Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology - Online First

Nanotechnology has advanced significantly in recent decades, with the production and design of nanomaterials becoming a focal point of research. Nanomedicine, a key component of this field, involves the development of nanoscale materials for applications in imaging and drug delivery. Current research predominantly focuses on the synthesis of precisely characterized nanomaterials, particularly in terms of their size and morphology, as these parameters play a critical role in determining the behavior of nanomaterials in vivo. This paper reviews various methods for the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles, including solvent evaporation, nanoprecipitation, emulsification/solvent diffusion, salting out, dialysis, supercritical fluid technology (SCF), and monomer polymerization techniques. Additionally, it discusses approaches such as emulsion, mini-emulsion, microemulsion, interfacial polymerization, controlled/living radical polymerization, and ionic gelation/coacervation. Each preparation method is described in terms of its characteristics, advantages, limitations, and potential applications. The paper also explores pharmaceutical considerations and challenges associated with novel drug delivery systems. Recent literature examples are presented to highlight the impact of preparation techniques on the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles.

Cancer is a leading cause of death and life-threatening disease globally. It is connected to persistent tissue damage and unregulated cellular proliferation. In females, breast cancer plays a crucial role in death rates. Chemotherapy, alongside surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy, is a first-line treatment, but its non-specific action harms both cancerous and healthy cells, causing severe side effects. The treatment options for breast cancer are based on the disease stage, which spans from stages 0 to IV. To mitigate this issue, novel strategies focusing on specific targets have been introduced in recent times. Advanced nanocarriers are focused on tumor-specific drug delivery using active targeting based on ligand-receptor identification, this approach has the potential to demonstrate enhanced efficacy compared to passive targeting strategies in the context of therapy for human breast cancer. Surface alteration can assist overcome this issue. This overview focuses on modified nano-sized carriers, including liposomes, micelles, polymeric nanocarriers, carbon dots, and gold nanoparticles. It has been studied to improve therapeutics efficacy, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics features via mechanisms. The primary aim is no longer confined to merely enveloping cancer medications in novel formulations for diverse delivery pathways; instead, the emphasis lies on precise cancer targeting. This review focuses on the stages of breast cancer, obstacles, types of breast cancer therapies, techniques, and various nanocarriers using ligand-mediated drug delivery systems and their mechanisms.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by high postprandial blood sugar levels and increased fasting, which disrupts physiological balance and causes organ damage. Owing to the global health risk of type 2 diabetes, natural remedies have shown promise as viable alternatives because of their outstanding antidiabetic properties. Nevertheless, the therapeutic use of these compounds is rather restricted due to their inadequate solubility, instability in the gastrointestinal tract, low absorption, and other related factors. Currently, the development of nanoscale systems is a notable approach to enhancing the delivery of phytochemicals. This study aims to investigate the advancements in drug delivery techniques using nanoparticles, with a particular focus on enhancing the effectiveness of herbal remedies in the treatment of diabetes. This study aims to enrich our understanding of nanotechnology's potential in enlightening drug delivery systems by employing database repositories like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Based on their categorization and structure, nano-systems are classified into liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, phytosomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, self-nano emulsifying drug delivery systems, and inorganic nano-carriers. This study intricately describes the formulation process, selection criteria, and mechanism of herb-loaded nanoparticles using an example of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antidiabetic herbal drugs. Researchers have proven that nano-formulations of herb-loaded antidiabetic drugs improve compliance and therapeutic efficacy by resolving pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutical issues. We could expect the creation of nano-formulations to be a viable method for optimizing the therapeutic effectiveness of plant-produced antidiabetic compounds.

Even with recent advancements in surgery and multimodal adjuvant therapy, brain cancer treatment is still difficult. The blood-brain barrier and the potentially deadly medications' non-specificity have made pharmacological treatment for brain cancer particularly ineffective. The nanoparticle has surfaced as a viable brain delivery vector that can solve the issues with existing approaches. Furthermore, it is possible to integrate many functions into a single nanoplatform to enable tumor-specific diagnosis, therapy, and follow-up observation. Conventional technology does not allow for such multitasking. Recent developments in brain cancer treatment and detection using nanoparticles are discussed in this study. The benefits of delivery via nanoparticles are discussed, along with the kinds of nanoparticle systems being studied and their potential uses.

The review aims to assess the potential of niosomes—nonionic surfactant-based vesicular systems—as carriers for topical and transdermal drug delivery. Niosomes enable targeted and controlled drug release while minimizing systemic toxicity. The investigation centers on their structure, stability, and capacity to entrap both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, as well as their use in managing various dermatological and systemic disorders. Recent studies have examined the formulation of niosomes, particularly highlighting the roles of nonionic surfactants and cholesterol in enhancing the stability and entrapment efficiency of these vesicles. Research on permeability enhancers has been reviewed for their ability to work together to improve drug transport and bioavailability. It also provides a detailed discussion on the use of niosomes in treating various dermatological conditions, as well as their applications in systemic diseases, with a particular focus on co-delivery systems in cancer therapies. Niosomes exhibit efficacy in drug delivery by providing an increase in penetration through the stratum corneum, targeting hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs for dermatological and systemic applications. The Development of niosomal therapy has expanded into immunization, anti-inflammatory treatments, and the control of pigmentation. Permeability enhancers further increase their efficacy, bioavailability, and tissue localization. Anticancer treatment using niosomes for co-delivery of agents demonstrates synergistic effects with reduced side effects. Niosomes have tremendous potential in advancing topical and transdermal drug delivery, offering controlled, targeted release and improved patient outcomes. With optimized fabrication and comprehensive toxicity evaluation, niosomes can potentially revolutionize topical therapies, making them safer, more effective, and patient-friendly for a range of next-generation treatment options across dermatology and beyond.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and eventual joint damage. This condition occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and preventing joint damage through a combination of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Recently, biological therapies have been introduced, including Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers (such as etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab), IL-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab), and interleukin-1 inhibitors (anakinra). These treatments can lead to various side effects. The use of herbal-based treatments, such as secondary metabolites, has gained popularity due to their better tolerability, safety, and effectiveness compared to conventional therapies. However, there are also some limitations, like poor bioavailability and permeability and lower stability; to overcome these issues, Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) have been introduced as better treatment options in recent years. Polymer science advancements and nanotechnology applications have opened new avenues for RA treatment, emphasizing the development of smart drug delivery systems. These systems aim to improve therapeutic outcomes while minimizing adverse effects. Additionally, newly synthesized biocompatible drug delivery systems, combined with anti-inflammatory drugs composed of secondary metabolites, offer potential solutions for RA.