In terms of morbidity and mortality, dengue is considered the important human viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, caused by virus of the family Flaviridae, one of the main problems in public health in the world, due to the great potential for the development of several forma and lethal disease. Another problem about dengue control is the population of Aedes aegypti resistant to toxicity of chemical insecticides, such as temephos. This work involved the formulation and characterization of inclusion complex of essential of Lippia gracilis (LGEO), with potent larvicidal effect against Aedes Aegypti Linnaeus larvae in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), aiming to improve oil solubility in aqueous serving as a strategy for obtaining new products larvicides. Inclusion complexes were obtained by kneading and coevaporation. The complexes obtained by paste and co-evaporation was assessed the influence of the co-solvent used to preparation the complexes by paste with water (PMW), kneading with ethanol / water (PME) co-evaporation with water (COW) and co-evaporation of ethanol / water (COE) methods. The chemical LGEO constituents were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer (GC / MS) where the complex (PMW) was superior in the inclusion of carvacrol with a content of 15.25% compared with the another techniques preparation. The complexes were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG / DTG), the moisture content by Karl-Fischer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), spectroscopy in the infrared with Fourier transform ( FTIR) and ultra violet (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and solubility tests. According to the results obtained by GC / MS the major constituent of OELG was carvacrol (46.7%). In TG / DTG and DSC revealed the complex displacement in the range of thermal degradation of the oil to higher temperature ranges indicating a gain of thermal stability. In the analyzes of (X-RD) of the complexes showed the loss of crystalline order compared to pure β-CD. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed changes in particle shapes and morphology of the complex when compared with pure β-CD. The larvicidal assay against Aedes aegypti larvae were carried out with the Rockefeller strain in the third stage (L3), and mortality was observed after 24 hs. The phase solubility diagram at different temperatures, the values of the stability complex of the constant (PMW), was demonstrates be stable and water soluble the interaction complex OELG / β-CD. Aedes aegypti larvae were susceptible to the composition of OELG, carvacrol and complex (PMW) using the method of Probit analysis. The larvicidal activity of the complex (PMW) LC50 was 33 ppm, close to that of pure oil LC50 39 ppm and may be a suitable alternative to biolarvicida dengue control programs. / Em termos de morbidade e mortalidade, a dengue é considerada atualmente a mais importante doença viral humana transmitida por mosquitos, causada por vírus da família Flaviridae, transmitida, no Brasil, através do mosquito Aedes aegypti Linnaeus, sendo um dos principais problemas de saúde pública no mundo, devido ao grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de formas graves e letais da doença. Outro problema enfrentado no controle da dengue é à existência de populações de Aedes aegypti resistentes a toxicidade de inseticidas químicos, como o temefós. Este trabalho envolveu a obtenção e caracterização do complexo de inclusão entre óleo essencial de Lippia gracilis (OELG), com atividade larvicida contra as larvas de Aedes aegypti em β-ciclodextrina (β-CD), objetivando melhorar a solubilidade do óleo em meio aquoso servindo de estratégia para obtenção de novos produtos larvicidas. Para os complexos obtidos por malaxagem e co-evaporação foi avaliada a influência do uso de um co-solvente na preparação dos complexos, pelos métodos malaxagem com água (MAH), malaxagem com etanol/água (MAE), co-evaporação com água (COH) e co-evaporação etanol/água (COE). A determinação do teor do OELG foi obtido por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrômetro de massa (CG/EM), onde o complexo (MAH) mostrou-se superior na inclusão do carvacrol, com