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Amirkabir University of Technology Researchers Advance Drug Delivery Systems based on Nanostructures
| Post date: 2023/09/11 |
Researchers from the faculty of chemical engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology have conducted a study with implications for the drug delivery and biomedical industries.According to a report from the public relations department of Amirkabir University of Technology, Dr. Sara Yazdani, a Ph.D. student at the university and leader of the project titled "Loading Amphotericin B on SWCNT PEGylation and Investigating the Role of Thermodynamic Parameters in the Stability of the Drug Delivery System," explained that Amphotericin B has long been recognized as an effective antifungal drug. It is commonly prescribed by specialists as a first-line treatment for moderate to severe systemic and local fungal infections.
However, its usage has been limited due to serious side effects, particularly in patients with severe conditions. The researchers identified the low water solubility of Amphotericin B and its accumulation within the body as the main causes of these side effects. To address these issues, it is necessary to modify and improve the formulations containing Amphotericin B.
One potential solution to overcome these challenges is the utilization of new drug delivery systems for Amphotericin B. Functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one type of nanostructure that, once modified, can serve as a suitable option for delivering this drug. In this study, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) functionalized with phospholipid polyethylene glycol derivatives were employed. These derivatives have enhanced solubility and compatibility compared to pure CNTs.
The preliminary results of this research on a laboratory scale have been promising, and there are hopes to proceed with animal testing by providing the necessary facilities and equipment. It is worth noting that approximately 70% of this project has been conducted outside Iran at the Universidad del Pais Vasco University, under the supervision of Professor Jose Luis Pedraz and Gustav Pouras. The project also benefited from the guidance of Dr. Mehrdad Mozafarian and Dr. Gholamreza Pazuki at Amirkabir University of Technology, as well as consultation with Dr. Naghmeh Hadidi, a scientific faculty member from the Pasteur Institute of Iran.