Development of propylated starch-based nanoparticles for Amphotericin B delivery

To circumvent the toxicity-related constraints associated with Amphotericin B, AmBisome®, a liposomal formulation of Amphotericin B, is commercially available. However, its widespread use, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is hindered by high production costs. The objective of this research was to develop a low-cost starch-based novel nanocarrier, contribute to the advancement of the optimization of starch-based excipient using response surface methodology (RSM) in conjunction with central composite design (CCD) model, and formulate a biocompatible, less toxic, and stable starch-based nanocarrier for the delivery of Amphotericin B. A solvent emulsification diffusion technique was used to prepare the Amphotericin B loaded propylated Dioscorea abyssinica starch nanoparticles (PDASNPs). Surfactant concentration, homogenization speed and homogenization time were identified as critical independent variables, and their influence on particle size, PDI, and ζ of PDASNPs were further studied and optimized. Morphological assessments, in vitro release profiles and stability studies were conducted. Using Pluronic® F127 (0.6 %w/v) as a surfactant, propylated starch with a degree of substitution (DS) of 2.8, and ethyl acetate as a solvent, Amphotericin B loaded PDASNPs were developed. These nanoparticles exhibited minimal particle size of 149 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.22, and a zeta potential (ζ) of -20 mV. In vitro release studies of 50 μg/ml of Amphotericin B loaded PDASNPs and AmBisome® were found to be nearly identical. Furthermore, stability studies confirmed that Amphotericin B loaded PDASNPs were stable for 3 months at 4 ⁰C. This study suggests that PDASNPs may serve as a nanocarrier for the delivery of Amphotericin B.