Nano - Micro Capsules have Applications in
Biotechnology, Medicine, Pharmaceutical and the Healthcare Industry
Even though the name is "Micro" capsule, the size can range from 10's nano meters to 100's or even 1000s of micro meters. It is basically a nano or micro particle, with a definite structure to it.
The size of a micro particle can vary from the smallest value of 50 nm to 2000 micro meters.
The capsule is intended to deliver a specific drug to one or more specific organs or even specific part of the organ, and also to specific depth, after successful penetration. These fall in the category of "designer" drug.
The micro or nano capsule incorporates the following:
- A nucleus containing a specific small molecule drug
- A coating or shell holding or encapsulating the drug
The material of the nucleus depends on the specific small molecule drug, with a specific property and a purpose. The material of coating is selected form a film that is connected to the material of nucleus. The material of the coating must not develop reactions with the nucleus. The coating should have chemical affinities with the material of nucleus. The material of the coating can be either hydrophobic polymers or hydrophilic polymers.
The actual pharmaceutical drug may be made up of multiple nano or micro capsules, to deliver multiple small molecule pharmaceutical drugs to the intended target organ or part of the organ, at a required depth.
The nano or micro capsule should have a shell or coating that can easily pass through the body or body fluids without interacting and penetrating through the organs, to reach a specified narrow region of the organ or organs. It is also very important that the coating or shell breaks apart or opens and releases the contained small molecule drug contained in the nucleus of the capsule. It is further important that the shell or coating disintegrates, not getting absorbed by the body but only to be completely excreted out of the body, in due coarse. During the disintegration, further passing through the body to be excreted, the coating or the shell should not either adversely react with any body part, not get absorbed.
KRS Murthy
