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Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems
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Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2020) | Viewed by 44051

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Zacharias Suntres

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
Interests: antioxidants; oxidative stress; liposomes; drug delivery systems; natural products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue deals with all aspects of drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology platforms. It is recognized that the effectiveness of certain drugs is impeded by several challenges such as poor solubility, antigenicity, toxicity, inability to cross cell membrane barriers, poor bioavailability, and/or rapid clearance. One of the strategies available to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs is the utilization of drug delivery systems. In recent years there have been great advances in the development of drug delivery systems for carrying drugs to specific target sites within an organism including liposomes, ethosomes, exosomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, nanostructures, and other delivery systems based on several nanotechnology platforms. This Special Issue will cover topics related to the design and characterization of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and their clinical applications with emphasis on the current challenges and future direction.

Prof. Zacharias Suntres
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Nanotechnology
  • nanomedicine
  • nanomaterials
  • nanoparticles
  • nanocarriers
  • nanostructures
  • liposomes
  • ethososmes
  • exosomes
  • micelles
  • nanotubes

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1961 KiB  
Communication
Proteinoid Nanocapsules as Drug Delivery System for Improving Antipsychotic Activity of Risperidone
by Liroy Lugasi, Igor Grinberg, Rivka Sabag, Ravit Madar, Haim Einat and Shlomo Margel
Molecules 2020, 25(17), 4013; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25174013 - 2 Sep 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2944
Abstract
Risperidone (RSP) is an atypical antipsychotic drug widely used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Nanoparticles (NPs) are being developed as in vivo targeted drug delivery systems, which cross the blood-brain barrier and improve pharmacokinetics and drug effectiveness. Here, biodegradable proteinoids were synthesized [...] Read more.
Risperidone (RSP) is an atypical antipsychotic drug widely used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Nanoparticles (NPs) are being developed as in vivo targeted drug delivery systems, which cross the blood-brain barrier and improve pharmacokinetics and drug effectiveness. Here, biodegradable proteinoids were synthesized by thermal step-growth polymerization from the amino acids l-glutamic acid, l-phenylalanine and l-histidine and poly (l-lactic acid). Proteinoid NPs containing RSP were then formed by self-assembly, overcoming the insolubility of the drug in water, followed by PEGylation (poly ethylene glycol (PEG) conjugation to increase the stability of the NPs in the aqueous continuous phase. These NPs are biodegradable owing to their peptide and ester moieties. They were characterized in terms of diameter, size distribution, drug loading, and long-term storage. Behavioral studies on mice found enhanced antipsychotic activity compared to free RSP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems)
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13 pages, 2108 KiB  
Article
Antitumor Effects of N-Butylidenephthalide Encapsulated in Lipopolyplexs in Colorectal Cancer Cells
by Kai-Fu Chang, Jinghua Tsai Chang, Xiao-Fan Huang, Yu-Ling Lin, Kuang-Wen Liao, Chien-Wei Huang and Nu-Man Tsai
Molecules 2020, 25(10), 2394; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25102394 - 21 May 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2702
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. N-Butylidenephthalide (BP), a natural compound, inhibits several cancers, such as hepatoma, brain tumor and colon cancer. However, due to [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. N-Butylidenephthalide (BP), a natural compound, inhibits several cancers, such as hepatoma, brain tumor and colon cancer. However, due to the unstable structure, the activity of BP is quickly lost after dissolution in an aqueous solution. A polycationic liposomal polyethylenimine and polyethylene glycol complex (LPPC), a new drug carrier, encapsulates both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, maintains the activity of the compound, and increases uptake of cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antitumor