Nanocarriers based on high molecular weight chitosan for ocular disease treatments.

DI SANTO MC; ELIAS F; BUOSI FS; MARTINEZ KD; ALAIMO A; DOMINGUEZ RUBIO AP; PÉREZ OE

Kobe

Congreso; The 44th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society / The 1st CJK International Meeting; 2021

Japan Neuroscience Society

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a pivotal role in ocular diseases. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural bioactive that has recently attracted attention due to it potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, RSV present poor aqueous solubility and chemical instability. Besides, effective drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye is challenge nowadays. Nanotechnology emerges as a possible solution to improve both limitations. Here, we developed and characterized nanocarriers (nanogels: NG) based on high molecular weight and novel argentinian chitosan (HCS) crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate. The distribution size of NG presented a major population around 140 nm with a zeta potential value of 32 mV. TEM and AFM images showed that NG exhibited a rounded morphology. RSV encapsulation efficiency was optimal. Photodegradation experiments showed that HCS by its own protects RSV from UV light-induced degradation. Biocompatibility assays revealed that NG were not cytotoxic neither inflammatory in human retinal pigment epithelial cells, which constitutes the outer blood-retinal barrier. After cellular internalization, we report an endolysosomal escape of NG, which is crucial for efficient nanocarriers delivery systems. In conclusion, we envision that HCS based NG could constitute novel carriers for RSV, opening the possibility of its application in ocular diseases.