Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology - Volume 13, Issue 3, 2025

Women are impacted by the extremely common cancer known as cervical cancer worldwide. Although preventive vaccines for cervical cancer are successful, treatment of cervical cancer is far less satisfactory because of multidrug resistance and side effects. There is an increasing need for alternative treatment modalities due to the rather aggressive and non-specific nature of conventional chemotherapeutics. With the advent of new technologies, scientists are working harder to create novel drug delivery strategies for chemotherapy of cervical cancer. Metal nanoparticles, and particularly silver nanoparticles, are a relatively new class with a lot of promise in the field of cancer biology. Nanoparticle therapeutics are attractive platforms for clinically relevant drug development because of their powerful anti-cancer properties, correspondingly attenuated side effects, and cancer-specific targeting. In this review, we provide an overview of the most recent uses of nanotechnology, particularly silver nanostructures, in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. The salient features of silver nanoparticle-based therapeutic concepts that are novel, viable, and attainable are emphasized in this review, along with those that pose a significant obstacle to their progress toward clinical application.

The ever-growing demand for safe and nutritious food has activated the scrutinization of innovative approaches to enhance food preservation and extended shelf life. Nanotechnology has progressed by making a significant contribution to the food industry at the nanoscale level and appeared as a promising avenue for these challenges. Various nanomaterials have been employed to preserve and extend the shelf life of a variety of food products. Since most harvested fruits and vegetables have a perishable nature, they cannot be preserved in natural circumstances for a long period. Due to a range of unique qualities, nanotechnology-related shelf life extension technologies can compensate for the limitations of normal preservation procedures. The encapsulation of nutraceuticals increases their stability and bioavailability, resulting in beneficial effects on humans. Nanoparticles are used as carriers of health-promoting and/or functional substances in product formulations. They have shown excellent effectiveness in encapsulating bioactive substances and retaining their qualities to ensure their functioning (antioxidant and antibacterial) in food products. This review focuses on the current developments in nanotechnology and their application for improving shelf life and food preservation techniques. Here we excavated the implementation of different types and forms of nanostructured materials (NSMs), from inorganic metals, metal oxides, and their nanocomposites to nano-organic materials incorporating bioactive chemicals in the food system. This review also focuses on exploring the slow and sustainable release of the bioactive compounds, and nutrients enriching the taste and sensory characteristics of the food. Throughout the paper, we dug deep into the regulatory, food safety, and assessment concerns about nanotechnology. The review provides a deep understanding of the developing landscape of nanotechnological applications, challenges, and future opportunities revolutionizing the preservation and extended shelf life of food products.

In response to the escalating issue of antibiotic-resistant bacteria adhering to and thriving on medical equipment, scientists are pioneering innovative “intelligent” materials and coatings. These advancements entail the targeted release of antimicrobial substances, specifically activated when bacteria are detected. The next section discusses three revolutionary substances: hydrogels, nanoparticles, and thin films. Furthermore, intelligent antibacterial materials are divided into 2 groups based on the triggering source: those that react to biological stimuli and those that react to non-biological ones, like temperature and electric cues associated with bacterial presence, such as pH shifts or bacterial enzyme discharge. Moreover, because of their simple construction technique, outstanding biocompatibility, and robust antibacterial characteristics derived from polyphenols and metal ions, metallic-polyphenolic nanoparticles (MPNs) have obtained substantial interest in tackling antimicrobial infections. This article presents an introduction to several MPN-centered biomaterials (like nanoparticles, coatings, capsules, and hydrogels) and highlights the latest advancements in research in its applications for addressing microbial threats in the field of biomedicine. Furthermore, the usage of smart materials is classified based on their application domains, encompassing medical implants, waste reduction, and nano-engineered systems.

The process of producing the metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) in a sustainable and environment-friendly process is very desirable due to environmental hazards posed by climatic changes. Biomedical one of the fields classified under nanoscience, nanoparticles have a potential synthetic application, which makes it a vast area of research. These particles can be prepared using chemical, physical, and biological methods. One of the methods of synthesis of nanoparticles is by the use of plant extracts, known as green synthesis. Because of its low cost and nontoxicity, it has gained attention in recent times. This review was conducted to find the possible outcomes and uses of metallic nanoparticles synthesized using different parts like gum, root, stem, leaf, fruits, etc. of Azadirachta indica (AI). AI, a popular medicinal plant commonly known as neem, has been studied for the green synthesis of NPs by using the capping and reducing agents secreted by the plant. Various phytochemicals identified in neem are capable of metal ion reduction. Green synthesis of NPs from neem is an eco-friendly and low-cost method. These NPs are reported to exhibit good antimicrobial activity. The review covers the preparation, characterization, and mechanism associated with the antibacterial, anticancer, and neurological diseases of the MNPs. Furthermore, the limitations associated with the existing NPs and the prospects of these NPs are also examined.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer among white people, according to the World Health Organisation. The incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers has increased to epidemic levels, making them the most widespread type of skin cancer. Melanoma is a very aggressive form of cancer, characterized by limited treatment choices due to multidrug resistance and an extremely low probability of patient survival. This article explores the various impediments and limitations associated with conventionally available treatments. Chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are among the conventional treatments for melanoma; however, each of these approaches has several adverse reactions. Recently, there has been a focus on biological and pharmacological research on developing alternative, site-specific therapy approaches. Nanotechnology offers several benefits in this regard, with the potential to enhance the longevity of melanoma patients while minimizing adverse effects. Nanoparticles serve as effective drug carrier systems due to their capacity to improve the solubility of medications with low water solubility, modify pharmacokinetics, prolong drug half-life by reducing immunogenicity, boost bioavailability, and decrease drug metabolism. This article highlights recent advancements in utilizing several nanotechnological techniques, including solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, liposomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, and nanoemulsion polymeric mixed micelles.

