Wide band-gap oxide nanoparticles as potential drug carriers

Abstract

SummaryRecent decades have brought rapid development in the field of nanotechnology, which has led to applications of nanoparticles in many industries. Unique properties of nanoparticles and their biocompatibility increase their potential as drug carriers in drug-delivery systems. Prof. Marek Godlewski's team from the Institute of Physics PAS has developed wide band-gap metal oxide nanoparticles doped with rare-earth metals for applications as fluorescent markers. The potential of those nanoparticles to cross the closed gut barrier after alimentary application has prompted their use in drug delivery systems. In this study, we show that after conjugation with a model bioactive substance, lectin (Phaseolus vulgaris), these nanoparticles retained their advantageous properties and, following oral administration (10 mg/ml in RO, 0.3 ml/mouse), entered a variety of organs in the mouse model. Internal organs collected at key time points were analysed under a scanning cytometer and a confocal microscope. The results show that the conjugation reduced, but did not completely abolish, the capacity of nanoparticles to penetrate physiological barriers (intestinal, blood-brain barrier) in the organism.

New generation of oxide-based nanoparticles for the applications in early cancer detection and diagnostics

“…Later, it will be discussed the biocompatibility of microwave hydrothermally grown oxide nanoparticles doped with lanthanide ions as they were extensively tested in-vivo in the acute, chronic and multiple exposure modes in mice [270][271][272]. Application of water as solvent ensured that nanoparticles were terminated by hydroxyl groups, which made them an ideal candidates for surface modifications by bioactive compounds for the applications as a drug carrier [273]. Finally, initial studies in the applicability of the lanthanide-doped oxides as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrasts will be confronted with other existing and researched MRI markers.…”