Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bo Wang, Fenglin Liu, Jia Xiang, Yongju He, Zhibin Zhang, Zeneng Cheng, Wenjie Liu, Songwen Tan
Summary: The study highlights the challenge of poor water-solubility in new drugs, which affects their bioavailability. Spray drying technology is recommended to improve drug solubility and bioavailability, although there are still some issues to be addressed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kristina Pagh Friis, Sandra Gracin, Steven Oag, Alexandra Leijon, Elin Sand, Botilda Lindberg, Elisa Lazaro-Ibanez, Johnny Lindqvist, Kathryn A. Whitehead, Annette Bak
Summary: RNA therapies have advanced significantly with the development of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery and spray-dried LNP mRNA formulations, which enhance stability and enable targeted delivery to the lung. These innovations have wide-ranging applications in protein replacement therapy, gene editing, vaccination, and more.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mahbubur Rahman, Keanu Radgman, James Tarabokija, Stephanie Ahmad, Ecevit Bilgili
Summary: In this study, hybrid nanocrystal-amorphous solid dispersions (HyNASDs) were prepared to enhance the dissolution rate of the poorly soluble drug itraconazole. The addition of a surfactant, SDS, aided in stabilizing the nanosuspensions and increasing the amorphous content. HyNASDs achieved supersaturation values of up to 850% and 790% during dissolution, surpassing the performance of ASDs and traditional nanoparticle-based formulations.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Raghavendhar R. Kotha, Kelly Zhang, Peter Yehl, Archana Kumar
Summary: This study systematically investigated the oxidative degradation of a pharmaceutical compound and proposed the use of antioxidants to prevent drug degradation, providing appropriate solutions for pharmaceutical companies.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Aijun Di, Shengyu Zhang, Xuan Liu, Zhenbo Tong, Siping Sun, Zengchao Tang, Xiao Dong Chen, Winston Duo Wu
Summary: This study developed microparticles with improved solubility and antioxidant activity using resveratrol as a model drug. Chitosan played a key role in adjusting drug release behavior and enhancing mucoadhesion properties.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hongwei Zhang, Minglu Li, Jianmin Li, Anjali Agrawal, Ho-Wah Hui, Demin Liu
Summary: This study compared the performance of two amorphous formulation strategies: mesoporous silica via solvent impregnation, and solid dispersions by spray drying. The results showed that mesoporous silica was able to maintain amorphous fenofibrate for up to 3 months and had better flowability compared to solid dispersions. In vitro dissolution results indicated a well-controlled release of fenofibrate from mesoporous silica. This study demonstrates the potential of mesoporous silica as an alternative formulation platform to spray-dried solid dispersions for oral drug product development.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Moustafa M. Abdelaziz, Amr Hefnawy, Asem Anter, Menna M. Abdellatif, Mahmoud A. F. Khalil, Islam A. Khalil
Summary: This study developed an inhalable dry powder formulation composed of nano-in-microparticles for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, showcasing improved drug potency through carriers, which localized therapy while minimizing adverse effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sien Dedroog, Eline Boel, Celestine Kindts, Bernard Appeltans, Guy van den Mooter
Summary: The influence of organic solvents on the kinetic stabilization of drug components in a polymer matrix was investigated, indicating that the solvent determined the maximum amount of drug that could be kinetically trapped in the polymer matrix. There was no direct relationship found between the thermodynamic solubility of a drug and its highest drug loading attained using the same solvent, highlighting the important contribution of the solvent to the generation of a supersaturated state.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tu Van Duong, Hanh Thuy Nguyen, Fei Wang, Miaojun Wang, Pravin K. Narwankar, Lynne S. Taylor
Summary: This study applied atomic layer coating (ALC) to deposit a pinhole-free film of aluminum oxide onto the surface of ASD particles, resulting in higher drug loadings, improved physical stability, and reduced drug release.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jiaqi Shang, Zhiqing Hu, Peizhuang Wang, Li Zhang, Jiang Zhou