teor de 15,25 %, em relação as outras técnicas de preparação. Os complexos foram caracterizados por termogravimetria (TG/DTG), determinação do teor de umidade por Karl-Fischer, calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), difratometria de raios-X (DRX), espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e na região do ultra violeta (UV-vis), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e ensaios de solubilidade. Os ensaios larvicidas contra as larvas de Aedes aegypti foram realizados com as larvas da linhagem Rockefeller no terceiro estádio (L3), sendo verificado a mortalidade após 24 horas. De acordo com os resultados obtido por CG/EM o principal constituinte do OELG, foi o carvacrol (46,7%). Nas curvas TG/DTG e DSC dos complexos revelaram deslocamento no intervalo de degradação térmica do óleo para faixas de temperaturas mais elevadas indicando um ganho de estabilidade térmica. Nas análises de (DR-X) dos complexos demonstraram redução do grau de cristalinidade, quando comparado a β-CD pura. Através da microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) pode-se observar mudanças na morfologia do complexo, quando comparado com a β-CD pura. No estudo do diagrama de fases em diferentes temperaturas, os valores da constante de associação do complexo (MAH), demonstrou serem interações estáveis e que o complexo OELG/β-CD e solúvel em água. As larvas de Aedes Aegypti foram suscetíveis à composição do OELG, carvacrol e do complexo (MAH), utilizando o método de análise Probit. A atividade larvicida do complexo (MAH) foi de CL50 33 ppm, próxima ao do óleo puro de CL50 39 ppm, podendo ser uma alternativa biolarvicida adequada aos programas de controle da dengue.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Synthesis of ternary polyurethanes (PUs) from hexamethylenediisocyanate, β- cyclodextrin and β-glycerophosphate (acid and calcium salt) was studied varying synthesis parameters such as monomer proportion, heating method (reflux and microwave), and catalyst amount. Favorable conditions were provided by microwave irradiation and use of β-glycerophosphoric acid although the results suggest that it is possible to obtain ternary PUs with the calcium salt. FTIR data indicated the existence of secondary urea linkages. After characterization of ternary PUs by FTIR spectroscopy, XRD and thermal analysis, as well as evidences that the cyclodextrin cavities remained active toward inclusion of guest molecules, the possibility of inclusion of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin was evaluated. Absence of ciprofloxacin melting peak in DSC curves indicated that it is molecularly dispersed within the polymer, possibly included in the cyclodextrin. In vitro release experiments suggested additional non-inclusion interactions, showing also that the use of dialysis membranes may mask the actual release profile. / Nesta Tese foi estudada a síntese de poliuretanos ternários (PUs) à base de diisocianato de hexametileno, β-ciclodextrina e β -glicerofosfato (na forma de ácido e de sal de cálcio), sendo avaliados diferentes parâmetros de síntese, tais como proporção monômero, método de aquecimento (refluxo e microondas), bem como a quantidade de catalisador. As condições mais favoráveis foram fornecidas pela irradiação de microondas e a utilização de ácido β -glicerofosfórico, embora os resultados sugiram que é possível obter PU ternário com o sal de cálcio. Dados de FTIR indicaram a existência de ligações de uréia secundárias na estrutura dos poliuretanos. Após a caracterização dos PU’s ternários por espectroscopia de FTIR, XRD e análise térmica, obtiveram-se evidências de que as cavidades de β-ciclodextrina permaneceram ativas para a inclusão de moléculas hóspedes, usando-se fenolftaleína (FF) como sonda. Na seqüência, foi avaliada a possibilidade de inclusão do antibiótico ciprofloxacina. A ausência do pico de fusão ciprofloxacina em curvas de DSC indicou que este fármaco está molecularmente disperso dentro do polímero, com as moléculas possivelmente incluídas nas cavidades β-ciclodextrina. Experiências de liberação in vitro sugeriram interações não-inclusivas, mostrando também que a utilização de membranas de diálise pode mascarar o perfil de liberação efetiva.

