The effect of polyethylene glycol-coated chitosan nanoparticles on levothyroxine release

We report the formation and characterization of PEG stearate (PEG)-coated Chitosan (CS)nanoparticles. Chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized using tripolyphosphate (TPP) via theionic crosslinking method. Preparation of PEG-grafted Chitosan is essential to improve thebiocompatibility and water solubility of chitosan. The size and morphologies of Chitosannanoparticles were measured with transmission electron microscopy and scanning electronmicroscopy. Sizes of Chitosan nanoparticles were in the range of 200-300 nm andencapsulation efficiencies of drug were 90%. Properties nanoparticles were affected by thepreparation variables and coating layer. Chitosan nanoparticles showed smooth surface andglobular shape. In this study, we explored the release behaviour of levothyroxine wasaffected by coating layer. Coating surface leads to a decrease in the burst release effectcompared to uncoated nanoparticle due to gradual release of adsorbed levothyroxine fromPEG coated Chitosan nanoparticles.

Keywords:

Chitosan , nanoparticle , PEG