Quaternized chitosan (QCS) nanoparticles as a novel delivery system for ammonium glycyrrhizinate.

The aim of this study was to generate a new type of nanoparticles made of quaternized chitosan (QCS) and poly(aspartic acid) via the ionotropic gelation technique and to evaluate their potential for the association and delivery of ammonium glycyrrhizinate (GLA). The effects of the pH value of nanoparticles, QCS molecular weight (Mw) and poly(aspartic acid) concentration on GLA encapsulation were studied. Suitably pH value of nanoparticles, moderate QCS MW, optimal concentration ratio of poly(aspartic acid) and QCS favored higher GLA encapsulation efficiency. The release of GLA from nanoparticles was pH-dependent. Fast release occurred in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH = 7.4), while the release was slow in 0.1 M HCl (pH = 1.2). The results showed that the new QCS/poly(aspartic acid) nanoparticles have a promising potential in GLA delivery system.