Chitosan: a unique polysaccharide for drug delivery

Targeted delivery of doxorubicin-utilizing chitosan nanoparticles surface-functionalized with anti-Her2 trastuzumab

Background

Targeting drugs to their sites of action to overcome the systemic side effects associated with most antineoplastic agents is still a major challenge in pharmaceutical research. In this study, the monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, was used as a targeting agent in nanoparticles carrying the antitumor drug, doxorubicin, specifically to its site of action.

Methods

Chitosan-doxorubicin conjugation was carried out using succinic anhydride as a crosslinker. Trastuzumab was conjugated to self-assembled chitosan-doxorubin conjugate (CS-DOX) nanoparticles (particle size, 200 nm) via thiolation of lysine residues and subsequent linking of the resulted thiols to chitosan. Conjugation was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential determination were used to characterize the nanoparticles.

Results

CS-DOX conjugated nanoparticles had a spherical shape and smooth surface with a narrow size distribution and core-shell structure. Increasing the ratio of doxorubicin to chitosan in the conjugation reaction gave rise to a higher doxorubicin content but lower conjugation efficiency. Trastuzumab-decorated nanoparticles (CS-DOX-mAb) contained 47 μg/mg doxorubicin and 33.5 μg/mg trastuzumab. Binding of trastuzumab to the nanoparticles was further probed thermodynamically by isothermal titration calorimetry. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated enhanced and selective uptake of CS-DOX-mAb by Her2⁺ cancer cells compared with nontargeted CS-DOX nanoparticles and free drug.

Conclusion

Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles were shown to discriminate between Her2⁺ and Her2⁻ cells, and thus have the potential to be used in active targeted drug delivery, with reduction of drug side effects in Her2⁺ breast and ovarian cancers.

Rapid Synthesis of Acrylamide onto Xanthan Gum Based Hydrogels under Microwave Radiations for Enhanced Thermal and Chemical Modifications

The main objective of this research work is to synthesize crosslinked hydrogel from xanthan gum and acrylamide under the influence of microwave radiations by graft polymerization technique in presence of potassium persulphate-N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide as initiator-crosslinker system. Different reaction parameters such as reaction time, pH, solvent and initiator concentration were optimized a function of percentage grafting. Monomer and cross-linker concentrations were optimized as a function of percentage swelling for getting the polymer with maximum water absorption capacity. The superabsorbent was characterized using different characterization techniques like, FTIR, TGA / DTA / TDG and X-ray diffraction. The candidate polymer was found to be thermally more stable than the xanthan gum.

Structural features and bioactivities of the chitosan

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic studies (3500-600 cm(-1)) showed some different bands of chitosan. The absorption at 3439 cm(-1) is stretching vibration of -OH and -NH(2) bonds, indicating the association of the hydrogen-bond between them. The bands at 1659, 1599 and 1321 cm(-1) are attributable to the peaks of stretching vibrations of amide I (ν((C=O))), II (δ((N-H))), and the peak of stretching and bending vibrations of III (ν((C-N))) (δ((N-H))). The chitosan showed strong free radical scavenging activities. Pretreatment with chitosan significantly prevented the decrease of antioxidant enzymes activities and the increase of p-JNK at 3 h after renal ischemia and reduced renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis.

Recent advancement of chitosan-based nanoparticles for oral controlled delivery of insulin and other therapeutic agents

Nanoparticles composed of naturally occurring biodegradable polymers have emerged as potential carriers of various therapeutic agents for controlled drug delivery through the oral route. Chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide, is one of such biodegradable polymers, which has been extensively exploited for the preparation of nanoparticles for oral controlled delivery of several therapeutic agents. In recent years, the area of focus has shifted from chitosan to chitosan derivatized polymers for the preparation of oral nanoparticles due to its vastly improved properties, such as better drug retention capability, improved permeation, enhanced mucoadhesion and sustained release of therapeutic agents. Chitosan derivatized polymers are primarily the quaternized chitosan derivatives, chitosan cyclodextrin complexes, thiolated chitosan, pegylated chitosan and chitosan combined with other peptides. The current review focuses on the recent advancements in the field of oral controlled release via chitosan nanoparticles and discusses about its in vitro and in vivo implications.

Perspectives on the use of marine and freshwater hydrobiont oils for development of drug delivery systems

Marine foods represent a unique source of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the omega-3 (n-3) family. Today it is generally accepted that fish oil is important in a healthy and balanced omnivorous human diet. This favorable health perception of fish oil is however troubled by the high level of PUFA oxidation and low absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract. In this work we present and described various types of delivery systems which are used to improve PUFA and fish oil availability and oxidative stability.

