High molecular weight chitosan based particles for insulin encapsulation obtained via nanospray technology

Abstract

The objective of this work was to obtain Chitosan (CS) based particles for Insulin (INS) encapsulation, via nanospray drying of a feeding solution containing equal amounts of both components (0.1% w/v total solids content). The process was performed at pH 3 which is out of the range for electrostatic interactions to occur. The analysis involved the nanoparticles (NP) characterization in the solution before drying (pH 3) by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and after re-hydration at different pHs (3< pH < 11). The dried product was characterized by Fourier-transform spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FTIR allowed detecting the chemical groups involved in INS-CS interactions. The encapsulation efficiency of the glassy NP was 62.3 ± 0.32% as determined by HPLC. Upon powder re-hydration, NP of diameter <200 nm were obtained, with a minority of them exceeding the micron. The change in the shape and temperature of the main endothermic DSC peak and the higher T g value of the NP would confirm the increase in INS thermal stability when entrapped in a CS matrix. In terms of biological activity an in-vitro system was assayed. 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were exposed to INS and Insulin-Chitosan nanoparticles (INS-CS NP). Both treatments showed AKT phosphorylation, which is an indication of AKT activation. The activity of AKT plays an essential role in cell metabolism (lipid and glucose), growth, proliferation, polarity, among others. This activity is a measure of the upstream cell signals, i.e. INS's receptor activity. Phosphorylated AKT was detected during the assay time for INS-CS NP, showing remarkable differences respect to single INS. Nanodrying technology could be used to trap INS into CS matrix keeping the specific hormone functions and protecting it from the hostile conditions of the body.

Chitosan-Based Nanogels Designed for Betanin-Rich Beetroot Extract Transport: Physicochemical and Biological Aspects

“…Both peaks found at 1655 cm −1 and 1511 cm −1 were attributed to bending vibrations of NH in -NH 2 and C-H in the alkyl group of the polysaccharide molecules. The stretching vibrations of C-O-C linkages and the glucopyranose ring in the CS matrix presented typical peaks at 1043 cm −1 and 860 cm −1 , respectively [32,33]. On the other hand, specific peaks of both empty and loaded NGs were shifted to 3390, 2880, 1580, 1400, 1020, and 880 cm −1 due to ionic interaction between the polymer and TPP [31].…”

Impact of chitosan-based nanocarriers on cytoskeleton dynamics: Current status and challenges

“…Chitosan (CS) is a linear polysaccharide whose structure is comprised of β-1,4-linked 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-D-glucose (deacetylated D-glucosamine) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units (di Santo et al, 2020b). The substantial attention of CS in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields resides in its biodegradable, biocompatible and non-toxic features (Prudkin-Silva et al, 2020). Also, CS's amine groups are responsible for its cationic nature, controlled drug release, muco-adhesion, permeation enhancement, etc.…”

“…Also, CS's amine groups are responsible for its cationic nature, controlled drug release, muco-adhesion, permeation enhancement, etc. As a result, CS is one of the most employed polysaccharides in the drug delivery design strategies for administration of BCs (di Santo et al, 2020a;Dubashynskaya et al, 2020;Prudkin-Silva et al, 2020).…”