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New Advances in Polymeric Micelles for Drug Delivery

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Dear Colleagues,

Many of the challenges concerning pharmaceutical compounds involve the tuning of their physical properties and controlled and targeted drug delivery, in order to acquire the optimum therapeutic effect. Keeping these challenges and the recent emergence of advanced materials in mind, polymeric micelles have been applied due to their enhanced drug encapsulation capacity and their ability to improve the pharmacokinetics of the loaded drug.

Polymeric micelles are formed by amphiphilic block copolymers that spontaneously self-assemble into nanosized aggregates. In order to achieve maximum therapeutic effect, physical characteristics such as the size, composition, surface charge, surface chemistry and responsiveness of the micelles in internal or external stimuli must be engineered.

To address these issues, authors are invited to contribute original or review articles to this Special Issue highlighting recent developments related to polymeric micelles used for drug delivery.

Dr. Maria D. Rikkou-Kalourkoti
Guest Editor

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Research

15 pages, 2247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermodynamic Insights of the Molecular Interactions of Dopamine (Neurotransmitter) with Anionic Surfactant in Non-Aqueous Media

by Arshid Nabi, Christopher G. Jesudason, Jamal S. M. Sabir and Majid Rasool Kamli

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(9), 1187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16091187 - 22 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1325

Abstract

This study was aimed at establishing the interactions prevailing in an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and dopamine hydrochloride in an alcoholic (ethanol) media by using volumetric, conductometric, and tensiometric techniques. Various methods were utilized to estimate the critical micelle concentration (cmc) values at different temperatures. The entire methods yielded the same cmc values. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters viz. the standard free energy of micellization (

G_{m i c}^{o}

), enthalpy of micellization (

H_{m i c}^{o}

), and entropy of micellization (

S_{m i c}^{o}

) were predicted by applying the pseudo-phase separation model. The experimental density data at different temperatures (298.15 K, 303.15 K, 308.15 K, and 313.15 K) were utilized to estimate the apparent molar volumes (

V_{ϕ}^{o}

) at an infinite dilution, apparent molar volumes (

V_{φ}^{c m c}

) at the critical micelle concentration, and apparent molar volumes (

Δ V_{φ}^{m}

) upon micellization. Various micellar and interfacial parameters, for example, the surface excess concentration (

Γ_{\max}

), standard Gibbs free energy of adsorption at the interface (

Δ G^{o}_{a d}

), and the minimum surface area per molecule (

A_{\min}

), were appraised using the surface tension data. The results were used to interpret the intermolecular interactions prevailing in the mixed systems under the specified experimental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Polymeric Micelles for Drug Delivery)

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18 pages, 5094 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cutaneous Polymeric-Micelles-Based Hydrogel Containing Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil: In Vitro Release and Permeation, Angiogenesis, and Safety Profile In Ovo

by Ștefana Avram, Larisa Bora, Lavinia Lia Vlaia, Ana Maria Muț, Gheorghe-Emilian Olteanu, Ioana Olariu, Ioana Zinuca Magyari-Pavel, Daliana Minda, Zorița Diaconeasa, Paula Sfirloaga, Mohd Adnan, Cristina Adriana Dehelean and Corina Danciu

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(7), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16070940 - 29 Jun 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2957

Abstract

Origanum vulgare var. vulgare essential oil (OEO) is known as a natural product with multiple beneficial effects with application in dermatology. Oregano essential oil represents a potential natural therapeutic alternative for fibroepithelial polyps (FPs), commonly known as skin tags. Innovative formulations have been developed to improve the bioavailability and stability of essential oils. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the morphology of a polymeric-micelles-based hydrogel (OEO-PbH), the release and permeation profile of oregano essential oil, as well as to assess in vivo the potential effects on the degree of biocompatibility and the impact on angiogenesis in ovo, using a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated a regular aspect after the encapsulation process, while in vitro release studies showed a sustained release of the essential oil. None of the tested samples induced any irritation on the CAM and the limitation of the angiogenic process was noted. OEO-PbH, with a sustained release of OEO, potentially enhances the anti-angiogenic effect while being well tolerated and non-irritative by the vascularized CAM, especially on the blood vessels (BVs) in the presence of leptin treatment. This is the first evidence of in vivo antiangiogenic effects of a polymeric-micelle-loaded oregano essential oil, with further mechanistic insights for OEO-PbH formulation, involving leptin as a possible target. The findings suggest that the OEO-containing polymeric micelle hydrogel represents a potential future approach in the pathology of cutaneous FP and other angiogenesis-related conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Polymeric Micelles for Drug Delivery)

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