Acetylated cashew gum-based nanoparticles for the incorporation of alkaloid epiisopiloturine

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2019-05, Vol.128, p.965-972
• Main Authors: do Amaral Rodrigues, Jessica, de Araújo, Alyne Rodrigues, Pitombeira, Nadia Aline, Plácido, Alexandra, de Almeida, Miguel Peixoto, Veras, Leiz Maria Costa, Delerue-Matos, Cristina, Lima, Filipe Camargo Dalmatti Alves, Neto, Augusto Batagin, de Paula, Regina Célia Monteiro, Feitosa, Judith Pessoa Andrade, Eaton, Peter, Leite, José Roberto Souza A., da Silva, Durcilene Alves
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 4-Butyrolactone - analogs & derivatives; 4-Butyrolactone - chemistry; Acetylation; Alkaloid; alkaloids; Alkaloids - chemistry; Anacardium - chemistry; anti-inflammatory activity; Carbohydrate Conformation; Cashew gum; computer simulation; Drug Carriers - chemistry; drug delivery systems; Drug Liberation; drugs; Imidazoles - chemistry; in vitro studies; light scattering; Models, Molecular; nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Plant Gums - chemistry; polymers; Solubility; toxicity
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.01.206

The natural alkaloid epiisopiloturine has recently become the focus of study for various medicinal properties, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and antischistosomal effect. The incorporation of active molecules in natural polymeric matrices has garnered increasing interest during recent decades. A new derivative of cashew gum successfully obtained by gum acetylation has shown great potential as a carrier in controlled drug release systems. In this work, epiisopiloturine was encapsulated in acetylated cashew gum nanoparticles in order to increase solubility and allow slow release, whereas the morphology results were supported by computer simulations. The particles were produced under a variety of conditions, and thoroughly characterized using light scattering and microscopic techniques. The particles were spherical and highly stable in solution, and showed drug incorporation at high levels, up to 55% efficiency. Using a dialysis-based in vitro assay, these particles were shown to release the drug via a Fickian diffusion mechanism, leading to gradual drug release over approximately 6 h. These nanoparticles show potential for the use as drug delivery system, while studies on their potential anti-inflammatory action, as well as toxicity and efficacy assays would need to be performed in the future to confirm their suitability as drug delivery candidates. •Nanoparticles made with acetylated cashew gum were shown to be viable drug delivery vehicles.•Biomolecular interactions between epiisopiloturine and cashew gum acetylated are carried out.•These nanoparticles show potential for the use as drug delivery system.