Ferroptosis induction by engineered liposomes for enhanced tumor therapy

• Alireza Ghasempour,
• Mohammad Amin Tokallou,
• Mohammad Reza Naderi Allaf,
• Mohsen Moradi,
• Hamideh Dehghan,
• Mahsa Sedighi,
• Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi and
• Fahimeh Lavi Arab

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1325–1349, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.97

• multiple functions within the cell, fatty acids also serve as components of phospholipids, which are essential for cell membrane formation [34]. There are three types of fatty acids, namely, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are converted

• into phospholipids through the esterification process. When ROS interact with phospholipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acid chains (PUFA-PLs), lipid peroxides are formed, serving as the primary triggers of the ferroptosis process [35][36]. Lipid peroxides cause damage to the bilayer membrane, and

• (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), can be used as markers for ferroptosis [39][40]. Considering the role of fatty acids and phospholipids as precursors of lipid peroxide production, enzymes that produce fatty acids and phospholipids may regulate the ferroptosis pathway. For example, acyl-CoA synthetase

Better together: biomimetic nanomedicines for high performance tumor therapy

• Imran Shair Mohammad,
• Gizem Kursunluoglu,
• Anup Kumar Patel,
• Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq,
• Cansu Umran Tunc,
• Dilek Kanarya,
• Mubashar Rehman,
• Omer Aydin and
• Yin Lifang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1246–1276, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.92

• phospholipids and apolipoproteins [55]. Lipoproteins include, among others, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Due to the hydrophobic core and prolonged circulation, they have been used in drug delivery. The lipid core of the lipoprotein tend to load a variety of lipophilic drug

Hydrogels and nanogels: effectiveness in dermal applications

• Jéssica da Cruz Ludwig,
• Diana Fortkamp Grigoletto,
• Daniele Fernanda Renzi,
• Wolf-Rainer Abraham,
• Daniel de Paula and
• Najeh Maissar Khalil

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1216–1233, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.90

• transfersomes was developed to enhance the transdermal delivery of paclitaxel, an antineoplastic agent, as a strategy for noninvasive topical chemotherapy in melanoma treatment. The transfersomes were prepared using phospholipids and surfactants, such as Tween 80 and sodium deoxycholate, to modify the lipid

Nanocarriers and macrophage interaction: from a potential hurdle to an alternative therapeutic strategy

• Naths Grazia Sukubo,
• Paolo Bigini and
• Annalisa Morelli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 97–118, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.10

• microenvironment. An innovative approach involves “tail-flipping” nanoliposomes incorporating carboxylated phospholipids, such as 1-palmitoyl-2-azelaoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAPC), designed to selectively target M2 TAMs via scavenger receptors, such as SR-B1. When loaded with therapeutic agents such as the

Biomimetic nanocarriers: integrating natural functions for advanced therapeutic applications

• Hugo Felix Perini,
• Beatriz Sodré Matos,
• Carlo José Freire de Oliveira and
• Marcos Vinicius da Silva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1619–1626, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.127

• -based nanocarriers is understanding the fundamental building blocks, size, shape, and biological properties to mimic real cells and enable their internalization [31][32]. One efficient strategy for producing biomimetic nanocarriers involves camouflage with biological membranes. The phospholipids

Polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles for phytochemical delivery: challenges, progress, and future prospects

• Iqra Rahat,
• Pooja Yadav,
• Aditi Singhal,
• Mohammad Fareed,
• Jaganathan Raja Purushothaman,
• Mohammed Aslam,
• Raju Balaji,
• Sonali Patil-Shinde and
• Md. Rizwanullah

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1473–1497, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.118

• matrix, which can vary in its configuration depending on the specific requirements of the delivery system [12][13]. The lipid components, often phospholipids, cholesterol, and surfactants are integral for solubilizing lipophilic drugs. The polymer component, which can include materials such as

