Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles Research Articles

Biocatalysts based on papain associates with chitosan nanoparticles

The research purpose was to develop and study biocatalysts based on papain associates with chitosan nanoparticles. We obtained medium and high molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles, both with and without ascorbic acid . When the papainna-noparticles complexes with ascorbic acid were formed, the catalytic activity of the enzyme increased by 3 % for medium molecular weight chitosan and by 16 % for high molecular weight chitosan. After 168 hours of incubation in 0.05 M of Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5) at 37 °C, the free enzyme retained 15 % of its catalytic activity, whereas its associates with chitosan nanoparticles exhibited ~ 30 %. The papain complex with chitosan nanoparticles and ascorbic acid exhibited 40 % of the enzyme catalytic activity. We simulated the bonds and interactions within the chitosan-ascorbic acid-papain complex. The proposed biocatalysts have high prospects for effective use in cosmetology, biomedicine, and pharmacy.

Preparation and optimization of glyceryl monooleate-low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles for delivery of morpholinopyrrolizine derivative

Purpose: To develop and optimize glyceryl monooleate–low-molecular-weight chitosan (GMO-LMWC) nanoparticles loaded with morpholinopyrrolizine derivative (NPM).
 Methods: Molecular mechanics was used to determine the main driving force for the complexation between glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and chitosan. Nanoparticles were fabricated using a modified film-rehydration method. Optimization was carried out using a statistical design approach. The effects of formulation factors (concentrations of GMO, LMWC and Tween 80) on zeta potential and particle size were investigated using a 23 factorial design.
 Results: A steady increase in binding energy was observed when chitosan length was increased from 22 to 142 Å, and thereafter it remained almost constant. The examined independent variables had significant effects on particle size and zeta potential. The particle size of the nanoparticles varied from 265 to 1270 nm while zeta potential was in the range of 3 – 12 mV. The optimized preparation showed a significantly low half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) when compared to a free anticancer agent in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HePG-2) cell line.
 Conclusion: A nanoparticulate system composed of GMO and LMWC is a potential nanocarrier for delivery of morpholinopyrrolizine derivative.

The effect of chitosan nanoparticles on Escherichia coli viability in drinking water disinfection

Abstract Drinking water disinfection or inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms is an essential step to minimize infection risks and decrease the incidence of waterborne diseases. Recently, chitosan nanoparticles (CNs) have been highlighted as an antimicrobial agent for a wide range of applications due to their natural antimicrobial properties, and low or no toxicity risk for human health. In this study, we generated CNs from three different molecular weight (MW) chitosan (low, medium, high) at various concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 2% (w/v)). After the CNs preparation and quality assessment, the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring the log reduction of Gram-negative bacteria E. coli as a model microorganism for faecal pollution. The results demonstrated that 0.25% of medium MW CNs are optimal for more than 99.99% reduction of cultivable E. coli and 97% inactivation of metabolically active E. coli. These results indicated that CNs were able to inhibit the growth of cultivable and metabolically active E. coli in tap water and demonstrated the potential use of CNs as an alternative antimicrobial agent in drinking water disinfection.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Type B Gelatin and Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles: Potential Applications as Bioactive Molecule Carriers and Cell-Penetrating Agents.

Gelatin and chitosan nanoparticles have been widely used in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and nanofood applications due to their high biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study proposed a highly efficient synthesis method for type B gelatin and low-molecular-weight (LMW) chitosan nanoparticles. Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) were synthesized by the double desolvation method and the chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) by the ionic gelation method. The sizes of the obtained CNPs and GNPs (373 ± 71 nm and 244 ± 67 nm, respectively) and zeta potential (+36.60 ± 3.25 mV and −13.42 ± 1.16 mV, respectively) were determined via dynamic light scattering. Morphology and size were verified utilizing SEM and TEM images. Finally, their biocompatibility was tested to assure their potential applicability as bioactive molecule carriers and cell-penetrating agents.

