OH* scavenging activity increased with increasing concentrations (20–100 μg/mL) of LER-AgNPs. Significant reestablishment of ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin serum levels was observed in mice intoxicated with acetaminophen (PCM), revealing promising hepatoprotective efficacy of LER-AgNPs in a dose-dependent manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions)
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21 pages, 4809 KiB  
Article
Antioxidant Effects of Quercetin Nanocrystals in Nanosuspension against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in a Zebrafish Model
by Junjie Wang, Xinyue Xue and Xiaoqing Miao
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(9), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16091209 - 25 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1208
Abstract
Quercetin, a flavonoid compound rich in hydroxyl groups, possesses antioxidant properties, whereas its poor water solubility limits its bioavailability. In pursuit of addressing the water solubility of quercetin and comprehending the impact of nanocrystal particle size on antioxidant efficacy, we prepared three different-sized [...] Read more.
Quercetin, a flavonoid compound rich in hydroxyl groups, possesses antioxidant properties, whereas its poor water solubility limits its bioavailability. In pursuit of addressing the water solubility of quercetin and comprehending the impact of nanocrystal particle size on antioxidant efficacy, we prepared three different-sized quercetin nanocrystals, namely small (50 nm), medium (140 nm), and large (360 nm), using a nanosuspension method in this study. Within the in vitro setting, assessments employing solubility and radical scavenging assays revealed that quercetin nanocrystals displayed superior solubility (26, 21, and 13 fold corresponding to small, medium, and large particle sizes) and antioxidant performance compared to the coarse quercetin. Furthermore, quercetin nanocrystals of three particle sizes all demonstrated significant protection effects on the survival rate of H2O2-treated zebrafish at 72 h (77.78%, 73.33%, and 66.67% for small, medium, and large particle sizes, respectively), while the coarse quercetin group exhibited a low survival rate (53.3%) similar to the H2O2-treated group (47.8%). Moreover, all quercetin nanocrystals exhibited potent antioxidant capacity on both the antioxidants and enzymatic antioxidant system in H2O2-treated zebrafish to restore zebrafish to a normal state under oxidative stress. For instance, the levels of reactive oxygen species were reduced to 101.10%, 108.83%, and 109.77% of the normal levels for small, medium, and large particle-sized quercetin nanocrystals, respectively. In conclusion, quercetin nanocrystals demonstrated enhanced solubility, robust antioxidant capacity, and protective effects in zebrafish compared to coarse quercetin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions)
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18 pages, 2697 KiB  
Article
Improved Local Anesthesia at Inflamed Tissue Using the Association of Articaine and Copaiba Oil in Avocado Butter Nanostructured Lipid Carriers
by Gustavo Henrique Rodrigues da Silva, Julia Borges Paes Lemes, Gabriela Geronimo, Fabíola Vieira de Carvalho, Talita Cesarim Mendonça, Kauê Franco Malange, Fernando Freitas de Lima, Márcia Cristina Breitkreitz, Carlos Amilcar Parada, Teresa Dalla Costa and Eneida de Paula
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(4), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040546 - 05 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2239
Abstract
Unsuccessful anesthesia often occurs under an inflammatory tissue environment, making dentistry treatment extremely painful and challenging. Articaine (ATC) is a local anesthetic used at high (4%) concentrations. Since nanopharmaceutical formulations may improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, we encapsulated ATC in nanostructured [...] Read more.
