In recent years, the use of active substances as excipients or as substitutes for other excipients in the design of modern drug delivery systems has received widespread attention, which has promoted the development of the theory of unification of medicines and excipients in the design of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations. Adopting the theory of unification of medicines and excipients to design drug delivery systems can reduce the use of excipients and thus the cost of preparations, reduce drug toxicity, increase drug solubility and biocompatibility, enhance synergistic effect, and realize targeted delivery and simultaneous delivery of multiple components. However, the research on the application of this theory in the modern drug delivery system of TCM preparations is still insufficient, with few relevant articles. In addition, the TCM active substances that can be used as the excipients remain to be catalogued. In this paper, we review the types and applications of the drug delivery systems with TCM active substances as excipients and describe their common construction methods and mechanisms, aiming to provide references for the in-depth research on the modern drug delivery systems for TCM preparations.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Excipients ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Nanomedicine ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Nucleoside drugs play an essential role in treating major diseases such as tumor and viral infections, and have been widely applied in clinics. However, the effectiveness and application of nucleoside drugs are significantly limited by their intrinsic properties such as low bioavailability, lack of targeting ability, and inability to enter the cells. Nanocarriers can improve the physiological properties of nucleoside drugs by improving drug delivery efficiency and availability, maintaining drug efficacy and system stability, adjusting the binding ability of the carrier and drug molecules, as well as modifying specific molecules to achieve active targeting. Starting from the design strategy of nucleoside drug nanodelivery systems, the design and therapeutic effect of these nanomedicines are described in this review, and the future development directions of nucleoside/nucleotide-loaded nanomedicines are also discussed.
Nanomedicine ; Nucleosides/chemistry* ; Nucleotides ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Carriers

BACKGROUND: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are excellent candidates for biomedical imaging because of unique characteristics like enhanced colloidal stability and excellent in vivo biocompatibility. Over the last decade, material scientists have developed IONPs with better imaging and enhanced optical absorbance properties by tuning their sizes, shape, phases, and surface characterizations. Since IONPs could be detected with magnetic resonance imaging, various attempts have been made to combine other imaging modalities, thereby creating a high-resolution imaging platform. Composite IONPs (CIONPs) comprising IONP cores with polymeric or inorganic coatings have recently been documented as a promising modality for therapeutic applications. METHODS: In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in CIONPs for multimodal imaging and focus on the therapeutic applications of CIONPs. RESULTS: CIONPs with phototherapeutics, IONP-based nanoparticles are used for theranostic application via imaging guided photothermal therapy. CONCLUSION: CIONP-based nanoparticles are known for theranostic application, longstanding effects of composite NPs in in vivo systems should also be studied. Once such issues are fixed, multifunctional CIONP-based applications can be extended for theranostics of diverse medical diseases in the future.
Colloids ; Iron ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multimodal Imaging ; Nanoparticles ; Optical Imaging ; Polymers ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Motility disorders are common and may affect the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract but current treatment is limited. Multilocular sensing of GI electrical activity and variable electrical stimulation (ES) is a promising option. The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of adjustable ES on poststimulatory spike activities in 5 GI segments. METHODS: Six acute porcine experiments were performed with direct ES by 4 ES parameter sets (30 seconds, 25 mA, 500 microseconds or 1000 microseconds, 30 Hz or 130 Hz) applied through subserosal electrodes in the stomach, duodenum, ileum, jejunum, and colon. Multi-channel electromyography of baseline and post-stimulatory GI electrical activity were recorded for 3 minutes with hook needle and hook-wire electrodes. Spike activities were algorithmically calculated, visualized in a heat map, and tested for significance by Poisson analysis. RESULTS: Post-stimulatory spike activities were markedly increased in the stomach (7 of 24 test results), duodenum (8 of 24), jejunum (23 of 24), ileum (18 of 24), and colon (5 of 24). ES parameter analysis revealed that 80.0% of the GI parts (all but duodenum) required a pulse width of 1000 microseconds, and 60.0% (all but jejunum and colon) required 130 Hz frequency for maximum spike activity. Five reaction patterns were distinguished, with 30.0% earlier responses (type I), 42.5% later or mixed type responses (type II, III, and X), and 27.5% non-significant responses (type 0). CONCLUSIONS: Multilocular ES with variable ES parameters is feasible and may significantly modulate GI electrical activity. Automated electromyography analysis revealed complex reaction patterns in the 5 examined GI segments.
Colon ; Duodenum ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrodes ; Electromyography ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hot Temperature ; Ileum ; Jejunum ; Needles ; Stomach ; Theranostic Nanomedicine

