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Natural compounds demonstrate unique therapeutic advantages for cancer treatment, primarily through direct tumor suppression or interference with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Glycyrrhizic acid (GL), a bioactive ingredient derived from the medicinal herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., and its sapogenin glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), have been recognized for their ability to inhibit angiogenesis and remodel the TME. Consequently, the combination of GL with other therapeutic agents offers superior therapeutic benefits. Given GL's amphiphilic structure, self-assembly capability, and liver cancer targeting capacity, various GL-based nanoscale drug delivery systems have been developed. These GL-based nanosystems exhibit angiogenesis suppression and TME regulation properties, synergistically enhancing anti-cancer effects. This review summarizes recent advances in GL-based nanosystems, including polymer-drug micelles, drug-drug assembly nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, and nanogels, for cancer treatment and tumor postoperative care, providing new insights into the anti-cancer potential of natural compounds. Additionally, the review discusses existing challenges and future perspectives for translating GL-based nanosystems from bench to bedside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognised as potential biomarkers due to their specific expression patterns in different biological tissues and their changes in expression under pathological conditions. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is a vertebrate-specific miRNA that is predominantly expressed in the liver and plays an important role in liver metabolism and development. Dysregulation of miR-122 expression is associated with several liver-related diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Given the potential of miR-122 as a biomarker, its effective detection is important for accurate diagnosis. However, miRNA detection methods still face challenges, particularly in terms of accurately identifying miRNA isoforms that may differ by only a single base. Here, with the aim of advancing accessible methods for the detection of miRNAs with single-base specificity, we have developed a robust dual nanosystem that leverages the simplicity of click chemistry reactions. Using the dual nanosystem, we successfully detected miR-122 at single-base resolution using flow cytometry and analysed its expression in various tumour cell lines with high specificity and strong correlation with TaqMan assay results. We also detected miR-122 in serum and identified four single nucleotide variations in its sequence. The chemistry employed in this dual nanosystem is highly versatile and offers a promising opportunity to develop nanoparticle-based strategies that incorporate click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry for the detection of miRNAs and their isoforms. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Global public health confronts a pressing challenge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), necessitating urgent intervention strategies due to the low success rate of new antibiotic development. Bacterial motility, beyond conventional antibiotic usage, significantly influences resistance evolution and ecological dynamics. Our recent study marks a breakthrough, revealing the unexplored ability of ultrafine gold nanosystems (UGNs) to inhibit bacterial resuscitation using a motile Escherichia coli (E.coli) K12 strain. We aim to deepen our comparative understanding of UGNs’ efficacy and resuscitation propensity against a non-motile E. coli K12 strain to assess the role of motility. Through UGN application, we identified heritable resistance in both strains, with motile strains exhibiting notably higher mutation rates. Resuscitation experiments unveiled faster recovery in motile strains, attributable to virulence factors, compared to non-motile strains. Additionally, our investigation into aggregation dynamics highlighted the role of protein-mediated aggregation in resistance development to nano-antimicrobials. Overall, the study reveals that the non-motile strains are more susceptible against UGNs, which shows promise in combating AMR.

Radiotherapy is used in the treatment of ≈50% of patients with cancer. However, tumor repopulation is a major cause of treatment failure after radiotherapy. It is observed that apoptotic tumor following ionizing radiation (IR) accelerated the growth of surviving tumor cells. Here a Gasdermin E and Tannic acid‐based nanoassembly (GT) loaded with manganese tetroxide (Mn3O4) (termed as Mn3O4@GT) is developed to suppress tumor repopulation and improve the treatment outcome of radiotherapy. Mn3O4@GT enables an increase in the reactive oxygen species accumulation in tumor cells, enhancing radiotherapy‐mediated tumor killing. What's more, it can hijack activated caspase 3 to induce tumor pyroptosis, reversing apoptosis‐mediated tumor repopulation. In vivo results shows that Mn3O4@GT significantly reduced the IR induced tumor repopulation by 2.7 fold, resulting in 92% complete regression of tumors. In addition, Mn3O4@GT can sensitize tumors to anti‐PD‐L1 therapy by inducing immunogenic pyroptosis with 85% regression of distant tumors. The caspase 3‐hijacking nanosystem holds a great potential for improving the clinical benefits of radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS), caused by Piscirickettsia salmonis, has been the most severe health concern for the Chilean salmon industry. The efforts to control P. salmonis infections have focused on using antibiotics and vaccines. However, infected salmonids exhibit limited responses to the treatments. Here, we developed a poly (D, L-lactide-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-nanosystem functionalized with Atlantic salmon IgM (PLGA-IgM) to specifically deliver florfenicol into infected cells. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via the double emulsion solvent-evaporation method in the presence of florfenicol. Later, the PLGA-NPs were functionalized with Atlantic salmon IgM through carbodiimide chemistry. The nanosystem showed an average size of ~380–410 nm and a negative surface charge. Further, florfenicol encapsulation efficiency was close to 10%. We evaluated the internalization of the nanosystem and its impact on bacterial load in SHK-1 cells by using confocal microscopy and qPCR. The results suggest that stimulation with the nanosystem elicits a decrease in the bacterial load of P. salmonis when it infects Atlantic salmon macrophages. Overall, the IgM-functionalized PLGA-based nanosystem represents an alternative to the administration of antibiotics in salmon farming, complementing the delivery of antibiotics with the stimulation of the immune response of infected macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Monte Carlo investigation delves into the dielectric features of silicene–germanene nanosystem with junction connection. We emphasized the profound influence of physical parameters, coupling between Si–Si and Ge–Ge atoms and temperature, on these dielectric features. Our results highlight the pivotal role of the coupling parameter between Ge atoms in influencing blocking temperatures, underlining the significance of high values for spin and coupling parameters for achieving a high blocking temperature and delaying transitions. Furthermore, our analysis of electric hysteresis loops demonstrates their sensitivity to parameter variations, which can offer valuable insights for nanoelectronics and materials science applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global public health confronts a pressing challenge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), necessitating urgent intervention strategies due to the low success rate of new antibiotic development. Bacterial motility, beyond conventional antibiotic usage, significantly influences resistance evolution and ecological dynamics. Our recent study marks a breakthrough, revealing the unexplored ability of ultrafine gold nanosystems (UGNs) to inhibit bacterial resuscitation using a motile Escherichia coli (E.coli) K12 strain. We aim to deepen our comparative understanding of UGNs' efficacy and resuscitation propensity against a non-motile E. coli K12 strain to assess the role of motility. Through UGN application, we identified heritable resistance in both strains, with motile strains exhibiting notably higher mutation rates. Resuscitation experiments unveiled faster recovery in motile strains, attributable to virulence factors, compared to non-motile strains. Additionally, our investigation into aggregation dynamics highlighted the role of protein-mediated aggregation in resistance development to nano-antimicrobials. Overall, the study reveals that the non-motile strains are more susceptible against UGNs, which shows promise in combating AMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work comprises design of new polystyrene (PS)/MnO2/NiO nanosystem to exploit it in many optics and electronics nanodevices. The optimization, structural and electronic characteristics of PS/MnO2/NiO nanosystem are studied. The results indicate that the electronics characteristics of PS are improved, when the MnO2/NiO nanostructures are added. The energy gap of PS is decreased from 5.773 eV to 3.814 eV with adding of MnO2/NiO nanostructures. The results show that the PS/MnO2/NiO