Search

The preparation of so-called hybrid nanomaterials has been widely developed in terms of functional and morphological complexity. However, the specific control of the arrangement of organic and inorganic species, which determines the properties of the final material, still remains a challenge. This article offers a review of the strategies that have been used for the preparation of polymer–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles and nanocapsules via processes involving miniemulsions. Different polymer–inorganic nanostructures are classified into four main groups according to the sequential order followed between the synthesis of the polymer and the inorganic species, and the presence or not of their counterpart precursors. The minimization of the energy of the system governs the self-assembly of the different material components and can be addressed by the miniemulsion formulation to reduce the interfacial tensions between the phases involved. The state of the art in the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles is reviewed, offering insight into the structural possibilities allowed by miniemulsion as a versatile synthetic technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocarriers are essential for targeted and enhanced drug delivery. However, the use of toxic solvent and the complex of chemical functionalization have seriously limited their clinical translation. Here, a one‐step strategy is developed to direct the self‐assembly of biocompatible core‐shell nanocapsules with tunable surface functionality by microfluidics. Upon rapid mixing and solvent exchange of ethanol with water in a microfluidic device, drug, oil, polymer, and polymer‐PEG‐function co‐precipitate and self‐assemble into core‐shell nanocapsules with desired surface functionality as driven by energy minimization. The prepared PCL‐PEG‐FA core‐shell nanocapsules demonstrate a high encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity and exhibit excellent tumor‐targeting drug delivery performances both in vitro and in vivo via the binding of functional group on the nanocapsule surface with corresponding receptor on the tumor cell membrane. The immune activation in the tumor microenvironment is investigated in detail by flow cytometry and multiplex immunohistochemistry staining to reveal the underlying mechanism for enhanced anti‐tumor performances. The developed strategy is green, facile, versatile, scalable and offers a promising platform for the design of advanced nanocarriers with hierarchical structure and desired function for enhanced drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous and highly conserved protein Ser/Thr kinase with diverse cell functions. CK2 is upregulated in various cancers and affects numerous aspects of their underlying pathobiology. The important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) referred to as oncomirs is also recognized in various cancers. Elevation of both CK2 and altered miRNA expression in cancers raised the question whether there was a connection between CK2 function and oncomirs in cancer. Methods: PCR array analysis was used to examine the effects of CK2 siRNA-mediated downregulation on miRNA levels in C4-2 prostate cancer cells. We employed prostate cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells as well as a prostate cancer xenograft orthotopic tumor model to examine the effects of CK2 siRNA-mediated downregulation or chemical inhibition on oncomir cluster miR-17 ~ 92 and miR-106b ~ 25 constituent miRNAs by quantitative reverse-transcriptase stem-loop PCR. Pri-miRNAs were measured in cancer cell lines by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Protein levels were assessed by western blot. PC3-LN4 prostate cancer orthotopic xenograft tumors and blood were collected from nude mice following repeated treatments with tenfibgen ligand nanocapsules containing RNAi-CK2 or RNAi-Control cargoes. Results: PCR array analysis demonstrated effect on a subset of miRNAs following CK2 downregulation; we focused our investigation on CK2 regulation of miR-17 ~ 92 and 106b ~ 25 oncomir clusters. Chemical inhibition or molecular downregulation of CK2 greatly reduced expression of miR-17 ~ 92 and 106b ~ 25 in prostate, breast and head and neck cancer cells in vitro. CK2α and CK2α´ protein levels were significantly correlated with many of the miR-17 ~ 92 and some of the miR-106b ~ 25 constituent members in prostate cancer cells. Decreased pri-miRNA levels for the miR-17 ~ 92 gene cluster transcript were observed for 5 of 6 cancer cell lines tested following CK2 downregulation. Nanocapsule-mediated delivery of RNAi-CK2 reduced CK2 protein expression in orthotopic prostate xenograft tumors and decreased intra-tumoral and serum levels of the oncomirs. Conclusions: Targeting CK2 for the development of new cancer therapies is under active investigation in many laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Our data suggest a new role for CK2 in cell signaling and survival in multiple cancer types through maintenance of miR-17 ~ 92 and 106b ~ 25 biogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The Trypanosoma cruzi infection promotes an intense inflammatory process that affects several tissues. The cholinergic system may exert a regulatory immune response and control the inflammatory process. This study aimed to evaluate the comparative effect of free and nanoencapsulated benznidazole in acute T. cruzi infection to assess hematological, biochemical, and oxidative status triggered by the cholinergic system. Methods: For this, fifty female Swiss mice were distributed in eight groups, i.e., uninfected and infected animals under four treatment protocols: untreated (control—CT); vehicle treatment (Eudragit L 100—EL-100); benznidazole treatment (BNZ); and nanoencapsulated benznidazole treatment (NBNZ). After eight treatment days, the animals were euthanized for sample collection. Results: The peak of parasitemia was at day 7 p.i., and the BNZ and NBNZ controlled and reduced the parasite rate but showed no efficacy in terms of total elimination of parasites analyzed by RT-PCR in both infected groups. The infection promotes significant anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, which the BNZ improves. There was an increase in AChE activity during infection, leading to a pro-inflammatory response and an increase in M1 and M2 mACh receptors in the BNZ group, showing that the treatment interacted with the cholinergic pathway. In addition, a pro-oxidative response was characterized in the infection and mainly in the infected BNZ and NBNZ groups. The histopathological analysis showed significative splenomegaly and inflammatory infiltrate in the heart, liver, and spleen. Conclusions: The administration of the BNZ or NBNZ reverses hematological, hepatic, and renal alterations through cholinergic signaling and stimulates a pro-inflammatory response during acute T. cruzi infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene‐editing technology shows great potential in glioblastoma (GBM) therapy. Due to the complexity of GBM pathogenesis, a single gene‐editing‐based therapy is unlikely to be successful; therefore, a multi‐gene knockout strategy is preferred for effective GBM inhibition. Here, a non‐invasive, biodegradable brain‐targeted CRISPR/Cas12a nanocapsule is used that simultaneously targeted dual oncogenes, EGFR and PLK1, for effective GBM therapy. This cargo nanoencapsulation technology enables the CRISPR/Cas12a system to achieve extended blood half‐life, efficient blood‐brain barrier (BBB) penetration, active tumor targeting, and selective release. In U87MG cells, the combinatorial gene editing system resulted in 61% and 33% knockout of EGFR and PLK1, respectively. Following systemic administration, the CRISPR/Cas12a system demonstrated promising brain tumor accumulation that led to extensive EGFR and PLK1 gene editing in both U87MG and patient‐derived GSC xenograft mouse models with negligible off‐target gene editing detected through NGS. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas12a nanocapsules that concurrently targeted the EGFR and PLK1 oncogenes showed superior tumor growth suppression and significantly improved the median survival time relative to nanocapsules containing single oncogene knockouts, signifying the potency of the multi‐oncogene targeting strategy. The findings indicate that utilization of the CRISPR/Cas12a combinatorial gene editing technique presents a practical option for gene therapy in GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Implementing encapsulation techniques is pivotal in safeguarding bioactive molecules against environmental conditions for drug delivery systems. Moreover, the food‐grade nanocarrier is a delivery system and food ingredient crucial in creating nutraceutical foods. Nano α‐lactalbumin has been shown to be a promissory nanocarrier for hydrophobic molecules. Furthermore, the nanoprotein can enhance the tecno‐functional properties of food such as foam and emulsion. The present study investigated the nanostructured α‐lactalbumin protein (nano α‐la) as a delivery and controlled release system for bioactive molecules in a gastric‐intestinal in vitro mimic system. RESULTS: The nano α‐la was synthesized by a low self‐assembly technique, changing the solution ionic strength by NaCl and obtaining nano α‐la 191.10 ± 21.33 nm and a spherical shape. The nano α‐la showed higher encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity for quercetin than riboflavin, a potential carrier for hydrophobic compounds. Thermal analysis of nano α‐la resulted in a ΔH of −1480 J g−1 for denaturation at 57.44 °C. The nanostructure formed by self‐assembly modifies the foam volume increment and stability. Also, differences between nano and native proteins in emulsion activity and stability were noticed. The release profile in vitro showed that the nano α‐la could not hold the molecules in gastric fluid. The Weibull and Korsmeyer‐Peppas model better fits the release profile behavior in the studied fluids. CONCLUSION: The present study shows the possibility of nano α‐la as an alternative to molecule delivery systems and nutraceutical foods' formulation because of the high capacity to encapsulate hydrophobic molecules and the improvement of techno‐functional properties. However, the nanocarrier is not perfectly suitable for the sustainable delivery of molecules in the gastrointestinal fluid, demanding improvements in the nanocarrier. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer immunotherapy has demonstrated significant efficacy in various tumors, but its effectiveness in treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remains limited. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify a new immunotherapy target and develop corresponding intervention strategies. Bioinformatics analysis has revealed that growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is highly expressed in HCC and is closely related to poor prognosis of HCC patients. The previous study revealed that GDF15 can promote immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, knocking out GDF15 through gene editing could potentially reverse the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment permanently. To deliver the CRISPR/Cas9 system specifically to HCC, nanocapsules (SNC) coated with HCC targeting peptides (SP94) on their surface is utilized. These nanocapsules incorporate disulfide bonds (SNCSS) that release their contents in the tumor microenvironment characterized by high levels of glutathione (GSH). In vivo, the SNCSS target HCC cells, exert a marked inhibitory effect on HCC progression, and promote HCC immunotherapy. Mechanistically, CyTOF analysis showed favorable changes in the immune microenvironment of HCC, immunocytes with killer function increased and immunocytes with inhibitive function decreased. These findings highlight the potential of the CRISPR‐Cas9 gene editing system in modulating the immune microenvironment and improving the effectiveness of existing immunotherapy approaches for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The astaxanthin nanocapsules (ASX-LNC) was prepared by high-pressure homogenization technology, the microstructure, stability, antioxidant activity, and in vitro release characteristics of ASX-LNC were characterized and evaluated. The ASX-LNC comprised a core material and wall materials. The core material was composed of astaxanthin oil, and the wall materials were composed of β-cyclodextrin, decapolyglycerol monooleate, soybean lecithin (PC60), glycerol, and deionized water. The mean particle size of the ASX-LNC was 206.9 ± 2.8 nm, and the polydispersity index (PdI) value was 0.218 ± 0.026. The zeta potential of ASX-LNC was −26.16 ± 0.87 mV. The loading amount of ASX-LNC was 0.546%±0.032%, and the encapsulation efficiency was 99.65%±0.13%, indicating that the preparation process was feasible. The stability of ASX-LNC was determined under different conditions, indicating good stability of the ASX-LNC. In antioxidant research, the inhibition rate of free radicals of ASX-LNC was 91.03 ± 0.87% under 250 μg/mL for 30 min, and the inhibition rate of free radicals of astaxanthin ethanol solution was 90.83 ± 1.37%. The antioxidant capacity of astaxanthin was not affected by the encapsulation, which demonstrated the effect of prolonging the release of active ingredients due to the protection of the biological activity of astaxanthin by encapsulation. Compared with the astaxanthin ethanol solution, the ASX-LNC had a slow-release effect and could prolong the action time of active substances. Overall, ASX-LNC is a potential carrier for application in food and health products, which can control the release of active substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound dressings play an essential role in wound care and healing, but the price is expensive for patients who have to treat for a long time such as patients from burns, scalds, etc. The objective of the research is to develop a wound dressing made with bacterial cellulose and local herb that has antibacterial properties, is cheap, and can be created by yourself. The bacterial cellulose (BC) produced from Acetobactor xylinum using coconut water waste to reduce costs. Its structure was changed to bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (BCNC) by acid hydrolysis, dried in 2 methods: Oven dried at 50 °C (dy) or freeze dried (fd). Then, herbal dressings were produced as a composite BC with herbs in 2 forms: A solution, i.e. C. Odorata leaf extract solution and a colloid, i.e. C. hystrix essential oil nanocapsule. The results for the production of a wound dressing showed that fd-BCNC had good quality, good fiber dispersion, high porosity and no antibacterial activity. It is suitable as a primary or secondary wound dressing, that does not help in wound healing. When fd-BCNC was loaded with herbs in 2 forms, it was found to be stable at room temperature, water adsorption, water vapor permeability and inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Especially fd-BCNC of nanocapsule of C. hystrix peel essential oil has the best antibacterial effect. Therefore, you can apply this developed wound dressing to herbs used specifically for healing wounds. Moreover, we believe that this research will be a database that can be expanded to commercial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Today, the use of medicinal plants such as T. daenensis as a complementary and effective treatment method to control and inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms is increasing all over the world. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of T. daenensis essential oil (EO) and its nanocapsulated against some pathogenic bacteria isolated from aquatic and food samples. Materials and methods: In this experimental research, T. daenensis was collected in June 2023 in Shahrekord City. The EO of the dried aerial part of the plant was obtained by using a Clevenger device (steam distillation). The components in the EO were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-Mass). T. daenensis EO nanocapsules were prepared using Tween 20, Tween 80 as emulsifier, polyethylene glycol as a co-solvent, acidic chitosan solution (1%), and modified starch (5%) as a coating. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to confirm their structure. Antimicrobial properties against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhimurium, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from aquatic samples (fish and lobster) and various foods (raw milk, traditional ice cream and mutton, beef, chicken) were investigated by disc diffusion method, determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) by microdilution method. Also, the prevention of biofilm formation was investigated. Results: The main components of the T. daenensis EO were thymol (75.31 percent), 8 p-Cymene (4.62 percent), carvacrol (4.2 percent), trans-cayophyllene (3.01 percent), terpenine (2.01 percent) and betamyrcin (1.21 percent), respectively. TEM and DLS methods confirmed the structure of the T. daenensis EO nanocapsules. The size of nanocapsules was between 50 and 90 nm. The MIC amounts for the mentioned bacteria were between 62.5 and 250 μg/ml. The lowest MIC value for P. mirabilis, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae was reported with a concentration of 62.5 μg/ml of T. daenensis EO nanocapsule. Also, the amounts of MBC for the mentioned bacteria were between 125 and 1000 µg/ml. According to the obtained results, the MIC and MBC levels for all mentioned bacteria against T. daenensis EO nanocapsule were lower than the EO alone (P<0.05). According to the results, with the increase in the concentration of EO, the diameter of the non-growth halo increased, while these results were not the same for T. daenensis EO nanocapsule. In all bacteria except S. aureus, the diameter of the non-growth halo for different concentrations of EO was greater than that of T. daenensis EO nanocapsule. The inhibition percentage of biofilm production was also reported 100% at 125 and 250 μg/ml of T. daenensis EO nanocapsule, except for K. pneumonia. In all concentrations of T. daenensis EO nanocapsule, the percentage of bacteria biofilm reduction was significantly higher than the EO alone (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, the T. daenensis EO nanocapsule had more antibacterial properties than EO alone. It is suggested that future studies for the toxicology of T. daenensis EO nanocapsule on normal and cancerous cells be done iv-vitro. In addition, to apply it in the food industry, experimental studies on food models should also be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocapsule preparation technology, as an emerging technology with great development prospects, has uniqueness and superiority in various industries. In this paper, the preparation technology of nanocapsules was systematically divided into three categories: physical methods, chemical methods, and physicochemical methods. The technological innovation of different methods in recent years was reviewed, and the mechanisms of nanocapsules prepared via emulsion polymerization, interface polymerization, layer-by-layer self-assembly technology, nanoprecipitation, supercritical fluid, and nano spray drying was summarized in detail. Different from previous reviews, the renewal iteration of core–shell structural materials was highlighted, and relevant illustrations of their representative and latest research results were reviewed. With the continuous progress of nanocapsule technology, especially the continuous development of new wall materials and catalysts, new preparation technology, and new production equipment, nanocapsule technology will be used more widely in medicine, food, cosmetics, pesticides, petroleum products, and many other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt has witnessed the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae, which has posed a serious healthcare challenge. The proper treatment choice for MDR-KP infections is not well determined which renders the problem more complicated, thus making the control of such infections a serious challenge for healthcare professionals. This study aims to encapsulate the cationic antimicrobial peptide; Cecropin-B (Cec-B), to increase its lifetime, drug targeting, and efficacy and study the antimicrobial effect of free and encapsulated recombinant rCec-B peptide on multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae (MDR-KP) isolates. Fifty isolates were collected from different clinical departments at Theodore Bilharz Research Institute. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of rCec-B against MDR-KP isolates were determined by the broth microdilution test. In addition, encapsulation of rCec-B peptide into chitosan nanoparticles and studying its bactericidal effect against MDR-KP isolates were also performed. The relative expression of efflux pump and porin coding genes (ArcrB, TolC, mtdK, and Ompk35) was detected by quantitative PCR in treated MDR-KP bacterial isolates compared to untreated isolates. Out of 60 clinical MDR isolates, 50 were MDR-KP. 60% of the isolates were XDR while 40% were MDR. rCec-B were bactericidal on 21 isolates, then these isolates were subjected to treatment using free nanocapsule in addition to the encapsulated peptide. Free capsules showed a mild cytotoxic effect on MDR-KP at the highest concentration. MIC of encapsulated rCec-B was higher than the free peptide. The expression level of genes encoding efflux and porin (ArcrB, TolC, mtdK, and Ompk35) was downregulated after treatment with encapsulated rCec-B. These findings indicate that encapsulated rCec-B is a promising candidate with potent antibacterial activities against drug-resistant K. pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocapsules are colloidal particles with dimensions measured in nanometers and generally obtained in the range of 100 to 500 nm through nanoencapsulation technologies. Nanoencapsulation encapsulates nano-sized particles in liquid or solid form to create nanocapsules or nanoparticles. Generally, six classical methods are involved in nanocapsule formation: nanoprecipitation, emulsification-diffusion, double emulsification, emulsification-coacervation, polymer coating, and layerby-layer. Nanocapsules are prepared from different monomers and cross-linked polymers, contributing to their stability during and after encapsulation. They are segregated into ionic and non-ionic by the surface formal charges, which then influence the type of applications. The applications of nanocapsules usually range from developing targeted drug delivery systems, self-healing materials, and the encapsulation of nutritive additive compounds in nutraceutical products. Nowadays, people turn their attention to natural resources. Therefore, the polymer matrix and the active substances in nanocapsules have been adopted with various natural polymers such as protein, lipids, polysaccharides, plant metabolites, plant exudates, or plant extracts. Since nanotechnology products are predicted to be broadly utilized in the future, major key players must work collectively to handle the issue of safety regulation and user acceptance as well as optimum scale production of nanocapsules in industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contact insecticidal activity of in natura and maltodextrin/Angum gum nanoencapsulated essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus Labill and Zataria multiflora Bioss was evaluated against the third instar larvae of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The essential oil from E. globulus exhibited an average yield of 1.19%, and presented 1,8-cineol (59.08%) as the major component, while Z. multiflora essential oil, with an average yield of 1.5%, was characterized by thymol (26.12%) and carvacrol (25.31%) as the main components. The encapsulated particles presented spherical morphology with regular and homogeneous external surfaces, ranging from 60 to 130 nm in diameter. Laboratory bioassays estimated the contact LC50 of in natura and encapsulated essential oils as 13.07 and 1.34 µL L−1 for E. globulus and 1.47 and 5.87 µL L−1 for Z. multiflora, respectively. The results presented here, which are probably the first to be reported, suggested that essential oil nanoencapsulation represents an efficient method for enhancing both insecticidal activity and the durability of the active ingredients for sustainable pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates high drug-loading of novel pyridine derivatives (S1–S4) in lipid- and polymer-based core–shell nanocapsules (LPNCs) for boosting the anticancer efficiency and alleviating toxicity of these novel pyridine derivatives. The nanocapsules were fabricated using a nanoprecipitation technique and characterized for particle size, surface morphology, and entrapment efficiency. The prepared nanocapsules exhibited a particle size ranging from 185.0 ± 17.4 to 223.0 ± 15.3 nm and a drug entrapment of >90%. The microscopic evaluation demonstrated spherical-shaped nanocapsules with distinct core–shell structures. The in vitro release study depicted a biphasic and sustained release pattern of test compounds from the nanocapsules. In addition, it was obvious from the cytotoxicity studies that the nanocapsules showed superior cytotoxicity against both MCF-7 and A549 cancer cell lines, as manifested by a significant decrease in the IC50 value compared to free test compounds. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of the optimized nanocapsule formulation (S4-loaded LPNCs) was investigated in an Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) solid tumor-bearing mice model. Interestingly, the entrapment of the test compound (S4) within LPNCs remarkably triggered superior tumor growth inhibition when compared with either free S4 or the standard anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil. Such enhanced in vivo antitumor activity was accompanied by a remarkable increase in animal life span. Furthermore, the S4-loaded LPNC formulation was tolerated well by treated animals, as evidenced by the absence of any signs of acute toxicity or alterations in biochemical markers of liver and kidney functions. Collectively, our findings clearly underscore the therapeutic potential of S4-loaded LPNCs over free S4 in conquering EAC solid tumors, presumably via granting efficient delivery of adequate concentrations of the entrapped drug to the target site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is one of the main medical complaints of cancer patients, there are currently no specific drugs for the effective treatment. In this respect, α-terpineol (TP) seems to be a potential candidate for this purpose, since it has several pharmacological properties that can be improved by nanosytems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and investigate an antinociceptive action of TP in nanocapsules (TP-LNC) on a peripheral neuropathy induced by paclitaxel (PTX) in mice. Nanocapsules were obtained through the interfacial deposition of preformed polymer method and physicochemically characterized. The effect of TP and TP-LNC was assessed using the hyperalgesia test in mice with neuropathy induced by PTX (32 mg/kg, i.p.). Its effect on calcium channels was evaluated by patch-clamp and molecular docking. TP-LNC presented satisfactory stability and encapsulation efficiency of 64.5%; it also prolonged the antihyperalgesic effect when cooperated with free TP. Moreover, it was found that TP presented molecular interactions with different channels for calcium, being able to reduce calcium currents. These findings bring new evidence about the analgesic action of TP and its modulating action of calcium channels and reiterate the benefits of the encapsulation of monoterpenes in nanosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mannitol and inositol, as sugar alcohol phase change materials with high latent heat, have wide application prospects in medium temperature thermal energy storage. The phase change temperature of binary sugar alcohol can be adjusted by changing the proportion of the sugar alcohol components, thus the temperature range of application is wider than that of one-component sugar alcohol. There are some problems such as leakage, oxidation and supercooling during the thermal cycles of sugar alcohols. Micro/nanoencapsulation of sugar alcohols and addition of nucleating agent are effective measures to solve the problems. In this paper, silicon carbide doped mannitol and inositol binary sugar alcohol nanocapsules were prepared. Phase change characteristics and thermal stability of the nanocapsules were studied by differential scanning calorimeter, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analyzer and thermal cycling test, and the influence of silicon carbide was discussed. The results show that the nanocapsules have high phase change enthalpy, high encapsulation rate and high energy storage efficiency. The thermal decomposition temperature is higher than that of the binary sugar alcohol. The supercooling degree of the nanocapsules decreases by 32.2 ℃ compared with the binary sugar alcohol after thermal cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the acceleration in oilfield developments, reservoir advantage channels have been gradually developed. This has led to ineffective circulation in the oilfield injection system and a significant decrease in production. The profile control and displacement technology of low-permeability and heterogeneous reservoirs are in urgent need of updating. In this paper, an intelligent profile control and displacement agent is proposed. The controlled release mechanism and profile control and displacement mechanism is clarified by physical simulation experiments. The profile control agent is a nanocapsule with environmental response and controlled release. The structure of the capsule is a core–shell structure, which is composed of an amphiphilic copolymer AP-g-PNIPAAM and Janus functional particles. The surface chemical stability of the micro/nanocapsule is analyzed by a potentiometric method. The study shows that a temperature at 45 °C causes a potential change in the micro/nanocapsule, indicating that the micro/nanocapsule has a slow release at this temperature. When the temperature is in the range of 40 to 45 °C, the absorbance greatly increases; therefore, it is considered that the capsule wall LCST is about 45 °C. Heating causes the surface contraction of the capsule wall to intensify, the micropores in the capsule wall to increase, the release amount to increase and the release rate per unit time to increase. The release time increases proportionally with the increase in capsule wall thickness. When the release time is the same, an alkaline or acidic environment can improve the release rate of the nanocapsule. The effect of profile control and flooding is evaluated through different differential core models. The research shows that the controlled release micro/nanocapsule has a good