Cannabinoids are compounds found in and derived from the Cannabis plants that have become increasingly recognised as significant modulating factors of physiological mechanisms and inflammatory reactions of the organism, thus inevitably affecting maintenance of homeostasis. Medical Cannabis popularity has surged since its legal regulation growing around the world. Numerous promising discoveries bring more data on cannabinoids’ pharmacological characteristics and therapeutic applications. Given the current surge in interest in the medical use of cannabinoids, there is an urgent need for an effective method of their administration. Surpassing low bioavailability, low water solubility, and instability became an important milestone in the advancement of cannabinoids in pharmaceutical applications. The numerous uses of cannabinoids in clinical practice remain restricted by limited administration alternatives, but there is hope when biodegradable polymers are taken into account. The primary objective of this review is to highlight the wide range of indications for which cannabinoids may be used, as well as the polymeric carriers that enhance their effectiveness. The current review described a wide range of therapeutic applications of cannabinoids, including pain management, neurological and sleep disorders, anxiety, and cancer treatment. The use of these compounds was further examined in the area of dermatology and cosmetology. Finally, with the use of biodegradable polymer-based drug delivery systems (DDSs), it was demonstrated that cannabinoids can be delivered specifically to the intended site while also improving the drug’s physicochemical properties, emphasizing their utility. Nevertheless, additional clinical trials on novel cannabinoids’ formulations are required, as their full spectrum therapeutical potential is yet to be unravelled.

Carmustine (BCNU) is a powerful alkylating agent primarily used in the chemotherapeutic treatment of malignant brain tumors. However, its clinical application faces significant constraints due to its lipophilicity, low thermal stability, and rapid degradation in physiological environments. To tackle these challenges, our research aimed at the development and detailed characterization of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) inclusion complexes (ICs) with BCNU employing three different synthesis techniques: co-grinding, cryomilling, and co-precipitation. The selected synthetic methods displayed variations dependent on the technique used, affecting the efficiency, inclusion ratios, and drug-loading capacities, with co-precipitation achieving the most favorable complexation parameters. Structural elucidation through ¹H NMR chemical shifts analysis indicated that only partial inclusion of BCNU occurred within α-CD in ICs produced via co-grinding, while cryomilling and co-precipitation allowed for complete inclusion. Multimodal spectroscopic analyses (FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹³C CP MAS NMR, and ESI-MS) further substantiated the effective encapsulation of BCNU within α-CD, and systematic solubility assessments via Job’s continuous variation and the Benesi-Hildebrand method revealed a 1:1 host-guest stoichiometry. The ICs obtained were evaluated for BCNU release in vitro at pH levels of 4, 5, 6.5, and 7.4. The mechanism of BCNU drug release was determined to be Fickian diffusion, with the highest cumulative release noted in the acidic microenvironment. These findings collectively validate the effectiveness of α-CD as a functional excipient for the modulation of BCNU’s physicochemical properties through non-covalent complexation. This strategy shows potential for increasing the stability and solubility of BCNU, which may enhance its therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of brain tumors.

Background/Objectives: Camptothecin (CPT) is a well-known chemical compound recognized for its significant anticancer properties. However, its clinical application remains limited due to challenges related to CPT’s high hydrophobicity and the instability of its active form. To address these difficulties, our research focused on the development of four novel nanoparticulate systems intended for either oral or intravenous administration. Methods: These nanosystems were based on a poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer/CPT complex, which had been coated with biodegradable homo- and copolymers, designed with appropriate physicochemical properties and chain microstructures. Results: The resulting nanomaterials, with diameters ranging from 110 to 406 nm and dispersity values between 0.10 and 0.67, exhibited a positive surface charge and were synthesized using biodegradable poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLACL), and poly(glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PGACL). Biological assessments, including cell viability and hemolysis tests, indicated that all polymers demonstrated less than 5% hemolysis, confirming their hemocompatibility for potential intravenous use. Furthermore, fibroblasts exposed to these matrices showed concentration-dependent viability. The entrapment efficiency (EE) of CPT reached up to 27%, with drug loading (DL) values as high as 17%. The in vitro drug release studies lasted over 400 h with the use of phosphate buffer solutions at two different pH levels, demonstrating that time-dependent processes allowed for a gradual and controlled release of CPT from the developed nanosystems. The release kinetics of the active compound at pH 7.4 ± 0.05 and 6.5 ± 0.05 followed near-first-order or first-order models, with diffusion and Fickian/non-Fickian transport mechanisms. Importantly, the nanoparticulate systems enabled the stabilization of the pharmacologically active form of CPT, while providing protection against hydrolysis, even in physiological environments. Conclusions: In our opinion, these results underscore the promising future of biodegradable nanosystems as effective drug delivery systems (DDSs) for targeted cancer treatment, offering stability and efficacy over short, medium, and long-term applications.

In this study, non-toxic, biodegradable, and pH-sensitive polyurethane hydrogels (PUs) were prepared by using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), copolymers of є-caprolactone (CL), rac-lactide (LA), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-bPPO-b-PEO), 1,4-butanediol (BD), and L-glutamine (Gln). The CL, LA, and PEG copolymers were obtained in the presence of a new synthesized catalytic system: diethylzinc/ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate. Obtained PUs were screened for their cytotoxicity, evaluated for their swelling behavior and hydrolytic degradation, and employed as hydrogel pH-responsive anti-cancer drug delivery systems (DDSs). The novel and promising hydrogel DDSs, capable of releasing 5-fluorouracyl (5-FU) and fluorodeoxyuridine (5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine, FUdR) in a sustained and controlled manner, were prepared and were nontoxic. Most prepared hydrogel DDSs were found to release anti-cancer drugs with first-order or zero-order kinetics. The drug release mechanism was generally denoted as Fickian or non-Fickian transport. The possibility of controlling the kinetics of drug release by changing the pH of the environment was also observed. The findings indicate that these PU hydrogels are suitable for use as intelligent DDSs for the targeted delivery of 5-FU or FUdR. We expect that the hydrogel DDSs developed will be utilized in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Propolis, an intriguing natural material synthesized by bees, is characterized by its intricate resinous blend, which boasts a remarkably varied chemical composition. This unique blend contains various bioactive compounds that contribute to its numerous health benefits. The ability of propolis to combat inflammation, infections, and oxidative stress has made it a powerful candidate for enhancing overall health, with particular relevance to oral care practices. As the researchers continue to unravel the diverse properties of propolis, it is becoming an increasingly intriguing subject for clinical studies. In the present review, we aim to summarize and present the most recent data from clinical trials on the potential of propolis in the oral cavity diseases treatment and prevention. Propolis can be helpful in decreasing dental caries, effectively treating periodontitis, managing dentin hypersensitivity, treating gingivitis, and promoting overall oral hygiene. The results of our research suggest that propolis could serve as a valuable adjunct to dental therapies, potentially improving traditional methods and leading to enhanced outcomes for patients.