Evolving Advances in the Applications of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) for Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition causing joint pain and inflammation that has now spurred the interest in nanotechnology-based drug delivery for more effective treatment, and in this regard, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are being explored for their potential to deliver the drugs steadily to manage the RA. Many investigators have been investigating both single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as well as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) for managing arthritis via targeted drug delivery. Moreover, functionalized CNTs show promise in delivering the drugs precisely and in a controlled manner, thereby minimizing toxicity. However, research on applications of CNTs as drug carriers for RA remains limited, thus necessitating further exploration to address the various challenges. In this present piece of writing, challenges in RA treatment and the advances in applications of CNTs for RA management are reported, consequently reflecting the CNTs as advanced drug delivery vehicles for arthritis treatment.

Carbon Nanotubes: Current Perspectives on Diverse Applications in Targeted Drug Delivery and Therapies.

Current discoveries as well as research findings on various types of carbon nanostructures have inspired research into their utilization in a number of fields. These carbon nanostructures offer uses in pharmacy, medicine and different therapies. One such unique carbon nanostructure includes carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are one-dimensional allotropes of carbon nanostructure that can have a length-to-diameter ratio greater than 1,000,000. After their discovery, CNTs have drawn extensive research attention due to their excellent material properties. Their physical, chemical and electronic properties are excellent and their composites provide great possibilities for enormous nanometer applications. The current study provides a systematic review based on prior literature review and data gathered from various sources. The various research studies from many research labs and organizations were systematically retrieved, collected, compiled and written. The entire collection and compilation of this review concluded the use of CNT approaches and their efficacy and safety for the treatment of various diseases such as brain tumors or cancer via nanotechnology-based drug delivery, phototherapy, gene therapy, antiviral therapy, antifungal therapy, antibacterial therapy and other biomedical applications. The current review covers diverse applications of CNTs in designing a range of targeted drug delivery systems and application for various therapies. It concludes with a discussion on how CNTs based medicines can expand in the future.

Ghatti gum-base graft copolymer: a plausible platform for pH-controlled delivery of antidiabetic drugs.

In the present study, we aimed to develop a novel pH-sensitive polymeric delivery system (GG-g-PMMA) for antidiabetic therapy via grafting ghatti gum (GG) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) chains. The free radical polymerization technique was adopted to graft ghatti gum with methyl methacrylate, using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as a redox initiator. The impact on grafting parameters such as grafting percentage (G%) and grafting efficiency (GE), of monomer and initiator concentrations was evaluated. The batch with higher grafting efficiency and percentage grafting was selected and characterized by elemental analysis (C, H and N), DSC, FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD, 1H-NMR and SEM morphology study. In addition, the efficacy of GG-g-PMMA-based pellets loaded with the hypoglycemic agent, metformin hydrochloride, to sustain drug release was investigated. In vitro release studies demonstrated a pH-dependent sustained release of the drug from GG-g-PMMA pellets. In addition, acute oral toxicity studies and histopathological analysis suggested the safety and biocompatibility of the grafted gum. Most importantly, in vivo efficacy studies underscored the efficient hypoglycemic potential of the prepared formulation, which was comparable to that of a sustained release marketed formulation. These results suggest that the developed pH-sensitive polymeric delivery system (GG-g-PMMA) might represent a promising delivery vehicle for facilitated antidiabetic therapy.

Design and development of polymethylmethacrylate-grafted gellan gum (PMMA-g-GG)-based pH-sensitive novel drug delivery system for antidiabetic therapy.

The objective of the present study was to develop a pH-sensitive drug delivery system by using polymethylmethacrylate-grafted gellan gum (PMMA-g-GG). PMMA-g-GG was synthesized by free radical polymerization reaction by using redox initiator ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN), and a series of graft copolymers were prepared with varying concentrations of methylmethacrylate (MMA) and CAN. Grafting parameters such as the percentage and efficiency of grafting were calculated, and the effect of monomer as well as initiator concentration was studied on the grafting yield. Optimization was done by one optimal response surface methodology. The batch with a better percentage grafting and grafting efficiency was selected and characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), FT-IR, DSC, PXRD, 1H-NMR, and SEM. Furthermore, acute oral toxicity study and histopathological analysis suggested non-toxic and biocompatible nature of the grafted gum. Metformin hydrochloride pellets were prepared using PMMA-g-GG, characterized in detail, and assessed for biocompatibility and efficacy. PMMA-g-GG-based formulation (M4) exhibited a pH-sensitive as well as sustained release of the drug over the period of 12 h and the release profile followed Peppas model. In vivo efficacy studies indicated a promising antidiabetic potential of the prepared formulation. Thus, PMMA-g-GG-based formulations can be implicated as novel drug delivery systems for facilitated antidiabetic therapy in the near future. Graphical abstract.

