Development of New Nanotechnological Systems Loaded with Drugs for Infectious Disease Application

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2025) | Viewed by 4961

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
Interests: development and characterization of nanotechnological systems applied in microbiology

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
Interests: development and characterization of nanotechnological systems applied in microbiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our Special Issue entitled " Development of New Nanotechnological Systems Loaded with Drugs for Infectious Disease Application”. This Special Issue aims to bring together advanced and updated research on the development and characterization of different nanoscale systems for the incorporation of drugs and control of infectious diseases.

The increase in or emergence of multi-resistant microorganisms to different antimicrobial classes worries major health organizations. Given this, much has intensified the development of new nanotherapeutic options to contribute to the decrease in and control of infectious diseases.

This Special Issue aims to include studies, original or review, on nanosystems loaded with drugs against infections. In this Special Issue, articles that address the characterization of nanoscale systems, in vitro and in vivo release methods for drugs loaded into nanosystems, pharmacokinetic studies, and stability tests are welcome. Regarding biological applications, articles involving studies of nanosystems against microorganisms in their planktonic form or biofilms will be considered. Studies with in vivo models or alternative in vivo models (for example, Galleria mellonella, Zebra fish, Caenorhabditis elegans, etc.) are welcome.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Development and characterization of nanotechnological systems;
  • In vitro (or in vivo) controlled liberation test;
  • Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies;
  • Nanomedicine;
  • In vitro antimicrobial determination;
  • In vivo antimicrobial determination (or alternative models);
  • Antibiofilm potential of new formulations;
  • Cytotoxicity or toxicity tests;
  • Histological tests in infection models.

