Biodegradable Polymer-based Nanoparticles: A Breakthrough in Oral Protein Drug Delivery

Introduction: Proteins and peptide drugs are easily degraded in the gastrointestinal tract when administered orally, decreasing their bioavailability, and hence are administered intravenously or subcutaneously, creating a demand for how to administer them orally efficiently. The present research aims to develop protein-loaded nanoparticles by the coacervation method using biodegradable polymers and study their different characteristics. Method: The nanoparticles are prepared using low molecular-weight Chitosan and sodium alginate and characterized using instruments like Zetasizer, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), & UV Spectrophotometer, etc. The nanoparticles are further loaded with egg albumin to study protein loading and release characteristics. Results: The empty nanoparticles have a size range of 226-589 nm and a Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.398-0.298. The minimum size of loaded nanoparticles was 180.2±7.82 nm, with a PDI value of 0.314±0.02. The maximum protein entrapment efficiency and loading percentage were 76.12% and 29.78%, respectively. The maximum in vitro protein release from 29.78 % loaded nanoparticles was 42.30% and 12.80% in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and water as the test medium, respectively. Discussion: The particle size, PDI, entrapment statistics, and prolonged protein release profile, etc, show the possibility of the nanoparticulate system to be used as a suitable vehicle for oral delivery of proteins and peptide drugs. Conclusion: The optimised standard protein-loaded nanoparticles have all the characteristics making them suitable vehicles for administering proteins and peptide drugs orally. The current Nanoparticulate development system offers a promising solution for the effective oral delivery of protein or peptides.