Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology最新文献

{"title":"Propolis-loaded/dextrose˗coated bilosomes for enhanced protection against CCl4-induced liver injury: In vitro and in vivo assessments","authors":"Reham Mokhtar Aman ,&nbsp;Randa Ahmed Zaghloul ,&nbsp;Noha Mohamed Saleh","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatoprotection against issues like alcohol, chemicals, infections, and drugs can terminate the progression into chronic deterioration. We planned to fabricate lectin receptors-targeted bilosomes (BLs), maximizing the hepatoprotective benefits of the nature-derived honey-glue; propolis (ProE). The thin film hydration approach ensnared ProE in different BLs that were evaluated regarding encapsulation efficiency percent (EE %), vesicular diameter (D_v), polydispersity index (PI), and zeta potential (ζ-potential). A selected formulation (F2) was decorated with dextrose (DEX) to create ProE-loaded/DEX-coated BLs which were thoroughly appraised concerning D_v, PI, ζ-potential, morphology, opsonization, physical stability, stability in biological fluids, <em>in vitro</em> release, and ultimately <em>in vivo</em> hepatoprotective effectiveness against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. F2 was selected as the preferred formulation based on its maximum EE% (92.70 ± 5.05 %), ζ-potential (−58.54 ± 7.73 mV), small D_v (91.96 ± 5.37 nm), and acceptable PI (0.408 ± 0.06). The DEX˗coating yielded homogeneous nanosized spherical BLs (116.23 ± 11.69 nm) manifesting an avoidance of opsonization. The configuration of ProE-loaded/DEX˗coated BLs was not disrupted by storage at 4 °C. The oral administration is recommended to be on an empty stomach. ProE-loaded/DEX˗coated BLs illustrated controlled release (64.35 ± 15.36 %). Among the pretreated groups, ProE-loaded/DEX˗coated BLs could hinder the rise in the hepatic (ALT, AST, and ALP) and inflammatory (CRP) markers. In the hepatic environment, the balance of oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, NOx, and Nrf-2/HO-1) and p53 expression level could be recovered via the pretreatment with ProE-loaded/DEX˗coated BLs. Thus, the ProE-loaded/DEX-coated BLs should be given as much attention as a promising hepatoprotective remedy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"107 ","pages":"Article 106756"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143529502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D printing as a solution for tablet splitting challenges dedicated to the Chagas disease treatment","authors":"Giselle R. Bedogni ,&nbsp;Ana Luiza Lima ,&nbsp;Idejan P. Gross ,&nbsp;Tais Gratieri ,&nbsp;Guilherme M. Gelfuso ,&nbsp;María C. Lamas ,&nbsp;Marcilio Cunha-Filho ,&nbsp;Claudio J. Salomon","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chagas disease is a potentially fatal neglected infection affecting both infants and adults. Currently, only benznidazole (BNZ) and nifurtimox (NFX) are approved for the treatment, and there is a considerable need for dosage adjustments to meet individual patient conditions. However, as the commercial options are limited, splitting commercial tablets of BNZ and NFX is common practice. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the splitting behavior of such commercial tablets. Average mass, drug content, friability, and hardness were evaluated using two subdivision methods. Additionally, an in-use stability of split tablets was performed. Lastly, BNZ and NFX tablets produced by 3D printing with different dosages were proposed as an alternative method of personalizing treatment. The findings of this work indicated that the subdivision method was not a relevant variable in obtaining halves, although the splitting device was shown to deliver better results in obtaining quarters. In-use stability demonstrated that the split tablets were chemically preserved under forced storage conditions for at least 15 days. Even though moisture adsorption occurred, no changes in drug characteristic signals in the infrared spectra were observed. The physical and mechanical properties were compromised after splitting, leading to multiple fragmentation. In addition, the high variation in mass and mass loss led to high dosage variations and, consequently, may increase the treatment risk. Therefore, splitting these tablets into quarters should be discouraged. Thus, BNZ and NFX 3D printing tablets were prepared to avoid the splitting issues of the marketed tablets. This approach proves to be a promising option to minimize the risks associated with tablet splitting while providing a more reliable and flexible method for dose adjustment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 106745"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation, characterization and in vitro evaluation of anticancer and antioxidant effects of luteolin-loaded nanocapsules","authors":"Giuseppe Granata ,&nbsp;Paolo Accardo ,&nbsp;Claudia Giovanna Leotta ,&nbsp;Giovanni Mario Pitari ,&nbsp;Giorgia Fangano ,&nbsp;Francesco Ruffino ,&nbsp;Corrada Geraci ,&nbsp;Grazia Maria Letizia Consoli","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106754","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106754","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Luteolin (Lut) is a natural flavonoid compound endowed with medicinal properties but suffering from low water-solubility, stability, and bioavailability which limit its use in pharmaceutical applications. Encapsulation of luteolin in nanocarriers is providing a viable approach to overcome these drawbacks. Here, we used a