Recent Insights Concerning the Use of Supramolecular Systems for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 April 2026 | Viewed by 899

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
2. Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: nanoformulation; nanoparticles; drug delivery; green synthesis; chemical synthesis; cancer therapy; in vitro experimental evaluations; biological activity; physicochemical properties of vegetal extracts or nanoformulations
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Guest Editor
1. Departament of Pharmacology-Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd EftimieMurgu Sq., 300041 Timişoara, Romania
2. Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Street, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: drug analysis; drug product design and development; analytical technique; magnetic and metallic nanoparticles; polymeric nanoparticles; solid–lipid nanoparticles; drug–cyclodextrin inclusion; complexation; cell biology; biological active compounds; biomedical microbiology; biophysics; biochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Departament of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd EftimieMurgu Sq., 300041 Timişoara, Romania
2. Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Street, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: supramolecular compounds; anticancer therapy; targeted therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: toxicological assessment; cancer and degenerative disease; experimental models; natural products; drug delivery; new formulations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the major goals of scientific research is to develop new tools and methods for improving human health and well-being. In recent years, supramolecular systems have emerged as a promising study area with potential applications in various biomedical fields. Supramolecular systems have attracted significant attention in biomedical research due to their unique properties and versatile functionalities (e.g., their ability to mimic biological systems). These systems, based on non-covalent interactions, offer a wide range of possibilities for applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, cancer therapy, and bioimaging. Many researchers have explored various types of supramolecular systems, including hydrogels, nanoplatforms, and polymers, to develop innovative solutions for biomedical challenges. One of the primary areas where supramolecular systems have found great promise is drug delivery. A conventional method of drug delivery involves the use of large doses of drugs that often result in numerous side effects. Additionally, many drugs have poor solubility, limited stability, and low bioavailability, significantly affecting their efficacy. Supramolecular systems solve these challenges by encapsulating drugs within their structures, protecting them from degradation and increasing their solubility. Specific attention is given to supramolecular nanosized systems and their utilization as transporters for the controlled delivery of drugs. These nanotransporters allow the physicochemical and biological properties of drugs to be optimized and facilitate the internalization of drugs at the cellular level, thus offering a controlled and targeted release of drugs.

This Special issue is dedicated to investigating nanotransporters based on supramolecular systems, containing natural or synthetic bioactive molecules, in which the drug is either absorbed, adsorbed or encapsulated in the carrier, emphasizing their improved biological activity.

With this Special issue, we aim to collate full papers and review articles on recent developments in the utilization of nanotransporters to improve solubility, biological activity, and physicochemical properties compared to the free drugs, making it a promising candidate for biomedical applications.

Dr. Moaca Alina
Dr. Codruta Soica
Dr. Cristina Trandafirescu
Dr. Cristina A. Dehelean
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanotransporters
  • drug carrier
  • drug delivery systems
  • cancer therapy
  • supramolecular systems
  • biological activity
  • physicochemical properties
  • nanoplatforms
  • nanoformulation
  • biomolecules
  • hydrogels
  • polymers
  • manufacturing techniques

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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28 pages, 6539 KiB  
Article
Hydrogel–Nanolipid Formulations for the Complex Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Therapy of Periodontitis
by Rabia Ashfaq, Nóra Tóth, Anita Kovács, Szilvia Berkó, Gábor Katona, Rita Ambrus, Tamás Ferenc Polgár, Mária Szécsényi, Katalin Burián and Mária Budai-Szűcs
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050620 - 7 May 2025
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Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with meloxicam (Melox) and a therapeutic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory liquid lipid, clove oil (CO) for periodontitis treatment, a complex inflammatory condition necessitating advanced drug delivery systems. The NLC–Melox formulation [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with meloxicam (Melox) and a therapeutic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory liquid lipid, clove oil (CO) for periodontitis treatment, a complex inflammatory condition necessitating advanced drug delivery systems. The NLC–Melox formulation was integrated into three hydrogels, hypromellose (HPMC), zinc hyaluronate (ZnHA), and sodium hyaluronate (NaHA), to conduct a comparative analysis focusing on enhanced localized drug delivery, improved mucoadhesion, prolonged retention, and significant therapeutic outcomes. Methods: NLC–Melox was prepared by homogenization and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Subsequently, NLC–Melox-loaded gels were subjected to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and rheological analysis. In vitro drug release, anti-inflammatory activity (BSA denaturation assay), and antibacterial efficacy (MIC, MBC) were investigated to assess therapeutic potential. Results: DLS revealed a particle size of 183 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.26, indicating homogeneity. TEM confirmed consistent morphology and uniform nanoparticle distribution. DSC and XRD demonstrated the amorphous nature of Melox, enhancing solubility and stability. Spectroscopy confirmed no chemical interactions between components. Rheological studies identified ZnHA as the most mucoadhesive and structurally stable gel. In vitro release studies showed sustained drug release over 24 h. Melox and CO-loaded formulations demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity and notable antibacterial efficacy due to the antibacterial oil. Conclusions: The study highlighted the potential of NLC-based mucoadhesive hydrogels as an effective strategy for periodontitis treatment. The formulation offered improved drug solubility, therapeutic efficacy, mucoadhesivity, and prolonged delivery, making it a promising candidate for localized therapy. Full article
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