title: Chitosan-coupled solid lipid nanoparticles: Tuning nanostructure and mucoadhesion.
abstract: Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) composed of biodegradable physiological lipids have been widely proposed as efficient drug delivery systems, also for ophthalmic administration. Recently, chitosan-associated-SLNs have been developed to further improve the residence time of these colloidal systems in the precorneal area by means of mucoadhesive interaction. In the present study, a one-step preparation protocol was used aiming both at scale-up ease and at stronger coupling between chitosan and SLNs. The resulting particles were chitosan associated-SLNs (CS-SLNs). These nanoparticles were characterized, as compared to both the chitosan-free and the usual chitosan-coated ones, by applying a multi-technique approach: light, neutron and X-ray scattering, Zeta-potential, AFM, calorimetry. It was assessed that, while keeping the features of nano-size and surface-charge required for an efficient vector, these new nanoparticles display a strong and intimate interaction between chitosan and SLNs, far more settled than the usual simple coverage. Moreover, this one-step preparation method allows to obtain a strong and intimate interaction between chitosan and SLNs, firmer than the usual simple coating. This confers to the CS-SLNs an improved mucoadhesion, opening the way for a high-performing ophthalmic formulation.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli, 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandri
authors.affiliation: Dept. Medical Biotechnologies and Traslational Medicine, University of Milano, LITA, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.affiliation: Dept of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli, 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bonferoni
authors.affiliation: Dept. Medical Biotechnologies and Traslational Medicine, University of Milano, LITA, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brocca
authors.affiliation: Dept of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli, 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Dept of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli, 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Dept. Medical Biotechnologies and Traslational Medicine, University of Milano, LITA, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rondelli
authors.affiliation: Dept. Medical Biotechnologies and Traslational Medicine, University of Milano, LITA, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy. Electronic address: laura.cantu@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cantù
authors.affiliation: Dept of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli, 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caramella
authors.affiliation: Dept. Medical Biotechnologies and Traslational Medicine, University of Milano, LITA, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Del Favero
mesh_terms: D002151:Calorimetry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D010316:Particle Size; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D033081:Shear Strength; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008055:Lipids; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Chitosan; Mucoadhesion; Solid lipid nanoparticles; Structural analysis