Angeles Maria Heras Caballero, Instituto de Estudios Biofuncionales/Dpto Química Física II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
Claudia Schmidt, Paderborn University, Germany
Carlos Peniche Covas, Center of Biomaterials, University of Havana, Cuba
Diosgenin, two synthetic analogs of brassinosteroids, testosterone and dl-α-tocopherol were covalently linked to synthetic water-soluble N,O6-partially acetylated chitosan, for their controlled release. Drug linking was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy and proton NMR. Conjugates were also characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. These conjugates formed self-assembled nanoparticles in aqueous solution with particle sizes ranging from 197 to 358 nm and drug contents between 11.8 and 56.4% (w/w). Spherical 30–60 nm nanoparticles were observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy upon drying. In vitro release studies performed at acid pH indicated a drug release dependence on substitution degree and particle sizes. Almost constant release rates were observed during the first 6–8 h. Brassinosteroids-modified nanoparticles showed good agrochemical activity in radish seeds bioassay at 10−1 to 10−4 mg mL−1. Tocopheryl-modified nanoparticles exhibited radical scavenging activity in DPPH test.