Technology background
Nanoparticles capable of catalyzing chemical reactions that usually occur in the biological context by the action of natural enzymes are called nanozymes. These nanozymes are generally inorganic and mimic natural enzymes in a functional way, meaning, do not act through the same chemical mechanism, but result in the formation of the same products from the same substrates. Its use as an alternative to treat diseases that require enzyme replacement involves the need for a targeting in the body to the right tissues and the protection of biological passivation that naturally occurs with inorganic nanoparticles in the body.
Technology description
This technology describes: i) how to encapsulate polymeric nanoparticles in cubosomes (nanotechnological lipid structures that have aqueous channels inside), forming a core-shell type system, e ii) how to trap inorganic nanozymes inside this polymeric nucleus to protect them from passivation caused by the formation of a protein crown in biological media. The aqueous channels of the cubosome shell allow contact of the small substrates present in the patient's body with the surface of the nanozymes, so that the desired reaction happens without prejudice, at the same time that they make it difficult to approach proteins that would passivate its surface.
Problem Fixed
Nanozimas free in the biological environment are rapidly coated by a layer of protein, known as protein crown, masking their properties vectoring to specific sites in the body and inhibits its biological effects.
Applications
The system consists of a low viscosity aqueous formulation that can be applied directly via parenteral routes (since sterile prepared) or used as an input in the composition of other pharmaceutical forms for enteral and topical routes. The present technology can result in drugs to treat diseases by catalyzing a reaction of interest from small substrates via the action of nanozymes. As examples of diseases in this context, multiple sclerosis can be cited, cancer, bacterial infections, etc,.
The systems also have the potential to act as components of analytical tests that determine the presence of varied substrates, such as superoxide radical anion, hydrogen peroxide, glucose, and others.
Advantages
- The imprisonment of nanozymes in the core-shell system can prevent the formation of a protein crown on its surface, which should lead to greater biological efficiency (the liner of nanozimas with protein often causes a passivation).
- The preparation method is simple and uses water and low toxicity solvent.
- Does not require high energy or highly sophisticated chemical / biotechnological compounds that could make the final product more expensive.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL – Technology Readiness Level) 
Status and opportunity
Patent application filed with the INPI under No. BR 10 2020 008254 0.
Inventors
Fernanda Poletto
Denise Raquel Bohn Kobelinski
Gabriel Weber Zimmermann
Marcelo Jung Eberhardt
Fabiano Bernardi
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