Introduction: The growing molecular complexity of pharmaceuticals and biological systems poses challenges for conventional analytical methods, especially in obtaining real-time, ultrasensitive, spatially resolved, and decentralized measurements. This review examines the emerging role of nanorobotic analytical systems in pharmaceutical analysis, with an emphasis on their sensing, propulsion, actuation, navigation, and feedback capabilities. Methods: Structured literature and patent literature analyses were carried out to assess nanorobotic analytical platforms, nanoscale sensing approaches, analytical methods, pharmaceutical applications, and technological advances. A specific focus on distinguishing between passive nanomaterials and nanorobotic systems, as well as patent landscape analysis, has been made. Results: The reviewed literature demonstrates advances in the areas of enzyme-driven nanomotors, magnetically controlled nanorobots, DNA-based nanorobotic systems, nanoscale biosensors, and stimuli-responsive analytical platforms. The integration of microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip technologies, and artificial intelligence has expanded the potential for automated molecular detection, real-time monitoring, high-throughput screening, and pharmaceutical analysis. Discussion: Nanorobotic analytical systems offer potential benefits through the integration of molecular recognition, controlled motion, sensing, actuation, and programmable responses within miniaturized platforms. However, many reported systems are considered nanomaterial-enabled sensors or nanomotors rather than fully autonomous analytical nanorobots. The major challenges include scalable fabrication, reproducibility, standardization, biosafety, regulatory acceptance, and validation. Conclusion: Nanorobotic analytical systems represent an emerging analytical approach with potential applications in pharmaceutical quality assessment, molecular analysis, drug monitoring, and automated screening. Further advances in intelligent control, microfluidics, sensing, and artificial intelligence may facilitate their transition toward more autonomous and clinically relevant analytical platforms.
Nanoparticles are small particles, typically 1-100 nm in size, designed as adaptable drug carriers to improve bioavailability, facilitate targeted delivery, and enable controlled release across biological barriers. Ocular inflammation, encompassing vision-threatening conditions such as uveitis, scleritis, and other inflammatory eye diseases, poses significant therapeutic challenges due to both static and dynamic barriers (including the corneal epithelium, tear film, and the blood-retinal barrier). The article comprehensively examines recent developments in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems designed for ocular therapy, such as polymeric nanoparticles and dendrimers, inorganic nanoparticles, lipid-based systems, and novel platforms like microneedle patches and drugeluting implants. As demonstrated by in vitro models (such as porcine cornea penetration), in vivo animal studies (like rat uveitis models), patents, and developing clinical trials for non-infectious uveitis. These nanotechnologies overcome present limitations through superior targeting to anterior and posterior segments, prolonged residence time, controlled release, reduced toxicity, and also add some of the benefits like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects that depend on the nanoparticle type. It helps to overcome the poor bioavailability, NSAID-related side effects, and frequent dosing problems of conventional corticosteroids. However, regulatory barriers, scalability, and safety remain very important challenges for clinical translation. This review highlights how nanoparticle- based systems improve ocular bioavailability, reduce dosing frequency in inflammatory eye diseases, and prolong drug residence time, while also identifying key translational challenges related to regulation, scalability, and safety. Several formulations achieved multi-fold increases for days to weeks.
Introduction: Subcutaneous administration of insulin can control diabetes mellitus, but it has disadvantages such as poor patient compliance and adherence to the regimen. The intranasal route of insulin delivery may bypass these limitations. However, this method is less effective because of rapid nasal drainage and barriers of the nasal membrane. In this mini-review, the roles of polymeric nanoparticles in the effective delivery of insulin via the intranasal route have been discussed. Methods: A review of the literature covering the previous 20 years was conducted on Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed using preset Boolean keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Additionally, patent literature was found using Espacenet and Google Patents. Information on the physicochemical characteristics, in vivo performance, composition, and safety implications of nanoparticles was collected and gathered. Results: The results showed that polymeric nanoparticles improved insulin bioavailability and extended its retention in the nasal mucosa. These nanocarriers were effective in protecting insulin from enzymatic degradation in the nasal cavity. Some of the conjugated nanoparticle formulations, such as peptide-functionalized PLGA and thiolated chitosan nanoparticles, showed improved in vitro performance as compared to conventional insulin solutions. These observations are corroborated in preclinical models with enhanced response to hypoglycemia and improved nose-to-brain delivery. Discussion: Polymeric nanoparticles protect insulin, enhance its controlled release, and improve permeability through nasal barriers. The crucial features of polymeric nanoparticles, such as their size, mucoadhesive strength, and surface charge, can be altered to improve their efficiency. However, their entry into the pharmaceutical market will be governed by the development of advanced scale-up procedures and thorough clinical evaluation. Conclusion: To summarize, polymeric nanoparticles are a better option to deliver insulin intranasally for controlling hyperglycemia and improving insulin penetration into the brain. The pharmacodynamics of polymeric nanoparticles is an important parameter regulating their efficacy in this regard. Polymeric nanoparticles can improve patient compliance through the non-invasive delivery of insulin.