Summary: This study explores the effects of spray drying operating conditions on the structure and digestibility of spray-dried corn starch. The results show that the apparent amylose content and swelling power of the corn starch increase after spray drying and recrystallization, while the particle size decreases. Furthermore, the short-range order, long-range order, and content of resistant starch decrease with the change in operating conditions. Digestive properties are mainly related to the short-range ordered structure and crystalline structure.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yuyan Xu, Mingsheng Dong, Hongmei Xiao, Siew Young Quek, Yukiharu Ogawa, Guangyuan Ma, Chuang Zhang
Summary: Probiotic powders produced by spray drying have advantages of high efficiency, cost-saving, and good powder properties. However, the harsh drying and digestion processes can reduce cell viability, limiting the effectiveness of live cells. Therefore, there is a need to develop targeted delivery systems using spray drying to protect bacteria and maintain their physiological functions. This review highlights recent studies on spray-dried targeted delivery vehicles for probiotics, focusing on strategies to protect bacteria, particle formation mechanism, and the targeted release and colonization of live cells. Further research is needed to improve the functional properties of microcapsules and understand the effects of spray drying on bacterial physiology for industrialization and commercialization.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhixing Lin, Kai Zheng, Mohammad A. Azad, Rajesh N. Dave
Summary: This study investigated the use of Neusilin((R)), a highly porous additive with high adsorption capability, to improve the properties and processability of spray-dried amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). The addition of Neusilin((R)) to the spray-dried amorphous composite (AC) powders significantly enhanced flowability and dissolution rate. The AC powders with Neusilin((R)) achieved a high supersaturation of the drug within a short period of time and retained a fully amorphous state after storage.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bishal Raj Adhikari, Shyamal C. Das
Summary: This study investigated the aerosol performance of spray-dried powders based on Soluplus polymer for pulmonary drug delivery. The potential use of leucine to improve aerosolization was also explored. The results showed that Soluplus powder without leucine exhibited good performance for pulmonary drug delivery, and the addition of 20% leucine further enhanced aerosolization of the particles.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lena Ritters, Yuanyuan Tian, Stephan Reichl
Summary: Formulating APIs in ASDs is a promising approach to improve bioavailability of poorly soluble compounds, but challenges such as compressibility and recrystallization may arise during tablet production. The study investigated the influence of different types of PVP on the stability of ASD powders, with varying PCM contents leading to recrystallization. PVP/VA copolymer was found to be the most unstable, resulting in slow drug release from the ASD tablets.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hao-Ying Li, En-Yu Xu
Summary: The challenges of current spray-dried microparticles for inhalation are improving aerosolization performance and creating sustained drug release. In this study, pullulan was used as an excipient to prepare inhalable microparticles, and different additives were used for modification. The pullulan-based microparticles showed improved flowability, enhanced aerosolization behavior, and a higher fine particle fraction compared to lactose-based microparticles. The modified microparticles also exhibited increased emitted fractions and fine particle doses, suggesting improved deep lung drug deposition. Additionally, pullulan-based microparticles demonstrated sustained drug release profiles with longer release time.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huachuan Du, Esther Amstad
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Efe Armagan, Shankar Thiyagarajan, Kongchang Wei, Akin Gursoy, Giuseppino Fortunato, Esther Amstad, Rene Michel Rossi, Claudio Toncelli
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huachuan Du, Clemence Courregelongue, Jacinta Xto, Alan Bohlen, Mathias Steinacher, Camelia N. Borca, Thomas Huthwelker, Esther Amstad
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alvaro Charlet, Matteo Hirsch, Sanjay Schreiber, Esther Amstad
Summary: Sustainable materials, such as recyclable polymers, are becoming more important due to their environmentally friendly nature. Fast prototyping methods are needed for customized products, and there is a need for soft materials that can meet contradictory requirements.
