Nanoparticles, Composed of Sterol and Saponin From Quillaja Saponaria Molina Process for Preparation and Use Thereof as Carrier for Amphipatic of Hydrophobic Molecules in Fields of Medicine Including Cancer Treatment and Food Related Compounds
A nanoparticle comprising at least one sterol, e.g. cholesterol and a component from Quillaja Saponaria Molina (QuilQ) selected from quillaja saponin, characterized in that said nanoparticles do not comprise a phospholipid and in that the sterol molecule is bound by a hydrophobic bond between a hydroxyl group of the sterol and terpene moieties in a Quil A micelle and by an hydrophilic ester bond between a sterol OH− and COOH− or aldehyde groups in the QuilA micelle. It also relates to a composition comprising the nanoparticles, and the use thereof as carriers for amphipathic or hydrophobic molecules and as agents for treatment of cancer. Further, it regards a method for producing the phospholipid-free nanoparticles, a method for the treatment of cancer and a method for assessing the applicability of the cancer treating method.
