Gold nanostars for superficial diseases: a promising tool for localized hyperthermia?

NanomedicineVol. 9, No. 1 EditorialFree AccessGold nanostars for superficial diseases: a promising tool for localized hyperthermia?Giuseppe Chirico, Piersandro Pallavicini & Maddalena ColliniGiuseppe Chirico* Author for correspondenceDipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy. Search for more papers by this authorEmail the corresponding author at giberto.chirico@mib.infn.it, Piersandro PallaviciniDipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, ItalySearch for more papers by this author & Maddalena ColliniDipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milano, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:19 Dec 2013https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm.13.186AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Keywords: gold nanoparticlehyperthermianear-infrared radiationplasmon resonanceSuperficial diseases, such as mycoses, fungal infections and skin cancers, primarily affect the skin. The latter includes melanomas or basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma [1]. Superficial recurrences of breast cancer, particularly in patients that have previously been irradiated [2] are also common. An impressive number of skin diseases, even when they are not fatal, severely affect patients from a physiological and psychological point of view. Therefore, there is a clear need for rapid and noninvasive methods to diagnose and treat these diseases. Ideally, one would be highly selective in addressing lesions by means of localized treatment protocols, such as localized drug release and hyperthermia. Indeed, medical hyperthermia has been revisited recently thanks to the ability to exploit nanotechnology to obtain in situ treatments and high heat release efficiency [3,4]. Whole-body hyperthermia has, in fact, been used for a long time in cancer therapy [5]. Limiting our analysis to skin treatments, a sensible reduction in the apoptosis of keratinocytes induced by UVB has been observed in murine skin under mild local hyperthermia [6]. In normal human skin in vivo, hyperthermia upregulates heat-shock proteins and thereby induces a physiological response that protects skin from UV light [7]. Hyperthermia has also been reported to induce apoptosis in two types of skin cancer cells through endoplasmic reticulum-mediated apoptosis [1].Combined hyperthermic/chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic methods are particularly effective. Chemohyperthermic treatments of carcinomas and sarcomas have been carried out with whole-body protocols and using isolated regional therapy [8,9]. Superficial breast metastases and Hodgkin’s lymphomas have been treated with a combination of hyperthermia and radiation therapy [2].Despite the encouraging results of these pioneering studies, whole-body treatments in the fever temperature range are inefficient and isolated regional therapies are complex [9]. They would greatly benefit from the use of novel approaches, such as those based on nanostructured materials. For years, nanotechnology has been suggested to improve topical treatments [10]. In fact, the skin plays a double role in the novel field of nanomedicine: nanocompounds can enhance efficiency and limit drawbacks of topical treatments, acting as adjuvants of topical therapies, and skin diseases can be treated locally by nanostructured materials, such as nanoparticles (NPs). Although the use of lipid-based NPs has been favored owing to their affinity to the skin composition [11], metal-based NPs, decorated with stealth polymers and antigen-recognizing molecules, are now being considered for application. Metal NPs can interact with skin at a cellular level to enhance immune reactivity for vaccine applications [12]. Treatment of skin with silver NPs has been used against microbial infections [13], since the NPs provide a slow release of antimicrobial silver ions that have a positive role in chronic wound healing. In addition, noble metal NPs can behave as localized thermal loaders [14] and, therefore, would allow physical treatments (thermal-induced apoptosis) to be coupled to the chemical therapy. Gold nonspherical NPs are particularly interesting in this sense due to their capability to locally release heat efficiently when irradiated in the near-infrared (NIR) region [3], a window (650–900 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum where skin is particularly transparent. An increasing number of studies suggest that combined chemical (drug-delivering NPs) and physical (NP-assisted hyperthermia) treatments based on metal NPs can be beneficial for infectious diseases and cancers.Efforts have concentrated on the tailored synthesis of nonspherical gold NPs [4], as they are endowed with large plasmon resonances in the NIR region of the spectrum, where the wavelength of maximum absorption can be finely tuned. The light absorption in the NIR region of the spectrum corresponds to highly localized (less than 15 