Effects of low molecular weight chitosan and its nanoparticles on intestinal permeability of Panax notoginseng saponins / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low molecular weight chitosan (LMW-CTS) and its nanoparticles (LMW-CTS-NPs) on the intestinal permeability of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) by using Caco-2 cell model. Methods: LMW-CTS was prepared by combining chitosanase hydrolysis combined with ultrafiltration separation technology, and molecular weight of LMW-CTS was determined by using permeation gel chromatography (GPC). LMW-CTS-NPs were prepared by ionic gel method, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, nano particle sizer, and flourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. Caco-2 cell model was established and validated to evaluate the effects of LMW-CTS and LMW-CTS-NPs on the intestinal permeability of PNS. Results: LMW-CTS has a molecular weight of 5 760 and a polydispersity coefficient of 1.42. LMW-CTS-NPs have a round shape and narrow particle size distribution, with an average particle size of 115.5 nm and zeta potential of +37.1 mV. The apparent permeability coefficients (Papp, AB→BL) of PNS was less than 1 × 10-6 cm/s, indicating a poor permeability. In LMW-CTS group, the Papp of R1 and Rg1 was increased by 17.83% and 20.29%, respectively, but no significant effect of promotion was observed on other components. However, the Papp of R1, Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd in LMW-CTS-NPs group was increased by 35.66%, 23.28%, 29.41%, 37.99%, and 36.00%, respectively, compared tothe control group. Conclusion: LMW-CTS can significantly promote the intestinal mucosal permeability of R1 and Rg1 in PNS, but has no significant effect on Re, Rb1, and Rd. LMW-CTS-NPs significantly increased the permeability of the major monomer saponin components in PNS. Namely, the intestinal permeability of PNS can be further improved by transforming LMW-CTS into LMW-CTS-NPs.