Alginate Nanoparticles as a Promising Adjuvant and Vaccine Delivery System

During last decades, diphtheria has remained as a serious disease that still outbreaks and can occur worldwide. Recently, new vaccine delivery systems have been developed by using the biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as alginate. Alginate nanoparticles as a carrier with adjuvant and prolong release properties that enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines. In this study diphtheria toxoid loaded nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation technique and characterized with respect to size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, release profile, and immunogenicity. Appropriate parameters (calcium chloride and sodium alginate concentration, homogenization rate and homogenization time) redounded to the formation of suitable nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 70±0.5 nm. The loading studies of the nanoparticles resulted in high loading capacities (>90%) and subsequent release studies showed prolong profile. The stability and antigenicity of toxoid were evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ouchterlony test and proved that the encapsulation process did not affect the antigenic integrity and activity. Guinea pigs immunized with the diphtheria toxoid-loaded alginate nanoparticles showed highest humoral immune response than conventional vaccine. It is concluded that, with regard to the desirable properties of nanoparticles and high immunogenicity, alginate nanoparticles could be considered as a new promising vaccine delivery and adjuvant system.     

Control of mosquito larvae by encapsulated pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) containing alginate microcapsules were prepared in order to maintain durable formulations which could resist several effects causing reduced efficiency during applications. B.t.i. spores were harvested through NYSM agar plates and encapsulated in Ca-alginate (0.5–2.0% w/v) gels without any significant loss of sporal or larvicidal activity. The effect of acidic pH on the larvicidal toxin was tested using Culex sp. larvae in the laboratory. The alginate microcapsules pretreated with saturated KH₂PO₄ solution gave larvicidal activity after 24–48h, by bioassay. Suspension and encapsulated forms of the pathogenic bacterium were exposed to pH variations (3.4–10.0), UV light and high temperature (50°C). Durability to Pb ^{+ +}, Cu⁺⁺, Fe^{+ +} compounds and phenol was also examined. As the alginate content increased, stability of B.t.i. drastically increased against the tested effects, but to obtain useful releasing microcapsules, 14–1.5% w/v alginate concentrations were found to be optimum.     

Release characteristics of chitosan treated alginate beads: II. Sustained release of a low molecular drug from chitosan treated alginate beads

The aim of this paper was to investigate the possible applicability of chitosan treated alginate beads as a controlled release system of small molecular drugs with high solubility. Timolol maleate (mw 432.49) was used as a model drug. The beads were prepared by the ionotropic gelation method and the effect of various factors (alginate, chitosan, drug and calcium chloride concentrations, the volume of external and internal phases and drying methods) on bead properties were also investigated. Spherical beads with 0.78-1.16mm diameter range and 10.8-66.5% encapsulation efficiencies were produced. Higher encapsulation efficiencies and retarded drug release were obtained with chitosan treated alginatebeads. Amongthedifferentfactors investigatedsuchas alginate, drug, chitosan and CaCl₂ concentrations, the volumes of the external and internal phases affected bead properties. The drying technique has an importance on the bead properties also. The release data was kinetically evaluated. It appeared that chitosan treated alginate beads may be used for a potential controlled release system of small molecular drugs with high solubility, instead of alginate beads.     

Effects of double encapsulation and coating on synthetic seed conversion in M.26 apple rootstock

Encapsulated vitro -derived apical buds of M.26 apple rootstock (Malus pumila Mill) can be employed for the formation of the synthetic seed. Satisfactory levels of conversion (plantlets from synthetic seed) can be achieved if there are adequate (i) rooting induction treatment, (ii) protocol of encapsulation, and (iii) nutritive and environmental conditions. For capsule manufacturing, sodium alginate is largely used; however, this is excessively permeable with loss of the nutritive substances (artificial endosperm) and/or dehydration risks during conservation and transport causing detrimental effects on the synthetic seed conversion and on the plantlet's growth. In order to overcome these problems, two experiments were carried out comparing simple encapsulation in alginate with double encapsulation, and with encapsulation-coating procedures. The presence of a second layer of alginate (double encapsulation) and of a thin external coating layer over the alginate (encapsulation-coating) did not show any detrimental effects on viability, sprouting and regrowth of the encapsulated microcuttings. Satisfactory conversion (70%) was reached with the encapsulation-coating procedure, whereas the double and simple encapsulation converted less than 40% of the synthetic seed. The effect of the addition to the capsule of an anti-microbial substance (Plant Preservative Mixture - PPM#174;) was examined: it did not compromise the conversion of the encapsulated microcuttings sown in ex-vitro non-aseptic conditions.     

