A system to deliver pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or agriculturally useful compounds in a controlled, non-toxic and safe manner | Research

Background

This technology relates to a novel carrier that can deliver active molecules such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic or agriculturally useful compounds in a controlled, non-toxic and safe manner. The carrier is composed of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) which has been modified with chitosan oligosaccharide (CS_OS) to provide the desired material (NCC-CS_OS) that can be used to encapsulate desired materials.

Description of the invention

The NCC-CS_OSis prepared by first selectively oxidizing the alcohol moieties of NCC to carboxylic acid or aldehyde groups with a suitable oxidizing agent. This is then followed by chemically coupling CS_OSto the oxidized NCC through amide or imine bond formation.

Early drug release studies using two cationic model drugs, namely procaine hydrochloride and imipramine hydrochloride, were loaded onto NCC-CS_OS showed good binding efficiency, drug loading and release characteristics. An effective antioxidant system has also been developed by forming a complex between vitamin C and NCC-CS_OSwhich has also proven effective. It was also shown to increase the stability of vitamin C since the NCC particles reduced the oxidation-induced degradation by acting as a barrier for oxygen to the encapsulated vitamin C in the complex.

Advantages

The NCC-CS_OSdelivery carrier has the advantage of increased stability over similar systems. It can be used to deliver a wide range of chemical compounds through interactions that are hydrophobic, cationic or anionic. It can also form hydrogen bonds with many compounds. Due to the nature of the carrier material, it can be used in many formats including a liquid suspension or prepared as a thin film.

Cellulose fiber and chitosan are the first and second most abundant biopolymers in nature. They are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable materials that are readily available, renewable and green alternatives to petroleum-based products. NCC has a large surface area which allows for high payloads and optimal control of dosage. Chitosan has antimicrobial, haemostatic, wound healing and mucoadhesive properties. This system combines the properties of both NCC and chitosan into one carrier.