nanosystem has excellent electronic characteristics, which make the PS/MnO2/NiO nanosystem suitable for different optics and electronics fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complement is an important arm of the innate immune system, once activated, the complement system rapidly generates large quantities of protein fragments that are potent mediators of inflammation. Recent studies have shown that over-activated complement is the main proinflammatory system of autoimmune diseases (ADs). In addition, activated complements interact with autoantibodies, immune cells exacerbate inflammation, further worsening ADs. With the increasing threat of ADs to human health, complement-based immunotherapy has attracted wide attention. Nevertheless, efficient and targeted delivery of complement inhibitors remains a significant challenge owing to their inherent poor targeting, degradability, and low bioavailability. Nanosystems offer innovative solutions to surmount these obstacles and amplify the potency of complement inhibitors. This prime aim to present the current knowledge of complement in ADs, analyse the function of complement in the pathogenesis and treatment of ADs, we underscore the current situation of nanosystems assisting complement inhibitors in the treatment of ADs. Considering technological, physiological, and clinical validation challenges, we critically appraise the challenges for successfully translating the findings of preclinical studies of these nanosystem assisted-complement inhibitors into the clinic, and future perspectives were also summarised. (The graphical abstract is by BioRender.) Nanosystem-assisted complement inhibitor strategy. (By BioRender.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive anticancer treatment that uses special photosensitizer molecules (PS) to generate singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a tissue under excitation with red or infrared light. Though the method has been known for decades, it has become more popular recently with the development of new efficient organic dyes and LED light sources. Here we introduce a ternary nanocomposite: water-soluble star-like polymer/gold nanoparticles (AuNP)/temoporfin PS, which can be considered as a third-generation PDT system. AuNPs were synthesized in situ inside the polymer molecules, and the latter were then loaded with PS molecules in an aqueous solution. The applied method of synthesis allows precise control of the size and architecture of polymer nanoparticles as well as the concentration of the components. Dynamic light scattering confirmed the formation of isolated particles (120 nm diameter) with AuNPs and PS molecules incorporated inside the polymer shell. Absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies revealed optimal concentrations of the components that can simultaneously reduce the side effects of dark toxicity and enhance singlet oxygen generation to increase cancer cell mortality. Here, we report on the optical properties of the system and detailed mechanisms of the observed enhancement of the phototherapeutic effect. Combinations of organic dyes with gold nanoparticles allow significant enhancement of the effect of ROS generation due to surface plasmonic resonance in the latter, while the application of a biocompatible star-like polymer vehicle with a dextran core and anionic polyacrylamide arms allows better local integration of the components and targeted delivery of the PS molecules to cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrate, as proof of concept, a successful application of the developed PDT system for in vitro treatment of triple-negative breast cancer cells under irradiation with a low-power LED lamp (660 nm). We consider the developed nanocomposite to be a promising PDT system for application to other types of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Kaempferol (KA), an natural antioxidant of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is extensively used as the primary treatment for inflammatory digestive diseases with impaired redox homeostasis. Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) was exacerbated by mitochondrial dysfunction and abundant ROS, which highlights the role of antioxidants in targeting mitochondrial function. However, low bioavailability and high dosage of KA leading to unavoidable side effects limits clinical transformation. The mechanisms of KA with poor bioavailability largely unexplored, hindering development of the efficient strategies to maximizing the medicinal effects of KA. Here, we engineered a novel thioketals (TK)-modified based on DSPE-PEG2000 liposomal codelivery system for improving bioavailability and avoiding side effects (denotes as DSPE-TK-PEG2000-KA, DTM@KA NPs). We demonstrated that the liposome exerts profound impacts on damaging intracellular redox homeostasis by reducing GSH depletion and activating Nrf2, which synergizes with KA to reinforce the inhibition of inadequate fission, excessive mitochondrial fusion and impaired mitophagy resulting in inflammation and apoptosis; and then, the restored mitochondrial homeostasis strengthens ATP supply for PAC renovation and homeostasis. Interestingly, TK bond was proved as the main functional structure to improve the above efficacy of KA compared with the absence of TK bond. Most importantly, DTM@KA NPs obviously suppresses PAC death with negligible side effects in vitro and vivo. Mechanismly, DTM@KA NPs facilitated STAT6-regulated mitochondrial precursor proteins transport via interacting with TOM20 to further promote Drp1-dependent fission and Pink1/Parkin-regulated mitophagy with enhanced lysosomal degradation for removing damaged mitochondria in PAC and then reduce inflammation and apoptosis. Generally, DTM@KA NPs synergistically improved mitochondrial homeostasis, redox homeostasis, energy metabolism and inflammation response via regulating TOM20-STAT6-Drp1 signaling and promoting mitophagy in SAP. Consequently, such a TCM’s active ingredients-based nanomedicine strategy is be expected to be an innovative approach for SAP therapy. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Sepsis represents a critical medical condition stemming from an imbalanced host immune response to infections, which is linked to a significant burden of disease. Despite substantial efforts in laboratory and clinical research, sepsis remains a prominent contributor to mortality worldwide. Nanotechnology presents innovative opportunities for the advancement of sepsis diagnosis and treatment. Due to their unique properties, including diversity, ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, high specificity, and excellent pharmacological efficacy, peptides hold great potential as part of nanotechnology approaches against sepsis. Herein, we present a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the applications of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis, with the potential to expedite diagnosis and enhance management outcomes. Firstly, sepsis pathophysiology, antisepsis drug targets, current modalities in management and diagnosis with their limitations, and the potential of peptides to advance the diagnosis and management of sepsis have been adequately addressed. The applications have been organized into diagnostic or managing applications, with the last one being further sub-organized into nano-delivered bioactive peptides with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity, peptides as targeting moieties on the surface of nanosystems against sepsis, and peptides as nanocarriers for antisepsis agents. The studies have been grouped thematically and discussed, emphasizing the constructed nanosystem, physicochemical properties, and peptide-imparted enhancement in diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy. The strengths, limitations, and research gaps in each section have been elaborated. Finally, current challenges and potential future paths to enhance the use of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis have been deliberately spotlighted. This review reaffirms peptides' potential as promising biomaterials within nanotechnology strategies aimed at improving sepsis diagnosis and management. Graphical Abstract

Nanotechnology can be used to treat a number of diseases, which are currently the main cause of death in the world, and allow to achieve the desired therapeutic effect for the patient. This mini-review focuses on the analysis of scientific literary sources dealing with the application of nanotechnology in the immunotherapy of diseases and covers the period from 2016 to 2022. In particular, it provides an overview of recently discovered nanotechnologies (including immunomodulatory nanosystems) used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including cancer, infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. The review also discusses the role of nanosystems in cancer immunotherapy. Additional attention is paid to nanomaterials with new structures, properties, and functions, which are used in the modern practice of treating viral and bacterial infections. A part of the paper is devoted to nanoparticles that enhance the effect of immunosuppressive cells in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The analysis performed clearly demonstrates the relevance of nanotechnologies for the use in the immunotherapy of diseases. We hope it will allow researchers to identify new areas for using nanoparticles in the treatment of diseases of various etiologies.