effects and protection of BP encapsulated in LPPC in CRC cells. The LPPC encapsulation protected BP activity, increased the cytotoxicity of BP and enhanced cell uptake through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, the BP/LPPC-regulated the expression of the p21 protein and cell cycle-related proteins (CDK4, Cyclin B1 and Cyclin D1), resulting in an increase in the population of cells in the G0/G1 and subG1 phases. BP/LPPC induced cell apoptosis by activating the extrinsic (Fas, Fas-L and Caspase-8) and intrinsic (Bax and Caspase-9) apoptosis pathways. Additionally, BP/LPPC combined with 5-FU synergistically inhibited the growth of HT-29 cells. In conclusion, LPPC enhanced the antitumor activity and cellular uptake of BP, and the BP/LPPC complex induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby causing death. These findings suggest the putative use of BP/LPPC as an adjuvant cytotoxic agent for colorectal cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems)
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19 pages, 6005 KiB  
Article
A New NT4 Peptide-Based Drug Delivery System for Cancer Treatment
by Jlenia Brunetti, Sara Piantini, Marco Fragai, Silvia Scali, Giulia Cipriani, Lorenzo Depau, Alessandro Pini, Chiara Falciani, Stefano Menichetti and Luisa Bracci
Molecules 2020, 25(5), 1088; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25051088 - 28 Feb 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3786
Abstract
The development of selective tumor targeting agents to deliver multiple units of chemotherapy drugs to cancer tissue would improve treatment efficacy and greatly advance progress in cancer therapy. Here we report a new drug delivery system based on a tetrabranched peptide known as [...] Read more.
The development of selective tumor targeting agents to deliver multiple units of chemotherapy drugs to cancer tissue would improve treatment efficacy and greatly advance progress in cancer therapy. Here we report a new drug delivery system based on a tetrabranched peptide known as NT4, which is a promising cancer theranostic by virtue of its high cancer selectivity. We developed NT4 directly conjugated with one, two, or three units of paclitaxel and an NT4-based nanosystem, using NIR-emitting quantum dots, loaded with the NT4 tumor-targeting agent and conjugated with paclitaxel, to obtain a NT4-QD-PTX nanodevice designed to simultaneously detect and kill tumor cells. The selective binding and in vitro cytotoxicity of NT4-QD-PTX were higher than for unlabeled QD-PTX when tested on the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. NT4-QD-PTX tumor-targeted nanoparticles can be considered promising for early tumor detection and for the development of effective treatments combining simultaneous therapy and diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems)
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13 pages, 3023 KiB  
Article
The High Permeability of Nanocarriers Crossing the Enterocyte Layer by Regulation of the Surface Zonal Pattern
by Ya-Nan Chang, Yuelan Liang, Shibo Xia, Xue Bai, Jiaxin Zhang, Jianglong Kong, Kui Chen, Juan Li and Gengmei Xing
Molecules 2020, 25(4), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25040919 - 19 Feb 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2531
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium is a major barrier that limits the absorption of oral drugs. The integrity of the epithelial tissue is a very important factor for preventing intestinal diseases. However, destabilization of the epithelium can promote the transportation of nanocarriers and increase the [...] Read more.
The intestinal epithelium is a major barrier that limits the absorption of oral drugs. The integrity of the epithelial tissue is a very important factor for preventing intestinal diseases. However, destabilization of the epithelium can promote the transportation of nanocarriers and increase the absorption of oral drugs. In our research, three different gold nanoparticles (GNPs) of the same size but with differing negative surface charge were designed and constructed as a model to determine the surface properties crucial for promoting absorptivity and bioavailability of the nanocarriers. The higher the ratio of surface carboxyl groups on GNPs, the higher capacity to induce transepithelial electrical resistance change and cell monolayer tight junction opening with higher permeability. The half carboxyl and half methyl surfaced GNPs displayed unique zonal surface patterns exhibited the greater ability to pass through intestinal epithelial cell layer but had a relatively small influence on tight junction distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems)
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Review

