Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Synthesis of Aptamer-PEI-g-PEG Modified Gold Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin for Targeted Drug Delivery
09:09

Synthesis of Aptamer-PEI-g-PEG Modified Gold Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin for Targeted Drug Delivery

Published on: June 23, 2020

6.5K

Maleimide-functionalised PLGA-PEG nanoparticles as mucoadhesive carriers for intravesical drug delivery

Daulet B Kaldybekov1, Sergey K Filippov2, Aurel Radulescu3

  • 1School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, RG6 6AD Reading, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 050040 Almaty, Kazakhstan.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics : Official Journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik E.V
|August 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

New mucoadhesive nanoparticles improve intravesical drug delivery for bladder cancer. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-maleimide (PLGA-PEG-Mal) nanoparticles show enhanced retention on bladder tissue, overcoming key limitations of current treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Intravesical chemotherapy for bladder cancer faces limitations like poor drug retention and epithelial permeability.
  • Developing effective drug delivery systems is crucial to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce systemic side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and characterize maleimide-functionalized poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG-Mal) nanoparticles for enhanced mucoadhesive drug delivery to the urinary bladder.
  • To evaluate the in vitro retention and biocompatibility of these novel nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

  • Nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering.
  • Mucoadhesion and retention were assessed using a flow-through fluorescence technique and the Wash Out50 (WO50) method on excised lamb bladder mucosa.
  • Biocompatibility was evaluated using the slug mucosal irritation test.

Main Results:

  • PLGA-PEG-Mal nanoparticle size was influenced by solvent and PEG molecular weight.
  • Maleimide-functionalized nanoparticles demonstrated significantly greater retention on bladder mucosa (WO50 = 15 mL) compared to maleimide-free nanoparticles (WO50 = 5 mL).
  • PEG-Mal materials exhibited non-irritant properties in the slug mucosal irritation test.

Conclusions:

  • PLGA-PEG-Mal nanoparticles represent a promising mucoadhesive formulation for improving intravesical drug delivery in bladder cancer treatment.
  • These nanoparticles effectively enhance drug retention within the urinary bladder, addressing a key challenge in current therapies.
  • The developed nanoparticles are biocompatible and non-irritant, suggesting their potential for safe clinical application.
Keywords:
Intravesical drug deliveryMaleimideMucoadhesionNanoparticlesPLGA-PEGSlug mucosal irritation testSmall-angle neutron scatteringUrinary bladderWash Out(50) (WO(50))

More Related Videos

Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier10:16

Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier

Published on: February 8, 2017

8.0K
Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles09:03

Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles

Published on: October 8, 2016

16.5K

Related Concept Videos

Electron Carriers01:24

Electron Carriers

Electron carriers can be thought of as electron shuttles. These compounds can easily accept electrons (i.e., be reduced) or lose them (i.e., be oxidized). They play an essential role in energy production because cellular respiration is contingent on the flow of electrons.
Over the many stages of cellular respiration, glucose breaks down into carbon dioxide and water. Electron carriers pick up electrons lost by glucose in these reactions, temporarily storing and releasing them into the electron...
91.5K
Drug Delivery: Overview01:16

Drug Delivery: Overview

The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
748
Drug Absorption Mechanism: Carrier-Mediated Membrane Transport01:19

Drug Absorption Mechanism: Carrier-Mediated Membrane Transport

Certain large, lipid-insoluble drug molecules that resemble amino acids, peptides, or glucose, require specialized carrier proteins to facilitate their diffusion across cell membranes. This transport can occur through either facilitated diffusion, which does not require energy input, or active transport, which does require energy input.
Facilitated diffusion is a passive process that utilizes human Solute Carrier (SLC) transporters. These transporters bind to the drug, undergo structural...
5.9K
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route01:18

Drug Delivery: Enteral Route

The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
1.6K
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route01:29

Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route

The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
1.6K
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes01:22

Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes

Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection,  and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
726