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Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes
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Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 13265

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yanyan Jiang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution & Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: nanocomposites; functionalization; medical purposes; tumor therapy; nanocrystals; nanofiber; nanoparticles
Prof. Dr. Xijian Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chemical Engineering Department, Frontier Medical Technologies Institute, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China
Interests: nanocomposites; functionalization; medical purposes; tumor therapy; nanocrystals; nanofiber; nanoparticles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Quite a few scientific areas have significantly benefited from the introduction of nanotechnology, and it is especially noteworthy in the development of new drug substances and products. Over the last few years, the application of nanotechnology for medical purposes has attracted great attention in the use of nanomaterials for the diagnosis, monitoring, control, prevention, and treatment of diseases. Nanocomposites are at the leading edge of the rapidly developing field of nanomaterials. Their unique size-dependent properties make these materials superior and indispensable in addressing the growing demands of enhanced human life expectancy and quality of life. In addition, the combination of several components can not only coat the surface of nanoparticles in order to enhance their biocompatibility and stability but may also provide the substrate for functional nanoparticles growing on their surface to reach multifunction. This research topic intends to invite researchers to contribute studies on recent advances in nanocomposites for drug delivery, diagnosis, and the like, which enables a better understanding of the role of nanocomposites as a theranostic agent. 

Prof. Dr. Yanyan Jiang
Prof. Dr. Xijian Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanocomposites
  • functionalization
  • medical purposes
  • nanofiber
  • nanoparticles
  • tumor therapy
  • nanocrystals
  • nanofiber

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2789 KiB  
Article
Anti-Biofilm Effect of Hybrid Nanocomposite Functionalized with Erythrosine B on Staphylococcus aureus Due to Photodynamic Inactivation
by Larysa Bugyna, Katarína Bilská, Peter Boháč, Marek Pribus, Juraj Bujdák and Helena Bujdáková
Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3917; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163917 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 918
Abstract
Resistant biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus on medical devices pose a constant medical threat. A promising alternative to tackle this problem is photodynamic inactivation (PDI). This study focuses on a polyurethane (PU) material with an antimicrobial surface consisting of a composite based on [...] Read more.
Resistant biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus on medical devices pose a constant medical threat. A promising alternative to tackle this problem is photodynamic inactivation (PDI). This study focuses on a polyurethane (PU) material with an antimicrobial surface consisting of a composite based on silicate, polycation, and erythrosine B (EryB). The composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy methods. Anti-biofilm effectiveness was determined after PDI by calculation of CFU mL−1. The liquid PU precursors penetrated a thin silicate film resulting in effective binding of the PU/silicate composite and the PU bulk phases. The incorporation of EryB into the composite matrix did not significantly alter the spectral properties or photoactivity of the dye. A green LED lamp and laser were used for PDI, while irradiation was performed for different periods. Preliminary experiments with EryB solutions on planktonic cells and biofilms optimized the conditions for PDI on the nanocomposite materials. Significant eradication of S. aureus biofilm on the composite surface was achieved by irradiation with an LED lamp and laser for 1.5 h and 10 min, respectively, resulting in a 10,000-fold reduction in biofilm growth. These results demonstrate potential for the development of antimicrobial polymer surfaces for modification of medical materials and devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes)
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18 pages, 4474 KiB  
Article
LDH-Indomethacin Nanoparticles Antitumoral Action: A Possible Coadjuvant Drug for Cancer Therapy
by Kelly Costa Alves, Carlos Emmerson Ferreira da Costa, Cláudio Márcio Rocha Remédios, Danielle Queiroz Calcagno, Marcelo de Oliveira Lima, José Rogério A. Silva and Cláudio Nahum Alves
Molecules 2024, 29(14), 3353; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29143353 - 17 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1264
Abstract
Indomethacin (INDO) has a mechanism of action based on inhibiting fatty acids cyclooxygenase activity within the inflammation process. The action mechanism could be correlated with possible anticancer activity, but its high toxicity in normal tissues has made therapy difficult. By the coprecipitation method, [...] Read more.