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES OF AMPHOTERICIN B FOR EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF FUNGAL DISEASE

Because of the increasing prevalence and changing microbiological spectrum of invasive fungal infections, some form of amphotericin B still provides the most reliable and broad spectrum therapeutic alternative. The research aimed to formulate and prepare chitosan nanaoparticle incorporated gel of low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles with the help of antifungal agents amphotericin B for the topical application. Using the ionic gelation process, nanoparticles containing drugs were prepared. By cationic interaction is suitable for pH, and gel sodium tripolyphosphate is used as a crosslinker which cross-links the chitosan particles to form the gel, interaction between drug and polymer was observed during the formulation development. The gel was prepared and evaluated for viscosity, % assay, extrudability, spreadability and drug release study. It was found that viscosity of prepared gel was 4520cps, % assay was 98.96±0.35, Extrudability was 167g and Spreadibility (g.cm/sec) was found that 11.95 (g.cm/sec) respectively table 3. In vitro drug release from chitosan nanoparticles gel was carried out using Franz diffusion cell method and found 92.23% in 12 hr.

Pharmacokinetic variables of medium molecular weight cross linked chitosan nanoparticles to enhance the bioavailability of 5-fluorouracil and reduce the acute oral toxicity

To prepare glutaraldehyde-based cross-linked medium molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), to overcome dosing frequency as well as reducing acute oral toxicity and poor bioavailability of the drug. Medium molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (MMWCH-NPs) were prepared by reverse micelles method based on glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linking and optimized by the process as well as formulation variables like a various drug to polymer ratio, cross-linker volumes, varying stirring speeds (rpm), different time of rotation/stirring, respectively and their effects on the mean particles size distribution and entrapment efficiency %EE and %LC of NPs. Characterization of formulations was done by FTIR studies, TEM, PXRD, TGA, Stability, and dissolution drug release studies were performed by dialysis bag technique at both pH (1.2 & 7.4) and acute oral toxicity studies in albino rabbits. The formulated nanoparticles showed a smooth morphology with smaller particle size distribution (230–550 nm), zeta potential (−15 to −18 mV) required to achieve enhanced permeation and retention effect (EPR), entrapment efficiency (%EE 12–59%). These NPs exhibited a controlled drug release profile with 84.36% of the drug over a period of 24 h. Drug release data were fitted to different kinetic models which predominantly followed Fickian diffusion mechanism (R 2 = 0.972–0.976, N = 0.326–0.256). The optimized formulation (5-FU6) was observed under DSC/TGA, TEM. PXRD curves, FTIR, which confirmed thermal stability, structural integrity, amorphous state, compatibility between drug and polymer of optimized (5-FU6) as well as reduced acute oral toxicity in albino rabbits. Cross-linked medium molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles are nontoxic, well-tolerated therefore could be the future candidate for therapeutic effects as novel drug delivery carrier for anticancer drug(s).

Low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles for CpG oligodeoxynucleotides delivery: Impact of molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, and mannosylation on intracellular uptake and cytokine induction

Although synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) have shown substantial potential as immunotherapeutic agents, their effective intracellular delivery remains challenging. In this work, nanoparticles prepared from low-molecular weight (LMW) chitosans were investigated as CpG ODN delivery systems. Chitosan samples with a molecular weight (Mw) of 5 and 15 kDa and degree of deacetylation (DDA) of 50 and 80% were prepared. Additionally, mannosylated chitosans with a substitution degree of 15% were synthesized. The impact of LMW chitosan Mw and DDA on nanoparticle physical properties and the associated immunostimulatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells was studied. Nanoparticles prepared with chitosan of higher DDA and larger Mw exhibited better CpG ODN binding ability and intracellular uptake. Nevertheless, the most efficient immunostimulatory effect was observed while using 50% acetylated and mannosylated samples. The decreased charge density on chitosan backbone resulted in the enhanced intracellular CpG ODN release, which promoted in vitro cytokine secretion. Moreover, mannose ligand grafting promoted nanoparticle uptake through receptor-mediated recognition. Overall, this research suggests that chitosan structural parameters can be modulated to prepare LMW chitosan nanoparticles that first efficiently encapsulate CpG ODN, and then release it in immune cells, thus may be used as an efficient vector for intracellular CpG ODN delivery.

