Dextran has been the model material for the therapeutic applications owing to its biodegradable and biocompatible properties, and the ability to be functionalized in variety of ways. In this study, the amphiphilic dextran was successfully synthesized through lipase-catalyzed transesterification between dextran and vinyl laurate. In aqueous solution, the produced dextran ester could self-assemble into spherical nanoparticles ("Dex-L NPs") with approximately 200-nm diameter, and could incorporate porcine placenta hydrolysate with 60% encapsulation efficiency. Furthermore, Dex-L NPs exhibited low cytotoxic effects on human intestinal cell line and, thus, were potentially safe for oral administration. Taken together, the findings illustrate the potential of the newly developed nanoparticles to serve as an efficient and safe drug delivery system.
Keywords: Cytotoxicity; Dextran; Drug delivery; Encapsulation; Nanoparticles; Vinyl laurate.