NOVEL MUCOADHESIVE THIOLATED CATIONIC AMINOCELLULOSE NANOPARTICLES FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to design and prepare a novel oral mucoadhesive drug carrier. In this regard, an amphiphilic thiolated cationic aminocellulose was easily synthesized under mild homogeneous conditions with high yield. The immobilization of cationic and thiol groups onto the cellulose resulted in strongly improved mucoadhesive properties at all three tested pH values (the simulated gastrointestinal fluid: pH 1.2, 6.8 and 7.4). The mucoadhesive modified cellulose could self-assemble to form nanosized particles with a good stability in aqueous medium. The mean diameter of the particles was in the range of 230–550 nm, and zeta potential was determined to be +25 to +28 mV. The size distribution of the particles with/without camptothecin (CPT) was relatively narrow and yielded a high EE (over 90%). Moreover, the in vitro drug release from mucoadhesive cellulose derivatives nanoparticles could be prolonged for 7 days. The release rate of CPT from the nanocarriers was significantly accelerated by increasing pH and drug content. Therefore, mucoadhesive cellulose derivatives nanoparticles seem to be a promising carrier for various pharmaceutical applications especially for poorly water soluble drug delivery system.