Anti-Helicobacter pylori effect of mucoadhesive nanoparticles bearing amoxicillin in experimental gerbils model

The purpose of the present study was to design mucoadhesive gliadin nanoparticles (GNP) containing amoxicillin and to evaluate their effectiveness in eradicating Helicobacter pylori. GNP-bearing amoxicillin (AGNP) was prepared by desolvation method. The effect of process variables such as gliadin concentration and initial drug loading on particle size, shape, percent payload, percent entrapment efficiency, in vitro release profile, and mucoadhesive property of GNP was assessed. Rhodamine isothiocyanate-entrapped GNP formulations were prepared to evaluate their in vivo gastric mucoadhesive property in albino rats. With increasing gliadin concentration, the mucoadhesive property of GNP increased. Typically, the maximum amount of nanoparticles remaining was 82 +/- 4%, which represented a stronger mucoadhesive propensity and specificity of GNP toward the stomach. In vitro antimicrobial activity of AGNP was evaluated by growth inhibition studies on an isolated H pylori strain. The time required for complete eradication was higher in AGNP than in amoxicillin because of the controlled drug delivery of amoxicillin from AGNP. In vivo clearance of H pylori following oral administration of AGNP to infected Mongolian gerbils was examined. Amoxicillin and AGNP both showed anti-H pylori effects in this experimental model of infection, but the required dose for complete eradication was less in AGNP than in amoxicillin. In conclusion, AGNP eradicated H pylori from the gastrointestinal tract more effectively than amoxicillin because of the prolonged gastrointestinal residence time attributed to mucoadhesion. A dosage form containing mucoadhesive nanoparticles bearing a potential antibiotic should be useful for the complete eradication of H pylori.