Chitosan conjugates with biologically active compounds: design strategies, properties, and targeted drug delivery

This review summarizes the current research on the development of biologically active polymer compounds based on chitosan and its derivatives; it systematizes approaches taken for the design of conjugates based on a given polymer, and it covers the latest trends in the development of targeted drug delivery systems. An analysis of published data shows that the conjugation of biologically active substances with chitosan and its derivatives results in promising materials for use as drug delivery systems and for the control of the properties of the biologically active substances.     

Perspectives of the development of pharmaceutical nanotechnology

The paper describes the principal lines of development of nanocarriers for medical substances, morphological groups of nanocarriers, and influence of the physical and chemical properties of matrix substances on the key stages of the technological process. Technology aspects of manufacturing nanocarriers, differences in the conditions and techniques for polymer and lipid drug delivery systems are presented in detail.     

Copolymers: efficient carriers for intelligent nanoparticulate drug targeting and gene therapy

Copolymers are among the most promising substances used in the preparation of drug/gene delivery systems. Different categories of copolymers, including block copolymers, graft copolymers, star copolymers and crosslinked copolymers, are of interest in drug delivery. A variety of nanostructures, including polymeric micelles, polymersomes and hydrogels, have been prepared from copolymers and tested successfully for their drug delivery potential. The most recent area of interest in this field is smart nanostructures, which benefit from the stimuli-responsive properties of copolymeric moieties to achieve novel targeted drug delivery systems. Different copolymer applications in drug/gene delivery using nanotechnology-based approaches with particular emphasis on smart nanoparticles are reviewed.     

In situ-prepared homogeneous supramolecular organic framework drug delivery systems(sof-DDSs): Overcoming cancer multidrug resistance and controlled release

Water-soluble three-dimensional porous supramolecular organic frameworks(SOFs)have been demonstrated as a new generation of homogeneous polycationic platforms for anti-cancer drug delivery.The new SOF drug delivery systems(sof-DDSs)can adsorb dianionic pemetrexed(PMX),a clinically used chemotherapeutic agent instantaneously upon dissolving in water,which is driven by both electrostatic attraction and hydrophobicity.The in situ-prepared PMX@SOFs are highly stable and can avoid important release of the drug during plasm circulation and overcome the multidrug resistance of human breast MCF-7/Adr cancer cells to enter the cancer cells.Acidic microenvironment of cancer cells promotes the release of the drug in cancer cells.Both in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that sof-DDSs considerably improve the treatment efficacy of PMX,leading to 6-12-fold reduction of the IC50 values,as compared with that of PMX alone.The new drug delivery strategy omits the loading process required by most of reported nanoparticle-based delivery systems and thus holds promise for future development of low-cost drug delivery systems     

LC–ESI–MS Determination of Phospholipids and Lysophospholipids

Phospholipids are major constituents of biological membranes in plants and animals. Phospholipid-containing substances, such as lecithin, have also received increasing attention as emulsifiers in pharmaceutical drug delivery systems. The phospholipids phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, their lysophosphatidyl hydrolysis products and sphingomyelin, were quantified in lecithin and lecithin-containing drug-delivery emulsions. Lysophospholipids are constituents of lecithin, but their formation during thermal sterilization of the investigated drug delivery systems might contribute to the concentrations found in the emulsions.     

Synthesis, characterization and bioevaluation of irinotecan-collagen hybrid materials for biomedical applications as drug delivery systems in tumoral treatments

The purpose of the present study is the preparation and characterization of collagen/antitumor drug hybrids as drug delivery systems. Materials used for obtaining collagen-based drug delivery systems were collagen type I (Coll) as matrix and irinotecan (I) as hydrophilic active substances. After incorporation of I into Coll in differing ratios, the obtained hybrid materials (Coll/I) could be used according to our results as potential drug delivery systems in medicine for the topical (local) treatment of cancerous tissues or bone. The released amount of I varies with amount of Coll from hybrid materials: the higher, the slower the release amount of irinotecan transferred is in the first 6 hours. The in vitro citotoxicity demonstrates an antitumoral activity of the obtained hybrid materials and their potential use for biomedical applications as drug delivery systems in tumoral treatments.      

