Activated synovial macrophages play a key role in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Recent studies have shown that folate receptor beta (FRβ) is specifically expressed by activated macrophages. Therefore a folate-based nanodevice would provide the possibility of delivering therapeutic agents to activated macrophages without affecting normal cells and tissues. This study shows for the first time the so...

The aim of the present study was to develop a transdermal system for controlled delivery of melatonin combining three strategies: nanoencapsulation of melatonin, drying of melatonin-loaded nanocapsules, and incorporation of nanocapsules in a hydrophilic gel. Nanocapsules were prepared by interfacial deposition of the polymer and were spray-dried using water-soluble excipients. In vitro drug rel...

Combining targeting to therapy remains a major challenge in cancer treatment. To address this subject, the surface of lipid nanocapsules (LNC) was modified by grafting cRGD peptides, which are known to be recognised by αvβ3 integrins expressed by tumour endothelium and cancer cells. Applicability of this LNC-cRGD in tumour targeting was first assessed in vitro by the use of U87MG glioma cells. ...

Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) were modified by adsorbing sequentially dextran sulfate (DS) and chitosan (CS) on their surface by the layer-by-layer (LBL) approach. Tangential flow filtration (TFF) was used in intermediate purifications of the LNC dispersion during the LBL process. The surface modification was based on electrostatic interactions between the coating polyelectrolytes (PEs) and the LNC...

Hollow multilayer nanocapsules were successfully prepared through layer-by-layer assembly of two bioactive polysaccharides, chitosan and fucoidan. The stepwise adsorption of 10 chitosan/fucoidan layers and the consequent formation of a multilayer film on polystyrene nanoparticles (used as templates) were followed through ζ-potential measurement and the removal of the polystyrene core was confir...

The use of nanoparticles may be particularly advantageous in treating bacterial infections due to their multiple simultaneous mechanisms of action. Nanoencapsulation is particularly useful for lipophilic drugs. In this scenario, triclosan is considered a good candidate due to its lipophilicity, broad-spectrum activity, and safety. In the present study, we have developed and characterized an ant...

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules have been previously developed as a carrier system for atrazine. However, the efficacy of this nanoformulation against weeds commonly found in crop cultures has not been tested yet. Here, we evaluated the post-emergence herbicidal activity of PCL nanocapsules containing atrazine against Amaranthus viridis (slender amaranth) and Bidens pilosa (hairy beggar...

the present study is aimed at the overall improvement in the efficacy, reduced toxicity and enhancement of therapeutic index of cisplatin. nanocapsules of cisplatin containing ethylcellulose have been prepared using solvent evaporation technique under ambient conditions. the prepared nanocapsules were used for controlled drug release of anticancer agents with gold and iron oxide nanoparticles. ...