Self-Assembled Amphiphilic Starch Based Drug Delivery Platform: Synthesis, Preparation, and Interactions with Biological Barriers

Abstract

Core–shell structured nanoparticles (NPs) render the simultaneous coloading capacity of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs and may eventually enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we employed a facile squalenoylation technology to synthesize a new amphiphilic starch derivative from partially oxidized starch, which self-assembled into core–shell starch NPs (StNPs) only at a squalenyl degree of substitution (DoS) of ∼1%. The StNPs characteristics could be tuned as the functions of the polymer molecular weight, DoS, and NPs concentration. The biopharmaceutical features of the StNPs, including colloidal stability, carrier properties, and biocompatibility, were carefully investigated. The interaction study between StNPs and mucin glycoproteins, the main organic component of mucus, revealed a moderate mucin interacting profile. Furthermore, the StNPs also showed good penetration through Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. These results nominate StNPs as a versatile drug delivery platform with potential applications for mucosal drug delivery and the treatment of persistent infections.

Research Progress and Prospects for Polymeric Nanovesicles in Anticancer Drug Delivery

“…Compared with simple polymer carriers, these nanovesicles have shown good anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. Such hybrid vesicles combine the advantages of liposomes and vesicles and may improve drugloading efficiency and reduce adverse effects (Discher et al, 1999;Discher et al, 2002;Ghoroghchian et al, 2005;Phan et al, 2021). Coleman et al synthesized matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)cleavable lipopeptide PEGylated nanovesicles.…”

“…Polymeric nanovesicles, such as liposomes, can be actively loaded with weakly alkaline or acidic hydrophilic drugs (e.g., doxorubicin hydrochloride) via ionic gradients (e.g., pH, ammonium sulfate, and calcium acetate gradient) and can be loaded with biomolecules via electrostatic or hydrogen bonding interactions. The thicker and tunable hydrophobic membranes of polymeric nanovesicles can be used to treat and diagnose cancer by loading hydrophobic drugs or fluorescent probes through hydrophobic interactions (Kim et al, 2009;Wang et al, 2015;Phan et al, 2021;Shreyash et al, 2021). Despite the many advantages of polymeric nanovesicle carriers, no nanovesicular drugs have received FDA approval or are in clinical trials.…”

Amphiphilic Cationic Peptide-Coated PHA Nanosphere as an Efficient Vector for Multiple-Drug Delivery

“…The amphiphilic core–shell (ACS) nanoparticle is a diverse class of core–shell nanoparticles which have demonstrated excellent properties for co-delivery of multiple drugs, including chemotherapeutic drugs, nucleic acids, and proteins [ 4 ]. To date, many researchers have explored different ACS nanoparticles utilizing different polymer systems with their unique characteristic features [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Li has developed a co-delivery system for the treatment of multi-drug-resistant cancer cells, utilizing the unique structure of amphiphilic gelatin/camptothecin@calcium phosphate–doxorubicin (AG/CPT@CaP–DOX) nanoparticles to achieve the synergistic effect of a hydrophobic drug (camptothecin, CPT) and a hydrophilic drug (doxorubicin, DOX) [ 9 ].…”

Self-assembly behavior and sustained drug release properties of amphiphilic poly(amino acid)s

“…4,5 Amphiphilic block copolymers have affinity toward both aqueous and organic phases, and can self-assemble into nanoparticles with a ''core-shell'' structure in selective solvents. [6][7][8] Moreover, they have good stability in drug transportation and can achieve the purpose of long-term circulation. Among stimulus responses, pH-and temperature-responsive materials have been extensively studied, which show great potential.…”