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. 2015 Apr;23(2):188-94.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2014.07.007. Epub 2014 Jul 18.

Cationic nanoemulsions as potential carriers for intracellular delivery

P V Khachane  1 , A S Jain  1 , V V Dhawan  1 , G V Joshi  2 , A A Date  3 , R Mulherkar  2 , M S Nagarsenker  1
Affiliations

Cationic nanoemulsions as potential carriers for intracellular delivery

P V Khachane et al. Saudi Pharm J. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

Successful cytosolic delivery enables opportunities for improved treatment of various genetic disorders, infectious diseases and cancer. Cationic nanoemulsions were designed using alternative excipients and evaluated for particle size, charge, effect of sterilization on its stability, DNA condensation potential and cellular uptake efficiency. Various concentrations of non-ionic and ionic stabilizers were evaluated to design formula for colloidally stable cationic nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsion comprised of 5% Capmul MCM, 0.5% didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), 1% phospholipid, 1% Poloxamer 188 and 2.25% glycerol and possessed particle size of 81.6 ± 3.56 nm and 137.1 ± 1.57 nm before and after steam sterilization, respectively. DNA condensation studies were carried out at various nanoemulsion: DNA ratios ranging from 1:1 to 10:1. Cell uptake studies were conducted on human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell lines which are widely reported for transfection studies. The nanoemulsions showed excellent cellular uptake as evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Overall, a colloidally stable cationic nanoemulsion with good DNA condensation ability was successfully fabricated for efficient cytosolic delivery and potential for in vivo effectiveness.

Keywords: Cationic; Cytosolic delivery; Didodecyldimethylammonium bromide; Intracellular delivery; Nanoemulsion.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic of cationic nanoemulsion formulation and condensation with DNA.
Figure 2
Figure 2
DNA condensation results. Lane 1 shows naked DNA whereas absence of bands on the gel in Lane 2, 3 and 4 indicates complete condensation between the DNA and the delivery system.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Fluorescence images of HEK cells (A) and (B) represent merged and fluorescence images of untreated control whereas (C) and (D) represent the merged and fluorescence images of nanoemulsion treated cells, respectively.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Flow cytometry histograms of untreated control and nanoemulsion treated cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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