The host immune system is highly compromised in case of viral infections and relapses are very common. The capacity of the virus to destroy the host cell by liberating its own DNA or RNA and replicating inside the host cell poses challenges in the development of antiviral therapeutics. In recent years, many new technologies have been explored for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infections. Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most promising technologies on account of its ability to deal with viral diseases in an effective manner, addressing the limitations of traditional antiviral medicines. It has not only helped us to overcome problems related to solubility and toxicity of drugs, but also imparted unique properties to drugs, which in turn has increased their potency and selectivity toward viral cells against the host cells. The initial part of the paper focuses on some important proteins of influenza, Ebola, HIV, herpes, Zika, dengue, and corona virus and those of the host cells important for their entry and replication into the host cells. This is followed by different types of nanomaterials which have served as delivery vehicles for the antiviral drugs. It includes various lipid-based, polymer-based, lipid-polymer hybrid-based, carbon-based, inorganic metal-based, surface-modified, and stimuli-sensitive nanomaterials and their application in antiviral therapeutics. The authors also highlight newer promising treatment approaches like nanotraps, nanorobots, nanobubbles, nanofibers, nanodiamonds, nanovaccines, and mathematical modeling for the future. The paper has been updated with the recent developments in nanotechnology-based approaches in view of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.Graphical abstract.

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Nanotechnology-based antiviral therapeutics.

https://pure.hw.ac.uk/ws/files/25054354/1_s2.0_S1359511319303897_main.pdf

Sustainable microbial biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers for commercial exploitation

Background Lycopene is a natural pigment in plants belonging to lipophilic isoprenes and possesses diverse bioactivity against cardiovascular diseases, eye diseases, nerval degenerative disease and cancers. For these reasons, lycopene has been widely applied in the food and medical industries, and the applications of lycopene delivery systems have attracted widespread attention. Scope and approach This review highlights the structure, bioactivity, digestive absorption, metabolism, transport, stability and influence factors of lycopene and its bioavailability in the human body. On this basis, the advances in research on lycopene delivery systems are highlighted, which provide some references for the wide application of lycopene into foods and medicine. Key findings and conclusions The improvement of lycopene stability can promote its digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and therefore it can play a healthy role. Constructing lycopene delivery systems (such as emulsion, nanostructured lipid carriers, hydrogel, liposomes) is an effective way to enhance its stability and bioavailability. However, the accuracy of the in vitro digestion model needs to be further verified by cell and animal experiments. There are still many challenges in the application of lycopene delivery systems for food commercialization.

Advances in research on bioactivity, metabolism, stability and delivery systems of lycopene

Chitosan based-nanoparticles and nanocapsules: Overview, physicochemical features, applications of a nanofibrous scaffold, and bioprinting.

Nanoformulation properties, characterization, and behavior in complex biological matrices: Challenges and opportunities for brain-targeted drug delivery applications and enhanced translational potential.

The therapeutic functionality of innumerable antiretroviral drugs is supposedly obscured owing to their low metabolic stability in the gastrointestinal tract and poor solubilization property leading to poor oral bioavailability. Dictated by such needs, lipid-based formulations could be tailored using nanotechnology which would be instrumental in ameliorating the attributes of such drugs. The stupendous advantages which lipid nanocarriers offer including improved drug stability and peroral bioavailability coupled with sustained drug release profile and feasibility to incorporate wide array of drugs makes it a potential candidate for pharmaceutical formulations. Furthermore, they also impart targeted drug delivery thereby widening their arena for use. Therefore, the review will encompass the details pertaining to numerous lipid nanocarriers such as nanoemulsion, solid lipid nanoparticle, nanostructured lipid carriers, and so on. These nanocarriers bear the prospective of improving the mucosal adhesion property of the drugs which ultimately upgrades its pharmacokinetic profile. The biodegradable and physiological nature of the lipid excipients used in the formulation is the key parameter and advocates for their safe use. Nevertheless, these lipid-based nanocarriers are amenable to alterations which could be rightly achieved by changing the excipients used or by modifying the process parameters. Thus, the review will systematically envisage the impending benefits and future perspectives of different lipid nanocarriers used in oral delivery of antiretroviral drugs.

