Malsawmdawngkima Hnamte, Ajmal Koya Pulikkal, Irom Ragish Singh, Sen Regi Abraham, T B C Laldingliani, Awadhesh Kumar
{"title":"PLGA-based polymeric nanoparticle delivery of a bioactive <i>Houttuynia cordata</i> extract: modulation of anticancer and antibacterial responses.","authors":"Malsawmdawngkima Hnamte, Ajmal Koya Pulikkal, Irom Ragish Singh, Sen Regi Abraham, T B C Laldingliani, Awadhesh Kumar","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2734906","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2734906","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PLGA-based encapsulation of bioactive plant extracts offers a strategy for improving their formulation characteristics and potentially modulating their biological responses. In this study, the medicinal plant <i>Houttuynia cordata</i> Thunb. (HC) was investigated through fraction-guided screening and nanoparticle delivery. Sequential solvent fractions were evaluated against HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells using neutral red uptake and apoptosis assays. The most active acetone fraction (AceHCE) exhibited pronounced cytotoxicity and induced ∼64.5% apoptosis. AceHCE was encapsulated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) stabilised with poloxamer 188. The optimised PNPs (∼91 nm) showed a narrow size distribution, negative surface charge, high entrapment efficiency (∼89%), and favourable physical stability. The nanoformulation exhibited a higher apparent IC<sub>50</sub> (∼157 µg mL<sup>-1</sup> based on total PNP concentration), corresponding to an AceHCE-equivalent concentration of approximately 28.3 µg mL<sup>-1</sup>. The optimised PNPs also exhibited antibacterial activity, with MIC values of 20 mg mL<sup>-1</sup> against Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"667-682"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149025170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ikram Drai, Cherifa Bachir, Zohra Bailiche, Juan Francisco Rodríguez, Manuel Carmona
{"title":"Cross-linked alginate/pozzolan (Alg@PZ) microcapsules for sodium diclofenac removal as emerging contaminant.","authors":"Ikram Drai, Cherifa Bachir, Zohra Bailiche, Juan Francisco Rodríguez, Manuel Carmona","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2727900","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2727900","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the adsorption of sodium diclofenac (SDF) onto Alginate/Pozzolan (Alg@PZ) microcapsules to address pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic systems. The Alg@PZ composite was synthesised via CaCl<sub>2</sub> cross-linking by varying the Sodium Alginate (S-Alg)/Pozzolan (PZ) mass ratio from 0.625 to 3.25. Successful PZ incorporation into the S-Alg matrix was confirmed by FTIR, XRD and SEM analyses, revealing hydrogen and electrostatic bonding alongside a near-uniform spherical porous morphology of 1.73 mm diameter. TGA revealed optimal PZ encapsulation of 63.87% at a S-Alg/PZ ratio of 0.625, with high thermal stability. Adsorption experiments in a shallow-bed system demonstrated rapid SDF removal, best described by a PSO kinetic model reaching equilibrium after 45 minutes, with a q<sub>max</sub>= 21.85 mg.g <sup>- 1</sup>. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the reaction was spontaneous and exothermic. However, Alg@PZ<sub>0.625</sub> represents a scalable, eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional adsorbents for removing persistent pharmaceutical compounds from aqueous systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"587-603"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148929738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sureerat Thuekeaw, Suphasuta Tada, Piyaphat Petwattanapha
{"title":"Alginate-chitosan encapsulated iron oxide (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>)-sweet basil oil (SBO) nanoparticles for intestinal delivery in animal nutrition.","authors":"Sureerat Thuekeaw, Suphasuta Tada, Piyaphat Petwattanapha","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2734904","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2734904","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nanotechnology is considered a promising approach to enhance the functionality of phytobiotics, that promote animal health. This study aimed to fabricate iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) coated with alginate (SA)-chitosan (CS) for the delivery of sweet basil oil (SBO). Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-SBO-SA-CS was characterised in terms of its physicochemical properties, safety, <i>in vitro</i> release, and stability. Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-SBO was successfully modified with SA-CS polysaccharides, as evidenced by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Thermal stability of SBO was enhanced by being incorporated into Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-SA-CS, whereas Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-SBO-SA-CS exhibited high antioxidant with broad-spectrum antibacterial activities against <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i>, and <i>Staphylococcus aureus.</i> The release was 73.79% with a phenolic compound content of 82.85 mg GAE/g in simulated intestinal fluid. The Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-SBO-SA-CS effectively protected SBO activity under acid, bile salt and storage. Therefore, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-SBO-SA-CS demonstrated the potential not only to protect and deliver SBO to the target site but also to support its safe application in animal nutrition.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"651-666"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chaima Belhadj Ltaief, Aya Zoghlami, Hassan El-Itawi, Ola Abdelhedi, Patrick Perre, Mourad Jridi, Noomen Hmidet
