Hydrogels are innovative materials characterized by a water-swollen, crosslinked polymeric network capable of retaining substantial amounts of water while maintaining structural integrity. Their unique ability to swell or contract in response to environmental stimuli makes them integral to biomedical applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. Among these, “smart” hydrogels, sensitive to stimuli such as pH, temperature, and light, showcase reversible transitions between liquid and semi-solid states. Thermoresponsive hydrogels, exemplified by poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), are particularly notable for their sensitivity to temperature changes, transitioning near their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of approximately 32 °C in water. Structurally, PNIPAM-based hydrogels (PNIPAM-HYDs) are chemically versatile, allowing for modifications that enhance biocompatibility and functional adaptability. These properties enable their application in diverse therapeutic areas such as cancer therapy, phototherapy, wound healing, and tissue engineering. In this review, the unique properties and behavior of smart PNIPAM are explored, with an emphasis on diverse synthesis methods and a brief note on biocompatibility. Furthermore, the structural and functional modifications of PNIPAM-HYDs are detailed, along with their biomedical applications in cancer therapy, phototherapy, wound healing, tissue engineering, skin conditions, ocular diseases, etc. Various delivery routes and patents highlighting therapeutic advancements are also examined. Finally, the future prospects of PNIPAM-HYDs remain promising, with ongoing research focused on enhancing their stability, responsiveness, and clinical applicability. Their continued development is expected to revolutionize biomedical technologies, paving the way for more efficient and targeted therapeutic solutions.

Wound healing is the complex physiological process of replacing damaged cells or tissue layers. The neem (Azadirachta Indica) has a variety of biological activities, which may hasten the rate at which the wound healing mechanism occurs. Silk fibroin is a biomaterial that is reported for its tissue regeneration activity. So, the present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a hydrogel comprising neem and silk fibroin biomaterials for the treatment of wounds. Topical neem hydrogels (N-HG) with and without silk fibroin (N-SFB-HG) were prepared using neem extract, silk fibroin, and guar gum, which act by entrapping the components by forming a gel. Evaluation tests such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), visual emergence, pH, rheological behavior, spreading capacity, drug content, skin irritation, anti-microbial action, in vivo wound healing activity, and stability were carried out. The FT-IR results showed no chemical interaction between the constituents. The formed hydrogels had pH values of 5.87 ± 0.3 for N-HG and 5.76 ± 0.2 for N-SFB-HG. The preferred topical gel viscosity was observed in the N-HG (54.2 ± 3.2cPs) and N-SFB-HG (59.9 ± 4.8cPs) formulations. The formulated hydrogels were sterile and did not irritate the skin. The in vivo wound healing investigation results reveal that the N-SF-HG treatment speeds up the regeneration of the injured area faster when compared to control and N-HG treated groups. These results support the efficacy of the topical hydrogel formulation, including neem and silk fibroin. Therefore, the neem-silk fibroin hydrogel formulation is a therapeutically viable choice that, following necessary clinical research, might be utilized in novel formulations for managing chronic wounds.

Breast cancer is a significant global health challenge, with rising incidence rates and substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Conventional treatments, while effective, often lead to adverse effects and may not fully eradicate cancer cells, resulting in recurrence and progression of tumors. Addressing these challenges requires innovative treatment strategies. Nanotechnology, particularly polysaccharide-based nanoparticles (NPs), offers a promising approach due to their biocompatibility, tunable properties, and targeted drug delivery capabilities. Polysaccharide NPs, including starch, alginate, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan, possess inherent biocompatibility and can be tailored for specific applications. Furthermore, beyond their inherent biocompatibility, polysaccharide-based NPs shown substantial interest due to their natural abundance, ease of processing, and availability from renewable resources, solidifying their role as a sustainable choice for diverse biomedical applications. By functionalizing their surface with ligands, polysaccharide NPs can target breast cancer cells, enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Moreover, these NPs can modulate biological processes relevant to cancer progression, such as angiogenesis and immune response. This review article provides a concise overview of the pathophysiology of breast cancer and the benefits of polysaccharides in drug delivery. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of several polysaccharide-based NPs in breast cancer therapy, followed by a detailed discussion on the role of various polysaccharide-based NPs in breast cancer treatment.

Objective: The study aims to find a suitable method of developing silk fibroin-based anastrozole nanoparticles and formulate in situ injectables by loading the optimized nanoparticle formulation for the sustained release treatment of breast cancer. Methods: The nanoparticles were formulated utilizing two different methods, solvent change and precipitation approach using silk fibroin. Prepared nanoparticles characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, polydispersity, and entrapment efficiency. The chosen optimized formulation (SF-ANS-NPs-1) was subsequently analyzed for compatibility investigations by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis, surface morphology, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron spectroscopy, cumulative drug release, and stability studies as per ICH guidelines. Followed by formulating and evaluating in situ injectable gel using pluronic F-127. Results: A particle size of 181.70±1.3 nm was reported by the optimized SF-ANS-NPs-1 formulation. FT-IR and thermal studies confirmed the compatibility of the drug with the polymers, and x-ray diffraction studies indicated crystalline nature. Surface morphology analysis indicated nano-size particle formation. A cumulative drug release (%CDR) of 94.15% was noted at the 168^th hour. The results of the stability studies were indicated to be consistent over 90 d. In situ gel formulation showed desired spreadability, sol-gel transition temperature (37±0.5 ℃), viscosity (9.37±1.2 mPa·s), desired acidic pH, and a sustained release for 21 d (98.11%) with three months accelerated stability. Conclusion: The results suggested that the combination of anastrozole with silk fibroin in the form of nanoparticles and in situ gelling systems could be an undoubtedly effective delivery method for prolonging breast cancer therapy.

Objective: The present investigation aims to develop nano in situ gels of bevacizumab and evaluate their safety and efficacy. Methods: Nanoparticles were designed using the desolvation and double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The hen’s egg test: chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay was adopted to evaluate the anti-angiogenesis and irritancy potential of prepared nano in situ gel. Computational docking study carried out using glide module of Schrodinger software. Results: The FT-IR study showed no interaction between the components. The drug-loaded nanoparticle showed particle size in the range of 369±5.3 to 410±3.5, followed by PDI 0.41±0.1 to 0.73±0.1, and ζ–Potential-13±2.3 to-9±3.4. The entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles was found in between the range of 72.35±1.4 to 87.22±1.1, followed by loading efficiency of 8.81±0.3 to 12.78±0.7. The FE-SEM studies resulted in an irregular pattern of aggregated particles. The spherical shape of the particles was confirmed through the HR-TEM study. The nano in situ gel exhibited pH in the range of 7.2±0.2 to 7.3±0.1 followed by a viscosity of 325.2±8.7 to 498.7±5.8 mPa. s. CAM assays revealed the safety and anti-angiogenesis activity of the developed formulation. All different concentrations of in situ gels of bevacizumab showed a significant anti-angiogenic effect. The outcome of the molecular docking study revealed the well-binding capacity of bevacizumab with vascular endothelial growth factor (-7.325) and human serum albumin (-5.620) residues. Conclusion: The above outcomes improved our perception regarding the anti-angiogenic activity and safety of nano-in situ gels of bevacizumab. Overall, these findings denoted that implementing the current idea in the therapy of ocular angiogenesis might be a promising platform for better treatment.