nanoprecipitation method to prepare luteolin-loaded nanocapsules composed of poly(ε-caprolactone), Tween 80, soybean oil, and phosphatidylcholine at two different amounts. The luteolin-loaded nanocapsules showed nanometric size, very narrow polydispersity index, negative Zeta potential, excellent encapsulation efficiency, high size stability and good luteolin retention also under thermal stress conditions The phosphatidylcholine content influenced the amount of encapsulated drug, and the nanocapsules with higher luteolin content were successfully tested for ROS scavenger effects and cytotoxicity against human colon adenocarcinoma HCT116 cells. The luteolin-loaded nanocapsules that increased luteolin water solubility and stability and preserved the luteolin biological activity, appear promising for pharmaceutical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"107 ","pages":"Article 106754"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143529501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of tanshinone IIA chitosan nanoparticles via chitosan solid dispersion for improving the therapeutical effects","authors":"Chao Luo ,&nbsp;Cong Chen ,&nbsp;Na Zhang ,&nbsp;Jiani Li ,&nbsp;Yaru Liang ,&nbsp;Weibin Wu ,&nbsp;Kai Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106752","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106752","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tanshinone IIA, an important active ingredient isolated from <em>Salvia miltiorrhiza</em>, exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor. However, its poor water solubility results in low bioavailability and limits the subsequent clinical application. Chitosan nanoparticle is an excellent drug delivery carrier due to the ideal biocompatibility and pH-sensitive. Here, we developed an innovative and efficient approach to fabricate the tanshinone IIA-chitosan nanoparticles (TA/CS-NPs) by initially creating a tanshinone IIA-chitosan solid dispersion as the precursor for nanoparticle synthesis. This method successfully overcame the problem that the hydrophobic tanshinone IIA could not be directly mixed with the hydrophilic chitosan to prepare nanoparticles. The optimal conditions for TA/CS-NPs preparation were obtained through the response surface method, with the chitosan concentration of 31 mg/ml, the mass ratio of CS to TA 27:1, and stirring time 30 min. <em>In vitro</em> release and cell uptake experiments proved that the TA/CS-NPs had pH-sensitive drug release property. In ph5.0 dissolution medium or the medium of inflammatory cell, the nanoparticles revealed rapid drug release properties. However, in the ph7.4 dissolution medium or the medium of normal cells, the drug release rate of nanoparticles was very slow. Subsequently, cellular experiments demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of tanshinone IIA were markedly enhanced through nanoparticle delivery. Compared with direct administration of tanshinone IIA, TA/CS-NPs have more significant activity on the inhibition of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NO), regulation of oxidative stress products (ROS, MDA) and antioxidant products (SOD, GSH, and CAT), protective effect on mitochondrial damage, inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways (p-p65, NLRP3). This study provides a successful method to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs into hydrophilic chitosan nanoparticles and improve the therapeutic activities of the loaded drug.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"107 ","pages":"Article 106752"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143529713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"LC-MS/MS profiling and immunomodulatory potential of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using Cordia sebestena leaves against chromium-induced acute lung injury in rats","authors":"Nabil A. Shoman ,&nbsp;Abeer Salama ,&nbsp;Firas G. Abbas ,&nbsp;Hagar H. Mourad ,&nbsp;Haidy A. Abbas","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106750","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106750","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using <em>Cordia sebestena</em> leaves (CS) methanolic extract and evaluates their immunomodulatory potential in treating chromium-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model. A 3² full factorial design, utilizing response surface methodology, was utilized to optimize key parameters, including extract amount, metallic salt concentration, and pH, to control nanoparticle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. The optimal formulation (5 g plant extract, 5 g zinc acetate, pH 11) achieved an overall desirability of 0.996. UV–Visible spectroscopy confirmed a characteristic peak at 360 nm (optical band gap: 3.2 eV), while Fourier Transform Infrared analysis identified biofunctional groups stabilizing the nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy revealed hexagonal particles with a crystallite size of around 80 nm, consistent with dynamic light scattering data. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated high thermal stability. CS-ZnO NPs significantly enhanced lung antioxidant capacity (increased GSH levels) and reduced oxidative stress (MDA), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-17), and signaling molecules (Akt, PI3K). AMPK activation was also markedly improved in the CS-ZnO NPs-treated group. Dereplication analysis of the <em>Cordia sebestena</em> leaves methanolic extract was conducted using Q-TOF LC/MS/MS; metabolic profiling identified 33 compounds, which are classified into various chemical groups, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, organic acids, and fatty acids. These findings suggest that CS-ZnO NPs exhibit potent pulmonary protective effects against chromium-induced ALI through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, underscoring their potential for sustainable biomedical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 106750"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143511366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanogels-empowered amino acid-capped silver nanoparticles for enhanced skin tissue regeneration","authors":"Sarwar Allah Ditta ,&nbsp;Syed Zain Zaffar Bukhari ,&nbsp;Muhammad Jamil Yousaf ,&nbsp;Zainab Hassan ,&nbsp;Muhammad Nasir ,&nbsp;Muhammad Rashid ,&nbsp;Fouzia Tanvir ,&nbsp;Misbah Naz ,&nbsp;Hassaan Haider ,&nbsp;Atif Yaqub","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106751","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106751","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Addressing the global challenge of wound healing is facing significant hurdles due to infections and other related clinical issues. Different antimicrobial and moisturizing wound dressings with varying functionalities are under development to facilitate the healing process. This research aims to evaluate the efficacy of nanogels based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with amino acids (L-Tyrosine and L-Tryptophan) in promoting tissue regeneration.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following the synthesis and characterization, wound-healing efficacy of newly synthesized nanogels was evaluated in albino mice. This evaluation involved analysis of wound contraction, oxidative stress enzyme evaluation, serum proteins analysis, and histological examination.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The nanogels incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with L-Tryptophan amino acid (G@^Tryp−NPs) exhibited notable wound healing potential, with an 83.26 ± 0.66 % contraction observed within 12 days. Comparative analysis with the chemically-synthesized silver nanoparticles (C-AgNPs) nanogel (G@^C−NPs), L-Tyrosine AgNPs nanogel (G@^Tyr−NPs), and Polyfax® demonstrated the good wound healing potential of G@^Tryp−NPs. The levels of serum proteins exhibited significant increases across various treatment groups. In vivo, antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) levels decreased in the G@^Tryp−NPs treated group compared to other groups and control groups—the histological examination further supports wound-healing activity of G@^Tryp−NPs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings propose that the amino acid-capped silver nanoparticle-based nanogels present promising results for potential wound healing, care, and management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"107 ","pages":"Article 106751"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143529503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hyaluronic acid incorporation into hybrid alginate-based bioinks promotes long term viability and controlled release of 3D embedded scaffolds mesenchymal stem cells in absence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide cryoprotectant","authors":"Kaoutar Ziani ,&nbsp;Javier Plou ,&nbsp;Laura Saenz-del-Burgo ,&nbsp;Isabel García ,&nbsp;Jesús Ciriza ,&nbsp;Jose Luis Pedraz","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106749","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106749","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cryopreservation is critical in 3D bioprinting to ensure availability for clinical use and long-term storage. We have studied the incorporation of hyaluronic acid (Ha) into an alginate-nanocellulose bioink to enhance scaffold properties and reduce reliance on dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a traditional, but toxic cryoprotectant. Our findings show that Ha significantly improves biomaterial ink viscoelasticity, even after cryopreservation at ultra-low temperatures. Moreover, scaffolds incorporating Ha exhibited increased roughness and porosity and mechanical testing indicated that cryopreserved scaffolds with Ha were more durable. Interestingly, scaffolds without DMSO maintained high cell viability and metabolic activity, suggesting effective cryoprotection with reduced cytotoxicity. In conclusion, incorporating Ha into bioinks enhances scaffold properties and enables successful cryopreservation without DMSO, paving the way for safer and more efficient bioinks in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 106749"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143489047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Greener nanomaterials for soft tissue regeneration: Diagnostic and therapeutic advances","authors":"Garima ,&nbsp;Deepika Sharma ,&nbsp;Neeraj Mittal","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106747","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106747","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soft tissue injuries and organ dysfunction present significant medical challenges, however, nanotechnology using green chemistry offers a transformative approach to address these issues. Greener nanomaterials are synthesized with the principles of green chemistry using environmentally benign and sustainable methods that minimize toxic byproducts, energy consumption, and hazardous waste. Greener nanomaterials facilitate targeted drug delivery and act as