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Rationally designed hyaluronic acid-based nano-complexes for pentamidine delivery
Flavia Carton1, Yves Chevalier2, Letizia Nicoletti1
1University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, LAGEPP UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, Verona, Italy.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|July 20, 2019
Summary
Hyaluronic acid and polyarginine nanoparticles effectively encapsulate the drug pentamidine isethionate, showing higher cancer cell toxicity. These stable nanoparticles offer a promising drug delivery system for enhanced cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Pentamidine isethionate is a cationic hydrophilic drug with therapeutic potential.
- Developing effective drug delivery systems is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes and reducing side effects.
- Polymeric nanoparticles offer a versatile platform for drug encapsulation and targeted delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and properties of nanoparticles composed of hyaluronic acid and polyarginine for pentamidine isethionate encapsulation.
- To evaluate the drug encapsulation efficiency and stability of the developed nanoparticles.
- To assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of pentamidine-loaded nanoparticles compared to the free drug in cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Formation of polyelectrolyte complexes between hyaluronic acid and polyarginine.
- Encapsulation of pentamidine isethionate into the polymeric nanoparticles.
- Characterization of nanoparticle size, charge, and drug encapsulation rate.
- Assessment of nanoparticle stability after freeze-drying and reconstitution.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays using human lung (A549) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines.
Main Results:
- Successfully developed negatively charged nanoparticles with high pentamidine isethionate encapsulation efficiency (80%) via ion exchange.
- Demonstrated stability of freeze-dried nanoparticles upon reconstitution in water.
- Pentamidine-loaded nanoparticles exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against A549 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells compared to the free drug.
- Evidence suggests enhanced cellular internalization of the encapsulated drug.
Conclusions:
- Hyaluronic acid-polyarginine nanoparticles represent an effective system for pentamidine isethionate delivery.
- The developed nanoparticles show potential for improved cancer therapy due to enhanced drug efficacy.
- Further research into these nanoparticle drug delivery systems is warranted for clinical applications.
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