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Several formulations have been developed in the current era using liposomes and niosomes as vesicular carriers, which have proven useful in oral drug delivery; nevertheless, their use is limited due to their gastrointestinal environment, including pH, enzymes, and bile salts. To overcome these difficulties, researchers are working on finding ways to improve the efficacy and stability of vesicles. Therefore bilosomes have been developed as promising vesicular carriers with the potential to deliver oral vaccines, parenteral and transdermal targeted drug delivery. In addition to incorporating hydrophilic as well as lipophilic drugs into vesicles, bilosomes are considered one of the most effective methods for enhancing bioavailability and efficacy. Bile acid-based bilosomes are rapidly growing in the current research areas and are expected to provide multiple applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields that will occur in the future with bile salts. This paper briefly introduces the bilosomes of a new generation (structure), their mechanism of action, stability, physicochemical properties, and potential biomedical applications including in oral immunization. Furthermore, surface-engineered bilosomes are more effective than bare bilosomes in various animal models, but clinical trials are needed to assess their safety and efficacy. There is also a need for more research on scaling-up factors for commercializing bilosomal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is significant progress in biomedical sciences to use biomaterials as a potential medium for the delivery of pharmacologically active components to diseased cells. This multidisciplinary approach has established that the therapeutic benefit is not directly proportional to the potency of drugs. It is more related to the mode of drug formulations and routes of administration. Biomaterials play a vital role in the formulations of a wide range of pharmaceutical compounds, including antibodies, peptides, drugs, enzymes, and vaccines. Most of these materials have been engineered to release therapeutics for an extended period to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies. This review has initially discussed a brief history of different biomaterials in drug delivery and the clinical needs of the same. The latter part describes the strategies to use RNA as a therapeutic molecule to stop the synthesis of disease-causing proteins that are generated by the misregulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excellence of nanotechnology paved the way for its application in the food industry recently. Several industrial initiatives are now working on developing nano-based food packaging to improve food quality and ensure its safety. Along with providing improved mechanical property and barrier system, it also intimates the current condition of a food product. The ultimate goal is to extend the shelf life of food products, which the use of nanostructures can accomplish. The fabricated nanostructure is designed to release preservatives such as antimicrobials, at times to improve the shelf life. Two key applications of nanotechnology in the food sector are to develop nanostructured materials for food packaging or processing and nanosensors to detect food spoilage. This review discusses the types of nanomaterials used for food packaging, the advantages of nanobased packaging over conventional methods, and provides an overview of the risk of nanoparticles on the biological system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and crops are sourced primarily from agriculture, and due to the enormous growth in population, agricultural goods are in great demand, while farmland is being developed for residences. Therefore, certain chemicals, like pesticides, are being overused and have become unavoidable to increase crop productivity and storage. Excessive release of pesticides into the environment and food chain may pose a health risk. Food and agricultural products need routine analyses to monitor the level of pesticide residuals. As pesticide detection techniques are labor-intensive and require highly qualified professionals, an alternative technique must be developed, such as analytical nanotechnology. The most commonly used nanomaterials for pesticide delivery, enrichment, degradation, detection, and removal are metals, clays, polymers, and lipids. In colorimetric analysis of pesticides, metal nanoparticles are widely used which are quick, easy, and do not require any sample preparation. This manuscript compiles the latest research on nanotechnology in pesticide formulation and detection for smart farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological events can be mapped in real-time using fluorescent images at high spatial resolution through the use of a powerful tool called fluorescence, and it is necessary to have ultra-bright fluorescent probes. The detrimental effects associated with the existing fluorescence imaging probes and contrast agents are the primary reason behind the greater involvement of nanotechnology. Developing advanced particles at the molecular and supramolecular levels is the only way to address the constraints underlying the current scenario. Nanosized structures dominate in multiple fields, especially in nanotheranostics, due to their higher quantum yield, negligible photobleaching, excellent biocompatibility, tunable optical properties, and improved circulation half-lives. Nanofluorophores, which are nanoparticles encapsulated or doped with fluorescent dyes, play a crucial role in fluorescence-based imaging modality by providing noninvasive realtime monitoring of the inner machinery of the anatomical and cellular structures. In addition to fluorescent inorganic and organic nanoparticles, there are labeled hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanostructures, semiconducting