Indomethacin (INDO) has a mechanism of action based on inhibiting fatty acids cyclooxygenase activity within the inflammation process. The action mechanism could be correlated with possible anticancer activity, but its high toxicity in normal tissues has made therapy difficult. By the coprecipitation method, the drug carried in a layered double hydroxides (LDH) hybrid matrix would reduce its undesired effects by promoting chemotherapeutic redirection. Therefore, different samples containing INDO intercalated in LDH were synthesized at temperatures of 50, 70, and 90 °C and synthesis times of 8, 16, 24, and 48 h, seeking the best structural organization. X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrational Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spectrophotometric analysis in UV-VIS, and differential thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) were used for characterization. Our results indicate that higher temperatures and longer synthesis time through coprecipitation reduce the possibility of INDO intercalation. However, it was possible to establish a time of 16 h and a temperature of 50 °C as the best conditions for intercalation. In vitro results confirmed the cell viability potential and anticancer activity in the LDH-INDO sample (16 h and 50 °C) for gastric cancer (AGP01, ACP02, and ACP03), breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7), melanoma (SK-MEL-19), lung fibroblast (MRC-5), and non-neoplastic gastric tissue (MN01) by MTT assay. Cell proliferation was inhibited, demonstrating higher and lower toxicity against MDA-MB-231 and SK-MEL-19. Thus, a clinical redirection of INDO is suggested as an integral and adjunctive anticancer medication in chemotherapy treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes)
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21 pages, 3659 KiB  
Article
Fabrication, Characterization and Biomedical Evaluation of a Statistically Optimized Gelatin Scaffold Enriched with Co-Drugs Loaded into Controlled-Release Silica Nanoparticles
by Hina Younis, Hafeez Ullah Khan, Safirah Maheen, Malik Saadullah, Shahid Shah, Nabeel Ahmad, Sameer Alshehri, Mohammed Ali A. Majrashi, Abdullah Alsalhi, Rida Siddique, Mehwish Andleeb, Saleha Shabbir and Ghulam Abbas
Molecules 2023, 28(13), 5233; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135233 - 5 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1915
Abstract
The current study focused on the fabrication of a well-designed, biocompatible, physically stable, non-irritating and highly porous gelatin scaffold loaded with controlled-release triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and econazole nitrate (EN) co-loaded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (EN-TA-loaded MSNs) to provide a better long-lasting antifungal therapeutic [...] Read more.
The current study focused on the fabrication of a well-designed, biocompatible, physically stable, non-irritating and highly porous gelatin scaffold loaded with controlled-release triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and econazole nitrate (EN) co-loaded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (EN-TA-loaded MSNs) to provide a better long-lasting antifungal therapeutic effect with minimal unfavorable effects. Optimization of the MSNs-loaded scaffold was performed using central composite rotatable design (CCRD), where the effect of gelatin concentration (X1), plasticizer (X2) and freezing time (X3) on the entrapment of EN (Y1) and TA (Y2) and on the release of EN (Y3) and TA (Y4) from the scaffold were studied. The significant compatibility of all formulation ingredients with both drugs was established from XRD, DSC and FT-IR spectra analyses while SEM and zeta studies represented a very precise unvarying distribution of the loaded MSNs in the porous structure of the scaffold. The stability of the optimized scaffold was confirmed from zeta potential analysis (−16.20 mV), and it exhibited higher entrapment efficiency (94%) and the slower (34%) release of both drugs. During in vitro and in vivo antifungal studies against Candida albicans, the MSNs-loaded scaffold was comparatively superior in the eradication of fungal infections as a greater zone of inhibition was observed for the optimized scaffold (16.91 mm) as compared to the pure drugs suspension (14.10 mm). Similarly, the MSNs-loaded scaffold showed a decreased cytotoxicity because the cell survival rate in the scaffold presence was 89% while the cell survival rate was 85% in the case of the pure drugs, and the MSNs-loaded scaffold did not indicate any grade of erythema on the skin in comparison to the pure medicinal agents. Conclusively, the scaffold-loaded nanoparticles containing the combined therapy appear to possess a strong prospective for enhancing patients’ adherence and therapy tolerance by yielding improved synergistic antifungal efficacy at a low dose with abridged toxicity and augmented wound-healing impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes)
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15 pages, 5978 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Anticancer Response of In2O3/RGO Nanocomposites Prepared by a Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis Process
by ZabnAllah M. Alaizeri, Hisham A. Alhadlaq, Saad Aldawood, Mohd Javed Akhtar, Aziz A. Aziz and Maqusood Ahamed
Molecules 2023, 28(13), 5153; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135153 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2214
Abstract
The incorporation of graphene with metal oxide has been widely explored in various fields, including energy storage devices, optical applications, biomedical applications, and water remediation. This research aimed to assess the impact of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) doping on the photocatalytic and anticancer [...] Read more.
