Emerging Polymer-Based Nanosystem Strategies in the Delivery of Antifungal Drugs

Abstract

Nanosystems-based antifungal agents have emerged as an effective strategy to address issues related to drug resistance, drug release, and toxicity. Among the diverse materials employed for antifungal drug delivery, polymers, including polysaccharides, proteins, and polyesters, have gained significant attention due to their versatility. Considering the complex nature of fungal infections and their varying sites, it is crucial for researchers to carefully select appropriate polymers based on specific scenarios when designing antifungal agent delivery nanosystems. This review provides an overview of the various types of nanoparticles used in antifungal drug delivery systems, with a particular emphasis on the types of polymers used. The review focuses on the application of drug delivery systems and the release behavior of these systems. Furthermore, the review summarizes the critical physical properties and relevant information utilized in antifungal polymer nanomedicine delivery systems and briefly discusses the application prospects of these systems.

Searching for Conjugates as New Structures for Antifungal Therapies

“…An important factor in the search for new solutions in antifungal therapy, apart from the search for new chemical structures, e.g., in the form of conjugates, is the analysis of strategies and techniques for delivering the active substance to fungal cells. A good strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy, safety, and compatibility of conventional antifungal drugs is the development of new biopharmaceutical systems, especially nanoparticle carriers. − Nanoparticles are considered promising solutions, mainly due to their ability to target specific sites, enhance drug pharmacological effects, and optimize their physicochemical properties. These features may reduce the drug’s dose, increase its bioavailability, and reduce side effects.…”

Recent Progress and Trends in the Development of Electrospun and 3D Printed Polymeric-Based Materials to Overcome Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

“…In this context, one alternative approach is the utilization of nanomaterials for the specific-targeted delivery of antifungal agents that are not prone to causing antimicrobial resistance. This approach aims to facilitate the inactivation or death of fungal cells through interference with the integrity of cell membranes, promotion of ROS, and alteration of membrane permeability [ 89 ].…”

Biomimetic electrospun nanofibrous scaffold for tissue engineering: preparation, optimization by design of experiments (DOE), in-vitro and in-vivo characterization

“…In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) research, selecting and optimizing a biomaterial that physiochemically replicates the extracellular matrix (ECM) is important (Mao et al, 2023). To mimic the ECM structure of the original tissues, materials must be biocompatible, biodegradable and possess the required physiochemical properties (Qiu et al, 2023;Xin et al, 2023). Tissue engineering offers crucial and viable tissue structures for the purpose of tissue replacement (Zhu et al, 2008;Pezeshki-Modaress et al, 2015;Quan et al, 2022).…”