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Pharmaceutics
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The Development of Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmaceutical Formulations for...
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The Development of Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmaceutical Formulations for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 4717

Special Issue Editors

Dr. José María Bermúdez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química, Universidad Nacional de Salta—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
Interests: drug delivery systems; modified drug release; neglected infectious diseases; mathematical modeling
Prof. Dr. Santiago Daniel Palma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
2. Pill.AR Apotheke Revolution S.A, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
Interests: materials chemistry; nanotechnology; nanoparticles; vaccines; nanomaterials; gels; surfactants; solid dispersion; formulations; rheology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the development of innovative drug delivery systems (DDSs) and pharmaceutical formulations to optimize the treatment of infectious diseases, with an emphasis on bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. It highlights advanced DDS technologies, including polymer-based systems, nanocarriers, and emerging platforms, aimed at enhancing therapeutic efficacy, stability, and targeted drug delivery. Particular attention is given to the application of polymers in formulations designed for controlled, sustained, or targeted release, addressing challenges posed by multidrug-resistant pathogens and difficult-to-treat infections. This Special Issue also explores cutting-edge advances in nanoformulations, liposomal carriers, and biocompatible materials that improve drug penetration, reduce toxicity, and enable site-specific delivery. By bringing together the latest research, this Special Issue underscores the potential of these technologies to tackle the growing challenges of infectious diseases, enhance clinical outcomes, and combat emerging threats, including parasitic infections.

Dr. José María Bermúdez
Prof. Dr. Santiago Daniel Palma
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

  • drug delivery systems
  • pharmaceutical formulations
  • nanoformulations
  • parasitic infections
  • controlled drug release

