Core–shell structured nanoparticles (NPs) render the simultaneous coloading capacity of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs and may eventually enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we employed a facile squalenoylation technology to synthesize a new amphiphilic starch derivative from partially oxidized starch, which self-assembled into core–shell starch NPs (StNPs) only at a squalenyl degree of substitution (DoS) of ∼1%. The StNPs characteristics could be tuned as the functions of the polymer molecular weight, DoS, and NPs concentration. The biopharmaceutical features of the StNPs, including colloidal stability, carrier properties, and biocompatibility, were carefully investigated. The interaction study between StNPs and mucin glycoproteins, the main organic component of mucus, revealed a moderate mucin interacting profile. Furthermore, the StNPs also showed good penetration through Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. These results nominate StNPs as a versatile drug delivery platform with potential applications for mucosal drug delivery and the treatment of persistent infections.

中文翻译：

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自组装的两亲淀粉基药物传递平台：合成，制备和与生物屏障的相互作用。

核-壳结构的纳米颗粒（NPs）可以同时赋予疏水性和亲水性药物双重负载能力，并最终提高治疗效果。在这项研究中，我们采用了一种简便的角鲨烯酰化技术，由部分氧化的淀粉合成了一种新的两亲性淀粉衍生物，该衍生物仅以约1％的鲨烯基取代度（DoS）自组装为核-壳淀粉NP（StNPs）。StNPs的特性可以根据聚合物分子量，DoS和NPs浓度的函数进行调整。仔细研究了StNPs的生物药物特性，包括胶体稳定性，载体性质和生物相容性。StNP与粘液的主要有机成分粘蛋白糖蛋白之间的相互作用研究显示出中等的粘蛋白相互作用谱。此外，铜绿假单胞菌生物膜。这些结果提名StNPs为多功能药物输送平台，具有潜在的粘膜药物输送和持续感染治疗应用。