Drug Encapsulation
Drug encapsulation is a process of packaging a drug within a carrier material, usually a biocompatible polymer, to improve its delivery to the targeted site within the body. The drug can be either physically or chemically encapsulated within the carrier, which acts as a protective layer and allows for controlled release of the drug.
The Biomaterials article "Improved intervention of atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy through biodegradable polymer-encapsulated delivery of glycosphingolipid inhibitor" describes the use of drug encapsulation to deliver a glycosphingolipid inhibitor to the heart and blood vessels to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy.
In this study, we used a biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), to encapsulate a glycosphingolipid inhibitor, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP). The PLGA particles were designed to be small enough to be taken up by endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels and heart, and release the drug slowly over time.
We found that the encapsulated D-PDMP was able to reduce the development of atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy in mice, compared to a group of mice that received the drug without encapsulation. This suggests that drug encapsulation can improve the effectiveness of drugs by ensuring their targeted delivery and controlled release.
In conclusion, drug encapsulation is a promising approach to improve drug delivery and efficacy in treating various diseases, including atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy. The use of biodegradable polymers, such as PLGA, as carrier materials is particularly advantageous as they can be broken down by the body over time, reducing the risk of toxicity or adverse effects.