Introduction/Objective: The problem of biofilm infections is of considerable clinical importance because of the presence of an EPS matrix, metabolic heterogeneity, and antimicrobial tolerance, leading to low penetration of antibiotics and contributing to the failure of therapy and the development of antimicrobial resistance. This review attempts to emphasize the advantages of using nanogel-based transdermal drug delivery for the efficient treatment of biofilm-associated infections. Methods: The review of the relevant literature has been conducted in order to assess the potential of nanogel-based delivery systems, especially as transdermal approaches in the therapy of biofilmassociated infections. Results: Nanogels have unique properties: they are nano-sized, contain high amounts of water, and are polymeric, allowing them to penetrate into biofilms. They can load hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds and allow the co-delivery of antibiotics with agents that disrupt biofilms, such as enzymes and quorum-sensing inhibitors. In transdermal formulations, nanogels can offer controlled drug release, improved penetration and retention in the tissues, and lower systemic exposure. The preclinical results show enhanced biofilm disruption, low minimum biofilm eradication concentration, and faster wound healing. Discussion: Some of the recent developments are hybrid systems that combine nanogels with microneedles or hydrogel patches that can ensure site-specific and controlled drug delivery. Patent developments such as WO2023212124A1, EP4514412A1, and US 11,129,975 further support this fact and reflect the translational potential of these systems. Nonetheless, scalability and stability have emerged as major obstacles to clinical translation. Conclusion: Nanogel-mediated transdermal delivery is one of the most exciting approaches that could be used for treating biofilm infections. Though faced with some issues such as scalability, stability, sterilization, and standardization, development of smart materials and drug delivery systems and personalized medicine could help in translating this approach into clinical use.
Introduction: Transethosomes represent an innovative drug delivery system that integrates the ultra-deformable architecture of transferosomes with the permeation-enhancing attributes of ethosomes. Due to their unique structure, transethosomes display greater skin penetration characteristics than conventional liposomes. These carriers achieve superior penetration through ethanolinduced stratum corneum lipid fluidization and surfactant-mediated elasticity, outperforming liposomes with 3-fold higher deformability, 2-4-fold enhanced flux, and prolonged zero-order release, while remaining intact through skin pores 5-10 times smaller than the vesicle diameter. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Springer to identify relevant studies published in recent years. The search strategy employed combinations of keywords including transethosomes, ethosomes, transferosomes, elastic lipid vesicles, ethanolic vesicles, topical delivery, transdermal drug delivery, nanocarriers, skin permeation, drug delivery systems, and nanomedicine. Patent information was retrieved from Google Patents, WIPO PATENTSCOPE, Enpacenet, USPTO, CNIPA, and InPASS using similar search terms. Original research publications, review papers, patents, Ph.D. Dissertations, and regulatory publications written in English were included. Results: The study includes a comprehensive characterization of transethosomes, including vesicle morphology, vesicle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, differential scanning calorimetry for thermal behavior, and ex vivo skin permeation. The enhanced drug delivery associated with transethosomes is confirmed through confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) studies of drug distribution. In addition to the above-mentioned characterization, the review also addresses the advantages and disadvantages of transethosomes, different preparation techniques, and the underlying mechanisms of skin penetration. Discussion: This review covers the application of transethosomes across various routes, including transdermal, topical, ocular, and nasal. It emphasizes their potential for use in clinics upon appropriate modification and functionalization, and points to emerging patents related to transethosomal technologies, indicating growing interest in their clinical and commercial translation. Conclusion: However, clinical progress has been made in formulation development and patent generation; future clinical translation of these products will require scale-up optimizations, ligand functionalization, and standardized trials to confirm their superiority over existing marketed formulations.
