title: Molecularly imprinted cyclodextrin nanosponges for the controlled delivery of L-DOPA: perspectives for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  L-DOPA is an amino acid precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine that is extensively used as a prodrug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, L-DOPA is an unstable compound: when exposed to light or added to aqueous solutions, it may degrade, compromising its therapeutic properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this work, a new type of drug-loaded cyclodextrin-based nanosponge, obtained using molecular imprinting, is described for the prolonged and controlled release of L-DOPA. The molecularly imprinted nanosponges (MIP-NSs) were synthesized by cross-linking β-cyclodextrin with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in DMF in the presence of L-DOPA as a template molecule. TGA, DSC and FTIR analyses were performed to characterize the interactions between L-DOPA and the two nanosponge structures. Quantitative NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the amount and the affinity of L-DOPA entrapped in the nanosponges. The in vitro L-DOPA release kinetics from the NSs were quantitatively determined by HPLC analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MIP-NSs show a slower and more prolonged release profile than the non-imprinted nanosponges. No degradation of the L-DOPA hosted in the MIP-NSs was observed after long-term storage at room temperature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MIP-NSs are a promising alternative for the storage and controlled delivery of L-DOPA.
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Chimica , University of Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Chimica , University of Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caldera
authors.affiliation: b Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco , University of Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.affiliation: b Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco , University of Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soster
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Chimica , University of Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riedo
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Chimica , University of Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biasizzo
authors.affiliation: c Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica industriale , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Uccello Barretta
authors.affiliation: c Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica industriale , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balzano
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Chimica , University of Torino , Torino , Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brunella
mesh_terms: D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D054802:Molecular Imprinting / Q000379:methods*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D011108:Polymers; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; D007980:Levodopa; C006900:N,N-carbonyldiimidazole; C031215:betadex
keywords: Cyclodextrins; L-DOPA; Nanosponges; in vitro release studies; inclusion compounds; molecularly Imprinted Polymers