An Update on Emergent Nano-Therapeutic Strategies against Pediatric Brain Tumors.

Pediatric brain tumors are the major cause of pediatric cancer mortality. They comprise a diverse group of tumors with different developmental origins, genetic profiles, therapeutic options, and outcomes. Despite many technological advancements, the treatment of pediatric brain cancers has remained a challenge. Treatment options for pediatric brain cancers have been ineffective due to non-specificity, inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, and causing off-target side effects. In recent years, nanotechnological advancements in the medical field have proven to be effective in curing challenging cancers like brain tumors. Moreover, nanoparticles have emerged successfully, particularly in carrying larger payloads, as well as their stability, safety, and efficacy monitoring. In the present review, we will emphasize pediatric brain cancers, barriers to treating these cancers, and novel treatment options.

Oral insulin delivery: Barriers, strategies, and formulation approaches: A comprehensive review.

Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by a hyperglycemic condition which can either be caused by the destruction of the beta cells or by the resistance developed against insulin in the cells. Insulin is a peptide hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus needs the use of Insulin for efficient management. However invasive methods of administration may lead to reduced adherence by the patients. Hence there is a need for a non-invasive method of administration. Oral Insulin has several merits over the conventional method including patient compliance, and reduced cost, and it also mimics endogenous insulin and hence reaches the liver by the portal vein at a higher concentration and thereby showing improved efficiency. However oral Insulin must pass through several barriers in the gastrointestinal tract. Some strategies that could be utilized to bypass these barriers include the use of permeation enhancers, absorption enhancers, use of suitable polymers, use of suitable carriers, and other agents. Several formulation types have been explored for the oral delivery of Insulin like hydrogels, capsules, tablets, and patches which have been described briefly by the article. A lot of attempts have been made for developing oral insulin delivery however none of them have been commercialized due to numerous shortcomings. Currently, there are several formulations from the companies that are still in the clinical phase, the success or failure of some is yet to be seen in the future.

Bioinspired and biomimetic micro- and nanostructures in biomedicine.

Bioinspired and biomimetic micro- and nanostructures have a high significance in the field of biomedicine. In this review, the possible applications of these micro- and nanostructures that come across in our daily life and inspired by nature itself are presented. Also, the biomimetic and bioinspired systems related to micro- and nanostructures in biomedicine are also described. The role of bioinspired and biomimetic micro- and nanostructures in therapeutics, especially in anti-inflammatory and wound healing, development of bioinspired medical devices, tissue engineering, drug delivery, gene delivery, pressure sensors, and bioprinting are discussed. The biomimetic and bioinspired systems using carbon-based nanostructures, polymer nanocomposites, hybrid scaffolds, polymer networks,and protein nanostructures are also reviewed. The advantage of these bioinspired and biomimetic structures is derived from their high biocompatibility when compared to the synthetically derived micro-/nanostructures. By developing deeper knowledge and overcoming the associated challenges, these micro- and nanostructures present a promising solution for many unresolved problems in biomedicine.

Recent advances, novel targets and treatments for cholelithiasis; a narrative review.

Cholelithiasis is a common and frequent condition all over the world with a high prevalence rate in western countries. Individuals with cholesterol gallstone disease experience intense gastrointestinal symptoms and have a high risk of developing comorbidities like cholecystitis, Gall bladder (GB) cancer and pancreatitis. Multiple risk factors associated with cholesterol gallstones include but not limited to genetics, dietary habits, lifestyle changes, comorbid conditions and various drugs. These factors may lead to alteration in bile, cholesterol & phospholipids homeostasis in the GB, intestine and hepatocytes culminating in cholesterol gallstones formation. Surgical (cholecystectomy) and non-surgical (oral dissolution therapy) treatments are available for the disease, albeit with certain complications and high treatment cost. Thus, there is a need for interventions, complementary or alternative therapies for the treatment and prevention of cholesterol gallstones. Currently available drug therapies used for cholesterol gallstones include statins and ezetimibe. Many patients consider traditional herbal practitioners due to their promise of non-invasive and pain free management of gall stones. This present a positive shift towards generally acceptable safety and cost effectiveness of herbal treatment warranting extensive research for alternative or complementary choice such as herbal plants as an emerging area for their potential therapeutic effects. This review discusses current strategies, latest trends available in the disease pathogenesis, drug development for novel targets, risk management, newer anti-lithogenic drugs and herbal plants that target the different aspects of the disease.

