An Albumin-Enriched Nanocomplex Achieves Systemic Delivery of Clopidogrel Bisulfate to Ameliorate Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Herein, an albumin-enriched nanocomplex was developed for the solubilization and intravascular administration of clopidogrel bisulfate (CLP). In particular, CLP nanoparticles (HS-CLP-NPs) were synthesized via an improved nab-technology method using Solutol HS-15, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was further enriched on the nanoparticle surface forming a protein corona (BH-CLP-NPs). BH-CLP-NPs displayed an average size of 163.4 ± 10.5 nm, a zeta potential of 1.85 ± 0.03 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 99.9%, and a drug loading capacity of 32.9%. The cumulative release of CLP from BH-CLP-NPs reached about 60% within 168 h. The pharmacokinetic study on the CLP metabolite indicated that the BSA-enriched nanoparticle showed greater in vivo exposure. Pharmacodynamic studies in the renal ischemia/reperfusion injury rat model further demonstrated the renal protective effect of systemically administered BH-CLP-NPs against acute kidney injury with significantly downregulated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Overall, the albumin-enriched nanocomplexes offer a neat and efficient strategy for the development of poorly water-soluble drugs to achieve intravascular administration.