Chitosan-Covered Calcium Phosphate Particles Co-Loaded with Superoxide Dismutase 1 and ACE Inhibitor: Development,...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Improving ocular drug penetration is crucial for treating eye diseases.
• Encapsulating drugs in carriers can overcome the cornea/sclera barrier.
• Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and enalaprilat are potential therapeutic agents for ocular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize hybrid calcium phosphate-chitosan nanoparticles co-loaded with SOD1 and enalaprilat.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these nanoparticles in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous encapsulation of SOD1 and enalaprilat into calcium phosphate (CaP) particles.
• Coating CaP particles with 5 kDa chitosan to form hybrid nanoparticles.
• Characterization using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy.
• In vivo evaluation of IOP reduction in normotensive Chinchilla rabbits.

Main Results:

• Hybrid CaP-chitosan particles exhibited a hydrodynamic diameter of 120-160 nm and a ζ-potential of +20 ± 1 mV.
• Encapsulation efficiencies were 30% for SOD1 and 56% for enalaprilat.
• Topical instillation of co-loaded nanoparticles significantly reduced IOP compared to free drugs or single-drug particles.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid nanoparticles demonstrate enhanced ocular drug delivery.
• Co-delivery of SOD1 and enalaprilat via these nanoparticles shows superior IOP-lowering effects.
• These formulations hold promise as novel therapeutic agents for glaucoma management.