Influence of Divalent Cation on Morphology and Drug Delivery Efficiency of Mixed Polymer Nanoparticles

Title:Influence of Divalent Cation on Morphology and Drug Delivery Efficiency of Mixed Polymer Nanoparticles

Volume: 15 Issue: 5

Author(s): Ramachandran Deepika, Koyeli Girigoswami, Ramachandran Murugesan and Agnishwar Girigoswami*

Affiliation:

• Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research & Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603 103,India

Keywords: Biopolymers, levofloxacin encapsulation, mixed polymeric nanoparticles, hybrid nanoparticles, sphere to rod.

Abstract: Background: Biopolymeric nanoparticles comprising chitosan-alginate have attracted interest in drug delivery due to their protective nature, biocompatibility, biodegradability and hydrophilicity.

Objective: The present study was designed to encapsulate levofloxacin in chitosan-alginate hybrid gel for controlled release and to evaluate the effect of divalent alkaline earth metal ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) on encapsulation efficiency and drug release kinetics considering their role in polyelectrolyte gelation method.

Method: Divalent metal ions control the rigidity and elasticity of the hydrogels and have the ability to change the shape and size of nanostructure formed by chitosan-alginate. The particle size increases and encapsulation efficiency decreases with the size of the divalent ions. Spherical shaped particles were formed by Mg2+ and Ca2+, whereas Sr2+ and Ba2+ produced non-spherical particles.

Results: SEM image clearly shows transformation of sphere to truncated tetrahedron by Sr2+ and clear rod shape by Ba2+.

Conclusion: Therefore, it is concluded that metal ions have significant influence on the morphology and drug encapsulation and release profile of the chitosan-alginate hybrid polymer nanoparticles.

Cite this article as:

Deepika Ramachandran , Girigoswami Koyeli , Murugesan Ramachandran and Girigoswami Agnishwar *, Influence of Divalent Cation on Morphology and Drug Delivery Efficiency of Mixed Polymer Nanoparticles, Current Drug Delivery 2018; 15 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567201814666170825160617