Protein nanoparticles are extensively investigated as versatile drug delivery systems, due to their nanoscale size, container-like shape, natural source, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. They provide three distinct interfaces: internal, external, and inter-subunit interfaces for modifications. Chemistry and genetic engineering provide powerful tools to functionalize protein nanoparticles...

A new, novel promising technology for obtaining controlled release and enhancing the bioavailability is a combination of mucoadhesion principle and microencapsulation to result in mucoadhesive microcapsules. Mucoadhesive microcapsules consist of either entirely of a mucoadhesive polymer or having an outer coating enclosing the drug particles. They facilitate an intimate and prolonged contact wi...

For more than 60years drug delivery systems have produced numerous controlled release formulations helping patients improve compliance and maximize the drug efficacy. Development of new controlled drug delivery systems was very productive during the period 1950-1980. The productivity, as measured by the number of clinically used formulations, dropped significantly during 1980-2010. This reduced...

The colon is a site where both local and systemic delivery of drugs can take place. Local delivery could, for example, allow topical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment could be made more effective if it were possible for drugs to be targeted directly on the colon. Systemic side effects could also be reduced. Colon specific systems might also allow oral administration of peptide ...

Drug-delivery systems with a unique capability to respond to a given stimulus can improve therapeutic efficacy. However, development of such systems is currently heavily reliant on responsive polymeric materials and pursuing this singular strategy limits the potential for clinical translation. In this report, with a model system used for drug-release studies, we demonstrate a new strategy: how ...

In recent years, nanomaterials have been widely applied as advanced drug and gene delivery nanosystems. Among them, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have attracted great attention as colloidal drug delivery systems for incorporating hydrophilic or lipophilic drugs and various macromolecules as well as proteins and nucleic acids. Therefore, SLNs offer great promise for controlled and site specif...