Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Omar Rodrigo Guadarrama-Escobar, Pablo Serrano-Castaneda, Ericka Anguiano-Almazan, Alma Vazquez-Duran, Ma. Concepcion Pena-Juarez, Ricardo Vera-Graziano, Miriam Isabel Morales-Florido, Betsabe Rodriguez-Perez, Isabel Marlen Rodriguez-Cruz, Jorge Esteban Miranda-Calderon, Jose Juan Escobar-Chavez
Summary: The use of nanoparticles as drug delivery systems has become increasingly important in recent decades. Oral administration, despite its disadvantages, is still the most widely used route for therapeutic treatments and controlled-release systems based on nanoparticles synthesized from biodegradable natural polymers have been found to enhance oral delivery. Chitosan, with its various properties and roles in the pharmaceutical and health fields, is capable of encapsulating and transporting drugs within the body, improving drug efficacy, and forming nanoparticles through multiple mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Qingguan Liu, Yuxue Sun, Jianjun Cheng, Mingruo Guo
Summary: The encapsulation of soy isoflavones in whey protein nanoparticles was studied, and the results showed that the nanoparticles had good physicochemical properties and encapsulation efficiency, leading to improved stability, antioxidant activity, and bioaccessibility of soy isoflavones.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Clara Coll-Satue, Michelle Maria Theresia Jansman, Peter Waaben Thulstrup, Leticia Hosta-Rigau
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of hemoglobin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles as oxygen carriers, with optimized formulation showing preserved functionality of Hb and its structure integrity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Cristian Reboredo, Carlos J. Gonzalez-Navarro, Ana Luisa Martinez-Lopez, Cristina Martinez-Oharriz, Bruno Sarmento, Juan M. Irache
Summary: This study evaluated Zein nanoparticles, both bare and coated with poly(ethylene glycol), as oral carriers for insulin. The results showed that the poly(ethylene glycol)-coated nanoparticles had a superior effect, allowing them to diffuse through the mucus layer and reach the surface of enterocytes, where insulin could be released.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Anjali Takke, Pravin Shende
Summary: Silibinin-loaded magnetic-core-based nanopolymeric carriers were successfully developed for sustained release action on renal cancer cells. The nanoparticles exhibited good morphological and physicochemical properties, showing effective cytotoxicity against kidney cancer cells and safety in mice models. These carriers could serve as potential targeted transportation systems for cancer therapy.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Li Wang, Wenqiang Jia, Qilei Yang, Hongda Cai, Xiuhua Zhao
Summary: This study successfully fabricated apigenin-casein nanoparticles (AP-Cas-NPs) to improve the water solubility and bioavailability of apigenin, enhancing its pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities. AP-Cas-NPs also demonstrated good gastrointestinal stability and hypoglycemic activity.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2024)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jaspreet Kaur, Ravi Raj Singh, Eshan Khan, Amit Kumar, Abhijeet Joshi
Summary: The study successfully synthesized piperine-loaded PLGA nanocomposites for targeted drug delivery using ultrasonic atomization. The nanocarriers exhibited sustained release, suppressed cancer cell growth and migration, and showed low cytotoxicity, indicating potential as an efficient anticancer agent with reduced cellular toxicity.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Susana Barbosa Ribeiro, Aurigena Antunes de Araujo, Maisie Mitchele Barbosa Oliveira, Alaine Maria dos Santos Silva, Arnobio Antonio da Silva-Junior, Gerlane Coelho Bernardo Guerra, Gerly Anne de Castro Brito, Renata Ferreira de Carvalho Leitao, Raimundo Fernandes de Araujo Junior, Vinicius Barreto Garcia, Roseane Carvalho Vasconcelos, Caroline Addison Carvalho Xavier de Medeiros
Summary: Oral mucositis, characterized by severe ulcers in the oral region from chemotherapy, lacks effective therapy. Dexamethasone-loaded nanoparticles showed therapeutic effects in a hamster model, reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and modulating gene expression.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Seyed Davoud Jazayeri, Hui Xuan Lim, Kamyar Shameli, Swee Keong Yeap, Chit Laa Poh
Summary: Mucosal surfaces are the initial site of infection for most diseases, making oral vaccination crucial for providing protection as the first line of defense through stimulation of immune responses at both systemic and mucosal levels. Successful oral vaccines must overcome the challenges posed by the harsh gastrointestinal environment and low immunogenicity, which can be addressed through the development of delivery systems and adjuvants like nanoparticles and microparticles.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunkai Qie, Zhaoxia Cheng, Zhouliang Wu, Feilong Qi, Bozhao Li, Suying Wu, Tianjiao Chu, Zefang Lu, Suping Li, Guangjun Nie
Summary: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer without effective treatment options. This study revealed that protein kinase C beta (PKC beta) is highly expressed in NEPC and can be activated by c-Myc. The activation of PKC beta further enhances c-Myc function and promotes the progression of NEPC. To address the limitations of current drugs, a tailored nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy delivering enzastaurin was developed, which efficiently retards tumor growth and coagulation abnormalities.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mohd Zulhelmy Ahmad, Akmal Hidyat Bin Sabri, Qonita Kurnia Anjani, Juan Dominguez-Robles, Normala Abdul Latip, Khuriah Abdul Hamid
Summary: Intranasal delivery of levodopa using chitosan nanoparticles showed enhanced drug absorption in a rat model, with C2 formulation demonstrating optimal particle characteristics and encapsulation efficiency. This study suggests that formulating levodopa into chitosan nanoparticles for intranasal delivery could potentially improve drug bioavailability for Parkinson's disease treatment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Giulia Nerli, Lidia M. D. Goncalves, Marzia Cirri, Antonio J. Almeida, Francesca Maestrelli, Natascia Mennini, Paola A. Mura
Summary: There is a need for pediatric drug formulations to avoid safety and quality risks associated with the use of adult dosage forms. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed as potential nanocarriers for oral pediatric solutions of cefixime. The CSNPs showed better stability and drug release profiles compared to NLCs, making them a promising option for pediatric drug delivery.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuxue Cao, Prarthana Rewatkar, Ran Wang, Sumaira Z. Hasnain, Amirali Popat, Tushar Kumeria
Summary: Biologics, or macromolecular therapeutics of biological origin, have emerged as a rapidly growing class of drugs for the treatment of chronic and acute conditions. However, their administration via the parenteral route results in high cost, low patient compliance, and systemic toxicity, prompting researchers to focus on developing carriers for oral delivery. This review examines the challenges of oral biologics delivery, discusses conventional formulation strategies and their limitations, and explores the progress and limitations of using nanocarriers for oral delivery of biologics.
TRENDS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anthony Cunha, Alexandra Gaubert, Julien Verget, Marie-Laure Thiolat, Philippe Barthelemy, Benjamin Dehay
Summary: This study proposes a new pharmaceutical technology that delivers trehalose using nanotechnology to restore autophagy function and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Melibea Berzosa, Alzbeta Nemeskalova, Alba Calvo, Gemma Quincoces, Maria Collantes, Felix Pareja, Carlos Gamazo, Juan Manuel Irache
Summary: ETEC is a major pathogen causing diseases and deaths in the human population, but there is currently no licensed vaccine available. This study proposes the use of OMVs isolated from ETEC clinical strains as a vaccine, which induces an immune response in mice. Oral administration of OMVs encapsulated in nanoparticles delays their transit through the gut.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Catarina Pacheco, Ana Baiao, Tao Ding, Wenguo Cui, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: The systemic use of chemotherapy for cancer treatment is limited by its toxicity. Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been designed to avoid systemic toxicity by protecting drugs and controlling drug release. However, the approval of tailored DDSs for clinical use is minimal due to the need for improvement in safety and in vivo activity.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Martins, Catarina Pacheco, Catarina Moreira-Barbosa, Angela Marques-Magalhaes, Sofia Dias, Marco Araujo, Maria J. Oliveira, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: This study generated human GBM heterotypic multicellular tumor microtissues (MCTMs) using high-throughput 3D modeling, which mimicked the spatial organization and biological features of GBM. The bioactivity of tumor-targeted nanoparticles and anti-cancer drugs were evaluated in the MCTMs, and it was found that the targeted nanoparticles exhibited higher cell uptake and anti-proliferative effect.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amir Soleimany, Sepideh Khoee, Davoud Dastan, Zhicheng Shi, Shengtao Yu, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: A method utilizing riboflavin-conjugated and amine-functionalized nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots is proposed to enhance the treatment depth and specific accumulation capability in photodynamic therapy.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Fatima Hameedat, Soraia Pinto, Joana Marques, Sofia Dias, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Peptides have great potential for treating chronic conditions and there are more than 80 peptides available in the global market. However, most of the marketed peptide drugs are administered intravenously or subcutaneously due to their fast degradation and limited absorption through non-invasive routes. In this study, candidate protein delivery systems for pulmonary administration of peptides were developed and characterized. The targeted PEGylated zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) showed promising results in enhancing insulin permeability and are suitable as peptide carriers for pulmonary delivery.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Paulo Faria, Catarina Pacheco, Rui Pedro Moura, Bruno Sarmento, Claudia Martins
Summary: Brain diseases pose a significant social and economic burden, and their complexity makes single-drug therapies insufficient. Nanomedicine, with its ability to target the brain and deliver multiple cargos, shows promise in overcoming therapeutic resistance. This review explores the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in brain diseases, the use of multifunctional nanomedicines to tackle multiple aspects of the disease microenvironment, and the promising therapeutic responses achieved by cutting-edge multifunctional nanomedicines.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria Joao Bessa, Bruno Sarmento, Marta Oliveira, Francisca Rodrigues
Summary: Firefighters are exposed to health-relevant pollutants released during fires, and in vitro studies using human cell models have shown decreased viability, increased oxidative stress, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, and increased cell death frequencies. However, more research is needed to understand the toxicity mechanisms initiated by firefighting activities and establish occupational exposure limits for firefighters.
JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-PART B-CRITICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Martins, Marco Araujo, Alessio Malfanti, Catarina Pacheco, Stuart J. J. Smith, Bernard Ucakar, Ruman Rahman, Jonathan W. W. Aylott, Veronique Preat, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Report the development of hypothesis-driven stimuli-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) for glioblastoma (GBM) therapy. These NPs have multifunctional features that overcome the insufficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) trafficking and lack of GBM targeting, two major challenges in anti-GBM treatments. In preclinical studies, the stimuli-responsive NPs effectively targeted GBM cells, enhanced cell uptake, increased cytotoxicity, improved BBB permeability, and demonstrated antitumor efficacy in GBM models.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sofia Torres Quintas, Ana Canha-Borges, Maria Jose Oliveira, Bruno Sarmento, Flavia Castro
Summary: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, with a significant number of cases and fatalities reported globally in 2020. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks certain receptors, accounts for approximately 20% of all breast cancers and has a more aggressive clinical course, particularly in younger women. Current standard therapy for advanced TNBC is chemotherapy, but its effectiveness is limited and relapse rates are high. However, recent advances in cancer nanomedicine have provided innovative therapeutic options to overcome the drawbacks of conventional therapies. This review summarizes the recent developments in nanomedicine for TNBC treatment, including novel nanoparticle, exosome, and hybrid-based formulations, and discusses their limitations and challenges for future clinical applications.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Claudia Martins, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a challenging disease with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a major obstacle to drug delivery to the brain, and targeting brain-invading tumor cells is crucial for effective therapy. Nanomedicines with multiple ligands have emerged as a promising approach to sequentially target BBB cells and GBM cells, improving therapeutic accumulation at the tumor site. This review provides an overview of the development of multi-ligand functionalized nanomedicines for BBB and GBM dual targeting over the past decade.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Priscila Zimath, Soraia Pinto, Sofia Dias, Alex Rafacho, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: This study loaded MF into zein NPs and evaluated the potential advantages of oral delivery and the application in treating intestinal inflammatory diseases.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Diana Rafael, Marcelo Guerrero, Adolfo Marican, Diego Arango, Bruno Sarmento, Roser Ferrer, Esteban F. Duran-Lara, Simon J. Clark, Simo Schwartz
Summary: Slow-release delivery systems are crucial for long-term sustained treatments of retinal diseases. Hydrogels, especially temperature-responsive hydrogels, have been studied as promising delivery vehicles for intravitreal injection of retinal therapies.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Francisca Diniz, Sofia Lamas, Hugo Osorio, Paulo Aguiar, Daniela Freitas, Fatima Gartner, Bruno Sarmento, Celso A. Reis, Joana Gomes
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of using nanoparticles targeting STn for delivering FRT as a therapeutic approach in gastric cancer. The nanoparticles effectively reduced tumor growth, cell proliferation, and tumor necrosis in vivo.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Claudia Martins, Catarina Pacheco, Paulo Faria, Bruno Sarmento
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andrea Cunha, Patricia M. A. Silva, Bruno Sarmento, Odilia Queiros
Summary: The Warburg effect is a metabolic shift that leads to acidification of the tumor microenvironment and increased drug resistance. The metabolic differences between cancer and normal cells provide a strategy for new therapies, and nanodrug delivery systems can overcome multidrug resistance.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Margarida Carvalho, Ruchi Bansal, Cristina C. Barrias, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Biomaterials are crucial for creating in vitro models of human liver fibrosis, as they allow for a more accurate replication of cell-matrix interactions. These models can provide insights into the development and treatment of liver disease.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
