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Surfactant effect on the physicochemical characteristics of cationic solid lipid nanoparticles
Chiara Botto1, Nicolò Mauro1, Erika Amore1
1Laboratorio di Polimeri Biocompatibili, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|November 28, 2016
Summary
Cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (cSLNs) were formulated using various cationic lipids and a nonionic surfactant. These cSLNs show promise as non-viral vectors for gene therapy, demonstrating good biocompatibility.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer potential therapeutic applications.
- Cationic lipids are crucial for developing non-viral vectors for gene delivery.
- Surface charge is vital for nucleic acid binding in gene delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formulate and characterize cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (cSLNs) using different cationic surfactants.
- To investigate the influence of surfactant type and amount on cSLN physicochemical properties.
- To evaluate the potential of cSLNs as non-viral gene delivery vectors.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of cSLNs using Precirol ATO 5, three cationic lipids (dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium chloride), and Brij 76.
- Characterization of physicochemical properties, including thermal analysis.
- Assessment of biocompatibility through hemolytic assays.
- Evaluation of interaction with plasmid DNA (pEGFP-LUC).
Main Results:
- Surfactant type and concentration significantly impacted cSLN physicochemical properties.
- Thermal analyses indicated complete entanglement of the lipid matrix with surfactants.
- cSLNs demonstrated an ability to interact with plasmid DNA.
- Hemolytic assays confirmed the biocompatibility of the formulated cSLNs.
Conclusions:
- The choice and amount of surfactants are critical for tailoring cSLN properties for gene delivery.
- cSLNs show potential as non-toxic and effective non-viral vectors for gene therapy.
- Further research into surfactant selection can optimize gene delivery systems.
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