With the advancement in the field of medical science, the idea of sustained release of the therapeutic agents in the patient's body has remained a major thrust for developing advanced drug delivery ...systems (DDSs). The critical requirement for fabricating these DDSs is to facilitate the delivery of their cargos in a spatio-temporal and pharmacokinetically-controlled manner. Albeit the synthetic polymer-based DDSs normally address the above-mentioned conditions, their potential cytotoxicity and high cost have ultimately constrained their success. Consequently, the utilization of natural polymers for the fabrication of tunable DDSs owing to their biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic nature can be regarded as a significant stride in the field of drug delivery. Marine environment serves as an untapped resource of varied range of materials such as polysaccharides, which can easily be utilized for developing various DDSs.
Carrageenans are the sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from the cell wall of red seaweeds. They exhibit an assimilation of various biological activities such as anti-thrombotic, anti-viral, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties. The main aim of the presented review is threefold. The first one is to describe the unique physicochemical properties and structural composition of different types of carrageenans. The second is to illustrate the preparation methods of the different carrageenan-based macro- and micro-dimensional DDSs like hydrogels, microparticles, and microspheres respectively. Fabrication techniques of some advanced DDSs such as floating hydrogels, aerogels, and 3-D printed hydrogels have also been discussed in this review. Next, considerable attention has been paid to list down the recent applications of carrageenan-based polymeric architectures in the field of drug delivery.
Presence of structural variations among the different carrageenan types helps in regulating their temperature and ion-dependent sol-to-gel transition behavior. The constraint of low mechanical strength of reversible gels can be easily eradicated using chemical crosslinking techniques. Carrageenan based-microdimesional DDSs (e.g. microspheres, microparticles) can be utilized for easy and controlled drug administration. Moreover, carrageenans can be fabricated as 3-D printed hydrogels, floating hydrogels, and aerogels for controlled drug delivery applications.
In order to address the problems associated with many of the available DDSs, carrageenans are establishing their worth recently as potential drug carriers owing to their varied range of properties. Different architectures of carrageenans are currently being explored as advanced DDSs. In the near future, translation of carrageenan-based advanced DDSs in the clinical applications seems inevitable.
A series of novel π-electron rich fluoranthene derivatives (P1–P3) adorned with symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkoxy chains were developed using Diels-Alder reaction. The use of peripheral ...triethyleneglycol (TEG) chains on fluoranthene enhances its electron donating ability and furnishes decrease in their energy levels and optical band gap. The intense sky-blue fluorescence exhibiting fluoranthene ensembles have been investigated as potential fluorescent chemosensors for the detection of explosive nitroaromatics (NACs). Fluorescence studies demonstrate that emission intensity of P1–P3 was efficiently decreased upon interaction with picric acid (PA) in a dominant static quenching phenomena which is attributed to photoinduced electron transfer process. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be in the range of 2–20 ppb. The vapour phase sensing study involving thin films of P1–P3 showed efficient quenching response and sensing process is found to be highly reversible. Surface morphology of thin films significantly varied with the type of alkyl chain present on fluoranthene. The thin films are highly selective towards PA in aqueous medium containing commonly interfering nitro-explosives. Contact mode approach using silica gel substrates allows femto-gram detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and PA makes these materials as potential chemosensors for real time applications.
