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Related Experiment Videos

Self-assembled polyelectrolyte nanocomplexes between chitosan derivatives and insulin.

Shirui Mao1, Udo Bakowsky, Anchalee Jintapattanakit

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmacy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Ketzerbach 63, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
|March 28, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) of chitosan and insulin were developed. Optimized conditions yielded stable, lyophilizable nanoparticles, protecting insulin from degradation and suggesting potential for intranasal delivery.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

  • Chitosan derivatives are widely explored for drug delivery applications.
  • Insulin stability and delivery remain significant challenges in diabetes management.
  • Polyelectrolyte complexes offer a promising platform for encapsulating therapeutic proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prepare and characterize polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) of chitosan derivatives and insulin.
  • To investigate parameters influencing PEC formation, stability, and insulin protection.
  • To evaluate the potential of PECs for enhanced insulin delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Turbidimetric titration, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and laser doppler anemometry (LDA) for complexation studies.

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  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for morphology determination.
  • Investigated pH, polymer molecular weight (MW), and ionic strength effects.

    • Main Results:

    • PEC formation was pH-dependent, occurring above a critical pH of 6.0.
    • Optimal soluble PECs (200-500 nm) were achieved at pH 6.5-8.0.
    • Chitosan methylation and PEGylation enhanced insulin stability, protecting it from degradation at 50°C for 6 hours.
    • Lyophilization did not affect particle size, complex concentration, or insulin stability.

    Conclusions:

    • Electrostatic interactions between chitosan amino groups and negatively charged insulin drive PEC formation.
    • Chitosan-based PECs provide a stable formulation for insulin, suitable for lyophilization.
    • These findings support further in vivo investigation of intranasal absorption of these polyelectrolyte nanocomplexes.