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Natural polymeric microspheres for modulated drug delivery
Costantino Del Gaudio1, Valentina Crognale1, Gianpaolo Serino2
1Department of Enterprise Engineering "Mario Lucertini", University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Intrauniversitary Consortium for Material Science and Technology (INSTM), Research Unit Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Summary
Gelatin and chitosan microspheres were developed as drug delivery systems using natural polymers and genipin cross-linking. Gelatin microspheres showed faster drug release and anti-angiogenic properties, while chitosan microspheres offered sustained release.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Microspheres are promising for targeted drug delivery, but material and fabrication choices are critical.
- Naturally-derived polymers and green reagents offer a compatible approach for microsphere development.
- Gelatin and chitosan are suitable natural polymers for fabricating microspheres.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize gelatin, chitosan, and blend microspheres for drug delivery.
- To investigate the effect of genipin cross-linking on microsphere properties and drug release.
- To evaluate the anti-angiogenic potential of released methylene blue from the microspheres.
Main Methods:
- Microspheres were fabricated using an emulsion technique with gelatin, chitosan, or blends.
- Microspheres were cross-linked with genipin at varying concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1% w/v).
- Methylene blue was loaded as a model drug, and its release kinetics, morphology, and mechanical properties were analyzed.
- The anti-angiogenic effect was assessed using the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous microspheres with diameters ranging from 42-54μm were obtained.
- Methylene blue release occurred within 3 days for gelatin microspheres and 30 days for chitosan microspheres.
- Nanoindentation revealed genipin's influence on mechanical properties.
- Gelatin microspheres exhibited anti-angiogenic properties, unlike chitosan and blend microspheres.
Conclusions:
- Genipin cross-linking effectively stabilized gelatin and chitosan microspheres for drug delivery.
- The choice of polymer significantly impacts drug release profiles and biological activity.
- Gelatin microspheres demonstrate potential for applications requiring anti-angiogenic effects.