Potential of Negatively Charged Pectin Nanoparticles Encapsulating Paclitaxel: Preparation & Characterization

Sugars with their three dimensional structures are important for many biological functions. We report preparation of negatively charged pectin nanoparticles and its efficacy as a drug delivery vehicle for anticancer drug Paclitaxel assessed. Pectin nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation having a mean diameter of ~300-350 nm, and were stable over a wide range of temperature and pH. FT-IR spectra revealed that C=O_str band of ester group at 1750 cm^- disappeared and C-O_str bands at 1100 and 1015 cm^- became less apparent in nanoparticles. The carboxylate, hydroxyl ions of pectin as well as amide group of L-Asparagine was also actively involved in the folding process forming the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were less viscous and the high surface charge ´ζ´ of -32 mV stabilized them against aggregation. The observed E.E.% [encapsulation efficiency] was ~17%. Release pattern of the drug was biphasic, releasing ~96% of the drug in pH 5.8 as against only 81% in pH 7.4 over a period of a month..