Alginate‐Based Microcapsules with a Molecule Recognition Linker and Photosensitizer for the Combined Cancer Treatment

A reactive template method was used to fabricate alginate‐based hydrogel microcapsules. The uniform and well‐dispersed hydrogel capsules have a high drug loading capacity. After they are coated by a folate‐linked lipid mixture on the surface, the capsules possess higher cell uptake efficiency by the molecule recognition between folate and the folate‐receptor overexpressed by the cancer cells. Moreover, in this bioconjugate, the lipid could remarkably reduce the release rate of hydrophilic doxorubicin from the hydrogel microcapsules and encapsulate the hydrophobic photosensitizer hypocrellin B. The biointerfaced capsules could be used as drug carriers for combined treatment against cancer cell proliferation in vitro; this was much more effective than chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy alone.     

Fabrication of Chitosan Single‐Component Microcapsules With a Micrometer‐Thick and Layered Wall Structure by Stepwise Core‐Mediated Precipitation

Incubation of CaCO₃ microparticles in chitosan (CS) solution at pH 5.2 and following with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) treatment resulted in CS single‐component microcapsules with an ultra‐thick wall structure. Repeating the incubation caused stepwise increase of wall thickness and finally resulted in CS microcapsules with a layered structure. This unique method is mediated by precipitation of CS on the CaCO₃ particles as a result of pH increase caused by the partial dissolution of CaCO₃. The obtained CS capsules are stable at neutral pH.     

Diffusion controlled formation of husk-like microcapsules

 Solid microspheres consisting of thermal heterocomplex molecules made from heating a mixture of aspartic acid and proline were transformed into husk-like microcapsules in their aqueous suspensions when pH value increased. The thickness of the outer shell of the husk-like microcapsule decreased as pH increased. Formation of the husk-like microcapsules is discussed to be due to both diffusion of the constituent molecules from the inside of the microspheres and conformational changes of those molecules in the process. Received: 16 October 1996 Accepted: 16 January 1997     

Influence of SMA content on the electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal prepared by monodisperse poly(MMA-co-SMA)/LC microcapsules

Monodisperse poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles containing various concentrations of stearyl methacrylate (SMA) were prepared, and a liquid crystal (LC) was swollen into the particles using a solute co-diffusion method (SCM). Phase separation behaviors between the polymer and LC were monitored by utilizing an optical and a polarized microscope (OM/POM). The monodisperse LC microcapsules were then applied to a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), and the electro-optical properties were investigated. As a result, the threshold and driving voltages were improved when the SMA content increased. The long alkyl chains of SMA in the capsules should exist at the interface of the LC and polymer resulting in an enhancement of phase separation between the polymer and LC, which largely influences the electro-optical properties of PDLC.     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

通过可控沉积和交联制备蛋白质微胶囊

通过加入反溶剂控制牛血清白蛋白(BSA)在碳酸锰微粒表面的沉积, 形成连续薄膜后交联, 去除模板后得到了尺寸均匀和分散良好的BSA中空微胶囊. 囊壁厚度可以通过滴加乙醇控制; 囊壁的截留分子量在70000—155000之间. 由于BSA含有丰富的自由羧基, 得到的微胶囊表现出pH响应性. 这种快速简便制备微胶囊的方法也可以应用于其它蛋白质及酶, 得到的生物相容的微胶囊将在药物控制释放等领域具有潜在的应用价值.     

Assembly of MOF Microcapsules with Size‐Selective Permeability on Cell Walls

The assembly of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into microcapsules has attracted great interest because of their unique properties. However, it remains a challenge to obtain MOF microcapsules with size selectivity at the molecular scale. In this report, we used cell walls from natural biomaterials as non‐toxic, stable, and inexpensive support materials to assemble MOF/cell wall (CW) microcapsules with size‐selective permeability. By making use of the hollow structure, small pores, and high density of heterogeneous nucleation sites of the cell walls, uniform and continuous MOF layers could be easily obtained by inside/outside interfacial crystallization. The prepared MOF/CW microcapsules have excellent stability and enable the steady, slow, and size‐selective release of small molecules. Moreover, the size selectivity of the microcapsules can be adjusted by changing the type of deposited MOF.