Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres containing 5-fluorouracil: optimization of process parameters

Recent research and development of local anesthetic-loaded microspheres

This review introduces the recent research and development in local anesthetic-loaded microsphere, as efficient microspheres formulation, the efficient microspheres: optimum preparation method, high loading efficiency, and ideal release rate.

Sustained release and pharmacologic evaluation of human glucagon-like peptide-1 and liraglutide from polymeric microparticles

The GLP1-receptor agonists exert regulatory key roles in diabetes, obesity and related complications. Here we aimed to develop polymeric microparticles loaded with homologous human GLP1 (7-37) or the analogue liraglutide. Peptide-loaded microparticles were prepared by a double emulsion and solvent evaporation process with a set of eight polymers based on lactide (PLA) or lactide-glycolide (PLGA), and evaluated for particle-size distribution, morphology, in vitro release and pharmacologic activity in mice. The resulting microparticles showed size distribution of about 30-50 μm. The in vitro kinetic release assays showed a sustained release of the peptides extending up to 30-40 days. In vivo evaluation in Swiss male mice revealed a similar extension of glycemic and body weight gain modulation for up to 25 days after a single subcutaneous administration of either hGLP1-microparticles or liraglutide-microparticles. Microparticles-loaded hGLP1 shows equivalent in vivo pharmacologic activity to the microparticles-loaded liraglutide.

Preparation, Optimization and In vitro Evaluation of Glipizide Nanoparticles Integrated with Eudragit RS-100

BACKGROUND

Solubility is an important criterion for drug efficacy, independent of the route of administration. It also poses a major challenge for pharmaceutical industries, which are developing new pharmaceutical products, since 40% of the active substances being identified are either insoluble or poorly soluble in aqueous media.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to develop nanoformulation of glipizide drugloaded nanoparticles providing controlled release formulation.

METHOD

Nanoparticles were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Eudragit RS100, a nonbiodegradable polymer with varying ratios was used for making the formulation. The effect of key formulation variables on the particle size and entrapment efficiency and drug loading of nanoparticles were studied by using factorial design.

RESULTS

DSC thermograms indicate that glipizide was dispersed in an amorphous state in the polymer. TEM study indicates that the nanoparticles were in spherical shape. The mean diameter was dependent on the presence of the amount of Eudragit RS100 and viscosity of the organic phase. The in vitro study showed that the cumulative drug release was from 69.52-81.44 % in 10 hrs at pH 6.8 in phosphate buffer respectively.

CONCLUSION

The developed NPs could reduce dose frequency, decrease side effects, and improve patient compliance. Using factorial design, maximum entrapment efficiency with minimum particle size could be achieved with a few experiments.

Solution dynamics of 5-fluorouracil entrapped in poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microsphere-A study with 1D selective NMR methods

In this report, our main focus is to introduce a set of one-dimensional (1D) NMR methods based on chemical shift, relaxation, and magnetization transfer, namely, NOE and chemical exchange involving selective pulse excitation to study the solution dynamics of drug in free and encapsulated state within polymeric microsphere. In this regard 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres are prepared as model system via standard water-in-oil-in-water emulsification method. One-dimensional 1 H and 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of 5-FU in presence of PLGA microspheres presented a significant change in linewidth and relaxation rates compared with free 5-FU confirming encapsulation. Furthermore, loss of coupling pattern in 1 H and 19 F NMR of PLGA encapsulated 5-FU as compared with free 5-FU suggests an enhanced -NH and -H2 O protons exchange dynamics in the interior of the microsphere indicating hydrated microsphere cavity. Quantification of exchange dynamics in case of free and PLGA-encapsulated 5-FU was attempted employing 1D selective NOESY and 1D multiply selective inversion recovery experiments. Analysis of the exchange rates confirmed existence of more than one kind of water population within the cavity as mentioned in an earlier solid state NMR report.