Formulation and evaluation of antifungal agent in a hydrogel containing nanoparticle of low molecular weight chitosan

The research aimed to formulate and prepare hydrogel of low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles with the help of antifungal agents such as clotrimazole and Nystatin for the topical application. Using the ionic gelation process, placebo and nanoparticles containing drugs were prepared. By cationic interaction is suitable for pH, and gel sodium tripolyphosphate is used as a crosslinker which cross-links the chitosan particles to form the gel, interaction between drug and polymer was observed during the formulation development. Formulated nanoparticle with chitosan and nystatin and clotrimazole showed the mean diameter 273.7nm, 983nm, and 501nm. Clotrimazole and Nystatin had encapsulation capacity was about 74.6% and 63.0%, respectively. In vitro drug release at pH 4.7 chitosan molecules are examined for the version of clotrimazole and nystatin.it has noticed that both the formulation shows sustained drug release about 12 hours. Using SEM, nanoparticles are directed for surface morphology character; it shows that nanoparticles are smooth and spherical in structure. Chitosan itself has the antimicrobial property; it was carried out for the antifungal activity against the fungus Candida Albicans along with the prepared formulations drugs for the comparative study. And the result showed that clotrimazole had maximum fungal growth inhibition next followed by the nystatin and chitosan is least. This inhibitory effect was due to the parameter such as zeta potential and particle size of chitosan nanoparticles. And it shows the least antifungal activity of nanoparticles, which are formulated from the TMC. Hence CTZ and Chitosan were formulated and applied as a natural antifungal agent into nanoparticle to increase the fungal activity. According to the ICH Q1A (R2) guidelines, stability studies are conducted to prove no degradation of the drug. The prepared formulation of chitosan nanoparticles based hydrogel incorporated with clotrimazole and nystatin are promising and significant properties for the efficient treatment of topical fungal infections

Treatment of oxidative stress-induced pain and inflammation with dexketoprofen trometamol loaded different molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles: Formulation, characterization and anti-inflammatory activity by using in vivo HET-CAM assay

Angiogenesis is a fundamental process of wound healing, embryogenesis etc. but occurs in cancer and chronic inflammation pathologically. HET-CAM assay is a useful, well established and animal alternative test to screen anti-inflammatory potentials of pharmaceutical products as well as nano-formulations. Dexketoprofen trometamol (DT) belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) group which is a rapidly acting analgesic ingredient. Because DT has a short half-life, high and frequent dosing is used in treatment. The need of design and producing a new oral prolonged-release dosage form containing DT is the major aim of the study with low dose and low side effects. Chitosan (CS) has been widely used in the pharmaceutical area because of its favorable biological properties. In this study, DT loaded CS nanoparticles (CS-NPs) were produced by spray drying method for oral drug delivery. Structures of CS-NPs were elucidated by particle size, zeta potential, SEM, DSC, FT-IR and 1H NMR. High encapsulation efficiency was obtained (73–84%) for the prepared formulations. In vitro release was examined in pH 1.2 buffer and pH 6.8 buffer. DT-loaded CS-NPs showed prolonged release, particularly at pH 6.8. Weibull kinetic model was found to fit best to DT release from CS-NPs in both release medium. The anti-inflammatory activity of optimum formulation (M-DT) was examined using the in vivo HET-CAM assay. The anti-inflammatory activity results indicated that M-DT coded NPs formulation showed significantly good anti-inflammatory potential with closer inhibition value to the standard anti-inflammatory DT at one fifth lower dosage. According to the proposed method and results it can be successfully applicable to the NP preparation containing DT and it could be concluded that DT loaded CS-NPs seem to be a promising prolonged release drug delivery system for oral administration with low dose and high efficiency.

