ABSTRACT
The polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) are versatile formulations formed by electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged biopolymers. PECs have been investigated widely by the researchers to explore the virtues of this formulation viz. high biocompatibility, excellent biodegradability, low toxicity, cost-effective, environment-friendly, and energy-efficient production. The prime object of the present review is to present the prominent features of PECs including mechanism of PEC formation, structural models of PECs, interactions involved in PEC formation, steps involved in PEC fabrication, factors affecting the formation of PECs and applications of PECs. The patents pertaining to PECs have briefly been tabulated as well.
Subject(s)
Polyelectrolytes/chemistry , Static ElectricityABSTRACT
Although chitosan (CHT, a linear cationic polysaccharide) is biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, and mucoadhesive in nature, the low solubility of CHT in aqueous and alkaline media limits its applicability in pharmaceutical and biomedical field. This necessitate the introduction of new chemically-modified derivatives of CHT those can surmount the solubility barrier. Herein, N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC), a quaternized hydrophilic derivative of CHT, was synthesized by two-step reductive methylation of CHT and characterized for (1)H NMR and zeta potential measurements. Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) based on TMC and dextran sulfate (DS) were prepared via ionic interactions between charged functional groups of former polysaccharides at different pH conditions (pH 5, 8, 10, and 12) and characterized for physicochemical (particle size and zeta potential) and solid- state characterizations (HR-TEM, SEM, FTIR, TGA and XRD). At alkaline pH conditions, the participant polymer chains (TMC and DS) are sufficiently close to form more stable PECs. The release efficiency was assessed after loading a model drug into optimized PEC formulation. Data indicated that the PECs fabricated at alkaline pH presents a reliable formulation for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
Subject(s)
Chitosan/chemistry , Dextran Sulfate/chemistry , Drug Compounding , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Administration, Intranasal , Chitosan/chemical synthesis , Chitosan/therapeutic use , Dextran Sulfate/therapeutic use , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Nanoparticles/therapeutic use , Particle Size , SolubilityABSTRACT
Nose to brain delivery of neurotherapeutics have been tried by several researchers to explore the virtues of this route viz. circumvention of BBB, avoidance of hepatic metabolism, practicality, safety, ease of administration and non-invasiveness. Nanoparticle (NP) therapeutics is an emerging modality for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) as it offers targeted delivery and enhances the therapeutic efficacy and/or bioavailability of neurotherapeutics. This review presents a concise incursion into the nanomedicines suitable for PD therapy delivered via naso-brain transport. Clinical signs of PD, its pathophysiology, specific genetic determinants, diagnosis and therapy involved have been hashed out. Properties of brain-targeting NPs, transport efficacy and various nanocarriers developed so far also been furnished. In our opinion, nanotechnology-enabled naso-brain drug delivery is an excellent means of delivering neurotherapeutics and is a promising avenue for researchers to develop new formulations for the effective management of PD.