naNOcomp

Nanocomposite materials for the controlled delivery of NO

Context
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous molecule with many biological functions. The delivery of a controlled, quantifiable and biologically significant quantity is of interest for many in vitro and in vivo applications. One of the well-known sources of NO is sodium nitroprusside, for which hypotensive action was demonstrated in 1929. Its major advantage over other hypotensive drugs is that, when adjusting the dose rate, there is a very fast response, without the risk of overdose. However, the use of nitroprusside is limited because the delivery of NO is accompanied by the release of free cyanides that may present a toxic risk under certain conditions.

Benefits
The material developed by the laboratory includes a biopolymer matrix incorporating oragnometallic complexes that can release NO, this release of NO being controlled by a trigger (external stimulus). For each molecule of NO released, the material rearranges, limiting cyanide release to a dose 1000 times lower than that of nitroprusside.

Application
Medical devices

Cosmetic