Shengnan Zhao

Ms. Shengnan Zhao

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
22 April 2025 in Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SZShengnan Zhao
Shengnan Zhao
YZYuanheng Zhao
Yuanheng Zhao
JZJieyu Zuo
Jieyu Zuo
TLTyson Saimy Le
Tyson Saimy Le
JKJeerakit Kerdsiri
Jeerakit Kerdsiri
Raimar LöbenbergRaimar Löbenberg
Raimar Löbenberg

7 October 2025 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Marlon III Cadauan MallillinMarlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Marlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Roi Martin B. PajimnaRoi Martin B. Pajimna
Roi Martin B. Pajimna
SZShengnan Zhao
Shengnan Zhao
MSMaryam Salami
Maryam Salami
Raimar LöbenbergRaimar Löbenberg
Raimar Löbenberg
Neal DaviesNeal Davies
Neal Davies
Oleosomes are submicron oil bodies of a triacylglycerol core enveloped by a phospholipid monolayer and embedded proteins, forming a naturally assembled nanocarrier with exceptional oxidative resilience, interfacial stability, and biocompatibility. Their unique architecture supports solvent-free extraction, self-emulsification, and near-complete encapsulation of highly lipophilic compounds (log P > 4), including curcumin and cannabidiol, with reported efficiencies exceeding 95%. These plant-derived droplets enhance oral bioavailability through lymphatic uptake and enable targeted delivery strategies such as magnetically guided chemotherapy, which has reduced tumor burden by approximately 70% in vivo. The review critically examines recent advances in oleosome research, spanning botanical sourcing, green extraction technologies, interfacial engineering, xenobiotic encapsulation, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic applications across oncology, dermatology, metabolic disease, and regenerative medicine. Comparative analyses demonstrate that oleosomes rival or surpass synthetic lipid nanocarriers in encapsulation efficiency, oxidative stability, and cost efficiency while offering a sustainable, clean-label alternative. Remaining challenges, including low loading of hydrophilic drugs, allergenicity, and regulatory standardization, are addressed through emerging strategies such as hybrid oleosome–liposome systems, recombinant oleosin engineering, and stimulus-responsive coatings. These advances position oleosomes as a versatile and scalable platform with significant potential for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.

13 June 2025 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SZShengnan Zhao
Shengnan Zhao
JZJieyu Zuo
Jieyu Zuo
Marlon III Cadauan MallillinMarlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Marlon III Cadauan Mallillin
RTRuikun Tang
Ruikun Tang
Michael DoschakMichael Doschak
Michael Doschak
Raimar LöbenbergRaimar Löbenberg
Raimar Löbenberg
Objectives: Ex vivo nasal mucosa models provide physiologically relevant platforms for evaluating nasal drug permeability; however, their application is often limited by high experimental variability and the absence of standardized methodologies. This study aimed to improve experimental design by addressing two major limitations: the confounding effects of mucosal thickness and the questionable reliability of fluorescein sodium (Flu-Na) as an integrity marker for chemically induced mucosal injury. Methods: Permeability experiments were conducted using porcine nasal tissues mounted in Franz diffusion cells, with melatonin and Flu-Na as model compounds. Tissues of varying thickness were collected from both intra- and inter-individual sources, and a numerical simulation-based method was employed to normalize apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) to a standardized mucosal thickness of 0.80 mm. The effects of thickness normalization and chemically induced damage were systematically evaluated. Results: Thickness normalization substantially reduced variability in melatonin Papp, particularly within same-animal comparisons, thereby improving statistical power and data reliability. In contrast, Flu-Na exhibited inconsistent correlations across different pigs and failed to reflect the expected increase in permeability following isopropyl alcohol (IPA)-induced epithelial damage. These results suggest that the relationship between epithelial injury and paracellular transport may be non-linear and not universally applicable under ex vivo conditions, limiting the suitability of Flu-Na as a standalone marker of mucosal integrity. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of integrating mucosal thickness correction into standardized experimental protocols and call for a critical reassessment of Flu-Na in nasal drug delivery research.

11 March 2026 in Journal of Phytomedicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TRTahere Razzaghi
Tahere Razzaghi
SHSara Hasanvand
Sara Hasanvand
SGSeyed-Behnam Ghaffari
Seyed-Behnam Ghaffari
MMMona Miran
Mona Miran
Marlon III Cadauan MallillinMarlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Marlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Neal DaviesNeal Davies
Neal Davies
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a potent source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering therapeutic potential against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, diabetes, hepatic disorders, and obesity. This review highlights the capacity of pomegranate leaves, flowers, arils, juice, seeds, and peel to modulate or inhibit key enzymes involved in inflammatory, metabolic, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, hepatic, and melanogenic pathways. Additionally, pomegranate enhances endogenous antioxidant defenses (CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, and GST) and regulates caspase activity, further contributing to its health-promoting effects. While preclinical evidence underscores its multifaceted enzymatic and therapeutic benefits, positioning pomegranate as a promising natural adjunct for the prevention and management of enzyme-related diseases, further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms and validate clinical efficacy.

30 January 2026 in Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SZShengnan Zhao
Shengnan Zhao
JZJieyu Zuo
Jieyu Zuo
Marlon III Cadauan MallillinMarlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Marlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Nádia Araci Bou-ChacraNádia Araci Bou-Chacra
Nádia Araci Bou-Chacra
MSMaryam Salami
Maryam Salami
Raimar LöbenbergRaimar Löbenberg
Raimar Löbenberg

3 July 2026 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Marlon III Cadauan MallillinMarlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Marlon III Cadauan Mallillin
Daniela Amaral SilvaDaniela Amaral Silva
Daniela Amaral Silva
NMNeil Allan Miller
Neil Allan Miller
SZShengnan Zhao
Shengnan Zhao
MSMaryam Salami
Maryam Salami
Neal DaviesNeal Davies
Neal Davies
Allometric scaling provides a practical framework for predicting human pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters from animal data by relating physiological processes to body size through power-law equations. Despite its simplicity and widespread use in first-in-human (FIH) dose selection, its predictive performance is limited by species-specific differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review summarizes the mathematical foundations, workflows, and diagnostics of allometric scaling, while critically examining where the approach succeeds and where it fails. Core concepts, including clearance, volume of distribution, correction factors, and the rule of exponents, are discussed alongside complementary methods: in vitro–in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling, and the Wajima normalized time-course method. Historical clinical failures, including fialuridine, TGN1412, BIA 10-2474, and rofecoxib, illustrate the limits of relying solely on allometry, while thalidomide and the fenfluramine combination exemplify toxicodynamic species-selection failures. Modern advances, including the Extended Clearance Classification System (ECCS), target-mediated drug disposition, FcRn recycling, and emerging artificial intelligence and machine-learning methods, are integrated within a framework. Overall, the review treats allometric scaling as a disciplined starting hypothesis that must be triangulated with mechanistic, experimental, and regulatory evidence to support safer and more reliable human translation.