(198t) Synthesis and Chacterization of Chitosan Nanoparticles As NOVEL Drug Carrier System Encapsulating Hydrophobic Drug

For a considerable time, encapsulating hydrophobic drugs has been a major challenge in drug delivery systems. Traditional drug delivery methods are limited in terms of poor bioavailability, lack of targeting, and toxicity issues. However, recent scientific studies have demonstrated that nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems can overcome these limitations by providing targeted drug delivery and improved efficacy. Among the different nanocarriers tested, chitosan nanoparticles have emerged as a promising candidate for drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease of modification. In light of this, our scientific study aimed to develop a new biocompatible carrier system by using chitosan nanoparticles to encapsulate amphotericin (AmB), a hydrophobic drug. The findings of the study indicated that chitosan nanoparticles efficiently encapsulated AmB and demonstrated sustained release profiles. Thus, chitosan nanoparticles hold significant promise in the field of drug delivery and could be further explored for various other hydrophobic drugs. Chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin found in crustaceans, has been extensively studied for its potential use in drug delivery systems. Chitosan nanoparticles possess distinctive characteristics that make them excellent candidates for drug delivery applications. Due to their high surface area to volume ratio, they are capable of encapsulating a significant amount of drugs, such as AmB a potent antifungal drug. Moreover, chitosan nanoparticles can be easily modified by surface functionalization, allowing for targeted drug delivery. This enables the delivery of drugs more selectively to specific organs or tissues, which may reduce adverse effects and enhance therapeutic efficacy. One of the most noteworthy advantages of chitosan nanoparticles is their ability to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs that are typically difficult to deliver effectively. This feature may result in new formulations and therapies that were previously not possible. Overall, the versatility of chitosan nanoparticles in drug delivery has made it an attractive candidate for pharmaceutical research and development. Nanoparticles have the ability to transport a broad spectrum of drugs such as gene drugs, protein drugs, and anticancer chemical drugs through multiple routes of administration, such as oral, intravenous, nasal, and ocular, providing flexibility in drug administration based on individual patient requirements. However, a major challenge in drug delivery is overcoming the limitations associated with hydrophobic drugs which have low permeability and solubility, making it difficult to deliver them effectively.. Despite recent advancements in drug delivery systems, the effectiveness of class IV drugs) is still hampered by their low solubility and permeability. To address this issue, designing a nanocarrier system for AmB could prove to be a more effective treatment approach. Using chitosan formulations as drug delivery systems is a novel method that has shown potential in overcoming these challenges. In this research, a safe and efficient approach was developed for preparing chitosan formulations through the complexation of oppositely charged macromolecules. This approach has promising potential for future drug delivery systems, particularly for drugs like Amphotericin that require advanced methods to achieve optimal results. By utilizing nanocarrier systems and innovative drug delivery methods, the efficacy of AmB and other class IV drugs can be enhanced. In the development of drug delivery systems, nanoparticle characterization is a crucial step that cannot be overlooked. The ionic gelation method has become widely popular due to its reproducibility and simplicity in this regard. Different formulations of nanoparticles were created and then analysed through various techniques. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) was used to study the size distribution of the nanoparticles while Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was employed to reveal their shape. Chemical composition and crystal structure of the nanoparticles were studied through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. The results indicated that the ionic gelation method is an efficient way to create nanoparticles of well-defined size and shape. These findings can be utilized to enhance the effectiveness of drug delivery applications, while also reducing possible side effects. Overall, the characterization of nanoparticles produced by the ionic gelation method provides valuable information on their effectiveness in delivering drugs to their target sites. The use of advanced microscopy techniques enabled the visualization of nanoparticles that were synthesized in a spherical shape, with sizes ranging between 50 to 200 nanometers. The size distribution was studied through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), which revealed a uniform distribution pattern with an average size of 100 nanometers. The zeta potential analysis of the nanoparticles indicated a positive charge induced by chitosan, which was further confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The characteristic peaks of chitosan at 1650 cm^-1 (amide I) and 1550 cm^-1 (amide II) were observed, reinforcing its role in the synthesis process. These observations are crucial in understanding the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles and their potential applications in drug delivery, imaging, and tissue engineering. The XRD patterns of the nanoparticles showed that they were amorphous in nature, which is typical of nanoparticles prepared by the ionic gelation method. The encapsulation efficiency of AmB was determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that the encapsulation efficiency of AmB in the chitosan nanoparticles was around 67%. The release profile of AmB from the chitosan nanoparticles was studied using the dialysis method. The results showed that the release of AmB was sustained over a period of 48 hours, which indicates that the chitosan nanoparticles can effectively deliver the drug. In conclusion. The results suggest that this carrier system has potential for the targeted delivery of hydrophobic drugs, including AmB. Further studies can be conducted to optimize the formulation and test the efficacy of this system in vivo.