Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: an alternative as nanocarriers for sterol-derived drugs

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HApNPs) are inorganic materials with sizes less than 100 nanometers.Their main characteristic is biocompatibility because their chemical composition is similar to human bone, making them suitable for use in physiological environments.These characteristics make them a promising alternative for the delivery of sterol-derived drugs, offering better targeting and controlled release compared to conventional drug delivery methods.In this study, HApNPs loaded with cholesterol and -sitosterol were synthesized using the chemical precipitation method.The nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify functional groups and confirm the presence of sterols on the HApNPs.The morphology and size of the NPs were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS).The loading amount of sterol derivatives was determined by thermogravimetric analysis, and the stability of the nanoparticles in an acidic medium was also evaluated.The results showed that HApNPs loaded with cholesterol and -sitosterol were successfully synthesized, exhibiting a spherical morphology with diameters less than 100 nm.The data confirmed the incorporation of cholesterol and -sitosterol on the surface of the HApNPs, and their subsequent release was also observed.Moreover, the presence of sterol derivatives in the nanobiointerface enhanced the nanoparticles' resistance to acidic conditions, suggesting their potential as drug nanocarriers for targeted release in the intestines without undergoing alterations during transit through the stomach.