Several efforts have been extensively accomplished for the amelioration of the cancer treatments using different types of new drugs and less invasives therapies in comparison with the traditional therapeutic modalities, which are widely associated with numerous drawbacks, such as drug resistance, non-selectivity and high costs, restraining their clinical response. The application of natural compounds for the prevention and treatment of different cancer cells has attracted significant attention from the pharmaceuticals and scientific communities over the past decades. Although the use of nanotechnology in cancer therapy is still in the preliminary stages, the application of nanotherapeutics has demonstrated to decrease the various limitations related to the use of natural compounds, such as physical/chemical instability, poor aqueous solubility, and low bioavailability. Despite the nanotechnology has emerged as a promise to improve the bioavailability of the natural compounds, there are still limited clinical trials performed for their application with various challenges required for the pre-clinical and clinical trials, such as production at an industrial level, assurance of nanotherapeutics long-term stability, physiological barriers and safety and regulatory issues. This review highlights the most recent advances in the nanocarriers for natural compounds secreted from plants, bacteria, fungi, and marine organisms, as well as their role on cell signaling pathways for anticancer treatments. Additionally, the clinical status and the main challenges regarding the natural compounds loaded in nanocarriers for clinical applications were also discussed. Graphical abstract

Dithiocarbazates comprise an important class of Schiff bases with remarkable biological applications due to the imine group present in their structure. However, full exploitation of the biological activity of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-pyrazoline-1-(S-benzyldithiocarbazate) (DTC) is limited due to its easy degradation and poor solubility in aqueous solutions. The loading of DTC into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSiNPs) can be an excellent strategy to improve the solubility of DTC in the aqueous medium. Therefore, the main goal of the present work was to design MSiNP-DTC and to evaluate the success of the loading process by measuring its physicochemical properties and evaluating the environmental safety of the new DTC formulation using different aquatic organisms, such as the microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata, the macrophyte Lemna minor, and the marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri. DTC, MSiNP, and MSiNP-DTC concentrations ranging from 8.8 to 150 mg L⁻¹ were tested for all the species, showing low toxicity against aquatic organisms. Loading DTC into MSiNPs caused a slight increase in the toxicity at the concentrations tested, only allowing for the estimation of the effect concentration causing a 20% reduction in bioluminescence or growth rate (EC₂₀). Therefore, despite the potential of MSiNPs as a drug delivery system (DDS), it is of utmost importance to assess its impact on the safety of the new formulations.

The incorporation of lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) in lipid nanoparticles (LN) could be a sustainable strategy to increase its efficacy and decrease its hazard to the environment. The purpose of the present work was to perform the interaction between LC and LN after nanoencapsulation and to evaluate their effect on species from different aquatic trophic levels such as Aliivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Lemna minor, and Daphnia magna. LN loaded with LC (LN-LC) were produced by green and simple methodology without organic solvents using Precirol ATO5® and Capryol 90® as solid and liquid lipids, respectively, and soy lecithin and TEGO® Care as emulsifiers. The physicochemical interaction between LC and LN was assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray, confirming that LC is associated with the lipid lattice of nanoparticles, characterized by an amorphous matrix. The data from biological tests showed no or low toxicity of LN-LC on the selected aquatic organisms. Thus, encapsulation in lipid-based nanoparticles may be a promising and sustainable choice for using this insecticide in agricultural practices, reducing its environmental risk.

The long-term success of orthopedic implants depends not only on their mechanical performance but also on their ability to establish a stable and biologically active interface with surrounding tissues. Despite the widespread clinical use of metallic, ceramic, and polymeric biomaterials, implant failure remains associated with insufficient osseointegration, bacterial infection, wear, corrosion, and adverse immune responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of conventional biomaterials used in orthopedic implants and critically examines current surface engineering strategies developed to improve implant performance and longevity. Particular emphasis is placed on coating technologies, including sol–gel processing, electrochemical deposition, plasma spraying, physical and chemical vapor deposition, and CoBlast™, highlighting their influence on coating adhesion, bioactivity, and clinical performance. Recent developments in bioactive, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and stimuli-responsive coatings are discussed, together with advances in therapeutic ion incorporation, extracellular matrix-inspired functionalization, and smart drug-delivery systems. Furthermore, the emerging role of osteoimmunomodulation, additive manufacturing, and patient-specific implant design is examined as a key driver for the next generation of orthopedic devices. By integrating materials science, surface engineering, and biological mechanisms, this work highlights current challenges and future opportunities in orthopedic implant technology, offering valuable insights for the development of safer, longer-lasting, and more biologically responsive implant systems.