Enhancing the Thermo-Stability and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Alginate Lyase by Immobilization on Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles.

Bacterial biofilm causes severe antibiotic resistance. An extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) is the main component in the bacterial biofilm. Alginate is a key EPS component in the biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and responsible for surface adhesion and stabilization of biofilm. Alginate lyase has emerged as an efficient therapeutic strategy targeting to degrade the alginate in the biofilm of P. aeruginosa. However, the application of this enzyme is limited by its poor stability. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) were synthesized using low molecular weight chitosan and alginate lyase Aly08 was immobilized on low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (AL-LMW-CS-NPs). As a result, the immobilization significantly enhanced the thermal stability and reusability of Aly08. In addition, compared with free Aly08, the immobilized AL-LMW-CS-NPs exhibited higher efficiency in inhibiting biofilm formation and interrupting the established mature biofilm of P. aeruginosa, which could reduce its biomass and thickness confirmed by confocal microscopy. Moreover, the biofilm disruption greatly increased the antibiotic sensitivity of P. aeruginosa. This research will contribute to the further development of alginate lyase as an anti-biofilm agent.

Chitosan nanoparticles as alternative anti-staphylococci agents: Bactericidal, antibiofilm and antiadhesive effects

Chitosan is a biocompatible, bioactive, non-toxic polymer that due to these characteristics has been widely used as a carrier for targeted delivery of bioactive molecules. In recent years, and considering that chitosan has a strong antimicrobial potential, the scientific community's focus has shifted onto the possible antimicrobial activity of chitosan nanoparticles. With this in mind, the aim of this work was to produce low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles, through the ionic gelation method and characterize their potential biological activity against three staphylococci (MSSA, MRSA and MRSE) in planktonic and sessile environments. The chitosan nanoparticles produced had an average size of 244±12nm, an average charge of 17.3±1.4mV and had a MIC of 1.25mg/mL for all tested microorganisms. Bactericidal activity was only registered for MSSA and MRSA with the time-inhibition curves showing bactericidal activity within 1h. Assays regarding chitosan nanoparticles' impact upon sessile populations showed that they were effective in preventing MRSE adhesion and highly effective in reducing MRSA and MSSA biofilm formation.

In Vitro Investigation of Influences of Chitosan Nanoparticles on Fluorescein Permeation into Alveolar Macrophages.

Pulmonary infection namely tuberculosis is characterized by alveolar macrophages harboring a large microbe population. The chitosan nanoparticles exhibit fast extracellular drug release in aqueous biological milieu. This study investigated the matrix effects of chitosan nanoparticles on extracellular drug diffusion into macrophages. Oligo, low, medium and high molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by nanospray drying technique. These nanoparticles were incubated with alveolar macrophages in vitro and had model drug sodium fluorescein added into the same cell culture. The diffusion characteristics of sodium fluorescein and nanoparticle behavior were investigated using fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The oligochitosan nanoparticles enabled macrophage membrane fluidization with the extent of sodium fluorescein entry into macrophages being directly governed by the nanoparticle loading. Using nanoparticles made of higher molecular weight chitosan, sodium fluorescein permeation into macrophages was delayed due to viscous chitosan diffusion barrier at membrane boundary. Macrophage-chitosan nanoparticle interaction at membrane interface dictates drug migration into cellular domains.