The incorporation of graphene with metal oxide has been widely explored in various fields, including energy storage devices, optical applications, biomedical applications, and water remediation. This research aimed to assess the impact of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) doping on the photocatalytic and anticancer properties of In2O3 nanoparticles. Pure and In2O3/RGO nanocomposites were effectively synthesized using the single-step microwave hydrothermal process. XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, XPS, Raman, UV–Vis, and PL spectroscopy were carefully utilized to characterize the prepared samples. XRD data showed that synthesized In2O3 nanoparticles had high crystallinity with a decreased crystal size after RGO doping. TEM and SEM images revealed that the In2O3 NPs were spherical and uniformly embedded onto the surface of RGO sheets. Elemental analysis of In2O3/RGO NC confirmed the presence of In, O, and C without impurities. Raman analysis indicated the successful fabrication of In2O3 onto the RGO surface. Uv–Vis analysis showed that the band gap energy was changed with RGO addition. Raman spectra confirmed that In2O3 nanoparticles were successfully anchored onto the RGO sheet. PL results indicated that the prepared In2O3/RGO NCs can be applied to enhance photocatalytic activity and biomedical applications. In the degradation experiment, In2O3/RGO NCs exhibited superior photocatalytic activity compared to that of pure In2O3. The degradation efficiency of In2O3/RGO NCs for MB dye was up to 90%. Biological data revealed that the cytotoxicity effect of In2O3/RGO NCs was higher than In2O3 NPs in human colorectal (HCT116) and liver (HepG2) cancer cells. Importantly, the In2O3/RGO NCs exhibited better biocompatibility against human normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). All the results suggest that RGO addition improves the photocatalytic and anticancer activity of In2O3 NPs. This study highlights the potential of In2O3/RGO NCs as an efficient photocatalyst and therapeutic material for water remediation and biomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes)
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18 pages, 5299 KiB  
Article
A Cell-Penetrating Peptide Modified Cu2−xSe/Au Nanohybrid with Enhanced Efficacy for Combined Radio-Photothermal Therapy
by Ruixue Ran, Sinan Guo, Xiaoyu Jiang, Zhanyin Qian, Zhaoyang Guo, Yinsong Wang, Mingxin Cao and Xiaoying Yang
Molecules 2023, 28(1), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010423 - 3 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2279
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the main clinical therapeutic strategies against cancer. Currently, multiple radiosensitizers aimed at enhancing X-ray absorption in cancer tissues have been developed, while limitations still exist for their further applications, such as poor cellular uptake, hypoxia-induced radioresistance, and unavoidable [...] Read more.
Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the main clinical therapeutic strategies against cancer. Currently, multiple radiosensitizers aimed at enhancing X-ray absorption in cancer tissues have been developed, while limitations still exist for their further applications, such as poor cellular uptake, hypoxia-induced radioresistance, and unavoidable damage to adjacent normal body tissues. In order to address these problems, a cell-penetrating TAT peptide (YGRKKRRQRRRC)-modified nanohybrid was constructed by doping high-Z element Au in hollow semiconductor Cu2−xSe nanoparticles for combined RT and photothermal therapy (PTT) against breast cancer. The obtained Cu2−xSe nanoparticles possessed excellent radiosensitizing properties based on their particular band structures, and high photothermal conversion efficiency beneficial for tumor ablation and promoting RT efficacy. Further doping high-Z element Au deposited more high-energy radiation for better radiosensitizing performance. Conjugation of TAT peptides outside the constructed Cu2−xSe/Au nanoparticles facilitated their cellular uptake, thus reducing overdosage-induced side effects. This prepared multifunctional nanohybrid showed powerful suppression effects towards breast cancer, both in vitro and in vivo via integrating enhanced cell penetration and uptake, and combined RT/PTT strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes)
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12 pages, 2625 KiB  
Article
Self-Assembled CuCo2S4 Nanoparticles for Efficient Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Arterial Inflammation
by Ran Lu, Wei Wang, Bo Dong, Chao Xu, Bo Li, Yong Sun, Junchao Liu and Biao Hong
Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8134; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238134 - 22 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1732
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis (AS) seriously affects human health. Photothermal therapy (PTT) brings hope to the diagnosis and treatment of AS, with the development of nanotechnology. To improve treatment efficiency, self-assembled CuCo2S4 nanocrystals (NCs) were developed as a drug-delivery [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis (AS) seriously affects human health. Photothermal therapy (PTT) brings hope to the diagnosis and treatment of AS, with the development of nanotechnology. To improve treatment efficiency, self-assembled CuCo2S4 nanocrystals (NCs) were developed as a drug-delivery nanocarrier, triggered by near-infrared (NIR) light for efficient chemophotothermal therapy of arterial inflammation. The as-prepared self-assembled CuCo2S4 NCs exhibited excellent biocompatibility and a very high chloroquine (CL)-loading content. In addition, the self-assembled CuCo2S4 NCs/CL nanocomposites showed good photothermal performance, due to strong absorption in the NIR region, and the release of CL from the NCs/CL nanocomposites was driven by NIR light. When illuminated by NIR light, both PTT from the NCs and chemotherapy from the CL were simultaneously triggered, resulting in killing macrophages with a synergistic effect. Moreover, chemo-photothermal therapy with CuCo2S4 NCs/CL nanocomposites showed an effective therapeutic effect for arterial inflammation, in vivo. Our work demonstrated that chemo-photothermal therapy could be a promising strategy for the treatment of arterial inflammation against atherosclerosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes)
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Review

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27 pages, 7258 KiB  
Review
Advances in Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Dermatological Applications: A Review
by Yuanyuan Han, Hewei Wei, Qiteng Ding, Chuanbo Ding and Shuai Zhang
Molecules 2024, 29(17), 4271; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29174271 - 9 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2201
Abstract
In recent years, a wide variety of high-performance and versatile nanofiber membranes have been successfully created using different electrospinning methods. As vehicles for medication, they have been receiving more attention because of their exceptional antibacterial characteristics and ability to heal wounds, resulting in [...] Read more.
In recent years, a wide variety of high-performance and versatile nanofiber membranes have been successfully created using different electrospinning methods. As vehicles for medication, they have been receiving more attention because of their exceptional antibacterial characteristics and ability to heal wounds, resulting in improved drug delivery and release. This quality makes them an appealing choice for treating various skin conditions like wounds, fungal infections, skin discoloration disorders, dermatitis, and skin cancer. This article offers comprehensive information on the electrospinning procedure, the categorization of nanofiber membranes, and their use in dermatology. Additionally, it delves into successful case studies, showcasing the utilization of nanofiber membranes in the field of skin diseases to promote their substantial advancement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications for Medical Purposes)
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