Carboxymethyl Tamarind seed polysaccharide nanoparticles as a potent mucomimetic and biocompatible oral nanocarrier

A novel mucomimetic and biocompatible nanocarrier, carboxymethyl tamarind seed polysaccharide (CMTSP) nanoparticles, were synthesized using ionic gelation. The nanoparticles were spherical, with a narrow size distribution (175 ± 10.3 nm), as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Furthermore, the nanoparticles were physicochemically characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, which illustrated the free state of the encapsulated drug (Amphotericin B) and amorphous nature of the nanoformulation. The well-optimized nanoparticles showed an encapsulation efficiency of 83.98 ± 0.92% and a drug loading of 15.63 ± 3.61%. In-vitro drug release experiments showed the biphasic pattern of drug release from CMTSP nanoparticles, with an initial burst release of 10% and a sustained release up to the next 48 hours. The CMTSP modification conferred the orally administered nanoparticles with hydrophilicity (50% reduction in contact angle) and exceptional antioxidant ability (57.4% free radical scavenging activity). The nanoparticles exhibited pH-dependent swelling behavior and were stable in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Moreover, the nanoparticles exhibited superior cell viability and excellent cellular uptake capability. With these unique properties of the natural water-soluble polysaccharide of tamarind, CMTSP provides nanoparticles with hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, mucus-mimicking behavior, and stability.