Silencing of the scavenger receptor (Class B – Type 1) gene using siRNA-loaded chitosan nanaoparticles in a HepG2 cell model

Gene silencing mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) has gained increasing interest through the past few decades. However, the partial negative charge and the susceptibility to degradation by nucleases have hampered its use in a naked form. In this study, we investigated the use of chitosan nanoparticles as non-viral delivery carriers of siRNA. As a model target, we selected the scavenger receptor (SR-B1), due to its proposed involvement in hepatitis C virus (HCV) internalization. Low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by simple ionic gelation using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a cross-linking agent; a fixed chitosan and TPP concentration of 0.1% was used, and a chitosan to TPP weight ratios of 3:1, 5:1, and 9:1 were investigated. Nanoparticle uptake efficiency was measured using FITC-labeled chitosan nanoparticles and silencing of scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) in HepG2 cell line was tested using Western blot analysis. Nanoparticles produced were spherical in shape with an optimum particle size and distribution. The uptake of FITC-labeled nanoparticles by HepG2 cells was found to be both concentration and time dependent. Furthermore, Western Blot analysis showed that SR-B1 siRNA was able to silence the scavenger receptor for up to 96h of incubation with HepG2 cells.

Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on biocompatibility and cellular uptake of chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles.

Using low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) prepared by an ionic gelation method, the authors report the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) on cell viability and nanoparticle uptake in cultured murine preosteoblasts. Particle size and zeta potential are measured using dynamic light scattering, and cell viability is evaluated using the of [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt; MTS] assay. Results show that 30 min delivery of CNPs at 0.5 mg/mL is able to prevent loss of cell viability due to either serum starvation or subsequent exposure to US (1 W/cm(2) or 2 W/cm(2), up to 1 min). Additionally, flow cytometry data suggest that there is a close association between cellular membrane integrity and the presence of CNPs when US at 2 W/cm(2) is administered.

Glycyrrhizin conjugated chitosan nanoparticles for hepatocyte-targeted delivery of lamivudine

The present study was focused to prepare controlled release glycyrrhizin (GL) conjugated low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) for liver targeting. The hydrophilic antiretroviral drug lamivudine was chosen as a model drug and encapsulated within glycyrrhizin conjugated low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (GL-CS-NPs) for liver specificity. First, the low molecular weight chitosan (CS) was synthesized through depolymerization method. The low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by inotropic gelation method. Then glycyrrhizin was conjugated with previously prepared low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) and conjugation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The prepared GL-CS-NPs were characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and FT-IR. The encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro drug release behaviour of drug-loaded GL-CS-NPs were studied using ultra violet spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatographic methods. Release of lamivudine from the nanoparticles exhibited a biphasic pattern, initial burst release and consequently sustained release. In-vivo biodistribution study suggested the target ability of GL-CS-NPs is better and haematological study shows decline of the tissue damage in comparison with plain drug solution. The experimental results show that the glycyrrhizin conjugated LMWC nanoparticles may be used as a potential drug delivery system with hepatocyte-targeting characteristics.

Hyaluronic acid-coated chitosan nanoparticles: Molecular weight-dependent effects on morphology and hyaluronic acid presentation

Chitosan nanoparticles are popular carriers for the delivery of macromolecular payloads, e.g. nucleic acids. In this study, nanoparticles were prepared via complexation with triphosphate (TPP) anions and were successively coated with hyaluronic acid (HA). Key variables of the preparative process (e.g. chitosan and HA molecular weight) were optimised in view of the maximisation of loading with DNA, of the Zeta potential and of the dimensional stability, and the resulting particles showed excellent storage stability.We have focused on the influence of chitosan molecular weight on nanoparticle properties. Larger molecular weight increased their porosity (=decreased cross-link density), and this caused also larger dimensional changes in response to variations in osmotic pressure or upon drying. The dependency of nanoparticle porosity on chitosan molecular weight had a profound effect on the adsorption of HA on the nanoparticles; HA was apparently able to penetrate deeply into the more porous high molecular weight (684kDa) chitosan nanoparticles, while it formed a corona around those composed of more densely cross-linked low molecular weight (25kDa) chitosan. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) allowed not only to highlight the presence of this corona, but also to estimate its apparent thickness to about 20–30nm (in a dry state). The different morphology has a significant effect on the way HA is presented to biomolecules, and this has specific relevance in relation to interactions with HA receptors (e.g. CD44) that influence kinetics and mechanism of nanoparticle uptake.Finally, it is worth to mention that chitosan molecular weight did not appear to greatly affect the efficiency of nanoparticle loading with DNA, but significantly influenced its chitosanase-triggered release, with high molecular chitosan nanoparticles seemingly more prone to degradation by this enzyme.

