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Special Issue "Frontiers in the Application of Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery"

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A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2023 | Viewed by 2708

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Dr. Alessandra Braga Ribeiro

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Faculty of Biotechnology, CBQF–Centre of Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry–Associate Laboratory, Catholic University of Portugal, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
Interests: polymers from natural source; synthesis and characterization of hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides; nanostructured materials based on biopolymers; extraction, purification and valorization of polysaccharides and bioactive compounds from residues and byproducts.

Prof. Dr. Hercilia Rolim

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Pharmaceutical Nanosystems Laboratory – NANOSFAR, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Piauí - UFPI, Universitaria Avenue. Ininga, Teresina 64049-550, PI, Brazil
Interests: preparation and characterization of nanostructured carriers of drugs and bioactive compounds from biopolymers and natural gums to obtain nanocarriers for antimicrobial use, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neglected diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, skin diseases and others

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomaterials can be obtained naturally, synthesized from a variety of processes or produced for a specific purpose using nanotechnology and vary in size, shape, surface and chemical composition. Nanomaterials can compose nanocapsules, nanoespheres, nanotubes, among other nanostructures, are able to move easily throughout tissues and cells due to their small size, and it can be considered as an emerging and promising drug delivery system. Nanomaterials can be designed and tuned to have special physicochemical and biological properties, aiming to interact with specific tissues, pH, temperature, and additionally, providing controlled release of the drug or bioactive compound. Besides, this type of drug delivery system can reduce significantly the toxicity and the side effects of the drug, increasing the interest for innovative nanodrugs. However, despite the great future of nanomaterials in this field, there are many challenges to overcome and opportunities that it is urgent to discuss. Aiming to provide high quality knowledge on the actual scenario, the perspectives, trends, and legislation of nanomaterials designed for drug delivery, in this Special Issue the editors welcome top researchers to contribute in the form of mini reviews and reviews, short communications, opinion articles and research articles.

Dr. Alessandra Braga Ribeiro
Prof. Dr. Hercilia Rolim
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

green nanoparticle
nanodrugs
nanoparticles
nanoestructures
drug targeting
natural products
polymer
biopolymer

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Design of Innovative Biocompatible Cellulose Nanostructures for the Delivery and Sustained Release of Curcumin

Francisca Casanova

Carla F. Pereira

Alessandra B. Ribeiro

and

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 981; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030981 - 18 Mar 2023

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Abstract

Poor aqueous solubility, stability and bioavailability of interesting bioactive compounds is a challenge in the development of bioactive formulations. Cellulose nanostructures are promising and sustainable carriers with unique features that may be used in enabling delivery strategies. In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofibers were investigated as carriers for the delivery of curcumin, a model liposoluble compound. Nanocellulose modification with the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), tannic acid and decylamine (TADA), and by TEMPO-mediated oxidation were also tested and compared. The carrier materials were characterized in terms of structural properties and surface charge, while the delivery systems were evaluated for their encapsulation and release properties. The release profile was assessed in conditions that mimic the gastric and intestinal fluids, and cytotoxicity studies were performed in intestinal cells to confirm safe application. Modification with CTAB and TADA resulted in high curcumin encapsulation efficiencies of 90 and 99%, respectively. While no curcumin was released from TADA-modified nanocellulose in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, CNC-CTAB allowed for a curcumin-sustained release of ca. 50% over 8 h. Furthermore, the CNC-CTAB delivery system showed no cytotoxic effects on Caco-2 intestinal cells up to 0.125 g/L, meaning that up to this concentration the system is safe to use. Overall, the use of the delivery systems allowed for the reduction in the cytotoxicity associated with higher curcumin concentrations, highlighting the potential of nanocellulose encapsulation systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in the Application of Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery)

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Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Hierarchical Zeolites Modified with Polysaccharides and Its Potential Role as a Platform for Drug Delivery

and

Agnieszka Feliczak-Guzik

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(2), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020535 - 05 Feb 2023