Abstract The bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABCI (chABCI), which has been isolated from Proteus Vulgaris, is crucial in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. However, due to its short lifespan, the maintenance and clinical application of this enzyme are very constrained. In this study, the immobilization of this enzyme on hydroxyapatite has been carried out and assessed with the aim of enhancing the characteristics and efficiency of chABCI. Hydroxyapatite particles (HAPs) are a potential candidate for drug-delivery carriers because of their excellent biocompatibility, shape controllability, and high adsorption. The use of the nanometer scale allows efficient access to the enzyme's substrate. It demonstrates important biological application capabilities in this way. Field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), in vitro release study, and cytotoxicity test were used to characterize the drug nanosystem's properties. According to the findings, electrostatic bindings was formed between charged groups of the enzyme and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. The results also demonstrated that immobilized chABCI on hydroxyapatite has beneficial properties, such as more manageable drug release, minimal toxicity and side effects, and a high potential to enhance the efficacy of drug delivery and decrease the need for repeated injections.

Sepsis represents a critical medical condition stemming from an imbalanced host immune response to infections, which is linked to a significant burden of disease. Despite substantial efforts in laboratory and clinical research, sepsis remains a prominent contributor to mortality worldwide. Nanotechnology presents innovative opportunities for the advancement of sepsis diagnosis and treatment. Due to their unique properties, including diversity, ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, high specificity, and excellent pharmacological efficacy, peptides hold great potential as part of nanotechnology approaches against sepsis. Herein, we present a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the applications of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis, with the potential to expedite diagnosis and enhance management outcomes. Firstly, sepsis pathophysiology, antisepsis drug targets, current modalities in management and diagnosis with their limitations, and the potential of peptides to advance the diagnosis and management of sepsis have been adequately addressed. The applications have been organized into diagnostic or managing applications, with the last one being further sub-organized into nano-delivered bioactive peptides with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity, peptides as targeting moieties on the surface of nanosystems against sepsis, and peptides as nanocarriers for antisepsis agents. The studies have been grouped thematically and discussed, emphasizing the constructed nanosystem, physicochemical properties, and peptide-imparted enhancement in diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy. The strengths, limitations, and research gaps in each section have been elaborated. Finally, current challenges and potential future paths to enhance the use of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis have been deliberately spotlighted. This review reaffirms peptides' potential as promising biomaterials within nanotechnology strategies aimed at improving sepsis diagnosis and management. Highlights: • Due to their unique characteristics, Peptides hold significant promise as part of nanotechnology approaches for diagnosing and treating sepsis, a current leading global killer. • Various diagnostic nanotools utilizing peptides as pathogen recognition moieties can improve the pathogen capturing efficiency for sepsis diagnosis. • Nano-delivery can overcome the limitations of bioactive peptides and enhance their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy in sepsis management. • Peptides offer significant capabilities as targeting moieties and nanocarriers to augment the effectiveness of antisepsis agents. • Future research identified can potentiate the applications of peptides for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaempferol (KA), an natural antioxidant of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is extensively used as the primary treatment for inflammatory digestive diseases with impaired redox homeostasis. Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) was exacerbated by mitochondrial dysfunction and abundant ROS, which highlights the role of antioxidants in targeting mitochondrial function. However, low bioavailability and high dosage of KA leading to unavoidable side effects limits clinical transformation. The mechanisms of KA with poor bioavailability largely unexplored, hindering development of the efficient strategies to maximizing the medicinal effects of KA. Here, we engineered a novel thioketals (TK)-modified based on DSPE-PEG2000 liposomal codelivery system for improving bioavailability and avoiding side effects (denotes as DSPE-TK-PEG2000-KA, DTM@KA NPs). We demonstrated that the liposome exerts profound impacts on damaging intracellular redox homeostasis by reducing GSH depletion and activating Nrf2, which synergizes with KA to reinforce the inhibition of inadequate fission, excessive mitochondrial fusion and impaired mitophagy resulting in inflammation and apoptosis; and then, the restored mitochondrial homeostasis strengthens ATP supply for PAC renovation and homeostasis. Interestingly, TK bond was proved as the main functional structure to improve the above efficacy of KA compared with the absence of TK bond. Most importantly, DTM@KA NPs obviously suppresses PAC death with negligible side effects in vitro and vivo. Mechanismly, DTM@KA NPs facilitated STAT6-regulated mitochondrial precursor proteins transport via interacting with TOM20 to further promote Drp1-dependent fission and Pink1/Parkin-regulated mitophagy with enhanced lysosomal degradation for removing damaged mitochondria in PAC and then reduce inflammation and apoptosis. Generally, DTM@KA NPs synergistically improved mitochondrial homeostasis, redox homeostasis, energy metabolism and inflammation response via regulating TOM20-STAT6-Drp1 signaling and promoting mitophagy in SAP. Consequently, such a TCM's active ingredients-based nanomedicine strategy is be expected to be an innovative approach for SAP therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABCI (chABCI), which has been isolated from Proteus Vulgaris, is crucial in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. However, due to its short lifespan, the maintenance and clinical application of this enzyme are very constrained. In this study, the immobilization of this enzyme on hydroxyapatite has been carried out and assessed with the aim of enhancing the characteristics and efficiency of chABCI. Hydroxyapatite particles (HAPs) are a potential candidate for drug-delivery carriers because of their excellent biocompatibility, shape controllability, and high adsorption. The use of the nanometer scale allows efficient access to the enzyme's substrate. It demonstrates important biological application capabilities in this way. Field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), in vitro release study, and