Over the last decade, scientists have shifted their focus to the development of smart carriers for the delivery of chemotherapeutics in order to overcome the problems associated with traditional chemotherapy, such as poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability, low selectivity and targeting specificity, off-target drug side effects, and damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Nanofiber-based drug delivery systems have recently emerged as a promising drug delivery system in cancer therapy owing to their unique structural and functional properties, including tunable interconnected porosity, a high surface-to-volume ratio associated with high entrapment efficiency and drug loading capacity, and high mass transport properties, which allow for controlled and targeted drug delivery. In addition, they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and capable of surface functionalization, allowing for target-specific delivery and drug release. One of the most common fiber production methods is electrospinning, even though the relatively two-dimensional (2D) tightly packed fiber structures and low production rates have limited its performance. Forcespinning is an alternative spinning technology that generates high-throughput, continuous polymeric nanofibers with 3D structures. Unlike electrospinning, forcespinning generates fibers by centrifugal forces rather than electrostatic forces, resulting in significantly higher fiber production. The functionalization of nanocarriers on nanofibers can result in smart nanofibers with anticancer capabilities that can be activated by external stimuli, such as light. This review addresses current trends and potential applications of light-responsive and dual-stimuli-responsive electro- and forcespun smart nanofibers in cancer therapy, with a particular emphasis on functionalizing nanofiber surfaces and developing nano-in-nanofiber emerging delivery systems for dual-controlled drug release and high-precision tumor targeting. In addition, the progress and prospective diagnostic and therapeutic applications of light-responsive and dual-stimuli-responsive smart nanofibers are discussed in the context of combination cancer therapy.

Aim: Our investigation aims to estimate the antifungal effect of propranolol hydrochloride (PNL). Methods: Oleosomes (OLs) were fabricated by thin-film hydration and evaluated for entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and amount of drug released after 6 h Q6h (%). Results: The optimal OL showed a rounded shape with optimum characteristics. The ex-vivo permeation and confocal laser scanning microscopy verified the prolonged release and well deposition of PNL-loaded OLs-gel. The in-silico assessment demonstrated the good stability of PNL with OLs' ingredients. In vivo evaluations for PNL-loaded OLs-gel showed a good antifungal impact against Candida albicans with good safety. Conclusion: This work highlights the potential of PNL-loaded OLs-gel as a potential treatment for candida vaginal infection.

Introduction and Aim: Cinnarizine is indicated orally for treating vertigo associated with Ménière’s syndrome and has a local anesthetic effect as well. The present study aims to develop an aural Cinnarizine mucoadhesive transfersomal gel to overcome the first-pass metabolism. Methods: Eighteen Cinnarizine transfersomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration technique using different types of phosphatidylcholine and edge activators in different ratios. Formulae were tested for their appearance, entrapment efficiency, and in-vitro drug release after eight hours. F1, F4, F7, F9, F10, and F12 were selected to be examined for particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. According to the previous parameters, F1 and F10 were incorporated into gels using different polymers according to factorial design 23. The eight gels were tested for appearance, pH, mucoadhesion, spreadability, drug content, in-vitro drug release after eight hours, and rheology. The transfersomal gel F1A was subjected to FTIR analysis and in-vivo pharmacokinetic study. Results: The transfersomal dispersion colors were ranging between the white and yellow. Their EE % ranged from 64.36± 1.985% to 94.09± 1.74%, and their in-vitro release percentages were between 61.82± 1.92% and 95.92± 1.18%. Also, the vesicles PS ranged from 212.3± 30.05nm to 2150± 35.35nm, DI from 0.238± 0.134 to 1± 0.00 and zeta potential from − 57.5± 2.54 to +4.73± 1.57 mV. The transfersomal gels showed pseudoplastic behavior, pH range of 5.5 to 8, a mucoadhesive force of 169.188± 1.26 to 321.212± 6.94 (dyne/cm²× 10²), spreadability of 40 ± 7.03mm to 138 ± 3.77mm, and in-vitro drug release of 81.63± 1.128% to 97.78± 0.102%. The IR spectra of the (drug-excipients) physical mixture revealed that there were no shifts of incompatibility. The in-vivo pharmacokinetic study illustrated that [AUC]_{0– 24} of F1A was significantly higher than that of tablets at (P< 0.05), equivalent to 703.563± 26.470 and 494.256± 9.621ɲg.hr/mL respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed that Cinnarizine aural mucoadhesive targeted delivery provides an improved systemic bioavailability over the conventional oral route.

The study aims to investigate the ability of lyophilized nasal inserts of nanosized atomoxetine HCl solid lipid nanoparticles (ATM-SLNs) to transport atomoxetine (ATM) directly to the brain and overcome the first-pass metabolism. In this case, 16 formulae of (ATM-SLNs) were prepared using hot melt emulsification, stirring and ultrasonication method technique. A full factorial design was established with 2⁴ trials by optimization of four variables; lipid type (Compritol 888 ATO or stearic acid) (X1), lipid to drug ratio [(1:2) or (2:1)] (X2), span 60: Pluronic f127 ratio [(1:3) or (3:1)] (X3) and probe sonication time (five or ten minutes) (X4). The prepared SLNs were characterized for entrapment efficiency (EE%), in-vitro drug release after 30 min (Q30min), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP) and polydispersity index (PDI). Design Expert^® software was used to select the optimum two formulae. The morphological examination for the optimum two formulae was carried out using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Furthermore, eight lyophilized nasal inserts were prepared by using a 2³ full factorial design by optimization of three variables: type of (ATM-SLNs) formula (X1), type of polymer (NOVEON AA1 or HPMC K100m) (X2) and concentration of polymer (X3). They were evaluated for nasal inserts’ physicochemical properties. The two optimum inserts were selected by Design Expert^® software. The two optimum insets with the highest desirability values were (S4 and S8). They were subjected to DSC thermal stability study and in-vivo study on rats. They were compared with atomoxetine oral solution, atomoxetine (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) and the pure atomoxetine solution loaded in lyophilized insert. (ATM-SLNs) showed EE% range of (41.14 mg ± 1.8% to 90.6 mg ± 2.8%), (Q30min%) of (27.11 ± 5.9% to 91.08 ± 0.15%), ZP of (−8.52 ± 0.75 to −28.4 ± 0.212% mV), PS of (320.9 ± 110.81% nm to 936.7 ± 229.6% nm) and PDI of (0.222 ± 0.132% to 0.658 ± 0.03%). Additionally, the two optimum (ATM-SLNs) formulae chosen, i.e., F7 and F9 showed spherical morphology. Nasal inserts had assay of drug content of (82.5 ± 2.5% to 103.94 ± 3.94%), Q15min% of (89.9 ± 6.4% to 100%) and Muco-adhesion strength of (3510.5 ± 140.21 to 9319.5 ± 39.425). DSC results of S4 and S8 showed compatibility of (ATM) with the other excipients. S8 and S4 also showed higher trans-nasal permeation to the brain with brain targeting efficiency of (211.3% and 177.42%, respectively) and drug transport percentages of (52.7% and 43.64%, respectively). To conclude, lyophilized nasal inserts of (ATM-SLNs) enhanced (ATM) trans-nasal drug targeting permeation and brain targeting efficiency.

Introduction and Aim: Oral candidiasis is a common infectious disease affecting children and adults who usually receive oral antibiotics or chemotherapy. Optimizing Nystatin administration is challenging due to its poor solubility and systemically non-absorbable nature. In this work, Nystatin Spanlastical-hard candies were prepared for Oro-local application to improve Nystatin’s local antifungal efficacy, contact time, and taste. Methods: Eight Nystatin Spanlastics were prepared using the ethanol injection method via 2³ factorial designs using Span, edge activator, and bath-sonication time at two levels. They were evaluated visually and examined for EE%, in-vitro release%, P-size, PDI, and Zeta-potential. The optimum formulae were compared to the marketed oral suspension Nystatin^® by conducting an in-vitro antimicrobial study. The formula of the best antifungal activity was incorporated into four batches of hard candies by 2² factorial-design using heating and congealing method using corn-syrup and xanthan-gum in two levels of concentration along with other additives. After performing physiochemical evaluation, the optimum formula was subjected to FTIR analysis and an in-vivo study on rats to compare its activity with the selected market formula. The Design-Expert-13^® and MS-Excel-2010^® software were used to interpret all results statistically. Results: The optimum Spanlastical formula was Sp3, which is a combination of Span 80 with SDC, and was sonicated for 3 minutes. The optimum lozenges were those of the SP3L1 batch containing the highest Corn syrup and Xanthan gum concentration levels. SP3L1 lozenges showed no interactions between their ingredients within the obtained FTIR spectra. They gave the animal subjects a higher in-vivo antifungal activity with a significant reduction in the colony formation units’ count at P≤ 0.05 than the (Nystatin) marketed oral suspension. The rats also treated with SP3L1 showed very normal oral tissues by the end of the study period compared to those treated with the market oral formula (Nystatin). Conclusion: This preclinical study merged nanotechnology with mucoadhesive lozenging to improve Nystatin’s antifungal activity, oral residence, and ease of administration compared to the traditionally marketed oral suspension.

Background/Objectives: Conventional anticancer drugs often exhibit limited solubility and bioavailability due to unfavorable physicochemical properties and inherent physiological barriers. To overcome these persistent challenges, nanocarriers have been developed to enhance drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Among these, lipid and polymeric nanocarriers (LP-NCs) have emerged as particularly promising candidates for anticancer drug delivery. These systems can be engineered for targeted delivery and tailored to respond to specific stimuli, thereby enhancing their therapeutic potential. A notable advancement in this field is the development of smart light-responsive LP-NCs, which demonstrate superior performance over conventional nanocarriers by enabling controlled drug release in response to external light stimuli. Methods: This study presents a meta-analysis based on a curated selection of publications from multiple scientific databases and literature sources. The objective was to evaluate whether light-responsive LP-NCs offer superior anticancer drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy compared with their conventional counterparts. The primary outcome measure was the pharmacokinetic parameter area under the curve (AUC), derived from in vivo animal studies. Results: The analysis revealed a significant increase in AUC for light-responsive LP-NCs, indicating improved drug bioavailability and prolonged systemic exposure. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of LP-NCs as a promising strategy for enhancing targeted anticancer drug delivery. This approach could pave the way for more effective therapeutic interventions and warrants further investigation in future research and clinical trials.