Unveiling the potential of alginate-based nanomaterials in sensing technology and smart delivery applications

• Shakhzodjon Uzokboev,
• Khojimukhammad Akhmadbekov,
• Ra’no Nuritdinova,
• Salah M. Tawfik and
• Yong-Ill Lee

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1077–1104, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.88

• scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The shape and size of the nanoparticles can be determined by these two methods [59]. TEM is extensively utilized and can differentiate between nanocapsules and nanospheres, as well as measure the thickness of the nanocapsule

Classification and application of metal-based nanoantioxidants in medicine and healthcare

• Nguyen Nhat Nam,
• Nguyen Khoi Song Tran,
• Tan Tai Nguyen,
• Nguyen Ngoc Trai,
• Nguyen Phuong Thuy,
• Hoang Dang Khoa Do,
• Nhu Hoa Thi Tran and
• Kieu The Loan Trinh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 396–415, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.36

• : (1) nanoliposomes, which are a nanoscale bilayer lipid vesicle [132]; (2) nanocapsules, which consist of an inner aqueous core surrounded by a nontoxic polymeric membrane [133]; (3) solid lipid nanoparticles, which consist of a solid lipid core stabilized by a surfactant [134]; and (4) nanocrystals

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

• and NFX, respectively) over 5 days ensured 30 dpi survival in two-thirds of treated animals [53]. BNZ was also loaded in Eudragit L-100 nanocapsules (BNZ-NCP). Their administration at 20 mg/kg/day for 8 days yielded reduced parasitemia, and 50% of treated mice survived 30 dpi [54]. Intravenous BNZ

• , and resulted in 100% survival of an acute murine model [70]. Either orally or intravenously administered to acute and chronic murine models, poly(ᴅ,ʟ-lactide)-block-polyethylene glycol nanocapsules loaded with lychnopholide (LYC-PLA-PEG NCs), a lipophilic sesquiterpene lactone isolated from

Nanotechnological approaches in the treatment of schistosomiasis: an overview

• Lucas Carvalho,
• Michelle Sarcinelli and
• Beatriz Patrício

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 13–25, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.2

• divided into two types: nanocapsules and nanospheres [18]. Nanocapsules consist of reservoir systems with an oil or water core and an external polymeric shell. They are, overall, used to increase drug solubility [20]. Usually, once in the body, the encapsulated drug diffuses through the polymeric wall in

• . mansoni in vivo. After that, the same group, in 2015, developed lipid nanocapsules positively charged (cationic) and tested them with and without oleic acid as a membrane permeabilizer in the composition. Both nanoformulations were able to reduce the whole treatment of schistosomiasis in mice to one

• single oral dose (20 mg/kg) [72]. In 2016, it was shown that despite both nanoformulations being effective, the formulation without oleic acid was more effective when administered on the first day of infection. On the other hand, oleic acid nanocapsules were more effective when administered 21 days after

Sulfur nanocomposites with insecticidal effect for the control of Bactericera cockerelli

• Lany S. Araujo-Yépez,
• Juan O. Tigrero-Salas,
• Vicente A. Delgado-Rodríguez,
• Vladimir A. Aguirre-Yela and
• Josué N. Villota-Méndez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1106–1115, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.91

• ]. Furthermore, different kinds of polysaccharides (e.g., chitosan, alginates, and polyethylene glycol) have been used for the synthesis of nanoinsecticides [15]. While other forms of polymer and non-polymer nanoformulations, such as nanofibers, nanocapsules, nanogels, nanomicelles, and nanospheres, have been

Polymer nanoparticles from low-energy nanoemulsions for biomedical applications

• Santiago Grijalvo and
• Carlos Rodriguez-Abreu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 339–350, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.29

• [64][65][66]. Polyurea nanocapsules have been prepared using the PIT method [67]. The starting nanoemulsions were formulated by dissolving the monomer toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) in different hydrocarbon oils and then mixing this oil phase with poly(oxyethylene)(10) oleyl ether as surfactant and an

• aqueous phase containing 10 mM NaCl. The mixtures were heated above the PIT and then quickly cooled down to obtain O/W nanoemulsions. The obtained nanocapsules showed a diameter between 92 and 113 nm, similar to the droplet sizes of nanoemulsion templates. PIC nanoemulsions have also been used in the

• content is not subject to CC BY 4.0. TEM images and corresponding size distributions of (a) PEGylated polyurethane and (b) lysine-coated polyurea nanocapsules obtained from O/W nanoemulsions in an aqueous solution/polysorbate 80/medium chain triglyceride/diisocyanate system at O/S = 10/90 and 90 wt % of

Bismuth-based nanostructured photocatalysts for the remediation of antibiotics and organic dyes

• Akeem Adeyemi Oladipo and
• Faisal Suleiman Mustafa

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 291–321, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.26

• photocatalyst that can be applied industrially for the remediation of a variety of pollutants in contaminated water. First, photocatalytic activity is significantly influenced by the morphology (e.g., nanoplates, nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods, nanocuboids, nanoflakes, nanosheets, nanocapsules, nanocasts, or

