ABSTRACT

Nanocapsules, first developed by Couvreur et al.,1 offer unique opportunities with the purpose of improving the biological profile of drugs in terms of transport across biological barriers, biodistribution, and cellular uptake. They have a vesicular organization whose internal reservoir can be composed of aqueous or oily components, and they are surrounded by a polymeric coating.2,3 This reservoir system offers the possibility of great loadings of either lipophilic or hydrophilic drugs, depending on the nature of the liquid core (Fig. 3.1). Additionally, the core has the role of protecting the drug from the physiological environment. Finally, the liquid nature of nanocapsules and, thus, their elasticity, may facilitate the contact of the nanostructures with the ephithelia and further internalization.