pH-responsivechitosan/sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin supramolecular nanoparticles for controlled release of sodium ferulate

A pH-responsive supramolecular nanoparticles was constructed through the electrostatic interaction from anionic sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBE7-beta-CD) and two positively charged chitosan (CS-75% and CS-95%). The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis absorption spectra, x-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential. It was found that the CS/SBE7-beta-CD nanoparticles can be disassembly by increasing pH value and reassembled by reducing to the original pH value. To explore the potential of the obtained nanoparticles as a drug delivery vehicle, a negatively charged anticardio cerebrovascular drug sodium ferulate (SF) was loaded. The result indicated that the SF could be efficiently encapsulated in its nanoparticle nucleus under simulated gastric conditions with lower pH (pH 2.0), while effective release is triggered in a simulated intestinal environment with higher pH (pH 8.5). The assembly/disassembly behavior and drug loading/release property make CS/SBE7-beta-CD nanoparticles promising candidates for pH stimulation responsive drug delivery system, which has a broad application prospect in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic diseases.