• , including phospholipids, cholesterol, and surfactants, play a crucial role in solubilizing lipophilic phytochemicals and facilitating interactions with biological membranes. The polymers provide structural stability, controlled release properties, and protection against premature degradation [40][41

• , phospholipids help to form a carrier-like structure, which is an integral part of the system. In addition, the modification of lipoidal layers with a PEG chain provides flexibility to the nanocarrier. The ratio of the polymer and lipid can easily be adjusted to modulate the physicochemical characteristics of

Recent updates in applications of nanomedicine for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

• Damai Ria Setyawati,
• Fransiska Christydira Sekaringtyas,
• Riyona Desvy Pratiwi,
• A’liyatur Rosyidah,
• Rohimmahtunnissa Azhar,
• Nunik Gustini,
• Gita Syahputra,
• Idah Rosidah,
• Etik Mardliyati,
• Tarwadi and
• Sjaikhurrizal El Muttaqien

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1105–1116, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.89

• enhancing the antioxidant defense mechanism. Besides providing the containment for the active substance, the nanostructured lipid nanocarriers could be utilized for targeted delivery without conjugating any specific ligand. Composed of natural phospholipids, liposomes are generally considered to be

Entry of nanoparticles into cells and tissues: status and challenges

• Kirsten Sandvig,
• Tore Geir Iversen and
• Tore Skotland

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1017–1029, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.83

• cells. One should be aware that increasing cell density can increase the rate of endocytosis [25][26] and also change the lipid composition of the cells [27][28]. Both the amounts and composition of glycosphingolipids and phospholipids differ in cells grown at high and low density, increasing the

Cholesterol nanoarchaeosomes for alendronate targeted delivery as an anti-endothelial dysfunction agent

• Horacio Emanuel Jerez,
• Yamila Roxana Simioni,
• Kajal Ghosal,
• Maria Jose Morilla and
• Eder Lilia Romero

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 517–534, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.46

• 700g, and the first fraction of 250–300 μL was collected. The resultant nanovesicles were sterilized by passage through a 0.22 μm sterile filter and stored at 4 °C. ALN was quantified in the aqueous phase, while phospholipids were quantified in the chloroform phase after extraction of ALN using the

Nanomedicines against Chagas disease: a critical review

• Maria Jose Morilla,
• Kajal Ghosal and
• Eder Lilia Romero

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 333–349, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.30

• Pharmaceuticals BVTM [98]. Newly available nanomedicines are not limited to the delivery of small drugs. Several anti-infective nanoparticulate vaccines, most of them for non-viral gene delivery have recently hit the market. Examples are these constituted by lipid nanoparticles made of phospholipids, cholesterol

Curcumin-loaded nanostructured systems for treatment of leishmaniasis: a review

• Douglas Dourado,
• Thayse Silva Medeiros,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar,
• Edijane Matos Sales and
• Fábio Rocha Formiga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 37–50, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.4

• ]. Although this nanostructured system is a promising carrier, further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to evaluate such improvements for curc or other leishmanicidal drugs. Nanoliposomes Nanoliposomes are nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles mainly composed of phospholipids. These systems (small

Fluorescent bioinspired albumin/polydopamine nanoparticles and their interactions with Escherichia coli cells

• Eloïse Equy,
• Jordana Hirtzel,
• Sophie Hellé,
• Béatrice Heurtault,
• Eric Mathieu,
• Morgane Rabineau,
• Vincent Ball and
• Lydie Ploux

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1208–1224, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.100

• phospholipids. This facilitates the intimate contact between RhBITC-BSA/PDA NPs and the bacterial membrane and, possibly, the subsequent penetration of the NPs. The localization of the fluorescence emission related to bacterial cells was determined on the basis of micrographs extracted from 3D-stack images

Elasticity, an often-overseen parameter in the development of nanoscale drug delivery systems

• Agnes-Valencia Weiss and
• Marc Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1149–1156, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.95