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•High blue fluorescent novel fluoranthene derivatives with varied nature of alkyl chains•Selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol in aqueous and vapour phase methods•Porous nature thin films enhance the sensitivity and selectivity.•Good reversibility and recycling of thin films•Femto-gram detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol by contact method
Novel amphiphilic Zn(II)phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) peripherally substituted with four and eight dimethylaminopyridinium units (ZnPc1 and ZnPc2) were synthesized by cyclotetramerization of the ...corresponding phthalonitriles. The effect of aggregation and photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes) and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation under light irradiation) properties was investigated. The chemosensing ability of ZnPcs toward explosive nitroaromatic compounds was explored in aqueous medium. This study demonstrates that ZnPc1 and ZnPc2 show fluorescence quenching behavior upon interaction with different nitro analytes and show unprecedented selectivity toward 2,4,6-trinitrophenol with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.7–1.1 ppm with a high quenching rate constant (K sv) of 1.6–2.02 × 105. The near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence in thin films was quenched efficiently because of the photoinduced electron-transfer process through strong intermolecular π–π and electrostatic interactions. The sensing process is highly reversible and free from the interference of other commonly encountered nitro analytes. Further, experiments were performed to demonstrate the use of ZnPcs as efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts in the reduction of nitro explosives. The smart dual performance of multicharged ZnPcs in aqueous media quantifies them as attractive candidates in developing sensor materials at the NIR region and to possibly convert the toxic explosives into useful scaffolds. These results provide an interesting perspective toward elaboration of stable fluorescent systems for the selective sensing behavior of nitro explosives and their facile heterogeneous catalytic behavior in the reduction reactions.
In the present study, we report the development of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS)-based novel blend films. The concentration of COS was varied between 2.5–10.0 wt% ...within the films. The inclusion of COS added a brown hue to the films. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the extent of intermolecular hydrogen bonding was most prominent in the film that contained 5.0 wt% of COS. The diffractograms showed that COS altered the degree of crystallinity of the films in a composition-dependent manner. As evident from the thermal analysis, COS content profoundly impacted the evaporation of water molecules from the composite films. Stress relaxation studies demonstrated that the blend films exhibited more mechanical stability as compared to the control film. The impedance profiles indicated the capacitive-dominant behavior of the prepared films. Ciprofloxacin HCl-loaded films showed excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. The prepared films were observed to be biocompatible. Hence, the prepared PVA/COS-based blend films may be explored for drug delivery applications.
There is an increasing need for smart materials capable of removing multivalent ions from aqueous streams without the inconvenience of brine regeneration as in ion‐exchange processes. Herein, we ...present a thermoresponsive micellar system consisting of polystyrene–poly(methoxy diethyleneglycol acrylate) block copolymer surfactants modified with carboxylic acid end groups (PS‐PMDEGA‐COOH) that can be used to switch between the adsorption and desorption of divalent calcium(II) cations by a mild temperature trigger, thus providing a new type of thermoregenerable ion‐adsorbing materials. The switch of calcium(II)‐binding capacity is demonstrated to result from a shift in the pKa value of the carboxylic acid groups by the collapse and redissolution of the PMDEGA block and the associated change in local polarity.
Shifting affections: A micellar system consisting of polystyrene–poly(methoxy diethyleneglycol acrylate) block copolymers modified with carboxylic acid end groups could be reversibly switched between the adsorption and desorption of Ca2+ ions by a mild temperature trigger (see picture). Such materials are needed for the removal of multivalent ions from aqueous streams without the inconvenience of brine regeneration.
In this work, oleogels of cocoa butter (CB), rice bran oil (RBO), and graphene oxide (GO) were prepared. The prepared oleogels were subjected to various characterization techniques such as ...bright-field microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), crystallization kinetics, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical studies. The influence of increasing GO content on the in vitro drug release and ex vivo corneal permeation of the model drug (ciprofloxacin HCl-CPH) from the oleogels was also investigated. Bright-field micrographs showed that increment in GO content reduced the size of the globular particles of CB. XRD analysis revealed that CB was crystallized in its β' and β polymorphic forms in the oleogels, which was in agreement with thermal studies. The mechanical characterization demonstrated that the presence of GO improved the elastic nature and stress-bearing properties of the oleogels. Moreover, GO altered the crystallization kinetics of CB in the oleogels in a composition-dependent manner. The in vitro release of CPH from the oleogels occurred through either Fickian diffusion or fat network relaxation or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the inclusion of GO enhanced the ex vivo permeation of CPH molecules across the caprine cornea. Hence, we concluded that the prepared oleogels could be explored as potential delivery systems for ophthalmic applications.
