Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/57069
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2026
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Grigoriy A Sereda
Abstract
Conventional drugs for treating colon cancer and dental infection suffer from poor target specificity resulting in harmful systemic toxicity. Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials offer a promising targeted drug delivery system. This study explores the use of calcium-based nanomaterials to deliver Eugenol (EUG), a natural anticancer, and antibacterial agent, Chlorhexidine Digluconate (CHXDG) an antibacterial drug for dental application, Malachite Green (MG) model drug and Gallic Acid (GA). The calcium-based nanomaterials are engineered for selective, controlled release of a drug triggered by the acidic and specific enzymatic microenvironments characteristic for colon cancer tissue and infected teeth. Calcium citrate nanoparticles were synthesized in the presence of EUG via coprecipitation (CCNF). EUG release from this system was less significant at neutral pH (7.4). CHXDG was loaded into calcium citrate nano sponge and coated with casein which also showed pH-triggered release for dental application. A more advanced, dual-therapeutic system was studied based on amorphous, mesoporous calcium phosphate citrate (CPC) particles synthesized through the sol-gel method. These nanoparticles are readily soluble in an acidic environment and release a high concentration of Ca2+ ions, which can cause apoptosis in cells. The nanoparticles were loaded with EUG and GA and capped with a DOTAP and DOPC lipid layer.
Subject Categories
Chemistry
Keywords
None Provided
Number of Pages
77
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Lamichhane, Yinit Raj, "CALCIUM-BASED NANOMATERIALS LOADED WITH DIFFERENT DRUGS FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY APPLICATION" (2026). Dissertations and Theses. 434.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/434