Trigonelline hydrochloride conjugated onto PEGylated nanodiamonds for a selective encapsulation efficiency and controlled release for the inhibition of collagen fibrillation

Abstract

Recently, researchers are involved in finding a cure for fibrotic disorders, which are an acute disease. Along with an ideal drug, a superlative carrier is required for developing a sustainable drug delivery device. For this purpose, trigonelline hydrochloride (TGH) has been chosen as a natural phytochemical drug for targeting fibrotic sites, and carboxylated nanodiamonds (CNDs) have been chosen as a nanocarrier. Initially, biophysical assays have been carried out for collagen-CND composites to understand their concentration dependency to regulate the in vitro experiments. Further, in vitro drug delivery studies have been executed on CNDs to investigate the relative contribution of surface chemistry to their drug encapsulation efficiency and controlled release profile. The rationale is that the hydrophobic CND conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) diamine (PEGDA) would be an ideal carrier for a sustained hydrophilic drug release with an extended residence time. Trigonelline hydrochloride (TGH) has been used as a model drug to probe the interplay between hydrophilicity and drug release kinetics. At a specific concentration, the drug release profile is optimum. This signifies the interplay of multiple physical, chemical, and biophysical interactions that dictate drug kinetics. The outcome of this work might provide a foundation for further study of in vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nanodiamond-based anti-fibrotic drugs. The preparation of such a system would have a secondary implication over the biomedical field of smart nanodiamond carriers.