Hydroxyethyl-functionalized ultrasmall chitosan nanoparticles as a gene delivery carrier

A non-viral gene vector based on hydroxyethyl ultra-low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (HE-ULMWCh NPs) has been synthesized. The HE-ULMWCh is used to form nanoparticles with an enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP) encoding plasmid that possesses diameters of 30–50 nm and a molecular weight of less than 2 kDa. The cytotoxicity assay shows that this new gene vector is significantly less cytotoxic than polyethylenimine whilst still retaining the characteristics of a cationic polyelectrolyte. Cellular uptake of HE-ULMWCh NP–pDNA nanocomplexes shows that HE-ULMWCh NPs can readily enter into cells via endocytosis and then be delivered to lysosomes. pDNA can be easily released from HE-ULMWCh NPs in the acidic vesicles of lysosomes, therefore resulting in a significant increase in the transfection efficiency in three different cell lines compared to naked pDNA. The in vitro results using the new gene vector are further confirmed by in vivo transfection in which HE-ULMWCh NPs provided 3.2 fold greater transfection efficiency than naked pDNA. The HE-ULMWCh NPs can therefore be concluded to be a promising delivery system for in vitro and in vivo gene transfection.

Erythrocytes load of low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles as a potential vascular drug delivery system

Low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention as colloidal drug carriers, but when applied to intravascular drug delivery, they are easy to be removed from circulation by the reticuloendothelial system, which limits their applications as long-circulating or target-specific carriers. Erythrocytes have a long circulation time in the blood, but they are sometimes not suitable for loading and releasing of drug directly. The combination of LMW chitosan nanoparticles and erythrocytes that complement each other is a desirable strategy to develop a multifunctional drug carrier. In this study, monodisperse, LMW chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation technique and these nanoparticles were investigated with regard to their erythrocyte compatibility. Then the interactions between erythrocytes and fluorescence-labeled LMW chitosan nanoparticles were studied by confocal microscopy. The results of this study indicate that LMW chitosan nanoparticles show good compatibility with erythrocytes and they can be easily attached to the surface of erythrocyte membrane, suggesting that erythrocytes load of LMW chitosan nanoparticles can be served as a potential vascular drug delivery system.

Formation mechanism of monodisperse, low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles by ionic gelation technique

Chitosan nanoparticles have been extensively studied for drug and gene delivery. In this paper, monodisperse, low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by a novel method based on ionic gelation using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as cross-linking agent. The objective of this study was to solve the problem of preparation of chitosan/TPP nanoparticles with high degree of monodispersity and stability, and investigate the effect of various parameters on the formation of LMW chitosan/TPP nanoparticles. It was found that the particle size distribution of the nanoparticles could be significantly narrowed by a combination of decreasing the concentration of acetic acid and reducing the ambient temperature during cross-linking process. The optimized nanoparticles exhibited a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 138 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.026 and a zeta potential of +35 mV, the nanoparticles had good storage stability at room temperature up to at least 20 days.

Nanotechnology for therapy and imaging of liver diseases

Nanotechnology has been considered for the improved delivery of various therapeutic agents, including drugs and genes. Indeed, liposomes and nanoparticles equipped with homing devices for the targeting of receptors over-expressed on the hepatic tissue have improved the treatment of various liver diseases. In this review, various nanotechnology approaches employed for the treatment/imaging of liver disease, either in preclinical or in clinic are discussed.