Development of amphotericin B-loaded propionate Sterculia striata polysaccharide nanocarrier.

This work was aimed at the production and characterization of a new nanocarrier based on a Sterculia striata polysaccharide (SSP) modified via acylation reaction with propionic anhydride. Nanocapsules of propionated SSP (PSSP) were produced via spontaneous nanoemulsification process and tested as a potential amphotericin B (AMB) nanocarrier. Stable nanoparticles with a very low polydispersity index (0.08-0.29) and high zeta potential (ζ -42.7 to -53.8 mV) were obtained. Particle size was dependent on the degree of substitution and ranged from 205 to 286 nm. A nanocapsule with a degree of substitution (DS) of 2.53 (NCP 2.53) was selected for encapsulation, biocompatibility, and antifungal evaluation against Candida albicans strains. A maximum of 98.3% AMB encapsulation was achieved. Encapsulated AMB was in its monomeric form and showed good biocompatibility and antifungal activity against four C. albicans strains. Data indicate that PSSP has potential as a nanocarrier system for AMB.

Pickering emulsions stabilized with cashew gum nanoparticles as indomethacin carrier.

Polysaccharide nanoparticles with potential to stabilize Pickering emulsions have been recently object of many research. Acetylated cashew gum with different degrees of substitution has been used in this work, in the pursuit of obtaining stable Pickering emulsions. Acetylated cashew gum was characterized by infrared and nuclear resonance spectroscopy. Effects of cashew gum derivative acetyl content, droplet size, ionic strength, zeta potential on emulsion properties were investigated. As a proof of concept, indomethacin was encapsulated in droplets and its release profile determined. Data obtained revealed droplet sizes in the range 269-312 nm, with unimodal size distribution and zeta potential values from -46 Mv to -48 Mv. Encapsulation efficiencies were in the range 26-52%, a steady release profile reached in 3 h, releasing maximal 75% IND.

Hydrophobization of cashew gum by acetylation mechanism and amphotericin B encapsulation.

Cashew gum (GC) is a polysaccharide whose structural modification has the potential to extend its applications on varied fields such as to the formation of self-organized nanoparticulated systems. In this work, a 23 factorial design was carried out, aiming at evaluation of the influence of the reactional parameters of an acetylation reaction on the final properties of cashew gum. The effects of temperature, reaction time and amount of acetylating agent on the reaction yield and degree of GC acetylation were investigated. Data obtained revealed that the aforementioned parameters influenced both yield and degree of acetylation. Statistical analysis showed that the different derivatives had their variables influenced mainly by temperature and interaction effect between the factors time and quantity of acetylating agent. Acetylated derivatives were obtained with yield higher than 90% and degrees of acetylation above 2.42. Data on the formation of self-organized systems, revealed particle sizes in the range 190-300nm, where smaller particle sizes were obtained for derivatives with acetylation degrees lower than 1.5. Release profiles of Amphotericin-B incorporated in derivative nanoparticles, yielded 70% encapsulation efficiency and long release profiles, corroborating their potential application to delivery of hydrophobic active principles.