environmental response and the internal components can be effectively controlled by adjusting the temperature or pH value. This research has shown that the nanocapsules have good application prospects in low-permeability heterogeneous reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, extracts of mountain tea were obtained by maceration, supercritical fluid, ultrasound assisted, subcritical water and microwave. The highest extraction efficiency (22.55%) and total phenolic content (80.50 mg GA/g DM) was observed in extract obtained via ultrasound assisted extraction. Antioxidant activity of different concentrations of extracts was compared with 100 ppm TBHQ synthetic antioxidant and an increased in concentration of extract increased antioxidant activity. Type and percentage of wall materials (0, 50 and 100), the ratio of extracts to wall materials (0.1, 0.25 and 0.4 w/w), and sonication time (2, 4 and 6 min) as independent variable levels and encapsulation efficiency of phenolic compounds, particle size of nanocapsule and zeta potential were considered as a response to optimization of encapsulation conditions of the extract. An increase in sonication time resulted in increased encapsulation efficiency and decreased particle size of capsule. As the ratio of extract to wall materials increased, the encapsulation efficiency of extract increased and particle size decreased. Type of wall materials has effect on encapsulation efficacy, zeta potential, and particle size of capsule. The optimum conditions for encapsulating of mountain tea extract were 6 min ultrasound; the ratio of extract to wall 0.4 and the amount of Arabic gum and alginate were 30.3% and 69.7% respectively. In optimum conditions, the encapsulation efficiency, Zeta potential and particle size were 57.43%, -52.1 mV and 82.06 nm. The amount of sedimentation and release of extract during the storage period was increasing. Nanocapsule has a smooth and interconnected structural that due to high encapsulation efficiency this nanocapsule can be added to food as an antioxidant compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-chemotherapy is a potent anticancer therapeutic approach. Herein, we designed a gold-capsulated lapatinib nanomedicine for breast cancer treatment. The biodegradable PLGA (poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)) nanoparticles were surface coated with glycol chitosan followed by adsorption and reduction of gold seeds on the surface to form nanocapsule. These multifunctional nanomaterials exhibited significant absorbance (600–900 nm) in the near-infrared region and had a porous surface that facilitated controlled diffusion of the encapsulated anticancer drug, lapatinib. Further, the gold-coated PLGA lapatinib nanocapsule showed synergistic effect of combined chemo-photothermal therapy with > 80% cytotoxicity. Moreover, these nanomaterials were found to be non-hemolytic and biocompatible. The biodistribution of the nanocapsule in Balb/c mice revealed higher Au content in the liver followed by spleen with no significant change in body weight and abnormal clinical signs. Hence, gold-capsuled polymeric nanomedicine could be a promising therapeutic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach to enhancing the physicochemical properties, stability, and bioactive content of thymol and cinnamaldehyde-loaded nanocapsules (NCs) using chitosan (CH) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (H) as wall materials, optimized via ultrasonication at varying powers (200, 400, and 600 Watts). The results demonstrated that increasing ultrasonic power significantly improved the performance of NC-CH formulations. The NC-CH-400 formulation achieved optimal values in particle size (286.47 ± 19.11 nm), polydispersity index (0.24 ± 0.18), and ζ-potential (5.37 ± 0.24), while the NC-CH-600 formulation exhibited superior nanocapsule’s efficiency (97.8%), antioxidant activity (28.4%), antioxidant capacity (4.76 mg TE ml−1), and other physical properties, including enhanced hygroscopicity, density, flowability, and porosity. Additionally, NC-CH-400 displayed the highest solubility (42.33%) and lowest water activity (0.45). Incorporating H with CH further improved nanocapsule’s yield (83.57%) and wettability (4.62 s) over CH alone. FTIR analysis confirmed successful nanocapsule without chemical modification, and the NC-CH-400 formulation showed the highest thermal stability, evidenced by the maximum glass transition temperature and melting points, suggesting superior storage durability. The nanocapsules also exhibited a smooth microstructure without surface cracking, and after 28 days, formulations treated with higher ultrasonic powers significantly enhanced the release of bioactive compounds, particularly in NC-CH. These findings underscore the potential of ultrasonication-enhanced nanocapsule for improving the stability and bioactive delivery of sensitive compounds, offering valuable applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNT) produces numerous various byproducts such as soot, graphite platelets, catalyst nanoparticles, etc. Identification of the byproduct formation mechanisms would help develop routes to more selective synthesis of better carbon-based materials. This work reports on the identification of the formation zone and conditions for rather unusual closed multishell carbon nanocapsules in a reactor for float-catalysis synthesis of longer CNT. Structural investigation of the formed nanocapsule material along with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the reactor suggested a nanocapsule formation mechanism, in which CNT embryos are suppressed in growth by the in-reactor turbulence. By means of TEM and FFT investigation, it is found that differently oriented single crystals of γ–Fe2O3, which do not have clear connections with each other, determine a spherical surface. The carbon atoms that seep through these joints do not form crystalline graphite layers. The resulting additional product in the form of graphene-coated (γ–Fe/Fe3C)/γ–Fe2O3 nanoparticles can be a lightweight and effective microwave absorber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the antioxidant properties of nanoencapsulatedrosemary leave extract in biopolymer basil (Ocimumbasilicum) seed gum coating to control the oxidative stability of sunflower oil and sensorial properties of fried potato strips were studied. The rosemary leaves extract obtainedby ultrasonic bath has phenolic compounds (174.4 ± 25.9 mg gallic acid / g extract) and flavonoid (78.30 ± 3.2 mg rutin / g extract). Antioxidant activity of DPPH free radical scavenging by IC50 was 98.16 ppm and oxidative stability at 200 ppm was 5.08 h. The average size of nanoparticles in basil seed gum coating was 284.2 nm. The peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid value of oil samples were calculated every 4 days (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 days). The results showed that oil oxidation in samples containing nanoencapsulated rosemary extract was less than the control sample, oil containing free extract or TBHQ. At the end of 24 days of incubation period, the peroxide valueof oil samples containing synthetic antioxidant TBHQ and oil samples containing nanoencapsulated rosemary extract in the basil seed gum were 23.4 and 17.80 mEq O2/ kg oil and thiobarbituric acid value were 0.16 and 0.06 mg of malondialdehyde/kg oil respectively.In addition, the higher sensorial score of color, odor, taste and overall acceptance wasrelated to potato strips fried in oil containing nanoencapsulated rosemary extract. The results of this study suggest the use of nanoencapsulated rosemary extract in basil seed gum coating to increase shelf life of sunflower oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoregulating composites were produced by using a thermoregulating slurry (NPCS) containing nanoencapsulated phase change material (NPCM) from poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) as shell and the commercial paraffin Rubitherm®RT27 as core material. These composites were synthesized by using the constitutive water of the slurry as setting water and changing the NPCM/Hemihydrate (NPCM/Hem) mass ratio within 0.0–0.41. It was found that nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed into the gypsum, and the gypsum crystal morphology was tuned by the addition of the slurry. Attending to the thermal properties, these materials can work either as insulating or thermal energy storage materials, decreasing the thermal conductivity up to ~ 50%, whereas the thermal energy storage (TES) capacity is enlarged in a ~ 140%, respect to the pure gypsum, when the maximum NPCM/Hem mass ratio was used. This composite had a latent heat of 30.2 J g−1 and a heat capacity of equivalent 3.5 J g−1 K−1. Composites from a NPCM/Hem mass ratio up to 0.15 satisfied European mechanical standard EN 13,279–1 for gypsum binders and gypsum plasters and all of them, presented a bulk density higher than 0.60 g cm−3. The addition of a 41% in mass of nanocapsules allowed to save 13.5 kWh m−3 and, reducing the CO2 emissions up to 3.4 kg of CO2 per operating cycle. The use of this new material would lead to significant energy and economic savings, as well as a considerable reduction in the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most invasive and life-threatening cancer in women. The treatment options are usually a combination of mastectomy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. As a standard practice, doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the commonly used drugs for breast cancer treatment. However, DOX is known to have many harmful adverse effects including its cardiotoxicity. Hence, recent reports used metformin (MET), an anti-diabetic drug, as an adjuvant therapy to decrease the severity of DOX's adverse effects and to improve its ultimate therapeutic outcome. The current study is aimed at co-loading and enhancing the encapsulation efficiency of the hydrophilic DOX and MET in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanocapsules (NCs) with oil core for breast cancer treatment. The NCs were developed by single emulsification-solvent diffusion technique, and were optimized through using two types of oils, pluronics and PLGA (50:50) of different molecular weights followed by various physicochemical characterizations. The obtained DOX/MET-loaded