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Pharmaceutics
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Advanced Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing and...
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Advanced Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Therapy

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 2472

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Blessing Atim Aderibigbe

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, South Africa
Interests: polymer-based materials; wound dressings; drug delivery systems; nanocarriers; drug discovery and design; organic synthesis of drug molecules (antimalarials, antimicrobials, anticancer)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marthe Carine D. Fotsing

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011 Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
Interests: heterocycles; biological activities; natural products; drug discovery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The treatment of microbial infections and wound healing are two challenging aspects of biomedicine. Microbes can evolve, becoming resistant to drugs and difficult to treat. Drug resistance and the presence of only a few new antimicrobial medicines in the clinical pipeline reveal an urgent need for more research in developing new and effective antimicrobial therapeutics. On the other hand, wound healing is also impeded by microbial infections, resulting in inflammation, damaged tissue, delayed healing, and, in some cases, biofilm formation. Multidrug‐resistant organisms are visible in acute and chronic wound infections. The few available therapeutic options further compromise the current efforts in treating infected wounds.

Nanotherapeutics has evolved as a promising option for preventing, treating, and detecting microbial infections. Some of their unique features include the targeted delivery of the loaded/encapsulated therapeutic agents to the target sites, prolonged controlled release of bioactive molecules,  excellent antimicrobial properties, the promotion of angiogenesis, minimized scarring in the wound healing process, multiple pathways to combat microbes and overcome microbial resistance mechanisms, evading existing resistance mechanisms, and their ability to be tailored for optimal therapeutic outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advancements in the development of advanced nanostructured materials/systems for treating microbial infections and wound healing. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. 

Prof. Dr. Blessing Atim Aderibigbe
Dr. Marthe Carine D. Fotsing
Guest Editors

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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. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2900 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

  • nanotherapeutics
  • wound dressings
  • nanoparticles
  • nanometals
  • antimicrobial drugs
  • debridement
  • skin regeneration
  • controlled delivery systems
  • targeted delivery systems
  • bioactive 3D scaffolds
  • scar
  • nanotechnology
  • drug delivery
  • chronic wounds
  • acute wounds
  • microbial infections
  • HIV
  • viral infections
  • fungal infections
  • bacterial infections
  • drug resistance
  • nanocarriers