O presente trabalho é composto por 4 capítulos distintos. No primeiro intitulado \"Ciclodextrinas: tecnologia para melhoria da solubilidade de fármacos pouco solúveis\" aborda-se uma revisão das ciclodextrinas e de seus derivados, como também a formação dos complexos de inclusão. No segundo capítulo, \"Obtenção e caracterização de complexos ternários de saquinavir, β-ciclodextrina e polivinilpirrolidona\", foram avaliadas condições que poderiam influenciar na obtenção dos complexos, tais como: tempo de agitação na formação dos complexos, proporção equimolar de fármaco e ciclodextrina, solvente para solubilização do fármaco e porcentagem de polímero hidrossolúvel, concluindo-se que as melhores condições para obtenção dos complexos são 48 horas de agitação, razão equimolar 1:2 e 1:4, água para solubilização do fármaco e acréscimo de1% de polímero ao sistema. O terceiro capítulo, \"Influência do método de secagem na obtenção de complexos ternários de saquinavir\", teve o objetivo de obter e caracterizar complexos ternários de saquinavir, β-ciclodextrina e polivinilpirrolidona pelos métodos de secagem em estufa e liofilização, bem como, comparar a influência dos métodos de obtenção na solubilidade do fármaco, chegando-se ao aumento de 44 vezes da solubilidade do fármaco quando na forma de complexo SAQ:βCD:PVP de proporção equimolar 1:2 obtido por liofilização. O quarto, \"Perfil de dissolução de cápsulas e comprimidos contendo complexos ternários de saquinavir, ciclodextrina e polivinilpirrolidona\", teve o objetivo de comparar o perfil de dissolução de cápsulas de gelatina dura e comprimidos contendo sistemas ternários SAQ:βCD:PVP, obtidos pelos métodos de secagem em estufa e liofilização e o produto referência (Fortovase®). Os resultados indicam que os perfis de dissolução das formas farmacêuticas contendo complexos liofilizados apresentaram melhores resultados de eficiência de dissolução e que as cápsulas liberam mais prontamente o ativo que os comprimidos. / The present study has 4 captions. The first is called \"Cyclodextrins: Technology to improve the solubility of the little soluble drugs\" show a review of the cyclodextrins and its derivates, as well the formations of inclusion complexes. At the second caption, \"Preparation and characterization of the ternary complexes of the saquinavir, &#946-cyclodextrin and polyvinylpyrrolidone\", were evaluated some conditions that could influence in an obtention of the complexes like stirring time at the formation of the complexes, equimolar ratio of the drug and cyclodextrin, solvent for the solubility of the drug and percentage of the hydrosoluble polymer concluding that the best conditions for the formation of the complexes are: 48 hours of the stirring, equimolar ratio 1:2 and 1:4, water to solubilize the drug and addition of 1% of the polymer in the system. The third caption, \"Influence of the drying method at the formation of the ternary complexes of the saquinavir\", had the aim to prepare and characterize ternary complexes of the saquinavir, &#946-cyclodextrin and polyvinylpyrrolidone by the method of drying in equipment and lyophilization, as well to compare the influence of the methods of the obtention at the solubility of the drug, reaching the increasing of 44 times the solubility of the drug when at the form of the ternary inclusion complex (SAQ:βCD:PVP) at the equimolar ratio 1:2 obtained by lyophilization. The fourth and the last caption, \"Dissolution rate of the capsules and tablets of ternary complex of the saquinavir, cyclodextrin and polyvinylpyrrolidone, had the aim to compare the dissolution profile of capsules of the hard gelatine and tablets of ternary complexes SAQ:βCD:PVP obtained by the method of drying in equipment and lyophilization and the reference product (Fortovase®). The results indicate that the dissolution profiles of the pharmaceutical forms of lyophilized complexes show better results of the efficience of the dissolution and that the capsules liberate more efficient the active than the tablets.

La vectorisation et le ciblage d’agents anticancéreux représentent des axes de recherche majeurs au sein du LCSN. En effet, la plupart des molécules actives utilisées en thérapie anticancéreuse sont peu sélectives des tumeurs et sont toxiques pour les cellules saines. L’élaboration de nanobiomatériaux aptes à cibler spécifiquement les tumeurs par effet EPR mais également capables de les détruire par l’action de la drogue transportée s’avère capital. Le nanovecteur utilisé est élaboré à partir des nanocristaux de cellulose (CNCx) issus de l’hydrolyse acide du coton. Une première approche a consisté à élaborer la nanoplateforme thérapeutique suivant la technique. / Targeting and drug delivery are major areas of research within the LCSN. Indeed, most of the active molecules used in cancer therapy are not very selective against tumors and are toxic to healthy cells. The development of nanobiomaterials able to specifically target tumors by EPR effect but also capable of destroying them by the action of the drug transported turns capital. In this work we achieved the binding of triphenylphosphonium cation (to target the mitochondria), hydrophobic active ingredients and a nucleic acid on cellulose nanocrystals issued from the acid hydrolysis of cotton. The first therapeutic platform synthesized according to the technique.

