Nanoparticles and methods for preparation thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a nano-sized particle comprising a cross-linked polymer, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyacrylic acid homopolymer; polymethacrylic acid homopolymer; poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) polymer; a copolymer comprising at least two monomers selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and alkyl cyanoacrylate/cyanoacrylic acid monomers; carboxymethyl cellulose; alginic acid polymer, polylactic-polyglycolic acid (PLGA), and xanthan gum; and wherein said polymer is cross-linked with a metal ion. A process for preparing such particles is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nano-sized particle having an essentially spherical shape and a size of 50-500 nm, said particle comprising a carbomer cross-linked with a polyvalent metal ion selected from an alkali earth metal ion, a divalent transition metal ion, a trivalent metal ion, or Ag +  ion. 
     
     
         2 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 1 , comprising carbomer cross-linked with a alkali earth metal ion, wherein said alkali earth metal ion is Ca 2+ . 
     
     
         3 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio between said polyvalent metal ion and said carbomer is between 0.01 and 0.5 by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 3 , wherein said ratio is between 0.1 and 0.5 by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one active agent. 
     
     
         6 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 5 , wherein said active agent is selected from the group consisting of an antineoplastic agent, an anti-infective agent, and curcumin. 
     
     
         7 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 6 , wherein said antineoplastic agent is selected from the group consisting of doxorubicin, carmustine, fluorouracil, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, busulfan, carboplatin, leuprolide, megestrol, lomustine, levamisole, flutamide, etoposide, cytarabine, mitomycin, nitrogen mustard, paclitaxel, actinomycin, tamoxifen, vinblastine, vincristine, thiotepa, and chlorambucil. 
     
     
         8 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 6 , wherein said anti-infective agent is selected from the group consisting of an interferon, acyclovir, valacyclovir, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, a penicillin, streptomycin, an aminoglycoside, a cephalosporine, erythromycin, and a tetracycline. 
     
     
         9 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 2 , further comprising curcumin. 
     
     
         10 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 2 , further comprising chloramphenicol. 
     
     
         11 . The nano-sized particle according to  claim 2 , further comprising doxorubicin. 
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical or a cosmetic composition, said composition comprising the nano-sized particles according to  claim 1 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein said composition is pharmaceutical and is formulated to be administered into or through the skin, optionally subcutaneously, intradermally, or transdermally. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein said composition is pharmaceutical and is formulated to be administered into or through a mucosal membrane, optionally orally, buccally, or intranasally.