The inner lumen of halloysite may be adjusted by etching to 20-30% of the tube volume and loading with functional agents (antioxidants, anticorrosion agents, flame-retardant agents, drugs, or proteins) allowing for formulations with sustained release tuned by the tube end-stoppers for hours and days. It is a natural biocompatible nanomaterial available in thousands of tons at low price, which makes it a good candidate for nanoarchitectural composites. Halloysite is an alumosilicate tubular clay with a diameter of 50 nm, an inner lumen of 15 nm and a length of 600-900 nm. These include tissue scaffolds, bone cement and dentist resins with sustained release of antimicrobial and cell growth-promoting medicines (including proteins and DNA) as well as other formulations such as compounds for antiseptic treatment of = , Expert opinion: Here, we expect that clay nanotubes will be used primarily for non-injectable drug formulations, such as topical and oral dosage forms, cosmetics, as well as for composite materials with enhanced therapeutic effects.

Examples of the compression properties of halloysite in tablets and capsules are also shown. Development of halloysite-polymer composites such as tissue scaffolds and bone cement/dentist resin formulations with enhanced mechanical properties and extension of the drug release to 2-3 weeks are described. Areas covered: Physical-chemical properties of these nanotubes are described followed by examples of drug-loading capabilities, release characteristics, and control of duration of release through the end tube capping with polymers.

Narrow tube openings allow for controllable sustained drug release for hours, days or even weeks. 50 nm, length around 1 micrometer and may be loaded with drugs at 10-30 wt. These halloysite tubes with SiO 2 on the outermost surface have diameter of ca. Introduction: Natural and biocompatible clay nanotubes are among the best inorganic materials for drug nanoformulations.

Medications encased in a gelatin shell