Targeted delivery of mannosylated-PLGA nanoparticles of antiretroviral drug to brain

Mannosylated polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) enable improvement of brain bioavailability and reduction of dosing due to efficient drug delivery at the target site. Mannose receptors are present on the surface of macrophages, and therefore, in this study, it is expected that mannosylated NPs of anti-human immunodeficiency virus drug may target the macrophages, which may improve the therapeutic outcome and reduce the toxicity of antiretroviral bioactives. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and mannosylated-PLGA NPs (Mn-PLGA NPs) were prepared and administered by intravenous route in a dose of 10 mg/kg. After predetermined time period, the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of NPs were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and confocal microscopy, respectively. Results of this study indicated that Mn-PLGA NPs would be a promising therapeutic system for efficient delivery of the drug into brain macrophages.

Preparation and characterization of textile-based carrier systems for anal fissure treatment

Anal fissure is common and painful disease of anorectum. In this study, microparticles containing nifedipine and lidocaine HCl were prepared by spray drying and applied to bio-degradable and bio-stable tampons. Characterization of microparticles was determined by visual analyses, mass yield, particle size measurement, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading and in vitro drug release. Mass yield was between 5.5 and 45.9%. The particle size was between 15.1 and 26.8 µm. Encapsulation efficiency were 96.142 ± 5.931 and 85.571 ± 3.301; drug loading were 65.261 ± 3.914% and 37.844 ± 4.339% of L2 and N1, respectively. Well-separated, mainly spherical microparticles with suitable properties were obtained. Optimum microparticles were applied to tampons. Physical properties and visual characteristics of tampons were investigated before and after binder application. In vitro drug release from tampons were also examined. According to the results, textile-based carrier systems loaded microparticles containing nifedipine and lidocaine HCl will be an effective and promising alternative for current anal fissure treatment.

Prolonged exposure of colon cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil nanoparticles improves its anticancer activity

In this study, we aimed to improve the anticancer effect of 5-FU on human colon cancer cell lines by incorporating in poly(d,l lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs). The 5-FU-PLGA NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation technique. Prepared NPs were moderately dispersed with an average diameter of 133 ± 25.19 nm. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images revealed spherical structures with subtle surface irregularity. Free 5-FU dose-response curves were constructed (12.5-2000 μM) using MTT assay on HCT 116 and HT-29 cell lines for 1, 3, and 5 days. The calculated IC₅₀ on HCT 116 were 185 μM after 1 day, 11.3 μM after 3 days, and 1.48 μM after 5 days. On HT-29, IC₅₀ was only reached after 5 days of 5-FU treatment (11.25 μM). The HCT 116 viability following treatment with 100 μM 5-FU in free or NPs forms for 3 days was 38.8% and 18.6%, respectively. Similarly, when 250 μM was applied, HCT 116 viability was 17.03% and 14.6% after treatment with free and NPs forms of 5-FU, respectively. Moreover, HT-29 cell viability after 250 μM 5-FU treatment in free or NPs forms was 55.45% and 34.01%, respectively. We also noticed that HCT 116 cells were more sensitive to 5-FU-PLGA NPs as compared to HT-29 cells. Overall, our data indicate that 5-FU activity is time dependent and the prolonged effects created by PLGA NPs may contribute, at least in part, to the noticed enhancement of the anticancer activity of 5-FU drug.

A novel approach to sterile pharmaceutical freeze-drying

A novel approach has been developed that enables sterile pharmaceutical products to be freeze-dried in the open laboratory without specialist facilities. The product is filled into vials, semi-stoppered and sealed inside one, followed by a second, sterilization pouch under class 100 conditions. The product is then freeze-dried in the laboratory where the vials are shelf-stoppered before being returned to class 100, unwrapped and crimped. The sterilization pouches increased the resistance to water vapor movement during sublimation, thereby increasing the sublimation time and product temperature. Ovine immunoglobulins were double wrapped and lyophilized (as above) adjusting the primary drying time and shelf temperature for increased product temperature and, therefore, prevention of collapse. Ovine immunoglobulin G formulations freeze-dried to ≤ 1.1% residual moisture with no effect on protein aggregation or biological activity. The process was simulated with tryptone soya broth and no growth of contaminating microbial cells was observed after incubation at 35 °C for 2 weeks. Although increasing lyophilization time, this approach offers significant plant and validation cost savings when sterile freeze-drying small numbers of vials thereby making the manufacture of treatments for neglected and orphan diseases more viable economically.

