Drug carrier

About: Drug carrier is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 18276 publications have been published within this topic receiving 997718 citations. The topic is also known as: drug carriers & drug vehicle.

Bioerodible polyanhydrides as drug-carrier matrices. I: Characterization, degradation, and release characteristics

Abstract: Polyanhydrides based on a variety of aromatic and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids were developed as bioerodible carrier matrices for controlled delivery applications The high hydrolytic reactivity of the anhydride linkage provides an intrinsic advantage over other classes of bioerodible polymers in versatility and control of degradation rates For example, using the poly[bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) alkane anhydrides] as models, polymers with degradation rates in the range of 10(-1) to 10(-4) mg/h/cm2 were obtained by changing the alkane from a methyl to a hexyl group The polymers were characterized by infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) Near zero-order degradation kinetics were observed for the hydrophobic polyanhydrides over several months The drug release profile of the model drug p-nitroaniline followed closely that of the degradation of injection-molded poly[bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) propane anhydride] over a period of more than 8 months Close correlation of polymer degradation and drug release was also observed in other injection-molded samples (10% loading), suggesting a release mechanism that was dominantly degradation controlled Degradation of these polyanhydrides was pH sensitive, being enhanced in high pH, and became more stable in acidic conditions

Encapsulation of Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Drugs in PLGA Nanoparticles by the Nanoprecipitation Method

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the relative advantages and drawbacks of the nanoprecipitation–solvent displacement method for a range of drugs with respect to the particle size and drug encapsulation in polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. The particle size analysis indicated a unimodal particle size distribution in all systems, with a mean diameter of 160–170 nm, except for insulin nanoparticles, which showed a smaller particle size. The results of the encapsulation efficiency analysis demonstrated that more lipophilic drugs, such as cyclosporin and indomethacin, do not suffer from the problems of drug leakage to the external medium, resulting in improved drug content in the nanoparticles. In spite of the fact that valproic acid is a liquid that is very sparingly soluble in water, very low encapsulation efficiency was obtained. Ketoprofen, a drug sparingly soluble in water, demonstrated intermediate values of encapsulation that were well correlated with its intermediate lipophilicit...

Active Nanodiamond Hydrogels for Chemotherapeutic Delivery

Abstract: Nanodiamond materials can serve as highly versatile platforms for the controlled functionalization and delivery of a wide spectrum of therapeutic elements. In this work, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), an apoptosis-inducing drug widely used in chemotherapy, was successfully applied toward the functionalization of nanodiamond materials (NDs, 2-8 nm) and introduced toward murine macrophages as well as human colorectal carcinoma cells with preserved efficacy. The adsorption of DOX onto the NDs and its reversible release were achieved by regulating Cl- ion concentration, and the NDs were found to be able to efficiently ferry the drug inside living cells. Comprehensive bioassays were performed to assess and confirm the innate biocompatibility of the NDs, via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and electrophoretic DNA fragmentation as well as MTT analysis confirmed the functional apoptosis-inducing mechanisms driven by the DOX-functionalized NDs. We extended the applicability of the DOX-ND composites toward a translational context, where MTT assays were performed on the HT-29 colon cancer cell line to assess DOX-ND induced cell death and ND-mediated chemotherapeutic sequestering for potential slow/sustained released capabilities. These and other medically relevant capabilities enabled by the NDs forge its strong potential as a therapeutically significant nanomaterial.

Nano and microparticles as controlled drug delivery devices.

Abstract: Although, the drug delivery system (DDS) concept is not new, great progress has recently been made in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Targeting delivery of drugs to the diseased lesions is one of the most important aspects of DDS. To convey a sufficient dose of drug to the lesion, suitable carriers of drugs are needed. Nano and microparticle carriers have important potential applications for the administration of therapeutic molecules. The research in this area is being carried out all over the world at a great pace. Research areas cover novel properties that have been developed increased efficiency of drug delivery, improved release profiles and drug targeting. The purpose of this review is to take a closer look at nano/microparticles as drug delivery devices.