Preparation, characterization and in vitro drug release of poly-epsilon-caprolactone and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate ketoprofen loaded microspheres

Converting nanosuspension into inhalable and redispersible nanoparticles by combined in-situ thermal gelation and spray drying

While nanoparticulate drugs for deep lung delivery hold promise for particular disease treatments, their size-related physical instability and tendency of being exhaled during breathing remain major challenges to their inhaled formulation development. Here we report a viable method for converting drug nanosuspensions into inhalable, stable and redispersible nano-agglomerates through combined in-situ thermal gelation and spray drying. Itraconazole (ITZ) nanosuspensions were prepared by flash nanoprecipitation, and co-spray dried with two different grades of the gel-forming polymer, methylcellulose (MC M20 and MC M450) as protectants. MC M20 was found superior in protecting ITZ nanoparticles against thermal stress (through nanoparticle entrapment within its gel network structure) during spray drying. In terms of redispersibility, an S_f/S_i ratio (i.e., ratio of nanoparticle sizes after and before spray drying) of unity (1.02 ± 0.03), reflecting full particle size preservation, was achieved by optimizing the suspending medium content and spray drying parameters. Formulation components, nanosuspension concentration and spray drying parameters all showed a significant impact on the aerosol performance of the resulting agglomerates, but an absence of defined trends or correlations. Overall, the MC-protected nano-agglomerates displayed excellent in-vitro aerosol performance with fine particle fractions higher than 50% and mass median aerodynamic diameters within the 2-3 µm range, which are ideal for deep lung delivery.

Recent research and development in synthetic polymer-based drug delivery systems

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition that a number of synthetic polymers which have excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility are materials of pharmaceutical importance in the area of drug delivery technology. The aim of this review is to take a closer look at a few synthetic polymer-based drug delivery systems, specially the aliphatic polyesters, polyamides, polyethers, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polyurethanes, hydrogels and dendritic polymers.

Functionalized bridged silsesquioxane-based nanostructured microspheres: ultrasound-assisted synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity characterization

Different kinds of polymers have been employed in medicine as biomaterials for different purposes. In recent years, considerable attention has been focused on the development of new drug-delivery systems in order to increase bio-availability, sustain, localize and target drug action in the human body. The versatility of the sol-gel processing to synthesize nanostructured materials and the possibility of incorporating organic molecules into the matrix of the final hybrid material, represent a novel and attractive path to the synthesis of new functionalized hybrid biomaterials with advanced properties. In this work, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-functionalized hybrid microspheres based on bridged silsesquioxanes synthesized via ultrasound-assisted sol-gel processing, were characterized. An investigation concerning the cytotoxic response of these new microspheres on CHO-K1 cells was accomplished based on ISO 10993-5 standard (Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices). Microspheres incorporating ASA showed a cytotoxic effect when pure extracts of the microspheres were analyzed, however, they strongly diminished their cytotoxicity as the extracts were diluted. When a 10% concentration extract was employed, hybrid microspheres were shown to be non cytotoxic. These results are promising for considering these novel functionalized organic-inorganic microspheres as potential drug-carriers to be employed in drug delivery-related applications.

Enzymatic synthesis and evaluation of new novel omega-pentadecalactone polymers for the production of biodegradable microspheres

Two novel co-polymers based on omega-pentadecalactone were enzymatically synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and polycondensation. Modified literature procedures enabled the production of the semi-crystalline materials with suitable molecular weights and melting characteristics. Microspheres were produced using an emulsion solvent evaporation method over a range of variables including manufacturing temperature, stirring speed and duration, surfactant concentration, continuous and disperse phase volume and polymer amount to establish how each variable affected the morphological characteristics of the microspheres. Results demonstrated that changes in emulsion viscosity influenced microsphere size. For polymer SH-L333, the microsphere surface was either smooth or porous depending on the manufacturing temperature used. For polymer SH-L334 the microsphere surface was rough or porous regardless of manufacturing temperature. This was possibly due to several combined factors including molecular weight and the greater hydrophilic nature of SH-L334. These new polymers have the potential for the manufacture of drug-loaded biodegradable microspheres for modified release drug delivery.

Development of Improved Nanoparticulate Polyelectrolyte Complex Physicochemistry by Nonstoichiometric Mixing of Polyions with Similar Molecular Weights

Water-based, biodegradable polyelectrolyte complex dispersions (PECs) prepared by mixing oppositely charged polyions are advantageous drug delivery systems due to constituent biocompatibility and nanoparticulate architectures. Reaction phase environmental parameters dictate PEC physicochemical properties, and specifically, complexation between polyelectrolytes having significantly different molecular weights leads to formation of water-insoluble aggregates. Starting with this fact, four-component similar and dissimilar molecular weight PEC chemistries were applied and compared with and without frequency-induced dispergation. The goal was to define nanoparticulate PEC systems with desirable characteristics for use in biological systems. Results show PEC formulations from precursors with similar low molecular weights yielded dispersions with suitable physicochemical characteristics, as verified by photon correlation spectroscopy and TEM, presumably due to efficient ion pairing. Similar low molecular weight PECs fabricated with dispergation exhibited pH-independent stability, as validated by charge and size measurements. These physicochemical advantages lead to an ideal delivery platform.

In vitro and in vivo bactericidal activities of vancomycin dispersed in porous biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microparticles

Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis requires a prolonged antibiotic therapy with vancomycin. Because of its weak diffusion, the in situ implantation of vancomycin could be interesting. The activity of vancomycin encapsulated in microparticles was evaluated in vitro and in vivo on rabbit osteomyelitis and showed a good activity compared to intravenous administration.

