Gastric cancer (GC) remains challenging to treat clinically owing to poor tumortargeting performance, systemic toxicity and frequent chemoresistance. Herein, we constructed folic acidantibody(FA)functionalized vincristineloaded nanoliposomes (FAVCRMLs) for targeted gastric cancer therapy. The spherical nanoparticles had a mean size of 241.47.6nm and zeta potential of 38.57.9mV, with encapsulation efficiency of 93.720.48% and drugloading content of 10.370.69%. Approximately 88% of vincristine was released under acidic conditions in a pHdependent manner. These liposomes exhibited satisfactory biocompatibility and enhanced cellular uptake in GC cells relative to free vincristine and nontargeted VCRMLs. Invivo assays showed an 85% tumorsuppression rate, 9% of tumorbearing nude mice survived by day 71. In summary, FAVCRMLs represent an effective targeted nanotherapeutic agent against gastric cancer.
The detection of pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater is essential for safeguarding environmental safety and public health. Conventional diagnostic methods are often time-consuming, require sophisticated instrumentation, and are not suitable for on-site monitoring. To address this gap, we aimed to develop a sensitive, specific, and low-cost DNA-based nanosensor for the rapid detection of microbial contaminants, particularly Escherichia coli. DNA, by virtue of its negatively charged sugar--phosphate backbone, behaves as a hydrophilic polyelectrolyte and exhibits remarkable self-assembling properties, enabling the formation of nanostructures with robust molecular recognition capabilities. Harnessing these features, we synthesized DNA tetrahedra (Td) via a one-pot assembly method using four single-stranded oligonucleotides mixed in equimolar ratios, annealed from 95 C to 4 C in MgCl-containing buffer. The structural integrity of the assembled Td was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). To impart biosensing functionality, the Td, bearing a single-stranded probe specific to E. coli DNA, was functionalized onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The substantial shift toward a more negative zeta potential following Td conjugation, compared with bare AuNPs, supports successful surface functionalization. DNA tetrahedron functionalization increased AuNP size to 236.4 nm, supporting AuS-mediated immobilization. Complementary and partially complementary targets increased particle size to 428.2 and 398.9 nm, respectively, while the non-complementary target remained unchanged. DLS results agreed with colorimetric responses, confirming sequence-specific hybridization and selective AuNP aggregation. This study establishes as a proof-of-concept study demonstrating the feasibility of a DNA tetrahedrongold nanoparticle (TdAuNP) platform for the colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli DNA rather than as a fully validated environmental detection method.The biocompatibility, structural stability, and programmability of DNA nanostructures, coupled with their straightforward colorimetric output, make them ideally suited for field applications in water quality assessment. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of DNA nanotechnology in developing efficient, low-cost, and user-friendly diagnostic devices for environmental monitoring and microbial detection.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease highly prevalent in the elderly, causing chronic pain and physical disability. Although topical Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed, they frequently trigger adverse cutaneous reactions like hypersensitivity, erythema, and irritation. Nutmeg oil (Myristica fragrans Houtt) serves as a potent natural alternative due to its rich composition of bioactive anti-inflammatory compounds. However, its hydrophobic nature limits skin penetration and efficacy. This study aims to identify the volatile profile of nutmeg oil and optimize a nanoemulsion delivery system using Simplex Lattice Design (SLD). Bioactive components of nutmeg oil were screened using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). A pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed to determine the nanoemulsion region. Optimization was carried out using SLD by varying Tween 80 and Propylene glycol ratios at a fixed 10% oil load. Droplet size and Polydispersity Index (PdI) were evaluated. GC-MS analysis identified 52 constituents, primarily dominated by Myristicin (23.24%), β-pinene (14.49%), α-pinene (11.92%), and Terpinen-4-ol (10.23%), which possess documented synergistic anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The SLD generated mathematical models for transmittance, droplet size, and PdI. The designated optimum formula consisted of 26.374% Tween 80 and 43.626% Propylene glycol. The experimental verification yields a transmittance of 99.9 ± 1.0%, a droplet size of 183.7 ± 6.5 nm, and PdI 0.564 ± 0.033. The optimized nutmeg oil nanoemulsion remained stable in the centrifugation, freeze-thaw, and dilution stress tests. It demonstrated favorable physicochemical characteristics.