Development and in vitro evaluation of thiolated chitosan--Poly(methacrylic acid) nanoparticles as a local mucoadhesive delivery system

The main objective of this study was to develop a local, oral mucoadhesive metronidazole benzoate (MET) delivery system that can be applied and removed by the patient for the treatment of periodontal diseases. The results of present study revealed that the retention time of MET at its absorption site could be increased by formulating it into nanoparticles using thiolated chitosan (TCS)-poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA). The nanoparticles of MET prepared from TCS-PMAA may represent a useful approach for targeting its release at its site of absorption, sustaining its release and improving its oral availability.

Neurotherapeutic applications of nanoparticles in Alzheimer's disease

A rapid increase in incidence of neurodegenerative disorders has been observed with the aging of the population. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly. It is characterized by memory dysfunction, loss of lexical access, spatial and temporal disorientation and impairment of judgement clinically. Unfortunately, clinical development of drugs for the symptomatic and disease-modifying treatment of AD has resulted in both promise and disappointment. Indeed, a large number of drugs with differing targets and mechanisms of action were investigated with only a few of them being clinically available. The targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, is restricted due to the limitations posed by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as well as due to opsonization by plasma proteins in the systemic circulation and peripheral side-effects. Over the last decade, nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery represents one promising strategy to successfully increase the CNS penetration of several therapeutic moieties. Different nanocarriers are being investigated to treat and diagnose AD by delivering at a constant rate a host of therapeutics over times extending up to days, weeks or even months. This review provides a concise incursion on the current pharmacotherapies for AD besides reviewing and discussing the literature on the different drug molecules that have been successfully encapsulated in nanoparticles (NPs). Some of them have been shown to cross the BBB and have been tested either for diagnosis or treatment of AD. Finally, the route of NPs administration and the future prospects will be discussed.

Bioresponsive matrices in drug delivery

For years, the field of drug delivery has focused on (1) controlling the release of a therapeutic and (2) targeting the therapeutic to a specific cell type. These research endeavors have concentrated mainly on the development of new degradable polymers and molecule-labeled drug delivery vehicles. Recent interest in biomaterials that respond to their environment have opened new methods to trigger the release of drugs and localize the therapeutic within a particular site. These novel biomaterials, usually termed "smart" or "intelligent", are able to deliver a therapeutic agent based on either environmental cues or a remote stimulus. Stimuli-responsive materials could potentially elicit a therapeutically effective dose without adverse side effects. Polymers responding to different stimuli, such as pH, light, temperature, ultrasound, magnetism, or biomolecules have been investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles. This review describes the most recent advances in "smart" drug delivery systems that respond to one or multiple stimuli.

Chitosan: an integrative biomaterial for lab-on-a-chip devices

Chitosan is a naturally derived polymer with applications in a variety of industrial and biomedical fields. Recently, it has emerged as a promising material for biological functionalization of microelectromechanical systems (bioMEMS). Due to its unique chemical properties and film forming ability, chitosan serves as a matrix for the assembly of biomolecules, cells, nanoparticles, and other substances. The addition of these components to bioMEMS devices enables them to perform functions such as specific biorecognition, enzymatic catalysis, and controlled drug release. The chitosan film can be integrated in the device by several methods compatible with standard microfabrication technology, including solution casting, spin casting, electrodeposition, and nanoimprinting. This article surveys the usage of chitosan in bioMEMS to date. We discuss the common methods for fabrication, modification, and characterization of chitosan films, and we review a number of demonstrated chitosan-based microdevices. We also highlight the advantages of chitosan over some other functionalization materials for micro-scale devices.

Nasal and rectal delivery of insulin with chitosan and N-trimethyl chitosan chloride

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of TMC, with different degrees of quaternization, to increase insulin absorption in vivo following nasal and rectal administration in rats. Two batches of TMC with different degrees of quaternization (TMC-L, 12.3% quaternized and TMC-H, 61.2% quaternized) and chitosan hydrochloride were administered intranasally (0.25 and 0.5% w/v) and rectally (0.5% w/v) with insulin (4 IU/kg body weight), at a pH of 4.40 and 7.40, in rats. Blood samples were taken over a period of 2 h for measurement of blood glucose levels and plasma insulin levels. Local toxicity evaluation was done by histological examination of the nasal and rectal epithelia. At pH 4.40 all these polymers were able to increase nasal and rectal insulin absorption, compared to the control groups. However, at a pH of 7.40, only TMC-H was able to increase the nasal and rectal absorption of insulin. These results relate to the insolubility of chitosan hydrochloride at neutral pH values, while the charge density of TMC-L is still too low for any significant interaction at pH 7.40. Histological evaluation of the nasal and rectal eptihelia shows no changes in the morphology of the cells after exposure to these polymers. Only slight congestion of the nasal submucosa was observed and all these polymers led to a mild increase in mucus secretion at pH 4.40. Highly quaternized TMC proves to be a potent absorption enhancer in vivo, especially at neutral pH values where chitosan salts are ineffective.

Bioadhesive controlled metronidazole release matrix based on chitosan and xanthan gum

Metronidazole, a common antibacterial drug, was incorporated into a hydrophilic polymer matrix composed of chitosan xanthan gum mixture. Hydrogel formation of this binary chitosan-xanthan gum combination was tested for its ability to control the release of metronidazole as a drug model. This preparation (MZ-CR) was characterized by in vitro, ex vivo bioadhesion and in vivo bioavailability study. For comparison purposes a commercial extended release formulation of metronidazole (CMZ) was used as a reference. The in vitro drug-release profiles of metronidazole preparation and CMZ were similar in 0.1 M HCl and phosphate buffer pH 6.8. Moreover, metronidazole preparation and CMZ showed a similar detachment force to sheep stomach mucosa, while the bioadhesion of the metronidazole preparation was higher three times than CMZ to sheep duodenum. The results of in vivo study indicated that the absorption of metronidazole from the preparation was faster than that of CMZ. Also, MZ-CR leads to higher metronidazole C(max) and AUC relative to that of the CMZ. This increase in bioavailability might be explained by the bioadhesion of the preparation at the upper part of the small intestine that could result in an increase in the overall intestinal transit time. As a conclusion, formulating chitosan-xanthan gum mixture as a hydrophilic polymer matrix resulted in a superior pharmacokinetic parameters translated by better rate and extent of absorption of metronidazole.

Oral peptide delivery: in-vitro evaluation of thiolated alginate/poly(acrylic acid) microparticles

The purpose of this study was to develop an oral thiomer-based microparticulate delivery system for insulin by ionic gelation. The microparticulate matrix consisted of either poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine (PAA-Cys) and alginate-cysteine (Alg-Cys) or the corresponding unmodified polymers (PAA, Alg). Two different viscosities of alginates were provided for the study, low and medium. Three different types of microparticles were prepared via ionic gelation with calcium (Alg, AlgPAA and AlgPAA-Cys) and their different properties evaluated in-vitro (particle size and shape, drug loading and release profile, swelling and stability). The mean particle size of all formulations ranged from 400 to 600 μm, revealing the lowest for thiolated microparticles. SEM micrographs showed different morphological profiles for the three different types of microparticles. Encapsulation efficiency of insulin increased within the following rank order: Alg (15%) < AlgPAA (40%) < AlgPAA-Cys (65%). Alginate and AlgPAA microparticles displayed a burst release after 30 min, whereas the thiolated particles achieved a controlled release of insulin over 3 h. The swelling ratio was pH dependent: in simulated intestinal fluid microparticles exhibited a much higher water uptake compared with simulated gastric fluid. Due to the formation of intraparticulate disulfide bonds during the preparation process, thiolated particles revealed a higher stability. It was also observed that the viscosity of the two alginates used had no influence on the properties of the particles. According to these results AlgPAA-Cys microparticles obtained by ionic gelation and stabilized via disulfide bonds might be an alternative tool for the oral administration of therapeutic peptides.

Preparation, characterization and pharmacokinetics of N-palmitoyl chitosan anchored docetaxel liposomes

The objective of this work was to investigate the preparation, characterization and pharmacokinetics of N-palmitoyl chitosan anchored docetaxel liposomes. To decrease toxic effects and improve anti-tumour efficacy of the drug, docetaxel has been incorporated in liposomes; the formulation, stability and pharmacokinetics of plain docetaxel liposomes (PDLs), PEGylated docetaxel liposomes (PEGDLs) and N-palmitoyl chitosan anchored docetaxel liposomes (NDLs) were compared. NDL was more stable than PDL and PEGDL in-vitro, especially in the presence of serum at 37°C. The concentration of docetaxel in the plasma of rats after intravenous administration of docetaxel injection, PDL, PEGDL and NDL was studied by RP-HPLC. The pharmacokinetic behaviour of docetaxel injection, PDL, PEGDL and NDL were significantly different. These findings suggest that anchored liposomes could increase the stability of docetaxel in-vivo, as compared with plain liposomes, but the improvement was not more significant than PEGylated liposomes. N-Palmitoyl chitosan as a new polymeric membrane to anchor liposome was useful to stabilize liposomes containing anti-tumour drug.