This study aims at tackling some of the problems often encountered in photostability testing and liquid formulation development. Three anti-cancer drugs will be employed as models; Dacarbazine (DBZ) has well established photostability issues, Axitinib (AXI) and Sunitinib (SUT) are two new drugs only commercially available in solid dosage forms. In ethanol, the photokinetics of these drugs were well described by the newly proposed Φ-order kinetic mathematical model. This has confirmed the photoreversible character of AXI and SUT’s and unimolecular photoreaction of DBZ’s photodegradations. Also, the Φ-order kinetics is proven to describe them better than the usually used classic thermal reaction orders. In aqueous solution, the drugs were found to undergo thermal and photochemical complex degradations, involving at least 3 photoproducts. A new photokinetic approach has been proposed in this work to solving and unravelling the attributes of such complex mechanisms. For the first time, the quantum yields (QY) of the three drugs were determined and found to increase with irradiation wavelength. SUT’s QY were comparable in ethanol and water (QY460 = 0.02), DBZ was found to be more photoefficient in water (QY330 = 0.04 and 0.1, respectively) and AXI in water (QY330 = 0.06 and 0.03). Φ-order kinetics’ potential for the development of reliable actinometers of the three drugs, without prior knowledge of unknown reaction parameters, has also been established. A general equation to describe the isotherm of a (Gn:Hm) guest-host multicomponent complex was proposed in this work to palliate the lack of a strategy for characterising nanosponge-drug complexes. It provides information on both stiochiometry and association constant of the complex. The results indicate that hydrophobic AXI forms a 1:0.8 complex, indicating the possibility of multiple association sites and/or different types of binding. The newly developed AXI/nanosponge liquid formulation has significantly increased solubility (5000-fold) and thermal stability. Furthermore, the photostability of DBZ and SUT were considerably improved by using a strategy based on light-absorption competitors. Their initial velocities reduced from 10 and 3 s-1 (respectively) to 1 and 0.13 s-1. The successful application of these methods to the model anti-cancer drugs has set out new approaches that might be found useful for future treatments of photodegradation data, development of drug-actinometers and liquid formulations of drugs.

No description available.

Cyclodextrins (CD) are cyclic oligosaccharides composed of six to more than sixty glucose units. Large-ring cyclodextrins (LR-CD) are novel CD comprised of more than eight glucose units with cavity structures and sizes different from that of commercially available CD₆ – CD₈. LR-CD may offer unique molecular recognition properties and can be produced biocatalytically from starch using cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase, E.C. 2.4.1.19) in a short reaction time. LR-CD were isolated from glucose, CD₆ – CD₈ and other compounds by complexation of CD₆ – CD₈ as well as precipitation techniques. The yield of LR-CD (degree of polymerization from 9 to 21) was optimized using central composite design. Addition of polar organic solvents to the synthesis resulted in higher yields of LR-CD. LR-CD composed of 9 to 21 glucose units were successfully separated using reversed-phase of ODS-AQ chromatography and normal-phase of polyamine II chromatography. Maintaining optimized reaction conditions aided in a high yield of CD₉; it could be separated with reasonable yield using a single step of polyamine II chromatography. A co-grinding method helped to obtain higher solubilization levels of glibenclamide, vitamin A acetate and vitamin D₃ in CD₁₃, CD₁₀ and CD₁₁, respectively when compared to other CD. Vitamin K₁ was solubilized in distilled water with CD₆ – CD₁₃ using a co-precipitation method. When compared with other CD, CD₉ was seen to be the best solubilizer. The analysis of complexes using ESI MS showed spironolactone and glibenclamide complexed with CD₉ and CD₁₃, respectively.

