The success of oil-based plastics and the continued growth of production and utilisation can be attributed to their cost, durability, strength to weight ratio, and eight contributions to the ease of everyday life. However, their mainly single use, durability and recalcitrant nature have led to a substantial increase of plastics as a fraction of municipal solid waste. The need to substitute single use products that are not easy to collect has inspired a lot of research towards finding sustainable replacements for oil-based plastics. In addition, specific physicochemical, biological, and degradation properties of biodegradable polymers have made them attractive materials for biomedical applications. This review summarises the advances in drug delivery systems, specifically design of nanoparticles based on the biodegradable polymers. We also discuss the research performed in the area of biophotonics and challenges and opportunities brought by the design and application of biodegradable polymers in tissue engineering. We then discuss state-of-the-art research in the design and application of biodegradable polymers in packaging and emphasise the advances in smart packaging development. Finally, we provide an overview of the biodegradation of these polymers and composites in managed and unmanaged environments.

Recent Advances in Bioplastics: Application and Biodegradation.

Nanogels for intracellular delivery of biotherapeutics

Pulmonary route is an attractive target for both systemic and local drug delivery, with the advantages of a large surface area, rich blood supply, and absence of first-pass metabolism. Numerous polymeric micro/nanoparticles have been designed and studied for controlled and targeted drug delivery to the lung. Among the natural and synthetic polymers for polymeric particles, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) have been widely used for the delivery of anti-cancer agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, vaccines, peptides, and proteins because of their highly biocompatible and biodegradable properties. This review focuses on the characteristics of PLA/PLGA particles as carriers of drugs for efficient delivery to the lung. Furthermore, the manufacturing techniques of the polymeric particles, and their applications for inhalation therapy were discussed. Compared to other carriers including liposomes, PLA/PLGA particles present a high structural integrity providing enhanced stability, higher drug loading, and prolonged drug release. Adequately designed and engineered polymeric particles can contribute to a desirable pulmonary drug delivery characterized by a sustained drug release, prolonged drug action, reduction in the therapeutic dose, and improved patient compliance.

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Poly(lactic acid)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) particulate carriers for pulmonary drug delivery

The design of biodegradable implants for sustained release of proteins is a complex challenge optimizing protein polymer interaction in combination with a mini-scale process which is predictive for production The process of hot melt extrusion (HME) was therefore conducted on 5- and 9-mm mini-scale twin screw extruders Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implants were characterized for their erosion properties and the in vitro release of the embedded protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) The release of acidic monomers as well as other parameters (pH value, mass loss) during 16 weeks indicated a delayed onset of matrix erosion in week 3 BSA-loaded implants released 170% glycolic and 59% lactic acid after a 2-week lag time Following a low burst release (37% BSA), sustained protein release started in week 4 Storage under stress conditions (30°C, 75% rH) revealed a shift of erosion onset of 1 week (BSA-loaded implants: 269% glycolic and 93% lactic acid) Coherent with the changed erosion profiles, an influence on the protein release was observed Confocal laser scanning and Raman microscopy showed a homogenous protein distribution throughout the matrix after extrusion and during release studies Raman spectra indicated a conformational change of the protein structure which could be one reason for incomplete protein release The study underlined the suitability of the HME process to obtain a solid dispersion of protein inside a polymeric matrix providing sustained protein release However, the incomplete protein release and the impact by storage conditions require thorough characterization and understanding of erosion and release mechanisms

Hot Melt Extrusion for Sustained Protein Release: Matrix Erosion and In Vitro Release of PLGA-Based Implants.

Target strategies for drug delivery bypassing ocular barriers

Purpose
Polyesters with hydrophilic domains, i.e., poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic-co-hydroxymethyl glycolic acid) (PLGHMGA) and a multiblock copolymer of poly(e-caprolactone)-PEG-poly(e-caprolactone) and poly(l-lactide) ((PC-PEG-PC)-(PL)) are expected to cause less acylation of encapsulated peptides than fully hydrophobic matrices. Our purpose is to assess the extent and sites of acylation of octreotide loaded in microspheres using tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

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Identification and Assessment of Octreotide Acylation in Polyester Microspheres by LC–MS/MS

Inhibition of Octreotide Acylation Inside PLGA Microspheres by Derivatization of the Amines of the Peptide with a Self-Immolative Protecting Group

Acylation of arginine in goserelin-loaded PLGA microspheres

Methyleneation of peptides by N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) under conditions used for free radical polymerization: a mechanistic study.

Abstract There are many benefits to drug delivery from drug–carrier nanostructure systems. It might be developed to carefully control drug release rates or to deliver a precise amount of a therapeutic substance to particular body areas. Self-assembling is the process by which molecules and nanoparticles spontaneously organize into organized clusters. For instance, proteins and peptides can interact with one another to create highly organized supramolecular structures with various properties, such as helical ribbons and fibrous scaffolds. Another advantage of self-assembly is that it may be effective with a variety of materials, including metals, oxides, inorganic salts, polymers, semiconductors, and even organic semiconductors. Fullerene, graphene, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), three of the most fundamental classes of three-dimensionally self-assembling nanostructured carbon-based materials, are essential for the development of modern nanotechnologies. Self-assembled nanomaterials are used in a variety of fields, including nanotechnology, imaging, and biosensors. This review study begins with a summary of various major 3D nanomaterials, including graphene oxide, CNTs, and nanodiamond, as well as 3D self-assembled polyfunctionalized nanostructures and adaptable nanocarriers for drug delivery.

Mehrnoosh Shirangi

Papers

Identification and Assessment of Octreotide Acylation in Polyester Microspheres by LC–MS/MS

Inhibition of Octreotide Acylation Inside PLGA Microspheres by Derivatization of the Amines of the Peptide with a Self-Immolative Protecting Group

Acylation of arginine in goserelin-loaded PLGA microspheres

Methyleneation of peptides by N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) under conditions used for free radical polymerization: a mechanistic study.

3D self-assembled nanocarriers for drug delivery