cytotoxicity test were used to characterize the drug nanosystem's properties. According to the findings, electrostatic bindings was formed between charged groups of the enzyme and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. The results also demonstrated that immobilized chABCI on hydroxyapatite has beneficial properties, such as more manageable drug release, minimal toxicity and side effects, and a high potential to enhance the efficacy of drug delivery and decrease the need for repeated injections. Key points: It has been proven that hydroxyapatite increases the shelf life of chondroitinase when it is used as a carrier matrix. Stability of the enzyme loaded onto hydroxyapatite was enhanced significantly after immobilization. The proposed process can make the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles a useful stabilizer drug delivery vehicle. The release of the chondroitinase is more controllable than previous studies; therefore the stability of the nanosystem has been increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skin is the primary tissue affected by wounds and aging, significantly impacting its protective function. Natural products are widely used in cosmetics, representing a new approach to preventing age-related damage. Nanomedicine combines nanotechnology and traditional treatments to create innovative drugs. The main targets of nanotechnological approaches are wound healing, regeneration, and rejuvenation of skin tissue. The skin barrier is not easily permeable, and the creation of modern nanodevices is a way to improve the passive penetration of substances. In this study, Helichrysum italicum oil (HO) was combined with different types of electrospun nanofibers to study their protective activity on the skin and to evaluate their future application for topical treatments. In the present research, we used biodegradable polymers, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which were characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). All results show a positive trend in cell proliferation and viability of human skin stem cells (SSCs) and BJ fibroblasts pre-treated with combined nanofibers and then exposed to UV stress. Gene expression analysis revealed the activation of a molecular rejuvenation program in SSCs treated with functionalized nanofibers before UV exposure. Understanding the mechanisms involved in skin changes during aging allows for the future application of nanomaterials combined with HO directly to the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Аim: to show the clinical significance of nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis.Key points. It was possible to develop nanomaterials that improved the sensitivity of laboratory tests and the resolution of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The use of nanomaterials in the treatment of acute pancreatitis helps to relieve inflammation and reduce the degree of damage to the acinar cells of the pancreas. The use of nanoparticles can solve the problem of stable resistance of bacteria to antibacterial drugs.Conclusion. Nanomaterials have shown high efficacy and safety in numerous in vitro and in vivo (animal) experiments in the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Nanotechnology can be used to treat a number of diseases, which are currently the main cause of death in the world, and allow to achieve the desired therapeutic effect for the patient. This mini-review focuses on the analysis of scientific literary sources dealing with the application of nanotechnology in the immunotherapy of diseases and covers the period from 2016 to 2022. In particular, it provides an overview of recently discovered nanotechnologies (including immunomodulatory nanosystems) used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including cancer, infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. The review also discusses the role of nanosystems in cancer immunotherapy. Additional attention is paid to nanomaterials with new structures, properties, and functions, which are used in the modern practice of treating viral and bacterial infections. A part of the paper is devoted to nanoparticles that enhance the effect of immunosuppressive cells in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The analysis performed clearly demonstrates the relevance of nanotechnologies for the use in the immunotherapy of diseases. We hope it will allow researchers to identify new areas for using nanoparticles in the treatment of diseases of various etiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered double hydroxide nanocarriers are capable of intercalating hydrophobic NSAIDs, such as mefenamic acid, which improves their pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent nanomedical applications, particularly targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) scenarios, have made use of molecular communications via diffusion (MCvD) based on nanosystems. In order to improve the performance of such nanosystems, nanonetworks-based molecular communication is investigated. Employing a nanorelay approach and cooperative molecular communications, we provide a method for optimizing the performance of the nanosystem while taking blood flow effects into consideration in terms of drift velocity. Unlike the earlier studies, the position of the nanorelay and the allocated amount of molecular drugs will be optimized. We provide closed-form expressions for molecular channel capacity and the error probability of a molecular frame. According to the simulation results, it is possible to significantly reduce error probability of a molecular frame and thus increase channel capacity by optimizing the drift velocity, detection threshold and the location of the nanorelay within the proposed nanosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antitumor immune response induced by chemotherapy has attracted considerable attention. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment hinders the immune activation effect of cancer chemotherapy. TGF-β plays a key role in driving tumor immunosuppression and can prevent effective antitumor immune response through multiple roles. In this study, a dual-responsive prodrug micelle (PAOL) is designed to co-deliver LY2109761 (a TGF-β receptor I/II inhibitor) and oxaliplatin (OXA, a conventional chemotherapy) to remodel tumor microenvironment and trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) to induce antitumor immunity response. Under hypoxia tumor environment, the polyethylene glycol shell of the micelle cleavages, along with the release of LY2109761 and OXA prodrug. Cytotoxic effect of OXA is then activated by glutathione-mediated reduction in tumor cells and the activated OXA significantly enhances tumor immunogenicity and promotes intratumoral accumulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Meanwhile, TGF-β blockade through LY2109761 reprograms tumor microenvironment by correcting the immunosuppressive state and regulating tumor extracellular matrix, which further maintaining OXA induced immune response. Therefore, due to the capability of boosting tumor-specific antitumor immunity, the bifunctional micelle presents markedly synergistic antitumor efficacies and provides a potent therapeutic strategy for chemoimmunotherapy of solid tumors.