Melasma is a chronic, recurrent hyperpigmentation disorder driven by ultraviolet radiation, hormonal influences, inflammation, vascular changes, and altered keratinocyte–melanocyte signaling. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an off-label therapeutic option that suppresses melanogenesis primarily through inhibition of the plasminogen–plasmin pathway. Although oral TXA can reduce melasma severity, systemic safety concerns and relapse after discontinuation limit its use. Conventional topical TXA is safer but suffers from poor stratum-corneum penetration, limited epidermal deposition, low local bioavailability, and short cutaneous residence time. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) offer a promising approach to overcome these limitations through improved drug loading, controlled release, enhanced skin interaction, and prolonged local retention. However, the high aqueous solubility and zwitterionic nature of TXA complicate its incorporation into lipid matrices, making strategies such as hydrophobic ion pairing and double-emulsion systems particularly relevant. This review critically examines the preclinical development of TXA-loaded NLCs for melasma, including disease pathophysiology, TXA mechanisms, limitations of conventional delivery, NLC formulation and preparation, physicochemical characterization, in vitro diffusion, skin tolerability, stability, and translational challenges. Particular attention is given to encapsulation efficiency, skin-deposition evidence, scale-up, sterilization, regulatory considerations, and clinical validation. Current evidence supports TXA-loaded NLCs as a mechanistically rational and preclinically promising dermal delivery platform, but robust skin-deposition studies, long-term stability data, scalable manufacturing, and well-designed clinical trials are still required.
Topical ivermectin (IVM) is limited less by its antiparasitic pharmacology than by its physicochemistry: as a BCS Class II molecule with aqueous solubility below 4 μg/mL, it struggles to cross the stratum corneum in therapeutically useful amounts, and the marketed 1% gel reflects this ceiling, reaching ~68.7% cumulative release at 300 minutes, the last time point sampled. This study set out to test whether a porous nanosponge carrier, optimised through a formal Quality by Design (QbD) workflow, could raise the extent of ivermectin release and control its rate from a topical gel. Nanosponges were fabricated by the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion (QESD) method using Eudragit RS100 as the polymer and β-cyclodextrin as the cross-linking agent. A two-tier QbD strategy was used: a 12-run Plackett–Burman design (PBD) first screened seven candidate variables, after which the four identified as high-risk were carried into a 27-run Box–Behnken design (BBD) for optimisation. Polymer/crosslinker ratio, stirring speed, homogenisation speed, and homogenisation time emerged as the critical determinants of particle size (Y1) and percentage entrapment efficiency (%EE; Y2). The optimised batch achieved a particle size of 447.05 ± 2.11 nm and %EE of 78.17 ± 1.23%, values that agreed closely with model predictions at checkpoint validation. These nanosponges were then dispersed into an HPMC Gel, which showed a pH of 6.93 ± 0.31, viscosity of 10,230 ± 120.71 cps, spreadability of 9.81 ± 0.95 g·cm/sec, and drug content of 94.21 ± 0.31%. In vitro release reached across a cellulose acetate membrane 94.12% at 480 minutes exceeding the marketed gel up to 240 minutes and matching it at 300 minutes, the last time point sampled for the marketed gel (69.13% vs 68.71%) followed Higuchi diffusion kinetics with an anomalous (non-Fickian) transport signature. Three months of real-time stability testing at room temperature indicated that the gel's physicochemical profile held steady. Together, these findings indicate that pairing a QbD-optimised nanosponge core with a hydrophilic gel shell is a promising route to enhanced, diffusion-controlled in vitro release of ivermectin, with ex vivo skin permeation and in vivo studies still needed to confirm topical performance.
