Evaluation of betamethasone sodium phosphate loaded chitosan nanoparticles for anti-rheumatoid activity

Nanocarriers, in various forms, have the possibility of providing endless opportunities in the area of drug delivery. The purpose of this study was formulation and evaluation of betamethasone sodium phosphate (BSP) loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) using cross-linked chitosan malic acid derivative for better therapeutic effect. The prepared BSP loaded CNPs formulations were characterised for photon correlation spectroscopy, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, in-vitro release kinetics and in-vivo toxicity studies. Mean particle diameter of BSP loaded CNPs was about 130 nm with spherical morphology. The in-vitro drug release study of BSP loaded CNPs showed sustained drug release for 48 h and drug release was found to follow zero order. The biochemical, haematology and histopathology reports of in-vivo toxicity studies revealed that BSP loaded CNPs do not exhibit any toxic effect on vital organs and could be safe. The developed BSP loaded CNPs are found to be safer, and used for the treatments of highly prevalent and chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis.