OICC Press Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry 2193-8865 11 4 (December 2021) 2021 03 03 Self-assembled membrane-polymer nanoparticles of top-notch tissue tolerance for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease 10.1007/s40097-021-00394-w EN Onyekachi Oluchi Enwereuzo Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Imo State University, Owerri, NG Obinna Chigoziem Akakuru Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, NG Romanus Chinonso Uwaoma Center of Excellence in Carbon-Based Fuels, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, 2520, ZA Elias Emeka Elemike Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Delta State, NG Ozioma Udochukwu Akakuru Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, NG Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, CN Journal Article 2021 03 03 Abstract Controlled release technology has continuously attracted attention as a strategy to deliver active agents to specific internal body regions with attendant cost-effectiveness among other intriguing merits. Here, drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized for ultimate application in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), leveraging the benefits of controlled release strategy. To achieve this, eggshell membranes (ESMs) were extracted and combined with chitosan (CHS) to rationally obtain self-assembled CHS–ESM NPs that served as a novel nanocarrier to effectively compartmentalize a GERD-therapeutic drug famotidine (FTD) and form self-assembled FTD@CHS–ESM NPs. Advantageously, the proof-of-concept FTD@CHS–ESM NPs offer superlative tissue tolerance. The cumulative FTD release is 89% after 12 h at pH 1.2, suggesting the capability of FTD@CHS–ESM NPs for effectual controlled drug release; a testimonial of the effective compartmentalization of FTD in the nanocarrier. Furthermore, the release of FTD from the FTD@CHS–ESM NPs is best described by Higuchi square root model, in a non-Fickian diffusional release mechanism ( n  = 0.584 and 0.582 in pH 1.2 and pH 6.8, respectively). The drug release system demonstrated in this work, therefore, holds strong promise for the oral nanomedical treatment of GERD in vivo, and promotes the rational synthesis of organic-based biocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical application. Graphic abstract