scaffolds to encourage cellular attachment, growth, and differentiation to promote the regeneration of particular tissues. Moreover, greener nanomaterials have great potential to improve the efficacy and biocompatibility of regenerative medicine, addressing toxicity concerns associated with conventional nanomaterials. From a diagnostic perspective, recent studies have demonstrated that these materials allow non-intrusive as well as accurate examination of tissue regeneration processes through enhanced imaging techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), along fluorescence-based imaging. These techniques offer improved sensitivity, real-time visualization, and higher biocompatibility when combined with biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles like gold and silver. The present article demonstrates the role and different types of greener nanomaterials in diagnosing and managing soft tissue regeneration. Furthermore, we critically assessed the challenges and clinical translations related to greener nanomaterials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 106747"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143488933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanocarriers and their integrated microneedle systems-mediated drug delivery for the treatment of moderate-severe dermatological diseases: Recent progress, applications and future perspectives","authors":"Mridusmita Das,&nbsp;Rabinarayan Parhi","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dermatological diseases significantly affect patients' quality of life and psychological well-being due to their visible symptoms. Currently, treatment options for these conditions include systemic medications, topical treatments, phototherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical resection, and injections. However, each of these treatments has its limitations. In this context, transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is particularly appealing because it allows for the delivery of drugs to affected tissues, reducing systemic side effects. Unfortunately, the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin, severely hampers drug permeation. Nanocarriers loaded with drugs could offer a promising solution for penetrating this SC barrier due to their small size, ideally less than 100 nm. These nanocarriers can also enhance the solubility, stability and target delivery efficiency of the encapsulated drugs. However, the thickened and highly keratinized skin still acts as a barrier to the permeation of these nanocarriers. To overcome this issue, microneedles (MNs) with micron-sized needles can pierce the SC, enabling drug delivery into the viable epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. Therefore, nanocarrier-integrated MN systems can significantly improve drug targeting while minimizing systemic drug exposure and related side effects. This review discusses the anatomy of the skin, the pathways for drug permeation, and methods to enhance drug delivery through the skin, including both chemical and physical approaches. It specifically focuses on various nanocarriers used in TDD and their application in treating moderate to severe dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and melanoma. It also examines the current therapies for these conditions, advancements in nanocarrier technologies, their integration with MN systems, and their potential applications, along with the challenges and future directions in this field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 106748"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143478982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microgels of alginate dialdehyde with WGA lectin conjugate for curcumin encapsulation","authors":"Arlina Prima Putri ,&nbsp;Marissa Angelina ,&nbsp;Mochamad Chalid ,&nbsp;Francesco Picchioni ,&nbsp;Hero Jan Heeres","doi":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106717","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106717","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) is a plant-lectin that is potentially attractive to be used in the formulation of drug delivery systems. In this study, we report the synthesis and use of this lectin in a microgel formulation together with a modified alginate for drug delivery purposes. The alginate used in the formulation was obtained by oxidation of Na-alginate and contains reactive aldehyde groups (ADA). These aldehyde groups are essential and able to form a conjugate with lectin (ADAWGA) using a reductive amination protocol. ¹H NMR, DOSY, and ATR-FTIR were performed to characterize ADAWGA and confirm that the reaction is successful. Microgels based on ADAWGA were prepared by a micro emulsion technique utilizing calcium chloride as a crosslinking agent. For comparison, microgels with only the alginate and alginates in combination with ADA were also prepared. Microgels with average particle sizes ranging from 285 to 529 nm were obtained. The microgels were loaded with curcumin, a hydrophobic natural polyphenol, and the release pattern was investigated. The result of the release profiles from the curcumin-loaded microgels shown that the profile was fit the Higuchi model, whit the <em>R</em>² values range from 0.90 to 0.98. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that the microgels exhibit low toxicity toward the MCF-7 cells at low concentrations, making them suitable for drug delivery application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 106717"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}