The dearth of technologies that allow gene modulation and therapy with high spatiotemporal precision remains a bottleneck in biomedical research and applications. Here we present a near‐infrared (NIR) light‐controlled nanosystem that allows spatiotemporally controlled regulation of gene expression and thus combinational tumor therapy. The nanosystem is built by engineering of an enzyme‐activatable antisense oligonucleotide and further combination with an upconversion nanoparticle‐based photodynamic system and a mitochondria localization signal. The system relies on photodynamic effect‐induced translocation of a DNA repair enzyme from nucleus into mitochondria, which enables spatially selective gene regulation via enzymatic reactions. We demonstrate that the NIR light‐induced mitochondrial photodamage and gene regulation enable enhanced antitumor effect. Our approach may enable the specific gene regulation and tumor treatment with high precision both spatially and temporally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-apoptotic mechanism of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) makes it an obstacle to traditional apoptosis as the primary way of death. Ferroptosis is a recently reported mode of programmed cell death caused by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation (LPO) in cells. High dependence on iron makes BCSCs more sensitive to ferroptosis. However, the high level of the Prominin2 protein and high concentration of GSH in BCSCs make BCSCs able to efflux excess iron ions and clear LPO, which limits the therapeutic efficacy of ferroptosis in BCSCs. To overcome this obstacle, we designed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated siProminin2-loaded FeOOH nanoparticle (FeOOH/siPROM2@HA) to amplify ferroptosis. The FeOOH/siPROM2@HA is stable under physiologically neutral conditions but generates Fe3+ in an acidic microenvironment; meanwhile, the released siProminin2 inhibits its efflux, and then Fe3+ undergoes a redox reaction with endogenous GSH to produce Fe2+, which initiates the Fenton reaction-based ferroptosis by LPO elevation. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that these pH-sensitive NPs significantly inhibited tumor growth by downregulating glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Overall, this work demonstrates a "three-pronged" strategy for amplified ferroptotic therapy by simultaneously promoting intracellular iron, inhibiting iron efflux, and depleting GSH, which presents a potential strategy for CSC-targeted cancer therapy. As the root of recurrence and metastasis, breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are resistant to traditional apoptotic death, so it is urgent to explore a new death mode for BCSCs. It has been reported that BCSCs are highly iron-dependent and, therefore, more sensitive to ferroptosis; however, the therapeutic efficacy is greatly limited by the overexpression of Prominin2 in BCSCs, which is correlated with resistance to ferroptosis by exocytosis of iron ions. In this work, we designed a hyaluronic acid-coated siProminin2-loaded FeOOH nano-drug (FeOOH/siPROM2@HA) to accelerate ferroptosis of BCSCs by simultaneously increasing iron ion content, inhibiting iron efflux, and scavenging GSH. This "three-pronged" strategy has significant implications for BCSC-targeted cancer therapy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental purpose of this study was to develop a stable lyophilised finasteride nanosystem (FNS-NS) for topical delivery. The FNS-NS was fabricated using an ultrasonication technique. The impact of two different cryoprotectants on the physicochemical characteristics of FNS-NS before and after lyophilisation was thoroughly investigated. The lyophilised FNS-NS had spherical shape with particle size lied between 188.6 nm ± 4.4 and 298.7 nm ± 4.7, low PDI values (0.26 ± 0.02 to 0.32 ± 0.02) and zeta potential ranging from −38.3 to +53.3 mV. The confocal laser microscopy depicted a comparatively higher cellular internalisation achieved for undecorated FNS-NS with respect to its chitosan-decorated counterpart. The lyophilised FNS-NS was stable for 90 days at proper storage conditions. The FNS-NS with 15% trehalose had appropriate physicochemical attributes that could be a promising carrier for topical delivery to treat androgenic alopecia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a novel quantum‐dot cellular automata (QCA) layout for an Excess‐3 to BCD code converter for nano systems that is low in cell complexity. The suggested design uses a QCA clock‐phase‐based technique to evaluate integration with other complex circuits. The results obtained using the QCADesigner simulation tool demonstrate the superiority of the recommended layout over prior identical reverse counterpart designs by evaluating the cell numbers used, the space occupied, and the latency as design metrics. The suggested layout has a 56% decrease in occupied space and a 37.5% reduction in delay when compared to similar reverse counterpart scalable designs. In addition, the energy dissipation of the suggested structure was calculated and compared to previous comparable work (reverse equivalent) to confirm its reliability. The suggested circuit may be employed in bigger and more complicated circuits due to its advantage in numerous performance measurement parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-electron cytoplasmic reductase NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 is expressed in many tissues. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 is well-known for being highly expressed in most cancers. Therefore, it could be a target for cancer therapy. Because it is a quinone reductase, many bioimaging probes based on quinone structures target NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 to diagnose tumours. Its expression is higher in tumours than in normal tissues, and using target drugs such as β-lapachone to reduce side effects in normal tissues can help. However, the physicochemical properties of β-lapachone limit its application. The problem can be solved by using nanosystems to deliver β-lapachone. This mini-review summarizes quinone-based fluorescent, near-infrared and two-photon fluorescent probes, as well as nanosystems for delivering the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1-activating drug β-lapachone. This review provides valuable information for the future development of probes and nano-delivery systems that target NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The high postoperative recurrence rate and refractoriness of relapsed tumors are still a conundrum for the clinical management of osteosarcoma (OS). New therapeutic options are urgently needed. Depriving the nourishment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells is a novel strategy to improve the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment for enhanced OS therapy. Methods We synthesized a hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified metal–organic framework for combinational chemotherapy and immunotherapy of OS. Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) was prepared by a one-pot synthetic method, Gemcitabine (Gem) and D-1-Methyltryptophan (D-1-MT) were loaded into the ZIF-8 during the synthesis process to make ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT nanoparticles (NPs). The end product (HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs) was obtained by HA modification on the surface of ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs. The obtained HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs have excellent potential as a drug delivery vector for chemotherapy and immunotherapy in vitro and vivo. Results The results indicate that HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs were readily taken up by OS cells, and that the Gem and D-1-MT were effectively released into the acidic environment. The HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs could efficiently decrease OS cell viability (proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and invasion). And HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs could reactivate antitumor immunity by inhibiting indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Furthermore, animal experiments confirmed that HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs could induce intratumoral immune responses and inhibit tumor growth. Additionally, HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs have a good safety profile. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the combination of Gem with D-1-MT brings new hope for the improved treatment of OS, while the generation of the nanosystem has increased the application potential and flexibility of this strategy.

