Tiny Micro-Flower Could Revolutionize Drug Delivery Inside the Body

Medications, whether taken orally or intravenously, often spread throughout the body instead of targeting the specific area where they are needed. However, this inefficiency may soon be addressed by a new microparticle design resembling a flower.

In recent years, researchers have developed various particles for targeted drug delivery. These microscopic particles are typically loaded with medication, injected into the bloodstream, and externally guided to the affected area. Once there, they can either release their drug payload on command or gradually dissolve to diffuse the medication. This method ensures the treatment directly reaches the intended site, reducing side effects and requiring lower dosages by minimizing wasted medication.

A team led by ETH Zurich professors Daniel Razansky and Metin Sitti has created innovative microparticles with a flower-like structure, distinct from the commonly used smooth spheres. These “petals” are nanosheets of material that self-assemble into a three-dimensional cluster. Depending on the treatment, the petals can be made from various materials, including zinc oxide, polyimide, or a nickel/organic composite.

Flower-Petal Microparticles: Enhanced Drug Delivery and Imaging Capabilities

The unique flower-petal design offers two significant advantages over spherical particles. First, the increased surface area of the petals allows each particle to carry a larger dose of medication. Second, the structure enhances the particles’ ability to scatter sound waves, improving visibility during ultrasound imaging. Additionally, the petals can be coated with light-absorbing molecules for better optoacoustic imaging.

Ultrasound serves a dual purpose in this technology. It tracks the microparticles within the body and uses focused pulses to steer and “park” them at specific locations in the bloodstream, even against the flow of blood. Lab tests successfully demonstrated this capability in mice.

The research team plans to conduct further animal studies before advancing the technology for human use, potentially offering new treatments for cardiovascular diseases or cancer.

Read Original Article: New Atlas

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