Chitosan-Coated PLGA Nanoparticles Encapsulating Triamcinolone Acetonide as a Potential Candidate for Sustained Ocular Drug Delivery

Abstract

The current treatment for the acquired retinal vasculopathies involves lifelong repeated intravitreal injections of either anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy or modulation of inflammation with steroids. Consequently, any treatment modification that decreases this treatment burden for patients and doctors alike would be a welcome intervention. To that end, this research aims to develop a topically applied nanoparticulate system encapsulating a corticosteroid for extended drug release. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) supports the controlled release of the encapsulated drug, while surface modification of these NPs with chitosan might prolong the mucoadhesion ability leading to improved bioavailability of the drug. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-loaded chitosan-coated PLGA NPs were fabricated using the oil-in-water emulsion technique. The optimized surface-modified NPs obtained using Box-Behnken response surface statistical design were reproducible with a particle diameter of 334 ± 67.95 to 386 ± 15.14 nm and PDI between 0.09 and 0.15. These NPs encapsulated 55–57% of TA and displayed a controlled release of the drug reaching a plateau in 27 h. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis demonstrated characteristic peaks for chitosan (C-H, CONH2 and C-O at 2935, 1631 and 1087 cm−1, respectively) in chitosan-coated PLGA NPs. This result data, coupled with positive zeta potential values (ranged between +26 and +33 mV), suggests the successful coating of chitosan onto PLGA NPs. Upon coating of the NPs, the thermal stability of the drug, polymer, surfactant and PLGA NPs have been enhanced. The characteristics of the surface-modified NPs supports their use as potential candidates for topical ocular drug delivery for acquired retinal vasculopathies.

Gentiopicroside PLGA Nanospheres: Fabrication, in vitro Characterization, Antimicrobial Action, and in vivo Effect for Enhancing Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

“…The possibility of chemical interactions could be confirmed by comparing FTIR spectrum of GPS PLGA NSs with their individual components ( Figure 5 ). 51 The peaks of main functional groups of GPS and PLGA remain at similar wavenumbers after fabrication of GPS-PLGA NSs ensuring that the method of preparation preserves GPS stability and integrity with no possible interaction and/or incompatibility between drug and polymer. 18 …”

Formulation and Optimization of Alogliptin-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles: In Vitro to In Vivo Assessment

“…The NPs show enhanced mucoadhesion to the gut wall due to their compact size, high surface energy, and longer gastric residence time [ 7 ]. Various nanoformulation approaches were reported for the improvement of solubility and therapeutic efficacy, i.e., insulin solid lipid nanoparticles [ 8 ], berberine nano-structured lipid carrier [ 9 ], liquiritin liposomes [ 10 ], triamcinolone acetonide polymeric nanoparticles [ 11 ], itraconazole Eudragit nanosuspension [ 12 ], tacrolimus Eudragit colloidal dispersion [ 13 ], and albendazole nanosuspension [ 14 ]. The use of polymers in the nanoparticles is due to their high stability and non-toxicity compared to the lipid-based system.…”

Superhydrophilic PLGA-Graft-PVP/PC Nanofiber Membranes for the Prevention of Epidural Adhesion

“…These were the characteristic peaks of PLGA. 21 , 22 Compared to the spectrum of PLGA, the spectra of PLGA-g-PVP and PLGA-g-PVP/PC revealed a small peak at 1661 cm −1 , which originated from the stretching vibrations of C=O bonds and indicated the successful grafting of PVP. 23 Compared to the spectrum of PLGA-g-PVP, the spectrum of PLGA-g-PVP/PC presented more characteristic peaks, which might be caused by the chemical bonding diversity in PC.…”