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Nanoparticles represent an innovative class of drug delivery systems that have gained increasing interest in nanotechnology applied to medicine. This study focused on the development of two Polyglycerol/PolyCaprolactone Nanocopolymers to be able to carry pharmaceuticals. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR, NMR, TG, DSC, MALDI, SEM, and DLS techniques. Two monomer initiators (glycerol and 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane) have been used, and the polymerization was obtained by anionic ring-opening polymerization of the glycerol carbonate, with CO2 liberation leading to a branched polyether. The hyperbranched polymer was employed as a macroinitiator to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone, resulting in the multiarm star copolymers. The structures for the nanocopolymers were proposed based on nuclear magnetic resonance results. Hemolytic studies revealed that the copolymers do not have hemolytic activity. The copolymers were tested for safety against human cells and toxicity in cancer cells. The tests indicated that they are safe for in vivo applications and do not have anti-cancer efficiency, corroborating their purpose as a polymeric support for drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a spray drying method was developed to produce drug/polymer (simvastatin/polycaprolactone) microparticles that have the potential to be used as a pre-formulation for ex tempore preparation of 2D printing cartridges. An experimental model was designed with the process parameters set to predict the smallest particle size required for successful 2D printing. Three different types of particles (lactose, nanocellulose/lactose, calcium silicate) were produced, and the average size of the dry particles varied depending on the sampling location (cyclone, collection vessel). The encapsulation efficiency of simvastatin was highest with nanocellulose/lactose from the collection vessel. The one-month stability of simvastatin in the particles showed low content, but the addition of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant increased the chemical stability of the drug. Interestingly, the addition of antioxidants decreased the stability of simvastatin in the calcium silicate particles from the collection vessel. Dispersion of the particles in three different propylene glycol and water mixtures (10/90, 50/50, and 90/10% (v/v)), representing a printable ink medium with three different viscosity and surface tension properties, showed that nanocellulose/lactose was the most suitable antiadhesive in terms of dispersed particle size (˂1 µm). After one month of storage, the dispersed particles remained in the same size range without undesirable particle agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The periodontal pocket provides a suitable environment for bacterial accumulation and growth which results in ultimately tooth loss. The clinical efficacy of current therapy for periodontal pocket is low because the flushing actions within the mouth causes to rapid clearance of the solution. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin (ATV) can facilitate healing process of periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to develop in situ gel formulation containing ATV-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles (PCL-NPs). PCL NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method. The NPs had spherical shape with a particle size range of 176-329 nm. They showed 59% encapsulation efficiency and prolonged release profile. In order to increase the mucoadhesive properties of the formulation and the residence time of the drug at the site of action, NPs were incorporated to in situ gel to provide a combination therapy. In situ gel formulation was prepared by cold method and characterized in terms of pH, gelation temperature and time, viscosity, syringeability, and rheological behaviours. In vitro release studies revealed that in situ gel formulation remarkably extend the release time of ATV and mathematical release kinetic modelling shows formulations can fit multiple models. The overall findings indicated that the combination therapy strategy of locally administration of in situ gel containing ATV-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles to periodontal pockets is a promising and innovative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Despite various chemotherapy approaches, the desired effect has not yet been achieved. The main reason is each patient responds differently to standard treatment protocols. The production of personalized drugs and/or drug-loaded implants is not possible in today's pharmaceutical industry; 3D printers allow for the rapid and flexible preparation of personalized drug-loaded implants. However, the key point is the preparation of drug-loaded working material such as filament for 3D printers. In this study, two different anticancer (paclitaxel, carboplatin) drug-loaded PCL filaments with a 1.75 mm diameter were prepared with a hot-melt extruder. To optimize the filament for a 3D printer, different PCL Mn, cyclodextrins and different formulation parameters were tried, and a series of characterization studies of filaments were conducted. The encapsulation efficiency, drug release profile and in vitro cell culture studies have shown that 85% of loaded drugs retain their effectiveness, provide a controlled release for 10 days and cause a decrease in cell viability of over 60%. In conclusion, it is possible to prepare optimum dual anticancer drug-loaded filaments for FDM 3D printers. Drug-eluting personalized intra-uterine devices can be designed for the treatment of uterine cancer by using these filaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycaprolactone (PCL) micro- and nanoparticles produced using the electrospraying technique present high drug encapsulation capacity, a controllable surface area, and a good cost–benefit ratio. PCL is also considered a non-toxic polymeric material with excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. All these characteristics make PCL micro- and nanoparticles a promising material for tissue engineering regeneration, drug delivery, and surface modification in dentistry. In this study, PCL electrosprayed specimens were produced and analyzed to determine their morphology and size. Three PCL concentrations (2, 4, and 6 wt%) and three solvent types (chloroform (CF), dimethylformamide (DMF), and acetic acid (AA)) with various solvent mixtures ratios (1:1 CF/DMF, 3:1 CF/DMF, 100% CF, 1:1 AA/CF, 3:1 AA/CF, and 100% AA) were used while keeping the remaining electrospray parameters constant. SEM images followed by ImageJ analysis showed a change in the morphology and size of the particles among various tested groups. A two-way ANOVA demonstrated a statistically significant interaction (p < 0.001) between PCL concentration and solvents on the size of