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Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Bioapplications
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Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Bioapplications

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: 25 February 2026 | Viewed by 3168

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Athina Angelopoulou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, GR 26500 Rion, Greece
Interests: nanotechnology; biomaterials; nanomedicine; molecular biology; immunotherapy; nanoscience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The combination of biopolymers with nanomaterials has paved the way for the field of bio-nanocomposites in biomedical applications. The incorporation of nanomaterials, such as metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon, graphene and silica nanomaterials, in biopolymers has been utilized in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing and regenerative medicine. The ultimate scope of bio-nanocomposites is to provide advantageous multifunctional materials that exploit the biological compatibility and adherence of biopolymers, and the responsiveness to external (e.g., magnetic field, photothermal/photodynamic effect, ultrasound effect) or internal (e.g., pH/thermo/redox responsiveness, receptor or antigen targeting,) stimuli of the nanomaterials. Such multifunctional nanocomposites have been studied in cancer therapy, immunotherapeutics, microbial/bacterial infections and autoimmune diseases. This Special Issue focuses on the effect of such multifunctional nanocomposites on the molecular characteristics of cells (receptor expression, signaling pathways, biomarker expression, proliferation and ageing) and the metabolic pathways affected.

Dr. Athina Angelopoulou
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanocomposites
  • biomedical applications
  • molecular characteristics
  • metabolic pathways
  • biomarkers
  • external stimuli

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 3907 KB  
Article
Green-Synthesized MgO Nanoparticles: Structural Insights and Antimicrobial Applications
by Denisa-Maria Radulescu, Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Bodgan Stefan Vasile, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Roxana-Doina Trusca, Cristina Chircov, Roxana Cristina Popescu, Cornelia-Ioana Ilie, Lia-Mara Ditu, Veronica Drumea and Ecaterina Andronescu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(18), 9021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26189021 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 496
Abstract
Magnesium oxide nanoparticles, or MgO NPs, have garnered a lot of attention because of their exceptional stability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. However, many of the green production methods used today have limited mechanistic knowledge and low reproducibility. In order to get over these [...] Read more.
Magnesium oxide nanoparticles, or MgO NPs, have garnered a lot of attention because of their exceptional stability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. However, many of the green production methods used today have limited mechanistic knowledge and low reproducibility. In order to get over these challenges, we created a standardized and environmentally friendly process for producing MgO NPs using orange peel extract, a naturally occurring biowaste source rich in phytochemicals that acts as a stabilizing and reducing agent. Active precursor alteration during synthesis was clearly shown by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TGA-FTIR), while imaging techniques showed extremely crystalline cubic-phase MgO nanoparticles that were about 9 nm in size. The NPs displayed an irregular shape between 10 and 40 nm and a positive surface charge of +11.74 mV. Terpenoids, polymethoxyflavones, fatty acids, and sugars all work in collaboration with direct nucleation, regulate particle growth, and stabilize the nanoparticles, according to GC-MS analysis. The MgO NPs showed remarkable cytocompatibility in biology, preserving >80% viability in fibroblast and osteoblast cell lines while causing distinct metabolic regulation in osteoblasts without changing the shape of the cells. Consistent moderate activity against a variety of pathogens was confirmed by antimicrobial and antibiofilm assays, with special effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. This study shows that these MgO NPs have good biocompatibility and antimicrobial qualities, indicating the need for more research for possible biomedical applications. It also clarifies the molecular role of phytochemicals in nanoparticle formation and provides a repeatable green synthesis pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Bioapplications)
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36 pages, 6073 KB  
Article
Orange Peel-Mediated Green Synthesis of ZnO and CuO Nanoparticles: Evaluation for Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility in Tissue Engineering
by Denisa-Maria Radulescu, Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Roxana-Doina Trusca, Cristina Chircov, Roxana Cristina Popescu, Cornelia-Ioana Ilie, Lia-Mara Ditu, Veronica Drumea and Ecaterina Andronescu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(18), 8781; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26188781 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 705
Abstract
The production of green nanomaterials has drawn considerable interest lately in the fields of tissue engineering and biomedicine. Thus, the environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing orange peel extract as a natural capping and reducing agent is the main [...] Read more.
The production of green nanomaterials has drawn considerable interest lately in the fields of tissue engineering and biomedicine. Thus, the environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing orange peel extract as a natural capping and reducing agent is the main focus of this study. Our comprehensive approach allows for a direct and systematic comparison of physicochemical attributes, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity under identical experimental circumstances, in contrast to other research that looked at individual nanoparticles under different conditions. The produced nanoparticles were characterized by techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and zeta potential assessment. MG-63 osteoblast-like cells, primary human dermal fibroblast BJ cells, and murine fibroblast L929 cells were used to evaluate biocompatibility using the MTT assay. The results showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, especially above 25 µg/mL. Furthermore, both qualitative (growth inhibition zone diameter) and quantitative (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) techniques were used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy against Candida albicans and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. According to the obtained results, ZnO NPs showed broad-spectrum efficacy, whereas CuO NPs showed excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., S. aureus, MIC = 0.313 μg/μL). The study highlights the potential of green-synthesized nanoparticles for utilization in biomedical applications, and it stresses the need for additional mechanistic research, including ROS measurement, to completely understand how they work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Bioapplications)
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19 pages, 3804 KB  
Article
Peptide-Engineered Seliciclib Nanomedicine for Brain-Targeted Delivery and Neuroprotection
by Guan Zhen He and Wen Jen Lin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5768; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125768 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 507
Abstract
Seliciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) inhibitor, has demonstrated neuroprotective potential. However, its therapeutic application is limited by poor permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In this study, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) modified with a BBB-targeting peptide ligand (His-Ala-Ile-Tyr-Pro-Arg-His) were employed to encapsulate seliciclib. [...] Read more.
Seliciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) inhibitor, has demonstrated neuroprotective potential. However, its therapeutic application is limited by poor permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In this study, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) modified with a BBB-targeting peptide ligand (His-Ala-Ile-Tyr-Pro-Arg-His) were employed to encapsulate seliciclib. In vitro transport studies showed that the peptide-modified NPs exhibited significantly greater translocation across a bEnd.3 cell monolayer compared to unmodified NPs. Furthermore, in vivo biodistribution analysis revealed that the brain accumulation of peptide-modified NPs was 3.38-fold higher than that of unmodified NPs. Notably, the peptide-conjugated, seliciclib-loaded NPs demonstrated a significant neuroprotective effect against the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Bioapplications)
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Review