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4234 KB  
Article
Protein-Based Electrospun Nanofibers Doped with Selenium Nanoparticles for Wound Repair
by Marco Ruggeri, Simone Marsani, Amedeo Ungolo, Barbara Vigani, Eleonora Bianchi, Cèsar Viseras, Silvia Rossi and Giuseppina Sandri
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(10), 1276; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17101276 - 30 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: The design of scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix has gained increasing attention in regenerative medicine. This study aims to develop and characterize electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds based on pullulan blended with either gelatin or gliadin and doped with selenium nanoparticles (Se [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The design of scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix has gained increasing attention in regenerative medicine. This study aims to develop and characterize electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds based on pullulan blended with either gelatin or gliadin and doped with selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs), to assess the influence of protein type and Se NP doping on scaffold performance and regenerative potential. Methods: Se NPs were synthesized via redox reaction and stabilized using pullulan. Electrospun scaffolds were then prepared by blending pullulan-stabilized Se NPs with either gelatin or gliadin. The resulting fibers were characterized using a multidisciplinary approach, including physicochemical (morphology, fiber dimension, swelling capacity, surface zeta potential, mechanical properties) and preclinical properties (antioxidant properties, fibroblast adhesion and proliferation, collagen expression). Results: Protein type influenced fiber morphology and dimensions, as well as mechanical behavior, with gelatin-based scaffolds demonstrating smaller fiber diameters and higher mechanical properties. The doping with Se NPs enhanced scaffold antioxidant properties without affecting fiber formation. Moreover, all scaffolds supported fibroblast proliferation, but those containing Se NPs showed enhanced modulation of ECM gene expression. Conclusions: The results show that scaffolds doped with Se NPs exhibited superior performance compared to the undoped counterparts, offering promising platforms for chronic wound reparation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmaceutical Formulations for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases)
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24 pages, 2737 KB  
Article
Antiviral Activity of Liposomes Containing Natural Compounds Against CHIKV
by Marília Freitas Calmon, Luiza Araújo Gusmão, Thalles Fernando Rocha Ruiz, Guilherme Rodrigues Fernandes Campos, Gabriela Miranda Ayusso, Tamara Carvalho, Isabella do Vale Francisco Bortolato, Pâmela Joyce Previdelli Conceição, Sebastião Roberto Taboga, Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim, Andres Merits, Paula Rahal and Antonio Claudio Tedesco
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(9), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17091229 - 22 Sep 2025
Viewed by 717
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Alphavirus (family Togaviridae), causes large-scale outbreaks. However, no specific treatment for CHIKV infections is currently available. Berberine and emodin are plant-derived compounds with anti-CHIKV activities. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Alphavirus (family Togaviridae), causes large-scale outbreaks. However, no specific treatment for CHIKV infections is currently available. Berberine and emodin are plant-derived compounds with anti-CHIKV activities. This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of liposomes containing berberine (LB) or emodin (LE) against CHIKV in vitro, since nanocarriers incorporating zwitterionic polymers are known to enhance the biostability, biocompatibility, and therapeutic efficacy of drug candidates. Methods: Liposomes were synthesized and characterized, and cell viability was assessed to determine appropriate concentrations for subsequent assays. Confocal microscopy, antiviral assays, and western blotting were performed in BHK-21 and Huh7 cells. Results: In BHK-21 and Huh7 cells, LB and LE were well tolerated at concentrations of 5 and 10 µM, respectively. In both cell types, liposomes were internalized; LE was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm, whereas LB was also detected in the nucleus. EGCG, used as a standard drug against CHIKV in antiviral assays, exhibited virucidal activity and inhibited RNA replication and multiple stages of the CHIKV replication cycle in BHK-21 and Huh7 cells. Both the nanoformulations and EGCG consistently suppressed the expression of CHIKV replicase and virion proteins. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of berberine- and emodin-loaded liposomes as antiviral agents against CHIKV infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmaceutical Formulations for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases)
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19 pages, 2810 KB  
Article
In Vitro Assessment of a Doubly Adjuvanted Self-Emulsified Nanoemulsion as a Delivery Vehicle for Antigenic Proteins
by Evgenia Tsanaktsidou, Maritsa Margaroni, Evdokia Karagouni, Costas Kiparissides and Olga Kammona
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(7), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17070870 - 2 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3189
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Leishmaniasis is a prevailing infectious disease transmitted via infected phlebotomine sandflies. The lack of an efficient vaccine with respect to immunogenic antigens and adjuvanted delivery systems impedes its control. Following the induction of immune responses in mice vaccinated with multi-epitope Leishmania peptides [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Leishmaniasis is a prevailing infectious disease transmitted via infected phlebotomine sandflies. The lack of an efficient vaccine with respect to immunogenic antigens and adjuvanted delivery systems impedes its control. Following the induction of immune responses in mice vaccinated with multi-epitope Leishmania peptides (LeishPts) encapsulated in doubly adjuvanted self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (ST-SNEDDSs), this study aims to assess ST-SNEDDS-based nanoemulsions as vehicles for the delivery of antigenic proteins. Methods: Model antigens (e.g., BSA-FITC, OVA) were encapsulated in ST-SNEDDS after being complexed with the cationic phospholipid dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) via hydrophobic ion pairing. The nanoemulsions were characterized with respect to droplet diameter, zeta potential, stability, protein loading, protein release from the nanodroplets in different release media and cell uptake. Results: Both model antigens exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (>95%) and their release from the nanodroplets was shown to be strongly affected by the type of release medium (e.g., PBS, FBS 10% v/v) and the ratio of its volume to that of the oily phase, in agreement with predictions of protein release. Protein-loaded nanoemulsion droplets labeled with Cy-5 were found to be efficiently taken up by macrophages (J774A.1) in vitro. However, no colocalization of the labeled nanodroplets and BSA-FITC could be observed. Conclusions: It was revealed that in contrast with LeishPts, whole protein molecules may not be appropriate antigenic cargo for ST-SNEDDS formulations due to the rapid protein release from the nanodroplets in release media simulating in vitro culture and in vivo conditions such as FBS 10% v/v. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmaceutical Formulations for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases)
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