The purpose of this research project was to develop and characterise matrix type microspheres prepared from Eudragit® L100, containing insulin as model peptide drug as well as an absorption enhancer, N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), to improve intestinal absorption via the paracellular route. Insulin loaded microspheres were prepared using a single water in oil emulsification/evaporation method in accordance with a fractional factorial design (23) and subsequently characterised in terms of morphology as well as internal structure. Also, insulin and TMC loading were determined using a high pressure liquid chromatography analysis (HPLC) and colorimetric assay, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic characterisation revealed that most microsphere formulations showed a spherical shape and smooth surface with a sponge-like internal structure as well as relatively good homogeneity in terms of size distribution. Insulin loading ranged from 27.9 ± 14.25 – 52.4 ± 2.72% between the different formulations. TMC loading was lower than for insulin and ranged from 29.1 ± 3.3 - 37.7 ± 2.3% between the different formulations. The pronounced difference in insulin and TMC loading between the microsphere formulations is probably the result of the multitude parameters involved as well as the complex physicochemical processes which govern emulsification/solvent evaporation. Based on the microsphere characterisation results, two formulations were selected (i.e. B and F) for further characterisation (i.e. particle size distribution, dissolution behaviour, and enteric nature) and for in vitro evaluation of insulin transport across excised Fischer (FSR) rat intestinal tissue using a Sweetana-Grass diffusion chamber. Particle size analysis by means of laser light diffraction of the two selected microsphere formulations revealed that the mean particle size (based on volume) ranged from 135.7 ± 41.05 to 157.3 ± 31.74 m. Dissolution results for microsphere Formulations B and F revealed that both insulin and TMC were released from the microsphere formulations in an alkaline environment (pH 7.4). The mean dissolution time (MDT) for insulin ranged from 34.5 ± 4.01 to 42.6 ± 9.06 min, while the MDT for TMC ranged from 1.2 ± 1.73 to 6.8 ± 6.42 min. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the MDT of either insulin or TMC (p-value > 0.05) between the two formulations, although the difference between insulin and TMC of each formulation was significant (p-value < 0.05). Microsphere formulations B and F released 36.92 and 48.21% of their total drug content over a period of 1 h in 0.1 M HCl. Microsphere Formulation B showed 8.3 ± 0.52% and formulation F 8.9 ± 2.26% transport of the initial insulin dose after a period of 120 min across excised rat intestinal tissue. The increase in insulin transport by the microsphere formulations compared to that of the control group (i.e. insulin alone) correlated well with the decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) caused by the microsphere formulations. The transport of insulin from Formulations B and F represented transport enhancement ratios of 10.67 and 9.68, respectively. Insulin loaded EudragitL100 microspheres containing TMC were successfully prepared by emulsification/solvent evaporation that demonstrated promising potential to serve as oral drug delivery systems for insulin. The microspheres exhibited improved insulin permeability across intestinal epithelial tissue; however, its enteric properties should be improved and clinical effectiveness need to be confirmed by future in vivo studies. / Thesis (MSc (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The purpose of this research project was to develop and characterise matrix type microspheres prepared from Eudragit® L100, containing insulin as model peptide drug as well as an absorption enhancer, N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), to improve intestinal absorption via the paracellular route. Insulin loaded microspheres were prepared using a single water in oil emulsification/evaporation method in accordance with a fractional factorial design (23) and subsequently characterised in terms of morphology as well as internal structure. Also, insulin and TMC loading were determined using a high pressure liquid chromatography analysis (HPLC) and colorimetric assay, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic characterisation revealed that most microsphere formulations showed a spherical shape and smooth surface with a sponge-like internal structure as well as relatively good homogeneity in terms of size distribution. Insulin loading ranged from 27.9 ± 14.25 – 52.4 ± 2.72% between the different formulations. TMC loading was lower than for insulin and ranged from 29.1 ± 3.3 - 37.7 ± 2.3% between the different formulations. The pronounced difference in insulin and TMC loading between the microsphere formulations is probably the result of the multitude parameters involved as well as the complex physicochemical processes which govern emulsification/solvent evaporation. Based on the microsphere characterisation results, two formulations were selected (i.e. B and F) for further characterisation (i.e. particle size distribution, dissolution behaviour, and enteric nature) and for in vitro evaluation of insulin transport across excised Fischer (FSR) rat intestinal tissue using a Sweetana-Grass diffusion chamber. Particle size analysis by means of laser light diffraction of the two selected microsphere formulations revealed that the mean particle size (based on volume) ranged from 135.7 ± 41.05 to 157.3 ± 31.74 m. Dissolution results for microsphere Formulations B and F revealed that both insulin and TMC were released from the microsphere formulations in an alkaline environment (pH 7.4). The mean dissolution time (MDT) for insulin ranged from 34.5 ± 4.01 to 42.6 ± 9.06 min, while the MDT for TMC ranged from 1.2 ± 1.73 to 6.8 ± 6.42 min. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the MDT of either insulin or TMC (p-value > 0.05) between the two formulations, although the difference between insulin and TMC of each formulation was significant (p-value < 0.05). Microsphere formulations B and F released 36.92 and 48.21% of their total drug content over a period of 1 h in 0.1 M HCl. Microsphere Formulation B showed 8.3 ± 0.52% and formulation F 8.9 ± 2.26% transport of the initial insulin dose after a period of 120 min across excised rat intestinal tissue. The increase in insulin transport by the microsphere formulations compared to that of the control group (i.e. insulin alone) correlated well with the decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) caused by the microsphere formulations. The transport of insulin from Formulations B and F represented transport enhancement ratios of 10.67 and 9.68, respectively. Insulin loaded EudragitL100 microspheres containing TMC were successfully prepared by emulsification/solvent evaporation that demonstrated promising potential to serve as oral drug delivery systems for insulin. The microspheres exhibited improved insulin permeability across intestinal epithelial tissue; however, its enteric properties should be improved and clinical effectiveness need to be confirmed by future in vivo studies. / Thesis (MSc (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Limitierend für pharmakologische Therapien ist oft die Unfähigkeit des Wirkstoffes, biologische Membranen zu überwinden, weswegen häufig Transportmoleküle wie z.B. zellpenetrierende Peptide (CPPs, cell penetrating peptides) benutzt werden. Von den über 100 beschriebenen CPPs wurde bisher nur eine kleine Anzahl systematisch verglichen, was die Auswahl des „richtigen“ CPPs für eine Anwendung erschwert. Ziel dieser vorliegenden Arbeit war es, das pro-apoptotische Peptid KLA mittels CPPs spezifisch in Krebszellen zu transportieren. Untersucht wurden: (I) Verschiedene CPPs in unterschiedlichen Zelltypen zur Selektion der „besten“ CPPs; (II) Der Einflusses des CPP C-Terminus auf die Internalisierung und zelluläre Verteilung; (III) Der zelluläre KLA-Transport mittels CPPs via einer nicht-kovalenten Administration. 22 verschiedene CPPs wurden in sieben Zelltypen untersucht, wobei Toxizität, Zellaufnahme und zelluläre Lokalisation mittels Fluorescein markierten CPPs in Fluoreszenzspektroskopie und konfokaler Mikroskopie betrachtet wurden. Abhängig von der Zellaufnahme wurden die CPPs in drei Gruppen klassifiziert. Die Untersuchung carboxylierter und carboxyamidierter CPP C-Termini ergab, dass in den meisten Fällen ein Carboxyamid die zelluläre Aufnahme begünstigte. Drei CPPs (MPG, Penetratin und Integrin) wurden ausgewählt, um das pro-apoptotische KLA Peptid in zwei Krebszelllinien (MCF-7 Brustkrebszellen und leukämische RAW264.7 Makrophagen) im Vergleich zu Fibroblasten (Cos-7) nicht-kovalent zu transportieren. Der erfolgreiche KLA-Transport hing vom CPP, dessen C-Terminus und der Zelllinie ab. Die Analyse der Viabilität nach CPP:KLA Administration ergab, dass MPG-CONH2:KLA (1:2) toxisch für Makrophagen und Brustkrebszellen, aber nicht für Fibroblasten war. Die Toxizität konnte der Apoptose zugeordnet werden. Die vorliegende Arbeit liefert wichtige Informationen über die Auswahl des passenden CPPs für den nicht-kovalenten Transport des pro-apoptotischen KLA-Peptids. / Limitations in a pharmacological therapy are often due to the inability of drugs to overcome the cell membrane and therefore transporting molecules are being used, e.g. cell penetrating peptides (CPPs). Only a few of the over 100 described CPPs have been compared systematically making the choice of “the” CPP for a given application difficult. The goal of the presented work is the CPP mediated delivery of the pro-apoptotic peptide KLA in breast cancer cells as proof of principle for a therapeutical application. Analysed were (I) Different CPPs in various cell types to select the “best” one, (II) The influence of the CPP C-termini on uptake and localisation, (III) The cellular KLA delivery via a non-covalent CPP administration. 22 CPPs were compared in seven cell types thereby looking at toxicity, cellular uptake and subcellular localisation using fluorescein labelled CPPs for fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy. The resulting uptake information allowed the classification of the CPPs in three main groups. The evaluation of carboxylated and carboxyamidated CPP C-termini revealed that a carboxyamide mostly enhanced the cellular CPP uptake. Three CPPs were selected (MPG, penetratin and integrin) to deliver the pro-apoptotic KLA peptide in two cancer cell lines (breast cancer MCF-7 cells and RAW264.7 macrophages) compared to fibroblasts (Cos-7) via the non-covalent strategy. A successful KLA delivery depended on the applied CPP, its C-terminus and the used cell line. The biological activity of the pro-apoptotic KLA peptide was determined via the cell viability (MTT assay). The co-incubation of MPG-CONH2:KLA (1:2) was able to induce toxicity in breast cancer cells and leukaemic macrophages, but not in fibroblasts. The viability reductions were then assigned to apoptosis. This work provides important information for the choice of an adequate CPP for the pro-apoptotic KLA peptide delivery and presents the advantage of the non-covalent delivery strategy.

Yes / A new type of self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex nanocarrier composed of chondroitin (CHON) and protamine (PROT) was designed and the ability of the carriers to bind salmon calcitonin (sCT) was examined. The response of sCT-loaded CHON/PROT NPs to a change in the properties of the liquid medium, e.g. its pH, composition or ionic strength was studied and in vitro peptide release was assessed. The biocompatibility of the NPs was evaluated in Caco-2 cells. CHON/PROT NPs were successfully obtained with properties that were dependent on the concentration of the polyelectrolytes and their mixing ratio. X-ray diffraction determined the amorphous nature of the negatively charged NPs, while those with the positive surface potential were semi-crystalline. sCT was efficiently associated with the nanocarriers (98-100%) and a notably high drug loading (13-38%) was achieved. The particles had negative zeta potential values and were homogenously dispersed with sizes between 60 and 250 nm. CHON/PROT NPs released less than 10% of the total loaded peptide in the first hour of the in vitro release studies. The enthalpy of the decomposition exotherm correlated with the amount of sCT remaining in NPs after the release experiments. The composition of medium and its ionic strength was found to have a considerable influence on the release of sCT from CHON/PROT NPs. Complexation to CHON markedly reduced the toxic effects exerted by PROT and the NPs were compatible and well tolerated by Caco-2 cells.