{"title":"Coacervation-based co-encapsulation of curcumin and vitamin E in gelatine-alginate microcapsules: a comprehensive study on encapsulation efficiency, physical properties, structure and release behaviour.","authors":"Chaima Belhadj Ltaief, Aya Zoghlami, Hassan El-Itawi, Ola Abdelhedi, Patrick Perre, Mourad Jridi, Noomen Hmidet","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2727911","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2727911","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Curcumin and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) are lipophilic antioxidants limited by poor stability. To overcome this, both compounds were co-encapsulated in tannic acid-crosslinked gelatine-sodium alginate microcapsules <i>via</i> complex coacervation, comparing Ultra-Turrax (UT) and ultrasonication (US) homogenisation across core-to-wall ratios (1/1, 1/2, 1/3). Ultrasonication at a 1/3 ratio yielded the highest encapsulation efficiencies (94.3% curcumin, 91.0% vitamin E, <i>vs</i>. ∼41-44% untreated). These US microcapsules were smaller (227 nm), less porous (36.7%), and demonstrated progressive pH-dependent release over 72 h without an initial burst. Antioxidant activity was fully retained during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Overall, ultrasonication-assisted complex coacervation provides an effective route for developing robust gelatine-alginate delivery systems for food and pharmaceutical formulations.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"604-621"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148919893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fabrication and statistical optimisation of Nifedipine-loaded alginate nanoparticles using honey as a natural stabilizer.","authors":"Pradyumna Keche, Ganesh Patil, Swapnil Jain","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2734903","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2734903","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nifedipine (NF) is widely used to manage hypertension and angina. However, its poor aqueous solubility limits oral delivery, warranting sustained, pH-responsive release systems. This study fabricated and optimised NF-loaded alginate nanoparticles (NF-loaded Alg-NPs) using honey as a green, natural stabiliser. NPs were prepared by ionotropic gelation and optimised via a 3<sup>2</sup> factorial design. The optimised formulation showed a mean particle size of 437 ± 4.58 nm, zeta potential of -10.98 ± 0.12 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 84.5 ± 0.8%. FTIR, XRD, DSC, and SEM confirmed successful, largely amorphous drug entrapment. Release was markedly pH-dependent and best fit by the Hixson-Crowell model (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.9557), consistent with erosion-mediated transport. Six-month accelerated stability studies confirmed acceptable retention of particle size and entrapment efficiency. These findings establish honey as a viable, eco-friendly stabiliser for pH-responsive NF nanoparticles, with relevance to other poorly water-soluble drugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"638-650"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149069170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chitosan-coated niosomal meropenem with enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against carbapenem-resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> from wastewater.","authors":"Fatemeh Ashrafi, Ghazal Khalili, Pooria Moulavi, Maryam Jafari, Sepideh Asadi, Sadegh Jozaie, Robabeh Jafari","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2731041","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2731041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Carbapenem-resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (CRKP) poses a major therapeutic challenge due to antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation. This study developed chitosan-coated meropenem-loaded niosomes (Nio-MRP@CS) and evaluated their physicochemical properties and antibacterial, antibiofilm, and gene-modulating activities against wastewater-derived CRKP isolates. Niosomes were prepared by thin-film hydration using Span 60, Tween 60, and cholesterol, with meropenem (MRP) incorporated during hydration, followed by chitosan coating. The optimised formulation (F2) showed an entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 74.16 ± 2.12%, particle size of 131.5 ± 3.3 nm, and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.131 ± 0.004. Nio-MRP@CS released 42.55% of MRP over 72 h, compared with 49.5% from Nio-MRP and 98-100% from free MRP by 24 h. MIC values decreased from 50-100 to 1.56-12.5 μg/mL, while biofilm formation was inhibited by 60-70%. Nio-MRP@CS also reduced blaIMP, blaKPC, and fimH expression. These findings support Nio-MRP@CS as an in-vitro delivery platform. Further in-vivo, toxicity, pharmacokinetic, and safety studies are required before clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"622-637"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149075061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alberto Baldelli, Hale Oguzlu, Yilun Weng, Anika Singh, Anubhav Pratap-Singh
