Enzyme and pH responsive phytantriol liquid-crystalline nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery

• Grant number: 16/03735-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: June 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Watson Loh
• Grantee: Iris Renata Sousa Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this project, we propose the use of dispersed systems with liquid-crystalline phases and responsiveness to stimuli related to fungal infections, which are acidic pH values and high concentration of lipases. A controlled release of drugs incorporated into these systems is expected. As a consequence, lower amount of drug can be administered and side effects can be reduced. The system will be composed of phytantriol, water and a responsive surfactant (fatty ester of indomethacin, glyceraldehyde derivative imine, di-octyl sulfosuccinate sodium chloride and decyl betaine). Phytantriol is a lipase-resistant compound that is able to assemble as bicontinuous cubic phases at physiological conditions. Conversely, the responsive surfactants act as substrates for lipases, or are acid-sensitive compounds. The modification of the surfactant chemical structure due to exposure to enzymes and acidic medium is expected to promote phase changes in the dispersed systems, which will be correlated with the release rate of drug-models. This study is devoted to development and characterization of new smart systems to potentially reduce the side effects associated with long-term treatment of fungal infections. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RIBEIRO, IRIS R.; IMMICH, MAIRA F.; LUNDBERG, DAN; POLETTO, FERNANDA; LOH, WATSON. Physiological neutral pH drives a gradual lamellar-to-reverse cubic-to-reverse hexagonal phase transition in phytantriol-based nanoparticles. COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES, v. 177, p. 204-210, MAY 1 2019. (16/03735-0)