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23 pages, 1501 KiB  
Review
Drug Delivery Systems of Natural Products in Oncology
by Marisa Colone, Annarica Calcabrini and Annarita Stringaro
Molecules 2020, 25(19), 4560; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25194560 - 6 Oct 2020
Cited by 49 | Viewed by 4224
Abstract
In recent decades, increasing interest in the use of natural products in anticancer therapy field has been observed, mainly due to unsolved drug-resistance problems. The antitumoral effect of natural compounds involving different signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms has been largely demonstrated in in [...] Read more.
In recent decades, increasing interest in the use of natural products in anticancer therapy field has been observed, mainly due to unsolved drug-resistance problems. The antitumoral effect of natural compounds involving different signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms has been largely demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies. The encapsulation of natural products into different delivery systems may lead to a significant enhancement of their anticancer efficacy by increasing in vivo stability and bioavailability, reducing side adverse effects and improving target-specific activity. This review will focus on research studies related to nanostructured systems containing natural compounds for new drug delivery tools in anticancer therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems)
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31 pages, 1206 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Nanoparticles and Their Targeted Delivery Applications
by Abuzer Alp Yetisgin, Sibel Cetinel, Merve Zuvin, Ali Kosar and Ozlem Kutlu
Molecules 2020, 25(9), 2193; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092193 - 8 May 2020
Cited by 420 | Viewed by 15930
Abstract
Nanotechnology offers many advantages in various fields of science. In this regard, nanoparticles are the essential building blocks of nanotechnology. Recent advances in nanotechnology have proven that nanoparticles acquire a great potential in medical applications. Formation of stable interactions with ligands, variability in [...] Read more.
Nanotechnology offers many advantages in various fields of science. In this regard, nanoparticles are the essential building blocks of nanotechnology. Recent advances in nanotechnology have proven that nanoparticles acquire a great potential in medical applications. Formation of stable interactions with ligands, variability in size and shape, high carrier capacity, and convenience of binding of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances make nanoparticles favorable platforms for the target-specific and controlled delivery of micro- and macromolecules in disease therapy. Nanoparticles combined with the therapeutic agents overcome problems associated with conventional therapy; however, some issues like side effects and toxicity are still debated and should be well concerned before their utilization in biological systems. It is therefore important to understand the specific properties of therapeutic nanoparticles and their delivery strategies. Here, we provide an overview on the unique features of nanoparticles in the biological systems. We emphasize on the type of clinically used nanoparticles and their specificity for therapeutic applications, as well as on their current delivery strategies for specific diseases such as cancer, infectious, autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, ocular, and pulmonary diseases. Understanding of the characteristics of nanoparticles and their interactions with the biological environment will enable us to establish novel strategies for the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis in many diseases, particularly untreatable ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems)
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28 pages, 426 KiB  
Review
Curcumin Delivery Mediated by Bio-Based Nanoparticles: A Review
by Mahshid Moballegh Nasery, Banafshe Abadi, Delaram Poormoghadam, Ali Zarrabi, Peyman Keyhanvar, Hashem Khanbabaei, Milad Ashrafizadeh, Reza Mohammadinejad, Shima Tavakol and Gautam Sethi
Molecules 2020, 25(3), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030689 - 6 Feb 2020
Cited by 173 | Viewed by 11053
Abstract
Todays, nano-pharmaceutics is emerging as an important field of science to develop and improve efficacy of different drugs. Although nutraceuticals are currently being utilized in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases such as cancers, a number of them have displayed issues [...] Read more.
Todays, nano-pharmaceutics is emerging as an important field of science to develop and improve efficacy of different drugs. Although nutraceuticals are currently being utilized in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases such as cancers, a number of them have displayed issues associated with their solubility, bioavailability, and bio-degradability. In the present review, we focus on curcumin, an important and widely used polyphenol, with diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral, etc. Notwithstanding, it also exhibits poor solubility and bioavailability that may compromise its clinical application to a great extent. Therefore, the manipulation and encapsulation of curcumin into a nanocarrier formulation can overcome these major drawbacks and potentially may lead to a far superior therapeutic efficacy. Among different types of nanocarriers, biological and biopolymer carriers have attracted a significant attention due to their pleiotropic features. Thus, in the present review, the potential protective and therapeutic applications of curcumin, as well as different types of bio-nanocarriers, which can be used to deliver curcumin effectively to the different target sites will be discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology-Drug Delivery Systems)
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