Indocyanine green (ICG) is an FDA-approved near-infrared (NIR) dye used as a contrast agent for medical diagnosis in such techniques as image-guided surgery (IGS) and IGS-supported mapping for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNLB). However, there are numerous disadvantages to its use in clinical applications: (i) self-aggregation in solution, (ii) poor targeting and (iii) short half-life in vivo, due to the rapid uptake by the liver. Herein, to overcome these obstacles, we utilized polymeric micelles (PMs) based on the amphiphilic linear and branched block poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide) (PEO–PPO) copolymers (Pluronic® and Tetronic®) for ICG stabilization, vehicleization and to directionally target breast cancer tissues. Because of their singular properties, PMs offer several advantages such as the ability to modify their surfaces with a variety of receptor-targeting ligands and their nano-scale size, which is suitable for taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect for cancer diagnosis. In this work, we prepared ICG within pristine F127 and T1307 and their glucosylated derivatives (F127-Glu and T1307-Glu, respectively). These systems have a sub-30 nm-nanosized hydrodynamic diameter (19–27 nm), moderate negative Z-potentials (until −10 mV), and satisfactory stability in water even after lyophilisation and reconstitution, at 25 and 37 °C, respectively. Particularly, ICG within T1307-Glu PMs displayed maximum solubility and excellent encapsulation efficiency (100%), with a potentially large in vivo uptake according to high specificity and efficacious capture in lymph nodes (LNs) and tumors. All the results presented in this work, indicate that ICG-loaded PMs can potentially be used as image probe agents for IGS, SLNB and breast cancer imaging.

This study reviews the many uses for waste generated from acerola (Malpighia spp.) production, a tropical fruit renowned for its nutrient-rich content. Traditionally considered an environmental burden, this waste is now gaining attention for its sustainable applications in green technology. This review outlines the extraction of valuable bioactive compounds, like polyphenols, carotenoids, and pectin, that can be extracted from the acerola fruit and acerola waste, and it also delves into its potential in materials science, particularly in the creation of pharmaceutical formulations, nanomaterials, composites, biofuels, and energy applications. On the medical front, the paper highlights the promise that acerola waste holds in anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, and anticancer therapies. By outlining challenges and opportunities, the review emphasizes the untapped potential of acerola waste as a resource for high-value products. These findings suggest a paradigm shift, turning what has been considered waste into a sustainable asset, thereby encouraging environmentally responsible practices within the fruit industry.

2-Amino-7-fluorophenazine 5,10-dioxide (FNZ) is a bioreducible prodrug, poorly soluble in water, with potential anticancer activity on hypoxic-tumors. This poor solubility limits its potential applications in clinic. Amphiphilic pristine polymeric micelles (PMs) based on triblock copolymers Pluronic^® and Tetronic^®, glycosylated derivatives and their mixtures with preformed-liposomes (LPS), were analyzed as strategies to improve the bioavailability of FNZ. FNZ encapsulations were performed and the obtaining nanostructures were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The most promising nanoformulations were analyzed for their potential toxicity and pharmacologically, at 20 mg/kg FNZ-doses, in a stage-IV murine metastatic-breast tumor model. The results revealed that the solubility of the encapsulated-FNZ increased up to 14 times and the analysis (UV-VIS, DLS and TEM) confirmed the interaction between vehicles and FNZ. In all the cases appropriate encapsulation efficiencies (greater than 75%), monodisperse nanometric particle sizes (PDI = 0.180–0.335), adequate Z-potentials (−1.59 to −26.4 mV), stabilities and spherical morphologies were obtained. The in vitro profile of FNZ controlled releases corresponded mainly to a kinetic Higuchi model. The in vitro/in vivo biological studies revealed non-toxicity and relevant tumor-weight diminution (up to 61%).

The objective of this work was to formulate PVA films with the addition of modified phenols, chitosan, silver, or copper nanoparticles with fungistatic and bacteriostatic activity. The films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The bacteriostatic activity against Salmonella gallinarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, and the fungistatic activity against Penicillium acidophilus were determined. The results indicated that the addition of phenols enhanced the effect on the stability of the chemical structure of the PVA film. PVA films with modified bioactives and nanoparticles inhibited the colonization of the microorganisms tested, indicating germicidal control.