On the plasma deposition of vancomycin‐containing nano‐capsules for drug‐delivery applications. Issue 5 (8th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lo Porto, Chiara; Palumbo, Fabio; Buxadera‐Palomero, Judit; Canal, Cristina; Jelinek, Petr; Zajickova, Lenka; Favia, Pietro
• Is Part Of: Plasma processes and polymers. Volume 15:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-03-08
• Subjects: nanotexturing -- plasma chemistry -- plasma deposition -- plasma treatment; Plasma polymerization -- Periodicals; Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; Plasma chemistry -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201700232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-8850

Abstract

Abstract : Aerosol‐assisted atmospheric pressure plasma allows for a one‐step synthesis of vancomycin‐containing nano‐capsules. Morphological and chemical analyses are carried out to estimate how different discharge parameters affect the plasma deposition process. Nano‐capsules size and abundance largely depend on the shell precursor content in the gas feed and on the drug concentration in the aerosol solution. Based on these results a deposition mechanism is proposed, where, interestingly, the key step is the formation of the nano‐capsules in the plasma phase. Furthermore, the related antibacterial activity is proved against Staphylococcus aureus. Preliminary release tests indicate the possible exploitation of the plasma‐deposited vancomycin‐containing nano‐capsules in the drug delivery field, and systems based on other bioactive molecules can be expected. Abstract : Drug can be encapsulated in plasma polymerized nano‐vescicles by means of aerosol‐assisted atmospheric pressure plasma in a dielectric barrier discharge configuration. This is hereby proved for vancomycin containing composite coatings, evidencing the morphology of nanocapsule with a core‐shell structure. The growth mechanism proposed is based on the hypothesis that the capsules shell is plasma polymerized around the aerosol nano‐droplets before sticking on the substrate. Once deposited such nano‐capsules formed film is able to release the drug in water, and much more the antibacterial activity is maintained, as demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus .