Formulation and In-Vitro Characterization of Chitosan-Nanoparticles Loaded with the Iron Chelator Deferoxamine Mesylate (DFO)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) for slow release of this iron-chelating drug. Drug nanoencapsulation was performed via ionic gelation of chitosan using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as cross-linker. Nanoparticles with a size ranging between 150 and 400 nm were prepared for neat CS/TPP with a 2/1 molar ratio while their yield was directly dependent on the applied stirring rate during the preparation process. DFO at different content (20, 45 and 75 wt %) was encapsulated into these nanoparticles. We found that drug loading correlates with increasing DFO content while the entrapment efficiency has an opposite behavior due to the high solubility of DFO. Hydrogen-bonding between amino and hydroxyl groups of DFO with reactive groups of CS were detected using FT-IR spectroscopy while X-ray diffraction revealed that DFO was entrapped in amorphous form in the CS nanoparticles. DFO release is directly dependent on the content of loaded drug, while model analysis revealed that the release mechanism of DFO for the CS/TPP nanoparticles is by diffusion. Treatment of murine RAW 264.7 macrophages with nanoencapsulated DFO promoted an increased expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) mRNA, a typical homeostatic response to iron deficiency. These data provide preliminary evidence for release of pharmacologically active DFO from the chitosan nanoparticles.Pharmaceutics 2020, 12, 238 2 of 17 the aid of a portable infusion pump at least 4-5 days per week and for 8-10 h each time. This rather strenuous procedure reduces compliance and compromises of quality of life.Nanocarriers, such as biocompatible polymers, offer unique possibilities to overcome cellular barriers and improve drug delivery [2]. Their small sizes allow high diffusivity across membranes improving drug permeability. Nanoparticles (NPs) have a diameter of less than 200 nm and this can facilitate their cellular uptake via receptor-mediated endocytosis, fluid phase endocytosis or even passive diffusion; moreover the small size reduces their clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system, which in turn increases their circulation time in blood [3][4][5][6]. Thus, the encapsulation of DFO in biocompatible nanoparticles aiming in a slower and more controlled release of the drug in the blood could provide an alternative means for drug administration, bypassing the compliance issue and improving quality of life. Released DFO should maintain its pharmacological properties, efficacy and safety profile.Chitosan (CS) NPs have attracted a lot of attention as drug delivery vehicles due to their ability to protect the drug from degradation, to achieve higher drug-loading and to release it in a slow and sustained manner [7][8][9][10]. Furthermore, due to the hydrophilic properties of chitosan, CS NPs are suitable carriers for hydrophilic drugs, like DFO. Lately, CS NPs have shown promising results in delivering drugs for treatment of diabetes and cancer [11]. In another case, CS NPs were inoculated...

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