**Author details**

and GFP-rFH/Fe3O4) were prepared by synthesizing iron oxide (Fe3O4)

*Nano- and Microencapsulation - Techniques and Applications*

fluorescent imaging.

nanoparticles in the previously engineered ferritin cages. Imaging of these cages with fluorescence targeted to αvβ3 integrin-positive A549 and U87MG cells showed higher-intensity fluorescence with RGF, when compared to GFP-rHF control cells. Furthermore, MRI with RGF showed significant enhancement of the signal to facilitate meticulous diagnosis, when compared to GFP-rHF/Fe3O4 or without contrast agent. Therefore, efficient targeting and fluorescence imaging of lung cancer cells utilizing engineered nanocages were proved to be a useful vehicle among the different multifunctional, nanostructured, protein-based tools to be used in

The antioxidant enzymes present normally inside the human body, like catalase,

This chapter describes in details the applications of polysaccharides, and proteins, as natural nanocarriers for encapsulation and safe delivery of various therapeutic, diagnostic and theragnostic agents. The chapter provides detailed discussion with recent examples and case studies for using polysaccharides and proteins as biocompatible, biodegradable nanocarriers for encapsulation and delivery of small

Encapsulation will remain a valuable process in the design and development of drug delivery systems and fabrication of diagnostic tools. Advances in naturapolyceutics and encapsulation technologies will continue to drive the applicability of natural polymers and encapsulation in drug delivery and diagnostics. More of polymer blending or interactions; increasing combination of the classes of natural polymers will be observed to achieve the evolving need to improve on the delivery of existing drugs and drugs in the development pipeline. The desire to enhance selectivity, specificity and sensitivity of biosensors will continue to drive the innovations and applications of natural polymers in diagnostic space. Filling the gaps in patient related therapies will place encapsulation as the main stay technology in solving delivery related problems and diagnostic challenges. The quest for maximization, cost effectiveness, reducing patient complications, and optimization of systems and devices will lead to increased assembling of multifunctional all-in-one devices. Theragnostics has come to stay and will precipitate combination of natural polymers and encapsulation technologies to achieve the desired theragnostics that will detect biomarkers, bioimage; and target, deliver and monitor drugs at the site of action. As drug delivery and diagnostics advance, natural polymers will remain materials of focus due to their biogenicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, good interactions with living cells, suitability for long circulation and targeting, and cell

superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase, fail in the protection of the cells under sudden oxidative damage/stress conditions Thus, further studies have developed artificial antioxidants capable of decreasing oxidative stress during lung cancer treatment [173]. Apoferritin-encapsulated protein nanoparticles have been prepared as artificial antioxidants on account of their peroxidase, catalase, and SOD-mimicking activity. Apoferritin-CeO2 nano-truffle has been used as an artificial redox enzyme owing to its ability to mimic SOD activity. This character can be utilized to combat ROS-mediated lung cancer by scavenging hydrogen superoxide, peroxide, and other small molecules triggered in sudden oxidative damage. Thus, these systems show potential for hopeful application in lung cancer treatment [173]. **Tables 5** and **6** indicate applications based on micro- and nano-encapsulation

utilizing animal/plant proteins as encapsulating materials.

**4. Conclusions and future trends**

molecules, biologics, and diagnostics.

recognition.

**84**

Ndidi C. Ngwuluka<sup>1</sup> \*, Nedal Y. Abu-Thabit<sup>2</sup> \*, Onyinye J. Uwaezuoke<sup>3</sup> , Joan O. Erebor<sup>4</sup> , Margaret O. Ilomuanya<sup>5</sup> , Riham R. Mohamed<sup>6</sup> , Soliman M.A. Soliman<sup>6</sup> , Mahmoud H. Abu Elella<sup>6</sup> and Noura A.A. Ebrahim<sup>7</sup>

1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

2 Department of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia

3 Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria

4 Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA

5 Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, 10065, USA

6 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

7 Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

\*Address all correspondence to: ndidi.ngwuluka@biodrudel.com and abuthabit\_nidal@yahoo.com

© 2021 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
