Gelatin Coating for the Improvement of Stability and Cell Uptake of Hydrophobic Drug-Containing Liposomes

Abstract

Purpose: Most therapeutic agents have limitations owing to low selectivity and poor solubility, resulting in post-treatment side effects. Therefore, there is a need to improve solubility and develop new formulations to deliver therapeutic agents specifically to the target site. Gelatin is a natural protein that is composed of several amino acids. Previous studies revealed that gelatin contains arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) sequences that become ligands for the integrin receptors expressed on cancer cells. Thus, in this study, we aimed to increase the efficiency of drug delivery into cancer cells by coating drug-encapsulating liposomes with gelatin (gelatin-coated liposomes, GCLs). Methods: Liposomes were coated with gelatin using electrostatic interaction and covalent bonding. GCLs were compared with PEGylated liposomes in terms of their size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, stability, dissolution profile, and cell uptake. Results: Small-sized and physically stable GCLs were prepared, and they showed high drug-encapsulation efficiency. An in vitro dissolution study showed sustained release depending on the degree of gelatin coating. Cell uptake studies showed that GCLs were superior to PEGylated liposomes in terms of cancer cell-targeting ability. Conclusions: GCLs can be a novel and promising carrier system for targeted anticancer agent delivery. GCLs, which exhibited various characteristics depending on the coating degree, could be utilized in various ways in future studies.

Biocompatible gelatin-coated ferrite nanoparticles: A magnetic approach to advanced drug delivery

“…Overall, our comprehensive XRD analysis underscores the promise of gelatin-coated CoFe 2 O 4 and MnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles as viable candidates for targeted drug delivery applications, where the coating demonstrates favorable properties without compromising the underlying material's structural integrity. Moreover, the coating's role as a strain relaxer presents further opportunities for exploration in diverse biomedical settings ( Battogtokh et al, 2022 ).…”

“…In one notable study, FTIR analysis was utilized to study the interactions between the drug paclitaxel and a gelatin coating. The data revealed the formation of a protective layer around the drug, preventing its degradation and enhancing the stability of paclitaxel—an essential drug used in cancer treatment ( Battogtokh et al, 2022 ). Similarly, in another study, FTIR data was employed to study the controlled release of the drug insulin from a gelatin coating.…”

Coating Materials to Increase the Stability of Liposomes

“…Proteins (albumin, gelatin, silk fibroin (SF), and others) used as liposome coatings and drug-binding molecules improved the long blood retention of the active compounds and sustained permeation along with a high capacity of controlled targeting [96,100,101].…”

Development and Characterization of Quercetin-Loaded Polymeric Liposomes with Gelatin–Poly(ethylene glycol)–Folic Acid Coating to Increase Their Long-Circulating and Anticancer Activity

“…8,10 Recently, new research revealed the presence of arginyl−glycyl−aspartic acid (RGD) sequences in Gel, which can act as a ligand for the targeting of overly expressed integrin receptors on some cancer cells, and Battogtokh et al showed the successful cell uptake of Gelcoated liposomes. 11 Gel is also among the widely available commercial products that can allow the liposomal system to be fabricated inexpensively. On the other hand, its synthesized counterparts PEG provide excellent control over physical and chemical capabilities like stimuli-responsive 12 or predicted distribution 8 and controlled release of drugs.…”

“…The technique of conjugation using electrostatic interactions is recognized as inexpensive and straightforward and thus can be applied for the purpose of simplistic coating for liposomes. 11 The synthesized Gel-based polymer will be examined at different ratios of 1:10, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, and 1:500 (w/v) to liposome solution in order to find the optimal feeding quantity of this polymer as coating materials to liposomes. Following the synthesis processes, the materials are characterized structurally and analyzed qualitatively by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), NMR, UV spectrometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis Development of Gel-PEG-FA Coating to Liposomes.…”