NCs showed the size and polydispersity index (PDI) of 203.0 ± 3.4 nm and 0.081 ± 0.03, respectively with a surface charge of -2.15 ± 0.2 mV. The entrapment efficiency of DOX and MET were about 93.7% ± 2.9 and 70% ± 1.6, respectively. The developed PLGA core-shell NCs successfully sustained the DOX/MET release for more than 30 days. The in-vitro results showed a significant enhancement in DOX cytotoxic effect as well as a duplication in its apoptotic effect upon addition of MET for both free DOX/MET combination and DOX/MET-loaded PLGA NCs against MCF-7. Besides, flow cytometry demonstrated that the DOX/MET-loaded NCs possess their antitumor effect by preventing DNA replication and cell division. This study provides a promising facile, rapid and reproducible single emulsification-solvent diffusion technique for improving the encapsulation and release of hydrophilic drugs in nanocapsules for biomedical applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces innovative porous Ni@SiO 2 nanocapsule catalysts for high-temperature dry reforming of methane, synthesized through a selective etching method in a mild alkaline solution with varying CTAB concentrations. While core-shell catalysts have been proven effective in addressing issues like active metal sintering and coking, their dense inert oxide shells can impede intrinsic kinetics and hinder gas diffusion. The optimized catalyst, M-NSNC-2, showcases exceptional performance, featuring small Ni nanoparticles (5.3 nm) within a porous SiO 2 nanocapsule (>900 m2g−1). M-NSNC-2 demonstrates outstanding methane conversion (>82%), stability (50 hours), and resistance to sintering, agglomeration, and higher-ordered carbon deposition. In comparison to dense Ni@SiO 2 nanocapsules (NSNC), M-NSNC-2 exhibits superior performance with nearly 13-fold enhanced mass transfer diffusivity. Additionally, the porous Ni@SiO 2 nanocapsule catalyst exhibits an apparent CH 4 activation energy of 67.9 kJ/mol at a kinetic regime of 1800,000 mL g cat −1h−1, emphasizing its efficacy in catalyzing dry reforming of methane. [Display omitted] • Novel 5.3nm Ni in porous SiO 2 nanocapsule (900m2g−1) excels in DRM. • Nanocatalysts with outstanding methane conversion (>82%) and stability (>50 hours). • Improvement of diffusivity of porous to dense SiO 2 shells by 13-fold. • First-time extreme testing of mass transfer for nanocatalyst evaluation. • Efficacy of M-NSNC-2 at 1800 Lg cat −1h−1 with CH 4 activation energy of 67.9 kJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiLa intermetallic NPs inside a nanoreactor can lower the activation energy of C 2 H 6 and CO 2 , which facilitates the transport/conversion of C 2 *, then significantly improves the dry reforming selectivity of ethane C-C bond breaking over Ni-La@Si catalysts. [Display omitted] • Dry reforming of ethane to syngas is a novel route to co-utilize CO 2 and unconventional gas to get hydrogen energy. • Spatial-chemical bifunctional confinement strategy was offered by Ni-La intermetallic sites within nanocapsule material. • The nanoreactor raised an outstanding catalytic performance in DRE which is the most stable ever reported. • C 2 * is more likely to polymerize than C 1 *, but can be curbed by functional Ni-La nanoreactors. • Physical confinement from the nanocapsule framework plays a more leading role in the anti-coking formation. CO 2 reforming of light alkanes from unconventional gas resources (shale gas/coalbed gas) presents an attractive route to achieve CO 2 utilization and valuable chemical production. However, it remains challenging in both high stability and product selectivity due to the inevitable strong competition between dry reforming and oxidative dehydrogenation pathways. We report here a La modified Ni@SiO 2 nanocapsule as the thermal-catalyst for CO 2 reforming of ethane, achieving complete ethane conversion and remarkable CO 2 conversion of 86.5 %, with stability for more than 200 h experiencing no carbon deposition. Detailed kinetic study, in situ characterizations and DFT calculation results revealed that the formation of NiLa intermetallic sites improved the adsorption of active oxygen species and activation of C 2 H 6 , which stabilized the key intermediate CH 3 CH 2 O* as well as the subsequent C 2 * cracking to CH x (O)*, leading to high selectivity toward syngas. Meanwhile, the removal of carbon deposits on Ni-La 2 O 3 interfaces are faster than Ni surface. The synergism of spatial confinement structure provided by the nanocapsule with sufficient mechanical strength together with the chemical Ni-La 2 O 3 interface of the enwrapped Ni-La mixed metal (oxide) NPs can timely eliminate C 2 * intermediates, which results in the most effective anti-coking ability during ethane reforming. This work highlights a tangible process towards unconventional (C 2+) gas utilization with fine-tunable nanoreactor catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using chitosan as the wall material, sweet orange oil as the core material, and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as the cross-linking agent, the sweet orange oil nanocapsules were prepared by the complex aggregation method. Through single factor test and orthogonal test, the process conditions were optimized, and the evaluation of particle size and distribution, surface structure, physical stability, thermal stability and embedding situation of sweet orange oil nanocapsules were analyzed. The results showed that the optimal process conditions for preparing sweet orange oil nanocapsules by complex aggregation method were chitosan mass concentration 1. 8 mg/ mL, tween 20 mass concentration 1. 2 mg/ mL, and sweet orange oil mass concentration 3. 6 mg/ mL; The average particle size of the sweet orange oil nano-microcapsule emulsion prepared under the optimal conditions was about 500 nm, showing a normal distribution, and the emulsion had good physical stability. The orange oil nano microcapsule had good thermal stability. Infrared spectroscopy showed that orange oil was successfully embedded in chitosan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coatings are applied on metallic surfaces to provide a dense barrier against the corrosive environment. However, coatings in most cases are vulnerable to damage in the form of internal cracks, which are difficult to detect and repair. One of the most promising types of smart multifunctional coatings is a self-healing coating, which has attracted interest in materials research due to its capability to prevent crack propagation by releasing healing agents at the site of cracks. These self-healing coatings demonstrate autonomic repair for internal cracks as they comprise a coating matrix and nano/microcapsules. Incorporating nano/microcapsules into the coating matrix ensures that the healing agent releases in reaction to propagation of cracks in the coating and then releases the self-healing characteristic to them. This paper aims to provide a perspective of this class of self-healing coatings that incorporate micro/nanocapsules and their synthesis methods. The emulsion method for the synthesis of capsules by organic and inorganic shells is covered as well as the most effective parameters which influence the size of nano/microcapsules. Finally, the incorporation of nano/microcapsules in the metallic and polymeric coating and the possible mechanisms of co-deposition have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Utilizing a Box–Behnken design, the study successfully formulated αbisabolol-loaded nanocapsules, exhibiting optimal properties for topical delivery, including small particle size, robust stability, and high entrapment efficiency. • In vitro assessments revealed a sustainable release profile of αbisabolol from the nanocapsules and enhanced drug deposition in the skin, indicating improved bioavailability. • A significant reduction in myeloperoxidase enzyme activity was observed in the treatment group administered a hydrogel containing bisabolol nanocapsules, underscoring the efficacy of this approach. • These findings suggest promising therapeutic applications of αbisabolol nanocapsules in topical delivery for atopic dermatitis treatment, although further preclinical investigations are warranted to ascertain their superiority and safety over conventional medications. α-Bisabolol (αBIS), a plant-derived compound with anti-inflammatory properties, is potentially a therapeutic agent for Atopic dermatitis. However, its poor water solubility and photoinstability limit its topical application. Therefore, the present study, aimed to develop cationic polymeric nanocapsules of αBIS to improve its skin delivery, photostability, and therapeutic efficacy. The αBIS-loaded nanocapsules were prepared using the solvent displacement technique. A Box-Behnken (BB) design was employed to statistically optimize formulation variables and αBIS-loaded nanocapsules characterized by particle size, surface charge and encapsulation efficiency. The optimal formulation was selected, and the spherical shape of the nanocapsules was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, hydrogel containing αBIS-loaded nanocapsules was prepared by thickening of nanocapsule suspension with Carbopol 934 and evaluated for rheology, in vitro drug release and skin permeation. Furthermore, a mice model of atopic dermatitis was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the hydrogels. The optimal formulation displayed a spherical morphology under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an optimum particle size of 133.00 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.12, high EE% of 93 %, and improved optical stability of αBIS in the prepared nanocapsules compared to the free drug. The nano-based hydrogels demonstrated non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and an increased αBIS in vitro release profile without causing skin irritation in rabbits. Drug retention within the dermis and epidermis layers significantly surpassed that of drug-free hydrogel. Moreover, in vivo histopathological studies and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity, revealed that hydrogel containing bisabolol nanocapsules exhibited The best anti-inflammatory effect. The results showed that hydrogels containing bisabolol nanocapsules markedly alleviated dermatitis-related inflammation and reduced skin thickness in Balb/c mice. Our findings