Ascorbic acid prevents cellular uptake and improves biocompatibility of chitosan nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Chitosan nanoparticles (CS) are widely used for gene and drug delivery due to their biocompatibility.
• Current CS nanoparticle production involves dissolution in acetic acid, potentially compromising biocompatibility at acidic pH.
• Developing more biocompatible chitosan derivatives is crucial for advanced biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize chitosan (CS) and ascorbate chitosan (AsCS) nanoparticles.
• To investigate the cytotoxic effects, cellular internalization, and distribution of CS and AsCS nanoparticles.
• To compare the biocompatibility of CS and AsCS nanoparticles for potential drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of CS and AsCS nanoparticles.
• Evaluation of nanoparticle size and morphology using microscopy.
• Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to assess cellular uptake and distribution.
• Cytotoxicity assays on a human colon carcinoma cell line.

Main Results:

• Both CS and AsCS nanoparticles were spherical, with average sizes of 44±8.4nm and 87±13.6nm, respectively.
• CS nanoparticles were internalized by colon carcinoma cells and exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity.
• AsCS nanoparticles were not internalized by the cells and demonstrated no significant cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• Ascorbate chitosan (AsCS) nanoparticles exhibit superior biocompatibility compared to conventional chitosan (CS) nanoparticles.
• The lack of cellular internalization and cytotoxicity makes AsCS nanoparticles a promising candidate for extracellular drug delivery systems.
• Further research into AsCS nanoparticles could lead to improved and safer therapeutic strategies.