Stimuli-Responsive Design of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Cancer Theranostics: Current Challenges and Future Perspective.

Scientific fraternity revealed the potential of stimuli-responsive nanotherapeutics for cancer treatment that aids in tackling the major restrictions of traditionally reported drug delivery systems. Among stimuli-responsive inorganic nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have transpired as unique porous materials displaying resilient structures and diverse applications in cancer theranostics. Mainly, it demonstrates tailorable porosity, versatile chemical configuration, tunable size and shape, and feasible surface functionalization, etc. The present review provides insights into the design of stimuli-responsive multifunctional MOFs for targeted drug delivery and bioimaging for effective cancer therapy. Initially, the concept of cancer, traditional cancer treatment, background of MOFs, and approaches for MOFs synthesis have been discussed. After this, applications of stimuli-responsive multifunctional MOFs-assisted nanostructures that include pH, light, ions, temperature, magnetic, redox, ATP, and others for targeted drug delivery and bioimaging in cancer have been thoroughly discussed. As an outcome, the designed multifunctional MOFs showed an alteration in properties due to the exogenous and endogenous stimuli that are beneficial for drug release and bioimaging. The several reported types of stimuli-responsive surface-modified MOFs revealed good biocompatibility to normal cells, promising drug loading capability, target-specific delivery of anticancer drugs into cancerous cells, etc. Despite substantial progress in this field, certain crucial issues need to be addressed to reap the clinical benefits of multifunctional MOFs. Specifically, the toxicological compatibility and biodegradability of the building blocks of MOFs demand a thorough evaluation. Moreover, the investigation of sustainable and greener synthesis methods is of the utmost importance. Also, the low flexibility, off-target accumulation, and compromised pharmacokinetic profile of stimuli-responsive MOFs have attracted keen attention. In conclusion, the surface-modified nanosized design of inorganic diverse stimuli-sensitive MOFs demonstrated great potential for targeted drug delivery and bioimaging in different kinds of cancers. In the future, the preference for stimuli-triggered MOFs will open a new frontier for cancer theranostic applications.

Development of a Novel Freeze-dried Mulberry Leaf Extract-based Transfersome Gel.

OBJECTIVES: Nowadays, antioxidants are important for health-related concerns related to acne vulgaris. Acne vulgaris is interrelated with the development of free radicals that interact with cells. Mulberry leaves contain phenolic compounds, including antioxidants such as quercetin. An antioxidant is a scavenger of free radicals. The current study addresses the development of a mulberry leaf extract-based transfersome gel containing quercetin by a thin-layer hydration method for topical antioxidant delivery. The process was optimized by encapsulating the drug in a variety of transfersome formulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Batch optimization was carried out by particle size and zeta analysis, entrapment efficiency (%), polydispersity index, in vitro drug release, and drug content analysis. RESULTS: The optimized batch MF5 provided 86.23% entrapment efficiency of quercetin in the vesicles and 95.79% drug release. It furnished a spherical shaped vesicle with an average diameter of 118.7 nm and zeta potential of -45.11 mV. The MG1 formulation provided superior antioxidant activity, drug content, and entrapment efficiency, ex vivo drug release, spreadability, homogeneity, and stability to MG2. The presence of quercetin in the extract and gel formulation was confirmed by using high performance thin layer chromatography. CONCLUSION: It is evident from this study that a mulberry leaf extract-based transfersome gel is a promising prolonged delivery system for quercetin and has reasonably good stability characteristics. This research recommends that mulberry leaf extract-based transfersome gel can potentially be used in the treatment of acne vulgaris through a transdermal drug delivery system.