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Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Preparation of Nanoparticles for ToF-SIMS and XPS Analysis
Published on: September 13, 2020
[Effects of shell composition in shell-core structured nanoparticles on oral physiological barrier and
Hai-Zhen Chen1, Jiang-Pei Shi1, Xiao-Yan Gu1
1School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai 201203, China.
Shell-core nanoparticles with different shell compositions were developed to enhance oral drug delivery. Lipid-shelled nanoparticles (SLB-LPNs) showed better mucus penetration, while polymer-shelled nanoparticles (SLB-FPNs) significantly improved oral bioavailability.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Improving oral bioavailability of drugs, especially from traditional Chinese medicine, remains a challenge.
- Nanocarriers offer a promising strategy to overcome physiological barriers in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Understanding the impact of nanocarrier shell composition is crucial for effective oral drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize shell-core nanoparticles with varying shell compositions (mixed lipids vs. polymer F127).
- To investigate the influence of shell composition on overcoming gastrointestinal mucus and intestinal epithelial barriers.
- To evaluate the effect of different shell compositions on the oral bioavailability of Silibinin (SLB).
Main Methods:
- Modified nanoprecipitation method used to synthesize Silibinin-loaded nanoparticles (SLB-LPNs and SLB-FPNs).
- Characterization using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and particle size/Zeta potential analysis.
- Evaluation of mucus and epithelial barrier penetration via cellular internalization kinetics assays.
- In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats to determine relative oral bioavailability.
Main Results:
- Both SLB-LPNs and SLB-FPNs exhibited spherical core-shell structures with sizes around 95 nm.
- SLB-LPNs demonstrated superior cell internalization rates, indicating better mucus penetration.
- SLB-FPNs achieved a significantly higher relative oral bioavailability (923.31%) compared to SLB-LPNs (400.37%) and the drug suspension.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle shell composition critically affects their ability to overcome oral physiological barriers.
- Shell-core nanoparticles are effective nanocarriers for enhancing oral drug delivery.
- Polymer F127-shelled nanoparticles show significant potential for improving the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs like Silibinin.
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