Genipin Crosslinked Human Serum Albumin Nanoparticles

Abstract

The use of human serum albumin nanoparticles (HSA-NPs) as drug delivery systems in controlled drug release studies has gained importance today. Albumin nanoparticles are biocompatible, biodegradable and provide sustained release. To maintain long-term drug delivery, HSA nanoparticles need to be cross-linked. A chemical crosslinker, glutaraldehyde is generally used in the literature and has some toxic effects on the cells. In this study, a biological crosslinker, genipin, was used for the production of HSA nanoparticles by desolvation technique. Two different temperatures and genipin concentrations were studied in order to decrease crosslinking time. The nanoparticles were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The crosslinking time was reduced from 8-24 hours to 2 hours by raising the temperature to 37oC from room temperature. HSA nanoparticles which are crosslinked by genipin may have potential use in drug delivery system and may be applied in personalized medicine applications.