Abstract: The present invention relates to an encapsulated product that includes one or more amino acids, where the one or more amino acids are in the form of a crystal with one or more hydrophobic domains and one or more hydrophobic agents entrapped within the hydrophobic domains of the crystal of the one or more amino acids, the crystal having a hydrophilic exterior. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions comprising the encapsulated product, methods of therapeutically treating a subject with the encapsulated product, as well as methods of in vitro imaging and methods of preparing an encapsulated product are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application relates to a microcapsule comprising a core comprising one or more hydrophobic agents dispersed in a gel matrix; a proteolytically-cleavable outer polymer shell surrounding said core; and an enzymatically-cleavable lipid layer between said core and said shell. Also described are methods of making and using the microcapsules.