Modified gelatin nanoparticles for gene delivery.

Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) are one of the most extensively used natural polymers for gene therapy. With advantages of being biodegradable, biocompatible, low cost and easily modified, gelatin holds great promise as a non-viral system for gene delivery. This review examines various methods of preparation of modified gelatin nanoparticles and considers how these modifications apply to gene delivery.

Effect of counterions on the micellization and monolayer behaviour of cationic gemini surfactants.

The effect of various inorganic and organic counterions on the aggregation behavior of gemini surfactants was examined to investigate the dominant influence of the anions on their micellization and aggregation behavior. This study included eight ethanediyl-α,ω-bis-(dimethylhexadecylammonium) gemini surfactants (GS, also known as 16-2-16) having counterions of chloride (Cl), bromide (Br), malate, tartrate, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), guanosine monophosphate (GMP), cytidine monophosphate (CMP), and uridine monophosphate (UMP). Tensiometry, conductivity and Langmuir monolayer measurements were performed to investigate the micellization and surface behaviour of each surfactant.

Synthesis and characterization of asymmetrical gemini surfactants.

The effect of variation in the length of surfactant hydrocarbon tail groups was tested in a series of dissymmetric gemini surfactants (N-alkyl N,N,N,N-tetramethyl-N-(6-pyren-6yl)-hexyl)propane-1,3-diammonium dibromide designated as CCCBr, with m = hexyl pyrene, and n = 8, 12, 14, 16, and 18. The aggregation properties of these surfactants have been investigated by means of H NMR, fluorescence spectroscopy, surface tension and electrical conductivity measurements. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined using surface tension and confirmed using the specific conductance method.

Synthesis and evaluation of alendronate-modified gelatin biopolymer as a novel osteotropic nanocarrier for gene therapy.

Aim: To synthesize an osteotropic alendronate functionalized gelatin (ALN-gelatin) biopolymer for nanoparticle preparation and targeted delivery of DNA to osteoblasts for gene therapy applications.

Materials & Methods: Alendronate coupling to gelatin was confirmed using Fourier transform IR, (31)PNMR, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry. ALN-gelatin biopolymers prepared at various alendronate/gelatin ratios were utilized to prepare nanoparticles and were optimized in combination with DNA and gemini surfactant for transfecting both HEK-293 and MG-63 cell lines.

Anticancer effect of atorvastatin nanostructured polymeric micelles based on stearyl-grafted chitosan.

The purpose of this study was to develop a new therapeutic approach for atorvastatin (ATV) adopting nanostructured polymeric micelles for its controlled delivery to the cancer cells. Amphiphilic block copolymers of stearyl chitosan (SC) and sulfated stearyl chitosan (S-SC) that could self assemble to form polymeric micelles with different degree of substitution (DS) were synthesized and characterized. The synthesized chitosan derivatives were able to self assemble and form micelles encapsulating ATV with critical micellar concentrations ranging from 6.