Search Results (252)

The development of biocompatible functional nanostructures has emerged as a key driver in advancing nanomedicine, environmental remediation, and sustainable energy technologies. However, conventional synthesis methods often rely on toxic reagents, hazardous solvents, and energy-intensive processes, raising significant concerns regarding environmental impact and biological safety. In this context, green synthesis has gained increasing attention as a sustainable alternative, utilizing biological systems, renewable resources, and environmentally benign solvents to produce functional nanomaterials. This mini-review provides an overview of recent advances in the green synthesis of organic, inorganic, and hybrid nanostructures, highlighting their physicochemical properties and functional performance. Particular emphasis is placed on their applications in nanomedicine, including drug delivery, bioimaging, antimicrobial and anticancer therapies, and theranostic platforms. Additionally, their roles in environmental applications, such as pollutant degradation and water treatment, and in energy-related systems, including catalysis, solar energy conversion, and energy storage, are discussed with selected representative examples. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain, including limited mechanistic understanding, reproducibility issues, scalability constraints, and uncertainties related to long-term toxicity and environmental impact. Addressing these limitations will be essential for the safe and large-scale implementation of green nanotechnology. Overall, the integration of green chemistry principles with advanced nanomaterial design offers a promising pathway toward the development of multifunctional, sustainable, and high-performance nanostructures capable of addressing global health, environmental, and energy challenges. Full article

Cancer remains a leading cause of premature death worldwide, posing a significant burden due to its high incidence and mortality. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain the most well-established and effective modalities in the current oncological therapeutic arsenal. However, their efficacy is often limited by toxicities owing to their non-selective targeting of rapidly dividing cells and consequent damage to healthy tissues. In recent years, advances in nanomedicine and biotechnology have drawn increasing attention to plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) as an emerging, promising strategy for cancer therapy. As novel therapeutic vehicles, PDEVs offer key advantages, including high biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. However, their clinical translation has been significantly hampered by inherent limitations, including insufficient targeting specificity, low and uncontrollable drug-loading efficiency, and challenges in large-scale production and standardization. Current research is actively focused on overcoming these drawbacks through engineering strategies, for instance, surface modification with targeting peptides or antibodies to enhance targeting, alongside optimization of production and drug-loading processes. These developments underscore the potential of PDEVs as a promising platform for next-generation targeted cancer therapeutics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of PDEVs, covering their isolation, biogenesis, physicochemical properties, and anticancer applications. While summarizing these fundamental aspects, this review focuses on engineering strategies to enhance their active targeting capacity, offering theoretical insights to support their future role in cancer treatment. Full article

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a powerful minimally invasive modality for cancer treatment. However, its efficacy as a monotherapy is often limited by oxygen dependence and limited light penetration. Combining PDT with systemic anticancer drug therapies offers a promising strategy to achieve synergistic effects and overcome resistance. Objective: This review aims to provide a systematic analysis of the mechanisms and clinical potential of combining PDT with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, focusing on recent advancements and nanotechnology-based delivery systems. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed and Scopus databases. The analysis focused on peer-reviewed studies published over the last 10 years addressing synergistic molecular pathways, co-delivery nanoplatforms, and clinical trial outcomes. Results: The combination of PDT with chemotherapy enhances drug accumulation via vascular photosensitization and can overcome multi-drug resistance. Integration with immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor vaccines, triggers immunogenic cell death (ICD), leading to systemic antitumor responses. Nanotechnology provides a versatile platform for the targeted co-delivery of photosensitizers and pharmacological agents, significantly reducing systemic toxicity. Conclusions: Combined PDT–drug regimens demonstrate superior therapeutic efficacy compared to monotherapies. Future clinical translation requires the standardization of dosimetry and the development of multifunctional nanomedicines to enable personalized treatment protocols. Full article

