A mannose-conjugated multi-layered polymeric nanocarrier system for controlled and targeted release on alveolar macrophages

To improve the performance of drug delivery systems in macrophages, targeted ligand-conjugated polymeric carriers have been realized to be vital for targeted, sustainable and controlled drug release with remarkable biocompatibility and bioavailability. The primary goal of the present study was to fabricate a multi-layered polymeric nanocarrier system with a targeting moiety for the release of multiple drugs (rifampicin and isoniazid) for pulmonary tuberculosis. In this regard, sodium alginate-grafted allylamine-rifampicin and chitosan-grafted allylamine-mannose were obtained as nano-sized materials by a simple and facile method. A series of physiochemical characterizations via FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and AFM were performed to characterize and confirm the structure and shape of the nanocarriers. Via in vitro drug release studies, the patterns of release of rifampicin and isoniazid in response to a lysozyme environment were observed. Biological evaluations of the prepared nanopolymeric systems have been investigated by cell cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and intracellular protein leakage and confirmed that future clinical applications of these materials in the field of tuberculosis are feasible.