Open AccessChitosan‐tripolyphosphate nanoparticles as a possible skin drug delivery system for aciclovir with enhanced stability
Author(s) -
Hasanovic Amra,
Zehl Martin,
Reznicek Gottfried,
Valenta Claudia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 2042-7158
pISSN - 0022-3573
DOI - 10.1211/jpp.61.12.0004
Subject(s) - aciclovir , chitosan , nanoparticle , zeta potential , dispersity , permeation , chemistry , differential scanning calorimetry , particle size , chemical engineering , drug delivery , nuclear chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , membrane , biochemistry , medicine , virus , physics , virology , viral disease , herpesviridae , engineering , thermodynamics
Objectives The aim of the present study was to create a skin delivery system based on chitosan‐tripolyphosphate nanoparticles for aciclovir with enhanced chemical stability. Methods Nanoparticles were formed spontaneously using ionotropic gelation with tripolyphosphate. Two different sizes of aciclovir‐loaded nanoparticles were characterised in terms of zeta potential, particle size and polydispersity index. Key findings Standard diffusion experiments using Franz‐type diffusion cells showed reasonable skin permeability that depended on particle size and chitosan content. The larger the nanoparticle, having a higher chitosan content, the better the aciclovir permeation through porcine skin. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed a remarkable decrease in the typical transition temperature, indicating an interaction between skin lipid bilayer and the nanoparticles. Moreover, the chemical stability of aciclovir was significantly increased by the nanoparticle system. After the observation period of 5 weeks, aciclovir incorporated into nanoparticles had undergone photo‐oxidation to a significantly lower extent than pure aqueous solution. This degradation product of aciclovir was analysed using LC/MS, and its identity established. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that incorporation of aciclovir into chitosan‐tripolyphosphate nanoparticles significantly improves its chemical stability. Moreover, skin diffusion studies in vitro showed improved permeation of aciclovir from the nanoparticle system, especially from nanoparticles with higher chitosan content.