Research on the fate of polymeric nanoparticles in the process of the intestinal absorption based on model nanoparticles with various characteristics: size, surface charge and pro-hydrophobics

Abstract Background The use of drug nanocarriers to encapsulate drugs for oral administration may become an important strategy in addressing the challenging oral absorption of some drugs. In this study—with the premise of controlling single variables—we prepared model nanoparticles with different particle sizes, surface charges, and surface hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity. The two key stages of intestinal nanoparticles (NPs) absorption—the intestinal mucus layer penetration stage and the trans-intestinal epithelial cell stage—were decoupled and analyzed. The intestinal absorption of each group of model NPs was then investigated. Results Differences in the behavioral trends of NPs in each stage of intestinal absorption were found to result from differences in particle properties. Small size, low-magnitude negative charge, and moderate hydrophilicity helped NPs pass through the small intestinal mucus layer more easily. Once through the mucus layer, an appropriate size, positive surface charge, and hydrophobic properties helped NPs complete the process of transintestinal epithelial cell transport. Conclusions To achieve high drug bioavailability, the basic properties of the delivery system must be suitable for overcoming the physiological barrier of the gastrointestinal tract.