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A Novel Azathioprine Polysaccharide Nanoparticle Enhances the Efficacy of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Therapy

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Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients will suffer from some level of discomfort as the disease progresses due to involvement with the respiratory system. Shrinking lung syndrome is an uncommon disease side effect. SLE has traditionally been treated with chemical immunosuppressants. But these chemical drugs have low solubility, a short half-life in circulation, poor solubility, and higher side effects. One of the most effective ways to extend the time of circulation is to combine pharmaceuticals with nanocarriers that are developed. This method is particularly interesting autoimmune disorders have not been widely employed for the treatment of cancer and other infectious diseases. Here, we use a novel biocompatible polysaccharide nanoparticle, effectively synthesizing a simple but universal drug delivery platform. The immunosuppressant azathioprine was initially conjugated onto the polysaccharide nanocarrier in this proof-of-concept trial for the treatment of SLE. The kidneys only cleared the AZA-PHA nanoparticles slowly, and they had a 30% cytotoxicity. Azathioprine-polysaccharide nanoparticles demonstrated greater therapeutic efficacy to azathioprine-polysaccharide nanoparticles in a murine SLE model without significantly increasing toxicity. This delivery method, which might act as a fresh and universal platform, might make it possible to treat SLE.

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Funding

The corresponding author is thankful for the financial support from Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship, No. F.4-2/2006 (BSR)/BL/19-20/0217, by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India and also Periyar University, Salem, India, for providing the necessary facilities. The project was funded by Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2023R231), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, 636011, India

    Chandrababu Rejeeth

  2. Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, The University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0806, USA

    Nipun Babu Varukattu

  3. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, 250005, India

    Alok Sharma

  4. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Raju Suresh Kumar, Abdulrahman I. Almansour & Natarajan Arumugam

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  1. Chandrababu Rejeeth
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  2. Nipun Babu Varukattu
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  3. Alok Sharma
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  5. Abdulrahman I. Almansour
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  6. Natarajan Arumugam
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Correspondence to Chandrababu Rejeeth.

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Rejeeth, C., Varukattu, N.B., Sharma, A. et al. A Novel Azathioprine Polysaccharide Nanoparticle Enhances the Efficacy of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Therapy. J Pharm Innov 18, 2075–2082 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12247-023-09774-x

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