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Abstract

Hierarchical zeolites are aluminosilicates with a crystal structure, which next to the micropores possess secondary porosity in the range of mesopores and/or small macropores. Due to their ordered structure and additional secondary porosity, they have aroused great interest among scientists in recent years. Therefore, the present work concerns the synthesis and characterization of hierarchical zeolites with secondary mesoporosity, based on commercial zeolites such as MFI (ZSM-5), BEA (β) and FAU (Y), and modified with polysaccharides such as inulin, hyaluronic acid, and heparin. All materials were characterized by various analytical techniques and applied as a platform for delivery of selected drug molecules. On the basis of X-ray diffraction (presence of reflections in the 2θ angle range of 1.5–2.5°) and low-temperature nitrogen sorption isotherms (mixture of isotherms of I and IV type) additional secondary porosity was found in the mesopore range. Additional tests were also conducted to determine the possibility of loading selected molecules with biological activity into the aforementioned materials and then releasing them in the therapeutic process. Molecules with different therapeutic options were selected for testing, namely ibuprofen, curcumin, and ferulic acid with anti-inflammatory, potentially anticancer, antioxidant, and skin discoloration activities, respectively. Preliminary studies have confirmed the possibility of using hierarchical zeolites as potential carriers for bioactive molecules, as the loading percentage of active substances ranged from 39–79% and cumulative release for ibuprofen reached almost 100% after 8 h of testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in the Application of Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery)

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Open AccessArticle

Direct Cytosolic Delivery of Citraconylated Proteins

and

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(1), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010218 - 08 Jan 2023

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Abstract

Current intracellular protein delivery strategies face the challenge of endosomal entrapment and consequent degradation of protein cargo. Methods to efficiently deliver proteins directly to the cytosol have the potential to overcome this hurdle. Here, we report the use of a straightforward approach of protein modification using citraconic anhydride to impart an overall negative charge on the proteins, enabling them to assemble with positively charged nano vectors. This strategy uses anhydride-modified proteins to electrostatically form polymer–protein nanocomposites with a cationic guanidinium-functionalized polymer. These supramolecular self-assemblies demonstrated the efficient cytosolic delivery of modified proteins through a membrane fusion-like mechanism. This approach was validated on five cell lines and seven proteins as cargo. Retention of protein function was confirmed through efficient cell killing via the intracellular enzymatic activity of RNase A. This platform provides a versatile, straightforward, and single-step method of protein modification and efficient direct cytosolic protein delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in the Application of Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery)

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Open AccessArticle

Nanoparticles Obtained from Zein for Encapsulation of Mesalazine

Izabela Borges C. Lima

Lina Clara G. A. I. Moreno

Ana Victória Peres

Ana Cristina Gramoza Santana

and

Lívio César Cunha Nunes

Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(12), 2830; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14122830 - 16 Dec 2022

Viewed by 509

Abstract

We encapsulated MSZ in zein nanoparticles (NP-ZN) using a desolvation method followed by drying in a mini spray dryer. These nanoparticles exhibited a size of 266.6 ± 52 nm, IPD of 0.14 ± 1.1 and zeta potential of −36.4 ± 1.5 mV, suggesting colloidal stability. Quantification using HPLC showed a drug-loaded of 43.8 µg/mg. SEM demonstrated a spherical morphology with a size variation from 220 to 400 nm. A FTIR analysis did not show drug spectra in the NPs in relation to the physical mixture, which suggests drug encapsulation without changing its chemical structure. A TGA analysis showed thermal stability up to 300 °C. In vitro release studies demonstrated gastroresistance and a sustained drug release at pH 7.4 (97.67 ± 0.32%) in 120 h. The kinetic model used for the release of MSZ from the NP-ZN in a pH 1.2 medium was the Fickian diffusion, in a pH 6.8 medium it was the Peppas–Sahlin model with the polymeric relaxation mechanism and in a pH 7.4 medium it was the Korsmeyer–Peppas model with the Fickian release mechanism, or “Case I”. An in vitro cytotoxicity study in the CT26.WT cell line showed no basal cytotoxicity up to 500 μg/mL. The NP-ZN showed to be a promising vector for the sustained release of MSZ in the colon by oral route. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in the Application of Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery)

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Special Issue "Frontiers in the Application of Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery"

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