title: Preparation and characterization of agarose hydrogel nanoparticles for protein and peptide drug delivery.
abstract: The purpose of this work was to develop and characterize a protein and peptide injectable drug delivery system in agarose hydrogel nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were prepared by using a new emulsion-converted-to-suspension in situ method. This is an emulsifier-free method that has advantages for protein and peptide drug encapsulations. Ovalbumin, used as a model protein drug, was successfully encapsulated into nearly spherical agarose hydrogel nanoparticles under mild conditions. The nanoparticles possessed a log-normal size distribution with an average size of 504 nm. They imbibed a large amount of water (66.85% to 84.33%) and the water content was a function of temperature; the water content increased with increase in temperature. Release studies of the ovalbumin from the agarose hydrogel nanoparticles revealed a diffusion-controlled release mechanism with a temperature dependence; the ovalbumin release rate was higher at 37 degrees C than that at room temperature. The great biocompatibility of agarose hydrogel, plus the mild conditions for drug encapsulation, make the agarose hydrogel nanoparticles a potential system for protein and peptide drug delivery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York 11201, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: X S
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005079:Excipients; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D007267:Injections; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D012685:Sepharose / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005079:Excipients; D010455:Peptides; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D011506:Proteins; D014867:Water; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010047:Ovalbumin; D012685:Sepharose