Intestinal uptake and transport of albumin nanoparticles: potential for oral delivery.

AIM

To explore the potential of albumin nanoparticles for oral drug delivery.

METHODS

Sub-150 nm human serum albumin nanoparticles were fabricated via a desolvation technique. Nanoparticle cell uptake and epithelial translocation were tested in Caco-2 monolayers, while comparing with albumin solution.

RESULTS

Data suggest epithelial transcytosis of albumin, applied in solution form, via neonatal Fc receptor. Cell uptake of albumin nanoparticles demonstrated behaviors indicating a different cell uptake pathway compared with albumin solution. Importantly, application of equivalent concentrations of albumin solution or nanoparticles resulted in higher epithelial transport capacity of the latter, suggesting improvement of intestinal delivery via nanoformulation.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights for the first time that simply fabricated, nontoxic human serum albumin nanoparticles may find application in oral drug delivery.