Enhanced Cytotoxic Activity of Docetaxel-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles against Breast Cancer Cells.

Despite decades of research, breast cancer therapy remains a great challenge. Docetaxel is an antimicrotubule agent that is effectively used for the treatment of breast cancer. However, its clinical use is significantly hampered by its low water solubility and systemic toxicity. The current study was designed to prepare docetaxel (DXL)-loaded silk-fibroin-based nanoparticles (SF-NPs) and to screen their potential antitumor activity against breast cancer cell lines. DXL-loaded SF-NPs were prepared using a nanoprecipitation technique and were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro release profile. In addition, DXL-loaded SF-NPs were screened for in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and apoptotic potential against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. The prepared DXL-loaded SF-NPs were 178 to 198 nm in diameter with a net negative surface charge and entrapment efficiency ranging from 56% to 72%. In vitro release studies exhibited a biphasic release profile of DXL from SF-NPs with sustained drug release for 72 h. In vitro cell studies revealed that entrapment of DXL within SF-NPs significantly improved cytotoxic potential against breast cancer cell lines, compared to the free drug, and enhanced cellular uptake of DXL by breast cancer cells. Furthermore, the accumulation in the G2/M phase was significantly higher in cells treated with DXL-loaded SF-NPs than in cells treated with free DXL. Collectively, the superior antitumor activities of DXL-loaded SF-NPs against breast cancer cells, compared to free DXL, could be ascribed to improved apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Our results highlighted the feasibility of using silk fibroin nanoparticles as a nontoxic biocompatible delivery vehicle for enhanced therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer.

Graphene nanoribbon: An emerging and efficient flat molecular platform for advanced biosensing.

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are lengthened one-dimensional monolayer strips of graphene and have a hexagonal honeycomb lattice structure. The captivating properties like electrical conductivity, emerging band gap, optical property, thermal conductivity, high mechanical strength, and ultrahigh surface area make them a better candidate for biomedical applications. The properties can be significantly reformed and controlled by altering the edge functionalities and geometry. The exhibition of a wide potential window coupled with an ultra-high surface area to host sensing element makes GNR an excellent biosensing platform. Consequently, biosensing is one of the most explored applications of GNR. This review presents an overview of the characteristics, methods of synthesis, and biosensing applications of GNR. Overall, GNR is considered a promising platform for efficient signal transduction compared to conventional biosensing platforms. Further, it offers high electrical conductivity, large surface area, high adsorption, synergistic effects with combined materials, fast response, sensitivity, and selectivity.

Advanced drug delivery applications of layered double hydroxide.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as anionic clays or hydrotalcite-like compounds, are a class of nanomaterials that attained great attention as a carrier for drug delivery applications. The lamellar structure of this compound exhibits a high surface-to-volume ratio which enables the intercalation of therapeutic agents and releases them at the target site, thereby reducing the adverse effect. Moreover, the intercalated drug can be released in a sustained manner, and hence the frequency of drug administration can be decreased. The co-precipitation, ion exchange, manual grinding, and sol-gel methods are the most employed for their synthesis. The unique properties like the ease of synthesis, low cost, high biocompatibility, and low toxicity render them suitable for biomedical applications. This review presents the advances in the structure, properties, method of preparation, types, functionalization, and drug delivery applications of LDH. Also, this review provides various new conceptual insights that can form the basis for new research questions related to the drug delivery applications of LDH.

Silk fibroin as a natural polymeric based bio-material for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems-A review.

The silk fibroin (SF) prepared by Bombyx mori silkworms is one of the mainly abundant natural fiber and can be obtained simply and economically. SF as bio-material has superior bio-compatibility and bio-degradability. The current review provides an inclusive outline of up to date and novel developments on SF as bio-material based applications in tissue engineering and various drug delivery. SF as bio-materials was comprehensively reviewed, demonstrating the characteristics and applications of SF bio-materials in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. Convenient regeneration, superb bio-compatibility, significant mechanical properties and versatile bio-degradability of SF has been investigated for the preparation of a range of articles such as films, spongy matrices, hydrogels, etc., and has been examined for use in a choice of tissue engineering utilization. Also, SF nanoparticles have been effectively designed and are competent to manage the release rate of biomolecules in a continuous approach with high stability. Therefore, the present review comprehensively covered the advancement made on SF based drug delivery, in vitro engineering and rejuvenation determines possibilities for additional progress in these areas.

