A Smart Drug Delivery System Based on Biodegradable Chitosan/Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) Blend Films

Abstract

The amalgamation of natural polysaccharides with synthetic polymers often produces fruitful results in the area of drug delivery due to their biodegradable and biocompatible nature. In this study, a series of blend films composed of chitosan (CS)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) in different compositions were prepared as smart drug delivery matrices. The properties of these polymeric films were then explored. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis confirmed an intermolecular hydrogen bonding between CS and PAH. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed improvements in surface morphology as the percentage of PAH in the blend films increased up to 60% (w/w). Water contact angle (WCA) ranged between 97° to 115°, exhibiting the hydrophobic nature of the films. Two films were selected, CTH-1 (90% CS and 10% PAH) and CTH-2 (80% CS and 20% PAH), to test for in vitro cumulative drug release (%) at 37 ± 0.5 °C as a function of time. It was revealed that for simulated gastric fluid (SGF) with pH 1.2, the cumulative drug release (CDR) for CTH-1 and CTH-2 was around 88% and 85% in 50 min, respectively. Both films converted into gel-like material after 30 min. On the other hand, in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution, the maximum CDR for CTH-1 and CTH-2 was 93% in 90 min and 98% in 120 min, respectively. After 120 min, these films became fragments. Sustained drug release was observed in PBS, as compared to SGF, because of the poor stability of the films in the latter. These results demonstrate the excellent potential of blend films in sustained-release drug delivery systems for hydrophilic or unstable drugs.

Designing Multifunctional Devices for Regenerative Pharmacology Based on 3D Scaffolds, Drug-Loaded Nanoparticles, and Thermosensitive Hydrogels: A Proof-of-Concept Study

“…To this aim, surface coating of 3D scaffolds with drug molecules or biomolecules can be achieved through a simple impregnation procedure or through direct entrapment into scaffolds or hydrogels during their fabrication [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Direct payload loading into composite films of chitosan and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) was proposed by M. Sohail Sarwar et al [ 19 ]. Loading into 3D matrices has also been reported from scaffolds based on the silicate 1393 glass coated with a mesoporous bioactive glass loaded with dexamethasone and bone morphogenic protein-2 for infected bone treatment [ 14 ].…”

Sol–Gel Synthesis, Physico-Chemical and Biological Characterization of Cerium Oxide/Polyallylamine Nanoparticles

“…Poly(allylamine) (PAA) is a cationic polymer with a large number of amino groups and displays great water-soluble and biodegradable properties [ 17 , 18 ]. Several studies support the use of PAA in nanoparticulate systems to enhance their efficiency in designing new therapeutic products [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In this work, based on the positive contribution of PAA to the development of functional materials, a simple sol–gel route was utilized to prepare biocompatible CeO 2 –NPs with anticancer effects.…”

Nanoparticle-Hydrogel Composite Drug Delivery System for Potential Ocular Applications

“…The high intensity light and photo-initiator used to conduct the reaction may damage the protein therapeutics, and the byproducts generated from the reaction may be toxic to the surrounding tissues [ 14 ]. Nanoporous polymeric thin films are also considered to be a good candidate to encapsulate large molecules, such as proteins [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, the drying process of the films must be explored to prevent thermolabile protein drugs from degradation.…”