Application of chitosan matrix for delivery of rutin

Effect of ultrasound treatment on interactions of whey protein isolate with rutin

Rutin is a biologically active polyphenol, but its poor water solubility and low bioavailability limit its application to the food industry. We investigated the effect of ultrasound treatment on the properties of rutin (R) and whey protein isolate (WPI) using spectral and physicochemical analysis. The results revealed that there was covalent interaction between whey protein isolate with rutin, and the binding degree of whey isolate protein with rutin increased with ultrasound treatment. Additionally, solubility and surface hydrophobicity of WPI-R complex improved with ultrasonic treatment, and a maximum solubility of 81.9 % at 300 W ultrasonic power. The ultrasound treatment caused the complex to develop a more ordered secondary structure, resulting in a three-dimensional network structure with small and uniform pore sizes. This research could provide a theoretical reference for studying protein-polyphenol interactions and their applications in food delivery systems.

Rutin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation

This study was aimed at preparing and characterizing solid lipid nanoparticles loading rutin (RT-SLNs) for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced diseases. Phospholipon 80H® as a solid lipid and Polysorbate 80 as surfactant were used for the SLNs preparation, using the solvent emulsification/diffusion method. We obtained spherical RT-SLNs with low sizes, ranging from 40 to 60 nm (hydrodynamic radius) for the SLNs prepared starting from 2% and 5% (w/w) theoretical amount. All prepared formulations showed negative zeta-potential values. RT was efficiently encapsulated within SLNs, obtaining high encapsulation efficiency and drug content percentages, particularly for SLNs prepared with a 5% theoretical amount of RT. In vitro release profiles and analysis of the obtained data applying different kinetic models revealed Fickian diffusion as the main mechanism of RT release from the SLNs. The morphology of RT-SLNs was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas the interactions between RT and the lipid matrix were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, evidencing spectral modifications of characteristic bands of RT due to the establishment of new interactions. Finally, antioxidant activity assay on human glioblastoma astrocytoma (U373) culture cells showed a dose-dependent activity for RT-SLNs, particularly at the highest assayed dose (50 μM), whereas the free drug showed the lesser activity.

Chitosan coating of zein-carboxymethylated short-chain amylose nanocomposites improves oral bioavailability of insulin in vitro and in vivo

Non-invasive means of insulin administration circumvent some of the inconveniences of injections. Oral administration in particular is convenient, pain-free, and allows favorable glucose homeostasis, but is subject to chemical instability, enzymatic degradation, and poor gastrointestinal absorption. Natural polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as a promising oral delivery system for peptide therapeutics due their safety, biocompatibility, and stability. In this study, self-assembled nanocomposites from chitosan (CS) and insulin-loaded, zein-carboxymethylated short-chain amylose (IN-Z-CSA) nanocomposites were synthesized to improve oral bioavailability of insulin. The optimized IN-Z-CSA/CS_0.2% nanocomposites exhibited an average size of 311.32±6.98 nm, a low polydispersity index (0.227±0.01), a negative zeta potential (43.77±1.36 mV), an encapsulation efficiency of 89.6±0.9%, and a loading capacity of 6.8±0.4%. The IN-Z-CSA/CS_0.2% nanocomposites were stable in storage conditions. The transepithelial permeability of the N-Z-CSA/CS_0.2% nanocomposites was 12-fold higher than that of insulin. Cellular uptake studies revealed that the IN-Z-CSA/CS_0.2% nanocomposites were internalized into Caco-2 cells by both endocytosis and a paracellular route. Additionally, in pharmacological studies, orally administered IN-Z-CSA/CS_0.2% nanocomposites had a stronger hypoglycemic effect with a relative bioavailability of 15.19% compared with that of IN-Z-CSA_1.0% nanocomposites. Furthermore, cell toxicity and in vivo tests revealed that the IN-Z-CSA/CS_0.2% nanocomposites were biocompatible. Overall, these results indicate that the IN-Z-CSA/CS_0.2% nanocomposites can improve oral bioavailability of insulin and are a promising delivery system for insulin or other peptide/protein drugs.