Superbowl capsule controls drug release
Engineered using free radical molecules
Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have developed a drug delivery system for controlling the dosage of medicines.
New ‘superbowl’ capsules have been engineered using free radical molecules so the container captures, holds and delivers active ingredients over time.
The research team is led by Michael Sherburn, ANU associate professor and researcher for the Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence for Free Radical Chemistry and Biotechnology, located in Canberra.
‘Unlike conventional capsules, we can control the rate at which a drug is released from our superbowl container molecule,’ said Sherburn.
‘This has the potential to allow lower drug doses, hence leading to fewer side-effects.’
The Australian team used free radicals because they are highly reactive molecules, although previously avoided in medicine manufacture because of potential health risks. However, by devising methods of controlling these molecules, the researchers have put their reactive powers to use in the chemical reactions required in the superbowl drug.
‘We have shown that drug release can be controlled at the most precise level, which is very encouraging for the future of drug delivery,’ Sherburn added.
Researchers have successfully put aspirin inside the superbowl. They hope it can be used to help treat various diseases, including cancer, arthritis and heart disease.