The binding behavior of guests (dyes and DNA) into peptide nanocapsules formed via self-assembly of a 24-mer b-annulus peptide fragment obtained from the capsid protein of the tomato bushy stunt virus is reported. The pH dependence of the f potential of the peptide nanocapsules indicates that the Cand N-termini are directed to the exterior and interior of the nanocapsules, respectively. Equilib...

Polymeric nanoparticles were developed from a series of chemical reactions using chitosan, polyethylene glycol, and a cell-targeting peptide (CP15). The nanoparticles were complexed with PLK1-siRNA. The optimal siRNA loading was achieved at an N : P ratio of 129.2 yielding a nanoparticle size of >200 nm. These nanoparticles were delivered intraperitoneally and tested for efficient delivery, cyt...

Nanocapsule suspensions containing coenzyme Q10 were prepared by interfacial deposition. The nanocapsules showed characteristics compatible with dermal application: slightly acid pH, drug content close to 100%, particle size between 213 and 248 nm with low polydispersity and negative zeta potential. Three cosmetic formulations for skin application were developed, one with the free-coenzyme Q10,...

A facile, versatile, and one-pot sonochemical synthesis of polydopamine (PDA)-nanocapsules from dopamine is reported. The nanocapsules (227 ± 25 nm) can encapsulate hydrophobic substances while retaining the reactivity of PDA toward nucleophilic reactions, enabling facile surface modification for different applications. PDA nanocapsules are nontoxic to mammalian cells while Cu-containing PDA ca...

The suitability of chitosan and UV-cross-linkable chitosan for intraperitoneal use, for example as a barrier device for preventing peritoneal adhesions or for drug delivery, was examined. In vitro experiments using two major cell types present in the peritoneal cavity (mesothelial cells and peritoneal macrophages) revealed neither attractive interactions between cross-linked chitosan gels and t...

The main goal of this research was to compare the in vitro release rates of nano- and microcapsules of Silybum marianum extract (SME) in animal simulated gastric and intestinal medium conditions. The extract was encapsulated within sodium alginate carriers using emulsification/internal gelation method. Particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI) and morphology of...

PURPOSE To investigate the efficacy of local biodegradable composites of hydroxyapatite, plaster of Paris, and a binder of either alginate or chitosan impregnated with methotrexate on human mammary carcinoma cells. METHODS An in vitro analysis of drug dissolution and a cytotoxicity test on human mammary carcinoma cells were performed over one month. Physicochemical properties of each composit...

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the most common causes of severe respiratory tract infections worldwide. An effective RSV vaccine requires the induction of mucosal immunity which is a major hurdle. Development of polymeric nanoparticle delivery systems is one of the strategies to overcome this hurdle. PLGA, a biodegradable copolymer is FDA approved and chitosan, a mucoadhesive polym...

The aim of this study was to optimize transfection efficiency (TE) of the depolymerized low molecular weight (LW) chitosan with molecular weight (Mw) at 16 kDa and 54% degree of deacetylation (DDA) on three primary cells of fibroblast (F), dental pulp (P), and periodontal ligament (PDL). The effect of low frequency ultrasound treatment on the chitosan-DNA complexes prior transfection on TE was ...

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules have been recently developed as a modified release system for atrazine, an herbicide that can have harmful effects in the environment. Here, the post-emergence herbicidal activity of PCL nanocapsules containing atrazine was evaluated using mustard (Brassica juncea) as target plant species model. Characterization of atrazine-loaded PCL nanocapsules b...