Low water solubility frequently compromises the therapeutic efficacy of drugs and other biologically active molecules. Here, we report on coacervate polysaccharide nanoparticles (CPNs) that can transport and release a model hydrophobic drug, piroxicam, to the cells in response to changes in temperature. The proposed, temperature-responsive drug delivery system is based on ionic derivatives of natural polysaccharides-curdlan and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Curdlan was modified with trimethylammonium groups, while the anionic derivative of hydroxypropyl cellulose was obtained by the introduction of styrenesulfonate groups. Thermally responsive nanoparticles of spherical shape and average hydrodynamic diameter in the range of 250-300 nm were spontaneously formed in water from the obtained ionic polysaccharides as a result of the coacervation process. Their morphology was visualized using SEM and AFM. The size and the surface charge of the obtained objects could be tailored by adjusting the polycation/polyanion ratio. Piroxicam (PIX) was effectively entrapped inside the nanoparticles. The release profile of the drug from the CPNs-PIX was found to be temperature-dependent in the range relevant for biomedical applications.
Keywords: curdlan; drug delivery system; hydroxypropyl cellulose; piroxicam; self-organization.