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