Perspectives for nano-biotechnology enabled protection and nutrition of plants

The application of nanotechnology in pesticide delivery is relatively new and in the early stages of development. This technology aims to reduce the indiscriminate use of conventional pesticides and ensure their safe application. This critical review investigated the potential of nanotechnology, especially the nanoencapsulation process for pesticide delivery. In-depth investigation of various nanoencapsulation materials and techniques, efficacy of application, and current research trends are also presented. The focus of ongoing research was on the development of a nanoencapsulated pesticide formulation that has slow releasing properties with enhanced solubility, permeability, and stability. These properties are mainly achieved through either protecting the encapsulated active ingredients from premature degradation or increasing their pest control efficacy for a longer period. Nanoencapsulated pesticide formulation is able to reduce the dosage of pesticides and human exposure to them, which is environmenta...

Nanoencapsulation, Nano-guard for Pesticides: A New Window for Safe Application

The combination of one-dimensional and two-dimensional building blocks leads to the formation of hierarchical composites that can take full advantages of each kind of material, which is an effective way for the preparation of multifunctional materials with extraordinary properties. Among various building blocks, nanocarbons (e.g., carbon nanotubes and graphene) and layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are two of the most powerful materials that have been widely used in human life. This Feature Article presents a state-of-the-art review of hierarchical nanocomposites derived from nanocarbons and LDHs. The properties of nanocarbons, LDHs, as well as the combined nanocomposites, are described first. Then, efficient and effective fabrication methods for the hierarchical nanocomposites, including the reassembly of nanocarbons and LDHs, formation of LDHs on nanocarbons, and formation of nanocarbons on LDHs, are presented. The as-obtained nanocomposites derived form nanocarbons and LDHs exhibited excellent performance as multifunctional materials for their promising applications in energy storage, nanocomposites, catalysis, environmental protection, and drug delivery. The fabrication of LDH/carbon nanocomposites provides a novel method for the development of novel multifunctional nanocomposites based on the existing nanomaterials. However, knowledge of their assembly mechanism, robust and precise route for LDH/nanocarbon hybrid with well designed structure, and the relationship between structure, properties, and applications are still inadequate. A multidisciplinary approach from the scope of materials, physics, chemistry, engineering, and other application areas, is highly required for the development of this advanced functional composite materials.

Hierarchical Nanocomposites Derived from Nanocarbons and Layered Double Hydroxides - Properties, Synthesis, and Applications

Intercalation of drugs in layered double hydroxides and their controlled release: A review

Layered double hydroxides toward electrochemical energy storage and conversion: design, synthesis and applications

Clay minerals and layered double hydroxides for novel biological applications

We have developed new inorganic-based drug delivery systems through the hybridization of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and layered metal hydroxide such as zinc basic hydroxide salt (ZBS) and zinc aluminum layered double hydroxide (ZALDH). A coprecipitation method as well as an ion-exchange route is found to be commonly effective in synthesizing both IAA-ZBS and IAA-ZALDH nanohybrids, in which the tilted bilayers of IAA are stabilized in the interlayer space of layered metal hydroxide lattice. According to the FT-IR spectroscopic analyses, IAA molecules interact more strongly with the ZBS lattice than the ZALDH one, which is due to the formation of coordination bonds between carboxyl groups of the guest species and coordinatively unsaturated Zn(OH)3 units of the host ZBS lattice. Such an interaction gives rise to a slower release of the IAA molecules from the ZBS-based nanohybrid than from the ZALDH-based one. The present results underscore that the layered hydroxydouble salt like ZBS makes it possible to des...

New inorganic-based drug delivery system of indole-3-acetic acid-layered metal hydroxide nanohybrids with controlled release rate

An anticancer drug, methotrexate (MTX), has been successfully hybridized with layered double hydroxide (LDH) through co-precipitation route to produce MTX-LDH nanohybrids (MTX-LDH). According to the X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy, it was confirmed that MTX molecules are stabilized in the interlayer space of LDHs by electrostatic interaction, maintaining their functional groups and structural integrity. According to the drug release study, the total amount of released MTX from the LDH lattice was determined to be larger under a simulated intracellular lysosomal condition (pH = 4.5) than simulated body fluid one (pH = 7.4). It is, therefore, expected that the MTX molecules in MTX-LDH can be effectively released in lysosomes, since the MTX release could be accelerated via ion-exchange reaction and dissolution of LDH in an acidic lysosomal condition. We also examined the anticancer efficacy of MTX-LDH in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. The cellular uptake of MTX was considerably higher in MTX-LDH-treated cells than in free MTX-treated cells, giving a lower IC50 value for the former than the latter. All the results demonstrated that the MTX-LDH nanohybrid allows the efficient drug delivery in cells, and thus enhances drug efficacy.

Anticancer drug-inorganic nanohybrid and its cellular interaction.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), anionic clays, have attracted increasing interest as nanovehicles for delivering genes, drugs, and bio-active molecules into cells. However, no attempts have been made to evaluate the potential undesirable effects of LDH nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of LDHs with different chemical compositions (ZnAl- and MgAl-LDH) was systematically evaluated in various cell types, such as human normal cells, carcinoma cells, and red blood cells, by measuring cell viability, cell proliferation, membrane damage, and hemolytic effect. No significant cytotoxic effects could be seen in both cases, but ZnAl-LDH was determined to be slightly more toxic than MgAl-LDH in terms of membrane damage and hemolysis induction. It is, therefore, expected that LDHs could be promising candidates for novel inorganic drug delivery carriers.

Cellular toxicity of inorganic hydroxide nanoparticles.

Provided is an injectable drug carrier including a non-toxic Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Provided is also a method of preparing the injectable drug carrier, the method including: synthesizing LDH with various compositions and controlling the size and shape of the LDH at a level that the LDH has no adverse effect in vivo. A solution obtained by dispersing the LDH in a solvent is injected in vivo. According to the method, nano-size LDH that does not affect a blood vessel in vivo can be synthesized. The LDH thus synthesized has no adverse effect in vivo even at a concentration of 400 mg/kg, and thus can contribute to establishment of a drug delivery system capable of improving the delivery efficiency of a specific drug.

Taeun Park

Papers

Clay minerals and layered double hydroxides for novel biological applications

New inorganic-based drug delivery system of indole-3-acetic acid-layered metal hydroxide nanohybrids with controlled release rate

Anticancer drug-inorganic nanohybrid and its cellular interaction.

Cellular toxicity of inorganic hydroxide nanoparticles.

Injectable drug carrier comprising layered double hydroxide