Gelatin nanoparticles with tunable mechanical properties: effect of crosslinking time and loading

• Agnes-Valencia Weiss,
• Daniel Schorr,
• Julia K. Metz,
• Metin Yildirim,
• Saeed Ahmad Khan and
• Marc Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 778–787, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.68

• internalization, the stiffer particles show significantly faster kinetics [6]. Similar results could be shown in an experimental approach by Hui et al. in a study with silica nanocapsules. Softer particles showed a greater deformation, resulting in a slower and less efficient uptake for softer particles [7

Micro- and nanotechnology in biomedical engineering for cartilage tissue regeneration in osteoarthritis

• Zahra Nabizadeh,
• Mahmoud Nasrollahzadeh,
• Hamed Daemi,
• Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad,
• Ali Akbar Shabani,
• Mehdi Dadashpour,
• Majid Mirmohammadkhani and
• Davood Nasrabadi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 363–389, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.31

• delivery [50], in vitro diagnosis [51], in vivo imaging [52], and TE purposes. Various NPs can be prepared in the form of liposomes, nanocapsules, micelles, dendrimers, and nanospheres based on their composition and method of preparation. Basically, NPs are designed to function as carriers for bioactive

• enzymes by chondrocytes [63][64]. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used as a primary strategy to suppress inflammatory cytokines to ameliorate OA, particularly inflammatory arthritis. For instance, celecoxib-loaded hyaluronan nanocapsules showed excellent potential in the management of osteoarthritis by

• prolonging the drug residence time. The intra-articular administration of these nanocapsules in a rat model of OA remarkably decreased knee swelling and improved cartilage repair [65]. In another study, to suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in inflamed cartilage, researchers designed poly

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

• -fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-ʟ-histidine, (Fmoc-His-OH) co-assembled with phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid to form nanocapsules to mimic the function of photooxidase. The synergistic effects of various molecular interactions are the cause of the formation of nanocapsules, which can precisely regulate the assembly of

• photosensitizers and limit their severe self-aggregation. Dopamine was chosen as the model substrate to illustrate the photooxidative properties of nanocapsules. After illumination, dopamine is converted to leucine on the nanocapsules. Hence, nanocapsules can be used as photocatalysts to improve the

• accelerating. The assembly forms of amino acids include nanocapsules, nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanorods, nanoparticles, and hydrogels (Table 1). However, it is still a challenge to make these assemblies the preferred materials for scientific research and application. The difficulties of controlling the size

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

• has been previously reported when using glutathione-responsive self-delivery nanocapsules (100 nm), a strategy that increases cellular uptake efficiency, intracellular CUR delivery, and transport to the nucleus, which results in growth inhibition of HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cells [75]. Similar

• is distributed within a polymeric matrix (i.e., surrounded by the polymer) they are referred to as nanocapsules. Alternatively, if the drug is homogeneously dispersed in the polymeric matrix they are called nanospheres [78][79]. Their main advantages include their reactivity, surface area, stability

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

• (conventional and echogenic), niosomes, nanoemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, chitosan nanocapsules, dendrimers, hydrogels, nanogels, gold nanoparticles, titania nanostructures, carbon nanostructures, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, fuel-free nano/micromotors. Keywords: smart nanomaterials; sonodynamic

Multilayer capsules made of weak polyelectrolytes: a review on the preparation, functionalization and applications in drug delivery

• Varsha Sharma and
• Anandhakumar Sundaramurthy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 508–532, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.41

• phenol formaldehyde resin (MPR) multilayered hollow nanocapsules were obtained using SiO2 as a sacrificial template [47]. Notably, the excess charges induced into the multilayer films by the deprotonation of carboxylic acid groups at pH > 5 played a key role in destabilizing the hydrogen bonded films [48

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

• drug delivery systems such as solid lipid or polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liquid nanoemulsions, liposomes and micelles can be used to carry poorly water soluble ingredients of pharmaceuticals for parenteral applications [1][2][3]. Thereby, the physical entrapment of the active ingredients

• as the flexibility of the nanoparticles [6][7][8][9]. Shock dilution with ice-cold water during phase inversion of the emulsion gives the opportunity to produce nanocapsules without the use of any potentially toxic organic solvent at low energy cost [10][11]. The choice and the amount of the

• 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

Porous silver-coated pNIPAM-co-AAc hydrogel nanocapsules

• William W. Bryan,
• Riddhiman Medhi,
• Maria D. Marquez,
• Supparesk Rittikulsittichai,
• Michael Tran and
• T. Randall Lee

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1973–1982, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.194

• . The morphology and composition of the composite nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, TEM, and FTIR, respectively. UV–vis spectroscopy was used to characterize the optical properties. Keywords: hydrogels; nanocapsules; photothermal delivery; poly(NIPAM); porous silver shells; Introduction

• delivery, biosensing, chemical separation, nanoscale reactors, and catalysis [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. While these examples represent a vast array of potential applications using nanocapsules, one particularly interesting application involves the use of NIR-responsive metal nanoparticles to

