Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 8

Nanoencapsulation is the coating of various substances within another material at sizes on the nano scale.

This technique is already commonplace within a range of industries but it is accepted that only around 10% of potential applications are being exploited. Microencapsulation Microencapsulation is similar to nanoencapsulation aside from it involving larger particles and having been done for a greater period of time than nanoencapsulation. Nanoencapsulation has evolved from and can be considered to be the miniaturisation of microencapsulation. Encapsulation Terms The encapsulated material is commonly referred to as the internal phase, the core material, the filler or the fill. The encapsulation material is known as the external phase, the shell, coating or membrane. Nanocapsule Appearance Common macro sized capsules used for off the shelf pharmaceuticals and vitamins are smooth uniformly sized object but they are vastly different to micro and nanoencapsulated materials. As the core material for different nanocapsules may vary greatly in size, shape and composition, the encapsulated particle can be have an appearance that ranges from having regular, uniform shape through to being jagged and irregular. Nanoencapsulation Techniques A multitude of techniques are used in nanoencapsulation and as the field is an emerging one, new techniques are constantly being developed. The more popular techniques include: Fluid bed coating Wax and lipid coating Spray drying Spray congealing Hydrogel encapsulation Melt extrusion

Application The basic reason for nanoencapsulation is to protect the core material and to then release it when it is required. Applications for this include:

Targeted drug delivery systems that release the drug only when the drug has arrived at the site in the body where it is required. Timed release drug delivery where the nanoencapsulation material slowly allows the drug to be released into the body such as nasal delivery of insulin. The coating material can be customised to determine the rate of delivery Embedded fragrances for branded perfumed clothing

Food additions and food enhancements such as Omega-3 fatty acid additions to bread that do not alter taste Increasing shelf life and stability of products like vitamins

Working from Louisiana Tech's Institute for Micromanufacturing, Lvov and Agarwal collaborated with pharmaceutical researchers from Northeastern University in Boston on a new article in Pharma Focus Asia. The article looks at nanoencapsulation of low soluble cancer drugs and presents an innovative approach for adjusting drug release rates and attaching antibodies at the outer shell layers for targeted drug delivery. "We may be able to drastically increase the efficiency of existing low-soluble cancer drugs by way of their nanoparticle formulation," says Lvov. "We are working with several other institutions around the country that are currently in the process of testing our new drug formulation." "The application of his approach to nanoassembly into clinical drug delivery will enable further improvements in cancer therapy that may reduce some of the traumatic impact of current methods," states Napper. But Lvov is quick to point out that he is not alone in this endeavor. "This is not singular research. Drs. Mark DeCoster, David Mills, Patrick O'Neal and many Ph.D. students at the Institute for Micromanufacturing are diligently working on different parts of our drug nanoencapsulation program." "Nanoencapsulation research is of significant interest to pharmaceutical companies," said Guice. "We (Louisiana Tech) are not making a new drug," explains Lvov. "But just as important, we are the engineers working in nanotechnology to make new, more efficient formulations for existing drugs." Background: For more than two decades, scientists here at the DRI have been developing ways to protect transplanted islets and promote their long-term survival. A potential solution sounded simple enough encase the cells in a protective barrier (a process called cell encapsulation) that allows nutrients to flow in and insulin to flow out. This encapsulation technology, however, has been met with many challenges. Scientists have constructed small, bubble-like casings called microcapsules to protect islets from inflammatory reactions and immune attacks, while permitting the nutrients to reach the cell. But the very construct of a microcapsule continues to prevent islets from thriving. Heres why. While invisible to the naked eye, microcapsules are relatively large and the space within them is very

big compared to the size of one islet cell almost like a pea inside of a balloon. As a result, critical oxygen and other nutrients flowing in do not reach the many cells within islet efficiently. Research Focus: The Tissue Engineering group here at the DRI is developing a different cell encapsulation strategy using nanotechnology following a similar process thats been used in the microchip industry for years. By layering a microscopically-thin, nanoscale coating directly to the surface of the islet cell, nanoencapsulation accomplishes two things:

Because this advanced cell encapsulation layer is so thin - almost as if its shrinkwrapped around the islet cells, oxygen and nutrients dont have to travel far to reach the cells. And, the islet cells themselves can efficiently release insulin back into the bloodstream through that same, thin nanoencapsulation layer. Although thin and porous enough to let nutrients in, the nanoscale coating does offer protection to the transplanted islet cell by dampening the immune systems response to attack the transplant.

