Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology · 2014 · 23 citations · 0 references
PharmacyMaterials SciencePharmacologyDrug DeliveryNanomaterialsNanoparticle Drug DeliveryNanomaterials For Drug DeliveryNanomedicineNanoparticle CharacterizationNanoparticle DesignNanoparticle FormulationsPolymeric NanoparticlesBiodegradable Polymeric NanoparticlesHepatoprotective AgentsHistopathological EffectsHistopathological EvaluationNanoparticle PharmacologyNanoparticle ToxicitySurface-modified Nanoparticles
The present study evaluates role of pullulan as hepatic targeting agent. Nanoparticles of silymarin (SIM) a hepatoprotective drug were prepared using polyethylene sebacate (PES) as biodegradable polymer and surface modified with pullulan. PES-SIM nanoparticles (PES-SIM NP) and PES-SIM nanoparticles surface modified with pullulan (PES-SIM-PUL) were prepared by nanoprecipitation. Nanoparticles were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in a model of carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Pretreatment of rats with PES-SIM-NP and PES-SIM-PUL revealed reduced levels of SGOT, SGPT and ALKP compared to CCl4 treated group (p < 0.01) whereas levels of LPO and catalase were comparable to vehicle control suggesting enhanced hepatoprotection with nanoparticles. Histopathological evaluation of liver tissues also revealed better hepatoprotection with nanoparticles. Further significant decrease (p < 0.01) in levels of SGOT, SGPT and ALKP with difference PES-SIM-PUL than PES-SIM NP confirms the role of pullulan as hepatic targeting agent.