Synthesis and characterization of gelatin nanoparticles using CDI/NHS as a non-toxic cross-linking system.
Gelatin nanoparticles, cross-linked by a mixture of a water soluble carbodiimide (CDI) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as a non-toxic cross-linking system, was prepared. The conventional two step desolvation method with acetone as the non-solvent was used. The mean size and size distribution as well as the morphology of the formed nanoparticles were evaluated and compared with those of nanoparticles cross-linked by glutaraldehyde (GA) as the most commonly used cross-linking agent. Furthermore, intrinsic viscosities of the nanoparticles cross-linked by CDI/NHS and GA were measured and compared under various conditions. The results showed the formation of smoother and more homogeneous nanoparticles with smaller size when CDI/NHS used as cross-linking agent under the same synthesis condition. Moreover, nanoparticles encapsulating paracetamol as a model drug were produced by the two different cross-linking agents and were characterized for drug entrapment and loading efficiencies and in vitro drug release. Both drug entrapment and loading efficiencies was higher in the CDI/NHS cross-linked nanoparticles; however, the release kinetics was comparable to that of nanoparticles cross-linked with GA. The differences in the characteristics of CDI/NHS and GA cross-linked nanoparticles were attributed to the different nature of network structures formed by the two cross-linking agents. On the whole, these results suggested that CDI/NHS cross-linked nanoparticles have high potential to be used for drug delivery application in preference to the nanoparticles synthesized by toxic cross-linking agents.
School of Chemistry, University College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. ntaheri@khayam.ut.ac.ir
Nader Taheri
NT
Qazvini
Sahar
S
Zinatloo
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002234:Carbodiimides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005780:Gelatin / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013388:Succinimides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D013696:Temperature; D014783:Viscosity
D002234:Carbodiimides; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D013388:Succinimides; D000082:Acetaminophen; D005780:Gelatin; C001426:N-hydroxysuccinimide