CATIONIC SLN AS TARGETING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have received much attention in the last decade and they actually form one of the most important fields of technology and innovation. Due to rapid progresses in nanotechnology and biotechnology, nanoparticles have come to be seen as a viable vehicle for the delivery and release of drugs and nucleic acids. Within this field, the use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) is of particular importance. In particular, cationic SLN are promising non-viral gene delivery carriers suitable for systemic and topic administration. The surface of these nanoparticles is positively charged and the negatively charged nucleic acids are complexed to the their surface. The obtained complexes SLN-DNA will protect DNA from degradation by nucleases in cellular environment and will improve its entering capacity into the cells [1]. Cationic SLN have been recently investigated for targeting the posterior segment of the eye (e.g. retina). This is a smart strategy that combines the positive surface charge of the particles and the negative surface charge of ocular mucosa by means of an electrostatic attraction. This approach could increase the drugs retention time in the eye as well as improve nanoparticles bioadhesion [2]. In the present work, the development and characterization of six different systems of cationic SLN was carried out increasing the amount of non ionic surfactant (Brij 76), or changing the cationic ones. Complexation studies of the best systems with DNA are in progress. [1] Carrillo C. et al., 2013, DNA delivery via cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 49: 157-165. [2] Fangueiro J.F. et al., 2014, Design of cationic lipid nanoparticles for ocular delivery: Development, characterization and cytotoxicity, Int. J. Pharm. 461: 64-73