Russian drugs with precise delivery system may become available in five years

A system of intracellular drug delivery was developed at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics (ITEB) of The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). This principle is expected to be used to obtain highly effective anti-inflammatory drugs.

Anton Popov, a researcher at the Institute, said that their team had developed a new system for intracellular delivery of biologically active substances based on polyelectrolyte microcapsules. They include cerium dioxide nanoparticles, which can be used to create a new generation of anti-inflammatory drugs.

This type of nanoparticles has unique antioxidant properties that neutralize the reactive oxygen intermediates harmful to cells. Nanoparticles form a thin layer in the shell of designed microcapsule. This protects the substance from exposure to aggressive environmental factors.

Such microcontainers (polyelectrolyte microcapsules) have been known for a long time and are well-studied as a system to deliver substances, including various medicines, into the cell. According to Vladimir Chubarev, Professor of Pharmacology Department at the Institute of Pharmacy and Translational Medicine of I.M. Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, the development of the first drugs in the form of microcapsules began in Russia almost a half century ago.

“Our Institute developed the theoretical platform for creating microcapsules based on liposomes. Later, they found their practical application as liposomal drugs containing various medicinal substances. The study of pharmacological properties of these microcapsules demonstrated very interesting results. Microcapsules use leads to significant improvement in bioavailability of drugs, allowing dose reduction and thus, reduction of side effects,” said Vladimir Chubarev.

According to the scientist, new Russian medicines in the form of microcapsules will be available in the market within five years.