Phenalenyl (PLY)‐based metal complexes are a new addition to the metal complex family. Various applications of metal‐based phenalenyl complexes (metal‐PLY) have been reported, such as catalyst, quantum spin simulators, spin electronic devices, and molecular conductors, but the biological significance of metal‐PLY (metal = Co(II), Mn(III), Ni(II), Fe(III), and Al(III)) systems has yet to be explored. In this study, the anticancer properties of such complexes were investigated in ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3 and HEY A8), and the cytotoxicity was comparable to that of other platinum‐based drugs. Antibacterial activity of the metal‐PLY complexes against both gram‐negative (E. coli) and gram‐positive (S. aureus) bacteria was studied using a disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. All five metal‐PLY complexes showed significant antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains. The antioxidant properties of metal‐PLY complexes were evaluated following the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging method and were acceptable. The DNA‐binding properties of these metal‐PLY complexes were investigated using absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, and thermal denaturation methods. Experimental evidence revealed that the complexes bind to DNA through intercalation, and the molecular docking study supported this conclusion.

“Click” cycloadditions offer effective pathways for the modifications of supramolecular structures, polymers, and nanomaterials. These reactions include bioorthogonal mechanisms that do not interfere with the biological processes, providing a type of chemistry to operate directly in living environments, such as cells and animals. As a result, the “click” cycloadditions represent highly and selective tools for tailoring the properties of nanomedicine scaffolds, expanding the efficacy of multiple therapeutic strategies. We focused this minireview on the bioorthogonal cycloadditions, presenting an insight into the strategies to modify nanostructured biomedical scaffolds inside living systems. We organized the contributions according to the three main mechanisms of “click” cycloadditions: strain-promoted sydnone-alkyne, tetrazine ligation, and strain-promoted [3+2] azido-alkyne.

Traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy remain effective but lack specificity, often causing collateral damage to healthy tissues. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed to achieve advanced targeted delivery; however, preclinical and pharmacokinetic studies have indicated that factors such as large size, complex conjugation processes, high production cost, and immunogenicity can limit tumor penetration, pharmacokinetics, and broader translational applicability. Nanobodies (Nbs), or single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) derived from camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies (HCAbs), represent a promising alternative with smaller size, high aqueous solubility, stability, refolding capacity, and low immunogenicity. Preclinical studies have shown that Nbs retain high affinity and specificity while providing improved access to hidden epitopes on target antigens compared to conventional antibodies. These unique features have supported the development of Nb-drug conjugates (NDCs), which have been evaluated for the selective delivery of cytotoxic drugs to antigen-expressing cancer cells in vitro and in animal models, demonstrating improved target specificity. Furthermore, Nb-attached drug delivery vehicles (NDvs) functionalized with nanoscale carriers, such as liposomes, dendrimer-based nanoparticles, upconversion nanoparticles, and polymeric micelles, have expanded the scope of Nb-based drug delivery systems. This review summarizes the current progress in Nb-mediated drug delivery, compares different strategies, and discusses their translational potential in cancer therapy, highlighting opportunities and limitations based on available experimental data.

Capsular contracture, a significant complication of breast-implant surgery, causes pain and deformation following the formation of a tight capsule around an implant. Current surgical and non-surgical treatment options are invasive, expensive, and typically administered for prolonged periods, potentially leading to side effects. To address these challenges, we developed a novel fish oil-encapsulated, poloxamer-based nanoemulsion gel with omega-3 (ω3) as the primary active component (NE-ω3 gel; N3G). This formulation can be injected during surgery, reducing the need for prolonged administration of medications and minimizing associated side effects. N3G was prepared through a two-step process involving the emulsification of fish oil followed by gelation with poloxamer to create a thermoreversible gel. Dynamic light-scattering analysis confirmed a uniform distribution of nanoemulsion particles, which had a mean diameter of 287 ± 8.599 nm and a PDI of 0.29 ± 0.047. FTIR and DSC analyses validated the encapsulation of fish oil within poloxamer micelles. Drug-release analysis demonstrated that more than 96% of fish oil was released within 10 h. In in vivo experiments, rats (n = 30) were divided into three groups: a negative control group (G1), a positive control group receiving fish oil (G2), and an experimental group with implants coated with N3G (G3). G3 exhibited a 21.2% reduction in capsular thickness compared to G1 and a 5.6% reduction compared to G2. In addition, significant decreases in fibrosis and myofibroblast counts were observed in G3. These results, supported by histological and gene expression analyses, highlight the effectiveness of N3G in reducing inflammation and fibrosis. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of N3G for capsular contracture, based on its persistence, thermoreversibility, and improved dosing and storage characteristics.