Unsuccessful anesthesia often occurs under an inflammatory tissue environment, making dentistry treatment extremely painful and challenging. Articaine (ATC) is a local anesthetic used at high (4%) concentrations. Since nanopharmaceutical formulations may improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, we encapsulated ATC in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) aiming to increase the anesthetic effect on the inflamed tissue. Moreover, the lipid nanoparticles were prepared with natural lipids (copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii) oil and avocado (Persia gratissima) butter) that added functional activity to the nanosystem. NLC-CO-A particles (~217 nm) showed an amorphous lipid core structure according to DSC and XDR. In an inflammatory pain model induced by λ-carrageenan in rats, NLC-CO-A improved (30%) the anesthetic efficacy and prolonged anesthesia (3 h) in relation to free ATC. In a PGE2-induced pain model, the natural lipid formulation significantly reduced (~20%) the mechanical pain when compared to synthetic lipid NLC. Opioid receptors were involved in the detected analgesia effect since their blockage resulted in pain restoration. The pharmacokinetic evaluation of the inflamed tissue showed that NLC-CO-A decreased tissue ATC elimination rate (ke) by half and doubled ATC’s half-life. These results present NLC-CO-A as an innovative system to break the impasse of anesthesia failure in inflamed tissue by preventing ATC accelerated systemic removal by the inflammatory process and improving anesthesia by its association with copaiba oil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions)
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17 pages, 11440 KiB  
Article
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Potential Delivery Carrier: Green Synthesis by Aspergillus niger Endophytic Fungus, Characterization, and In Vitro/In Vivo Antibacterial Activity
by Dalia H. Abdelkader, Walaa A. Negm, Engy Elekhnawy, Duaa Eliwa, Basmah N. Aldosari and Alanood S. Almurshedi
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(9), 1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15091057 - 26 Aug 2022
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 2630
Abstract
We aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the endophytic fungal extract of Aspergillus niger. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized, and their in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity was investigated. Isolated endophytic fungus identification was carried out using [...] Read more.
We aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the endophytic fungal extract of Aspergillus niger. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized, and their in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity was investigated. Isolated endophytic fungus identification was carried out using 18S rRNA. A. niger endophytic fungal extract was employed for the green synthesis of ZnO NPs. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the prepared ZnO NPs was elucidated against Staphylococcus aureus using the broth microdilution method and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Additionally, the in vivo antibacterial activity was elucidated using a systemic infection model in mice. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs showed a maximum optical density at 380 nm with characteristic peaks on the Fourier-transform infrared spectrum. The X-ray diffraction pattern was highly matched with a standard platform of zinc oxide crystals. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed that the main composition of nanoparticles was zinc and oxygen atoms. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies showed spherical geometry with a smooth surface. Zeta potential measurements (26.6 ± 0.56 mV) verified the adequate stability of ZnO NPs. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of ZnO NPs against S. aureus isolates ranged from 8 to 128 µg/mL. Additionally, ZnO NPs revealed antibiofilm activity, resulting in the downregulation of the tested biofilm genes in 29.17% of S. aureus isolates. Regarding the in vivo experiment, ZnO NPs reduced congestion and fibrosis in liver and spleen tissues. They also improved liver function, increased the survival rate, and significantly decreased inflammatory markers (p < 0.05). ZnO NPs synthesized by A. niger endophytic fungus revealed a promising in vivo and in vitro antibacterial action against S. aureus isolates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions)
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Review

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33 pages, 5531 KiB  
Review
A Review on Natural Antioxidants for Their Role in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
by Pooja Mittal, Sanchit Dhankhar, Samrat Chauhan, Nitika Garg, Tanima Bhattacharya, Maksood Ali, Anis Ahmad Chaudhary, Hassan Ahmad Rudayni, Mohammed Al-Zharani, Wasim Ahmad, Salah Ud-Din Khan, Thakur Gurjeet Singh and Somdutt Mujwar
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(7), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16070908 - 21 Jun 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4084
Abstract
The neurodegenerative condition known as Parkinson’s disease (PD) is brought on by the depletion of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia, which is the brain region that controls body movement. PD occurs due to many factors, from which one of the acknowledged effects [...] Read more.
The neurodegenerative condition known as Parkinson’s disease (PD) is brought on by the depletion of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia, which is the brain region that controls body movement. PD occurs due to many factors, from which one of the acknowledged effects of oxidative stress is pathogenic pathways that play a role in the development of Parkinson’s disease. Antioxidants, including flavonoids, vitamins E and C, and polyphenolic substances, help to reduce the oxidative stress brought on by free radicals. Consequently, this lowers the risk of neurodegenerative disorders in the long term. Although there is currently no cure for neurodegenerative illnesses, these conditions can be controlled. The treatment of this disease lessens its symptoms, which helps to preserve the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, the use of naturally occurring antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which may be obtained through food or nutritional supplements and have a variety of positive effects, has emerged as an appealing alternative management strategy. This article will examine the extent of knowledge about antioxidants in the treatment of neurodegenerative illnesses, as well as future directions for research. Additionally, an evaluation of the value of antioxidants as neuroprotective agents will be provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Nanotherapeutics and Nanocarriers: Recent Progress and Future Directions)
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