Nanoceramics as drug delivery carriers

Nano-scaled ceramic particles, such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been developed to preserve and deliver drugs or genes in biological cells. Unstable molecules were intercalated into LDHs displacing the Cl ^- ions, shielding the drug or gene's anionic charge and enabling penetration into the cell. In the slightly acidic environment of the cell, the ceramic nano-platelets of ∼ 100 nm diameter dissolved, releasing the intercalates in a controlled manner. Indeed, the chelate diethylenetriamine-N, N, N', N', N'-pentaacetate (DTPA), complexed with Gd ³⁺ or VO ²⁺ showed their characteristic EPR spectra with a slow tumbling environment in the LDH matrix. Preliminary safety studies with rats showed that there were no systemic effects as demonstrated by clinical chemistry and histopathology. In vitro studies indicated that pristine LDH nanohybrid material had no cytotoxic or growth inhibitory effects. LDH intercalated with disodium pamidronate (Aredia™) have successfully been synthesized. From pharmacokinetic in vivo studies, we can suggest the possibility of using LDH bioresorbable nanoparticles as carriers for slow-release, intravenous drug administration.