Carbon nanostructures: The drug and the delivery system for brain disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders and brain tumors are major pathological conditions affecting the brain. The delivery of therapeutic agents into the brain is not as easy as to other organs or systems. The presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes the drug delivery into the brain more complicated and challenging. Many techniques have been developed to overcome the difficulties with BBB and to achieve brain-targeted drug delivery. Incorporation of the drugs into nanocarriers capable to penetrate BBB is a simple technique. Different nanocarriers have been developed including polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles, etc. Carbon nanostructures could make a superior position among them, because of their good biocompatibility and easy penetration of BBB. Carbon-family nanomaterials consist of different carbon-based structures including zero-dimensional fullerene, one-dimensional carbon nanotube, two-dimensional graphene, and some other related structures like carbon dots and nanodiamonds. They can be used as efficient carriers for drug delivery into the brain. Apart from the drug delivery applications, they can also be used as a central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic agent; some of the carbon nanostructures have neuroregenerative activity. Their influence on neuronal growth and anti-amyloid action is also interesting. This review focuses on different carbon nanostructures for brain-targeted drug delivery and their CNS activities. As a carrier and CNS therapeutic agent, carbon nanostructures can revolutionize the treatment of brain disorders.

Surfactant-based prophylaxis and therapy against COVID-19: A possibility.

Hand hygiene by washing with soap and water is recommended for the prevention of COVID-19 spread. Soaps and detergents are explained to act by damaging viral spike glycoproteins (peplomers) or by washing out the virus through entrapment in the micelles. Technically, soaps come under a functional category of molecules known as surfactants. Surfactants are widely used in pharmaceutical formulations as excipients. We wonder why surfactants are still not tried for prophylaxis or therapy against COVID-19? That too when many of them have proven antiviral properties. Moreover, lung surfactants have already shown benefits in respiratory viral infections. Therefore, we postulate that surfactant-based prophylaxis and therapy would be promising. We believe that our hypothesis would stimulate debate or new research exploring the possibility of surfactant-based prophylaxis and therapy against COVID-19. The success of a surfactant-based technique would save the world from any such pandemic in the future too.

Graphene nanoribbons: A promising nanomaterial for biomedical applications.

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are narrow lengthened strips of single-layer graphene. Among the graphene family of nanomaterials, GNRs are remarkable materials due to their attractive physical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. They have an ultra-high surface area. Graphene-oxide nanoribbons (GONRs), the oxygenated derivative of GNRs, offer more possibilities in the biomedicine due to their amphiphilic nature. Noncovalent and covalent modifications of these are possible for advanced biomedical applications. This review describes the properties, synthesis, surface modifications, and toxicities of GNRs, along with their biomedical applications. Their applications in drug delivery, anticancer therapy, sensing, antimicrobial therapy, imaging, gene therapy, photothermal therapy, management of spinal cord injury, bone regeneration, etc. are reviewed.

Development of Valsartan Floating Matrix Tablets Using Low Density Polypropylene Foam Powder: In vitro and In vivo Evaluation.

The main purpose of the study was to develop valsartan floating tablets (VFT) via non-effervescent technique using low density polypropylene foam powder, carbopol, and xanthan gum by direct compression. Before compression, the particulate powdered mixture was evaluated for pre-compression parameters. The prepared valsartan tablets were evaluated for post-compression parameters, swelling index, floating lag time, in vitro buoyancy studies, and in vitro and in vivo X-ray imaging studies in albino rabbits. The result of all formulations for pre- and post-compression parameters were within the limits of USP. FTIR and DSC studies revealed no interaction between the drug and polymers used. The prepared floating tablets had good swelling and floating capabilities for more than 12 h with zero floating lag time. The release of valsartan from optimized formulation NF-2 showed sustained release up to 12 h; which was found to be non-Fickian release. Moreover, the X-ray imaging of optimized formulation (NF-2) revealed that tablet was constantly floating in the stomach region of the rabbit, thereby indicating improved gastric retention time for more than 12 h. Consequently, all the findings and outcomes have showed that developed valsartan matrix tablets could be effectively used for floating drug delivery system.