nm [14]) thermal release. Historically, gold nanorods have been the first type of anisotropic gold NPs to be developed and directly applied to hyperthermic treatements in vitro[3] and in vivo[15]. More exotic shapes have now been developed, such as nanocages, nanoprisms and nanocrescents [4]. The interaction of these NPs with the cells [3,16], their toxicity and their fate within the human body [17] are largely affected by the chemical properties (primarily polarity and charge) of their surfaces. In addition, size and shape markedly affect the in vivo behavior of the anisotropic NPs. Their shape anisotropy (axial ratio) essentially determines the position and the amplitude of the NIR plasmon resonance [4,18]. However, shape anisotropy is also correlated to an increased overall encumbrance with respect to spherical NPs.Recently developed gold nanostars (GNSs) [19] can be tuned in shape from sea urchin-like [20] to planar, highly regular, penta-branched stars [18]. This class of NPs is attractive because of their optical and catalytic features, comparable to those of gold nanorods of high axial ratio, and their overall encumbrance is limited (∼20 nm hydrodynamic radius) [18,20]. Similar to other gold NPs, they display plasmonic resonances redshifted with respect to those of gold nanospheres [4]. An intense band in the NIR range (750–1000 nm) appears beside the weaker band at 500–550 nm. The NIR plasmon resonance of GNSs can be tuned in a wide NIR range up to 1250 nm by varying the axial ratio of protruding branches [18], and multiple NIR plasmon resonances can also be obtained. The NIR plasmonic resonances are characterized by excellent transduction of their absorbed light into heat [14,16]. The estimated specific absorption rate of sea urchin GNSs can reach 200 kW/g, a value that is almost two orders of magnitude larger than that typically obtained for magnetite NPs [14]. The shape of the GNSs and their interaction with cells is modulated by the different types of surfactants or coating agents used in their synthesis. These agents also determine the NP surface properties and capabilities to be decorated. In the aqueous seed-growth synthetic protocol for GNSs, the use of the zwitterionic surfactant lauryl sulfobetaine yields easily coatable GNSs due to the surfactant’s weak interaction with gold. Other weak coating agents, such as the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100™ (TX100; Sigma-Aldrich, MO, USA), result in regular penta-branched GNSs. These can also be easily coated with thiols on their whole surface and show the unprecedented feature of three plasmonic resonances [18]. Two out of the three NIR plasmonic resonances depend strongly on the length:width ratio of the branches, and span the entire NIR range entering the short-wave infrared domain. Both NIR plasmonic resonances efficiently release heat under laser excitation. Gold nanostars synthesized with weakly interacting coating agents are characterized with relative ease by their surface decoration, a property that is not shared by most other gold anisotropic NPs. The possibility of easily decorating the surface of this class of metal NPs is at the basis of their feasible application in medicine. The latter requires limiting toxic effects and enhancing target efficiency. Nanorods are commonly prepared with seed growth syntheses using the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant, which forms a strongly adhering double layer on the gold surface, resulting in a smooth thiolation only on the short ends of the nanorods, while requiring multistep and more complicated procedures to coat the whole surface. With GNSs synthesized using lauryl sulfobetaine [20] or TX100 [18] as stabilizers, surface decoration is only a matter of adding thiols to the GNS solution, obtaining fast and complete coating. This smoothness also allows easy access to multicomponent coating, simply using a two- or three-component thiol mixture in the coating solution.The GNSs could also be decorated with mixed lipid–polymer coatings by exploiting thiol chemistry. This multiple decoration would increase/modify their interaction with skin and enable the NPs’ drug delivery capabilities. Polymers capable of trapping and releasing drugs under temperature control obtained by NIR laser irradiation may in fact be employed for this purpose. By tuning the hydrophobic/electrostatic character of the bonding between toxic drugs and decorating polymers, the drugs could be delivered to the pathology location and released in situ under NIR irradiation control. Toxicology issues are relevant for in vivo uses and this feature can also be modulated by surface properties. Few studies have been reported about the interaction between skin and nonbiodegradable NPs. Regarding gold, small-size (2–4 nm) gold NPs functionalized with cationic head groups penetrate into the hydrophobic moiety of the lipid bilayers and cause membrane disruption at increased concentrations. Such a behavior is expected for gold nanorods that are anionic. By