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2973 KiB  
Article
A TAT Peptide-Functionalized Liposome Delivery Phage System (TAT-Lip@PHM) for an Enhanced Eradication of Intracellular MRSA
by Kaixin Liu, Xin Lu, Xudong Guo, Yi Yang, Wanying Liu, Hongbin Song and Rongtao Zhao
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(6), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17060743 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 494
Abstract
Background: Intracellular bacteria frequently result in chronic and recurrent infections. MRSA is one of the most prevalent facultative intracellular bacteria in clinical infections. The drug resistance of MRSA and the difficulty of most antibiotics in entering cells result in a suboptimal clinical efficacy [...] Read more.
Background: Intracellular bacteria frequently result in chronic and recurrent infections. MRSA is one of the most prevalent facultative intracellular bacteria in clinical infections. The drug resistance of MRSA and the difficulty of most antibiotics in entering cells result in a suboptimal clinical efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of intracellular MRSA. Bacteriophages represent a promising alternative therapy in the context of the current antimicrobial resistance crisis. Nevertheless, the low efficiency of phage entry into cells and their rapid inactivation remain challenges in the treatment of intracellular MRSA using phages. The utilization of functionalized carriers for the delivery of phages into cells and their protection represents a feasible strategy. Methods: In this study, a new MRSA bacteriophage (vB_SauS_PHM) was isolated from hospital sewage, exhibiting the characteristics of short incubation period, large lytic amount, and good environmental tolerance. Subsequently, vB_SauS_PHM was encapsulated by TAT peptide-functionalized liposomes through microfluidic technology and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), forming a phage delivery system, designated TAT-Lip@PHM. Results: The encapsulation rate of the phage by TAT-Lip@PHM was 20.3%, and the cell entry efficiency was ≥90% after 8 h. The 24 h eradication rate of 300 μg/mL TAT-Lip@PHM against intracellular MRSA was 94.05% (superior to the 21.24% and 44.90% of vB_SauS_PHM and Lip@PHM, respectively), while the mammalian cell activity was >85% after 24 h incubation. Conclusions: The TAT-Lip@PHM effectively delivered the phage into the cell and showed an excellent killing effect on intracellular MRSA with low cytotoxicity. This work provides a technical reference for the application of phages in the treatment of intracellular bacterial infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Therapy)
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30 pages, 4063 KiB  
Article
Ferrocene-Based Hybrid Drugs as Potential Anticancer and Antibacterial Therapeutic Agents for Incorporation into Nanocarriers: In Silico, In Vitro, Molecular Docking Evaluations
by Sijongesonke Peter, Eric Morifi, Mutshinyalo Nwamadi, Samson Olaitan Oselusi, Asongwe Lioniel Tantoh, Thierry Youmbi Fonkui, Derek Tantoh Ndinteh and Blessing Atim Aderibigbe
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(6), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17060722 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cancer and bacterial cases are increasing. Hence, new drugs to treat these diseases are paramount. Ferrocene-based hybrid compounds were synthesizedas potential cancer and bacteria therapeutics. Methods: The synthesized compounds were characterized via FTIR, NMR, and LC-MS and evaluated against different cancer cells [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cancer and bacterial cases are increasing. Hence, new drugs to treat these diseases are paramount. Ferrocene-based hybrid compounds were synthesizedas potential cancer and bacteria therapeutics. Methods: The synthesized compounds were characterized via FTIR, NMR, and LC-MS and evaluated against different cancer cells and bacterial strains. Moreover, computational studies of these compounds were conducted using several silico tools. Results: Among the synthesized compounds, hybrid 10 was the most promising compound, displaying promising anticancer activity with IC50 values between 42.42 and 45.37 and 50.64 and 73.37 µg/mL against HeLa and CHO cancer cells, respectively, with a selective index greater than one on HeLa cancer cells. Compounds 22–26 displayed promising antibacterial activity with a MIC value of 7.8125 µg/mL against most bacterial strains in vitro. The in silico results revealed that this compound has strong binding affinities for 4qtb, 3eqm, and 2w3l cervical cancer proteins, exhibiting binding energies of −7.3, −8.7, and 7.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, hybrid 10 showed promising pharmacokinetics and drug-like properties, including high GI absorption, moderate water solubility, favoring the oral administration route, nontoxicity, and is a P-gp substrate. Conclusions: The findings obtained in this study illustrate that hybrid compounds are potential therapeutics that need to be explored. The compounds also contained functionalities relevant for incorporating into nanocarriers to improve their biological activities further. Therefore, further studies are recommended for the most effective compounds to reinforce these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Therapy)
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15 pages, 3110 KiB  
Article
Cirsium setosum Extract-Loaded Hybrid Nanostructured Scaffolds Incorporating a Temperature-Sensitive Polymer for Mechanically Assisted Wound Healing
by Xiaojing Jiang, Shaoxuan Zhu, Jinying Song, Xingwei Li, Chengbo Li, Guige Hou and Zhongfei Gao
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050660 - 17 May 2025
Viewed by 470
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cirsium setosum (commonly known as thistle) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant with significant therapeutic potential, exhibiting hemostatic, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. Electrospinning offers a versatile platform for fabricating nanoscale scaffolds with tunable functionality, making them ideal for drug delivery and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cirsium setosum (commonly known as thistle) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant with significant therapeutic potential, exhibiting hemostatic, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. Electrospinning offers a versatile platform for fabricating nanoscale scaffolds with tunable functionality, making them ideal for drug delivery and tissue engineering. Methods: In this study, a bioactive extract from thistle was obtained and incorporated into a thermosensitive triblock copolymer (PNNS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) to develop a multifunctional nanofibrous scaffold for enhanced wound healing. The prepared nanofibers were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile fracture testing to assess their physicochemical properties. Results: Notably, the inclusion of PNNS imparted temperature-responsive behavior to the scaffold, enabling controlled deformation in response to thermal stimuli—a feature that may facilitate wound contraction and improve scar remodeling. Specifically, the scaffold demonstrated rapid shrinkage at a physiological temperature (38 °C) within minutes while maintaining structural integrity at ambient conditions (20 °C). In vitro studies confirmed the thistle extract’s potent antioxidant activity, while in vivo experiments revealed their effective hemostatic performance in a liver bleeding model when delivered via the composite nanofibers. Thistle extract and skin temperature-responsive contraction reduced the inflammatory outbreak at the wound site and promoted collagen deposition, resulting in an ideal wound-healing rate of above 95% within 14 days. Conclusions: The integrated strategy that combines mechanical signals, natural extracts, and electrospinning nanotechnology offers a feasible design approach and significant technological advantages with enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Therapy)
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Review

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21 pages, 3358 KiB  
Review
Application of Nanodrug Delivery Systems in Enhancing Treatment of Gastritis and Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Evaluation of Targeted Therapy
by Miaomiao Xu, Shujie Tian, Jing Wang, Shuqing Gan, Ziting Zhang and Lixing Weng
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(6), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17060683 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 599
Abstract
In recent years, nanomedicine has been emerging as a promising therapeutic approach in the treatment of gastritis and gastric cancer, particularly through targeted drug delivery systems and combination therapies that enhance therapeutic effects. Gastritis and gastric cancer, being common gastrointestinal diseases, often exhibit [...] Read more.
In recent years, nanomedicine has been emerging as a promising therapeutic approach in the treatment of gastritis and gastric cancer, particularly through targeted drug delivery systems and combination therapies that enhance therapeutic effects. Gastritis and gastric cancer, being common gastrointestinal diseases, often exhibit suboptimal treatment outcomes due to the limitations of traditional medications. Interventions based on nanotechnology not only improve the local concentration and bioavailability of drugs but also promote precise targeted therapy by regulating drug release rates, while minimizing adverse side effects, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Despite significant progress in basic research and preclinical applications, the clinical translation of nanomedicine still faces numerous challenges, including stability, biocompatibility, production standardization, regulatory and ethical barriers, as well as optimization of clinical trial designs. Furthermore, combining nanomedicine with other therapeutic modalities, such as immunotherapy and gene therapy, may open new avenues for addressing complex digestive system diseases. Future research should continue to explore the potential of nanocarriers, particularly in the formulation and stability of nanomaterials for precision therapy, with the aim of improving the quality of life and survival rates for patients with gastritis and gastric cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Therapy)
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