| dc.description.abstract | Ultrafine bubbles with ultrasound stimuli have recently gained immense attention
in developing drug delivery systems. However, investigations into their stability
and the factors influencing this aspect were much at the infant stage. This study
aimed to utilize silk fibroin (SF), a biocompatible protein extracted from Bombyx
mori silkworm, in conjugation with polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400), to stabilize
the ultrafine bubble drug loading and releasing system. Light scattering laser
imaging was employed to inspect SF and PEG effects on the system stability. In
addition, fluorescent laser imaging and optical absorbance measurement were
also carried out, assessing these additives’ role in drug encapsulating and
releasing process. The results confirmed the enhanced bubble stability by the
introduction of both SF and PEG into the drug carrier system. In addition, although
drug loading and releasing efficiencies were not significantly increased, these
additives still provided an encapsulation capacity of more than 80% and a released
drug content up to 50% after the ultrasound application. | en_US |
