In vitro release modulation and conformational stabilization of a model protein using swellable polyamidoamine nanosponges of b-cyclodextrin

New swellable cyclodextrin-based poly(amidoamine) nanosponges, named PAA-NS10 and PAA-NS11, were synthesized by crosslinking β-cyclodextrin with either 2,2-bisacrylamidoacetic acid or with polyamidoamine segments deriving from 2,2-bisacrylamidoacetic acid and 2-methylpiperazine, respectively. Water uptake studies showed a tremendous swelling capacity of both nanosponges, forming hydrogels. Time dependent swelling experiments in various aqueous media showed that the nanosponge hydrogels were stable over a period of at least 72 h maintaining their integrity. Thermal analysis showed that the two nanosponges were stable up to 250 and 300 °C, respectively. Both PAA-NS10 and PAA-NS11 were converted to aqueous nanosuspensions using the High Pressure Homogenization technique. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as model protein to study the encapsulating capacity of these new β-cyclodextrin-based PAA-nanosponges. High protein complexation capacity was observed, as confirmed by UV spectroscopy. BSA encapsulation efficiency was greater than 90% on w/w basis for both nanosponges. In vitro BSA release studies were carried out showing a prolonged release of albumin from the two swollen BSA loaded β-CD PAA-NS over a period of 24 h.