Fabrication of chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles and encapsulation into nanoparticles of dinitrosyl iron complexes as potential cardiological drugs

Currently, the development of nanoparticles for the stabilization and targeted delivery of cardiac drugs has gained significance. The present study aimed to develop nontoxic nanoparticles based on chitosan-hyaluronic acid (HA), encapsulate dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs, donors NO) into the nanoparticles to increase the stability and effectiveness of their action, and assess the effect of the nanoparticle-DNIC complex on the cell viability of cardiomyocytes.

Nanoparticles were obtained from chitosan-HA using the ionotropic gelation technology, and the morphology and size of the nanoparticles were determined using electron microscopy. The DNICs were built into the nanoparticles using the physical association method, and the stability of the nanoparticle-DNIC complexes and NO release was investigated using the electrochemical method.

Analysis by the electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles were homogeneous in terms of shape and had an optimal size of ~100 nanometers. In addition, the incorporation of the DNICs into the composition of the nanoparticles significantly increased the stability of the DNICs, while also prolonging the generation of NO and enhancing the yield of nitrogen monoxide. Fluorescence analysis indicated that the chitosan-HA nanoparticles increased the cell viability of rat cardiomyocytes.

The nanoparticles were fabricated from chitosan and HA. The encapsulation of the DNICs into the composition of the nanoparticles could stabilize these compounds, while prolonging and increasing the generated nitric oxide. The nanoparticle-DNICs were water-soluble, biocompatible, biodegradable, and nontoxic, which could be used as potential cardiac drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.