Stable nanomicelles based on chitosan derivative: In vitro antiplatelet aggregation and adhesion properties

Amphiphilic chitosan derivative (SA-chitosan), water insoluble chitosan modified with salicylic acid (SA), possessed both antiplatelet aggregation and adhesion properties. Chemical structure was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR. The SA substitution degree calculated by 1H NMR was 70.8%. SA-chitosan can form micelles (size: 292 ± 2 nm). The Critical aggregation concentration (CAC) value (1.216 × 10−4 mg/mL) and zeta potential (52 mV) indicated that they had excellent dispersion stability. TEM image suggested that the micelles were almost spherical. The result of in vitro antiplatelet activity revealed that the potential platelet aggregation inhibitory activity by different agonists was in a dose-dependent manner. At low SA-chitosan concentrations, antiplatelet aggregation capability of SA-chitosan was better than that of low-dose aspirin. The platelet adhesion test showed significant difference between the effect of SA-chitosan and that of the control group (p < 0.05). These results indicated that SA-chitosan can be potentially used as an antiplatelet aggregation and adhesion agent.

► Salicylic acid is selective toward NH2, and its substitution degree is 70.8%. ► Salicylic acid–chitosan can form self-assembly micelle. ► Good dispersion stability (CAC value: 1.216 × 10−4 mg/mL; zeta potential: 52 mV). ► Salicylic acid–chitosan's antiplatelet aggregation ability is better than low-dose aspirin's. ► Salicylic acid–chitosan shows obvious antiplatelet adhesiveness compared to control sample.