dots, carbon dots, as well as upconversion nanomaterials, etc., which are widely used in fluorescent imaging. A comprehensive literature survey has been provided in this review since intense studies are needed to clear the preclinic stage, thus opening up opportunities for future biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domain of Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) has seen a surge in research and development during the last decade. JNPs are anisotropic composite innovations with remarkable characteristics that depict a peculiar class of particles, which integrate the features and functions of multiple materials into a single unit. Janus particles are superior prospects for several high-end applications due to their possible modifications by "click chemistry". JNPs offer new possibilities by combining the features of components. Janus nanoparticles can pack multiple pharmaceuticals and imaging contrast agents simultaneously since they have a distinct chemical configuration on different sides. As a result, they become ideal for administration and bioimaging at once. They have sparked interest due to their exceptional architecture and their potential implications in science and engineering, biological application, and most notably, theranostics. The emphasis of this review is on the latest advancement in the fabrication and implementation of innovative Janus nanoparticles, along with their spectacular performance in therapeutic delivery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical imaging is currently revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases. Several imaging modalities have been developed based on advances in science and engineering. The impact of these imaging tools has been further improved with the advent of various modern chemistries, leading to the development of contrast agents that serve further to localize the detection of diseased tissues. Several researchers are recently involved in engineering contrast agents that can generate contrast differences between tissues in multiple imaging modalities, enabling cross-referenced determination of anomalies. To establish these multimodal imaging agents, nanovectors have gained significance due to their key physicochemical properties. The major focus of this review is on the engineering strategies of nanovectors for multimodal medical imaging. The review conceives the basic principles, major parameters, and limitations of imaging modalities, namely, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and fluorescence imaging at the beginning. Drawbacks of traditional contrast agents and the demand for new contrast agents are established. The importance of multimodal imaging and the need for a single contrast agent for these imaging applications are elaborated. Finally, the advantages, limitations, and design considerations of nanovectors based on magnetic and metallic nanoparticles with surface modifications to reduce toxicity and enable targeted delivery as multimodal imaging agents are also emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As cancer therapy progresses, challenges remain due to the inherent drawbacks of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, gene therapy, radiation therapy, and surgical removal. Moreover, due to their associated side effects, conventional treatments affect both cancerous and normal cells, making photodynamic therapy (PDT) an attractive alternative., Methods: As a result of its minimal toxicity, exceptional specificity, and non-invasive characteristics, PDT represents an innovative and highly promising cancer treatment strategy using photosensitizers (PSs) and precise wavelength excitation light to introduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vicinity of cancer cells., Results: Poor aqueous solubility and decreased sensitivity of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) prevent its use as a photosensitizer in PDT, necessitating the development of oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) hydrogelated nanocarriers to enhance its bioavailability, targeted distribution, and ROS-quantum yield. The ROS quantum yield increased from 0.30 in an aqueous environment to 0.51 when using alginate-based formulations, and it was further enhanced to 0.81 in the case of OSA., Conclusion: Furthermore, the nanoformulations produced fluorescent signals suitable for use as cellular imaging agents, demonstrating contrast-enhancing capabilities in medical imaging and showing minimal toxicity., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background and Purpose: Modern technologies are making advanced paths to address emerging issues. The development of carbon dots (CDs) technology at a tiny level has been researched to have made impeccable strides in advancing the modern scientific field, especially in nanomedicine., Experimental Approach: Researchers have gained much attention on CDs of their unique properties in the synthesis, easy surface modifications, excellent optical properties, low toxicity, and water solubility. Doping carbon dots with other elements makes them more convenient for their use in the medical sector., Key Results: The manuscript provides a detailed discussion of the two main methods, including the hydrothermal pathway. CDs are synthesized bottom-up by building up molecules at the atomic scale and top-down by transforming large carbon particles into nanoscale dimensions., Conclusion: The present article discussed the role, importance, and recent advancements in the synthesis of CDs, by using various approaches giving importance to the hydrothermal process. Recent investigations, their mechanism, and theranostic applications have also been reported., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest : The author declares no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 by the authors.)