Triggered release from proteinoid microspheres

Abstract

The invention provides proteinoid microsphere made up of a mixture of thermally condensed amino acids that are crosslinked with a crosslinker reagent. The proteinoid microspheres of the invention may be used to encapsulate a material or a compound and to provide slow, sustained or timed release of the material or compound. The proteinoid microspheres are stable in solution until exposed to a reducing agent. However, the in vivo environment provides a sufficient reduction potential to provide slow, sustained release of materials contained therein from the proteinoid microspheres of the present invention.

1 . A proteinoid microsphere comprising a mixture of amino acids that are thermally condensed and crosslinked with a crosslinker that can form a pore upon exposure to a reducing agent.  
   
   
       2 . A therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutic agent encapsulated within a proteinoid microsphere comprising a mixture of amino acids that are thermally condensed and crosslinked with a crosslinker that can form a pore upon exposure to a reducing agent.  
   
   
       3 . An article for wound treatment comprising a therapeutic agent encapsulated within a protenoid microsphere comprising a mixture of amino acids that are thermally condensed and crosslinked with a crosslinker that can form a pore upon exposure to a reducing agent.