Optimization of PLG microspheres for tailored drug release

Here we explore the opportunity to design and then produce tailored release of therapeutic drugs from microcapsules. By use of "building blocks," formed from well characterized microcapsule populations, an inverse design algorithm has been developed that provides an optimal (in a least squares sense) combination of building blocks to achieve a desired release history. Previously we have reported experiments and a well validated mathematical model for computing drug release histories from PLG microcapsules, and these form the backbone of the present optimization algorithm. To expand our available basis for finding useful optimal solutions, we also report work to validate the mathematical model for two different molecular weights. Thus, our building blocks comprise populations that differ by microsphere mean diameter, polydispersity, and polymer molecular weight, giving three separate parameters that effect drug release rate, and from which we build a foundation for our tailored release. Here we have taken a basis of six different microcapsule release systems, from which we build a tailored release history using constrained optimization to fit a prescribed release profile. Comparison of predicted release with measurements from the tailored microcapsule populations was found to produce excellent results, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.98. By way of demonstration, a triple pulse design is described that illustrates the power of the method.

Investigation on processing variables for the preparation of fluconazole-loaded ethyl cellulose microspheres by modified multiple emulsion technique

Fluconazole-loaded ethyl cellulose microspheres were prepared by alginate facilitated (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion technology and the effects of various processing variables on the properties of microspheres were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy revealed spherical nature and smooth surface morphology of the microspheres except those prepared at higher concentration of emulsifiers and higher stirring speeds. The size of microspheres varied between 228 and 592 mum, and as high as 80% drug entrapment efficiency was obtained depending upon the processing variables. When compared up to 2 h, the drug release in pH 1.2 HCl solution was slower than in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer saline solution. However, this trend was reversed at high shear conditions. The microspheres provided extended drug release in alkaline dissolution medium and the drug release was found to be controlled by Fickian-diffusion mechanism. However, the mechanism shifted to anomalous diffusion at high shear rates and emulsifier concentrations. The aging of microspheres did not influence the drug release kinetics. However, the physical interaction between drug and excipients affected the drug dissolution behaviors. X-ray diffractometry (X-RD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed amorphous nature of drug in the microspheres. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated stable character of fluconazole in the microspheres. The stability testing data also supported the stable nature of fluconazole in the microspheres. The fluconazole extracted from 80% drug-loaded formulation showed good in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Thus, proper control of the processing variables involved in this modified multiple emulsion technology could allow effective incorporation of slightly water soluble drugs into ethyl cellulose microspheres without affecting drug stability.

An in vitro release study of 5-fluoro-uracil (5-FU) from swellable poly-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) nanoparticles

Nanomaterials are at the leading edge of the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology. The use of nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles for anticancer therapeutics has great potential to revolutionize the future of cancer therapy. The present paper concerns both the optimizations of anticancer drug loading and its release from polymeric nanoparticles. The major aim of this study was to design poly (HEMA) nanoparticles as swelling controlled drug release system for anticancer drug. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by Infra-Red (IR) Spectra, Particle size Analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The nanoparticles were loaded with widely used anticancer drug, 5-Fluorouracil, and controlled release of drug was investigated to observe the effects of various parameters such as percent loading of the drug, chemical architecture of the nanocarriers, pH, temperature, and nature of release media on the release profiles. The chemical stability of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was also tested in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) (pH = 7.4) and release was studied in various simulated biological fluids. The prepared nanoparticles could provide a possible pathway for controlled and targeted delivery of anticancer drug, thus causing lower side effects and higher efficacy.

Novel strategies to improve the anticancer action of 5-fluorouracil by using drug delivery systems

Because of the fundamental importance of new therapeutic routes for cancer treatment, a number of systems based on colloidal particles as vehicles for the delivery of the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil have been devised. The target is always to provide the proper dose of the antitumor agent only at the desired locus of action, thus reducing the unwanted side effects. In this review, the main strategies and the more significant results in the development of 5-fluorouracil carriers for cancer treatment are discussed.