Novel method to characterize the hydrolytic decomposition of biopolymer surfaces

Present pharmaceutical research is focused on the development, modification and characterisation of new drug delivery systems. Among the many different substances, biodegradable polymers and copolymers are of practical importance, especially if their degradation byproducts are non-toxic. The polymeric drug carriers are not easily wettable by water or aqueous solutions, i.e. they are hydrophobic. This surface hydrophobicity is unfavourable for keeping drug carriers circulating in the blood long enough to release the drug so that it reaches its target. Therefore, copolymers with components of different hydrophobicity were introduced, to make them less hydrophobic and hence more suitable for drug delivery in the human body. Exploratory experiments with one homopolymer, , -poly(lactic acid), , -PLA and two of its copolymers, , -poly(lactic/glycolic acid), and , -PLGA with 85/15 and 50/50 copolymer ratios were carried out. Films of these substances were prepared by dip coating onto hydrophobic and hydrophilic substrates. The changes in wettability of the polymer layers, caused by the direct contact with an aqueous environment (soaking the samples in distilled water), have been studied to model the hydrolytic decomposition of polymer surfaces and to follow the changes in their wettability by dynamic contact angle measurements in a non-destructive manner. It was found that each polymer film became less hydrophobic (dynamic contact angles decreased) and more heterogeneous as the decomposition progressed with time. Increasingly significant decreases in contact angles were observed for the copolymer films containing 15 and 50% glycolic acid, during the 50–80-day-long study. These findings were supported by gel chromatographic analysis of the soaking liquids. It was concluded that the homopolymer layer of , -PLA was the most resistant to hydrolysis and the stability of copolymer films decreased with increasing glycolic acid ratio in the copolymers. This is accordance with the fact that the less crystalline poly(glycolic acid) is more hydrophilic and hence less resistant to hydrolytic decomposition, than the poly(lactic acid). The effect of pH on the rate of hydrolysis of polymer films was also established; the influence of pH on the decomposition was best demonstrated, again, for the copolymer with 50/50 component ratio. The outcome of these experiments showed that the contact angle measuring method enables us to detect, follow and interpret the hydrolytic decomposition of biopolymer substances in a non-invasive manner.     

Thermal Analysis,Microcalorimetry and Combined Techniques for the Study of Pharmaceuticals

Modern thermal analysis, microcalorimetry and new emerging combined techniques which deliver calorimetric, microscopic and spectroscopic data offer a powerful analytical battery for the study of pharmaceuticals. These techniques are very useful in all steps of development of new drug products as well as methods for quality control in production. The characterization of raw materials enables to understand the relationships between polymorphs, solvates and hydrates and to choose the proper development of new drug products with very small amount of material in a very short time. Information on stability, purity is valuable for new entities as well as for marketed drug substances from different suppliers. Excipients which vary from single organic or inorganic entity to complexes matrixes or polymers need to be characterized and properly controlled. The thermodynamic phase-diagrams are the basis of the studies of drug-excipients interactions. They are very useful for the development of new delivery systems. A great number of new formulations need proper knowledge of the behaviour of the glass transition temperature of the components. Semi-liquid systems, interactions in aqueous media are also successfully studied by these techniques. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pectin in controlled drug delivery – a review

Controlled drug delivery remains a research focus for public health to enhance patient compliance, drug efficiency and reduce the side effects of drugs. Pectin, an edible plant polysaccharide, has been shown to be useful for the construction of drug delivery systems for specific drug delivery. Several pectin derived formulations have been developed in our laboratory and tested in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo for the ability to deliver bioactive substances for therapeutic purposes in the context of interactions with living tissues. Pectin derivatives carrying primary amine groups were more mucoadhesive and have shown potential in nasal drug delivery and other mucosal drug delivery. Pectin derivatives with highly esterified galacturonic acid residues are more hydrophobic and able to sustain the release of incorporated fragrances for a prolonged duration. Less esterified pectin derivatives are able to penetrate deeper into the skin and may be useful in aromatherapy formulations. Pectin, in combination with zein, a corn protein, forms hydrogel beads. The bound zein restricts bead swelling and retains the porosity of the beads; the pectin networks shield the zein from protease attack. The complex beads are ideal vehicles for colon-specific drug delivery. Studies presented in this paper indicate the flexibility and possibility to tailor pectin macromolecules into a variety of drug delivery systems to meet different clinical requirements. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.     

Chitosan Nanoparticles-Insight into Properties,Functionalization and Applications in Drug Delivery and Theranostics

Nanotechnology-based development of drug delivery systems is an attractive area of research in formulation driven R&D laboratories that makes administration of new and complex drugs feasible. It plays a significant role in the design of novel dosage forms by attributing target specific drug delivery, controlled drug release, improved, patient friendly drug regimen and lower side effects. Polysaccharides, especially chitosan, occupy an important place and are widely used in nano drug delivery systems owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review focuses on chitosan nanoparticles and envisages to provide an insight into the chemistry, properties, drug release mechanisms, preparation techniques and the vast evolving landscape of diverse applications across disease categories leading to development of better therapeutics and superior clinical outcomes. It summarizes recent advancement in the development and utility of functionalized chitosan in anticancer therapeutics, cancer immunotherapy, theranostics and multistage delivery systems.     

