Chitosan-hydrophobic alginate nanocomposites stabilized pH-triggered Pickering emulsion for drug controlled-release

Alginate or chitosan microparticles as drug loading system performed pH-responsiveness and biocompatibility, yet with the burst-release and limited encapsulation. In order to improve the performance, herein, Pickering emulsion of chitosan-hydrophobic alginate nanocomposite (HSA-CS NCs) as the bio-stabilizer, was proposed as the drug-loading vehicle. Integrating the merits of HSA-CS and Pickering emulsion, such drug carrier of emulsion performed pH-response and biocompatibility from HSA-CS, and high loading capacity and rigid layer from Pickering emulsion, so as for the manipulated release behavior. With thorough investigation, via the various pH-response of HSA-CS nanocomposite in the continuous simulated gastrointestinal fluid, Pickering emulsion gradually released the loading drug (ibuprofen) out, performing the pH-triggered controlled-release behavior. Ibuprofen-loaded Pickering emulsions (30 mg/mL) released nearly none in SGF for 3 h, whereas in SIF, performed constant release in initial 5 h and continuous-release of 88.37% ibuprofen in 24 h with no drug-burst and high loading capacity, promisingly as the pH-responsive vehicle for drug delivery in oral route.