First successful xenotransplantation of microencapsulated human parathyroid tissue in experimental hypopara-thyroidism: Long-term function without immunosuppression

Abstract

Owing to the complexity of the parathyroid hormone's metabolic interactionsclinical hypoparathyroidism is one of the most difficult of all endocrine disorders to treat. Thereforecausative treatment of this disorder by transplantation of parathyroid glands is highly desirable., We have recently documented the long-term in vivo function of iso- and allotransplanted rat parathyroid tissue without systemic immunosuppression in an animal model., In view of the potential clinical use of this methodhuman parathyroid tissue has been microencapsulated and transplanted over the highest immunological barrier., In a controlledlong-term animal study in the parathyroidectomized ratthe effect of microencapsulation on xenotransplanted human parathyoid tissue was evaluated over 30 weeks (native and microencapsulated parathyroid tissue = 40 rats respectively)., Functionallyhuman parathyroid tissue was able to replace that of the rat., All animals that had received microencapsulated parathyroid tissue were normocalcemic for 16 weeks; 27/40 at the end of the study., In contrastserum calcium concentrations dropped to post-parathyroidectomy levels within 4 weeks in those animals that had received native tissue only., Histologic evaluation of the explantedfunctionally successful xenografts showed vital parathyroid tissue inside intact microcapsules surrounded by a small rim of fibroblasts., Avital fibrotic remnants were demonstrated in animals with non-encapsulated parathyroid tissue., Thuswe have established the feasibility of microencapsulation of human parathyroid tissuepreserving its viability over long periods in vivo even if xenotransplanted., In combination with an improved tissue culture methodtransplantation of human parathyroid tissue and maintenance of its physiological function is reproducibly achieved without postoperative systemic immunosuppression over the highest transplantation barrier., This may be a crucial step towards the first clinical application of this method.     

Immobilization of Paecilomyces variotii tannase and properties of the immobilized enzyme

Tannase produced by Paecilomyces variotii was encapsulated in sodium alginate beads and used for the effective hydrolysis of tannic acid; the efficiency of hydrolysis was comparable to that of the free enzyme. The alginate beads retained 100% of their efficiency in the first three rounds of successive use and 60% in rounds 4 and 5. The response surface methodology showed that the best conditions to hydrolysis of tannic acid by immobilized tannase were: sodium alginate 5.2%, CaCl₂ 0.55?M and 9?h to curing time. The optimized process resulted in 2.4 times more hydrolysed tannic acid than that obtained before optimization. The optimum pH for the actions of both the encapsulated and the free enzymes was 5.5. The optimum temperature of the reaction was determined to be 40°C for the free enzyme and 60°C for the immobilized form. The immobilization process improved the stability at low pH.     

Liquid phase coating to produce controlled-release alginate microspheres

This study explored a liquid phase coating technique to produce polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-coated alginate microspheres. Alginate microspheres with a mean diameter of 85.6?µm were prepared using an emulsification method. The alginate microspheres, as cores, were then coated with different types of PMMA by a liquid phase coating technique. The release characteristics of these coated microspheres in simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal (SIF) fluids and the influence of drug load on encapsulation efficiency were studied. The release of paracetamol, as a model hydrophilic drug, from the coated microspheres in SGF and SIF was greatly retarded. Release rates of Eudragit RS100-coated microspheres in SGF and SIF were similar as the rate-controlling polymer coat was insoluble in both media. Drug release from Eudragit S100-coated microspheres was more sustained in SGF than in SIF, due to the greater solubility of the coating polymer in media with pH greater than 7.0. The drug release rate was affected by the core:coat ratio. Drug release from the coated microspheres was best described by the Higuchi's square root model. The liquid phase coating technique developed offers an efficient method of coating small microspheres with markedly reduced drug loss and possible controlled drug release.     