Prostate cancer is third common malignancy in men of old age (average 65 years) in Myanmar. Currently, serum PSA and bone scan are the markers of choice. Because of the evidence-based, promising success of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET-CT and 177Lu-PSMA theranostics in prostate cancer worldwide, (99m)Tc-PSMA SPECT-CT imaging and ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA therapy has launched as a stepping-stone of theranostics in Myanmar with the available facilities. Twelve cases of prostate cancer patients were imaged with 600 MBq of (99m)Tc-PSMA I+S SPECT-CT. Four metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (MCRPC) patients with abnormal result were treated with ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA. The protocol consists of 6–8 GBq of ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA, three successive doses at interval of 4–6 weeks. Post-therapy SPECT-CT imaging was done. All treated patients were improved by free of bone pain, and fall/rise in serum PSA level. Two patients with extensive skeletal metastases succumbed to complications. The results are well documented and present at the multidisciplinary conferences for clinical awareness. Theranostics in prostate cancer with available facilities is an additional boon to our health care professionals to upgrade cancer management in Myanmar. This paper provides the technology with cost effectiveness and benefit to prostate cancer patients of Myanmar.
Castration ; Congresses as Topic ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Male ; Myanmar ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Theranostic Nanomedicine

Nuclear medicine has been offering diagnostic and therapeutic solution since the introduction of radioactive iodine for thyroid diseases since decades. However, the concept of theranostics has given a new found impetus to the use of pairs of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and treatment. Presented here is a perspective on theranostics from Pakistan.
Diagnosis ; Iodine ; Nuclear Medicine ; Pakistan ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Thyroid Diseases

Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) is unique because of its efficacy and its theranostic feature in the era of precision medicine. So far, introduction of new TRT has not been going well in Japan due to several reasons including strict regulations, shortage of facilities for TRT, and insufficient reimbursement for TRT in clinic. Japanese community had several strategies to develop TRT in these 10 years, including the establishment of the National Conference for Nuclear Medicine Theranostics in which physicians, scientists, patients, people supporting patients, and industrial people gather. To promote TRTwith supports from the government, the preparatory committee for the establishment of Japan Foundation of Medical Isotope Development (JAFMID) was launched. I would like to call TRT “Precision Nuclear Medicine.” When we can add genomic information here, we can put it to new stage of cancer therapy. It is time for us.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Japan ; Nuclear Medicine ; Precision Medicine ; Social Control, Formal ; Theranostic Nanomedicine

Nuclear medicine in Indonesia has a quite long history since the late 1960s. There are some problems and obstacles that have to be solved and overcome in order to develop nuclear medicine services, spread the services to reach every target area, and implement new novel therapeutic nuclear medicine as well. The right strategy and strong effort should be performed for a successful result. Theranostics nuclear medicine will play a more prominent role in the management of cancer patients.
Humans ; Indonesia ; Nuclear Medicine ; Theranostic Nanomedicine

Medical managements are becoming personalized while diseases are being understood at the molecular level. Nuclear medicine is one of the fields actively contributing to this development. In particular, theranostics, a combinatorial term for therapy and diagnostics, enables accurate imaging and subsequent targeted radionuclide treatment. Due to its high impact in healthcare, many countries have begun to offer Ga-68 PET/CTscans and Lu-177 therapies. The Philippines has followed suit through the initiative of this author and able support of the administration and staff of St. Luke's Medical Center. The Ga-68 DOTATATE and PSMA PET/CT scans became officially available in January 2018 while the first peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumor and first PSMA radioligand therapy for prostate cancer occurred in May and June 2018, respectively. Amidst past, present, and future challenges, theranostics has emerged in the Philippines, offering hope to cancer patients in the country.
Delivery of Health Care ; Hope ; Humans ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Nuclear Medicine ; Philippines ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Receptors, Peptide ; Theranostic Nanomedicine

Nuclear theranostics functions as a bridge which connects targeted diagnosis to targeted therapy, just like Turkey functions as a geographical bridge which connects Asia to Europe. This unique geographical site of the country plays an important role with regard to introduction of novel scientific and technologic improvements, which originate from one continent to another, in the era of accelerated information. The first nuclear medicine practice in Turkey started in the beginning of 1950s with the first radioiodine treatment, which actually was a debut for nuclear theranostics in Turkey, years before many other countries in the world. For the time being, along with radioiodine treatment, many other theranostic applications such as I-131 MIBG treatment, Lu-177/Y-90 DOTA peptide treatment, Lu-177 PSMA treatment, Y-90 microsphere treatment, and bone palliative treatment are being performed in many centers countrywide. As science and technology improves, novel theranostic applications are eagerly awaited to be introduced in near future. This paper summarizes the story of nuclear theranostics in Turkey and aims to give an overview on the current status of theranostic applications in Turkey.
3-Iodobenzylguanidine ; Asia ; Diagnosis ; Europe ; Microspheres ; Nuclear Medicine ; Palliative Care ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Turkey