Synthetic nanoparticles of bovine serum albumin with entrapped hydroquinone

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is highly water soluble and binds drugs or inorganic substances noncovalently for their effective delivery to various affected areas of the body. Due to the well-defined structure of the protein, containing charged amino acids, albumin nanoparticles (NPs) may allow electrostatic adsorption of negatively or positively charged molecules, such that substantial amounts of drug can be incorporated within the particle, due to different albumin-binding sites. Moreover, the biodegradability and biocompatibility of albumin have made these nanoparticles good candidates to use in biomedical applications [1,2]. In this study, the synthesis of BSA NPs, by a desolvation process, was studied with hydroquinone (HQ) as the active agent. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems can enhance drug permeation through the skin and improve the drug stability. The hyperpigmentation is a common skin disorder that could be caused by number of reasons such as sun exposure and pregnancy.Hydroquinone could inhibit the production of melanin and eliminate the discolorations of skin. This study is aimed at introducing albumin nanoparticles as suitable carriers for drug delivery to skin. Prepared nanoparticles were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The hydroquinone content of the hydroquinone-albumin complex was determined using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results of chemical morphology characterization and in vitro release studies indicated the potential use of these NPs as drug carriers in biological systems requiring a fast release of HQ.