Poly-epsilon-caprolactone microspheres and nanospheres: an overview

Poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable, biocompatible and semicrystalline polymer having a very low glass transition temperature. Due to its slow degradation, PCL is ideally suitable for long-term delivery extending over a period of more than one year. This has led to its application in the preparation of different delivery systems in the form of microspheres, nanospheres and implants. Various categories of drugs have been encapsulated in PCL for targeted drug delivery and for controlled drug release. Microspheres of PCL either alone or of PCL copolymers have been prepared to obtain the drug release characteristics. This article reviews the advancements made in PCL-based microspheres and nanospheres with special reference to the method of preparation of these and their suitability in developing effective delivery systems.

Vancomycin encapsulation in biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microparticles for bone implantation. Influence of the formulation process on size, drug loading, in vitro release and cytocompatibility

Vancomycin encapsulation in biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microparticles (200 microm mean diameter) was most efficient with a simple emulsion technique that dispersed 122.5 mg/g of polymer. Scanning electron micrographs showed smooth or pitted particles. Dissolution studies were correlated with microparticle morphology, indicating higher release with pitted particles when vancomycin was encapsulated in a dissolved state. The cytocompatibility of these poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microparticles was demonstrated by a direct contact cytotoxic assay. This material can be considered as an efficient drug delivery system for bone implantation.

Drug release profiles from and degradation of a novel biodegradable polymer, 2,2-bis(2-oxazoline) linked poly(epsilon -caprolactone)

In the present study, poly (epsilon -caprolactone) (PCL) was modified by introducing oxamide groups into PCL (PCL-O). The degradation (decrease in molecular weight) and erosion (weight loss) of PCL and PCL-O films were studied in PBS (pH 7.4, USP XXIV, 37 degrees C, 26 weeks incubation). The release rates of guaifenesin (M(w) 198.2), griseofulvin (M(w) 352.8), timolol (M(w) 332.4), sodium salicylate (M(w) 160.1) and FITC-dextran (M(w) 4400) from PCL and PCL-O preparations (solvent cast films, compression-molded plates, midi injection-molded rods and microparticles) were examined in PBS (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C). The degradation rate of PCL-O film was faster than that of PCL film while no erosion was observed for either film. When compared to the corresponding drug release from PCL films, the release rates of low molecular weight drugs (M(w)< or =352.8) from PCL-O films were comparable, their releases from both films following closely square-root-of-time kinetics. These results indicate that the oxamide groups had no substantial effect on the release of the low molecular weight drugs. The exception was sodium salicylate which was released faster from PCL-O film. However, FITC-dextran release was notably faster from PCL-O microparticles than from those made of PCL. FITC-dextran release was a combination of diffusion and polymer degradation and thus, the faster degradation of PCL-O enhanced the release of FITC-dextran. In conclusion, the effects of the oxamide groups on drug release profiles were dependent on the drug release mechanisms.

A new injectable bone substitute combining poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microparticles with biphasic calcium phosphate granules

Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of an injectable bone substitute (IBS) composed of biphasic calcium phosphate in 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel (50/50 w/w). A therapeutic agent in the form of a drug can be added to the biomaterial by encapsulation into microparticles to protect the active agent, control its release and preserve the material rheological properties. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) was used in this study because of its biocompatibility and resorbability, as tested in orthopaedic implants and surgical sutures. Particles (80-200 microm) were manufactured by a solvent evaporation-extraction process (1 g of polymer, 11-15 ml methylene chloride, with a stirring speed of 400-600 rpm) and introduced into the IBS in a 5-50% (V/V) range. Injectability was evaluated by texture analysis. With less than 45% of particles, the material had rheological properties similar to those of the reference IBS, whereas injectability decreased markedly with more than 45% of particles. A preliminary in vitro release study showed that this type of triphasic IBS could be efficient for drug delivery systems with osteoconduction properties.

Stability of cyclosporine-loaded poly-sigma-caprolactone nanoparticles

The aim was to evaluate the long-term stability of cyclosporin A-loaded nanoparticle suspensions, stored at 8 and 25 degrees C. The stability of freeze-dried samples was also investigated. Nanoparticles (NP) of poly-sigma-caprolactone (P sigma CL), a biodegradable polymer, were obtained by a modified nanoprecipitation method. A central composite experimental design was used to investigate the simultaneous effect of technological factors (temperature of the aqueous phase and needle gauge) and formulation variables (volume of acetone and the amount of polymer and surfactant). The effect of these variables on the stability of the 100-220 nm particles obtained was evaluated. The percentage of cyclosporin A (CyA) encapsulated in the NP suspensions stored at 8 and 25 degrees C for at least 3 months remained unaltered. Moreover, there was no change in the size of NP. After 4 months storage, the physical stability of the preparation was affected. NP aggregates could be observed by light microscopy. Reconstituted freeze-dried preparations showed a mean increase of 1% in the incorporated drug and also a considerable increase in mean size and size distribution. Additional experiments investigated the effect of freezing temperature (-70 and -196 degrees C) and of 5, 10 and 20% (w/v) cryoprotector (mannitol, sorbitol, glucose and threalose) on 100 nm particles. The addition of glucose and threalose at concentrations > 10% permitted adequate reconstitution of the freeze-dried product with conservation of the encapsulated CyA.