Delivery of siRNAs for the treatment of tumors critically depends on the development of efficient nucleic acid carrier systems. The complexation of dendritic polymers (dendrimers) results in nanoparticles, called dendriplexes, that protect siRNA from degradation and mediate non-specific cellular uptake of siRNA. However, large siRNA doses are required for in vivo use due to accumulation of the nanoparticles in sinks such as the lung, liver, and spleen. This suggests the exploration of targeted nanoparticles for enhancing tumor cell specificity and achieving higher siRNA levels in tumors. In this work, we report on the targeted delivery of a therapeutic siRNA specific for BIRC5/Survivin in vitro and in vivo to tumor cells expressing the surface marker prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA). For this, polyplexes consisting of single-chain antibody fragments specific for PSCA conjugated to siRNA/maltose-modified poly(propylene imine) dendriplexes were used. These polyplexes were endocytosed by PSCA-positive 293TPSCA/ffLuc and PC3PSCA cells and caused knockdown of reporter gene firefly luciferase and Survivin expression, respectively. In a therapeutic study in PC3PSCA xenograft-bearing mice, significant anti-tumor effects were observed upon systemic administration of the targeted polyplexes. This indicates superior anti-tumor efficacy when employing targeted delivery of Survivin-specific siRNA, based on the additive effects of siRNA-mediated Survivin knockdown in combination with scFv-mediated PSCA inhibition. Among non-viral vectors, cationic polymers, such as poly(propylene imine) (PPI), play also a prominent role in plasmid DNA delivery. However, limitations of polycationic polymer-based DNA delivery systems are (i) insufficient target specificity, (ii) unsatisfactory transgene expression, and (iii) undesired transfer of therapeutic DNA into non-target cells. We developed single-chain antibody fragment (scFv)-directed hybrid polyplexes for targeted gene therapy of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA)-positive tumors. Besides mono-biotinylated PSCA-specific single-chain antibodies (scFv(AM1-P-BAP)) conjugated to neutravidin, the hybrid polyplexes comprise β cyclodextrin-modified PPI as well as biotin/maltose-modified PPI as carriers for minicircle DNAs encoding for Sleeping Beauty transposase and a transposon encoding the gene of interest. The PSCA-specific hybrid polyplexes efficiently delivered a GFP gene in PSCA-positive tumor cells, whereas control hybrid polyplexes showed low gene transfer efficiency. In an experimental gene therapy approach, targeted transposition of a codon-optimized p53 into p53 deficient HCT116p53-/-/PSCA cells demonstrated decreased clonogenic survival when compared to mock controls. Noteworthily, p53 transposition in PTEN-deficient H4PSCA glioma cells caused nearly complete loss of clonogenic survival. These results demonstrate the feasibility of combining tumor-targeting hybrid polyplexes and Sleeping Beauty gene transposition, which, due to the modular design, can be extended to other target genes and tumor entities.