[Display omitted] Nanotechnology has brought about a significant revolution in drug delivery, and research in this domain is increasingly focusing on understanding the role of nanoparticle (NP) characteristics in drug delivery efficiency. First and foremost, we center our attention on the size of nanoparticles. Studies have indicated that NP size significantly influences factors such as circulation time, targeting capabilities, and cellular uptake. Secondly, we examine the significance of nanoparticle shape. Various studies suggest that NPs of different shapes affect cellular uptake mechanisms and offer potential advantages in directing drug delivery. For instance, cylindrical or needle-like NPs may facilitate better cellular uptake compared to spherical NPs. Lastly, we address the importance of nanoparticle charge. Zeta potential can impact the targeting and cellular uptake of NPs. Positively charged NPs may be better absorbed by negatively charged cells, whereas negatively charged NPs might perform more effectively in positively charged cells. This review provides essential insights into understanding the role of nanoparticles in drug delivery. The properties of nanoparticles, including size, shape, and charge, should be taken into consideration in the rational design of drug delivery systems, as optimizing these characteristics can contribute to more efficient targeting of drugs to the desired tissues. Thus, research into nanoparticle properties will continue to play a crucial role in the future of drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug transmission through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is considered an arduous challenge for brain injury treatment following the return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest (CA-ROSC). Inspired by the propensity of melanoma metastasis to the brain, B16F10 cell membranes are camouflaged on 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2)-loaded reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggered "Padlock" nanoparticles that are constructed by phenylboronic acid pinacol esters conjugated D-a-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS-PBAP). The biomimetic nanoparticles (BM@TP/2ME2) can be internalized, mainly mediated by the mutual recognition and interaction between CD44v6 expressed on B16F10 cell membranes and hyaluronic acid on cerebral vascular endothelial cells, and they responsively release 2ME2 by the oxidative stress microenvironment. Notably, BM@TP/2ME2 can scavenge excessive ROS to reestablish redox balance, reverse neuroinflammation, and restore autophagic flux in damaged neurons, eventually exerting a remarkable neuroprotective effect after CA-ROSC in vitro and in vivo. This biomimetic drug delivery system is a novel and promising strategy for the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury after CA-ROSC. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome that results from a rapid decline in renal structure or renal functional impairment with the main pathological feature of sublethal and lethal damage to renal tubular cells. However, many potential therapeutic agents cannot achieve the desired therapeutic effect because of their poor pharmacokinetics and short retention time in the kidneys. With the recent emergence and progress of nanotechnology, nanodrugs with unique physicochemical properties could prolong circulation time, enhance efficient targeted delivery, and elevate the accumulation of therapeutics that can cross the glomerular filtration barrier and indicate comprehensive application prospects in the prevention and treatment of AKI. In this review, various types of nanosystems (such as liposomes, polymeric nanosystems, inorganic nanoparticles and cell-derived extracellular vesicles) are designed and applied to improve the pharmacokinetics of drug formation, which could further relieve the burden on the kidneys caused by the final cumulative dose of drugs in conventional treatments. Moreover, the passive or active targeting effect of nanosystems can also reduce the total therapeutic dose and off-target adverse effects on other organs. Nanodelivery systems for treating AKI that alleviate oxidative stress-induced renal cell damage and regulate the inflammatory kidney microenvironment are summarized.

Polyphenols and their derivates, a kind of natural product distributed in herb plants, vegetables, and fruits, are the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet and have been found to display cancer-preventative effects in several epidemiological studies. The scientific community has also validated the anti-cancer bioactivities and low toxicities of polyphenolic compounds, including flavones, tannins, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins, through in vitro and in vivo studies. However, the low stability, weak targeting ability, poor solubility, and low bioavailability of pure polyphenolic agents have significantly impaired their treatment efficacy. Nowadays, nano-based technology has been applied to surmount these restrictions and maximize the treatment efficacy of polyphenols. In this review, we summarize the advantages and related mechanisms of polyphenols in cancer treatment. Moreover, aiming at the poor solubility and low bioavailability of pure polyphenols in vivo, the advantages of nano-based delivery systems and recent research developments are highlighted. Herein, particular emphasis is mainly placed on the most widely used nanomaterials in the delivery of natural products, including liposomes, micelles, and nanogels. Finally, we present an overview and the challenges of future implementations of nano-based delivery systems of polyphenolic compounds in the cancer therapeutic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic wounds are one of the most common health problems worldwide, enhancing the demand for new management strategies. Nanotechnology, as a developing subject in diabetic wound healing, is proving to be a promising and effective tool in treatment and care. It is, therefore, necessary to ascertain the available and distinct nanosystems and evaluate their performance when topically applied to the injury site, especially in diabetic wound healing. Several active ingredients, including bioactive ingredients, growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, nucleic acids, and drugs, benefit from improved properties when loaded into nanosystems. Given the risk of problems associated with systemic administration, the topical application should be considered, provided stability and efficacy are assured. After nanoencapsulation, active ingredients-loaded nanosystems have been showing remarkable features of biocompatibility, healing process hastening, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix compounds synthesis stimulation, contributing to a decrease in wound inflammation. Despite limitations, nanotechnology has attracted widespread attention in the scientific community and seems to be a valuable technological ally in the treatment and dressing of diabetic wounds. The use of nanotechnology in topical applications enables efficient delivery of the active ingredients to the specific skin site, increasing their bioavailability, stability, and half-life time, without compromising their safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antitumor immune response induced by chemotherapy has attracted considerable attention. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment hinders the immune activation effect of cancer chemotherapy. TGF-b plays a key role in driving tumor immunosuppression and can prevent effective antitumor immune response through multiple roles. In this study, a dual-responsive prodrug micelle (PAOL) is designed to co-deliver LY2109761 (a TGF-b receptor I/II inhibitor) and oxaliplatin (OXA, a conventional chemotherapy) to remodel tumor microenvironment and trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) to induce antitumor immunity response. Under hypoxia tumor environment, the polyethylene glycol shell of the micelle cleavages, along with the release of LY2109761 and OXA prodrug. Cytotoxic effect of OXA is then activated by glutathione-mediated reduction in tumor cells and the activated OXA significantly enhances tumor immunogenicity and promotes intratumoral accumulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Meanwhile, TGF-b blockade through LY2109761 reprograms tumor microenvironment by correcting the immunosuppressive state and regulating tumor extracellular matrix, which further maintaining OXA induced immune response. Therefore, due to the capability of boosting tumor-specific antitumor immunity, the bifunctional micelle presents markedly synergistic antitumor efficacies and provides a potent therapeutic strategy for chemoimmunotherapy of solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus remains a global health challenge, demanding innovative therapeutic strategies. Herbal remedies have garnered attention for their potential in diabetes management, and recent advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the development of herbal nanoformulations with enhanced efficacy and bioavailability., Objective: This review aimed to comprehensively analyze the mechanisms, formulations, and clinical impact of herbal nanoformulations in managing diabetes mellitus., Method: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies exploring the mechanisms of action, various formulations, and clinical outcomes of herbal nanoformulations in diabetes management., Result: Herbal nanoformulations exert their anti-diabetic effects through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced bioavailability, improved tissue targeting, and potentiation of insulin signaling pathways. Various herbal ingredients, such as bitter melon, fenugreek, and Gymnema sylvestre, have been encapsulated into nanocarriers, like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles, to enhance their therapeutic potential. Clinical studies have demonstrated promising results, showing improvements in glycemic control, lipid profile, and antioxidant status with minimal adverse effects., Conclusion: Herbal nanoformulations represent a promising avenue for the management of diabetes mellitus, offering improved therapeutic outcomes compared to conventional herbal preparations. Further research is warranted to optimize formulation strategies, elucidate long-term safety profiles, and explore the potential synergistic effects of herbal nanoformulations in combination therapies for diabetes management., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The anti-tumor efficacy of current pharmacotherapy is severely hampered due to the adaptive evolution of tumors, urgently needing effective therapeutic strategies capable of breaking such adaptability. Metabolic reprogramming, as an adaptive survival mechanism, is closely related to therapy resistance of tumors. Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells exhibit a high energy dependency that is sustained by an adaptive metabolic conversion between glucose and glutamine, helping tumor cells to withstand nutrient-deficient microenvironments and various treatments. We discover that transition metal vanadium (V) effectively inhibits glucose metabolism in CRC and synergizes with glutaminase inhibitors (BPTES) to disrupt CRC's energy dependency. Thus, a dual energy metabolism suppression nanosystem (VSi-BP@HA) is engineered by loading BPTES into V-doped hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles. This nanosystem effectively dampens CRC energy metabolism, eradicating 33% of tumors in mice. Strikingly, the cell biological and preclinical model datasets provide compelling evidence showing that VSi-BP@HA not only reverses CRC cells chemo-resistance but also drastically potentiates anti-PD1 immunotherapy. Therefore, this nanosystem provides not only a promising approach to suppress CRC, but also a potential adjunct tool for enhancing chemotherapy and immunotherapy., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently been used in nanomedical applications, in which implanted intelligent nanosystems inside the human body were used to diagnose and treat a variety of ailments with the help of the Internet of biological Nano Things (IoBNT). Biological circuit engineering or nanomaterial-based architectures can be used to approach the nanosystem. In nanomedical applications, the blood vascular medium serves as a communication channel, demonstrating a molecular communication system based on flow and diffusion. This paper presents a performance study of the channel capacity for flow-based-diffusive molecular communication nanosystems that takes into account the ligand-receptor binding mechanism. Unlike earlier studies, we take into account the effects of biological physical characteristics such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, and vascular diameter on channel capacity. Furthermore, in terms of drug transmission error probability, the inter-symbol interference (ISI) phenomenon is applied to the proposed system. The numerical results show that the proposed AI nanosystems-based IoBNT technology can be successfully implemented in future nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (adenosine diphosphate [ADP]–ribose) polymerases inhibitors (PARPi), the first clinically approved drug that exhibits synthetic lethality, are moving to the forefront of cancer treatments. Currently, the oral bioavailability of PARPi is quite low; thus, it is a major challenge to effectively and safely deliver PARPi during clinical cancer therapy. Nanotechnology has greatly advanced the development of drug delivery. Based on the basic characteristics and various forms of nanoparticles, drug delivery systems can prolong the time that drugs circulate, realize the controlled release of drugs, provide drugs with an active targeting ability, and spatiotemporally present combination treatment. Furthermore, nanosystems may not only enhance drug efficiency but also reduce adverse side effects. This review focuses on strategies involving nanoparticle-based delivery for PARPi, including single administration and codelivery with other agents. We believe that nanosystems have great potential in advancing PARPi efficacy for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution investigates chlorine (Cl) interaction with the Fe(100) surface, with a focus on governing adsorption energies and geometrical features at the nanoscale using the density functional theory (DFT) approach. The Cl/Fe(100) system can be considered as a building block to create nanosystems with specific and desired electronic, material, mechanical, or environmental properties. We report adsorption energies, surface relaxations. and buckling distances for Cl adsorbed as a function of Cl coverage. The computational DFT framework employs a vdW-DF functional with coverages varying from 0.25 to 1 ML. Adsorption at a bridge site with coverage of 0.5 ML appears to be the most preferred site, with an adsorption energy of −4.44 eV. For all coverages, Cl adsorption at the bridge and hollow sites incurs slightly higher adsorption energies than adsorption at the top (T) site. The potential energy surface (PES) for the dissociation of a Cl molecule over the Fe(100) surface was calculated. Dissociative adsorption of the Cl molecule on Fe(100) ensues via a modest activation barrier of only 0.58 eV in a noticeably exothermic reaction of 2.94 eV. In agreement with experimental observations, the work function decreases upon Cl addition in reference to the clean iron surface. The electronic interaction between Cl and the Fe(100) surface was examined by calculating the differential charge density distribution of the most stable structure (B-0.5 ML). The vdW-DF interactions increase the adsorption energies and reduce the equilibrium distances when compared with the corresponding results from plain DFT.

Adamantane derivatives are already being explored in amyloidogenic diseases, while ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have the potential for affecting amyloidosis. Herein, the transformation of ZnO NPs and adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (ADA) to advanced pH responsive nanosystems is reported. Primary ZnO NPs were isolated under a simple solvothermal self-assembly synthetic procedure in the sole presence of octadecylamine (ODA). By adjusting the reaction time (8–24 h), wurtzites of crystallite sizes 19, 21 and 23 nm, respectively, were synthesized with co-crystallized ODA in monoloayer or bilayer conformation. The NPs with the bilayer of ODA have been functionalized with ADA through an amide bond, while those with the ODA monolayer were further PEGylated and ADA was loaded. Loaded ADA-ZnO nanosystems affected insulin amyloidosis in acidic pH (4.8), both in terms of final aggregation status (40 %) and by retarding the lag phase of amyloids formation. The sustained release profile of ADA was confirmed, while interaction with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was evidenced by hyperchromicity. The pH of 4.8 was not enough to cleave the peptide bond, and thus the direct conjugation of ADA was effective only in prolonging the lag phase, without affecting the final amyloid formation, giving rise to the inherent properties of ZnO, foregrounding a prodrug character. [Display omitted] • Coated ZnO NPs as the structural building blocks of pH responsive nanosystems. • Direct conjugation of adamantanes and/or loading into polyethylene glycol matrix. • pH responsive loaded ADA-ZnO nanosystems, affect insulin amyloidosis in acidic pH. • Sustained release of ADA via PEG swelling and hypochromicity in CT-DNA studies. • Nanosystems act as drugs or prodrugs depending on the post-functionalization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Myc transcription factor and its associated Max protein have essential roles in the development of several types of cancers, including prostate cancer. They dimerize into a Myc–Max heterodimer and bind to DNA sequences known as enhancer boxes (E-box). Therefore, disrupting the binding of these E-boxes to derange transcription is a promising strategy for treating cancer. Using computational biology tools, we designed pMyc and pMax peptides from Myc and Max reference sequences and evaluated their ability to bind to E-boxes through an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). We then coupled them to AuNPs and evaluated their hemocompatibility and cytotoxic effects in three different prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines and a non-cancerous cell line The EMSA results suggested that the pMyc–pMax dimers bound to CMEs. The hemolysis test showed little hemolytic activity for the nanosystems (NS) at the three concentrations evaluated. The cell viability assays showed mixed results, depending on which cell line was being evaluated. Overall, the results suggest that NS with pMyc and pMax peptides might be suitable for further research regarding Myc-driven prostate adenocarcinomas.

