Immobilisation of cardosin A in chitosan sponges as a novel implant for drug delivery

Curr Drug Discov Technol. 2005 Dec;2(4):231-8. doi: 10.2174/157016305775202973.

Abstract

Cardosin A is extracted from the pistils of the plant Cynara cardunculus L. and chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from chitin with valuable properties as a biomaterial. In this work we report our experiments on the synthesis of chitosan sponges and immobilisation of cardosin A, by entrapment. We observed that 10-15% of the incorporated cardosin A were released over 6 days of incubation. In addition, we could also note that this immobilisation procedure did not induce any specificity alterations on cardosin A. The specificity study of the enzyme, using beta-chain of oxidised insulin, showed that the immobilised and released enzymes have the same hydrolysis pattern as the free enzyme. The ability of this enzyme to hydrolyse type I collagen was maintained, after the immobilisation procedure. The biocompatibility in vivo of these sponges was evaluated by histological staining after implantation in rats submitted to abdominal surgery. Results of this study demonstrated that these chitosan sponges are very promising vehicles for the application of cardosin A, in abdominal cavity for prevention and reduction of the adhesions formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / administration & dosage*
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / chemistry
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Chitosan / administration & dosage*
  • Collagen Type I / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drug Implants*
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / administration & dosage*
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / chemistry
  • Female
  • Hydrolysis
  • Insulin / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Drug Implants
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Insulin
  • Plant Proteins
  • Chitosan
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • aspartic proteinases, Cynara cardunculus