Endogenous nucleotide as drug carrier: base-paired guanosine-5′-monophosphate:pemetrexed vesicles with enhanced anticancer capability

Endogenous substance such as nucleotide as a drug carrier has been proposed as a novel drug delivery system.The nucleotide guanosine-5’-monophosphate(GMP) is used to transport an anticancer drug pemetrexed disodium heptahydrate(PMX) via specific base pairing.The endogenous nature of GMP helps to avoid biocompatibility issues that are generally accompanied with nanocarriers including cytotoxicity,immunogenicity and blood compatibility.Furthermore,the low-molecular weight of the GMP nucleotide carrier significantly boosts the drug loading capacity compared to traditional liposomes and high-molecular weight carriers.Hydrogen-bonding interaction between the carrier and drug realizes the controlled release of loaded drug,and also facilitates large scale manufacture since no additional chemical synthesis is required.More importantly,in vivo experiments reveal that the base-paired GMP:PMX nanovesicles improve the target specificity and pharmacokinetic properties of PMX,and exhibit remarkably enhanced anticancer abilities compared to standalone PMX without any carriers.We envision that this strategy could be extended to other endogenous substances and drugs bearing functional groups capable of specific interaction,and promote the construction of drug delivery systems with inherent biocompatibility,enhanced drug delivery efficacy,and a simplified preparation method.     

Evaluation of compatibility of itraconazole with excipients used to develop vesicular colloidal carriers

Liposomes and niosomes are known to be efficient vehicles for localized and systemic delivery of particularly lipophilic drugs resulting in their improved bioavailability, targeted delivery, and fewer side effects. These systems consist of bilayered membrane structures comprising amphiphilic molecules like phosphatidylcholine (liposomes) and nonionic surfactants (niosomes). Itraconazole (ITZ) is a widely used insoluble antifungal agent, which is known to be poorly absorbed from available marketed dosage forms. For countering the bioavailability related problem of oral ITZ products, vesicular systems like liposomes and niosomes could provide a rational approach. Drug–excipient interaction is being considered as an essential first step in development of any drug delivery system nowadays. Therefore, the present work describes the evaluation of drug–excipient interactions of ITZ with selected excipients used for development of liposomes and niosomes. Analytical techniques like differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical microcopy, and X-ray powder diffraction analysis were utilized for assessing the drug–excipient interactions. Isothermal stress testing was also performed to quantitatively measure the percent change in initial drug content from ITZ–excipient blends kept under stress conditions. The excipients included phospholipids (Phospholipon 90G^®, Phospholipon 90H^®), surfactants (Span 40 and Span 60), vesicular membrane stabilizer (cholesterol), and a solubilizer (3-hydroxypropyl-betacyclodextrin).     

Controlled Drug Delivery Systems: Current Status and Future Directions

The drug delivery system enables the release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient to achieve a desired therapeutic response. Conventional drug delivery systems (tablets, capsules, syrups, ointments, etc.) suffer from poor bioavailability and fluctuations in plasma drug level and are unable to achieve sustained release. Without an efficient delivery mechanism, the whole therapeutic process can be rendered useless. Moreover, the drug has to be delivered at a specified controlled rate and at the target site as precisely as possible to achieve maximum efficacy and safety. Controlled drug delivery systems are developed to combat the problems associated with conventional drug delivery. There has been a tremendous evolution in controlled drug delivery systems from the past two decades ranging from macro scale and nano scale to intelligent targeted delivery. The initial part of this review provides a basic understanding of drug delivery systems with an emphasis on the pharmacokinetics of the drug. It also discusses the conventional drug delivery systems and their limitations. Further, controlled drug delivery systems are discussed in detail with the design considerations, classifications and drawings. In addition, nano-drug delivery, targeted and smart drug delivery using stimuli-responsive and intelligent biomaterials is discussed with recent key findings. The paper concludes with the challenges faced and future directions in controlled drug delivery.     

Rolling circle amplification-templated DNA nanotubes show increased stability and cell penetration ability

DNA nanotubes hold promise as scaffolds for protein organization, as templates of nanowires and photonic systems, and as drug delivery vehicles. We present a new DNA-economic strategy for the construction of DNA nanotubes with a backbone produced by rolling circle amplification (RCA), which results in increased stability and templated length. These nanotubes are more resistant to nuclease degradation, capable of entering human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells with significantly increased uptake over double-stranded DNA, and are amenable to encapsulation and release behavior. As such, they represent a potentially unique platform for the development of cell probes, drug delivery, and imaging tools.     

