Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells Exposed to Surface Modify Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded

Yu Zheng1,2, Yan Chen2, Ling-Wei Jin2

  • 1Department of Nephrology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, People's Republic of China.

AAPS Pharmscitech
|January 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study developed phosphatidylserine-coated chitosan nanoparticles loaded with curcumin. The nanoparticles showed no significant cytotoxicity or genotoxicity, indicating their potential as a safe drug delivery system.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Modified nanoparticles offer therapeutic potential but raise toxicity concerns.
  • Curcumin (CU) is a natural compound with therapeutic properties, often limited by poor bioavailability.
  • Chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) are investigated for drug delivery applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and characterize phosphatidylserine (PS)-coated chitosan nanoparticles loaded with curcumin (PS-CNPs-CU).
  • To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of PS-CNPs-CU in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293).
  • To assess the potential of PS-CNPs-CU as a safe and effective drug delivery system.

Main Methods:

  • Curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs-CU) were prepared using the ionic gelation method.
  • CNPs-CU were subsequently coated with phosphatidylserine (PS) to form PS-CNPs-CU.
  • Nanoparticle characterization included size, polydispersity index (PDI), drug entrapment, in vitro release, and surface morphology via HR-TEM.
  • Cytotoxicity was assessed using HEK 293 cells, and genotoxicity was evaluated through a series of studies.

Main Results:

  • PS-CNPs-CU exhibited an average size of 220 nm with a PDI of 0.148, while CNPs-CU had an average size of 167.6 nm and PDI of 0.115.
  • High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed the surface morphology of the nanoparticles.
  • No significant difference in cell viability was observed between PS-CNPs-CU and CNPs-CU exposed to HEK 293 cells.
  • Genotoxicity studies indicated that the developed complexes possess non-genotoxic potential.

Conclusions:

  • Phosphatidylserine coating did not introduce significant cytotoxicity to curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.
  • The developed PS-CNPs-CU demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no observed genotoxicity.
  • PS-CNPs-CU show promise as a potential and safe delivery system for curcumin and other therapeutic agents.