The monitoring of pharmaceuticals, heavy metal, pH and free chlorine concentration in drinking water is important for public health and the environment. However, conventional laboratory-based analytical methods are labor-intensive, expensive, and time consuming. This thesis focuses on developing an integrated, highly sensitive, easy-to-use, and low-cost pharmaceuticals, heavy metal, pH and free chlorine sensing system for drinking water quality monitoring. A low-temperature, solution-processed modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) on glassy carbon electrode is developed for detecting low levels of acetaminophen. The adsorption properties of βCD are combined with the high surface area of carbon nanotubes towards enhanced electrochemical sensing of acetaminophen with a limit of detection of 11 nM and linear range from 0.05-300 μM. Also, a systematic investigation is carried out using four types of modified MWCNT-βCD. A novel, one-step approach called Steglich esterification modified MWCNT-βCD results in large effective surface area, and fast electron transfer towards sensitive detection of acetaminophen and 17β-estradiol (E2, primary female sex hormone) in the range of 0.005–20 and 0.01–15 μM, with low detection limits of 3.3 and 2.5 nM, respectively. The similar MWCNT-βCD modified electrodes can also detect heavy metal ion (lead, Pb2+) with a limit of detection of <10 ppb. Low frequency noise behavior of these sensors are studied. A spin-coated Pd/PdO based pH sensor, and amine-modified carbon electrode-based free chlorine sensor are fabricated on a common substrate together with the pharmaceuticals and heavy metal sensors. A Wheatstone-bridge temperature sensor is fabricated based on silicon and PEDOT:PSS on another substrate. All the sensors are connected to an Arduino microcontroller based data acquisition system with a smartphone application interface. The integrated sensing system is easy-to-use, low-cost, and can provide accurate monitoring data with real drinking water samples. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Low-cost, easy-to-use, and sensitive monitoring system for pharmaceuticals, heavy metal, pH and free chlorine in drinking water is crucial for public health safety. In this thesis, we develop solution-based synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by β-cyclodextrin for electrochemical sensing of pharmaceuticals and heavy metal. The modification approaches are compared and characterized to analyze their electrochemical behavior and sensing performances. The developed sensors are highly sensitive toward the detection of acetaminophen (a widely used pain-killer) and estrogen hormone in drinking water. We also develop a modified spin-coating technique to deposit palladium/palladium oxide films for potentiometric pH sensor, a calibration-free free chlorine sensor based on modified carbon electrode, and a resistive temperature sensor. The developed pH, free chlorine and temperature sensors are highly sensitive, and stable with fast response time. All the sensors are integrated and interfaced with a custom-made and smartphone-controlled electronic readout system for accurate and on-site drinking water quality monitoring at low cost.

Polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique consistsing of core-shell structure have emerged as potential drug delivery systems along with their applications in micro-reactors, cosmetics, vaccines and antimicrobial coatings. Various ligands and stimuli responsive entities can be incorporated into the core and shell of the capsules for targeted delivery and/or controlled release applications. Though multilayer capsules have been studied extensively as delivery systems, their utility for encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs and multiple drugs have not been explored in detail so far. Application of traditional polyelectrolyte capsules has several limitations, which renders them inapplicable for encapsulation of multiple drugs, hydrophobic drugs and also for releasing drugs on demand without addition of the external photothermal agents such as metal nanoparticles into the shells of the capsules. Thus, in this thesis, an attempt has been made to develop novel multifunctional multilayered capsules to overcome the above mentioned limitations. We have formulated two novel methods to functionalize the core with cyclodextrin molecules and the shell of the capsules with two-dimensional material, graphene oxide (GO). The properties such as high surface area along with π bonds, broad NIR-absorption, superior photothermal conversion and antimicrobial activity of graphene oxide has been explored and it has been demonstrated that 2-D graphene oxide is unique compared to the regular polyelectrolytes. By functionalizing the shell of capsules with GO as one of the layer material, a simple and efficient way for encapsulating multiple drugs into core and shell of the capsules is achieved by utilizing the large surface area and amphiphilic nature of GO. Based on the unique optical absorption and photothermal conversion properties of GO, we have demonstrated a facile route for near-infrared (NIR)-laser triggered release with low laser power. In the second part, functionalization of the hollow core of the capsules has been functionalized using cylodextrin (CD)-incorporated CaCO3 porous sacrificial templates, where both CD-CaCO3 and CD-modified capsules are used as high efficient carriers for hydrophobic drugs. In the third part, synergistic antimicrobial therapy was achieved using composite graphene oxide/polymer LbL films by combining the intrinsic antimicrobial activity