Although medicinal plants possess vast biological properties, crude medicinal plant extracts often show limited therapeutic efficacy due to poor aqueous solubility, instability, and inadequate bioavailability, which restricts efficient intracellular delivery. As cancer is a genetic disease requiring intracellular and nuclear targeting, improved delivery systems are essential. Warburgia salutaris is traditionally used in Southern Africa and possesses reported anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its crude extracts exhibit suboptimal delivery characteristics. This study comparatively evaluated the anticancer effects of unencapsulated (WSN) and liposomal-encapsulated (WSE) crude leaf extracts, with emphasis on apoptotic mechanisms. Liposomal formulation was confirmed by FTIR, PXRD, and DLS, yielding stable nanoparticles (159.4 nm; PDI 0.114; +79.3 mV). Both WSN and WSE demonstrated efficacy and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC₅₀ < 0.0195 mg/mL) with minimal toxicity toward Vero kidney cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Mechanistically, WSN induced rapid cytotoxicity with necrotic features, whereas WSE promoted regulated apoptosis. Apoptosis was validated by DAPI/PI staining, Annexin V/PI flow cytometry, mRNA expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 measured with RT-PCR and proteome profiling array, confirming activation of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Both extracts also reduced LPS-induced ROS production. LC-MS identified multiple bioactive phytochemicals. Overall, liposomal encapsulation enhanced therapeutic precision, stability, and selectivity cytotoxicity, supporting its development as a nanomedicine-based anticancer strategy. Full article

Melittin-functionalized nanoparticles have emerged as a strategy to harness the potent anticancer activity of melittin while mitigating its narrow therapeutic window. Across diverse nanocarrier platforms, biological outcomes are highly dependent on the effective melittin concentration presented to tumour cells. This review systematically examines concentration-dependent anticancer effects of melittin-functionalized nanoparticles, focusing on quantitative dose–response metrics such as IC₅₀ values, shifts in cytotoxic potency relative to free melittin, and concentration-linked safety margins. Along with some aspects concerning the molecular mechanisms of melittin, this review synthesizes evidence from preclinical studies to analyze how nanoparticle functionalization reshapes the concentration–effect relationship governing anticancer efficacy. This review concluded that there are three concentration regimes that govern the molecular outcome in tumours treated with melittin and melittin-functionalised nanomaterials. Collectively, the data demonstrate that nanoparticle association typically attenuates melittin’s intrinsic lytic potency, requiring higher nominal concentrations to achieve cytotoxicity, while simultaneously enabling tumour-selective re-potentiation through targeting, activation, or intracellular release mechanisms. These concentration-dependent phenomena define the translational limits and opportunities of melittin-based nanomedicines. Full article

Copper-based nanoparticles (Cu-based NPs) represent a major focus in nanomedicine due to their unique physicochemical properties and excellent biocompatibility. In this paper, we present an interdisciplinary study bridging engineering and biomedical sciences by employing a novel synthesis approach to produce highly stable and uniformly dispersed spherical copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), which were subsequently tested for their cytotoxic effects on SKBR3 and MSC human cells. The synthesis of CuNPs was performed in the presence of the complexing agent trisodium citrate (TSC), while starch was used for the chemical reduction step. Characterization of the Cu-based NPs via UV–Vis, FT-IR, Mie theory, DLS and SEM confirmed their nanoscale structure. The obtained CuNPs were subsequently assessed for their biological effects and cytotoxic responses induced in normal and SKBR3 cancer cell lines. The SKBR3 cell line showed a dose-dependent decrease in the cell index and a higher proportion of apoptotic cells compared to normal MSCs, with apoptosis representing the dominant mode of cell death. Although SKBR3 cells appeared to mount an antioxidant response against CuNP oxidative stress, the response was insufficient to counteract the apoptotic progression. In comparison, MSCs showed a greater resilience to CuNP-induced cellular stress. By promoting oxidative stress and disrupting the antioxidant defense system of cancer cells, CuNPs exhibit promising anti-cancer properties. Full article

