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Permeation modulating properties of natural polymers--effect of molecular weight and mucus

Ellen Hagesaether1

  • 1Institute of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark. ellen@ifk.sdu.dk

International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|March 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Natural polymers like pectin, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan modulate cell membrane permeation. Mucus reduces these effects, with pectin offering protection and chitosan/hyaluronic acid enhancing permeation.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Natural polymers are explored for drug delivery applications.
  • Cellular models are crucial for understanding drug permeation.
  • Goblet cells and mucus play a role in intestinal barrier function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the permeation modulating effects of five natural polymers on a HT29 cell model.
  • To assess the influence of polymer molecular weight and chemical properties on membrane permeation.
  • To determine the impact of mucus presence on polymer-mediated permeation modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Testing low-ester, amidated, and high-ester pectin, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan at two molecular weights each.
  • Utilizing methotrexate-treated HT29 cells cultured for 2 or 3 weeks as a model membrane.
  • Measuring the permeation of the paracellular marker carboxyfluorescein.

Main Results:

  • Pectins decreased carboxyfluorescein permeation, with higher molecular weight and free acid groups enhancing this protective effect.
  • Chitosan significantly enhanced permeation, while hyaluronic acid showed a modest enhancing effect, both more pronounced at lower molecular weights.
  • Mucus presence reduced the permeation modulating properties of all tested polymers.

Conclusions:

  • Natural polymers exhibit varied effects on cell membrane permeation, with pectin acting as a barrier and chitosan/hyaluronic acid facilitating it.
  • Molecular weight and chemical characteristics of polymers influence their interaction with the cell membrane.
  • Mucus significantly interferes with and reduces the efficacy of these natural polymers in modulating membrane permeation.

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