Current Drug Delivery - Volume 22, Issue 10, 2025

Combining Doxorubicin (DOX) with sorafenib (SF) is a promising strategy for treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). However, strict dosage control is required for both drugs, and there is a lack of target selectivity.

This study aims to develop a novel nano-drug delivery system for the combined use of DOX and SF, aiming to reduce their respective dosages, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and improve target selectivity.

DOX/SF co-loaded liposomes (LPs) were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. The liposomes were modified with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine (DSPE)-polyethylene glycol (PEG2000), DSPE-PEG1000-cell penetrating peptide TAT, and Glycyrrhetinic Acid (GA). The basic properties of the liposomes were characterized. CCK-8 cell viability assays were conducted using HepG2, MHCC97-H, and PLC cell models, and apoptosis experiments were performed using HepG2 cells to determine if this delivery system could reduce the respective dosages of DOX and SF and enhance HCC cytotoxicity. Liposome uptake experiments were performed using HepG2 cells to validate the target selectivity of this delivery system.

A GA/TAT-DOX/SF-LP liposomal nano drug delivery system was successfully constructed, with a particle size of 150 nm, a zeta potential of -7.9 mV, a DOX encapsulation efficiency of 92%, and an SF encapsulation efficiency of 88.7%. Cellular experiments demonstrated that this delivery system reduced the required dosages of DOX and SF, exhibited stronger cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells, and showed better target selectivity.

A simple and referenceable liposomal nano drug delivery system has been developed for the combined application of DOX and SF in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Gemcitabine (Gem) is a well-known antineoplastic drug used to treat several solid tumors. The clinical application of Gem is hampered owing to its non-selectivity, short half-life, and drug resistance, which, therefore, necessitate the development of a suitable novel formulation that can selectively target cancer sites.

In present work, Gem-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Gem-BSANPs) have been prepared by using the desolvation cross-linking method and coated with hyaluronic acid (HA-Gem-BSANPs) to target the CD44 receptor which overexpressed on several solid tumors. The developed NPs were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Further anticancer activity of the developed formulation was evaluated against A549 and MCF-7 cells and explored mode of action studies.

The mean particle size and zeta potential of HA-Gem-BSANPs were observed as 144.7±5.67 nm and -45.72±3.24 mV, respectively. The TEM analysis also corroborated the particle size and shape, while thermal analysis (DSC) indicated that Gem was entrapped into NPs in an amorphous form. The nucleoside transport inhibition assay demonstrated that the NPs do not depend on transporters for cellular internalization, and hence, resistance development in cells is less expected against this formulation. HA-Gem-BSANPs exhibited higher cytotoxicity and apoptosis on both the tested cell lines. However, better cell-killing ability and mitochondrial membrane potential loss were observed against A549 due to CD44 expression.

The present work demonstrated that HA-Gem-BSANPs could be a potential strategy to improve Gem's therapeutic efficacy by selectively targeting the tumor site.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, progressively distinctive via cartilage destruction, auto-antibody production, severe joint pain, and synovial inflammation. Nanotechnology represents one of the utmost promising scientific technologies of the 21^st century. Nanocarriers could be the key to unlocking its potential by encapsulating Rutin in targeted drug delivery systems, potentially for targeted Rheumatoid arthritis therapy.

The rationale of current research is to prepare liposomes loaded with a bioflavonoid drug rutin for effective management of rheumatoid arthritis.

This study investigated the formulation of rutin liposomes using the thin-film hydration technique, also known as the Bangham method. A Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the formulation parameters. The LP2 batch was then characterized for its mean particle size, zeta potential, shape, diffraction pattern, and thermal properties. Finally, the in-vitro anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the rutin liposomes were evaluated using appropriate assays.

Out of thirteen batches, LP2 was found to be an optimized batch with a mean particle size of 167.1 nm, zeta potential -13.50 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 61.22%. The above results showed higher stability of rutin liposomes. Further characterization of LP2 for morphological assessment, XRD analysis, and DSC revealed its spherical shape less than 1 µm, polycrystalline nature, and thermographic peak at 139°C, respectively. Evaluation of the antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory potential of LP2 revealed its maximum therapeutic potential in the reduction of inflammation and protein denaturation when evaluated via in-vitro assays.

