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Synthesis and characterization of gelatin nanoparticles using CDI/NHS as a non-toxic cross-linking system

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Abstract

Gelatin nanoparticles, cross-linked by a mixture of a water soluble carbodiimide (CDI) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as a non-toxic cross-linking system, was prepared. The conventional two step desolvation method with acetone as the non-solvent was used. The mean size and size distribution as well as the morphology of the formed nanoparticles were evaluated and compared with those of nanoparticles cross-linked by glutaraldehyde (GA) as the most commonly used cross-linking agent. Furthermore, intrinsic viscosities of the nanoparticles cross-linked by CDI/NHS and GA were measured and compared under various conditions. The results showed the formation of smoother and more homogeneous nanoparticles with smaller size when CDI/NHS used as cross-linking agent under the same synthesis condition. Moreover, nanoparticles encapsulating paracetamol as a model drug were produced by the two different cross-linking agents and were characterized for drug entrapment and loading efficiencies and in vitro drug release. Both drug entrapment and loading efficiencies was higher in the CDI/NHS cross-linked nanoparticles; however, the release kinetics was comparable to that of nanoparticles cross-linked with GA. The differences in the characteristics of CDI/NHS and GA cross-linked nanoparticles were attributed to the different nature of network structures formed by the two cross-linking agents. On the whole, these results suggested that CDI/NHS cross-linked nanoparticles have high potential to be used for drug delivery application in preference to the nanoparticles synthesized by toxic cross-linking agents.

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Acknowledgment

Partial financial support from the Iranian Nanotechnology Initiative and vice-president for research and technology of University of Tehran is gratefully appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry, University College of Science, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6455, Tehran, Iran

    Nader Taheri Qazvini & Sahar Zinatloo

  2. Biomaterials Research Center (BRC), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Nader Taheri Qazvini

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  1. Nader Taheri Qazvini
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  2. Sahar Zinatloo
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Correspondence to Nader Taheri Qazvini.

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Dedicated to the memory of Professor Mohammad-Nabi Sarbolouki (1949–2009).

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Taheri Qazvini, N., Zinatloo, S. Synthesis and characterization of gelatin nanoparticles using CDI/NHS as a non-toxic cross-linking system. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 22, 63–69 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-010-4178-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-010-4178-2

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