{"title":"A microencapsulation strategy for intranasal semaglutide delivery.","authors":"Alberto Baldelli, Hale Oguzlu, Yilun Weng, Anika Singh, Anubhav Pratap-Singh","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2722030","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2722030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Semaglutide is a widely used treatment for weight loss, conventionally administered by subcutaneous injection. A non-invasive alternative is nasal delivery, which may improve ease of use and patient compliance. This study investigates the spray-drying microencapsulation of semaglutide using water-soluble polymers of varying molecular weights, including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), combined with trehalose as a stabilising sugar. The process achieved over 90% semaglutide retention after three months of storage at <b>4 °C</b> and encapsulation efficiencies exceeding 95% at a semaglutide concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, using a 1:1 sugar-to-polymer ratio. The resulting formulations fully dissolved in nasal mucus within two hours, with over 30% absorption occurring in the first 20 minutes. Toxicological testing showed no adverse effects on nasal cell lines. Enhanced transport across nasal cells was observed with higher trehalose content, achieving complete transport within two hours.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"551-561"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148818738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rasool Shabanloo, Somaye Akbari, Mohammad Haghighatkish
{"title":"A review of the electrospinning of polymer solutions with essential oils.","authors":"Rasool Shabanloo, Somaye Akbari, Mohammad Haghighatkish","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2712993","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2712993","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the electrospinning process involving polymer solutions incorporating essential oils (EOs). Different electrospinning methods, as a versatile and efficient technique for producing nanofibers and different EOs, are discussed. It explores various electrospinning techniques to produce nanofibers containing EO. Furthermore, it reviews the applications of EO-incorporated electrospun nanofibers in biomedical fields, food packaging, and cosmetics. The review also highlights the types of polymers employed in conjunction with EOs and identifies commonly used essential oils. Additionally, it discusses the encapsulation of EOs and the role of supporting materials in the electrospinning process. While the findings from laboratory research are promising, translating these results into commercial applications requires time and strategic engineering efforts to address potential challenges across various sectors.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"562-585"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148706741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nanofabrication of shikonin accelerates the wound healing potential in diabetic rats via downregulation of MMP-9: <i>in vitro/in vivo</i> pharmacological validation and <i>in silico</i> molecular dynamic approach.","authors":"Kirandeep Kaur, Aditi Monga, Anshula Mehra, Atamjit Singh, Sukhraj Kaur, Neena Bedi","doi":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2712990","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02652048.2026.2712990","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetic burn wounds are challenging comorbid conditions to heal, hence shikonin, a traditional phytoconstituent was nanofabricated in the present study. This study is the continuation of our previously published work including shikonin-loaded nanoemulsion against wound pathogens.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Current work aims to further prepare electrospun scaffolds to promote wounded skin regeneration.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Studies including DLS, ATR, XRD, SEM were used to assess pharmaceutical stability of system. <i>In vivo</i> model, western blotting (protein expression of MMP-9), soluble collagen and MMP-9 ELISA kit assays, molecular docking and simulations studies were used to evaluate pharmacodynamic stability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The developed scaffolds exhibited chemical stability, improved aqueous solubility with average diameter of 235 ± 23 nm. The wound area got remarkably decreased (4.923 ± 0.935%) with high collagen content (88.515 ± 2.23%) and lower MMP-9 content (6.726 ± 0.820%) than the comparable groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present study displayed the developed system with remarkable wound healing potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":16391,"journal":{"name":"Journal of microencapsulation","volume":" ","pages":"536-550"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148759098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}