Thiolated quaternary ammonium-chitosan conjugates for enhanced precorneal retention, transcorneal permeation and intraocular absorption of dexamethasone

Previously, a quaternary ammonium (N(+))-chitosan (Ch) conjugate (N(+)(60)-Ch) characterized by short pendant chains, made of 1.7+/-0.1 adjacent diethyl-dimethylene-ammonium groups, substituted onto the primary amino group of the chitosan repeating units (degree of substitution, 59.2+/-4.5%) was used to synthesize a multifunctional non-cytotoxic thiomer (N(+)(60)-Ch-SH(5)), carrying 4.5+/-0.7% thiol-bearing 3-mercaptopropionamide besides quaternary ammonium groups. The present work was aimed at evaluating the potential of N(+)(60)-Ch-SH(5) and N(+)(60)-Ch as bioactive excipients for dexamethasone (DMS) eyedrops. The DMS permeability across excised rabbit cornea was enhanced over the control value by the thiomer and the parent polymer to about the same extent (3.8 vs. 4.1 times). The mean precorneal retention time and AUC in the aqueous of DMS instilled in rabbit eyes via eyedrops were enhanced by the thiomer (MRT=77.96+/-3.57 min, AUC=33.19+/-6.96 microg ml(-1) min) more than the parent polymer (MRT=65.74+/-4.91 min, AUC=21.48+/-3.81 microg ml(-1) min) over the control (MRT=5.07+/-0.25 min, AUC=6.25+/-0.65 microg ml(-1) min). The quaternary ammonium ions were responsible for both permeabilization of corneal epithelium and polymer adhesion to precorneal mucus, while the thiols increased the latter. This synergistic action is the basis of the higher thiomer bioactivity in vivo. A good ocular tolerability of the chitosan derivatives resulted from in vivo experiments.

Biopolymeric nanoparticles

This review on nanoparticles highlights the various biopolymers (proteins and polysaccharides) which have recently revolutionized the world of biocompatible and degradable natural biological materials. The methods of their fabrication, including emulsification, desolvation, coacervation and electrospray drying are described. The characterization of different parameters for a given nanoparticle, such as particle size, surface charge, morphology, stability, structure, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, drug loading and drug release, is outlined together with the relevant measurement techniques. Applications in the fields of medicine and biotechnology are discussed along with a promising future scope.

Anti-inflammatory effect of chitosan oligosaccharides in RAW 264.7 cells

We examined the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs) with different molecular weights (COS-A, 10 kDa < MW < 20 kDa; COS-C, 1 kDa < MW < 3 kDa) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide and on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in RAW264.7 macrophages. COS-A (0.4%) and COS-C (0.2%) significantly inhibited PGE2 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages without cytotoxicity. The effect of COS-A and COS-C on COX-2 expression in activated macrophages was also investigated by immunoblotting. The inhibition of PGE2 by COS-A and COS-C can be attributed to the blocking of COX-2 protein expression. COS-A (0.4%) and COS-C (0.2%) also markedly inhibited the LPS-induced NO production of RAW 264.7 cells by 50.2% and 44.1%, respectively. The inhibition of NO by COSs was consistent with decreases in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression. To test the inhibitory effects of COS-A and COS-C on other cytokines, we also performed ELISA assays for IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, but only a dose-dependent decrease in the IL-1β production exerted by COS-A was observed. In order to test for irritation and the potential sensitization of COS-A and COS-C for use as cosmetic materials, human skin primary irritation tests were performed on 32 volunteers; no adverse reactions of COSs usage were observed. Based on these results, we suggest that COS-A and COS-C be considered possible anti-inflammatory candidates for topical application.

Targeted delivery of low molecular drugs using chitosan and its derivatives

Chitosan has prompted the continuous impetus for the development of safe and effective drug delivery systems because of its unique physicochemical and biological characteristics. The primary hydroxyl and amine groups located on the backbone of chitosan allow for chemical modification to control its physical properties. When the hydrophobic moiety is conjugated to a chitosan molecule, the resulting amphiphile may form self-assembled nanoparticles that can encapsulate a quantity of drugs and deliver them to a specific site of action. Chemical attachment of the drug to the chitosan throughout the functional linker may produce useful prodrugs, exhibiting the appropriate biological activity at the target site. Mucoadhesive and absorption enhancement properties of chitosan increase the in vivo residence time of the dosage form in the gastrointestinal tract and improve the bioavailability of various drugs. The main objective of this review is to provide an insight into various target-specific carriers, based on chitosan and its derivatives, towards low molecular weight drug delivery. The first part of the review is concerned with the organ-specific delivery of low molecular drugs using chitosan and its derivatives. The subsequent section considers the recent developments of drug delivery carriers for cancer therapy with special focus on various targeting strategies.

