The use of nanocrystalline cellulose for the binding and controlled release of drugs

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate the use of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as a drug delivery excipient. NCC crystallites, prepared by an acid hydrolysis method, were shown to have nanoscopic dimensions and exhibit a high degree of crystallinity. These crystallites bound significant quantities of the water soluble, ionizable drugs tetratcycline and doxorubicin, which were released rapidly over a 1-day period. Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was bound to the surface of NCC and increased the zeta potential in a concentration-dependent manner from −55 to 0 mV. NCC crystallites with CTAB-modified surfaces bound significant quantities of the hydrophobic anticancer drugs docetaxel, paclitaxel, and etoposide. These drugs were released in a controlled manner over a 2-day period. The NCC-CTAB complexes were found to bind to KU-7 cells, and evidence of cellular uptake was observed.

Keywords:

• drug delivery
• nanocrystalline cellulose
• controlled release

Acknowledgments/disclosure

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from FPInnovations. JKJ, KL, BZW, LY, and HMB are employees of the University of British Columbia and report no conflicts of interest in this work. WYH is an employee of FPInnovations and an Adjunct Professor with the University of British Columbia.