Targeted brain delivery of itraconazole via RVG29 anchored nanoparticles

J Drug Target. 2011 Apr;19(3):228-34. doi: 10.3109/1061186X.2010.492523. Epub 2010 Jun 14.

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier is a major barrier in the neurological diseases treatment and precludes the entry of drugs from blood to brain. Here, we developed 29-amino-acid peptide derived from rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG29) peptide conjugated itraconazole-loaded albumin nanoparticles (RVG29-ITZ-NPs). The RVG29 peptide was conjugated to the albumin NPs using biotin-binding streptavidin as crosslinker. The NPs were characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, drug loading and release behavior in vitro. Cellular uptake of RVG29-ITZ-NPs was investigated by flow cytometry. Pharmacokinetics and brain distribution of RVG29-ITZ-NPs were investigated after intravenous administration of NPs. The particle size of RVG29-ITZ-NPs was 89.3 ± 1.9 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering. The zeta potential of RVG29-ITZ-NPs was -33.1 ± 0.9 mV. RVG29-ITZ-NPs exhibited a sustained release profile within 24 h. In vitro cellular uptake studies demonstrated that RVG29 significantly facilitated the intracellular delivery of NPs. A significant (P < 0.05) accumulation of ITZ in brain was observed for RVG29-ITZ-NPs as compared with ITZ-NPs and cyclodextrin formulation of ITZ (ITZ-CD). These results suggested that RVG29-ITZ-NPs can be exploited as a potential therapeutic formulation for the intracranial fungal infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / chemistry*
  • Biotin / chemistry
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain
  • Cyclodextrins / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Compounding
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Excipients
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / administration & dosage
  • Itraconazole / chemistry
  • Itraconazole / pharmacokinetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Serum Albumin / chemistry
  • Suspensions
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Cyclodextrins
  • Drug Carriers
  • Excipients
  • Glycoproteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Serum Albumin
  • Suspensions
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein G, Rabies virus
  • Itraconazole
  • Biotin