In addition to passively protecting the cell, researchers believe these nanoscale layers can also be made more active. By attaching anti-inflammatory molecules to their surface, the nanoscale layers actively ward off attacks on the transplanted cell, and reduce adverse reactions to transplant stress, such as inflammation, clot formation and leukocyte (white blood cell) infiltration. Because this nanoencapsulation strategy holds such promise, weve established a partnership with Dr. Jeffrey Hubbell, Professor and Director of the Integrative Biosciences Institute, and Professor of the Institute for Chemical Sciences and Engineering at Ecole Polytechnique Fdrale de Lausanne in Switzerland. Dr. Hubbell is world renowned for his work with biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Our collaboration will focus on developing new encapsulation devices and investigating strategies for local drug delivery at the transplant site. Leading to a Cure: How this Research Supports our Mission By coating islet cells with nanoscale layers and creating a type of camouflage, transplanted cells will go unnoticed by the body. The coating prevents attacks from the immune system, could decrease the need for anti-rejection drugs, helps to avoid inflammation in the area of the transplant, yet still allows cells to sense glucose in the blood and secrete insulin. ANP's nanoencapsulation delivery system is capable of safely and cost-effectively delivering a variety of proteins through injection, nasal, and inhalation methods. The technology is proven to be superior to the existing stealth liposome and biodegradable polymer technologies in terms of cost, ease of formulation, long-term protein stability, and blood circulation time. This is primarily due to the fact that our nanocapsules produced from the patented process are less than 200 nm in diameter and monodisperse in nature, while liposomes and biodegradable polymers are predominantly more than 1,000 nm in diameter with polydisperse distributions.

Therefore, due to the nano size control and the incorporation of biologically stealthy surface designs, our nanocapsules are capable of freely circulating in the blood without the rapid clearance by capillary filtration in the lungs, or phagocytosis from the immune system. The same technology can also be used for the delivery of siRNA and RNAi, as well as water insoluble, small molecule-based drugs. Summary of Nanoencapsulation Technology: * Precise size control at less than 200 nm * Non-toxic & non-immunogenic * Fully soluble in both aqueous and organic solvents * Increased blood circulation time * Simple formulation process * Better stability than liposomes * Excellent lot-to-lot reproducibility * Applicable to protein, RNA, and small molecule drugs

The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation, implementing research projects throughout Africa and making a difference in peoples lives. The CSIR Encapsulation & Delivery Research Group is developing a nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery system (DDS) that will improve the current inadequate therapeutic management of diseases of poverty such as TB and malaria. We envisage that our DDS will target infected cells, and enable easier entry; slow release and enhance retention of the drugs in the cells, hence reducing the current dose and/or dose frequency, and lessen the total standard treatment time. Following the target identification, our projects then flow into two main phases: Encapsulation and Delivery Phase I: Encapsulation of the therapeutic compounds into polymeric nanoparticles Nanoencapsulation is the coating of various substances within another material at nano-scale sizes. The encapsulated material is commonly referred to as the internal phase, the core material, the filler or the fill. The encapsulation material is known as the external phase, the shell, coating or membrane. The core material for different nanocapsules may vary greatly in size, shape and composition; the encapsulated particle can have an appearance that ranges from having regular, uniform shape through to being jagged and irregular. A multitude of techniques are used in nanoencapsulation and as the field is an emerging one, new techniques are constantly being developed. The most popular techniques we use are spray drying and super critical fluid encapsulation. Phase II: Passive and active delivery

The basic reason for nanoencapsulation is to protect the core material and to then release it when it is required. Applications for this include:

Targeted drug delivery systems that release the drug only when the drug has arrived at the site in the body where it is required Timed release drug delivery where the nanoencapsulation material slowly allows the drug to be released into the body the coating material can be customised to determine the rate of delivery Increasing shelf life and stability of products like vitamins.

