Abstract

New Melatonin-loaded vesicular nanocarriers were prepared by interfacial deposition using a blend of an amphiphilic diblock copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), PMMA-b-PDMAEMA, with poly(epsilon-caprolactone), PCL. Particle size and morphology of the nanocarriers was evaluated. Dynamic light scattering shows that the nanocarriers have hydrodynamic radii between 100 and 180 nm, with unimodal particle size distribution for each formulation. Shape and structure were visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryogenic TEM and scanning electron microscopy. Standard TEM for nanocapsules showed an oily core surrounded by a thin layer composed by PCL/PMMA-b-PDMAEMA. Cryo-TEM also indicated the presence of spherical nano-objects with a diffuse polymer corona. Encapsulation efficiencies were determined assaying the nanoparticles by HPLC and higher values of ca. 25% are shown by the nanocapsules. We could successfully incorporate platinum nanoparticles into the nanocarrier as evidenced by TEM, which opens up the possibility for promising applications like monitoring the encapsulated drug in the body.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Penott-Chang E, Walther A, Millard P, Jäger A, Jäger E, Müller AH, Guterres SS, Pohlmann AR

Institution

Makromolekulare Chemie II, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany.

Source

Journal of biomedical nanotechnology 8:2 2012 Apr pg 272-9

MeSH

Light
Melatonin
Methacrylates
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Nanocapsules
Nanotechnology
Nylons
Polyesters
Scattering, Radiation

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22515078