Role of nanostructured aggregation of chitosan derivatives on [5-methionine]enkephalin affinity

Abstract

Affinities of quaternary ammonium-chitosan conjugates, their thiolated derivatives and corresponding nanostructured aggregates towards the hydrophilic drug [5-methionine]enkephalin were compared by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods based on proton selective relaxation rate measurements. Nanoaggregates showed enhanced drug affinity in comparison with corresponding polymers, especially in the case of thiolated systems.

Keywords: Chitosan conjugates; Nanoparticles; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Selective relaxation rate; [5-Methionine]enkephalin.