Gene transfection is the transfer of genetic material like DNA into cells. Cationic polymers which form nanocomplexes with DNA, so-called non-viral gene vectors, are a highly promising platform for ...efficient gene transfection. Despite intensive research efforts and some of the on-going clinical trials on gene transfection, none of the existing cationic polymer systems are generally acceptable for human gene therapy. Since the process of gene transfection is complex and puts different challenges and demands on the delivery system, there is a strong requirement for the design and development of a multifunctional system in a simple way. This review will discuss recent efforts in design, synthesis, and performance of poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) nanocomplexes with DNA.
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Over the last few decades, hydrogels have attracted the considerable interest of researchers for crafting potential controlled drug delivery systems. It may be attributed to their ...high water imbibing capacity, soft and rubbery nature, which enables them to exhibit physical properties resembling that of the body tissues. Recently, the environment-sensitive hydrogels have received the special attention of the researchers because of the alteration in their properties in response to a stimulus. The special focus on the environment-sensitive hydrogels has facilitated breakthrough advances in drug delivery (e.g., decrease in dose frequency, increase in the duration of release with reduced side effects, ease of preparation and administration) for the better treatment of various pathological conditions. This paper provides comprehensive information regarding the types of stimuli (i.e., physical, chemical and biological) which can be used to stimulate drug release from the hydrogels and recent advances in the development of stimulus-sensitive hydrogels for drug delivery applications. Finally, the current challenges and the future scope of research in the field of environment-sensitive hydrogels have also been highlighted.
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•Straightforward synthesis of anthrapyrazolone-based novel fluorescent polymeric hydrogel (P(OEGMA-co-DIMA)), for the detection of TC in aqueous medium.•The quenching investigations ...of P(OEGMA-co-DIMA) shows the potential quenching of TC with highest Ksv value of 9.99 x 103 M−1 and a LOD of 1.3 nM.•Therefore, P(OEGMA-co-DIMA) can be used for quick detection and identification of TC contamination in different water and milk samples without any interference.
Tetracycline (TC) antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections; however, overuse and improper disposal place the environment in danger and promote the growth of drug-resistant microorganisms. Monitoring their impact on living organisms is vital. Polymeric-based hydrogels offer promise in antibiotic detection due to their versatility and biocompatibility, despite their uncommon use for this purpose. In this study, we have synthesized a fluorescent polymeric hydrogel, P(OEGMA-co-DIMA) utilizing oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylates (OEGMA) and laboratory-synthesized fluorescent anthrapyrazolone containing monomer, 2-(benzo1,2,3-cd:4,5,6-c’dbis(indazole)-2(7H)-yl)ethyl methacrylate (DIMA) for the fluorometric detection of TC in the aqueous medium. The P(OEGMA-co-DIMA) hydrogel exhibited exceptional affinity towards TC while exhibiting high selectivity. The chemosensing behavior of the hydrogel was also compared with the DIMA monomer. Upon adding TC, emission analysis revealed a notable quenching in the emission intensity of the P(OEGMA-co-DIMA) hydrogel as well as the DIMA monomer. The Stern Volmer rate constants (Ksv) of the hydrogel (Ksv = 9.99 x 103 M−1) in water and DIMA (Ksv = 25.63 x 103 M−1) in acetonitrile showed a higher quenching rate constant with a limit of detections (LODs) of 1.3 nM and 0.11 nM. Turn-off fluorescence behavior occurs via a static quenching mechanism through a photoinduced electron transfer process and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. To validate the selectivity, the interference analyses in an aqueous medium with different antibiotics are provided. To rationalize the real-time applicability of the hydrogel, studies were extended to water samples obtained from deionized water, tap water, lake water, and also in milk samples. The recovery rate and LOD for real samples ranged from 83.8% to 111% and 0.83 to 3.6 nM, respectively.
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