Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025
12:00
Preparation and Characterization of SDF-1α-Chitosan-Dextran Sulfate Nanoparticles
Published on: January 22, 2015
12.7K
pH-Sensitive Chitosan Nanoparticles for Salivary Protein Delivery
Yi Zhu1, Lina M Marin2, Yizhi Xiao3
1School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Chitosan nanoparticles protect salivary histatins from degradation, aiding tooth health. These nanoparticles also reduce harmful oral biofilms, offering a promising approach for dental caries prevention.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Oral Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Salivary histatins (HTNs) are crucial for maintaining tooth homeostasis and preventing dental caries.
- Oral environments exhibit high proteolytic activity, degrading essential salivary proteins like HTNs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop pH-sensitive chitosan nanoparticles (CNs) for protecting HTNs from enzymatic degradation.
- To evaluate the efficacy of CNs in delivering HTN3 and inhibiting oral biofilm formation.
Main Methods:
- Formulation and characterization of four types of chitosan nanoparticles (CNs).
- Assessment of HTN3 encapsulation and release kinetics using gel electrophoresis.
- Evaluation of HTN3 protection against enzymatic degradation in saliva.
- Analysis of CNs' impact on biofilm weight and bacterial viability.
Main Results:
- Optimal CN formulation exhibited reproducible characteristics (144 ± 6 nm size, 0.15 ± 0.04 PDI, 18 ± 4 mV zeta potential at pH 6.3).
- CNs successfully encapsulated HTN3, with pH-sensitive swelling facilitating release at acidic pH.
- Encapsulated HTN3 demonstrated prolonged stability in saliva compared to free HTN3.
- CNs significantly reduced biofilm weight and bacterial viability, with or without HTN3.
Conclusions:
- pH-sensitive CNs are effective carriers for protecting salivary proteins like HTN3 from oral degradation.
- CNs show potential for applications in managing oral conditions, particularly those exacerbated by acidic environments.
- CNs possess inherent anti-biofilm properties beneficial for oral health.
