Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): A tool to study the thermal behavior of lipid bilayers and liposomal stability

Thermodynamical techniques are applied for determining the thermal stress of medicinal compounds of the excipients as well as their interactions during the formulation process. The physicochemical properties and the stability of the medicinal products could be measured as a function of temperature or time using thermal analysis. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a suitable thermal analysis technique for determining the purity, the polymorphic forms and the melting point of a sample in the Pharmaceutical Industry. It is also considered as a tool to study the thermal behavior of lipid bilayers and of lipidic drug delivery systems, like liposomes by measuring thermodynamic parameters (i.e. ΔH and Tm), which affect the stability of the liposomal suspension under given storage conditions. Copyright © Informa UK, Ltd

The innovations in science and technology as a demand for bio-better medicines in Europe

The purpose of this review is to address the role of the scientific excellence of innovative medicines as the key element in the development process in Greece. The collected statistical information and data on the absorbability of funds for research of innovative medicines, diagnostics, and advanced drug delivery systems pointed out that the Greek scientists could take advantage of the “Horizon 2020” on the continuity of their investigation, whilst how the accumulation of knowledge at Greek universities and research foundations could be translated into industrial products with added value, safe and effective for the European consumers. In conclusion, this review also is considered to provide the potential benefits in order to adapt the signaling of the “Horizon 2020” for the development of a bio-better Europe based on scientific inspirations. This approach could be considered as an interplay between countries and even between the north and west located countries in the European landscape. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015

Dendrimers as drug carriers. A new approach to increase the potential of bioactive natural products

Nanotechnology is a challenging field in science and its application in medicine will bring significant advantages in the treatment of diseases. According to the World Health Organization there is a need for improved therapies against cancer, AIDS and Alzheimer's disease. The new therapies include the design of drug delivery systems, which are able to deliver new bioactive natural products to the target tissues. Dendrimers are hyperbranched polymers with well defined structure and molecular weight; they are composed of a central core and repeated branching units; they have a globular shape, low polydispersity and large void internal spaces that can be used for the encapsulation and delivery of many classes of compounds. Nanosystems, such as dendrimers, can achieve successful administration of poorly water-soluble compounds and those with narrow therapeutic indices

Advanced Drug Delivery Nanosystems: Perspectives and Regulatory Issues

This chapter deals with the classification of Drug Delivery nano Systems (DDnSs) with a Modulatory Controlled Release profile (MCR) denoted as Modulatory Controlled Release nano Systems (MCRnSs). Conventional (c) and advanced (a) DDnSs are denoted by the acronyms cDDnSs and aDDnSs, and can be composed of a single or more than one biomaterials, respectively. The classification was based on their characteristics such as surface functionality (f), the nature of biomaterials used, and the kind of interactions between biomaterials. The aDDnSs can be classified as Hybridic (Hy-) or Chimeric (Chi-) based on the nature—same or different, respectively—of biomaterials and inorganic materials used. The nature of the elements used for producing advanced biomaterials is of great importance and medicinal chemistry contributes effectively to the production of aDDnSs. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015