Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
Volume 5, Issue 3 , Pages 316-322, September 2009

Study of artemisinin nanocapsules as anticancer drug delivery systems

  • Youfang Chen, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Institute of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
    • ,
  • Xianfu Lin, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
    • ,
  • Hyunjin Park, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Graduate School of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
    • ,
  • Richard Greever, PhD

      Affiliations

    • The Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, Seoul, South Korea

Received 9 August 2008; accepted 29 December 2008. published online 20 January 2009.

Abstract 

Artemisinin (ART) crystals were encapsulated with chitosan, gelatin, and alginate for the purpose of controlled release. These polyelectrolytes were alternatively deposited on ART crystals sized about 766 nm through the layer-by-layer technique. Size distribution, zeta potential, and swelling property of ART nanocapsules were measured. The morphology of ART nanocapsules was observed by transmission electron microscopy after dissolution. Release property of ART nanocapsules was measured in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4). It was proved that the ART nanocapsules dispersed well in aqueous solutions. Hydrophilicity of ART crystals was improved after encapsulation. The ART drug release rate was tuned by the properties of polyelectrolyte solutions, such as polyelectrolyte type, number of polyelectrolyte multilayers, sodium chloride concentration, and ethanol concentration in polyelectrolyte solution, and so on. Our research provides a feasible method of achieving prolonged drug release through self-assembly of polyelectrolytes on natural drug crystals.

From the Clinical Editor

Artemisinin (ART) crystals were encapsulated with chitosan, gelatin, and alginate for the purpose of controlled release of this anticancer drug. The reported method is feasible for achieving prolonged drug release through self-assembly of polyelectroytes on natural drug crystals.

Key words: Nanoencapsulation, Controlled release, Artemisinin

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 No conflict of interest was reported by the authors of this paper.

PII: S1549-9634(09)00005-7

doi:10.1016/j.nano.2008.12.005

Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
Volume 5, Issue 3 , Pages 316-322, September 2009

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution