Sofía Peñaloza

Objectives This review critically examines the integration of nanocarriers into oral tablet formulations, focusing on compaction strategies, excipient selection, and the impact of nanosystem properties on manufacturability, drug release, and biopharmaceutical performance. Literature search A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science to identify peer-reviewed publications reporting oral tablet formulations based on nanocarriers, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), dendrimers, and hybrid or lipid-based nanosystems. Relevant data on formulation strategies, compression methods, excipients, in vitro and in vivo performance, and critical quality attributes were extracted and analyzed. Results After removing duplicates and assessing relevance, 40 studies were selected for in-depth review. Polymeric nanoparticles consistently enhanced controlled release, with chitosan, polylactide acid, and casein-based systems enabling mucoadhesion or delayed dissolution. Silica-based nanocarriers, particularly MSNs, enhanced powder flow and tablet hardness when used within an optimal concentration range, whereas higher loadings negatively affected compressibility. Lipid nanoparticles and self-emulsifying systems facilitated immediate or sustained release while improving drug solubility. Freeze-drying, spray drying, and 3D printing were pivotal for stabilizing sensitive carriers. Hybrid systems, including metal–organic frameworks and chitosomes, provided tailored release and pharmacokinetic enhancement. Challenges included aggregation, poor flow, mechanical fragility, and regulatory limitations, though advances in excipient engineering, smart coatings, and manufacturing technologies are mitigating these barriers. Conclusions Nanocarrier-based tablets are a promising frontier for improving oral drug delivery, offering controlled release, enhanced bioavailability, and potential for multifunctionality. While nanocrystal-based products dominate the market, newer nanosystems show increasing promise. Future directions include personalized therapies, oral delivery of biologics, and integration of multifunctional nanocarriers enabled by emerging technologies such as 3D printing and stimuli-responsive coatings.

Nanoradiopharmaceuticals integrate nanotechnology with nuclear medicine to enhance the precision and effectiveness of radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnostic imaging and targeted therapies. Nanomaterials offer improved targeting capabilities and greater stability, helping to overcome several limitations. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental design principles, radiolabeling techniques, and biomedical applications of nanoradiopharmaceuticals, with a particular focus on their expanding role in precision oncology. It explores key areas, including single- and multi-modal imaging modalities (SPECT, PET), radionuclide therapies involving beta, alpha, and Auger emitters, and integrated theranostic systems. A diverse array of nanocarriers is examined, including liposomes, micelles, albumin nanoparticles, PLGA, dendrimers, and gold, iron oxide, and silica-based platforms, with an assessment of both preclinical and clinical research outcomes. Theranostic nanoplatforms, which integrate diagnostic and therapeutic functions within a single system, enable real-time monitoring and personalized dose optimization. Although some of these systems have progressed to clinical trials, several obstacles remain, including formulation stability, scalable manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and long-term safety considerations. In summary, nanoradiopharmaceuticals represent a promising frontier in personalized medicine, particularly in oncology. By combining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities within a single nanosystem, they facilitate more individualized and adaptive treatment approaches. Continued innovation in formulation, radiochemistry, and regulatory harmonization will be crucial to their successful routine clinical use.

Antioxidant nanomaterials, particularly mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) functionalized with polyphenols, offer innovative solutions for protecting oxidation-sensitive components and enhancing bioavailability in pharmaceuticals or extending the shelf life of nutraceutical and food products. This study investigates the influence of MSNs functionalized with caffeic acid (MSN-CAF) on powder flow properties and their tableting performance. Aminated MSNs were synthesized via co-condensation and conjugated with caffeic acid using EDC/NHS chemistry. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH^●, ABTS^●+, ORAC, and FRAP assays. Powder blends with varying MSN-CAF concentrations (10–70%) were characterized for flow properties (angle of repose, Hausner ratio, Carr’s index), tablets were produced via direct compression, and critical quality attributes (weight uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration, nanoparticle release) were assessed. MSN-CAF exhibited reduced antioxidant capacity compared with free caffeic acid due to pore entrapment but retained significant activity. Formulation F1 (10% MSN-CAF) showed excellent flowability (angle of repose: 12°, Hausner ratio: 1.16, Carr’s index: 14%), enabling robust tablet production with rapid disintegration, low friability, and complete nanoparticle release in 10 min. Additionally, the antioxidant nanomaterial demonstrated biocompatibility with the HepG2 cell line. MSN-CAF is a versatile nanoexcipient for direct compression tablets, offering potential as an active packaging agent and delivery system in the nutraceutical and food industries.

Background/Objectives: The absence of standardized protocols for assessing in vitro drug release from nanocarriers poses significant challenges in nanoformulation development. This study evaluated three in vitro methods: sample and separate without medium replacement (independent batch), sample and separate with medium replacement, and a dialysis bag method, to characterize the release of rhodamine B from mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). Methods: Each method was examined under varying agitation conditions (shaking versus stirring). MSNs were synthesized via the sol-gel method, exhibiting a hydrodynamic diameter of 202 nm, a zeta potential of −23.5 mV, and a surface area of 688 m²/g, with a drug loading efficiency of 32.4%. Results: Release profiles revealed that the independent batch method exhibited a rapid initial burst followed by a plateau after 4 h, attributed to surface saturation effects. Conversely, the sample and separate with medium replacement method sustained the release up to 60% over 48 h, maintaining sink conditions. The dialysis method showed agitation-dependent variability, with magnetic stirring using a longer stir bar enhancing release. Kinetic analyses indicated first-order kinetics with non-Fickian diffusion. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicate that both the selection of the in vitro method and the agitation technique play a crucial role in determining the apparent drug release kinetics from nanocarriers. These findings highlight the critical role of experimental design in interpreting nanocarrier release kinetics, advocating for tailored protocols to improve reproducibility and in vitro–in vivo correlations in nanoformulation.