Nanotechnology has advanced significantly in recent years and is currently used in a wide range of sectors. Only a handful of the many diverse issues covered by nanotechnology include nanoscale gadgets, nanomaterials, nanoparticles, and nanomedicines. Its performance in treating a range of grave conditions, such as cancer, early detection of infections, analysis, bio-imaging, and bio sensing, suggests that it is highly advanced. Nanoscale materials have been employed for medicine delivery, pharmaceutics, and a range of diagnostic techniques due to their various biochemical and physical features. The use of nanoparticles that are based on nanotechnology can significantly improve the drug delivery mechanism. It is believed that nanoparticles capacity to improve the stability and solubility of drugs and shield them from impulsive inactivation during drug transfer makes it possible for them to capture, encapsulate, or bond with the molecules. The use of nanomedicine or nanoparticle-based tactics to combat viruses has emerged as a potentially life-saving tactic. These approaches have the power to protect both humans and animals against viruses. In order to inactivate a virus, nanoparticles have the unique capacity to connect with the virus epitope. Many nanocarriers have the potential to replace current drug delivery methods with focused drug delivery. Small dosages, low toxicity, and targeted flow of drug release at the infected location are all characteristics of nanocarriers or nanomedicine. Due to their distinct physicochemical and biological features, nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems (NBDDS) are frequently employed to enhance the safety and therapeutic efficacy of encapsulated pharmaceuticals. The program’s objective can be supported by the applications that have so far been developed. This idea is therefore essential and sophisticated for the development of civilization. Our research will therefore concentrate on how human use of nanomedicines has changed through time in many domains.

Nano-Structured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) are improved Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) that recover the permanency and capacity of drug payload. There are 3 different types of NLCs which have been anticipated. The aforementioned Lipid Nano Particles (LNPs) possess possible tenders in drug delivery systems, cosmeceuticals, clinical research and many others. Here, we highlight the structure, ingredients, different manufacturing techniques and analysis of NLCs which are rudiments in formulating a unique drug delivery system. These types of formulations are therapeutically advantageous like skin hydration, occlusion and improved bioavailability as well as skin targeting. In this article, we have also discussed the features, and novelty of NLCs, different advantages as promising assistance in topical drug delivery systems, shortcomings and utilisations of LNPs by concentrating on NLCs.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are one of the extensively utilized nanocarriers in the pharmaceutical field due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. These features of the carrier system have fuelled its use as the drug delivery system since the last three decades. This review presents different SLN preparation techniques, such as high shear homogenization, hot homogenization, cold homogenization, microemulsion-based technique, etc. The physicochemical nature of SLNs, comprising drug loading, drug release, particle size, zeta potential, stability, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake, has been concisely discussed. The article also explains why SLNs are preferred to develop drug delivery systems in several pharmaceutical preparations. The key ingredients like lipid, surfactant/stabilizer accompanied by co-surfactant, cryoprotectant, or charge modifiers used to fabricate SLNs are also briefly conferred. Here is an elaborate discussion of drugs that are used through various routes by the SLN carrier system and their outcome for utilization of this system. Regulatory aspects, patent aspects, and future prospects of SLN are also discussed here.

Due to the complexities of the eye's anatomy and physiology, achieving targeted drug delivery with minimal harm to healthy eye tissues has proven to be difficult. The focus of the review is on the potential of lipid and polymer micelle-based drug delivery systems, specifically nanomicelles, to overcome these challenges and improve the absorption of insoluble drugs. Nanomicelles offer several advantages, such as enhanced drug release kinetics, increased drug incorporation, and improved formulation of hydrophobic medicines. The review provides insights into various excipients, preparation methods, and evaluation techniques used in nanomicellar-based drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the review highlights current research and patents related to nanomicelles in ocular drug delivery, suggesting growing interest and potential for future developments in this field. Nanomicelles present a promising approach that may revolutionize ocular drug delivery and open new possibilities for treating various ocular diseases while minimizing adverse effects on healthy eye tissues.