support nanocapsules as an effective drug delivery system to enhance αBIS stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy in AD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve therapeutic effect and reduce severely side effects of carboplatin (CBP), the gasgenerating nanocapsules were developed to accelerate CBP lysosome release and nucleus delivery. CBP/SB-NC was prepared by co-loading CBP and NaHCO 3 (SB) in nanocapsules using w/o/w emulsification solvent evaporation. They exhibited vesicle-like spherical morphology, uniform particle size and negative zeta potential. Reaching the tumor site with a relatively high concentration is the first step for CBP delivery and the results showed that CBP/SB-NC could effectively increase drug accumulation at tumor site. After that, the drug delivery carriers need to be internalized into tumor cells and the in vitro cellular uptake ability results showed CBP/SB-NC could be internalized into RM-1 cells more efficient than CBP solution. After internalized by RM-1 cells, the gas-blasting release process was tested in acid environment. It was demonstrated that 5 mg/ml NaHCO 3 was optimal to achieve pH-responsive gas-blasting release. In vitro release results showed that CBP significantly rapid release in acid environment (pH 5.0) compared to neutral pH (pH 7.4) (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, TEM and the change of the concentration of H + results exhibited that the explosion of CBP/SB 5 -NC was more easily happened in lysosome acid environment (pH 5.0). The blasting release can accelerate CBP lysosome release to cytoplasm. Furthermore, the nucleus delivery results showed CBP/SB 5 -NC can promote pH-triggered rapid nucleus delivery. And the results of Pt-DNA adduct assay showed that the binding efficiency between CBP and DNA of CBP/SB 5 -NC was higher than CBP solution. At last, in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy proved that CBP/SB 5 -NC could enhance anti-tumor activity for prostate cancer therapy. CBP/SB 5 -NC also showed superior safety in vitro and in vivo by hemolysis assay and histopathological study. All of the results demonstrate that CBP/SB 5 -NC would be an efficient gas-blasting release formulation to enhance prostate cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years pharmaceutical formulations using polymeric nanocapsules have been widely studied for developing novel drug delivery strategies. Nanocapsules provide a unique core-shell nanostructure, consisting of a liquid/solid core surrounded by a polymeric shell. Natural or modified polysaccharides are prime candidates for use as building blocks of the nanocapsule shells, due to their demonstrated safety, versatility and low cost and to the fact that they are widely used as excipients in classical drug formulations. The aim of this paper is to present the recent advances in drug delivery strategies using polysaccharidic nanocapsules and to discuss future opportunities and challenges in developing modern pharmaceutical formulations using such systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis is a non-resolving inflammatory condition that underlies major cardiovascular diseases. Recent clinical trial using an anti-inflammatory drug has shown a reduction of cardiovascular mortality, but increased the susceptibility to infections. For this reason, tissue target anti-inflammatory therapies can represent a better option to regress atherosclerotic plaques. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a natural omega 3 fatty acid component of algae oil and acts as a precursor of several anti-inflammatory compounds, such the specialized proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs). During the atherosclerosis process, the inflammatory condition of the endothelium leads to the higher expression of adhesion molecules, such as Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Plate 1 (PECAM-1 or CD31), as part of the innate immune response. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop lipid-core nanocapsules with DHA constituting the nucleus and anti-PECAM-1 on their surface and drive this structure to the inflamed endothelium. Nanocapsules were prepared by interfacial deposition of pre-formed polymer method. Zinc-II was added to bind anti-PECAM-1 to the nanocapsule surface by forming an organometallic complex. Swelling experiment showed that the algae oil act as non-solvent for the polymer (weight constant weight for 60 days, p > 0.428) indicating an adequate material to produce kinetically stable lipid-core nanocapsules (LNC). Five formulations were synthesized: Lipid-core nanocapsules containing DHA (LNC-DHA) or containing Medium-chain triglycerides (LNC-MCT), multi-wall nanocapsules containing DHA (MLNC-DHA) or containing MCT (MLNC-MCT) and the surface-functionalized (anti-PECAM-1) metal-complex multi-wall nanocapsules containing DHA (MCMN-DHA-a1). All formulations showed homogeneous macroscopic aspects without aggregation. The mean size of the nanocapsules measured by laser diffraction did not show difference among the samples (p = 0.241). Multi-wall nanocapsules (MLNC) showed a slight increase in the mean diameter and polydispersity index (PDI) measured by DLS, lower pH and an inversion in the zeta-potential (ξP) compared to LNCs. Conjugation test for anti-PECAM-1 showed 94.80% of efficiency. The mean diameter of the formulation had slightly increased from 160 nm (LCN-DHA) and 162 nm (MLNC-DHA) to 164 nm (MCMN-DHA-a1) indicating that the surface functionalization did not induce aggregation of the nanocapsules. Biological assays showed that the MCMN-DHA-a1 were uptaken by the HUVEC cells and did not decrease their viability. The surface-functionalized (anti- PECAM-1) metal-complex multi-wall nanocapsules containing DHA (MCMN-DHA-a1) can be considered adequate for pharmaceutical approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in situ -forming biodegradable hydrogel network has been developed to achieve extended release of protein drugs. Hyaluronic acids (HA) were selected as the scaffolding materials, and modified to afford thiolated HA (HASH) and methacrylated HA (HAME). Under near physiological conditions, a mixture of HASH and HAME achieved efficient sol-gel transition within 10 min at 37 °C. A systematic study was performed to characterize the morphology, rheological properties, swelling, degradation, and biocompatibility of the obtained hydrogel networks. Next, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and its nanocapsules were entrapped in the hydrogel network. Standard in vitro release studies and mathematic modeling were performed to gain insights into the release kinetics and mechanisms of protein drugs from the hydrogel network. For the hydrogel-nanocapsule hybrid system, a mathematical model combining the release processes from nanocapsules and hydrogel networks has been proposed to describe the release behavior of BSA from nanocapsules entrapped in the hydrogel network. • A novel delivery system consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel and nanoencapsulated bovine serum albumin (nBSA) is developed. • A comparison study is performed to elucidate the in vitro release behavior of BSA from the hydrogel nBSA hybrid and BSA release from HA hydrogel. • A new mathematical modele is proposed to gain insights into the driving force behind BSA release from the hydrogel nBSA hybrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zwitterionic modification can prolong the blood circulation time of nanocarrier in vivo, but zwitterionic content will affect the functions of nanocarrier such as enzyme-responsive and intracellular or extracellular delivery. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the relationship between the zwitterionic content and circulation time of nanocarrier so as to figure out what content of zwitterion can enable the nanocarrier to obtain both the long blood circulation ability and other functions mentioned above. Herein, using nanocapsule as a research model, we investigated the nanocapsule modified with zwitterion of phosphorylcholine (PC) or carboxybetaine (CB) respectively, and through 1H-NMR quantification we determined the zwitterionic surface content, so as to study the effect of PC or CB surface content on blood circulation performance of nanocapsule. In vivo study showed that the nanocapsule possessed an optimal surface filling ratios range for blood circulation of 43–68% for PC and of 20–68% for CB, with the longest t1/2=37.35 h for PC-nanocapsule and t1/2=45.27 h for CB-nanocapsule. Furthermore, the protein adsorption and macrophage endocytosis experiments indicated that when the surface filling ratio reached 43% for PC-nanocapsule and 20% for CB-nanocapsule, it could effectively reduce the protein adsorption and weaken macrophage endocytosis, thus explaining the phenomenon of long circulation time of nanocapsules from the point of protein adsorption and interaction with immune cells. This study proposes a new direction for designing long-circulating nanocarrier, and provides basis for constructing enzyme-responsive and intracellular or extracellular delivery platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microporous materials can provide interesting tools for different goals from bioimaging to the delivery of bioactive molecules. In this study, the procedure based on cryo-approaches was designed to formulate the nanoparticles of natural clinoptilolite from the Zeolites mineral family. Applying scanning electron microscopy, clinoptilolite samples were imaged. After aging in the ethanol solution of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), nanoparticles were encapsulated in the lecithin envelope. The adsorption of lecithin by clinoptilolite nanoparticles was studied by registering the diminution of optical density (OD 235) for ethanol/lecithin solution at 235 nm with UV spectrometry. The kinetics of lecithin/clinoptilolite complex development was shown to exhibit intricate behavior, when the adsorption of lecithin was followed with its gradual release resulting in the increase of lecithin content in ethanol solution back toward the original level. The size distribution for the lecithin/clinoptilolite complex was determined with a dynamic light scattering technique. To our knowledge, there are no reports of natural clinoptilolite-based platforms that were used as the