Due to their high water, lipid, and protein content, meat and meat products are highly perishable. The principal spoilage mechanisms involved are protein and lipid oxidation and deterioration caused by microbial growth. Therefore, efforts are ongoing to ensure food safety and increase shelf life. The development of low-cost, innovative, eco-friendly approaches, such as nanotechnology, using non-toxic, inexpensive, FDA-approved ingredients is reducing the incorporation of chemical additives while enhancing effectiveness and functionality. This review focuses on advances in the incorporation of natural additives that increase the shelf life of meat and meat products through the application of nanosystems. The main solvent-free preparation methods are reviewed, including those that involve mixing organic–inorganic or organic–organic compounds with such natural substances as essential oils and plant extracts. The performance of these additives is analyzed in terms of their antioxidant effect when applied directly to meat as edible coatings or marinades, and during manufacturing processes. The review concludes that nanotechnology represents an excellent option for the efficient design of new meat products with enhanced characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The high postoperative recurrence rate and refractoriness of relapsed tumors are still a conundrum for the clinical management of osteosarcoma (OS). New therapeutic options are urgently needed. Depriving the nourishment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells is a novel strategy to improve the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment for enhanced OS therapy. Methods: We synthesized a hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified metal–organic framework for combinational chemotherapy and immunotherapy of OS. Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) was prepared by a one-pot synthetic method, Gemcitabine (Gem) and D-1-Methyltryptophan (D-1-MT) were loaded into the ZIF-8 during the synthesis process to make ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT nanoparticles (NPs). The end product (HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs) was obtained by HA modification on the surface of ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs. The obtained HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs have excellent potential as a drug delivery vector for chemotherapy and immunotherapy in vitro and vivo. Results: The results indicate that HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs were readily taken up by OS cells, and that the Gem and D-1-MT were effectively released into the acidic environment. The HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs could efficiently decrease OS cell viability (proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and invasion). And HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs could reactivate antitumor immunity by inhibiting indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Furthermore, animal experiments confirmed that HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs could induce intratumoral immune responses and inhibit tumor growth. Additionally, HA/ZIF-8@Gem/D-1-MT NPs have a good safety profile. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the combination of Gem with D-1-MT brings new hope for the improved treatment of OS, while the generation of the nanosystem has increased the application potential and flexibility of this strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malik Muhammad Irfan,1,2 Shefaat Ullah Shah,1,2 Ikram Ullah Khan,3 Muhammad Usman Munir,4 Nauman Rahim Khan,1,2 Kifayat Ullah Shah,1 Saif Ur Rehman,5 Muhammad Sohaib,1,2 Hafiz Muhammad Basit,1,2 Saima Mahmood1,2 1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, 29050, KPK, Pakistan; 2Gomal Centre for Skin/Regenerative Medicine and Drug Delivery Research (GCSRDDR), Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, 29050, KPK, Pakistan; 3Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 4Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University Sakaka, Aljouf, 72388, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Poonch, Rawlakot, AJK, PakistanCorrespondence: Shefaat Ullah ShahDepartment of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, PakistanTel +92-336-514 0 682Email shefaatbu@gmail.comIntroduction: The current work aimed to formulate a novel chitosan-based finasteride nanosystem (FNS-NS) for skin delivery to optimize the drug availability in skin for a longer time and enhance ex vivo performance of finasteride against androgenic alopecia.Methods: Both undecorated and chitosan decorated FNS-NSs were synthesized by a high energy emulsification technique. All the prepared nanosystems were further subjected to physicochemical characterizations like pH, viscosity, encapsulation efficiency, surface morphology and in vitro drug release behavior. The influence of the nanosystem on the drug permeation and retention in rat skin was examined using Franz diffusion cell apparatus.Results: The droplet size of developed nanosystems ranged from 41 to 864 nm with a low polydispersity index. The zeta potential of the nanosystems was between -10 mV and +56 mV. This chitosan decorated nanosystem exhibited controlled drug release, ie about 78– 97% in 24 h. Among all the nanosystems, our chitosan decorated formulation (F5) had low drug permeation (16.35 μg/cm2) and higher drug retention (10.81 μg/cm2).Conclusion: The abovementioned results demonstrate satisfactory in vitro drug release, skin retention profiles and ex vivo performance with chitosan decorated FNS-NS (F5). This optimized formulation could increase drug availability in skin and could become a promising carrier for topical delivery to treat androgenic alopecia.Keywords: finasteride, nanosystem, solubility, chitosan, permeation, retention, androgenic alopecia

In this study, the hybrid porous silicon (PS)–reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosystems are suggested as sensitive elements to the humidity sensor creation. The electrical characteristics of the PS–rGO nanosystems are studied in the frequency range of 25 Hz–1 MHz. As shown, the electrical resistance and capacitance of sensory elements strongly depend not only on the ratio between the contents of the PS and rGO nanoparticles but also on the surrounding atmosphere. An essential increase in the electrical capacitance and decrease in resistance by about three orders of magnitude due to increasing relative humidity from 40 to 90% is detected. Dependences of sensing ability of resistive and capacitive sensor elements based on the PS–rGO nanosystems on relative humidity are analysed. The obtained results demonstrate high potential of applications of the PS–rGO nanosystems in humidity sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intranasal administration is a promising route for brain drug delivery. However, it can be difficult to formulate drugs that have low water solubility into high strength intranasal solutions. Hence, the purpose of this work was to review the strategies that have been used to increase drug strength in intranasal liquid formulations. Three main groups of strategies are: the use of solubilizers (change in pH, complexation and the use cosolvents/surfactants); incorporation of the drugs into a carrier nanosystem; modifications of the molecules themselves (use of salts or hydrophilic prodrugs). The use of high amounts of cosolvents and/or surfactants and pH decrease below 4 usually lead to local adverse effects, such as nasal and upper respiratory tract irritation. Cyclodextrins and (many) different carrier nanosystems, on the other hand, could be safer for intranasal administration at reasonably high concentrations, depending on selected excipients and their dose. While added attributes such as enhanced permeation, sustained delivery, or increased direct brain transport could be achieved, a great effort of optimization will be required. On the other hand, hydrophilic prodrugs, whether co-administered with a converting enzyme or not, can be used at very high concentrations, and have resulted in a fast prodrug to parent drug conversion and led to high brain drug levels. Nevertheless, the choice of which strategy to use will always depend on the characteristics of the drug and must be a case-by-case approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]