Neuroprotective action of undecylenic acid (UDA) encapsulated into PCL nanocarriers

Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles as Promising Candidates for Nanocarriers in Novel Nanomedicines

An investigation of the interactions between bio-polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and the RAW 264.7 mouse murine macrophage cell line has been presented. The cell viability, immunological response, and endocytosis efficiency of NPs were studied. Biopolymeric NPs were synthesized from a nanoemulsion using the phase inversion composition (PIC) technique. The two types of biopolymeric NPs that were obtained consisted of a biocompatible polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL), either with or without its copolymer with poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-b-PEG). Both types of synthesized PCL NPs passed the first in vitro quality assessments as potential drug nanocarriers. Non-pegylated PCL NPs were internalized more effectively and the clathrin-mediated pathway was involved in that process. The investigated NPs did not affect the viability of the cells and did not elicit an immune response in the RAW 264.7 cells (neither a significant increase in the expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines nor NO (nitric oxide) production were observed). It may be concluded that the synthesized NPs are promising candidates as nanocarriers of therapeutic compounds.

Functionalization of Cotton Fabrics with Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles for Transdermal Release of Melatonin

Drug delivery by means of transdermal patches raised great interest as a non-invasive and sustained therapy. The present research aimed to design a patch for transdermal delivery of melatonin, which was encapsulated in polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) by employing flash nanoprecipitation (FNP) technique. Melatonin-loaded PCL nanoparticles were successfully prepared with precise control of the particle size by effectively tuning process parameters. The effect of process parameters on the particle size was assessed by dynamic light scattering for producing particles with suitable size for transdermal applications. Quantification of encapsulated melatonin was performed by mean of UV spectrophotometry, obtaining the estimation of encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and loading capacity (LC%). An EE% higher than 80% was obtained. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of NPs was performed to confirm effective encapsulation in the solid phase. Cotton fabrics, functionalized by imbibition with the nano-suspension, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to check morphology, adhesion and distribution of the NPs on the surface; melatonin transdermal release from the functionalized fabric was performed via Franz’s cells by using a synthetic membrane. NPs were uniformly distributed on cotton fibres, as confirmed by SEM observations; the release test showed a continuous and controlled release whose kinetics were satisfactorily described by Baker–Lonsdale model.