Nanotechnology manifests the progression in the arena of research and development, by increasing the efficacy of the product through delivery of innovative solutions. To overcome certain drawbacks associated with the traditional products, application of nanotechnology is escalating in the area of cosmeceuticals. Cosmeceuticals are regarded as the fastest growing segment of the personal care industry and the use has risen drastically over the years. Nanocosmeceuticals used for skin, hair, nail, and lip care, for conditions like wrinkles, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, dandruff, and hair damage, have come into widespread use. Novel nanocarriers like liposomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, microemulsion, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier, and nanospheres have replaced the usage of conventional delivery system. These novel nanocarriers have advantages of enhanced skin penetration, controlled and sustained drug release, higher stability, site specific targeting, and high entrapment efficiency. However, nanotoxicological researches have indicated concern regarding the impact of increased use of nanoparticles in cosmeceuticals as there are possibilities of nanoparticles to penetrate through skin and cause health hazards. This review on nanotechnology used in cosmeceuticals highlights the various novel carriers used for the delivery of cosmeceuticals, their positive and negative aspects, marketed formulations, toxicity, and regulations of nanocosmeceuticals.

The key role of protein based nanostructures has recently revolutionized the nanomedicine era. Protein nanoparticles have turned out to be the major grounds for the transformation of different properties of many conventional materials by virtue of their size and greater surface area which instigates them to be more reactive to some other molecules. Protein nanoparticles have better biocompatibilities and biodegradability and also have the possibilities for surface modifications. These nanostructures can be synthesized by using protein like albumin, gelatin, whey protein, gliadin, legumin, elastin, zein, soy protein, and milk protein. The techniques for their fabrication include emulsification, desolvation, complex coacervation, and electrospray. The characterization parameters of protein nanoparticles comprise particle size, particle morphology, surface charge, drug loading, determination of drug entrapment, and particle structure and in vitro drug release. A plethora of protein nanoparticles applications via different routes of administration are explored and reported by eminent researchers which are highlighted in the present review along with the patents granted for protein nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers.

Introduction: In the present research, erythromycin estolate loaded in-situ gel was formulated and evaluated for blepharitis in order to improve its therapeutic efficacy, precorneal residence time of the system and to enhance the ocular bioavailability. Material and Methods: The developed formulation was characterized by several parameters viz. FTIR, clarity, pH, gelation temperature, rheological studies, drug content, in vitro drug release studies, transcorneal permeation studies, bioadhesion studies, isotonicity and stability studies. Results: The optimized formulation exhibited non-fickian release diffusion with a sustained release of drug 82.76 ± 0.94% up to 8h and drug content 93.64%. Isotonicity revealed that the formulation was isotonic in nature and there was no shrinkage and busting of cells. Bioadhesion study was performed to check the adherence of the prepared in situ gel to the corneal surface for 4h. Ex vivo transcorneal permeation was observed to be significantly higher when compared with market eye drops. Histopathological studies were conducted to confirm the presence of normal ocular surface tissues by maintaining their morphological structures without causing damage to the tissues. The formulation was nonirritant as confirmed by the HET-CAM test. Stability studies and accelerated stability studies were conducted for 13 weeks and 26 weeks respectively and formulations were analyzed for the visual appearance, pH, viscosity, gelling capacity, drug content and in vitro drug release and results showed no change in the formulations. Conclusion: The formulation was therapeutically efficacious, sterile, stable and provided controlled release over a period of time. The developed system could be a viable alternative to conventional eye drops for treatment of various ocular diseases.