contrast, the gold NPs functionalized with anionic head groups or that bear slightly negative charges, interact with the lipid bilayer by dehydrating and shielding it [11] and probably enter the cell through endocytosis. The ease in surface decoration of GNS and their neutral or slightly negative surface charge can be a key feature in reducing toxicology issues in their in vivo application.In summary, the physical and surface chemistry properties of GNSs make them particularly promising for topical application of hyperthermia to treat skin and superficial diseases. In fact, skin absorption in the NIR–short wave infrared domain is limited and one could achieve selective, localized hyperthermia on the skin surface treated with NPs. Moreover, the ease in surface decoration displayed by GNSs would allow tailoring of their surface for charge and lipid content and, therefore, enhance their efficacy for the treatment of superficial diseases.Financial & competing interests disclosureThe authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.References1 Shellman YG, Howe WR, Miller LA, Goldstein NB, Pacheco TR. Hyperthermia induces endoplasmic reticulum-mediated apoptosis in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer cells. J. Invest. Derm.128,949–956 (2008).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar2 Zagar TM, Oleson JR, Vujaskovic Z et al. Hyperthermia combined with radiation therapy for superficial breast cancer and chest wall recurrence: a review of the randomised data. Int. J. Hyperthermia26,612–617 (2010).Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar3 Huang X, Jain PK, El-Sayed IH, El-Sayed MA. Determination of the minimum temperature required for selective photothermal destruction of cancer cells with the use of immunotargeted gold nanoparticles. Photochem. Photobiol.82,412–417 (2006).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar4 Eustis S, El-Sayed MA. Why gold nanoparticles are more precious than pretty gold: noble metal surface plasmon resonance and its enhancement of the radiative and nonradiative properties of nanocrystals of different shapes. Chem. Soc. Rev.35,209–217 (2006).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar5 Wust P, Hildebrandt B, Sreenivasa G et al. Hyperthermia in combined treatment of cancer. Lancet Oncol.3,487–497 (2002).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar6 Kane KS and Maytin EV. Ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes in murine skin is reduced by mild local hyperthermia. J. Invest. Derm.104,62–67 (1995).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar7 Wilson N, McArdle A, Guerin D, Tasker H. Hyperthermia to normal human skin in vivo upregulates heat shock proteins 27, 60, 72i and 90. J. Cutan. Path.27,176–182 (2000).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar8 Bull JM, Scott GL, Strebel FR et al. Fever-range whole-body thermal therapy combined with cisplatin, gemcitabine, and daily interferon-alpha: a description of a Phase I–II protocol. Int. J. Hyperthermia24,649–662 (2008).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar9 Duprat JP, Domingues AL, Coelho EG et al. Long-term response of isolated limb perfusion with hyperthermia and chemotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma. Eur. J. Surg. Oncol.35,568–572 (2009).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar10 Peer D, Karp JM, Hong S, Farokhzad OC, Margalit R, Langer R. Nanocarriers as an emerging platform for cancer therapy. Nat. Nanotechnol.2,751–760 (2007).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar11 Tatur S, Maccarini M, Barker R, Nelson A, Fragneto G. Effect of functionalized gold nanoparticles on floating lipid bilayer. Langmuir29,6606–6614 (2013).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar12 Prow TW, Chen X, Prow NA et al. Nanopatch‑targeted skin vaccination against West Nile Virus and Chikungunya virus in mice. Small6,1776–1784 (2010).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar13 Taglietti A, Fernandez YA, Amato et al. Antibacterial activity of glutathione-coated silver nanoparticles against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Langmuir28,8140–8148 (2012).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar14 Freddi S, Sironi L, D’Antuono R et al. A molecular thermometer for nanoparticles for optical hyperthermia. Nano Lett.13,2004–2010 (2013).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar15 Hirsch LR, Stafford RJ, Bankson JA et al. Nanoshell-mediated near-infrared thermal therapy of tumors under magnetic resonance guidance. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci USA100,13549–13554 (2003).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar16 Sironi L, Freddi S, Caccia M et al. Gold branched nanoparticles for cellular treatments. J. Phys. Chem. C116,18407–18418 (2012).Crossref, CAS, Google Scholar17 Li YF, Chen C. Fate and toxicity of metallic and metal-containing nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Small7,2965–2980 (2011).