Background: Increasing evidence identifies intratumoral bacteria as key modulators of tumor progression, chemoresistance, and immunosuppression, presenting major obstacles to conventional cancer therapies. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled new strategies for selective targeting bacteria within the tumor microenvironment, potentially improving anticancer efficacy. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to outline the current landscape of nano-based therapeutic approaches aimed at the simultaneous elimination of intratumoral bacteria and cancer. Preclinical research publications involving in vivo antitumor efficacy evaluations were retrieved from three databases, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using the key words “(kill* OR eradicate* OR eliminate*) AND intratumoral AND (bacteria OR infection)”. Key information from the eligible studies was extracted and analyzed. Results: The diversity of bacterial species, cancer models, and evaluation methodologies employed in these preclinical studies were summarized, followed by critical examination of the design principles, therapeutic outcomes, and translational challenges of various nanomedicine platforms, including passive and active targeting drug delivery systems, phototherapy, phage therapy, and emerging modalities. Nano-based therapeutics functionalized with both antibacterial and anticancer properties were shown to effectively overcome bacteria-induced treatment resistance. Conclusions: Targeting intratumoral bacteria may significantly enhance the efficacy of existing treatments and contribute to the evolution of precision oncology. The insights gained from this review are expected to guide future systematic reviews and inform research directions in the development of dual-functional nanomedicines for cancer therapy. Full article

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are considered the most common histological type of head and neck cancer. This study aims to develop a drug delivery system based on zein protein nanoparticles (Zein NPs) to enhance the therapeutic effect of the anticancer peptide, Pistacia zardin1 (PZ1), for the treatment of maxillofacial cancers. PZ1-Zein NPs were synthesized by the desolvation method. These spherical nanoparticles (size: 162.8 nm, PDI: 0.27) showed high encapsulation efficiency (89%) and pH-responsive release (with higher drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment). In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that PZ1-Zein NPs significantly reduced IC50 values in HNSCC cell lines (e.g., SCC-25: 7.5 µM vs. 19.3 µM for free peptide, p < 0.001) while exhibiting improved selectivity for cancer cells over normal HaCaT cells. Mechanistic investigations confirmed that PZ1-Zein NPs significantly increased apoptosis, as shown by increased caspase-3/7 activity (5.8-fold vs. 2.6-fold). These findings highlight PZ1-Zein NPs as a promising nanomedicine strategy and a candidate functional component for future dual-functional scaffolds aimed at targeted hard tissue engineering and surgery in HNSCC management. Full article

Background: Artesunate (ART), a natural product derivative of artemisinin, exhibits striking antitumor activity. However, the clinical translation of ART is limited by rapid clearance, poor tumor selectivity, and severe off-target toxicity. To address these limitations, we developed an unsaturated aliphatic chain-driven nanoassembly strategy to optimize the therapeutic performance of ART. Methods: We designed and synthesized two ART derivatives by conjugating saturated aliphatic chains (ART-SAs) or unsaturated aliphatic chains (ART-LAs) to ART, which subsequently self-assembled into carrier-free nanoassemblies (NAs). These NAs were characterized for their self-assembly capacity and colloidal stability. Biological evaluations included studies on cellular uptake efficiency, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and antitumor efficacy in a tumor-bearing mouse model. Results: The saturated aliphatic chain is found to drive nanoassembly of ART-SA but significantly shields the antitumor activity of ART. Interestingly, the conjugate of an unsaturated aliphatic chain to ART (ART-LA) not only shows outstanding self-assembly capacities but also retains the native antitumor activity of ART. The P-AL NAs with improved pharmacokinetics and tumor-specific biodistribution exert potent antitumor activity and favorable safety. Conclusions: We successfully applied ART for highly effective antitumor therapy by employing an unsaturated aliphatic chain-driven strategy. This study is conducive to promoting the clinical application of ART. Full article

