Freeze-dried cylinders carrying chitosan nanoparticles for vaginal peptide delivery.

Abstract

Recently nanoparticle-based vaginal drug delivery formulations have been acquiring great attention for the administration of peptide based-vaccines or microbicides to prevent or treat sexually transmitted diseases. In this work, a straightforward and efficient strategy for the vaginal application and release of peptide-loaded mucoadhesive nanoparticles was developed. This essentially consists of chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated in suitable hydrophilic freeze-dried cylinders. Chitosan nanoparticles are responsible for carrying the peptide drug and allowing adhesion to the vaginal mucosal epithelium. Hydrophilic freeze-dried cylinders facilitate the application and quick release of the nanoparticles to the vaginal zone. Upon contact with the aqueous vaginal medium, the excipients constituting these sponge-like systems are quickly dissolved enabling the release of their content. In vitro release studies showed the ability of the sponge-like systems and chitosan nanoparticles to deliver the mucoadhesive nanoparticles and peptide respectively. CLSM micrographs proved the nanoparticles ability promoting the peptide penetration inside the vaginal mucosa.

• Authors: Marzia Marciello, Silvia Rossi, Carla Caramella, Carmen Remuñán-López
• Journal: Carbohydrate polymers (Carbohydr Polym) Vol. 170 Pg. 43-51 (Aug 15 2017) ISSN: 1879-1344 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28522002 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Peptides
• Chitosan

Topics

• Administration, Intravaginal
• Chitosan (chemistry)
• Drug Delivery Systems (methods)
• Female
• Freeze Drying
• Humans
• Mucous Membrane (metabolism)
• Nanoparticles (chemistry)
• Peptides (administration & dosage)
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (drug therapy, prevention & control)