ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Nystatin loaded PLGA and PLGA-Glucosamine nanoparticles were formulated. PLGA were functionalized with Glucosamine (PLGA-GlcN) to enhance the adhesion of nanoparticles to Candida Albicans (C.albicans) cell walls. METHOD: Quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method was employed using PLGA and PLGA-GlcN with various drug-polymer ratios for the preparation of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were evaluated for size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, drug crystallinity, loading efficiency and release properties. DSC, SEM, XRPD, 1H-NMR, and FT-IR were performed to analyze the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles. Antifungal activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated by determination of MICs against C.albicans. RESULTS: The spectra of 1H-NMR and FT-IR analysis ensured GlcN functionalization on PLGA nanoparticles. SEM characterization confirmed that particles were in the nanosize range and the particle size for PLGA and PLGA-GlcN nanoparticles were in the range of 108.63 ± 4.5 to 168.8 ± 5.65 nm and 208.76 ± 16.85 nm, respectively. DSC and XRPD analysis ensured reduction of the drug crystallinity in the nanoparticles. PLGA-GlcN nanoparticles exhibit higher antifungal activity than PLGA nanoparticles. CONCLUSION: PLGA-GlcN nanoparticles showed more antifungal activity with appropriate physicochemical properties than pure Nystatin and PLGA nanoparticles.