This is the stage in which the encapsulated drugs/compounds are assayed to determine their therapeutic effectiveness, in vitro, in vivo (in animal models), by determining the PK (Pharmacokinetics) and the PD (Pharmacodynamics) properties. PK studies are carried out to determine what the body does to the drug, by determining the ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion). PD studies determine what the drug does to the body, i.e. target site of action, mechanism of action and the drug response. PROJECTS ON NANOENCAPUSULATION Nano-encapsulation of anti-TB drugs We have successfully nano-encapsulated four first line anti-TB drugs: Isoniazid (INH), Rifampicin (RIF), Ethambutol (ETB) and Pyrazinamide (PZA), as well as two second line TB drugs (MDR TB drugs), namely: Capreomycin and Kanamycin, in particles of 250-400nm, using a novel multiple emulsion spray-drying technique. The polymer used is Poly(lactide-coglycolide) (PLGA). A patent application has been filed on the method of preparing the nanoparticles, and has received an International Search Report from reviewers confirming its novelty. The use of natural polymers for encapsulating anti-TB drugs The purpose of the project is to investigate the use of natural polymers: chitosan and alginate, as alternatives to the current anti-tuberculosis nano-drug delivery system using PLGA. The current work focuses on the use of hydrophobically modified chitosan for drug delivery to address the challenges of low drug loading and low recovery of nanoparticles. Project Leader: Saloshnee Naidoo Encapsulation of anti-malarials Based on our successes and experiences obtained through the CSIR TB nanodrug delivery project, we also plan to nano-encapsulate anti-malarial drugs. The anti-malarial nanoparticles can also be functionalised for targeted delivery to the cells. We have a good network of collaborators whose expertise and infrastructure will facilitate our progress.

Encapsulation of antiretrovirals (ARVs) Nowhere in the world is the HIV/Aids epidemic more prevalent than in sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 5.2 million people were living with HIV and Aids in South Africa in 2008, more than in any other country. Increasing levels of HIV/Aids morbidity and mortality pose a serious threat to food security and nutrition in households. The main goal of this project is to develop a nanoparticle ARV drug delivery system that will protect the ARVs from degradation, reduce toxicity, increase bioavailability and allow sustained drug release. FDA-approved polymers, namely PLGA and poly (caprolactone) (PCL), will be investigated. Lamivudine, stavudine, efavirenz and nevirapine, currently used as first line drugs in South Africa will be used in the project. Parameters of investigation include toxicity, drug release and efficacy. We hypothesise that by using this system; drug release can be prolonged, allowing for a single administration of drugs to last for several days or weeks instead of the current daily administration. This will minimise the side effects and the dose levels, and thus improve patient compliance and contribute towards one of the aims of the national strategic plan for HIV/AIDS 2007-2011 of South Africa, which is to expand treatment to 80% of HIV-infected individuals. Supercritical fluid (SCF) encapsulation An innovative encapsulation technology has been developed that utilises supercritical carbon dioxide as the solvent to allow entrapment of a wide range of compound in polymer matrices. Conducting encapsulation in this solvent-less environment allows for a very elegant way to protect sensitive actives, such as biological molecules (proteins, peptides, DNA, etc.) and probiotics. The main advantage of the polymer matrix is that it protects orally administrated actives in the aggressive gastrointestinal environment. However, once the encapsulation material reaches the more alkaline environment of the intestine, it allows for dissolution/swelling of the matrix with subsequent enhanced release of the active ingredient. The patented technology has been licensed to Ellipsoid (Pty) Ltd, a joint venture company between CSIR and Industrial Development Corporation. PROJECTS ON DELIVERY Pharmacokinetics- and Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) In vitro release assays showed that the drugs were released in a slow manner over a period of several days. The particles were taken up by cells in vitro indicating feasibility of intracellular drug delivery. The bacterial growth index in THP-1 cells treated with encapsulated RIF was reduced compared to that of cells treated with free RIF and extracellular bacteria were killed by the encapsulated drug over a period of time. In vivo assays conducted in mice indicate that the nanoparticles are non toxic and are distributed to all tissues. The drugs were released over a period of six days and the minimum inhibitory concentration for RIF and INH was maintained over this period. An efficacy study was performed over four weeks, in which equal doses of the free drugs were administered to HR37V

