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Physicochemical Properties and Applications of Nanomaterials in Biology and Medicine

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 123

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
Interests: nanomaterials; nanomaterial synthesis; imaging agents; nanomedicine; contrast agents; nanoparticle colloid; surface modification
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoparticles, nanomaterials, nanorods, core–shell nanoparticles, and hybrid nanoparticles have been extensively studied for their use in various biomedical applications, including as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT), as well as in drug delivery, fluorescent imaging, biolabeling, biosensing, etc. Their properties are superior to those of conventional molecules and chelates. Many reports have detailed their synthesis, physicochemical properties, and biomedical applications, highlighting their unique and advanced properties that make them particularly useful in the diagnosis of diseases.

The aim of this Special Issue is to showcase a variety of nanoparticles and nanomaterials that can be applied in biomedicine, nanomedicine, and nanobiology, with a focus on their physicochemical properties and biomedical applications. The key topics addressed in this Issue will include the synthesis of nanoparticles and nanomaterials, the characterization of their physicochemical properties using various techniques, surface modification processes, and in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications. The surface modification of nanoparticles and nanomaterials with hydrophilic and biocompatible ligands is essential for their use in biomedical applications.

Prof. Dr. Gangho Lee
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanoparticle
  • nanomaterial
  • biomedicine
  • synthesis
  • physicochemical properties
  • imaging
  • therapy
  • contrast agent
  • therapeutic agent

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 2281 KB  
Article
Natural Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles Enhance Intracellular Delivery and Cytotoxicity of Antrodia camphorata in Breast Cancer Cells
by Yu-Chen Tsai, Hiroki Miyajima, Ming-Yang Chou and Satoshi Fujita
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178420 - 29 Aug 2025
Abstract
Antrodia camphorata (AC), a medicinal fungus native to Taiwan, contains bioactive compounds such as triterpenoids with anticancer properties. However, their high lipophilicity results in poor aqueous solubility and limited bioavailability, restricting their therapeutic application. To address this issue, a nanoparticle-based delivery system was [...] Read more.
Antrodia camphorata (AC), a medicinal fungus native to Taiwan, contains bioactive compounds such as triterpenoids with anticancer properties. However, their high lipophilicity results in poor aqueous solubility and limited bioavailability, restricting their therapeutic application. To address this issue, a nanoparticle-based delivery system was developed using chitosan, alginate, and hyaluronic acid to encapsulate AC extracts. AC-loaded nanoparticles (AC-NPs) with a particle size less than 100 nm improved drug solubility and facilitated intracellular accumulation. Assessment of cytotoxicity revealed that AC-NPs significantly and more effectively suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells than free AC extracts. After 72 h, IC50 values for MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative) and MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive) were 46.9 and 75.6 μg/mL, respectively, with greater sensitivity observed in MDA-MB-231 cells. AC-NPs exhibited minimal toxicity toward normal mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG), indicating good biocompatibility. Fluorescently labeled AC-NPs showed rapid, time-dependent uptake in both cancer cell lines. Particularly, MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited rapid internalization, whereas MCF-7 cells likely benefited from hyaluronic acid-mediated targeting of CD44 receptors. In conclusion, AC-NPs enhanced the solubility, cellular uptake, and anticancer efficacy of AC while maintaining biocompatibility, thereby suggesting their robust potential as nanocarrier platforms for breast cancer therapy. Full article
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