Recent Patents on Nanotechnology - Volume 15, Issue 4, 2021

Background: As an emerging carbon nanomaterial, Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) have shown great potential application in new energy storage devices due to their unique small size effect and abundant edge active sites. This work introduces the main synthesis strategies of GQDs, which include top-down and bottom-up methods; the application examples of GQDs and GQDsbased composites in energy storage are reviewed, moreover, the unique advantages of GQDs in supercapacitors, Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) and Lithium-sulfur batteries (Li–S batteries) are highlighted. The problems and development prospects in this growing area are also discussed. Methods: We conducted a detailed search of “the application of GQDs in energy storage devices” in the published papers and the public patents based on the Web of Science database in the period from 2014 to 2020. The corresponding literature was carefully evaluated and analyzed. Results: Sixty papers and twenty-eight recent patents were included in this mini-review. The significant advances in recent years are summarized with comparative and balanced discussion. Thanks to the unique properties of large specific surface area, high conductivity and abundant active sites, GQDs have unparalleled potential application for new energy storage, especially improving the specific capacity and cycle stability of supercapacitors, LIBs and Li-S batteries. Conclusion: The findings of this mini-review confirm the importance of GQDs, show the enhanced electrochemical performance in supercapacitors, LIBs and Li-S batteries, and also provide a helpful guide to design and fabricate high-efficiency electrode materials.

Background: In dermatology, the topical application of liposomes has proven to be of therapeutic value. Many drugs encapsulated into liposomes have shown enhanced skin penetration. Methods: Liposomes are lipid based spherical vesicles. In structure and composition, they resemble cell membrane. Because of their amphipathic nature, they can be used as carriers for hydrophilic as well as lipophilic therapeutic agents. These liposomal systems can easily get integrated with the skin lipids and maintain the desired hydration conditions to improve drug penetration and localization in the skin layers. Results: Considering the need for topical delivery and the promising potential of liposomes, an attempt has been made to explore the recent advances of liposome-based formulations in dermatological applications. Conclusion: This patent summarizes the recent findings of liposome-based formulations for dermal delivery of drugs.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the seven known coronaviruses infecting humans; HKU1, 229E, NL63, OC43, Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2, the last three of which can cause severe symptoms in patients. COVID-19, previously known as 2019 novel coronavirus, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was first reported in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, and quickly resulted in a major epidemic across the world. Although the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is not clear yet, genome sequencing results suggest that this is the third reported spillover of an animal coronavirus to humans, from 2002. The development of detection, therapeutic, and prevention strategies for COVID-19 is a fundamental task towards curing infected people and competing with the pandemic. Because of their similarities, scientists believe that treatment/ detection methods similar to what were used against the illnesses caused by SARS-CoV or MERS-CoV may be effective for curing/detecting COVID-19. Here, we review the recent nanotechnology techniques used for treating and testing SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, and potential therapeutic options for curing COVID-19. This patent summarizes the recent findings of advances on Nanotechnologies against Coronavirus.

Background: Acne is one of the most infectious diseases related to human skin. This disease of acne is of higher prevalence in adults. The main causative organism involved in the acne vulgaris is Propionibacterium acne, which leads to sebum production and follicular hyperkeratinization. Methods: The scientific data shows inflammatory mediators of genetic factors, stress, physiological factor, androgens and hormonal changes; all these factors play a major part in the pathophysiology of acne. Several drugs are currently available for the treatment of Acne like bactericidal, antibiotic and several others which are directly or indirectly involved in the eradication of acne. Results: Nanocarrier systems including liposomes, niosomes, microsponges, nano-emulsion and micro-emulsion, microspheres and solid lipid nanoparticles have emerged as a successful treatment for acne. In this article, the authors have laid special emphasis on these nanocarriers and the study of various patents based on novel technologies in this field. The entrapment of the anti-acne drug molecule into a particular nanocarrier system has been shown to enhance patient compliance and reduction in side-effects. Conclusion: The present review article provides an overview of the mechanism, advantages, drawbacks and various patents associated with the nanocarrier systems involved in acne treatment. Some state of the art patented and novel technologies such as stem cell secretion technology, sol-gel technology incorporating microcapsules and ultrasound delivery of nanoparticles for acne treatment, are also briefly discussed. The patent study on these nanocarriers was done through the worldwide database of the United States patent office, European patent office and several other official patent information websites.

Background: Nanosuspensions are colloidal systems consisting of pure drug and stabilizers, without matrix or lyophilized into a solid matrix. Nanosuspensions improve the solubility of the drug both in the aqueous and organic phases. Nanosuspensions are also known as brick dust molecules, as they increase the dissolution of a system and improve absorption. Methods: Extensive information related to nanosuspensions and its associated patents were collected using Pub Med and Google Scholar. Results: Over the last decade nanosuspensions have attracted tremendous interest in pharmaceutical research. It provides unique features including, improved solubility, high drug loading capacity, and passive targeting. These particles are cost-effective, simple, and have lesser side effects with minimal dose requirements. However, the stability of nanosuspensions still warrants attention. Conclusion: Nanosuspensions play a vital role in handling the numerous drug entities with difficult physico-chemical characteristics such as solubility and can further aid with a range of routes that include nasal, transdermal, ocular, parenteral, pulmonary etc. This review highlights the relevance of nanosuspensions in achieving safe, effective and targeted drug delivery.

Background: Cancer is caused by mutations in oncogenes and loss of tumor suppressor activity. Despite the efforts of the pharmaceutical industry to fight cancer, it is necessary to investigate new methods to enhance the action against this disease. In this scenario, liposome technology has emerged as a drug delivery system for cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of liposome technology in the treatment of cancer through analysis of patent documents. Methods: We analyzed prospective documents in the Derwent Innovation Index database. Results: A total of 203 patent documents were related to the area of interest, published between 2000 and 2020, and the USA and Japan were shown as countries with the largest number of publications. Moreover, most of these publications came from companies, however, also with the representation of important universities, mainly the University of California. According to the International Patent Classification, the codes most applicable to the documents were in the areas of human necessities and chemistry. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the study and application of liposomes for the development of cancer treatment tended to grow, along with the number of related patents.