Crosslinked chitosan-dextran sulfate nanoparticle for improved topical ocular drug delivery

PURPOSE: To examine the benefits of chitosan-dextran sulfate nanoparticles (CDNs) as a topical ocular delivery system with lutein as a model drug. METHODS: CDNs were developed by polyelectrolyte complexation of positively charged chitosan (CS) and negatively charged dextran sulfate (DS). 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) were used as co-crosslinking and stabilizing agents, respectively. The influence of these on the properties of CDNs, including drug release and mucoadhesiveness, was examined. The chemical stability of lutein in CDNs (LCDNs) was also examined. RESULTS: Typically, LCDNs showed a spherical shape, possessing a mean size of ~400 nm with a narrow size distribution. The entrapment efficiency of lutein was in the range of 60%–76%. LCDNs possessing a positive surface charge (+46 mV) were found to be mucoadhesive. The release profile of LCDNs followed Higuchi’s square root model, suggesting drug release by diffusion from the polymer matrix. Lutein in LCDNs showed increased chemical stability during storage compared to its solution form. CONCLUSIONS: These characteristics of CDNs make them suitable for drug delivery to the ocular surface.