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42 pages, 7271 KB  
Review
Graphene Nanocomposites in the Targeting Tumor Microenvironment: Recent Advances in TME Reprogramming
by Argiris Kolokithas-Ntoukas, Andreas Mouikis and Athina Angelopoulou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(10), 4525; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26104525 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 885
Abstract
Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have shown significant promise in cancer therapy due to their unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization. Their ability to target solid tumors, penetrate the tumor microenvironment (TME), and act as efficient drug delivery platforms highlights their potential in [...] Read more.
Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have shown significant promise in cancer therapy due to their unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization. Their ability to target solid tumors, penetrate the tumor microenvironment (TME), and act as efficient drug delivery platforms highlights their potential in nanomedicine. However, the complex and dynamic nature of the TME, characterized by metabolic heterogeneity, immune suppression, and drug resistance, poses significant challenges to effective cancer treatment. GBMs offer innovative solutions by enhancing tumor targeting, facilitating deep tissue penetration, and modulating metabolic pathways that contribute to tumor progression and immune evasion. Their functionalization with targeting ligands and biocompatible polymers improves their biosafety and specificity, while their ability to modulate immune cell interactions within the TME presents new opportunities for immunotherapy. Given the role of metabolic reprogramming in tumor survival and resistance, GBMs could be further exploited in metabolism-targeted therapies by disrupting glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, and lipid metabolism to counteract the immunosuppressive effects of the TME. This review focuses on discussing research studies that design GBM nanocomposites with enhanced biodegradability, minimized toxicity, and improved efficacy in delivering therapeutic agents with the intention to reprogram the TME for effective anticancer therapy. Additionally, exploring the potential of GBM nanocomposites in combination with immunotherapies and metabolism-targeted treatments could lead to more effective and personalized cancer therapies. By addressing these challenges, GBMs could play a pivotal role in overcoming current limitations in cancer treatment and advancing precision oncology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Bioapplications)
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