• hydrogel and polymer nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles [70][71][72][73]. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of NIR-active porous silver nanocapsules containing thermo-responsive hydrogel (or any kind of polymer) cores. The methods described herein illustrate the

Ceria/polymer nanocontainers for high-performance encapsulation of fluorophores

• Kartheek Katta,
• Dmitry Busko,
• Yuri Avlasevich,
• Katharina Landfester,
• Stanislav Baluschev and
• Rafael Muñoz-Espí

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 522–530, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.53

• , 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria Institute of Materials Science (ICMUV), Universitat de València, c/ Catedràtic José Beltrán 2, 46980 Paterna, Spain 10.3762/bjnano.10.53 Abstract We report the synthesis of high-performance organic–inorganic hybrid fluorescent nanocapsules comprising a polymer shell armored with

• ) oxide nanoparticle layer, formed in situ at the surface of the hybrid nanocapsules, acts as oxygen scavenger and keeps external reactive molecular oxygen from entering into the capsules, eventually resulting in a reduction of the photooxidation of encapsulated fluorescent molecules. This approach shows

• ; singlet oxygen; Introduction Hybrid polymeric core–shell nanoparticles with encapsulated fluorescent dye molecules are frequently employed for life-science applications, such as cell labeling and drug delivery [1][2][3][4][5]. In recent years, polymeric hybrid nanoparticles and nanocapsules with tailored

Targeting strategies for improving the efficacy of nanomedicine in oncology

• Gonzalo Villaverde and
• Alejandro Baeza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 168–181, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.16

• tissue [13] to the previous administration of proteolytic enzymes that digest the ECM [14]. As an example, Villegas et al. have reported the use of pH-sensitive polymeric nanocapsules that are able to release collagenase once they arrive at the tumoral tissue due to the mild acidic conditions present

• there [15]. These nanocapsules were anchored on the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) coated with a lipid bilayer (protocells) enhancing their penetration into 3D tumoral tissue models, which yielded a significant enhancement of the therapeutic efficacy of these nanodevices (Figure 1) [16

• the incorporation of pH-responsive collagenase nanocapsules. This image has been adapted from [15], copyright 2015 American Chemical Society. Left: tumoral zone monitored by bioluminescence and nanoparticle accumulation detected by IVIS® Spectrum in vivo imaging system. Group IV exhibited strong

Development of polycationic amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery

• Gamze Varan,
• Juan M. Benito,
• Carmen Ortiz Mellet and
• Erem Bilensoy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1457–1468, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.145

• [19][20][21][22]. In the literature, amphiphilic CDs were reported to spontaneously self-assemble in the form of nanospheres or nanocapsules and overcome haemolytic activity on blood cells for eventual injectable nanoparticulate drug delivery [23][24][25]. The aim of this study was to evaluate and

• cells [36]. In another study, a polycationic, amphiphilic, cyclodextrin derivative was used to prepare nanospheres and nanocapsules as drug delivery systems. When the results are compared with this study in terms of particle size, it can be concluded that the use of surfactant is linearly correlated

• ]. As a result of the surface coating with chitosan, the zeta potential value of 6OCaproβCD nanoparticles increased from −29 mV to +44 mV as seen in Table 3. Unal et al., prepared uncoated and CS-coated 6OCaproβCD nanocapsules for oral camptothecin delivery. They reported that the CS coating increased

Cationic PEGylated polycaprolactone nanoparticles carrying post-operation docetaxel for glioma treatment

• Cem Varan and
• Erem Bilensoy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1446–1456, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.144

• studied for targeting and delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs for glioma treatment. Fang et al. prepared core–shell nanocapsules for co-delivery of the hydrophilic drug doxorubicin, and the hydrophobic drug curcumin. Their results showed that the synergistic cytotoxic effect on RG2 glioma cells was

• obtained by dual drug targeting. Besides that, the magnetic and ligand targeting resulted in elevated cellular uptake of nanocapsules in glioma treatment [26]. Yang et al. successfully obtained targeted and traceable core–shell nanoparticles for carmustine (BCNU) delivery. These systems prolonged the half

PLGA nanoparticles as a platform for vitamin D-based cancer therapy

• Maria J. Ramalho,
• Joana A. Loureiro,
• Bárbara Gomes,
• Manuela F. Frasco,
• Manuel A. N. Coelho and
• M. Carmo Pereira

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1306–1318, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.135

• therapy [22]. A few years later, Almouazen et al. developed a formulation using PLA nanoparticles of about 200 nm [14]. This study proved that PLA nanocapsules are a suitable choice for controlled delivery of antineoplastic agents, namely the nanoencapsulated calcidiol induced a significant growth

Biopolymer colloids for controlling and templating inorganic synthesis

• Laura C. Preiss,
• Katharina Landfester and
• Rafael Muñoz-Espí

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 2129–2138, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.222

• microspheres by using immobilized protein templates. Reprinted with permission from [61]. Copyright 2008 Elsevier. Schematic representation of the procedure applied for synthesizing starch/Ag nanocapsules. Reprinted with permission from [63]. Copyright 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Products obtained