• biological applications Mechanical properties of particles have a significant impact on the cell–particle interaction; most particles are reported to be taken up faster when they are more rigid [36]. Some materials such as phospholipids and organic silica NPs with a hyaluronic acid coating show superior

Nanotechnology – a robust tool for fighting the challenges of drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

• Filip Gorachinov,
• Fatima Mraiche,
• Diala Alhaj Moustafa,
• Ola Hishari,
• Yomna Ismail,
• Jensa Joseph,
• Maja Simonoska Crcarevska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Nikola Geskovski and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 240–261, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.23

• siRNA delivery should generally be positively charged to facilitate siRNA loading by electrostatic interactions. Frequently used traditional polymer materials as nonviral vectors for siRNA encapsulation are polyethyleneimine (PEI), cationic dendrimers, phospholipids, cationic lipids, polysaccharides

• the nanosystems [136][137]. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in clinical trials are mainly composed of ionizable cationic lipids, amphipathic phospholipids, cholesterol, diffusible PEG lipids (for transient protection), and a targeting ligand [138]. After IV administration, lung capillaries receive the

• targeting. Transient PEGylation facilitates not only the localization and interaction with the target cell but also improves ion pair formation between the ionizable lipid (which will become cationic at pH 4) and the anionic endogenous endosomal phospholipids. This will enable the fast release of the

Cyclodextrins as eminent constituents in nanoarchitectonics for drug delivery systems

• Makoto Komiyama

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 218–232, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.21

• abundantly expressed. In the positively charged dendrimer the siRNA is stably protected from enzymatic digestion. The composite easily escapes from the endosome through the proton sponge effect of the dendrimer. Furthermore, inclusion complex formation of α-CyD with phospholipids facilitates the release of

Ethosomal (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a novel approach to enhance antioxidant, anti-collagenase and anti-elastase effects

• Çiğdem Yücel,
• Gökçe Şeker Karatoprak,
• Sena Yalçıntaş and
• Tuğba Eren Böncü

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 491–502, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.41

• peroxides and free oxygen radicals increase. Damage to phospholipids, which contain large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids and are sensitive to degradation by hydroxyl radicals, deteriorates the structure of the cell membrane [3]. Antioxidants are compounds that capture and stabilize free radicals and

• , iontophoresis, needle-free injection, and microneedles are used [17]. As an alternative option, vesicular delivery systems are also effective systems to enhance the penetration of drugs through the skin. As an example, ethosomes (ETHs) are soft and malleable nanovesicles composed of phospholipids, water, and

• high amounts of ethanol that can carry both hydrophilic and lipophilic drug molecules. They are also highly deformable and reach deep skin layers [18][19]. ETHs are similar to the lipid bilayer composition of cells in the epidermis, due to the presence of phospholipids in their structure, and thus

Engineered titania nanomaterials in advanced clinical applications

• Padmavati Sahare,
• Paulina Govea Alvarez,
• Juan Manual Sanchez Yanez,
• Gabriel Luna-Bárcenas,
• Samik Chakraborty,
• Sujay Paul and
• Miriam Estevez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 201–218, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.15

• excretion [33]. When a TiO2 nanomaterial circulates through the body, certain biomolecules (such as proteins, phospholipids, or DNA contained in biological fluids or present in living cells) get adsorbed onto the surface of it very quickly, which is termed as “protein corona (PC)” formation. This protein

Self-assembly of amino acids toward functional biomaterials

• Huan Ren,
• Lifang Wu,
• Lina Tan,
• Yanni Bao,
• Yuchen Ma,
• Yong Jin and
• Qianli Zou

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1140–1150, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.85

• pharmaceuticals. Finally, the applications of these assemblies in various systems are introduced. Self-assembly of amino acids Self-assembly is the process of creating high-level functional structures from simple building blocks, such as amino acids, peptides, proteins, and phospholipids [30]. Noncovalent bonds

Use of nanosystems to improve the anticancer effects of curcumin

• Andrea M. Araya-Sibaja,
• Norma J. Salazar-López,
• Krissia Wilhelm Romero,
• José R. Vega-Baudrit,
• J. Abraham Domínguez-Avila,
• Carlos A. Velázquez Contreras,
• Ramón E. Robles-Zepeda,
• Mirtha Navarro-Hoyos and
• Gustavo A. González-Aguilar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1047–1062, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.78

• solubility, CUR will preferentially accumulate in the lipophilic component of the structures, such as the lipid cores or the phospholipids. Key factors for the design of nanosystems for targeted cancer therapy. CUR-loaded nanosystems in which significant anticancer effects have been reported. CUR co-loaded

Comprehensive review on ultrasound-responsive theranostic nanomaterials: mechanisms, structures and medical applications

• Sepand Tehrani Fateh,
• Lida Moradi,
• Elmira Kohan,
• Michael R. Hamblin and
• Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 808–862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.64

A review on nanostructured silver as a basic ingredient in medicine: physicochemical parameters and characterization

• Gabriel M. Misirli,
• Kishore Sridharan and
• Shirley M. P. Abrantes

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 440–461, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.36

• components of the dead bacteria (i.e., RNA, polysaccharides, phospholipids, proteins, and DNA,) and are stabilized and capped by the genetic material of the bacteria (AgNPs–bac). According to the Le Chatelier’s principle, AgNPs are redirected to live bacteria with a higher potential for lethality according

The impact of molecular tumor profiling on the design strategies for targeting myeloid leukemia and EGFR/CD44-positive solid tumors

• Nikola Geskovski,
• Nadica Matevska-Geshkovska,
• Simona Dimchevska Sazdovska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Kristina Mladenovska and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 375–401, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.31

Cu₂O nanoparticles for the degradation of methyl parathion

• Juan Rizo,
• David Díaz,
• Benito Reyes-Trejo and
• M. Josefina Arellano-Jiménez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1546–1555, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.137

• rising consensus on the damage that these reactive species, formed during the photocatalytic reactions, cause to cell membranes by peroxidation of the polyunsaturated phospholipids [34]. This leads to the subsequent loss of activity that relies on an intact membrane, and ultimately to the death of

Phase inversion-based nanoemulsions of medium chain triglyceride as potential drug delivery system for parenteral applications

• Eike Folker Busmann,
• Dailén García Martínez,
• Henrike Lucas and
• Karsten Mäder

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 213–224, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.16

• system with a constant chemical potential and hence a constant osmotic pressure [16]. The aim of this study was to investigate the phase inversion-based production of a lipid nanocarrier without using phospholipids. Thus, instead of solid shelled nanocapsules, flexible nanoemulsions should be formed

• viability began to decrease at values of the Kolliphor HS 15 concentration about 5 to 10 times higher than observed for a similar system with nanocapsules containing phospholipids as shells and Solutol HS 15 (also called Kolliphor HS 15) as surfactant which were tested on HaCaT cells [4]. At a concentration

Internalization mechanisms of cell-penetrating peptides

• Ivana Ruseska and
• Andreas Zimmer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 101–123, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.10

• destabilization rather than with active uptake [32]. Studies on the conformational states of MPG and its ability to interact with phospholipids demonstrate that MPG undergoes a transition from unordered into a folded state upon interaction with lipids. What is interesting here is that the new conformational state

• of MPG is a β-sheet, which differs from the helices that Pep-1 forms, although the two peptides have only slight differences in their structure. Furthermore, MPG folds into β-sheets upon interaction with its cargo, an action that leads to a more pronounced β-sheet folding induced by the phospholipids

• cooperatively to facilitate translocation. As a higher TAT concentration is reached, phosphate groups from neighboring phospholipids are drawn to the peptide due to the opposite electrical charge. This process divides the membrane into regions rich in TAT and phosphate groups and into uncharged regions and