Amphiphilic Self-assembled Nanoparticles Composed of Chitosan and Ursolic Acid for Protein Delivery on the Skin - Protein

Amphiphilic Self-assembled Nanoparticles Composed of Chitosan and Ursolic Acid for Protein Delivery on the Skin
2006
S.B. Lee, K. Cho and J.K. Shim
Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, KR
Nanotech 2006
Abstract:
Several promising studies have been reported for the protein delivery such as cytokines using nano-sized particles, which have detrimental effect on the loading the protein without localization and releasing it without deactivation. To design the protein delivery system using the nanoparticles, the surface of nanoparticle should have the high free volume in the medium for freely moving the protein such as a hydrogel type. In addition, the hydrophobic groups should be attached on the water-soluble polymer to prepare the amphiphilic block which can be self-assembled to form micelles. Hydrophilic group, chitosan has biocompatibility, biodegrability, antibacterial properties and remarkable affinity to proteins. In particular, the amino group of chitosan has influenced on the pH-responsive behavior. Note that the protein delivery is relative with the particle size which is easily controlled by changing the pH of medium. Ursolic acid was used as a hydrophobic group of the nanoparticle due to several pharmacological effects. The bovine serum albumin was used as the model agents for the encapsulation into the polymeric particles. The results revealed that the nano-sized particles in benefit to deliver the bioactive agents.