Pharmaceutical and immunological evaluation of mucoadhesive nanoparticles based delivery system(s) administered intranasally

Tri-methyl chitosan synthesis accompanies polymer chain scission, which may affect the carrier and adjuvant properties of the polymer. The main objective of this study was to synthesize the tri-methylated chitosan using mild (TMC-M) and conventional (TMC) method and compare their efficacy as nasal vaccine delivery vehicle. During in vitro studies TMC-M nanoparticles showed the lowest nasal clearance rate when compared with chitosan (CS) and TMC nanoparticles. The immunogenicity of nanoparticles based delivery system(s) was assessed by measuring anti-HBsAg antibody titer in mice serum and secretions after intranasal administration. The alum based HBsAg vaccine injected subcutaneously was used as positive control. Results indicated that alum based HBsAg induced strong humoral but negligible mucosal immunity. However, TMC-M nanoparticles induced stronger immune response at both of the fronts as compared to generated by CS or TMC nanoparticles. Present study demonstrates that TMC-M can be a better carrier adjuvant for nasal subunit vaccines.