Dr. Gabriel Davi Marena
Prof. Dr. Marlus Chorilli
Prof. Dr. Taís Maria Bauab
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanosystems
  • controlled drug release
  • infectious diseases
  • microbial resistance
  • pathogenic microorganism
  • drug delivery systems
  • nanotechnology
  • nanotherapy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 5983 KiB  
Article
Development of Herbal Mouthwash Powder Using a Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System Containing Galangal Extract and Lemongrass Oil for Oral Candidiasis Treatment
by Premnapa Sisopa, Supaporn Lamlertthon, Ruchadaporn Kaomongkolgit, Pratthana Chomchalao and Waree Tiyaboonchai
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050546 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to develop and characterize the physicochemical properties of a self-emulsion drug delivery system (SNEDDS) incorporating galangal extract (GE) and lemongrass oil (LGO). Then, to develop mouthwash powders containing GE- and LGO-loaded SNEDDS (GL-mouthwash powder) as a promising alternative for [...] Read more.
Objective: This study aimed to develop and characterize the physicochemical properties of a self-emulsion drug delivery system (SNEDDS) incorporating galangal extract (GE) and lemongrass oil (LGO). Then, to develop mouthwash powders containing GE- and LGO-loaded SNEDDS (GL-mouthwash powder) as a promising alternative for preventing and treating denture stomatitis. Methods: The solubility of GE in various vehicles was determined. Subsequently, pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of the different ingredients, oil (LGO), surfactant (Tween® 80), and co-surfactant (Propylene glycol) were selected to develop the SNEDDS. Then, SNEDDS containing GE and LGO (GL-SNEDDS) were prepared and characterized. The optimized liquid GL-SNEDDS was transformed into GL-mouthwash powder by absorbing onto mannitol and blending with a sweetener. Subsequently, various evaluations including drug recovery, moisture content, emulsification time, stability, anti-Candida activity, and in vitro cytotoxicity were performed. Results: The developed SNEDDS formulation improved GE and LGO solubility. The optimized GL-SNEDDS exhibited a small droplet size of 148.2 ± 2.1 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.11 ± 0.03 and a zeta potential of 2.14 ± 0.11 mV. In addition, the GL-mouthwash powder demonstrated a high drug recovery of >80% with a low moisture of <10% and exhibited greater physicochemical stability under accelerated conditions. The developed GL-mouthwash powder rapidly formed a stable nanoemulsion within 2 min after reconstitution. Interestingly, GL-mouthwash powder exhibited strong anti-Candida activity with no toxicity to human fibroblast cells, which demonstrated superior biocompatibility relative to existing commercial products. Conclusions: These findings suggest that GL-mouthwash powder has potential as an alternative prevention and treatment of oral Candida infection. Full article
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15 pages, 6062 KiB  
Article
Specific Immune Responses and Oncolytic Effects Induced by EBV LMP2A-Armed Modified Ankara-Vaccinia Virus Vectored Vaccines in Nasopharyngeal Cancer
by Liying Sun, Chao Liu and Junping Peng
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17010052 - 3 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Background: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is intricately linked to a range of human malignancies, with EBV latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) emerging as a potential target antigen for immunotherapeutic strategies in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: The modified vaccinia virus Ankara [...] Read more.
Background: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is intricately linked to a range of human malignancies, with EBV latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) emerging as a potential target antigen for immunotherapeutic strategies in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: The modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is universally used in vector vaccine research because of its excellent safety profile and highly efficient recombinant gene expression. Here, we constructed a novel MVA-LMP2A recombinant virus and investigated its specific immune response induction and oncolytic effect. Results: An immunization dose of 2 × 107 PFU induced the highest specific immune response, which was no longer increased by boost injections after four doses. Three weeks post-final immunization, the specific immune response reached its peak. The MVA-LMP2A vaccine-induced LMP2A-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which exhibited substantial efficacy against target cells and effectively inhibited tumor growth. Conclusions: Thus, the MVA-LMP2A recombinant virus effectively induces strong LMP2A-specific cellular and humoral immune responses and anti-tumor activity. This work provides a promising therapeutic strategy for developing NPC candidate vaccines, as well as a reference for the treatment of EBV LMP2-associated malignancies. Full article
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25 pages, 9124 KiB  
Article
Enteric Delayed-Release Granules Loading Dendrobine Ameliorates Hyperlipidemia in Mice by Regulating Intestinal Flora Composition
by Shunqiang Song, Liangyu Yang, Tingting Chen and Yongai Xiong
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(11), 1483; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16111483 - 20 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 903
Abstract
Background/Objectives: In this paper, we created enteric delayed-release granules that load Dendrobine (DNL) directly into the intestinal flora of hyperlipidemic mice, based on the relationship between intestinal flora and hyperlipidemia. Methods: We then used pharmacodynamics and 16 Sr RNA high-throughput sequencing [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: In this paper, we created enteric delayed-release granules that load Dendrobine (DNL) directly into the intestinal flora of hyperlipidemic mice, based on the relationship between intestinal flora and hyperlipidemia. Methods: We then used pharmacodynamics and 16 Sr RNA high-throughput sequencing to examine the hypolipidemic effects and mechanism of these granules. Solvent evaporation was used to create the DNL, which was then characterized using FT–IR, XRD, SEM, and DSC. A high-fat diet was used to create the mouse model of hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6J mice. Dendrobine, various dosages of DNL, TMAO, and the combination of TMAO and DNL were subsequently gavaged on the mice. The makeup of the intestinal flora in the mouse colon was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and the effectiveness and mechanism of DNL in controlling the intestinal flora for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in mice were investigated. Results/Conclusions: The findings showed that DNL could effectively improve the dysbiosis brought on by hyperlipidemia by significantly lowering the mice’s body weight and blood lipid level (p < 0.05), while also regulating the function of their intestinal flora, increasing the abundance of Actinobacteria (p < 0.05) and Thick-walled bacterium (p < 0.05), and decreasing the abundance of Desulfovibrio (p < 0.05) and Mycobacterium anisopliae (p < 0.05) in the intestinal flora of mice, inhibiting the growth of intestinal harmful microorganisms, providing space for the reproduction of beneficial bacteria, and thus maintaining the stability of the intestinal flora’s structure. Full article
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20 pages, 5465 KiB  
Article
Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Using Curcumin-Containing Self-Microemulsifying Delivery System: Macroscopic and Microscopic Analysis
by Nabeela Ameer, Muhammad Hanif, Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Azeem, Khalid Mahmood, Dure Shahwar, Ahmed Khames, Essam Mohamed Eissa and Baher Daihom
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(11), 1406; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16111406 - 31 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1330
Abstract
Background: The lack of local availability for drugs in the colon can be addressed by preparing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of curcumin (Cur) which is ultimately used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: From preformulation studies, Lauroglycol FCC [...] Read more.
Background: The lack of local availability for drugs in the colon can be addressed by preparing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of curcumin (Cur) which is ultimately used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: From preformulation studies, Lauroglycol FCC (oil), Tween 80 (surfactant), Transcutol HP (co-surfactant), and Avicel (solid carrier) were selected for the preparation of blank liquid and solid Cur-loaded SMEDDSs (S-Cur-SMEDDSs). Results: Z-average size (12.36 ± 0.04 nm), zeta potential (−14.7 ± 0.08 mV), and polydispersity index (PDI) (0.155 ± 0.036) showed a comparative droplet surface area and charge of both SMEDDSs. The physicochemical stability of Cur in S-Cur-SMEDDSs was confirmed via FTIR, DSC, TGA, and XRD analyses, while morphological analysis through SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed Cur loading into SMEDDSs with an increased surface roughness root mean square (RMS) of 11.433 ± 0.91 nm, greater than the blank SMEDDS. Acute toxicity studies with an organ weight ratio and % hemolysis of 15.65 ± 1.32% at a high concentration of 600 mM showed that S-Cur-SMEDDSs are safe at a medium dose (0.2–0.8 g/kg/day). The excellent in vitro antioxidant (68.54 ± 1.42%) and anti-inflammatory properties (56.47 ± 1.17%) of S-Cur-SMEDDS proved its therapeutic efficacy for IBD. Finally, S-Cur-SMEDDS significantly improved acetic acid-induced IBD in albino rats through a reduction in the disease activity index (DAI) and macroscopic ulcer score (MUS) from 4.15 ± 0.21 to 1.62 ± 0.12 at 15 mg/kg/day dose, as confirmed via histopathological assay. Conclusions: Based on the above findings, S-Cur-SMEDDS appears to be a stable, less toxic, and more efficacious alternative for Cur delivery with strong competence in treating IBD. Full article
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