A polymeric composite carrier for oral delivery of peptide drugs: Bilaminated hydrogel film loaded with nanoparticles

A smart polymeric composite carrier consisting of carboxylated chitosan grafted nanoparticles (CCGN) and bilaminated films with one alginate-Ca2+ mucoadhesive layer and one hydrophobic backing layer was developed as a novel carrier for peptide. Calcein, hydrophilic and hydrolytic degradative, was entrapped into CCGN as a model peptide and its release behavior was investigated. Morphology study showed a uniform distribution of CCGN in the homogeneous and porous hydrogel. CCGN was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size measurement, and ζ potential measurement. The composite carrier was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy. The carrier exhibited high mucoadhesive force and pH-sensitivity, in that release of the nanoparticles and the model peptide calcein were both restricted in acidic environment while a fast and complete release was achieved in neutral medium. Therefore, this novel carrier would be a promising candidate for hydrophilic peptide drugs via oral administration.