Physiological neutral pH drives a gradual lamellar-to-reverse cubic-to-reverse hexagonal phase transition in phytantriol-based nanoparticles

Author(s)

Ribeiro, Iris R. ^[1] ; Immich, Maira F. ^[2] ; Lundberg, Dan ^[3] ; Poletto, Fernanda ^[2] ; Loh, Watson ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Chem, POB 6154, BR-13084970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Inst Quim, Programa Posgrad Quim, BR-91501970 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

^[3] CR Competence AB, Ctr Chem & Chem Engn, Box 124, SE-22100 Lund - Sweden

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES; v. 177, p. 204-210, MAY 1 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Dispersed systems of bicontinuous cubic phases, called cubosomes, show a drug release rate faster than those obtained using other liquid-crystalline phases. To minimize side effects associated with the accelerated release of incorporated drugs, compounds may be added in the dispersions to produce systems of slow initial release and then fast release only in the desired action region. This paper addresses the addition of 10.0% (w/w) of decyl betainate chloride (DBC), a cleavable surfactant, into phytantriol/Pluronic-based dispersions to generate lamellar-to-cubic-to-hexagonal phase transitions. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to analyze the mesophases obtained with the addition of DBC and pH variation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed the presence of niosomes after the addition of DBC. The niosomes formed in these systems are pH-responsive with lamellar-to-hexosomes transitions at pH >= 7.4. The system investigated herein is gastroresistant presenting potential therapeutic role for controlled release of drugs in neutral or alkaline environments of the organism. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/03735-0 - Enzyme and pH responsive phytantriol liquid-crystalline nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery
• Grantee: Iris Renata Sousa Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master