Abstract
Purpose: PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) have
been extensively investigated as carriers of different drug molecules to
enhance their therapeutic effects or preserve them from the aqueous
environment. Streptokinase (SK) is an important medicine for thrombotic diseases.
Methods: In this study, we used
electrospray to encapsulate SK in PLGA NPs and evaluate its activity. This is
the first paper which investigates activity of an electrosprayed enzyme. Effect
of three input parameters, namely, voltage, internal diameter of needle
(nozzle) and concentration ratio of polymer to protein on size and size
distribution (SD) of NPs was evaluated using artificial neural networks (ANNs).
Optimizing the SD has been rarely reported so far in electrospray.
Results: From the results, to obtain
lowest size of nanoparticles, ratio of polymer/enzyme and needle internal
diameter (ID) should be low. Also, minimum SD was obtainable at high values of
voltage. The optimum preparation had mean (SD) size, encapsulation efficiency
and loading capacity of 37 (12) nm, 90% and 8.2%, respectively. Nearly, 20% of
SK was released in the first 30 minutes, followed by cumulative release of 41%
during 72 h. Activity of the enzyme was also checked 30 min after preparation
and 19.2% activity was shown.
Conclusion: Our study showed that
electrospraying could be an interesting approach to encapsulate
proteins/enzymes in polymeric nanoparticles. However, further works are
required to assure maintaining the activity of the enzyme/protein after
electrospray.