Kinetic release of levodopa from Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide host

Hydrotalcite-like materials or layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are popular inorganic hosts for the formation of organic-inorganoc hybrid type nanolayered composites, or also referred to as nanocomposite materials [1]. Levodopa, 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenil)-L-alanine (Fig. 1) is an effective precursor to several neurologically important catecholamines and also is one of the major pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease [2]. The intercalation of the levodopa into an inorganic host, LDH can be used as a means to form a new organic-inorganic hybrid material. The resulting nanocomposite present a potential material for controlled release formulations (CRF) for the pharmaceutical active agent.