Synthesis and Characterization of Gelatin-Based Nanoparticles for Potential Drug Delivery in Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment

Gelatin-core/poly(ethyleneglycol)-shell structured nanoparticles were synthesized via soap-free emulsion polymerization, gelatin and poly(ethylene glycol) were modified with methacrylic anhydride into methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) and poly(ethyleneglycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), characterized by different techniques and used as macro-comonomers. Nanoparticles were prepared using different macro-comonomer ratios which translated into different sizes as revealed by dynamic light scattering measurements. Nanoparticles were then loaded with clioquinol as model drug for Alzheimer’s treatment, and their drug release behavior was studied, finding that nanogels impart a controlled release directly correlated with the amount of PEGDMA in relation to GelMA in them. Nanoparticles were found to be biocompatible when tested by the MTT assay on human skin fibroblasts. These characteristics make the synthesized nanogels prime candidates for their potential use as drug carriers for neurodegenerative disease treatment.