Synthesis of Pseudoboehmite Nanoparticles and Use in Simvastatin Drug Delivery

Pseudoboehmite is an aluminium compound with a structure similar to that of boehmite. The unit cell of the pseudoboehmite is slightly larger than that of the boehmite because of the greater incorporation of water in the same structure [1]. It has particles of nanometric dimensions and can be synthesized with extremely high purity. Several papers published in the literature show the potential of using this material in the controlled release of drugs, including cancer treatment [2,3]. Using drugs in complexes incorporated into polymer matrices and ceramic gels can lead to adequate control of gastrointestinal absorption when administered orally. Consequently, there is the possibility of promoting a gradual action through the progressive release of the drug, thus increasing its efficiency and reducing dose and toxicity. Previous studies have shown that pseudoboehmite is non-toxic and can be used for drug delivery. During the tests to determine the toxicity of this material, it was observed that the blood glucose content was reduced in mice that took pseudoboehmite by gavage. Since pseudoboehmite is obtained via low-cost inorganic synthesis, different physicochemical characteristics can be incorporated into this high purity medium. The formed structure was evaluated as a drug delivery system to establish a profile of the influence of the physicochemical properties of a molecule in the process of interaction with pseudoboehmite, a drug with recognized pharmacological activity, simvastatin (IUPAC name (1S,3R,7S,8S,8aR)-8-{2-[(2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-6-oxooxan-2-yl]ethyl}-3,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl 2,2-dimethylbutanoate) was choose. It also emphasizes the importance of pseudoboehmite as a drug carrier, serving as a precursor to new therapeutic systems. The synthesis of pseudoboehmite from ammonium hydroxide and aluminium nitrate was optimized to release simvastatin in vitro. After absorption and hydrolysis in the liver to form the active β-hydroxy acid metabolite, simvastatin acts as a potent reversible, competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, an early and rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.