Fabrication and optimization of chitosan-g-m-PEG-NH2 copolymer for advanced glioblastoma therapy using surface engineered lentinan loaded nanovesicles for nasal delivery

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) exhibits a high mortality with an incidence rate of 3–5 per 100,000 each year, which demands existence of newer approach for its treatment. The current study focuses on synthesis of novel lipidic nanovesicles (LNs) loaded with highly potent macromolecule Lentinan (LNT) and surface modified with methoxy poly (ethylene glycol; PEG) amine (m-PEG-NH2)-grafted-chitosan (CS) for intranasal delivery. The grafting procedure was optimized using Box Behnken design (BBD) to limit the use of organic solvents. The fabricated polymer showed enhanced aqueous solubility, biodegradability and mucoadhesion, resulting in higher nasal mucosa permeation (z = 53.52 μm). The presence of PEG enabled the sustained release of LNT till 48 h and assisted in achieving higher accumulation of LNT in CSF (41.7 ± 3.1 μg/mL) and a higher brain targeting potential of 96.3 ± 2.31 % (p < 0.05). In-vitro cellular studies showed the enhanced anti-GBM effect of LNT on U87 MG cells by reducing the cell viability (~2 times reduction in IC50 value) accompanied with large number of cells undergoing late apoptosis and death (p < 0.05) because of the higher cellular uptake (63.22 ± 3.01 ng/100 cells) of novel formulation. The copolymer comprising LNs were biocompatible, stable and can be used as an effective tool in the management of GBM.