Article
Polymer Science
Michael Kessler, Quentin Nassisi, Esther Amstad
Summary: This study investigates the effect of microgel size and concentration on the processing and toughness of microgel-reinforced hydrogels (MRHs). It is found that processing and toughness depend on the inter-microgel connectivity, while the stress at break is solely dependent on the microgel size.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gaia De Angelis, Viviane Lutz-Bueno, Esther Amstad
Summary: Ionically crosslinked hydrogels with metal coordination motifs have attracted researchers' interest due to their self-healing and adhesive properties. However, little is known about thin viscoelastic membranes with similar chelator-ion pair motifs. This study compares the mechanical properties of ionically crosslinked hydrogels and viscoelastic membranes, and finds that the viscoelastic membranes follow a similar trend as the hydrogels, becoming stronger with increased ion-chelator affinity. These findings enable the targeted design of self-healing, adhesive membranes with tunable mechanical properties.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ran Zhao, Nina Kolln Wittig, Gaia De Angelis, Tianyu Yuan, Matteo Hirsch, Henrik Birkedal, Esther Amstad
Summary: Nature creates hard functional materials from soft organic scaffolds that are mineralized, often making parts of these minerals porous to achieve energy-efficient locomotion. However, methods to produce synthetic minerals with a similar level of control over their porous structure remain elusive. This study presents a room temperature process that combines localized mineralization with emulsion-based 3D printing to create cm-sized biominerals with pores ranging from the 100 nm to mm length scale. These biominerals have high compressive strength and can form different types of bioactive minerals. The ability to 3D print these materials under benign conditions makes this energy-efficient process suitable for constructing lightweight yet load-bearing structures for various applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Michael Kessler, Tianyu Yuan, John M. Kolinski, Esther Amstad
Summary: The stiffness and toughness of conventional hydrogels decrease with increasing swelling, making them less suitable for load-bearing applications. However, reinforcing hydrogels with microgels can enhance their toughness. The volume fraction of microgels in the reinforced hydrogels determines their connectivity, which affects their stiffness and fracture toughness in fully swollen state.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gaia De Angelis, Natascha Gray, Viviane Lutz-Bueno, Esther Amstad
Summary: Micrometer sized capsules with very thin shells of order 10 nm, formed by ionically crosslinking surfactants functionalized with catechol-derivatives, are impermeable to molecules as small as 340 Da even if loaded with cell culture media, indicating their potential for biomedical applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Eva Baur, Matteo Hirsch, Esther Amstad
Summary: This study presents a method to introduce controllable open pores into hydrogels while maintaining their mechanical properties. The hydrogels are 3D printable and the pore size can be tuned from nanometers to centimeters. This work allows for size-selective infiltration of different substances at specific locations.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matteo Hirsch, Livia D'Onofrio, Qinghua Guan, Josie Hughes, Esther Amstad
Summary: Recent development in soft actuation requires resilient and responsive materials that can exhibit significant actuation forces. Hydrogels are responsive to stimuli but suffer from a stiffness-toughness compromise. 3D printing of hydrogels allows for controlled variations in local composition. Introducing metal-reinforced double network hydrogels (mrDNGHs) enables the combination of stiffness, toughness, and processability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Matteo Hirsch, Lorenzo Lucherini, Ran Zhao, Alexandra Clara Saracho, Esther Amstad
Summary: Nature can control the structure and composition of materials, resulting in organic/inorganic composites with superior mechanical properties. Inspired by this, researchers have developed a process that utilizes compartmentalization to fabricate high-strength porous CaCO3-based composites using nature-derived materials. This system has potential applications in art restoration, coral regeneration, and repair of natural mineral-based materials.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Matteo Hirsch, Mathias Steinacher, Ran Zhao, Esther Amstad
Summary: The study introduces a competitive ligand-mediated approach to selectively and interchangeably reinforce metal-coordinated hydrogels, achieving controllable changes in mechanical properties and design innovation.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alvaro Charlet, Viviane Lutz-Bueno, Raffaele Mezzenga, Esther Amstad
Summary: Metal-coordinated hydrogels are physically crosslinked by complexes between ligands and metal ions, and their mechanical properties are dependent on the interactions' density. The properties of these hydrogels can be tuned by selecting different types of ions, impacting the relaxation times and resulting in different mechanical behaviors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matteo Hirsch, Alvaro Charlet, Esther Amstad
Summary: Many soft natural tissues possess unique mechanical properties achieved through complex interactions between structure and composition. To address the lack of control in soft synthetic materials, a novel 3D printing approach called double network granular hydrogels (DNGHs) has been introduced. These DNGHs are stiff enough to support high tensile loads and significantly tougher than pure polymeric networks. This ink allows for the printing of strong and tough objects with high shape fidelity, opening up new possibilities for soft robotic applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)