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar18 Pallavicini P, Donà A, Casu A et al. Triton X-100 for three-plasmon gold nanostars with two photothermally active NIR (near IR) and SWIR (short-wavelength IR) channels. Chem. Commun.49,6256–6267 (2013).Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar19 Guerrero-Martínez A, Barbosa S, Pastoriza-Santos I, Liz-Marzán LM. Nanostars shine bright for you. Colloidal synthesis, properties and applications of branched metallic nanoparticles. Curr. Opin. Colloid Inter. Sci.16,118–127 (2011).Crossref, CAS, Google Scholar20 Pallavicini P, Chirico G, Collini M et al. Synthesis of branched Au nanoparticles with tunable near-infrared LSPR using a zwitterionic surfactant. Chem. Commun.47,1315–1317 (2011).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited ByNanotechnology-based Herbal Formulations: A Survey of Recent Patents, Advancements, and Transformative HeadwaysRecent Patents on Nanotechnology, Vol. 16, No. 4Silybin-based herbal nanocarriers: an advancement in anticancer therapy29 May 2022 | Materials Technology, Vol. 37, No. 13Nanotechnology and HealthPotential of Dual Drug Delivery Systems: MOF as Hybrid Nanocarrier for Dual Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment21 September 2022 | ChemistrySelect, Vol. 7, No. 36Polymeric Nanoparticles in Hybrid Catalytic Processing and Drug Delivery System10 September 2022 | Topics in Catalysis, Vol. 55Microparticulate and nanotechnology mediated drug delivery system for the delivery of herbal extracts28 April 2022 | Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, Vol. 33, No. 12Recent Overview of Resveratrol’s Beneficial Effects and Its Nano-Delivery Systems12 August 2022 | Molecules, Vol. 27, No. 16Comprehensive review on use of phospholipid based vesicles for phytoactive delivery2 November 2021 | Journal of Liposome Research, Vol. 32, No. 3Preparation and evaluation of yogurt fortified with probiotics jelly candy enriched with grape seeds extract nanoemulsion9 May 2022 | Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, Vol. 46, No. 7pH responsive chitosan-coated microemulsions as drug delivery systems16 December 2020 | International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, Vol. 71, No. 8Prospects of Delivering Natural Compounds by Polymer-Drug Conjugates in Cancer TherapeuticsAnti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 22, No. 9A Critical Review of Analytical Methods for Quantification of Amphotericin B in Biological Samples and Pharmaceutical Formulations3 September 2020 | Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 52, No. 3The High Potency of Polymeric Nanoparticles in the Drug Delivery System for Hypertension Treatment: A Systematic ReviewCurrent Hypertension Reviews, Vol. 18, No. 1Evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles against paracetamol overdose toxicity : Role of inducible nitric oxide synthase8 February 2022 | Journal of Liposome Research, Vol. 29Evaluation of Effect of Biologically Synthesized Ethanolic Extract of Propolis-Loaded Poly(-Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles on Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats10 January 2022 | The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, Vol. 6Anti-plasmodial activity of aqueous neem leaf extract mediated green synthesis-based silver nitrate nanoparticles23 April 2021 | Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Vol. 52, No. 1Molecular Mechanism of Anti-Lymphoma by Nano Drug Delivery System of Polyethylenimine 2k (PEI2k)-Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (SPIO) Assembled by Multifunctional Molecular MatchingScience of Advanced Materials, Vol. 14, No. 1Ginger and its constituents: Role in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease9 December 2021 | BioFactors, Vol. 48, No. 1Methods for nanoparticle synthesis and drug deliveryNanofabrication of Catechin-Loaded Alginate, Pectin, and Chitosan Polymeric Nanoparticles2 August 2022The biological applications of DNA nanomaterials: current challenges and future directions8 October 2021 | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, Vol. 6, No. 1Colloidal and vesicular delivery system for herbal bioactive constituents29 July 2021 | DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 29, No. 2Exploiting drug delivery systems for oral route in the peptic ulcer disease treatment7 April 2021 | Journal of Drug Targeting, Vol. 29, No. 10Exploring the potential of solid dispersion for improving solubility, dissolution & bioavailability of herbal extracts, enriched fractions, and bioactives17 August 2021 | Journal of Microencapsulation, Vol. 38, No. 7-8Ameliorative effect of resveratrol and its nano-formulation on estrogenicity and apoptosis induced by low dose of zearalenone in male Wistar rats3 November 2021 | Journal of Materials Research, Vol. 36, No. 21Recent advances in herbal combination nanomedicine for cancer: delivery technology and therapeutic outcomes4 August 2021 | Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, Vol. 18, No. 11Use of Pistacia lentiscus mastic for sustained‐release system of chlorocresol and benzoic acid for in vitro prevention of bacterial colonization of silicon urinary catheter13 August 2021 | Letters in Applied Microbiology, Vol. 73, No. 5Bioactive Compound and Nanotechnology: A Novel Delivery Perspective for Diabetic RetinopathyCurrent Bioactive Compounds, Vol. 17, No. 8Bioengineered Biomimetic and Bioinspired Noninvasive Drug Delivery Systems14 July 2021 | Advanced Functional Materials, Vol. 31, No. 44Anti-parasitic activity of nano Citrullus colocynthis and nano Capparis spinose against Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro13 March 2021 | Journal of Parasitic Diseases, Vol. 45, No. 3Multiphoton Laser Fabrication of Hybrid Photo-Activable Biomaterials1 September 2021 | Sensors, Vol. 21, No. 17Quantitative Photothermal Characterization with Bioprinted 3D Complex Tissue Constructs for Early‐Stage Breast Cancer Therapy Using Gold Nanorods8 July 2021 | Advanced Healthcare Materials, Vol. 10, No. 18Nanoparticles in nanomedicine: a comprehensive updated review on current status, challenges and emerging opportunities5 July 2021 | Journal of Microencapsulation, Vol. 38, No. 6Natural and Nanotechnology Based Treatment: An Alternative Approach to PsoriasisCurrent Nanomedicine, Vol. 11, No. 1Lipid-based Nano-phytomedicines for Disease Treatment and Theranostic ApplicationsCurrent Nanomedicine, Vol. 11, No. 1Protein–nanoparticle interactions and a new insight1 January 2021 | Soft Matter, Vol. 17, No. 14Enhanced Antioxidant Efficacy of Nano-Encapsulated Protorhus Longifolia Methanol Extract Stabilized with Eudragit25 January 2021 | International Journal of Nanoscience, Vol. 20, No. 02Nanosponges Encapsulated Phytochemicals for Targeting Cancer: A ReviewCurrent Drug Targets, Vol. 22, No. 4Herbal Drugs and Natural Products in the light of Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine for Developing Drug FormulationsMini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 21, No. 3Biosafety and Toxicity of Nanomaterials for the Management of Drug and Gene Delivery18 June 2021Role of Viruses in Nanoparticles Synthesis10 September 2021A Historical Overview and Concepts of Chinese Medicine Preparations and Novel Delivery Systems1 December 2021Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Tamarix articulata leaf extract: an effective approach for attenuation of oxidative stress mediated diseases19 April 2021 | International Journal of Food Properties, Vol. 24, No. 1Indian Traditional Herbs and Alzheimer’s Disease: Integrating Ethnobotany and Phytotherapy19 January 2021Liposomal drug delivery of Aphanamixis polystachya leaf extracts and its neurobehavioral activity in mice model24 April 2020 | Scientific Reports, Vol. 10, No. 1Flavonoids and alkaloids from the rhizomes of Zephyranthes ajax Hort. and their cytotoxicity17 December 2020 | Scientific Reports, Vol. 10, No. 1A review on herbal drug loaded into pharmaceutical carrier techniques and its evaluation process12 August 2020 | Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 6, No. 1Nanoformulations of Coumarins and the Hybrid Molecules of Coumarins with Potential Anticancer EffectsAnti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 20, No. 15Kaurenoic Acid Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in the MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cell Line9 October 2020 | ChemistrySelect, Vol. 5, No. 38Nanosystems against candidiasis: a review of studies performed over the last two decades14 August 2020 | Critical Reviews in Microbiology, Vol. 46, No. 5Bioadhesive Nanoformulations—Concepts and Preclinical Studies21 October 2020Research progress on nanotechnology for delivery of active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines1 January 2020 | Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Vol. 8, No. 30Favorable effect of creams with skimmed donkey milk encapsulated in nanoliposomes on skin physiology18 June 2020 | Dermatologic Therapy, Vol. 33, No. 4(S)‐4‐(4‐aminobenzyl)‐2‐oxazolidinone based 2‐azetidinones for antimicrobial application and luminescent sensing of divalent metal cations27 March 2020 | Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Vol. 57, No. 6Antioxidant activitiy of bitter leaves ( Vernonia amygdalina ) extract coated with the nanochitosan derived from parrot fish ( Scarus sp) scales20 June 2020 | IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Vol. 517Syngonanthus nitens (Bong.) Ruhland Derivatives Loaded into a Lipid Nanoemulsion for Enhanced Antifungal Activity Against Candida parapsilosisCurrent Pharmaceutical Design, Vol. 26, No. 14Gold nanostars-diagnosis, bioimaging and biomedical applications9 March 2020 | Drug Metabolism Reviews, Vol. 52, No. 2Dermal targeting of Centella asiatica extract using hyaluronic acid surface modified niosomes27 May 2019 | Journal of Liposome Research, Vol. 30, No. 2Euphorbia milii extract-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles and their antinociceptive, muscle relaxant, and sedative activities for pain management in pediatric children22 November 2019 | Applied Nanoscience, Vol. 10, No. 4Development and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Eruca Sativa Oil Nanoemulgel with Determination of the Oil Antioxidant, Sun Protection Factor and Elastase InhibitionCurrent Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Vol. 21, No. 3Nanomedicine-based approaches for improved delivery of phyto-therapeutics for cancer therapy30 January 2020 | Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, Vol. 17, No. 3Intercellular Trafficking of Gold Nanostars in Uveal Melanoma Cells for Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy24 March 2020 | Nanomaterials, Vol. 10, No. 3A short review on chemical properties, stability and nano-technological advances for curcumin delivery10 December 2019 | Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, Vol. 17, No. 1Nanotechnology: A Potential Tool in Exploring Herbal Benefits9 July 2020Novel Drug Delivery System in Phytochemicals: Modern Era of Ancient Science11 September 2019Nanophytomedicine Ethical Issues, Regulatory Aspects, and Challenges28 July 2020Emergence of Nanophytomedicine in Health Care Setting28 July 2020Recent Advancement in Clinical Application of Nanotechnological Approached Targeted Delivery of Herbal Drugs28 July 2020Phytochemicals Plus Nanomaterial’s on Colorectal Cancer2 October 2020Anti-diabetic Nano-formulation from Herbal Source10 December 2020Nanomedicines in Drug Delivery from Synthetic and Natural Sources to Their Clinical Applications10 December 2020 Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Loading of Natural Plant Extracts and Their Biomedical Applications 1 April 2020 | International Journal of Nanomedicine, Vol. Volume 15Nanotechnology: An Effective Approach for Enhancing Therapeutics and Bioavailability of Phytomedicines9 July 2020Antibacterial activity and characterization of Annona muricata Linn leaf extract-nanoparticles against Escherichia coli FNCC-0091 and Salmonella typhimurium FNCC-0050IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Vol. 387, No. 1Nanomedicines to Treat Skin Pathologies with Natural MoleculesCurrent Pharmaceutical Design, Vol. 25, No. 21Bioavailability and Pharmaco-therapeutic Potential of Luteolin in Overcoming Alzheimer’s DiseaseCNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets, Vol. 18, No. 5Poly (ε-caprolactone) Microsphere Decorated with Nano-ZnO Based Phytoformulation: A Promising Antimicrobial Agent9 March 2019 | Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, Vol. 29, No. 5Plant Extracts Loaded in Nanostructured Drug Delivery Systems for Treating Parasitic and Antimicrobial DiseasesCurrent Pharmaceutical Design, Vol. 25, No. 14Metal nanoparticles fabricated by green chemistry using natural extracts: biosynthesis, mechanisms, and applications1 January 2019 | RSC Advances, Vol. 9, No. 42Intravascular innate immune cells reprogrammed via intravenous nanoparticles to promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury8 July 2019 | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 116, No. 30Lipid reducing potential of liposomes loaded with ethanolic extract of purple pitanga ( Eugenia uniflora) administered to Caenorhabditis elegans5 February 2019 | Journal of Liposome Research, Vol. 29, No. 3Diosgenin-loaded niosome as an effective phytochemical nanocarrier: physicochemical characterization, loading efficiency, and cytotoxicity assay27 May 2019 | DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 27, No. 1Functionalized photosensitive gelatin nanoparticles for drug delivery application20 March 2019 | Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, Vol. 30, No. 7Naturally Occurring Bioactive Compound‐Derived Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications25 February 2019 | Advanced Therapeutics, Vol. 2, No. 5Utility of nanomedicine targeting scar-forming myofibroblasts to attenuate corneal scarring and hazeAseel Mahmood Ibrahim Al-Mashahedah, Rupinder Kaur Kanwar & Jagat Rakesh Kanwar22 March 2019 | Nanomedicine, Vol. 14, No. 8Influence Factors of the Pharmacokinetics of Herbal Resourced Compounds in Clinical PracticeEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol. 2019Polymeric Nanoparticulates as Efficient Anticancer Drugs Delivery Systems30 January 2019Herbonanoceuticals: A Novel Beginning in Drug Discovery and Therapeutics5 July 2019Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery of Natural Compounds and Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Cancer and Other DiseasesNigella sativa oil entrapped polycaprolactone nanoparticles for leishmaniasis treatment25 September 2018 | IET Nanobiotechnology, Vol. 12, No. 8Nano based drug delivery systems: recent developments and future prospects19 September 2018 | Journal of Nanobiotechnology, Vol. 16, No. 1Frangulosid as a novel hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase inhibitor: a virtual screening s