Chitosan/laponite nanocomposite nanogels as a potential drug delivery system

In this study, we fabricated and characterized nanometric chitosan (Cs)/laponite (La) nanocomposite nanogels for controlled drug delivery applications. Cs and Cs/La nanocomposite nanogels were formed by ionic gelation method using tripolyphosphate. The release of honey as a model drug was monitored using a blood glucose meter. The results of dynamic light scattering and field emission scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that in the wet state, the mean particle size of nanogels were 133 nm and 118 nm for Cs nanogels and Cs/La nanocomposite nanogels, moderately reducing to 32 nm and 95 nm at dried state, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed exfoliated morphology for nanocomposite nanogels. Although honey loading increased the size of the nanogels, it had no effect on the morphology of nanocomposite nanogels. The loading efficiency and loading capacity of encapsulation decreased in nanocomposite nanogels. The honey release profile of nanocomposite nanogels began with a burst release, and showed lower values compared to Cs nanogels during the first hour. Our results corroborated to the higher cross-linking density and barrier effect of La in nanocomposite nanogels.