Fully biodegradable polymeric micelles based on hydrophobic‐ and hydrophilic‐functionalized poly(lactide) block copolymers

Novel amphiphilic diblock copolymers from a combination of hydrophobic‐functional poly(lactides) (PLAs) with hydrophilic‐functional PLAs or poly(malic acid), respectively, toward fully biodegradable materials for medical applications, such as micellar drug delivery systems, are reported for the first time. The presented PLA‐based polymeric micelles are characterized by their small size below 100 nm, low critical micellar concentrations, good in vitro stabilities at room and body temperature, and efficient incorporation capability of hydrophobic compounds, particularly with regard to potential drug substances. Moreover, the advantage of being totally degradable with different rates at different pH values, as investigated in medical cancer treatment, is demonstrated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3244–3254, 2010     

"Sponge" nanoparticle dispersions in aqueous mixtures of diglycerol monooleate, glycerol dioleate, and polysorbate 80

Lipid nanoparticles of nonlamellar lyotropic phases have a wide solubilizing and encapsulating spectrum for a range of substances thanks to their nanostructured interior featuring both lipophilic and hydrophilic domains. As a consequence, these systems have emerged as promising drug delivery systems in various pharmaceutical and diagnostic applications. Here we present the phase behavior and dispersion properties of a novel three-component lipid system composed of diglycerol monooleate (DGMO), glycerol dioleate (GDO), and polysorbate 80 (P80) which shows several advantageous features relating to drug delivery applications including: spontaneous dispersion formation with a narrow size distribution and tunable particle phase-structure. The obtained phase diagram shows the presence of lamellar (L(alpha)), hexagonal (H(2)), and reverse bicontinuous cubic (V(2)) liquid crystalline phases and an inverse micellar (L(2)) solution. A particularly interesting observation is the presence of a phase region where two liquid phases coexist, most likely the L(2) and L(3) ("sponge phase"). These two phase structures appear also to coexist in the submicron particles formed in the dilute water region, where the L(3) element appears to stabilize nanoparticles with inner L(2) structure. Increasing the fraction of the dispersing P80 component results in the growth of the more water rich L(3) "surface phase" at the expense of the size of the inner L(2) core.     

Effective Drug Therapies from Functional,Macromolecular Building Blocks with a Biomimetic Design

Summary: The development of suitable delivery systems for intracellular delivery of proteins, peptides and other bioactive materials opens the possibility to establish refined strategies for small drug delivery, gene delivery and vaccination. We present the assembly of advanced drug delivery systems from tailored building blocks to scaffolds and bioactive cargos to afford targeting and transport across biological barriers. In particular, the utilization of novel molecular transporter will advance the bioavailability of small and macromolecular drugs that show targeted intracellular delivery.     

Challenges in cell membrane-camouflaged drug delivery systems:Development strategies and future prospects

Extensive research has been performed on cell membrane camouflaged-based drug delivery systems in recent years.Herein,we provide an overview of the challenges in system preparation,functional design,continuous industrial production of these systems,and solution strategies for these challenges.Further,we analyze and discuss the frontier medical applications of cell membrane-camouflaged drug delivery systems in anti-inflammatory,anti-pathogenic microorganisms,and biological detoxification.This review takes a challenge-oriented perspective and seeks innovative strategies,provides a literature review of research into cell membrane-camouflaged drug delivery systems,and promotes the development of personalized clinical treatments.     

The effects of irradiation on controlled drug delivery/controlled drug release systems

The research of radiation effects on drugs over the past 60 years has mainly dealt with radiation sterilization of individual active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the form of pure substances or injectable solutions. However, the emergence of novel systems for drug administration and targeting via controlled drug delivery (CDD) and/or controlled drug release (CDR) has extended the use of irradiation with respect to pharmaceuticals: the capacity of radiation to act as an initiator of crosslinking has been used in the manufacturing and modification of a number of polymeric carriers with an added advantage of reducing the microbial load of products at the same time. The application of irradiation to these novel systems requires the understanding of radiation action not only on APIs alone but also on drug carriers and on the functioning of the integral CDD/CDR systems. In this paper, the significance of CDD/CDR systems is considered with a special emphasis on the role of irradiation for sterilization and crosslinking in the developments over the past 15 years. Radiation sterilization, crosslinking and degradation of the principal forms of drug carrier systems and the effects of irradiation on the release kinetics of APIs are discussed in light of radiation chemical principles. Regulatory aspects pertaining to radiation sterilization of drugs are also considered. Relevant results are summarized in tabular form.