Ferulic acid-loaded polymeric nanoparticles prepared from nano-emulsion templates facilitate internalisation across the blood-brain barrier in model membranes.

A hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, namely ferulic acid (FA) has been successfully encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) based on poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA). FA-loaded polymeric NPs were prepared from O/W nano-emulsion templates using the phase inversion composition (PIC) low-energy emulsification method. The obtained PLGA NPs exhibited high colloidal stability, good drug-loading capacity, and particle hydrodynamic diameters in the range of 74 to 117 nm, depending on the FA concentration used.

Polymer nanoparticles from low-energy nanoemulsions for biomedical applications.

The formulation of nanoemulsions by low-energy strategies, particularly by the phase inversion composition method, and the use of these nanoemulsions as templates for the preparation of polymer nanoparticles for biomedical applications are reviewed. The methods of preparation, nature of the components in the formulation, and their impact on the physicochemical properties, drug loading, and drug release are discussed. We highlight the utilization of ethyl cellulose, poly(lactic--glycolic acid), and polyurethane/polyurea in the field of nanomedicine as potential drug delivery systems.

Rosmarinic Acid-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles Prepared by Low-Energy Nano-Emulsion Templating: Formulation, Biophysical Characterization, and In Vitro Studies.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a caffeic acid derivative, has been loaded in polymeric nanoparticles made up of poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) through a nano-emulsion templating process using the phase-inversion composition (PIC) method at room temperature. The obtained RA-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were colloidally stable exhibiting average diameters in the range of 70-100 nm. RA was entrapped within the PLGA polymeric network with high encapsulation efficiencies and nanoparticles were able to release RA in a rate-controlled manner.

Chromonic nematic liquid crystals in a room-temperature ionic liquid.

Planar multiaromatic molecules hierarchically and selectively arrange into nematic chromonic liquid crystals in the room temperature ionic liquid 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate. In a proof of concept, these liquid crystals were used as reaction media to produce mesostructured silica materials under mild biomimetic conditions. Several other applications are envisaged.