Curcumin is a multitherapeutic agent with great therapeutic potential in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In the current study, curcumin was encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for the purpose of increasing brain accumulation. The preparation processes have been optimized using experimental design and multiobjective optimization methods. Entrapment efficiency of curcumin in SLNs and NLCs was found to be 82% ± 0.49 and 94% ± 0.74, respectively. The pharmacokinetic studies showed that the amount of curcumin available in the brain was significantly higher in curcumin-loaded NLCs (AUC0‑t = 505.76 ng/g h) compared to free curcumin (AUC0‑t = 0.00 ng/g h) and curcumin-loaded SLNs (AUC0‑t = 116.31 ng/g h) (P < 0.005), after intravenous (IV) administration of 4 mg/kg dose of curcumin in rat. The results of differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction showed that curcumin has been dispersed as amorphous in the nanocarriers. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the nanoscale size and spherical shape of the nanoparticles. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging study indicated that preparation processes do not have any significant effect on the antioxidant activity of curcumin. The results of this study are promising for the use of curcumin-loaded NLCs in more studies and using curcumin in the treatment of CNS diseases.

The advent of porous materials, in particular zeolitic nanoparticles, has opened up unprecedented putative research avenues in nanomedicine. Zeolites with intracrystal mesopores are low framework density aluminosilicates possessing a regular porous structure along with intricate channels. Their unique physiochemical as well as physiological parameters necessitate a comprehensive overview on their classifications, fabrication platforms, cellular/ macromolecular interactions, and eventually their prospective biomedical applications through illustrating the challenges and opportunities in different integrative medical and pharmaceutical fields. More particularly, an update on recent advances in zeolite-accommodated drug delivery and the prevalent challenges regarding these molecular sieves is to be presented. In conclusion, strategies to accelerate the translation of these porous materials from bench to bedside along with common overlooked physiological and pharmacological factors of zeolite nanoparticles are discussed and debated. Furthermore, for zeolite nanoparticles, it is a matter of crucial importance, in terms of biosafety and nanotoxicology, to appreciate the zeolite-bio interface once the zeolite nanoparticles are exposed to the biomacromolecules in biological media. We specifically shed light on interactions of zeolite nanoparticles with fibrinogen and amyloid beta which had been comprehensively investigated in our recent reports. Given the significance of zeolite nanoparticles' interactions with serum or interstitial proteins conferring them new biological identity, the preliminary approaches for deeper understanding of administration, distribution, metabolism and excretion of zeolite nanoparticles are elucidated.

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Metabolic syndrome includes a series of metabolic abnormalities that leads to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Plant extracts, due to their unique advantages like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin sensitizing properties, are interesting therapeutic options to manage MetS; however, the poor solubility and low bioavailability of lipophilic bioactive components in the herbal extracts are two critical challenges. Nano-scale delivery systems are suitable to improve delivery of herbal extracts. This review, for the first time, focuses on nanoformulations of herbal extracts in MetS and related complications. Included studies showed that several forms of nano drug delivery systems such as nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanobiocomposites, and green-synthesized silver, gold, and zinc oxide nanoparticles have been developed using herbal extracts. It was shown that the method of preparation and related parameters such as temperature and type of polymer are important factors affecting physicochemical stability and therapeutic activity of the final product. Many of these formulations could successfully decrease the lipid profile, inflammation, oxidative damage, and insulin resistance in in vitro and in vivo models of MetS-related complications. Further studies are still needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of these novel herbal formulations for clinical application.

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Valvular heart disease (VHD) occurs as the result of valvular malfunction, which can greatly reduce patient’s quality of life and if left untreated may lead to death. Different treatment regiments are available for management of this defect, which can be helpful in reducing the symptoms. The global commitment to reduce VHD-related mortality rates has enhanced the need for new therapeutic approaches. During the past decade, development of innovative pharmacological and surgical approaches have dramatically improved the quality of life for VHD patients, yet the search for low cost, more effective, and less invasive approaches is ongoing. The gold standard approach for VHD management is to replace or repair the injured valvular tissue with natural or synthetic biomaterials. Application of these biomaterials for cardiac valve regeneration and repair holds a great promise for treatment of this type of heart disease. The focus of the present review is the current use of different types of biomaterials in treatment of valvular heart diseases.

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