Phytosome complexed with chitosan for gingerol delivery in the treatment of respiratory infection: In vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Respiratory infection is a viral spreading disease and a common issue, particularly in kids. The treatments are available but have so many limitations because the drawback of this disease is more morbidity and mortality in the severely immune compromised. Even, the phyto-constituent antibacterial drug Gingerol was selected to treat respiratory infection but it exhibits low bioavailability profile, less aqueous-solubility issue and most important is rapidly eliminated from the body. To overcome these problems, novel drug delivery (nanoparticle) based phytosome complexed with chitosan approach was implemented. In this research work, the phytosome (GP) was prepared by blending of gingerol with soya lecithin in organic solvent using anti-solvent precipitation technique and it was further loaded in the aqueous solution of chitosan to formulate the phytosome complexed with chitosan (GLPC). To optimize the formulations of gingerol, it was characterized for percentage yield, percentage entrapment efficiency, drug loading and particle size, physical compatibility studies etc. which demonstrated the confirmation of complex of GLPC with soya lecithin and chitosan. The % entrapment efficiency and % drug loading of GLPC was found (86.02 ±â€¯0.18%, 08.26 ±â€¯0.72%) and of GP (84.36 ±â€¯0.42%, 08.05 ±â€¯0.03%), respectively. The average particle size and zeta potential of GLPC and GP were 254.01 ±â€¯0.05 nm (-13.11 mV), and 431.21 ±â€¯0.90 nm (-17.53 mV), respectively which confirm the inhibition of particle aggregation by using chitosan in complex. The in vitro release rate of GP (86.03 ±â€¯0.06%) was slower than GLPC (88.93 ±â€¯0.33%) in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer up to 24 h by diffusion process (Korsmeyer Peppas model). The optimized GLPC and GP were shown irregular particle shapes & spherical and oval structures with smooth surface by SEM analysis. Furthermore, GLPC has shown the potent in vitro antioxidant activity, susceptible antibacterial activity and effective anti-inflammatory activity as compared to GP against stress, microbial infection and inflammation which were causable reason for the respiratory infections. GLPC has improved the significant bioavailability and also correlated the hematological values on rabbit blood against the incubation of microorganisms. Thus, the prepared nanoparticle based approach to deliver the gingerol, has the combined effect of chitosan and phytosome which shown better sustained-release profile and also prolonging the oral absorption rate of gingerol with effective antibacterial activity to treat respiratory infection.

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.

Formulation and evaluation of non-effervescent floating tablets of losartan potassium.

The aim of the work is to modify the solubility and bioavailability of Losartan potassium, by employing noneffervescent floating drug delivery (tablet dosage forms). Non-effervescent systems are a type of floating drug delivery systems, that have been used to boost the gastric residence and the floatation time in the gastro intestinal tract. The study included formulation of floating tablets using polymers like Chitosan and Karaya gum as matrix forming agents. Accurel(®) MP 1000 was used as floating agent. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique. FTIR, DSC studies conformed that there was no incompatibility between the polymer and the drug. Tablet preformulation parameters were within the Pharmacopoeial limit. Tablet showed zero lag time, contisnuance of buoyancy for >12 h. The tablet showed good in vitro release. Drug release was through swelling and abided by the gellation mechanism. In vivo X-ray studies depicted that tablets continued to float in the GIT for 12 h. Accelerated stability showed that, tablets were stable for over 6 month. Thus the prepared non-effervescent floating tablet of Losartan potassium can be used for the treatment of hypertension for more than 12 h with single dose administration.

Current trends in microsponge drug delivery system.

Microsponge is a microscopic sphere capable of absorbing skin secretions, therefore reducing the oiliness of the skin. Microsponge having particle size of 10-25 microns in diameter, have wide range of entrapment of various ingredients in a single microsponges system and release them at desired rates. Conventional topical preparations have various disadvantages due to irritancy, odour, greasiness and patient compliance. In many topical dosage forms fail to reach the systemic circulation in sufficient amounts in few cases. These problems overcome by the usage of formulation as microsponge in the areas of research. Drug release in microsponge is done by the external stimuli like pH, temperature and rubbing. It has several advantageous over the other topical preparations in being non-allergenic, non-toxic, non-irritant and non- mutagenic. These microsponges are used in the sun screens, creams, ointments, over-the-counter skin care preparations, recently nanosponge were reported in literature used in delivery of drug by the use of cyclodextrins to enhance the solubility of poorly water soluble drugs, which are meant for topical application.