Nanosponge Carriers- An Archetype Swing in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review.

Nanotechnology and nanomedicines are emerging research meadows; which chiefly focuses on creating and manipulating materials at a nanometer level for the betterment in imaging, diagnosis and treatment of a range of diseases together with cancer. Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges, anticipated as a new-fangled nanosized delivery system, are ground-breaking hyper-crosslinked cyclodextrin polymers nanostructured within a three-dimensional network. Nanosponges based systems hold the potential of elevating the solubility, absorption, penetration, bioavailability, in vivo stability, targeted as well as sustained delivery, and therapeutic efficiency of numerous anticancer agents. The extension of nanosponges based drug delivery systems is an exhilarating and demanding research pasture, predominantly to overcome aforementioned problems allied to existing anticancer formulations and for the further progressions in cancer therapies. Nanosponges in cancer therapy, particularly cyclodextrin based nanosponges are brought up in this review. By quoting diverse attempts made in pertinent direction, efforts have been made to exemplify the characteristics, suitability and versatility of cyclodextrin based nanosponges for their promising applications in cancer treatment.

Recent Advances in Nanosystems and Strategies for Managing Leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic infection such as leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, presents a significant global burden which is responsible for high mortality rate especially in less developed countries. Its intracellular nature and disseminated locations of parasite, limited number of chemotherapeutic agents, increasing incidences of resistance to first line drugs and toxicities, pose a great challenge to formulation scientists that have necessitated effective management of leishmanial infection by modulating the delivery of existing drugs. Over the past decade, research on development of alternative treatments such as nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (nanoparticles, nanosuspensions, liposomes etc.), use of natural products as well as development of antileishmanial vaccine has been extensively investigated. OBJECTIVE: The present review focuses on different facets of therapeutic strategies, existing miscellaneous drug delivery systems and approaches intended for management, as well as treatment of the infection, with an objective to summarize the current trends and strategies adopted for antileishmanial therapy in a systematic manner. Moreover, the article encloses an eclectic collection of patents allied to new-fangled chemotherapeutics for antileishmanial therapy. CONCLUSION: The reported miscellaneous novel drug delivery systems along with the diverse approaches are seem to be precise, secure and relatively effective; and in an outcome, could lead to the new track for management of leishmaniasis.

Current Perspectives on Novel Drug Delivery Systems and Therapies for Management of Prostate Cancer: An Inclusive Review.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) is a prostate gland cells carcinoma, the foremost reason of cancer deaths in men in developed countries, representing most common malignancy in adult males. The key obstacle to achieve practicable therapeutic effect of active drugs and capable hopeful agents including proteins and peptides, and nucleic acid for prostate cancer is the scarcity of targeted drug delivery to cells of prostate cancer. As a result, need for novel systems, strategies or therapeutic approaches to enhance the assortment of active agents meant for prostate cancer becomes an important criterion. Currently cancer research focuses on improving treatment of prostate cancer using various novel drug delivery systems of chemotherapeutic agents. These novel drug delivery systems comprise nanoparticles and liposomes. Also, strategies or therapeutic approaches intended for the prostate cancer include radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer, hormonal therapy for suppressing tumor growth, and gene-and-immunologic therapy. These systems and approaches can deliver the drugs to their selected or targeted cancer cells for the drug release in cancer atmosphere of prostate thereby enhancing the effectiveness of tumor penetration. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to collect and report the recent research findings to manage the PC. Present review encloses existing diverse novel drug delivery systems and approaches intended for the management of PC. CONCLUSION: The reported miscellaneous novel drug delivery systems along with the diverse therapies are seem to be precise, secure and relatively effective; and in consequence could lead to a new track for obliteration of prostate cancer.

Fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of microsponge delivery system for facilitated fungal therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The rationale behind present research vocation was to develop and investigate a novel microsponge based gel as a topical carrier for the prolonged release and cutaneous drug deposition of fluconazole (FLZ); destined for facilitated fungal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microsponges were prepared using quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit S-100. In the direction of optimization, the effect of formulation variables (drug-polymer ratio and amount of emulsifier) and diverse factors affecting physical characteristics of microsponge were investigated as well. Fabricated microsponges were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform-infrared, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis, and also evaluated for drug content, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and in vitro antifungal activity. RESULTS: Compatibility studies results reflected no sign of any chemical interaction between the drug and polymers used. Whereas, varied drug-polymer ratios and emulsifier concentration indicated significant effect on production yield, drug content, encapsulation efficiency, particle size and drug release. Spherical microsponges with a porous surface and 29.327 ± 0.31 µm mean particle size were evident from SEM micrographs. In vitro release outcomes, from microsponge loaded gels depicted that F1 formulation was more efficient to give extended drug release of 85.38% at the end of 8 h, while conventional formulation by releasing 83.17% of drug got exhausted incredibly earlier at the end of 4 h merely. Moreover, microsponge gels demonstrated substantial spreadability and extrudability along with promising antifungal activity. CONCLUSIONS: Fabricated microsponges would be impending pharmaceutical topical carriers of FLZ and a leading alternative to conventional therapy for efficient, safe and facilitated eradication of fungal infections.

Current Perspectives on Novel Drug Delivery Systems and Approaches for Management of Cervical Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.

Cervical cancer is uterine cervix carcinoma, the second deadly cancer and has a high incidence and mortality rate. In the developing world conventional treatment strategies such as surgical intervention and chemoradiotherapy are less widely available. Currently cancer research focuses on improving treatment of cervical cancer using various therapies such as gene therapy, recombinant protein therapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy and delivery of chemotherapeutic agents using nanoparticles, hydrogel and liposomal based delivery systems and also localized delivery systems which exist in a variety of forms such as intravaginal rings, intravaginal patches, intravaginal films, etc. in order to improve the drug delivery in a controlled manner to the diseased site thereby reducing systemic side effects. The present review encloses existing diverse delivery systems and approaches intended for treatment of cervical cancer.

Microsponges based novel drug delivery system for augmented arthritis therapy.

The motive behind present work was to formulate and evaluate gel containing microsponges of diclofenac diethylamine to provide prolonged release for proficient arthritis therapy. Quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method was implied using Eudragit RS-100 and microsponges with varied drug-polymer ratios were prepared. For the sake of optimization, diverse factors affecting microparticles physical properties were too investigated. Microsponges were characterized by SEM, DSC, FT-IR, XRPD and particle size analysis, and evaluated for morphology, drug loading, in vitro drug release and ex vivo diffusion as well. There were no chemical interactions between drug and polymers used as revealed by compatibility studies outcomes. The drug polymer ratio reflected notable effect on drug content, encapsulation efficiency and particle size. SEM results revealed spherical microsponges with porous surface, and had 7.21 µm mean particle size. The microsponges were then incorporated in gel; which exhibited viscous modulus along with pseudoplastic behavior. In vitro drug release results depicted that microsponges with 1:2 drug-polymer ratio were more efficient to give extended drug release of 75.88% at the end of 8 h; while conventional formulation get exhausted incredibly earlier by releasing 81.11% drug at the end of 4 h only. Thus the formulated microsponge-based gel of diclofenac diethylamine would be a promising alternative to conventional therapy for safer and efficient treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders.

Novel Cream Containing Microsponges of Anti-Acne Agent: Formulation Development and Evaluation.

The rationale behind present work was to formulate a novel cream containing microsponges of miconazole nitrate to provide prolonged release. By means of quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit RS-100 with different drug-polymer ratios microsponges were prepared. In the direction of optimizing microsponge formulation, diverse factors that affect microparticles physical properties were also investigated. Microsponges were characterized by SEM, DSC, FT-IR and particle size analysis, and also evaluated for morphology, drug loading and in vitro drug release. The drug polymer ratio reflected notable effect on drug content, encapsulation efficiency and particle size. It has been found that there was no chemical interaction between drug and polymers used as revealed by FT-IR and DSC spectra. SEM micrographs exposed that microsponges were spherical, with porous surface and have had 26.23 µm mean particle size. The microsponges were then incorporated in cream; which showed viscous modulus along with pseudoplastic behavior. In vitro drug release results depicted that microsponge with drug-polymer ratio of 1:2 was more efficient to give extended drug release of 78.28% at the end of 8 h; while conventional formulations get exhausted incredibly earlier by releasing 83.09% drug at the end of 4 h only. Thus the formulated cream containing microsponges of miconazole nitrate would be a promising alternative as compared to conventional therapy for secure and efficient treatment of acne and other topical infections.