TB-challenged mice once every day, or the encapsulated drugs once every seven days. The encapsulated drugs showed comparative efficacy to the free drugs, against the TB bacterium, and the cfu counts obtained from the treated mice were significantly different to those of the untreated mice. These are important results because they confirm the feasibility of slow release, and reduced dose frequency. Project Leader: Dr Rose Hayeshi Targeted Drug Delivery Targeted drug delivery is a method of delivering medication to a patient in a manner that increases the concentration of the medication in some parts of the body relative to others. We are working on targeting TB with aptamers and mycolic acids. For targeting with aptamers, an active targeted drug delivery system has been developed that will enable localised delivery of the antiTB drugs to infected macrophages. Targeting has been achieved via attaching nucleic acid aptamers specific for the mannose receptor which is overexpressed by infected macrophages. For targeting with mycolic acids, this aspect exploits the unique, mycolic acid rich, lipid cell wall composition of pathogenic mycobacteria. Project Leader: Dr Yolandy Lemmer Drug Delivery for Malaria Nanomedicine has received a great deal of attention in drug delivery and is generally considered as the key technology of the 21st century. Pharmaceutical companies have lagged in the discovery of drugs for the diseases of the developing world due to the cost of the R&D, the market risk involved and the time-consuming nature of this field. Thus for drug discovery and development for diseases like malaria, where low returns can be expected, new approaches have to be explored. Nanomedicine drug delivery systems have revolutionised therapies for diseases like cancer, but have not been widely applied to transform therapies for infectious diseases of poverty such as malaria. This project seeks to address limitations such as solubility, toxicity and bioavailability in existing antimalarials by exploring different methods to entrap current drugs. We plan to develop nanocarriers for oral delivery of current drugs used in malaria prophylaxis/therapy (CQ, artemisin, artesunate, primaquine etc), by applying our patented technology. The design of the nanocarriers will be based on the shortcomings of the therapy, e.g. artemisinins have short half-lives, therefore nanocarriers will be coated with polymer chains on their surface that will minimise opsonisation of the particles, thus increasing the circulation time and thus the half-life will be designed.

For prophylactic treatment, the active targeting approach will be applied whereby the nanocarriers will be functionalised for targeted delivery to the liver stage or infected red blood cells. Nanocarriers may be coated with polymers that will be responsive to the specific microenvironment and thus allow burst release at the localised site or with nucleic acid aptamers specific for the SURFIN or STEVOR proteins present on the surface of both merozoites and infected red blood cells. Nanotechnology (sometimes shortened to "nanotech") is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres. Quantum mechanical effects are important at thisquantum-realm scale. Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from extensions of conventional device physics to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, from developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale to investigating whether we can directly control matter on the atomic scale. Nanotechnology entails the application of fields of science as diverse as surface science, organic chemistry, molecular biology, semiconductor physics, microfabrication, etc. There is much debate on the future implications of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology may be able to create many new materials and devices with a vast range ofapplications, such as in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy production. On the other hand, nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as any new technology, including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials,[1] and their potential effects on global economics, as well as speculation about various doomsday scenarios. These concerns have led to a debate among advocacy groups and governments on whether special regulation of nanotechnologyis warranted.

Вам также может понравиться