Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Comparative assessment of plasmid DNA delivery by encapsulation within or adsorbed on poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles

Abd Almonem Doolaanea^1,2 , Nur 'Izzati Mansor¹, Nurul Hafizah Mohd Nor¹, Mohd Affendi Bin Mohd Shafri², Farahidah Mohamed^1,2,4

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Technology; ²IKOP Sdn. Bhd., Pilot Plant Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Faculty of Pharmacy; ³Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan; ⁴International Institute of Halal Research & Training, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, PO Box 10, 50728, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For correspondence:- Abd Doolaanea Email: abdalmonemdoolaanea@yahoo.com Tel:+60136238628

Accepted: 21 October 2017 Published: 31 January 2018

Citation: Doolaanea AA, Mansor N', Nor NH, Shafri MA, Mohamed F. Comparative assessment of plasmid DNA delivery by encapsulation within or adsorbed on poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles. Trop J Pharm Res 2018; 17(1):1-10 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i1.1

© 2018 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To compare the gene delivery effectiveness of plasmid DNA (pDNA) encapsulated within poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles with that adsorbed on PLGA nanoparticles.

Methods: PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using solvent-evaporation method. To encapsulate pDNA within the particles, it was first complexed with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and then added to the oil phase during the synthesis. For the adsorption, PLGA nanoparticles were first modified with either CTAB or chitosan and then pDNA was adsorbed on the particle surface by electrostatic interaction.

Results: Nanoparticles encapsulating pDNA exhibited better plasmid loading and protection with significantly lower burst release (p < 0.05) compared to that of the nanoparticles with adsorbed plasmid. Cell uptake of chitosan-modified nanoparticles by murine neuroblastoma (N2a) cells was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of chitosan-free nanoparticles. Nanoparticles encapsulating pDNA showed higher transfection efficiency (p < 0.05) in N2a cells.

Conclusion: Encapsulation of pDNA within PLGA nanoparticles presents a potential strategy for gene delivery that is superior to pDNA adsorbed on the nanoparticle surface. In addition, encapsulation keeps the particle surface free for further modifications such as the addition of targeting ligands

Keywords: Poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), Plasmid DNA, Encapsulation, Adsorption, Cellular uptake, Gene therapy, Targeting ligands