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In this study, we report the highly responsive chitosan-based chemically cross-linked nanomatrices, a nano-version of hydrogels developed through modified polymerization reaction for solubility improvement of poorly soluble drug simvastatin. The developed nanomatrices were characterized for solubilization efficiency, swelling studies, sol-gel analysis, in vitro drug release studies, DSC, FTIR, XRD, SEM, particle size analysis, and stability studies. An in vivo acute toxicity study was conducted on female Winstor rats, the result of which endorsed the safety and biocompatibility of the system. A porous and fluffy structure was observed under SEM analysis, which supports the great swelling tendency of the system that further governs the in vitro drug release. Zeta sizer analyzed the particle size in the range of 227.8 ± 17.8 nm. Nano sizing and grafting of hydrophilic excipients to the nanomatrices system explains this shift of trend towards the enhancement of solubilization efficiency, and, furthermore, the XRD results confirmed the amorphous nature of the system. FTIR and DSC analysis confirmed the successful grafting and stability to the system. The developed nanomatrices enhanced the release characteristics and solubility of simvastatin significantly and could be an effective technique for solubility and bioavailability enhancement of other BCS class-II drugs. Due to enhanced solubility, efficient method of preparation, excellent physico-chemical features, and rapid and high dissolution and bio-compatibility, the developed nanomatrices may be a promising approach for oral delivery of hydrophobic drugs.

Designing safer materials is one of the main challenges in the world of nanotechnology because of the potential risks arising from nanomaterial production, use and disposal. In this work, two nanoencapsulation techniques are investigated and proposed as a ''safer by (molecular) design'' strategy for controlling and harmonizing the biological reactivity of silver and TiO2 nanoparticles. SiO2 coatings were applied to silver and TiO2 nanoparticles and the feasibility of two different encapsulation techniques, a colloidal approach and chemical synthesis nucleation, were compared. Nanomatrices and core-shell nanocapsules were obtained and thoroughly characterized in terms of their wet physicochemical features (particle size distribution and ? -potential measurements) and TEM morphology. The colloidal and morphological identification of the samples produced served as a basis for assessing their biological reactivity (reported in subsequent publications).

Actualmente, la nanotecnología farmacéutica se enfoca al desarrollo de formulaciones de agentes terapéuticos en nanocomplejos biocompatibles como las nanomatrices. En este proyecto se evaluó el efecto antidiabético de las nanomatrices de óxido de titanio (TiO2) con extracto de Stevia rebaudiana bertoni (TiO2-SrB), una planta con propiedades hipoglucemiantes y antihiperlipidemicas en ratas diabéticas inducidas con aloxano (200 mg/kg, ip). Los resultados muestran la disminución significativa en la concentración de glucosa desde las 24 horas y hasta los 30 días posteriores a la administración de TiO2-SrB. Así mismo, la concentración de insulina, hemoglobina glicosilada, colesterol y triglicéridos mostraron una recuperación significativa a sus niveles normales. Los resultados sugieren que las nanomatrices de TiO2-SrB muestran una actividad hipoglucemiante y antihiperlipidemica prolongada, considerándose como una opción terapéutica para la diabetes Mellitus (DM).