Development of biodegradable starch microspheres for intranasal delivery

Domperidone microspheres for intranasal administration were prepared by emulsification crosslinking technique. Starch a biodegradable polymer was used in preparation of microspheres using epichlorhydrine as cross-linking agent. The formulation variables were drug concentration and polymer concentration and batch of drug free microsphere was prepared for comparisons. All the formulations were evaluated for particle size, morphological characteristics, percentage drug encapsulation, equilibrium swelling degree, percentage mucoadhesion, bioadhesive strength, and in vitro diffusion study using nasal cell. Spherical microspheres were obtained in all batches with mean diameter in the range of above 22.8 to 102.63 mum. They showed good mucoadhesive property and swelling behaviour. The in vitro release was found in the range of 73.11% to 86.21%. Concentration of both polymer and drug affect in vitro release of drug.

Dynamics of controlled release of heparin from swellable crosslinked starch microspheres

The microspheres of crosslinked starch have been prepared and characterized by IR spectral analysis and SEM technique. The prepared microspheres were loaded with an anticoagulant drug 'heparin' and the kinetics of in-vitro release of heparin was investigated spectrophotometrically at physiological pH (7.4) and body temperature (37 degrees C). The influence of percent loading of heparin, chemical architecture of the microspheres and pH of the release medium were examined on the release profiles of the drug. The chemical stability of heparin was tested in phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4) and the release was also studied in various simulated biological fluids.

Effect of mean diameter and polydispersity of PLG microspheres on drug release: Experiment and theory

The need to tailor release rate profiles from polymeric microspheres is a significant problem. Microsphere size, which has a significant effect on drug release rate, can potentially be varied to design a controlled drug delivery system with desired release profile. In this work the effects of microspheres mean diameter, polydispersity, and polymer degradation on drug release rate from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres are described. Piroxicam containing PLG microspheres were fabricated at 20% loading, and at three different impeller speeds. A portion of the microspheres was then sieved giving five different size distributions. In vitro release kinetics were determined for each preparation. Based on these experimental results, a suitable mathematical theory has been developed that incorporates the effect of microsphere size distribution and polymer degradation on drug release. We show from in vitro release experiments that microsphere size has a significant effect on drug release rate. The initial release rate decreased with an increase in microsphere size. In addition, the release profile changed from first order to concave-upward (sigmoidal) as the microsphere size was increased. The mathematical model gave a good fit to the experimental release data. For highly polydisperse populations (polydispersity parameter b<3), incorporating the microsphere size distribution into the mathematical model gave a better fit to the experimental results than using the representative mean diameter. The validated mathematical model can be used to predict small-molecule drug release from PLG microsphere populations.

Spray-dried poly(D,L-lactide) microspheres containing carboplatin for veterinary use: in vitro and in vivo studies

The aim of this study was the development of a veterinary dosage form constituted by injectable biodegradable microspheres designed for the subcutaneous release of carboplatin, a chemotherapeutic drug. Poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) microspheres were prepared by an emulsification/spray-drying method, using the drug-to-polymer weight ratios 1:9 and 1:5; blank microspheres (1% w/v) were prepared as a comparison. Microparticles were characterized in terms of morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release behavior. In vivo tests were conducted on rats by subcutaneous injection of microsphere aqueous suspensions. Levels of carboplatin were evaluated both in the skin and in serum. The microparticles obtained had a spherical shape; particle size ranged from 5 to 7 microm, dependent on drug loading. Microspheres were able to control the in vitro release of the drug: approximately 90% to 100% of the carboplatin was released over 30 days. In vivo results showed that the microspheres were able to release high drug amounts locally, and sustained serum levels of drug were also achieved. Based on these results, carboplatin-loaded PDLLA microspheres may be useful for local delivery of the antineoplastic drug to the tumor, avoiding tumor recurrence in small animals, and may decrease the formation of distant metastases.