Insights on Oral Drug Delivery of Lipid Nanocarriers: a Win-Win Solution for Augmenting Bioavailability of Antiretroviral Drugs

Atazanavir (ATZ) presents poor brain availability when administered orally, which poses a major hurdle in its use as an effective therapy for the management of NeuroAIDS. The utilization of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) in conjunction with the premeditated use of excipients can be a potential approach for overcoming the limited ATZ brain delivery. Methods: ATZ-loaded NLC was formulated using the quality by design-enabled approach and further optimized by employing the Box–Behnken design. The optimized nanoformulation was then characterized for several in vitro and in vivo assessments. Results: The optimized NLC showed small particle size of 227.6 ± 5.4 nm, high entrapment efficiency (71.09% ± 5.84%) and high drug loading capacity (8.12% ± 2.7%). The release pattern was observed to be biphasic exhibiting fast release (60%) during the initial 2 h, then trailed by the sustained release. ATZ-NLC demonstrated a 2.36-fold increase in the cumulative drug permeated across the rat intestine as compared to suspension. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed 2.75-folds greater Cmax in the brain and 4-fold improvement in brain bioavailability signifying the superiority of NLC formulation over drug suspension. Conclusion: Thus, NLC could be a promising avenue for encapsulating hydrophobic drugs and delivering it to their target site. The results suggested that increase in bioavailability and brain-targeted delivery by NLC, in all plausibility, help in improving the therapeutic prospects of atazanavir.

Boosting the Brain Delivery of Atazanavir through Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-Based Approach for Mitigating NeuroAIDS.

Introduction: Intranasal drug delivery is a largely unexplored, promising approach for the treatment of various neurological disorders. However, due to the challenging constraints available in the pathway of nose-to-brain delivery, finding an effective treatment for Parkinsonism is still an impending mission for research workers. This warrants development of novel treatment alternatives for Parkinson's disease (PD). Intranasal delivery of mucoadhesive nanocarriers is one such novel approach which might help in curbing the glitches associated with the currently available therapy.Areas covered: This review summarizes the evidences supporting nose-to-brain delivery of polymer-based mucoadhesive nanocarriers for the treatment of PD. A concise insight into the lipid-based mucoadhesive nanocarriers has also been presented. The recent researches have been compiled pertaining to the use of mucoadhesive nanocarrriers for improving the treatment outcomes of PD via intranasal drug delivery.Expert opinion: Although the use of nanocarrier-based strategies for site-specific delivery via intranasal route has proven effective, the magnitude of improvement remains moderate resulting in limited translation from industry to the market. Comprehensive understanding of the mucoadhesive polymer, its characteristics and mechanisms involved for an effective nose-to-brain uptake of the drug is a promising avenue to develop novel formulations for effective management of Parkinson disease.

Intranasal delivery of mucoadhesive nanocarriers: a viable option for Parkinson's disease treatment?

Objective. The aim of the present study was to improve bioavailability of an important antiretroviral drug, Darunavir (DRV), which has low water solubility and poor intestinal absorption through solid dispersion (SD) approach incorporating polymer with P-glycoprotein inhibitory potential. Methods. A statistical approach where design of experiment (DoE) was used to prepare SD of DRV with incorporation of P-glycoprotein inhibitors. Using DoE, different methods of preparation, like melt, solvent evaporation, and spray drying method, utilizing carriers like Kolliphor TPGS and Soluplus were evaluated. The optimized SD was characterized by DSC, FTIR, XRD, and SEM and further evaluated for enhancement in absorption using everted gut sac model, effect of food on absorption of DRV, and in vivo prospect. Results and Discussion. DSC, FTIR, XRD, and SEM confirmed the amorphicity of drug in SD. Oral bioavailability studies revealed better absorption of DRV when given with food. Absorption studies and in vivo study findings demonstrated great potential of Kolliphor TPGS as P-glycoprotein inhibitor for increasing intestinal absorption and thus bioavailability of DRV. Conclusion. It is concluded that SD of DRV with the incorporation of Kolliphor TPGS was potential and promising approach in increasing bioavailability of DRV as well as minimizing its extrusion via P-glycoprotein efflux transporters.

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Role of P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors in the Bioavailability Enhancement of Solid Dispersion of Darunavir.

Purpose: The objective of the research undertaken was to develop the Riluzole (RIZ) nanoparticles drug delivery system using Transferrin (Tf) as a ligand in the brain.Method: RIZ-loaded chitosan na...

Saleha Rehman

Papers

Insights on Oral Drug Delivery of Lipid Nanocarriers: a Win-Win Solution for Augmenting Bioavailability of Antiretroviral Drugs

Boosting the Brain Delivery of Atazanavir through Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-Based Approach for Mitigating NeuroAIDS.

Intranasal delivery of mucoadhesive nanocarriers: a viable option for Parkinson's disease treatment?

Role of P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors in the Bioavailability Enhancement of Solid Dispersion of Darunavir.

Riluzole-loaded nanoparticles to alleviate the symptoms of neurological disorders by attenuating oxidative stress.