the particles. With the increase in the PCL concentration, an increase in the number of fibers was observed among all the groups. The morphology and dimensions of the electrosprayed particles, as well as the presence of fibers, were significantly dependent on the PCL concentration, choice of solvent, and solvent ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the clinical complications induced by microbial infections are known to have life-threatening side effects, conventional anti-infective therapy is necessary, but not sufficient to overcome these issues. Some of their limitations are connected to drug-related inefficiency or resistance and pathogen-related adaptive modifications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for advanced antimicrobials and antimicrobial devices. A challenging, yet successful route has been the development of new biostatic or biocide agents and biomaterials by considering the indisputable advantages of biopolymers. Polymers are attractive materials due to their physical and chemical properties, such as compositional and structural versatility, tunable reactivity, solubility and degradability, and mechanical and chemical tunability, together with their intrinsic biocompatibility and bioactivity, thus enabling the fabrication of effective pharmacologically active antimicrobial formulations. Besides representing protective or potentiating carriers for conventional drugs, biopolymers possess an impressive ability for conjugation or functionalization. These aspects are key for avoiding malicious side effects or providing targeted and triggered drug delivery (specific and selective cellular targeting), and generally to define their pharmacological efficacy. Moreover, biopolymers can be processed in different forms (particles, fibers, films, membranes, or scaffolds), which prove excellent candidates for modern anti-infective applications. This review contains an overview of antimicrobial polyester-based formulations, centered around the effect of the dimensionality over the properties of the material and the effect of the production route or post-processing actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the activity of daratumumab in combination with polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) for decreasing toxicity and enhancing the anticancer efficiency of doxorubicin (Dox) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Material and Methods: Polycaprolactone nanoparticles were developed using double emulsion technique. For characterization of blank and doxorubicin loaded PCL nanoparticles; particle size, polydispersity index and surface charge were determined. Cell culture study was realized to conclude the cytotoxicity of Dox-loaded PCL NPs alone or combination with Daratumumab. Results: Blank and Dox-loaded PCL nanoparticles remained within 235 nm and 250 nm, respectively. Zeta potential values were -3.9 and -13.3 mV for blank and Dox-loaded PCL nanoparticles, respectively. In cell culture study, whole formulations showed a timedependent model; the cytotoxicity enhanced with the increase of incubation time. Blank nanoparticles have no toxicity; cell viability was above 85%. Dox-loaded nanoparticles showed more toxicity to A20 cells than Dox solution. Dox-loaded NPs in combination Daratumumab exhibited higher cell toxicity than Dox-loaded NPs and mAb solution, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dox-loaded PCL nanoparticles in combination with antibody-targeted chemotherapy could be a considered as promising synergistic strategy for controlling tumor growth by increasing the antitumor efficacy while minimizing toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) has been the subject of extensive research in the past few years. It is widely explored in drug delivery, where the development of nanomedicines for cancer, one of the major public health concerns nowadays, has not been the exception. As a biocompatible, biodegradable and bioresorbable polymer, PCL has also found plenty of uses in the form of microparticles and scaffolds; so is the main objective of the present review to emphasize its potential and present its properties along with applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical area with a special focus on nanomedicine in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to achieve the successful encapsulation of a therapeutic agent to achieve antifouling functionality regarding biomedical applications. Considering nanotechnology, drug-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL)-based nanoparticles were prepared using a nano-precipitation technique by optimizing various process parameters. The resultant nano-formulations were investigated for in vitro drug release and antifouling applications. The prepared particles were characterized in terms of surface morphology and surface properties. Optimized blank and drug-loaded nanoparticles had an average size of 200 nm and 216 nm, respectively, with associated charges of −16.8 mV and −11.2 mV. Studies of the in vitro release of drug were carried out, which showed sustained release at two different pH, 5.5 and 7.4 Antifouling activity was observed against two bacterial strains, Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. The zone of inhibition of the optimized polymeric drug-loaded nanoparticle F-25 against both strains were compared with the pure drug. The gradual pH-responsive release of antibiotics from the biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles could significantly increase the efficiency and pharmacokinetics of the drug as compared to the pure drug. The acquired data significantly noted that the resultant nano-encapsulation of antifouling functionality could be a promising candidate for topical drug delivery systems and skin applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclodextrins (CD) are a group of cyclic oligosaccharides with a cavity/specific structure that enables to form inclusion complexes (IC) with a variety of molecules through non-covalent host-guest interactions. By an elegant combination of CD with biocompatible, synthetic and natural polymers, different types of universal drug delivery systems with dynamic/reversible properties have been generated. This review presents the design of nano- and micro-carriers, hydrogels, and fibres based on the polymer/CD supramolecular systems highlighting their possible biomedical applications. Application of the most prominent hydrophobic aliphatic polyesters that exhibit biodegradability, represented by polylactide and polycaprolactone, is described first. Subsequently, particular attention is focused on materials obtained from hydrophilic polyethylene oxide. Moreover, examples are also presented for grafting of CD on polysaccharides. In summary, we show the application of host-guest interactions in multi-component functional biomaterials for controlled drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]