Quantitative study of the production and properties of alginate/poly-L-lysine microcapsules

Alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules are of particular interest for their application as implants or for bioreactor cultures. Although their formation has been widely studied, there is still a lack of quantitative data describing resistance, membrance thickness and permeability. In this study, the quantitative application of a Texture Analyser for the measurement of capsule deformation yielded important results that permit comparison with other polymer systems used for encapsulation. Furthermore, single-membrane and multi-membrane capsules were formed in order to improve the modulation of the capsule properties. For single-membrane capsules, resistance was mostly affected by the incubation time in poly-L-lysine (PLL), the PLL molecular weight and concentration. The increase in resistance from 0.1 #45 0.01 g/capsules to 2 #45 0.2 g/capsules was linked to a membrane thickening (35-120 #181;m) and a decrease in permeability (150 to 40 kD). Thus, it was not possible to modify resistance and membrane permeability independently. Multi-membrane capsules with a resistance comparable to single-membrane capsules could be formed using various combinations of PLL molecular weights, and enabled uncoupling of permeability and resistance properties.     

Influence of viscosity and uronic acid composition of alginates on the properties of alginate films and microspheres produced by emulsification

This study investigated the influence of viscosity and uronic acid composition of alginates on the properties of alginate films and microspheres produced by emulsification. Tensile properties of films were determined while the yield, size, drug contents and release characteristics of the microspheres were examined. Tensile properties of calcium alginate matrix were significantly affected by the orientation and arrangement of the polymer chains. High viscosity alginates gave rise to higher yields and bigger microspheres. Generally, microspheres with high drug content and slower rate of drug release had high Ca²⁺ contents and were produced from alginates of higher viscosity. Within an alginate microsphere batch, small sized microsphere fractions had higher drug contents but showed faster drug release rates. Microspheres having a defined size range revealed great dependence of encapsulation efficiency and drug release rates on viscosity and extent of Ca²⁺-alginate interaction. Viscosity appeared to exert a predominant influence on the microsphere properties.     

Radiolabeling and evaluation of alginate blend-isoniazid microspheres by 99mTc for the treatment of tuberculosis in rabbit model

Isoniazid (INH) is the first line anti-tubercular drug that is widely used in the treatment of tuberculosis. ^99mTc-alginate-INH microsphere scintigraphy has been demonstrated to be a useful noninvasive imaging technique for microsphere deposits located in different organs of the rabbits. The aim of this study was to develop an improved formulation, to validate the formulation for long-time retention, as well as to assess radiotracer stability by novel quality control methods. Our study reports the labeling and evaluation of alginate blends-INH microspheres. The incorporation efficiency of optimized formulation was 89% w/w. The in vitro release study was carried out in simulated intestinal fluid at pH 7.4, and it was found that the formulation delivered the drug for 36 h. The labeling efficiency of ^99mTc-alginate blends-INH microspheres was seen at various pH (i.e. pH ranging from 5 to 7.5) and different concentration of stannous chloride dehydrate (i.e. 25–200 μg) and it was concluded that 96% labeling efficiency was achieved in case of pH 7.5 and 60 μg stannous chloride. The stability study was carried out in saline and serum and it was found that the complex was highly stable in vitro and in vivo. The blood clearance in rabbits showed bi-exponential pattern depicting that 50% of activity washed out at 2 h with t_1/2(Fast) was 2.1 h and t_1/2(Slow) was 12.5 h. Bio-distribution was normal and the experimental mice showed major accumulation of the radiolabeled formulation in liver, intestine, lungs and kidneys, indicating hepatobiliary and renal route of excretion. The distribution of the drugs to the lung was showing its efficiency in the treatment of tuberculosis.