Feasibility of mucoadhesive chitosan maleimide-coated liposomes for improved buccal delivery of a protein drug

Abstract

Chitosan-maleimide (CSMHA) coated liposomes were developed for the buccal delivery of protein. Albumin–fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate (FITC-BSA) was used as a protein replica to be loaded in the liposomes. The liposomes were formed by a thin-film hydration technique before being decorated with CSMHA. The mucoadhesive capability of the CSMHA-coated liposomes on the porcine buccal mucosa, the loading efficiency and loading capacity, drug release, permeation through buccal mucosa, protein integrity, the cytotoxicity on oral fibroblast cells, and biocompatibility were investigated. The liposome formulations were obtained with sizes of 35–166 nm. CSMHA-coated FITC-BSA-loaded liposomes remained on the buccal tissue to the highest extent. Moreover, CSMHA-coated liposomes provided the highest buccal permeation of FITC-BSA and were safe for normal gingival fibroblast cells and buccal tissue. Therefore, the CSMHA-coated liposomes may have the capability to improve protein delivery via the buccal route.