Polymeric micelles have become a versatile and clinically significant class of nanocarriers for cancer therapy. They effectively solubilize poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs, extend their circulation in the bloodstream, and promote accumulation in tumors. Early studies focused on conventional PEG-based polymeric micelles that utilize passive targeting based on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, with several of these advancing to clinical trials. Active targeting strategies using modified polymer micelles with various targeting ligands have been introduced to enhance cellular uptake and improve tumor specificity. Recently, the field has shifted toward smart polymer micelles that can respond to both internal (endogenous) and external (exogenous) stimuli. These stimuli-responsive systems enable controlled drug release, enhance delivery inside cells, and improve therapeutic effectiveness, all while reducing systemic toxicity. This review summarizes recent advancements in polymer design, drug-loading techniques, preparation methods, and targeting strategies for polymeric micelles, highlighting both preclinical progress and systems that have reached clinical stages. The transition from conventional to smart polymer micelles is a significant advancement toward achieving more precise, effective, and personalized cancer nanomedicine. Full article

Copper (Cu) is an essential element required by all living cells, where it supports critical enzymatic and signaling functions. In cancer, this balance is often disrupted, creating vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. Changes in Cu availability have been shown to influence key immunoregulatory pathways, including those involved in inflammation, cell death, and immune evasion. Notably, Cu can drive expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), contributing to immunosuppression, while also promoting immunogenic cell death, which stimulates adaptive immune responses. These dual effects highlight the complexity and therapeutic potential of Cu-based interventions, particularly in the context of immune modulation and toxicity. This review argues that Cu-based nanomedicines can selectively deliver high concentrations of bioactive Cu to tumor cells, inducing cell death and triggering adaptive immune responses. We summarize current knowledge on Cu’s roles in cancer and immunity, emphasizing recent insights into how these intersect through Cu-mediated modulation of anticancer immune pathways. Finally, we explore the clinical potential of Cu-based nanomedicines to convert immunologically “cold” tumors into “hot” ones, thereby improving responses to immunotherapy. Realizing this potential will depend on the thoughtful integration of Cu delivery approaches with existing immunotherapeutic strategies. Full article

Marine macroalgae represent a versatile and sustainable platform within blue biotechnology, offering structurally diverse polysaccharides that are making significant contributions to next-generation therapeutical applications. Algae are rich sources of high-value biomolecules, including polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants, pigments and fibers. Algal biomolecules are widely explored in modern pharmaceuticals due to their range of physiochemical and biological properties. Recently, algal polysaccharides have gained increasing attention in nanomedicine due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and tunable bioactivity. The nanomedical applications of algal polysaccharides pertain to their anti-coagulant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties. In this review, we discuss some major macroalgal polysaccharides, such as agar, agarose, funoran, porphyran, carrageenan, alginate and fucoidan, as well as their structure, uses, and applications in nanomedical systems. Both sulfated and non-sulfated polysaccharides demonstrate significant therapeutic properties when engineered into their nanotherapeutic forms. Previous studies show antimicrobial potential of 80–90% antiviral activity > 70%, significant anticoagulant activity, and excellent anticancer responses (up to 80% reductions in cancer cell viability have been reported in nanoformulated versions of polysaccharides). This review discusses structure–function relationships, bioactivities, nanomaterial synthesis and nanomedical applications (e.g., drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensing, bioimaging, and nanotheranostics). Overall, this review reflects the potential of algal polysaccharides as building blocks in sustainable biomedical engineering in the future healthcare industry. Full article

Background/Objective: Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained increasing interest due to its multifaceted anticancer properties and favourable safety profile. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive brain tumour with limited treatment options, represents a compelling target for CBD-based therapies. In this study, we report the rational design of two distinct formulations of lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) co-encapsulating CBD and a chemotherapeutic agent, tailored for intracranial and systemic administration. Methods: The cytotoxicity of various CBD–chemotherapeutic combinations, including temozolomide, carmustine, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel (PTX), were screened in vitro in U-87 MG and U-373 MG human GBM cell lines and analyzed for chemical compatibility. Moreover, the efficacy and the anti-migratory effect of the selected combination was further assessed in ovo and in vitro, respectively. Lastly, two LNC formulations coloaded with the selected combination were prepared in two different sizes via the phase inversion temperature method. Results: First, CBD in solution exhibited potent cytotoxicity and significantly inhibited cell migration in both GBM cell lines. Among the CBD–chemotherapeutic combinations tested, only CBD + PTX demonstrated both additive/synergistic interaction and favourable chemical compatibility. Second, this enhanced effect was confirmed in ovo. Third, the CBD + PTX combination also exhibited anti-migratory effect. Finally, two co-loaded LNC formulations—51.2 ± 0.9 nm and 25.9 ± 0.3 nm in size—were developed for intracranial and systemic delivery, respectively. Both formulations exhibited high monodispersity, a slightly negative ζ-potential, and consistently maintained a 7.5:1 CBD:PTX mass encapsulation ratio across both particle sizes. Conclusions: CBD + PTX co-loaded LNCs represent a promising and versatile nanomedicine platform for GBM therapy. Full article

Oral cancer represents one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates primarily due to late diagnosis, limited therapeutic efficacy, systemic toxicity, and recurrence following conventional treatments. Traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, while effective to a certain extent, often suffer from poor bioavailability, nonspecific targeting, and multidrug resistance, highlighting the importance of innovative therapeutic strategies. Nanomedicine has emerged as a promising alternative, providing site-specific delivery, enhanced drug stability, and improved therapeutic outcomes. Among various nanoparticles (NPs), metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs), such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and copper oxide, have demonstrated potent anticancer activity due to their high surface area, tunable physicochemical properties, and ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent progress in green synthesis approaches, employing plant extracts, microbes, and biopolymers as reducing and stabilizing agents, has further advanced the development of biocompatible and eco-friendly NPs. These green-synthesized NPs minimize toxic byproducts and allow their functionalization with herbal compounds and conventional drugs, offering synergistic effects against oral cancer. This review highlights the limitations of traditional treatments, examines the role of nanomedicine, and discusses the application of green-synthesized MONPs as drug delivery platforms for oral cancer management. It also addresses challenges such as standardization, scalability, safety concerns, and regulatory barriers, while outlining future perspectives that integrate green nanotechnology with precision medicine. Collectively, green nanomedicine offers a sustainable and innovative paradigm with the potential to revolutionize oral cancer therapy. Full article

Vitamin-conjugated metallic nanoparticles (VC-MNPs) have emerged as a transformative platform in nanomedicine that combine the therapeutic potential of vitamins with the structural versatility of metal nanoparticles. They offer a dual advantage of targeted drug delivery and enhanced therapeutic efficacy, enabling precise intervention against infectious and malignant diseases. Vitamin conjugation facilitates receptor-mediated targeting, antioxidant enhancement, and improved biocompatibility, thereby strengthening therapeutic outcomes and reducing off-target effects. This review critically evaluates how vitamin functionalization modulates the synthesis, activity, and clinical translation of VC-MNPs. Diverse synthesis methods including chemical reduction, co-precipitation, sol–gel, and green approaches are evaluated, along with the influence of synthesis parameters on nanoparticle performance. The mechanisms underlying enhanced antimicrobial and anti-cancer efficacy are discussed, highlighting the contributions of vitamin functionalization to cellular uptake, redox balance and metabolic selectivity. Critical challenges in clinical translation are systematically assessed, including nanoparticle stability under physiological conditions, potential toxicity concerns, regulatory approval pathways, and manufacturing scalability requirements. Finally, the paper considers future perspectives, focusing on synthesis innovations, novel therapeutic targets, interdisciplinary collaborations, and pathways for clinical translation. Overall, VC-MNPs represent a promising next-generation platform for precision nanomedicine and sustainable therapeutic design. Full article