for a nanosized capsule with phospholipids shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effortless separation without damage to the substrates is highly advantageous for the recovery and recycling of expensive electronic components in display devices. In this study, we present an approach for separating transparent adhesive films from substrates using phase-change core-shell nanocapsules. The nanocapsules are prepared from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles via the encapsulation of methylcyclohexane (MCH). The evaporated MCHs facilitated the detachment of adhesive films through micro-bubble generation after thermal treatment, leading to the effortless separation of the adhesive layer. The newly fabricated adhesive film with phase-change nanocapsules resulted in high transmittance, with an excellent debonding efficiency after thermal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The introduction of therapeutic antibodies (tAbs) into clinical practice has revolutionized tumor treatment strategies, but their tumor therapy efficiency is still far below expectations because of the rapid degradation and limited tumor accumulation of tAbs. Methods: We developed a nanocapsule-based delivery system to induce the self-augmentation of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. This system constantly penetrated across the blood-tumor barrier into the tumor while avoiding the attack of tAbs by the immune system. The biodistribution and therapeutic effect were tested with single dose administration of nanocapsule-tAbs in vivo. Results: The accumulation of Nano(cetuximab) within subcutaneous PC9 tumors was gradually enhanced over 6 days after single dose administration, which was contrary to the biodistribution of native cetuximab. Nano(cetuximab) accumulated in tumor tissues via the EPR effect and released cetuximab. The released cetuximab acted on vascular endothelial cells to destroy the blood-tumor barrier and induce self-augmentation of the EPR effect, which in turn contributed to further tumor accumulation of long-circulating Nano(cetuximab). Compared with single dose administration of native cetuximab, Nano(cetuximab) showed an effective tumor suppressive effect for 3 weeks. Conclusions: The nanocapsule-based delivery system efficiently delivered tAbs to tumor tissues and released them to boost the EPR effect, which facilitated further tumor accumulation of the tAbs. This novel self-augmentation of the EPR effect facilitated by the biological characteristics of tAbs and nanotechnology contributed to the improvement of the therapeutic effect of tAbs, and stimulated new ideas for antibody-based tumor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoencapsulated phase change material (NPCM) slurry is a dispersion where the phase change material (PCM) is dispersed in fluid. Compared with fluid, these nanofluids have a higher heat capacity during the phase change and a possible enhancement, as a result of this phase change, in the heat transfer phenomenon. To appreciate the merits, in terms of energy, a numerical study has been carried out with fluid based on NPCM inside double pipe heat exchanger. The numerical simulation results have been validated using experimental heat transfer data. The Reynolds and Nusselt numbers have been determined using thermal conductivity and viscosity evaluated in the same conditions as those in numerical model. The results obtained show an improvement of this energetic criterion at low mass flow rate compared with the base fluid. Analysis of the numerical and analytical results reveal that higher inlet flow rate and NPCM concentration results in higher heat transfer rate. In addition, increasing NPCM slurry temperature decreases its performance due to fast melting of PCM inside the tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued use of chemical insecticides causes toxicity to non-target organisms, pest resistance and environmental pollution around the world. Nanocapsules of botanical insecticides are a suitable alternative for this target. The major constituents of Eucalyptus extract were determined by GC-MS: 1,8-cineole (70.94%) and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (6.08%). The Characterization of nanocapsule was investigated by dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential, scanning electron microscope, optical microscope and FTIR. The mean particle size distribution of nanocapsule is 380 nm and zeta potential of −26.36 ± 5.31 mV was obtained. It could be observed that nanocapsules have a spherical shape. To determine the insecticides of the nanocapsule with loads Eucalyptus extract was impregnated with concentration (0, 10, 15, 25, 35, 50 mg/ml) for 12, 24 and 48-h after exposure. The results indicated, that over time encapsulation exposure from 12 to 48 h, the highest time was comparatively more susceptible (LC50 = 14.93 mg/ml). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooling demand in the building sector is growing rapidly; thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials (PCM) can be a very useful way to improve the building thermal performance. This work shows the benefits of PCM when incorporated in wood fiber-polymer composite as floor cooling system using nano-encapsulated PCMs. The wood-plastic-NPCM composites were produced using compression molding process and its mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. Two dynamic simulators were employed to investigate synthesized composites thermal performance. Increasing NPCM content in WPC showed that the fluctuations of the simulator temperature was decreased while the heat fluxes through the floor was increased. The variations of ambient maximum temperature have little effect on the air temperature of the simulator with 40% PCM which indicates that the amount of PCM was enough for studied environmental condition. Field experiments were performed using two medium-scale test houses located on Tehran-Iran. It can be concluded that using NPCM helps to reduce heating and cooling demand. Moreover, the natural night ventilation by opening windows reduced the number of hours that the temperature is above 23°C from 499 h/year in case1 (without opening) to 255 h/year in case 2(with opening). This means that natural night ventilation could help reduce the overheating period to about 50% with the use of NPCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multilayer films based on cationic chitosan and anionic alginate. • Polysaccharides-based capsules have been elaborated by a core-mediated LbL approach. • Complementary approach to classical nanoparticles based on chitosan. • The bacteria inhibition depends on the flexibility of the nanomaterial. Creating an appropriate antibacterial disinfection system without forming any harmful compounds is still a major challenge and calls for new technologies for efficient disinfection and microbial control. Towards this aim, we report on the elaboration of biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanocapsules, also called hollow nanoparticles, for potential applications in antibiotic therapy. These nanomaterials are based on the self-assembly of charged polysaccharides, namely chitosan and alginate, onto gold nanoparticles as a sacrificial matrix (60 nm). Electrostatic interactions between the protonated amine groups of chitosan (+35 mV) and the carboxylate groups of alginate (- 20 mV) are the driving attraction force enabling the elaboration of well-ordered multilayer films onto the spherical substrate. The removal of the colloidal gold, via cyanide-assisted hydrolysis, is evidenced by time-dependent variation of the gold spectroscopic signature (30 min is required). TEM shows the obtention of nanocapsules. An inhibitory effect of these particles has been demonstrated during the growth of two representative bacteria in a liquid medium: Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) (from 4.6% to 16.3% for gold nanomaterials + and from 18.6% to 34.9% for (chi+/alg−) n -chi+ nanocapsules) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) (from 5.4% to 20% for gold nanomaterials and from 23.7% to 40% for (chi+/alg−) n -chi+ nanocapsules). Acridine orange staining demonstrated the bactericidal effect of chitosan-based capsules. These findings demonstrate that (chitosan/alginate) n capsules can be exploited as new antibacterial material. Thus, we present a complementary approach to classical nanoparticles prepared by complexation between alginate and chitosan or other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of self-healing materials is a rapidly developing field that facilitates the repair of microcracks or mechanical damage. In this paper, calcium alginate capsules containing tung oil were synthesized and incorporated into a polyester resin-based powder. Parameters such as the type of surfactant, dose, emulsification time, agitation speed, and ratio of the core to the shell in the encapsulation process were investigated. Three kinds of stable micro/nanocapsules with different particle sizes were prepared. Other coating properties, such as self-healing properties, friction and wear properties, and corrosion properties, were also investigated and compared for different capsule doses. Self-healing and friction-wear mechanisms and corrosion-resistance mechanisms were analyzed and found to be critical to the automatic repair and the durability of coating. With an increase in the dose of capsules, the self-healing performance was enhanced. However, the higher capsule content led to poor adhesion to the substrate and the spread of corrosion through the cracks into the substrate, which exfoliated the coating. The experimental results also suggested that a 15% capsule concentration produced greater self-healing effects. Thus, the N-500-15 sample had better corrosion resistance. Image 1 • The properties of friction-wear, and corrosion of the self-healing coating-containing nanocapsules were investigated. • Friction-wear and corrosion resistance mechanisms of the self-healing coating were analyzed. • It was critical to the automatic repair of the coating and the durability of the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kilka fish oil is highly susceptible to oxidation due to high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. One of the methods used to protect unsaturated oils from environmental