and photothermal conversion ability of graphene oxide and the results depicted superior antimicrobial activity towards E. coli. These composite films also can be used as efficient antimicrobial coatings on biomedical devices or implants. The thesis has been divided into five chapters based on the individual works. In Chapter 1, a brief review on the history of LbL self-assembly, mechanism of self-assembly along with factors affecting the process have been discussed. Followed by a brief discussion about the fabrication of multilayered hollow capsules (core-shell structure), their applications in drug delivery and fabrication of multifunctional multilayered capsules through core and shell have been discussed. Finally, recent developments in LbL self-assembly and multilayered hollow capsules using carbon based materials (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide) and their biomedical applications have been presented. Chapter 2 deals with the study on fabricating multifunctional multilayered capsules for facile encapsulation of multiple drugs into the capsules, which is achieved by functionalizing the capsules with graphene oxide (GO) as one of the layer materials. The GO composite capsules exhibited unique permeability properties compared to traditional multilayered capsules made of two polyelectrolytes. Multiple drugs could be simultaneously encapsulated in the capsules in a simple and effective manner. These capsules were found to exhibit a “core-shell” loading property for encapsulation of dual drugs into the core and shell of the capsules respectively. In addition, the graphene oxide composite capsules showed excellent biocompatibility towards MCF-7 cells. This study is the first one that demonstrates the potential of hybrid polyelectrolyte capsules without the use of micelles or polymer-drug conjugates for multi-drug encapsulation. Chapter 3 deals with the development of a facile route for near-infrared (NIR)-light triggered release of encapsulated drugs from the multilayered capsules via incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled capsules without addition of any external additives such as metal nanoparticles (NPs) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the shells of the capsules. Till now, there is no report on light-responsive drug delivery system by utilizing the NIR-optical absorption properties of GO. Here, graphene oxide (GO) plays a dual role, serving as a structural component of LbL capsules as well as strong NIR-light absorbing agent, which efficiently converts absorbed light into heat. Upon NIR-laser irradiation, the microcapsules were opened in “point-wise fashion” due to local heating caused by laser irradiation. The rupturing mechanism of the capsules has been clearly demonstrated using confocal fluorescence microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The light-triggering ability of these capsules has been applied successfully to release the encapsulated anticancer drug, doxorubicin. Chapter 4 deals with simple and versatile simple routes for encapsulation of model hydrophobic drug. Encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs in pharmaceutical industries is always a big challenge due to limited number of available drug carrier systems and poor aqueous solubility of hydrophobic drugs. Here, by combining the special properties of cyclodextrins (CDs) with biodegradable inorganic calcium carbonate microparticles, the hybrid CD-CaCO3 mesoporous microparticles have been prepared for the first time. These CD-CaCO3 microparticles were utilized as sacrificial templates to prepare CDs-modified LbL capsules. We have demonstrated that both the hybrid CD-CaCO3 microparticles and CDs-modified capsules are potential carriers for encapsulation of model hydrophobic drugs (self-fluorescent coumarine and nile red dyes) with high loading efficiency using supramolecular host-guest interaction between entrapped CDs and hydrophobic dye molecules. Compared with other inorganic drug carrier systems (mesoporous silica), CaCO3 porous particles have better biocompatibility, biodegradability and cost-effective and without use of any organic solvents. Both these hybrid CD-CaCO3 microparticles and CDs-modified capsules can be good candidates for encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs without involving extreme chemical conditions for fabrication. Chapter 5 deals with development of facile synergistic method for killing pathogenic bacteria by combining the intrinsic antimicrobial activity of graphene oxide (GO) and unique photothermal conversion property of GO into a single material. We fabricated composite LbL films of graphene oxide (GO) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) films. Antimicrobial activity of these GO composite films has been studied using Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells by varying number of deposited layers on glass slides (20 to 80 layers) and results suggest that by increasing the number of deposited layers, antimicrobial activity is also increased gradually. Based on the unique optical properties of GO, photothermal therapy have been carried out for killing of E. coli using GO composite films by varying number of deposited layers (20 to 80 layers) by irradiation of NIR-pulse laser at 1064 nm wavelength (Nd:YAG, 10 ns pulse, 10 Hz). The photothermal results revealed the enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to GO composite films alone without NIR-laser irradiation. The synergistic photothermal killing ability along with intrinsic antimicrobial activity of GO films results in much faster killing compared to films alone.