Chitosan-based delivery systems for protein therapeutics and antigens

Therapeutic peptides/proteins and protein-based antigens are chemically and structurally labile compounds, which are almost exclusively administered by parenteral injections. Recently, non-invasive mucosal routes have attracted interest for administration of these biotherapeutics. Chitosan-based delivery systems enhance the absorption and/or cellular uptake of peptides/proteins across mucosal sites and have immunoadjuvant properties. Chitosan is a mucoadhesive polysaccharide capable of opening the tight junctions between epithelial cells and it has functional groups for chemical modifications, which has resulted in a large variety of chitosan derivatives with tunable properties for the aimed applications. This review provides an overview of chitosan-based polymers for preparation of both therapeutic peptides/protein and antigen formulations. The physicochemical properties of these carrier systems as well as their applications in protein and antigen delivery through parenteral and mucosal (particularly nasal and pulmonary) administrations are summarized and discussed.

Bio-microfluidics: biomaterials and biomimetic designs

Bio-microfluidics applies biomaterials and biologically inspired structural designs (biomimetics) to microfluidic devices. Microfluidics, the techniques for constraining fluids on the micrometer and sub-micrometer scale, offer applications ranging from lab-on-a-chip to optofluidics. Despite this wealth of applications, the design of typical microfluidic devices imparts relatively simple, laminar behavior on fluids and is realized using materials and techniques from silicon planar fabrication. On the other hand, highly complex microfluidic behavior is commonplace in nature, where fluids with nonlinear rheology flow through chaotic vasculature composed from a range of biopolymers. In this Review, the current state of bio-microfluidic materials, designs and applications are examined. Biopolymers enable bio-microfluidic devices with versatile functionalization chemistries, flexibility in fabrication, and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Polymeric materials such as alginate, collagen, chitosan, and silk are being explored as bulk and film materials for bio-microfluidics. Hydrogels offer options for mechanically functional devices for microfluidic systems such as self-regulating valves, microlens arrays and drug release systems, vital for integrated bio-microfluidic devices. These devices including growth factor gradients to study cell responses, blood analysis, biomimetic capillary designs, and blood vessel tissue culture systems, as some recent examples of inroads in the field that should lead the way in a new generation of microfluidic devices for bio-related needs and applications. Perhaps one of the most intriguing directions for the future will be fully implantable microfluidic devices that will also integrate with existing vasculature and slowly degrade to fully recapitulate native tissue structure and function, yet serve critical interim functions, such as tissue maintenance, drug release, mechanical support, and cell delivery.

Hydrophilic/lipophilic N-methylene phosphonic chitosan as a promising non-viral vector for gene delivery

Cationic amphiphilic drugs have recently been shown to inhibit receptor recycling by disrupting the assembly-disassembly of clathrin at the plasma membrane and endosomes. It is therefore proposed that amphiphilic and cationic polysaccharide macromolecule, when used as gene delivery vectors, may have potential ability to direct the disassembly process of cell membrane organization, and penetrate across the cell membrane into cell and nucleus. In the current study, N-methylene phosphonic chitosan (NMPCS), an amphiphilic macromolecule, was synthesized by incorporating the methylene phosphonic group into the amino groups of chitosan (CS) using formaldehyde as the coupling agent, and characterized with a FTIR spectrometer. NMPCS/DNA or CS/DNA complexes were prepared using a complex coacervation method, and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis retardation assay and dynamic light scattering (DLS). MTT assay was employed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the polymers and pGL3-control luciferase plasmid was utilized as a reporter gene to assess the transgenic efficacy of the polymers. It was demonstrated that NMPCS was able to fully entrap the DNA at N/P ratio of 2:1, whereas CS entrapped the DNA completely at N/P ratio of 1:1. DLS showed that the NMPCS/DNA or CS/DNA complexes were of mean diameters ranging from 110 to 180 nm. Neither NMPCS nor CS induced significant loss of cell viability at the concentrations ranging from 1 to 50 microg/ml, whereas PEI at 5 microg/ml started to result in significantly decreased cell viability. The expression of transgene mediated by NMPCS was much higher (more than 100-folds) than that mediated by CS, indicating that NMPCS was a more efficacious gene ferrying vector than CS.