| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 599714 | Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces | 2014 | 7 Pages |
•Novel ascorbyl palmitate/DSPE-PEG nanocarriers with particle size less than 300 nm were formulated for oral iron delivery.•Ascorbyl palmitate nanocarriers demonstrated higher iron absorption as compared to free ferrous sulphate.•Inclusion of chitosan in the nanocarriers imparted a positive charge and led to further enhancement of iron absorption.
The objective of this study was to encapsulate iron in nanocarriers formulated with ascorbyl palmitate and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine polyethylene glycol (DSPE-PEG) for oral delivery. Blank and iron (Fe) loaded nanocarriers were prepared by a modified thin film method using ascorbyl palmitate and DSPE-PEG. Surface charge of the nanocarriers was modified by the inclusion of chitosan (CHI) during the formulation process. Blank and iron loaded ascorbyl palmitate/DSPE nanocarriers were visualised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and physiochemical characterisations of the nanocarriers carried out to determine the mean particle size and zeta potential. Inclusion of chitosan imparted a net positive charge on the nanocarrier surface and also led to an increase in mean particle size. Iron entrapment in ascorbyl palmitate-Fe and ascorbyl palmitate-CHI-Fe nanocarriers was 67% and 76% respectively, suggesting a beneficial effect of chitosan on nanocarrier Fe entrapment. Iron absorption was estimated by measuring Caco-2 cell ferritin formation using ferrous sulphate as a reference standard. Iron absorption from ascorbyl palmitate-Fe (592.17 ± 21.12 ng/mg cell protein) and ascorbyl palmitate-CHI-Fe (800.12 ± 47.6 ng/mg, cell protein) nanocarriers was 1.35-fold and 1.5-fold higher than that from free ferrous sulphate, respectively (505.74 ± 23.73 ng/mg cell protein) (n = 6, p < 0.05). This study demonstrates for the first time preparation and characterisation of iron loaded ascorbyl palmitate/DSPE PEG nanocarriers, and that engineering of the nanocarriers with chitosan leads to a significant augmentation of iron absorption.
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