Core-shell based nanocarriers as delivery systems for biologically active metal ions and drugs

The potential of core-shell (CS) and core-multishell (CMS) nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for biologically active metal ion, copper (Cu) and a representative from the bisphosphonate class of drugs, ibandronate (Ibn), was assessed. Both types of nanoparticles encapsulated substantial payload of guest species per carrier molecule. In case of Cu-ion delivery, the loaded nanocarriers bypassed the normal Ctr1 import mechanism responsible for cellular Cu intake and endocytosed into the cell via a clathrin-mediated pathway in an energy-dependent manner.