Salmon calcitonin-loaded Eudragit® and Eudragit®-PLGA nanoparticles: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

The main objective of this study was to prepare salmon calcitonin (sCT)-loaded Eudragit®RSPO, Eudragit®L100 and Eudragit®-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) blend nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo evaluation as an oral drug delivery system. The prepared nanoparticles ranged in size from 179.7 to 308.9 nm with a polydispersity index between 0.051 and 2.75, and had surface charges ~ -11 to +6 mV. Efficient sCT encapsulation and release was observed with all the nanoparticle formulations. The polymer type was an important factor that influenced the release characteristics and the in vivo hypocalcemic effect. Nanoparticle formulations were also prepared with sodium taurodeoxycholate (NaTDC) and characterized. No statistically significant difference was noted between the hypocalcemic effect of any of the nanoparticle formulations with and without NaTDC (p > 0.05). The use of Eudragit®RSPO nanoparticles appears to be a potential approach for the oral delivery of sCT.