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Pharmaceutics
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Integrating Phytocompounds with Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Approaches to Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and...
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Integrating Phytocompounds with Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Approaches to Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Tumoral Therapies

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 1023

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Catarina Roma-Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Bioengineering and Sustainability Research Group, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Lusófona, Av. Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: nanomedicines; extracellular vesicles; toxicity evaluation; 2D and 3D animal cell models; tumor microenvironment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pedro N. Sousa Sampaio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Computação e Cognição Centrada nas Pessoas, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 376, 1749-019 Lisboa, Portugal
2. GREEN-IT Bioresources for Sustainability, ITQB NOVA, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
Interests: FTIR; chemometrics; machine learning; bioactive compounds; spectroscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to publish in the Special Issue titled “Integrating Phytocompounds with Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Approaches to Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Tumoral Therapies”. Integrating bioactive phytocompounds with nanotechnology offers innovative solutions to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Phytocompounds are known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties, but their clinical use is limited by factors like poor bioavailability. Nanotechnology improves the delivery, stability, and effectiveness of these compounds, enabling targeted therapies for diseases such as infections and cancer.

This Special Issue aims to explore the innovative intersection of bioactive phytocompounds and nanotechnology in advancing therapeutic strategies. It seeks contributions that highlight the potential of plant-derived compounds in combination with nanomedicine for the development of novel treatments targeting infectious diseases, oxidative stress, and cancer.

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

  • Nanotechnology for the improved delivery of phytocompounds;
  • The antimicrobial applications of phytocompounds;
  • The antioxidant properties of phytocompounds;
  • Anti-cancer strategies: phytocompounds with and without nanotechnology synergy;
  • Phytochemical nanocarriers: design, characterization, and applications;
  • Mechanisms of action: how phytocompounds and nanoparticles work together;
  • Toxicity and safety assessments of phytocompounds and phytocompound–nanomedicine systems.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Catarina Roma-Rodrigues
Dr. Pedro N. Sousa Sampaio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • bioactive phytocompounds 
  • nanotechnology
  • nanomedicine
  • antimicrobial
  • antioxidant
  • anti-tumoral
  • drug delivery
  • plant-based therapeutics
  • phytochemical nanocarriers

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4526 KiB  
Article
Electrospun Quercetin-Loaded PLA and PLA/Polyethylene Glycol Fibers: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation
by Nikoleta Stoyanova, Nasko Nachev, Ani Georgieva, Reneta Toshkova and Mariya Spasova
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050577 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 260
Abstract
Background: The plant extract of quercetin possesses valuable pharmacological properties. However, its high instability, poor water solubility, and low cell bioavailability has limited its medical applications. An innovative approach used to overcome these limitations is the QUE incorporation in suitable polymer carriers. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: The plant extract of quercetin possesses valuable pharmacological properties. However, its high instability, poor water solubility, and low cell bioavailability has limited its medical applications. An innovative approach used to overcome these limitations is the QUE incorporation in suitable polymer carriers. Methods: In the present study, fibrous materials based on PLA or PLA/PEG loaded with the flavonoid quercetin (QUE) were obtained by the electrospinning technique. Diverse morphological, spectroscopic, physico-mechanical, and spectrophotometric methods were used to characterize the prepared electrospun mats. Results: The addition of hydrophilic PEG to the polymer matrix improved its wettability and assisted the more rapid release of QUE from the PLA/PEG fibrous mat than from the PLA one. The obtained fibrous mats possess good mechanical properties. Moreover, QUE-loaded electrospun mats exhibited high anticancer activity against HeLa cervical cancer cells, but lower toxicity to normal cells. Conclusions: The obtained perspective results revealed the potential of the obtained QUE-loaded materials to find applications for wound healing and cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Phytocompounds with Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Approaches to Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Tumoral Therapies)
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22 pages, 4622 KiB  
Article
An Inhaled Nanoemulsion Encapsulating a Herbal Drug for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treatment
by Mural Quadros, Mimansa Goyal, Gautam Chauhan, Dnyandev Gadhave and Vivek Gupta
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050540 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Background: Celastrol (Cela), a phytochemical extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii, has been extensively investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory, anti-psoriatic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and antineoplastic properties. However, its clinical translation is limited due to poor bioavailability, low solubility, and nonspecific toxicity. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Background: Celastrol (Cela), a phytochemical extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii, has been extensively investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory, anti-psoriatic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and antineoplastic properties. However, its clinical translation is limited due to poor bioavailability, low solubility, and nonspecific toxicity. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an inhalable Cela-loaded nanoemulsion (NE) formulation to enhance targeted drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The NE formulation was optimized using Capmul MCM (25%), Tween 80 (20%), Transcutol HP (5%), and water (50%) as the oil, surfactant, co-surfactant, and aqueous phase, respectively. Physicochemical characterization included globule size, zeta potential, and drug release in simulated lung fluid. In vitro aerosolization performance, cytotoxicity in NSCLC cell lines (A549), scratch and clonogenic assays, and 3D tumor spheroid models were employed to assess therapeutic potential. Results: The NE showed a globule size of 201.4 ± 3.7 nm and a zeta potential of −15.7 ± 0.2 mV. Drug release was sustained, with 20.4 ± 5.5%, 29.1 ± 10%, 64.6 ± 4.1%, and 88.1 ± 5.2% released at 24, 48, 72, and 120 h, respectively. In vitro aerosolization studies indicated a median aerodynamic particle size of 4.8 ± 0.2 μm, confirming its respirability in the lung. Cell culture studies indicated higher toxicity of NE-Cela in NSCLC cells. NE-Cela significantly reduced A549 cell viability, showing a ~6-fold decrease in IC50 (0.2 ± 0.1 μM) compared to Cela alone (1.2 ± 0.2 μM). Migration and clonogenic assays demonstrated reduced cell proliferation, and 3D spheroid models supported its therapeutic activity in tumor-like environments. Conclusions: The inhalable NE-Cela formulation improved Cela’s physicochemical limitations and demonstrated enhanced anti-cancer efficacy in NSCLC models. These findings support its potential as a targeted, well-tolerated therapeutic option for lung cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Phytocompounds with Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Approaches to Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Tumoral Therapies)
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