Rutin liposomal formulation has tremendous potential for the management of Rheumatoid arthritis due to its enhanced bioavailability, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties when compared to free rutin.

Hot-melt Pressure-sensitive Adhesives (HMPSA) are eco-friendly pressure-sensitive adhesives, with the potential of being used as substrates for transdermal patches. However, due to the low hydrophilicity of HMPSA, the application is limited in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plasters.

Three modified HMPSA were prepared with acrylic resin EPO, acrylic resin RL100, and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the modifying materials. The physical compatibility between HMPSA and the modifying materials was investigated through in vitro release performance, viscosity, softening point, cohesion, and fluidity, so as to determine the most effective modifying material. The impact of the modified HMPSA on the release properties of different TCM ingredients was elucidated by the performance of water absorption and contact angle behavior.

With the addition of the modifying materials, both the viscosity and the softening point of HMPSA were improved, with the flowability reduced and the cohesion maintained. The morphological and structural changes reflected the physical compatibility between HMPSA and the three modifying materials. According to the results of in vitro release experiments, PVP effectively improved the release performance of paeoniflorin, ephedrine hydrochloride, and cinnamaldehyde in HMPSA, with no significant impact on the release performance of eugenol. The changes in the drug release performance of HMPSA may be attributed to the improved hydrophilicity of HMPSA after physical modification.

The compatibility and the drug release performance of HMPSA were effectively enhanced after the addition of the modifying materials by the physical blending technique. Among the three modifying materials, PVP has been found to be an ideal modifying material for HMPSA in the field of TCM plasters due to its effects on drug release performance.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, and current treatment methods have limited effectiveness. Therefore, developing new and more effective therapeutic strategies is crucial. This study aims to establish pH-responsive silk fibroin (SF) nanoparticles encapsulating β-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (SF@β-HIVS) to enhance the therapeutic effects against pancreatic cancer.

SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles were prepared using a self-assembly technique and characterized under different pH conditions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The effects of SF@β-HIVS on the viability, apoptosis, and migration of PANC-1 cells were assessed through in vitro experiments. Additionally, in vivo experiments using a PANC-1 xenograft mouse model evaluated the antitumor activity and biosafety of SF@β-HIVS.

SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles exhibited a uniformly distributed spherical structure under pH 7.4 conditions and rapidly disintegrated in acidic environments, releasing the drug. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SF@β-HIVS significantly inhibited PANC-1 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed cell migration. In vivo, experiments confirmed the significant antitumor activity and good biosafety of SF@β-HIVS.

This study successfully developed pH-responsive SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles and validated their potential in treating pancreatic cancer. These findings provided a foundation for the clinical application of SF@β-HIVS in pancreatic cancer treatment.

DSPE-mPEG2000 is a phospholipid and polyethylene glycol conjugate used in various biomedical applications, including drug delivery, gene transfection, and vaccine delivery. Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of DSPE-mPEG2000, it can serve as a drug carrier, encapsulating drugs in liposomes to enhance stability and efficacy.

In this study, long-circulating podophyllotoxin liposomes (Lc-PTOX-Lps) were prepared using DSPE-mPEG2000 as a modifying material and evaluated for their pharmacokinetics and anticancer activity.

Lc-PTOX-Lps had an encapsulation rate of 87.11±1.77%, an average particle size of 168.91±7.07 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.19±0.04, and a zeta potential of -24.37±0.36 mV. In vitro release studies showed that Lc-PTOX-Lps exhibited a significant slow-release effect. The long-circulating liposomes demonstrated better stability compared to normal liposomes and exhibited a significant slow-release profile. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that Lc-PTOX-Lps had a prolonged half-life, reduced in vivo clearance, and improved bioavailability. Additionally, Lc-PTOX-Lps exhibited better anticancer effects on MCF-7 cells and lower toxicity to normal cells compared to PTOX.

Lc-PTOX-Lps were synthesized using a simple and effective method, and Lc-PTOX-Lps are promising anticancer agents.