Poly-N-acryloyl-(l-phenylalanine methyl ester) hollow core nanocapsules facilitate sustained delivery of immunomodulatory drugs and exhibit adjuvant properties?

Nanoscale Pub Date: 2017-08-23 DOI: 10.1039/C7NR03724D

Abstract

Polymeric hollow nanocapsules have attracted significant research attention as novel drug carriers and their preparation is of particular concern owing to the feasibility to encapsulate a broad range of drug molecules. This work presents for the first time the synthesis and development of novel poly-N-acryloyl L-phenylalanine methyl ester hollow core nanocapsules (NAPA-HPNs) of avg. size ca. 100–150 nm by the mini-emulsion technique. NAPA-HPNs are biocompatible and capable of encapsulating sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at a rate of ～1.3 μM per mg of capsules. These NAPA-HPNs + SNP nano-formulations maintained homeostasis of macrophages which carry and facilitate the action of various drug molecules used against various diseases. These NAPA-HPNs also facilitate the prolonged release of a low level of nitric oxide (NO) and enhance the metabolic activities of pro-inflammatory macrophages, which are important for the action of various drugs in body fluids. NAPA-HPN mediated skewing of na?ve macrophages toward the M1 phenotype potentially demonstrates its adjuvant action on the innate immune system. These results potentially suggested that NAPA-HPNs can serve both as a carrier of drugs as well as an adjuvant for the immune system. Thus, these nanocapsules could be used for the effective management of various infectious or tumor diseases where immune-stimulation is paramount for treatment.

Graphical abstract: Poly-N-acryloyl-(l-phenylalanine methyl ester) hollow core nanocapsules facilitate sustained delivery of immunomodulatory drugs and exhibit adjuvant properties
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