damage is the encapsulation process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of encapsulation process on reduction of Kilka fish oil oxidation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of type and concentration of wall materials on encapsulated fish oil properties. The mixture of xanthan and lepidium sativum (Shahi) seed gum was used in 100: 0, 50:50 and 0: 100 ratios as the continuous phase of emulsion. Concentration of solid material in wall solution was chosen at 30, 40 and 50%. A homogenizer ultraturax was used to prepare nanomulsions and a high pressure homogenizer was used to produce microemulsion. The results showed that the size of the capsules prepared with mixture wall in all concentration, xanthan gum at 40 and 50% concentration and capsules with shahi seed gum at 30% concentration was in the range of nano (below 100 nm). All microcapsules had a size below 10 micrometers. Zeta potential was negative for microcapsules and nanocapsules and the lowest and highest zeta potentials were related to capsule with mixture and shahi seed gum walls respectively. The nanocapsules showed higher efficiency of Kilka fish oil encapsulation than microcapsules. The images of the Scanning Electron Microscope represent a suitable network and uniform wall cover around the capsules, and structural fractures were not observed. The results of this study suggest using of fish oil microcapsules with shahi gum wall at 40% concentration, fish oil nanocapsules with mixture of xanthan and shahi gum wall at 40% concentration, and fish oil nanocapsules with 30% xanthan gum due to good properties for oil storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract The average diameters of encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) affect their physical properties. In this study, the effects of the main emulsification variables (ultrasound time and output power of ultrasonic treatment) were explored and then melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF)/paraffin nanocapsules were obtained via an in-situ polymerization method. The influences of these variables on the stability of the MUF/paraffin nanoemulsions and the appearances, mean droplet diameter and thermos-physical properties of MUF/paraffin nanocapsules were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to characterize the morphologies, size distributions, and thermal stabilities of MUF/paraffin nanocapsules, respectively. The characterization results showed that the more stable nanoemulsion could be formed after ultrasonic treatment for 15 min under the output power at 600 W compared with mechanical stirring emulsification. When the ultrasonic output power was 600 W, the MUF/paraffin nanocapsules achieved the highest encapsulation efficiency (35.8%) and encapsulated paraffin in the MUF shell under the output power of 600 W was more than that obtained under other ultrasonic output power values. This study verified that the ultrasound-assisted emulsification process could be used to fabricate stable MUF/paraffin nanocapsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical structure of ART-conjugated heparin, its self-assembly and delivery to iRBCs. Artesunate-heparin conjugate (ART-HEP) based nanocapsules as drug delivery vehicle was developed for intracellular release of ART in malaria therapy. Owing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties, the conjugate was successfully self-assembled into artesunate-heparin nanocapsules (ART-HEP-NCPs) with lower critical micelle concentration (CMC) of about 20 µg/mL. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that ART-HEP-NCPs has an average hydrodynamic diameter of 112.1 nm with a negatively charged surface (−11.2 mV) and typical micellar nanostructure, respectively. Interestingly, such modification achieved high drug loading efficiency (DLE) of ART (29.3 wt%), which is significantly higher than already reported conventional ART-loaded nanoparticles. The nanocapsules demonstrated lower in vitro ART release under neutral physiological environment (33.81%) but higher release rate was observed in simulated acidic microenvironment (92.74%) in 70 h test. This behavior of ART-HEP-NCPs will facilitate the intracellular release of ART under slightly acidic parasitic food vacuole for effective antimalarial effect. Storage stability and hemolytic studies exhibited that ART-HEP based nanocapsules were stable and safe for intravenous (i.v) injection. Notably, ART-HEP-NCPs has promising internalization into Plasmodium infected red blood cells (iRBCs) and also displayed in vitro inhibitory effect against P. falciparum 3D7 with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 10.16 nM, which was slightly higher than free ART (IC 50 6.27 nM). This expected slightly lower inhibitory effect of polymeric prodrug could be ascribed to the gradual release of ART from the polymer chain over time. More importantly, the in vivo pharmacokinetics study indicated that the nanoscale characteristic of nanocapsules substantially contributed to the extended circulation of ART in blood. In conclusion, such multifunctional ART-HEP-NCPs with higher ART loading and extended half-life could be a promising platform for targeted antimalarial drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Irreversible solid-state conversion of Co(II) metal-organic nanocapsule [Co2(bda)2(bpy)2] (1), [bda2− = 2,2′-biphenyl dicarboxylate and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine], prepared by mechanochemical procedure with empty pore and lozenge-shaped microcube morphology similar to [Cu2(bda)2(bpy)2]∙4H2O (2) analogue with agglomerated nanostructure morphology was studied. The structure of 1 is exactly the same as 2 and the metal ion has distorted octahedral coordination in both of them. In addition to the same structures of 1 and 2, the similar crystal data of them also approved that this reaction can occur in solid state by cation exchange process. Solid-state cation exchange processes of these metal-organic nanocapsules were studied by IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α‐Lipoic acid is amphipathic with low molecular sulphur‐containing fatty acid and has strong antioxidant effects. It has been used at the purposes of anti‐ageing, treatment of diabetic neuropathy, and supplement as antioxidant. Though α‐lipoic acid is normally administered in oral or injection, it has not been used in a topical use via skin because of its bad penetration. We developed the novel nanocapsule of α‐lipoic acid, named α‐lipoactive (nLA), to improve skin permeability. The nLA is constructed as micelles of α‐lipoic acid mixed with the non‐ionic surfactant, and its surface of the micelles was coated with inorganic metal salts. It is water soluble and has a diameter of approximately 8‐15 nm. After nLA was applied to the murine skin, epidermal thickening was observed. It was confirmed that this effect is caused by α‐lipoic acid molecule, but not by the raw material used for encapsulation. In in vivo experiments, it was found that nLA is very effective for improving UV‐induced pigmentation and epidermal thickening. Our findings suggest that nanoencapsulation of α‐lipoic acid is considerably effective for topical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Macro cyclic amine monomers designed for the hydrolysis of organophosphorus pesticide. • Nanocapsules prepared using the functional monomers with methyl parathion as template. • Nucleophilic attacking reaction mechanism was discussed. Abstract In this work, macro cyclic amine type of functional monomers, (4-vinylbenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (VBTN) and 1,4-bishydroxyethyl-7-(4-vinylbenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (VBTNOH), were synthesized to prepare enzyme-mimic molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) nanoparticles with the hollowed morphology, which are expected to eliminate organophosphorus pesticide pollutants. The resulted MIPs show higher catalytic hydrolysis activity compared to the self-hydrolysis of substrate methyl parathion. Especially, the MIP with functional monomer containing alcohol assistant group (MIP-VBTNOH), shows the best performance, whose initial rate is 3.51 * 10−2 mM/h, 415-fold higher than substrate self-hydrolysis. Its Michaelis-Menten constant is as low as 0.87 mM. We attribute the good performance of MIP-VBTNOH to its alcohol assistant group on the funcional monomers because the alcohol OH is more nucleophilic than water. Such mechanism is confirmed by the observation of the intermediate in this catalytic process by 31P NMR spectrum. In addition, the introduce of hollowed nanocapsule morphology makes MIPs effectively absorb p-nitrophenol produced by the hydrolysis of organophosphate compounds, another pollutant needs to be eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Small intestine and intestinal villi (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) have been modified from the original work provided by Servier Medical Art (http://smart.servier.com/). Abstract Despite the convenience of the oral route for drug administration, the existence of different physiological barriers associated with the intestinal tract greatly lowers the bioavailability of many active compounds. We have previously suggested the potential polymeric nanocapsules, consisting of an oily core surrounded by a polymer shell, as oral drug delivery carriers. Here we present a systematic study of the influence of the surface properties of these nanocapsules on their interaction with the intestinal barriers. Two different surfactants, Pluronic®F68 (PF68) and F127 (PF127), and two polymeric shells, chitosan (CS) and polyarginine (PARG) were chosen for the formulation of the nanocapsules. We analyzed nine different combinations of these polymers and surfactants, and studied the effect of each specific combination on their colloidal stability, enzymatic degradation, and mucoadhesion/mucodiffusion. Our results indicate that both, the polymer shell and the surfactants located at the oil/water interface, influence the interaction of the nanocapsules with the intestinal barriers. More interestingly, according to our observations, the shell components of the nanosystems may have either synergic or disruptive effects on their capacity to overcome the intestinal barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]