Sustained delivery of BSA/HSA from biocompatible plant cellulose nanocrystals for in vitro cholesterol release from endothelial cells

- Binding of proteins BSA and HSA onto plant cellulose nanocrystals by conjugation.
- Released proteins retained their structural stability and excellent bioactivity.
- Slow and sustained protein release at pH = 6.5 and 7.4.
- Nanocomposites exhibited excellent cytocompatibility against endothelial cells.
- Nanocomposites showed enhanced in vitro cholesterol efflux from HUVEC & HCAEC cells.

Nanocomposites of plant cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were developed by binding model proteins BSA and HSA onto CNCs by physical adsorption and chemical conjugation methods The spectroscopy and microscopy studies confirmed the protein binding onto CNCs. Phosphate buffer saline (pH = 4.0, 7.4) and simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF/SIF; pH = 1.1/6.5) showed maximum protein release of ∼62% over a period of time. The released proteins were found to retain both structural integrity as well as ≥ 90% of bioactivity. Further, these cytocompatible nanocomposites showed ∼58-85% cholesterol release from HUVEC whereas no selectivity was observed for HCAEC. It is speculated that due to the presence of combination of shuttles (albumins) and sinks (CNCs and albumins), these prepared nanocomposites with increased cholesterol effluxing ability may serve as a potential candidate for future biomedical applications in pharmaceuticals.

144