Chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated vesicular systems for oral immunization: preparation, in-vitro and in-vivo characterization

BSA-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and encapsulated in vesicles (liposomes and niosomes) to make them acid resistant upon oral administration. Prepared systems were characterized in-vitro for shape, size, entrapment efficiency and stability in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.5). The immune stimulating activity was studied by measuring serum IgG titre and secretory IgA (sIgA) levels in mucosal secretions following oral administration of various formulations in albino rats. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) serum IgG titres were achieved following oral administration of novel nanoparticulate vesicular formulations as compared with unmodified chitosan nanoparticles. Further, high sIgA levels in mucosal secretions advocated a possible application of chitosan nanoparticle encapsulated in vesicles as an oral vaccine delivery carrier-adjuvant system.