Recent Developments in Layer-by-Layer Technique for Drug Delivery Applications

Abstract

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of polyelectrolytes to multifunctional polyelectrolyte multilayer hollow capsules (PMCs) with a core–shell structure is now a well-established method. PMCs have been shown to have several potential applications including their application as drug delivery vehicles with controlled and targeted drug release. Along with polyelectrolytes, inorganic materials such as nanoparticles and ligands can be used to make the capsules respond to certain stimuli and also target them to specific sites. In this special issue devoted to biomaterials development in India, we focus on bringing some of the research done by our group in the past 15 years related to LbL methodology for drug delivery applications, especially using PMCs. Our contributions to stimuli-responsive LbL capsules and nanomaterial-based capsules will be highlighted. Also, the use of LbL methodology for probiotics will be presented. We believe that LbL methodology is a very versatile tool for engineering hollow capsules and surfaces, which can be used in many applications including drug delivery.

Degradation Behavior of Polymers Used as Coating Materials for Drug Delivery—A Basic Review

“…A newly proposed LbL self-assembly, known as “instructed assembly (IA)”, showed that the ordered structures of individual molecules can be formed under stimuli (e.g., light, chemical, enzymatic reaction, ligand−receptor interaction) [ 204 ]. The LbL technique could also be used to design bioreactors using multi-responsive and multi-compartment capsules for controlled enzymatic reactions [ 205 ].…”

Stereocomplex Polylactide for Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications: A Review

“…However, these methods result in low stereocomplexation efficiency, loss of molecular weights, and original properties. The layer-by-layer (LbL) technique based on a Pickering emulsion template has been commonly used to fabricate nano- and microcapsules [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Despite its facilitated application to various fields, this approach has several concerns, including the requirement of inorganic solid multi-layer precursors, linkers, and templates, and inferior integrity and loading efficiency of a capsule [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Biomolecule–polymer hybrid compartments: combining the best of both worlds

“…The second most prevalent category of micrometre sized vesicles are the giants fabricated through an LbL deposition of polyelectrolytes onto a core substrate. 135,136 As these types of polymeric LbL membranes are permeable towards small molecules, enzymatic reactions can take place within their inner cavity without the need for membrane inserted pores. Permeability of these microreactors has been also tuned through the use of temperature and/or pH responsive polymers such as poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide) and polydiethylaminoethylmethacrylate, respectively.…”

“…Permeability of these microreactors has been also tuned through the use of temperature and/or pH responsive polymers such as poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide) and polydiethylaminoethylmethacrylate, respectively. 135,137,138 Combining the stimuli responsiveness with enzyme encapsulation, mostly revolving around GOx and catalase as well as others, 139 supports applications such as enzyme replacement therapy, biocatalysis and biosensors.…”