Self-Assembled Core-Shell Poly(ethylene glycol)-POSS Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery

Abstract

In this work, novel nanostructured core-shell poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles were used to encapsulate insulin as new drug delivery carriers. The morphologies, particle size and ζ potential of the pure nanostructured core-shell PEG-POSS and the corresponding insulin-loaded PEG-POSS nanoparticles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and laser diffraction particle sizer. TEM analysis demonstrated that pure and insulin-loaded self-assembled PEG-POSS nanoparticles were of spherical shape with core-shell nanostructure, and were well-dispersed and uniform in size distribution. Insulin release test showed that insulin was well-protected inside PEG-POSS nanoparticles at gastric pH for 2hrs, and was released at intestinal pH (pH 6-7) where the absorption and activation of the drug are necessary. We therefore believe that such nanostructured PEG-POSS nanoparticles could be useful as a potential carrier for insulin drug delivery systems.