Nanobubbles: A Novel Targeted Drug Delivery System

Abstract Nanobubbles are nanometer size bubbles having different constituents of varying physicochemical characteristic for the inner core and outer shell. Nanobubbles are mainly fabricated to improve the stability, bioavailability and improve the biodistribution of the delivered drug to the specific targeted site. Their small sizes bubbles allow the possibility of extravasation from blood vessels into the surrounding tissues and ultrasound-targeted site-specific release with minimal invasiveness. Nanobubbles are developing as important contrast agents for imaging and carriers for drug delivery at targeted region. Sonication is the primary method for preparation of nanobubbles followed by thin-layer evaporation, high shear emulsification, mechanical agitation and coacervation or coalescence. With exposure to ultrasound/extracorporeal shock waves, the drug is liberated from the nanobubbles into the target cells. This review paper is an effort to reveal the different formulation development techniques briefly and varying shell and core content for developing nanobubbles.

Astaxanthin inhibits hallmarks of cancer by targeting the PI3K/NF-κΒ/STAT3 signalling axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma models.

Aberrant activation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, a major driving force of diverse cellular processes has been implicated in tumour development and progression. Here, we report that astaxanthin (AXT), a potent antioxidant ketocarotenoid prevents cancer hallmarks by inhibiting PI3K/Akt and the associated downstream NF-κB and STAT-3 signalling pathways in SCC131 and SCC4 oral cancer cells as well as in the hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis model. Using small molecule inhibitors of NF-κB, STAT-3 and PI3K and by overexpression of PI3K, we provide evidence to show that AXT inhibits NF-κB and STAT-3 signalling and cancer hallmarks by restraining the kinase activity of PI3K/Akt. Additionally, AXT downregulated the noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), miR-21 and HOTAIR that influence PI3K/Akt signalling emphasising its modulatory effects on epigenetic regulation. Ethyl cellulose-based AXT nanoparticles showed greater chemotherapeutic efficacy in the hamster oral carcinogenesis model compared to native AXT. We suggest that AXT prevents cell proliferation, apoptosis evasion, invasion and angiogenesis by intercepting the crosstalk between the PI3K/Akt, NF-κB and STAT-3 signalling circuits both in vitro and in vivo. Astaxanthin that abrogates the PI3K/Akt signalling axis, a central hub that orchestrates acquisition of cancer hallmarks is a promising candidate for anticancer drug development.

Nanostructured lipid carriers: a potential drug carrier for cancer chemotherapy.

Nanotechnology having developed exponentially, the aim has been on therapeutic undertaking, particularly for cancerous disease chemotherapy. Nanostructured lipid carriers have attracted expanding scientific and commercial vigilance in the last couple of years as alternate carriers for the pharmaceutical consignment, particularly anticancer pharmaceuticals. Shortcomings often came across with anticancer mixtures, such as poor solubility, normal tissue toxicity, poor specificity and steadiness, as well as the high incidence rate of pharmaceutical resistance and the rapid degradation, need of large-scale output procedures, a fast release of the pharmaceutical from its carrier scheme, steadiness troubles, the residues of the organic solvents utilized in the output method and the toxicity from the polymer with esteem to the carrier scheme are anticipated to be overcome through use of the Nanostructured Lipid Carrier. In this review the benefits, types, drug release modulations, steadiness and output techniques of NLCs are discussed. In supplement, the function of NLC in cancer chemotherapy is presented and hotspots in research are emphasized. It is foreseen that, in the beside future, nanostructured lipid carriers will be further advanced to consign cytotoxic anticancer compounds in a more efficient, exact and protected manner.

The analytic network process for the pharmaceutical sector: Multi criteria decision making to select the suitable method for the preparation of nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents the methodology for assessing and selecting the most appropriate procedure for the preparation of nanoparticles by implementing the analytical network process. The commonly utilized nanoparticle preparation methods are Polymer Precipitation, Interfacial polymer deposition, Complex Coacervation, Cross linking, Emulsion solvent diffusion, Homogenization and Polymerization method. There are numerous parameters to be considered in groundwork of nanoparticles that departs the conclusion manufacturer in bias. One has to address a number of components in alignment to determine and choose the optimum conclusion choices, because an unsuitable conclusion could lead to the eventual merchandise having to be formulated and developed again. For this cause in this paper, we study selecting the most appropriate procedure for the preparation of nanoparticles utilizing one of the multi criteria-decision making techniques, Analytic Network Process. METHODOLOGY: The main goal was determined. The criteria and sub-criteria that affect the main goal were determined. The alternatives for the problem were determined. The interactions between criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives respect to the main goal were determined. The super matrixes according to the network were assembled and then weighted super matrix and limit super matrix were then constructed. The values of this limit matrix are the desired priorities of the elements with respect to the goal. The alterative with the highest priority was finally chosen as the best alternative. RESULTS: The emulsion solvent diffusion technique (M-5) has the highest value (0.434379) among the alternative methods that are applicable to the preparation of the nanoparticles. The second highest is Polymer Precipitation (M-1) with a value of 0.178798, and the lowest value or last choice is Cross Linking (M-4) with a value of only 0.024516. The alternative with the highest priority would achieve the goal, i.e., the best method for the preparation of the nanoparticles. CONCLUSION: The alternative M5 emulsion solvent diffusion technique, scoring 0.434379 was the one with largest main concern amidst all the other alternatives and thereby judged to be the most apt procedure for the preparation of nanoparticles.