Development and characterization of bio-derived polyhydroxyalkanoate nanoparticles as a delivery system for hydrophobic photodynamic therapy agents

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2016 Feb;27(2):40. doi: 10.1007/s10856-015-5655-4. Epub 2015 Dec 28.

Abstract

In this study, we developed and investigated nanoparticles of biologically-derived, biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as carriers of a hydrophobic photosensitizer, 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-21H, 23H-porphine (pTHPP) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Three PHA variants; polyhydroxybutyrate, poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) or P(HB-HV) with 12 and 50% HV were used to formulate pTHPP-loaded PHA nanoparticles by an emulsification-diffusion method, where we compared two different poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) stabilizers. The nanoparticles exhibited nano-scale spherical morphology under TEM and hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 169.0 to 211.2 nm with narrow size distribution. The amount of drug loaded and the drug entrapment efficiency were also investigated. The in vitro photocytotoxicity was evaluated using human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 and revealed time and concentration dependent cell death, consistent with a gradual release pattern of pTHPP over 24 h. This study is the first demonstration using bacterially derived P(HB-HV) copolymers for nanoparticle delivery of a hydrophobic photosensitizer drug and their potential application in PDT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Cupriavidus necator
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Stability
  • Excipients / chemistry
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Photochemotherapy / methods
  • Photosensitizing Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates / chemical synthesis
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates / chemistry*
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates / pharmacokinetics
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / administration & dosage*
  • Porphyrins / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Drug Carriers
  • Excipients
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates
  • Porphyrins
  • 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol