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Bărăian AI, Iacob BC, Sorițău O, Tomuță I, Tefas LR, Barbu-Tudoran L, Șușman S, Bodoki E. Ruxolitinib-Loaded Imprinted Polymeric Drug Reservoir for the Local Management of Post-Surgical Residual Glioblastoma Cells. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15040965. [PMID: 36850247 PMCID: PMC9962605 DOI: 10.3390/polym15040965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The current limitations of glioblastoma (GBM) chemotherapy were addressed by developing a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based drug reservoir designed for the localized and sustained release of ruxolitinib (RUX) within the tumor post-resection cavity, targeting residual infiltrative cancerous cells, with minimum toxic effects toward normal tissue. (2) Methods: MIP reservoirs were synthesized by precipitation polymerization using acrylamide, trifluoromethacrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and styrene as monomers. Drug release profiles were evaluated by real-time and accelerated release studies in phosphate-buffered solution as a release medium. The cytotoxicity of polymers and free monomers was evaluated in vitro on GBM C6 cells using the Alamar Blue assay, optical microscopy, and CCK8 cell viability assay. (3) Results: Among the four synthesized MIPs, trifluoromethacrylic acid-based polymer (MIP 2) was superior in terms of loading capacity (69.9 μg RUX/mg MIP), drug release, and efficacy on GBM cells. Accelerated drug release studies showed that, after 96 h, MIP 2 released 42% of the loaded drug at pH = 7.4, with its kinetics fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The cell viability assay proved that all studied imprinted polymers provided high efficacy on GBM cells. (4) Conclusions: Four different drug-loaded MIPs were developed and characterized within this study, with the purpose of obtaining a drug delivery system (DDS) embedded in a fibrin-based hydrogel for the local, post-surgical administration of RUX in GBM in animal models. MIP 2 emerged as superior to the others, making it more suitable and promising for further in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra-Iulia Bărăian
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Cezar Iacob
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Olga Sorițău
- Institute of Oncology “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță”, Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology and Radiobiology, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Tomuță
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Sergiu Șușman
- Department of Morphological Sciences, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Pathology, IMOGEN Research Centre, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ede Bodoki
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Tefas LR, Toma I, Sesarman A, Banciu M, Jurj A, Berindan-Neagoe I, Rus L, Stiufiuc R, Tomuta I. Co-delivery of gemcitabine and salinomycin in PEGylated liposomes for enhanced anticancer efficacy against colorectal cancer. J Liposome Res 2022:1-17. [PMID: 36472146 DOI: 10.1080/08982104.2022.2153139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in both developed and emerging countries. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cells within the tumor mass harboring stem cell characteristics, considered responsible for tumor initiation, growth, relapse, and treatment failure. Lately, it has become clear that both CSCs and non-CSCs have to be eliminated for the successful eradication of cancer. Drug delivery systems have been extensively employed to enhance drug efficacy. In this study, salinomycin (SAL), a selective anti-CSC drug, and gemcitabine (GEM), a conventional anticancer drug, were co-loaded in liposomes and tested for optimal therapeutic efficacy. We employed the Design of Experiments approach to develop and optimize a liposomal delivery system for GEM and SAL. The antiproliferative effect of the liposomes was evaluated in SW-620 human colorectal cancer cells. The GEM and SAL-loaded liposomes exhibited adequate size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and drug content. The in vitro release study showed a sustained release of GEM and SAL from the liposomes over 72 h. Moreover, no sign of liposome aggregation was seen over 1 month and in a biological medium (FBS). The in vitro cytotoxic effects of the co-loaded liposomes were superior to that of single GEM either in free or liposomal form. The combination therapy using GEM and SAL co-loaded in liposomes could be a promising strategy for tackling colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Toma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alina Sesarman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Faculty of Biology and Geology, “Babes-Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Manuela Banciu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Faculty of Biology and Geology, “Babes-Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ancuta Jurj
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lucia Rus
- Department of Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Rares Stiufiuc
- Department of Bionanoscopy, MedFuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4-6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Tomuta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Hales D, Muntean DM, Neag MA, Kiss B, Ștefan MG, Tefas LR, Tomuță I, Sesărman A, Rațiu IA, Porfire A. Curcumin-Loaded Microspheres Are Effective in Preventing Oxidative Stress and Intestinal Inflammatory Abnormalities in Experimental Ulcerative Colitis in Rats. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175680. [PMID: 36080447 PMCID: PMC9457911 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin’s role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been proven by numerous studies, but its preventive administration, with the aim of reducing the remission episodes that are characteristic of this disease, must be further investigated. This study investigates the effects of a novel curcumin-loaded polymeric microparticulate oral-drug-delivery system for colon targeting (Col-CUR-MPs) in an experimental model of UC. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were divided into five groups (n = 8), which were treated daily by oral gavage for seven days with a 2% aqueous solution of carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (CMCNa) (healthy and disease control), free curcumin powder (reference), Col-CUR-MPs (test) and prednisolone (reference) prior to UC induction by the intrarectal administration of acetic acid (AA), followed by animal sacrification and blood and colonic samples’ collection on the eighth day. Col-CUR-MPs exhibited an important preventive effect in the severity degree of oxidative stress that resulted following AA intrarectal administration, which was proved by the highest catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels and the lowest nitrites/nitrates (NOx), total oxidative status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels. Biochemical parameter analysis was supported by histopathological assessment, confirming the significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of this novel colon-specific delivery system in AA-induced rat models of UC. Thus, this study offers encouraging perspectives regarding the preventive administration of curcumin in the form of a drug delivery system for colon targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Hales
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dana-Maria Muntean
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-755-682158
| | - Maria Adriana Neag
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Béla Kiss
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria-Georgia Ștefan
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Tomuță
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alina Sesărman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Molecular Biology Center, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 42 Treboniu Laurian Street, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana-Adela Rațiu
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania
| | - Alina Porfire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Toma I, Porfire AS, Tefas LR, Berindan-Neagoe I, Tomuță I. A Quality by Design Approach in Pharmaceutical Development of Non-Viral Vectors with a Focus on miRNA. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071482. [PMID: 35890377 PMCID: PMC9322860 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Tumors consist of heterogeneous cell populations that have different biological properties. While conventional cancer therapy such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery does not target cancer cells specifically, gene therapy is attracting increasing attention as an alternative capable of overcoming these limitations. With the advent of gene therapy, there is increasing interest in developing non-viral vectors for genetic material delivery in cancer therapy. Nanosystems, both organic and inorganic, are the most common non-viral vectors used in gene therapy. The most used organic vectors are polymeric and lipid-based delivery systems. These nanostructures are designed to bind and protect the genetic material, leading to high efficiency, prolonged gene expression, and low toxicity. Quality by Design (QbD) is a step-by-step approach that investigates all the factors that may affect the quality of the final product, leading to efficient pharmaceutical development. This paper aims to provide a new perspective regarding the use of the QbD approach for improving the quality of non-viral vectors for genetic material delivery and their application in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Toma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.T.); (L.R.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Alina Silvia Porfire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.T.); (L.R.T.); (I.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.T.); (L.R.T.); (I.T.)
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Ioan Tomuță
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.T.); (L.R.T.); (I.T.)
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Tefas LR, Barbălată C, Tefas C, Tomuță I. Salinomycin-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Overcoming the Hurdles in Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081120. [PMID: 34452081 PMCID: PMC8401311 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are reportedly responsible for the initiation and propagation of cancer. Since CSCs are highly resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy, they are considered the main cause of cancer relapse and metastasis. Salinomycin (Sali), an anticoccidial polyether antibiotic, has emerged as a promising new candidate for cancer therapy, with selective cytotoxicity against CSCs in various malignancies. Nanotechnology provides an efficient means of delivering Sali to tumors in view of reducing collateral damage to healthy tissues and enhancing the therapeutic outcome. This review offers an insight into the most recent advances in cancer therapy using Sali-based nanocarriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.R.T.); (C.B.); (I.T.)
| | - Cristina Barbălată
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.R.T.); (C.B.); (I.T.)
| | - Cristian Tefas
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor” Regional Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 19–21 Croitorilor Street, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-740836136
| | - Ioan Tomuță
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.R.T.); (C.B.); (I.T.)
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Hales D, Dumitrașcu DL, Tomuță I, Briciu C, Muntean DM, Tefas LR, Iurian S, Iovanov RI, Achim M, Vlase L. Formulation, preparation and in vitro - in vivo evaluation of compression-coated tablets for the colonic-specific release of ketoprofen. BRAZ J PHARM SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/s2175-97902017000400266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Hales
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu”, Romania
| | | | - Ioan Tomuță
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu”, Romania
| | - Corina Briciu
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu”, Romania
| | | | | | - Sonia Iurian
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu”, Romania
| | | | - Marcela Achim
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu”, Romania
| | - Laurian Vlase
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu”, Romania
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Tefas LR, Sylvester B, Tomuta I, Sesarman A, Licarete E, Banciu M, Porfire A. Development of antiproliferative long-circulating liposomes co-encapsulating doxorubicin and curcumin, through the use of a quality-by-design approach. Drug Des Devel Ther 2017; 11:1605-1621. [PMID: 28579758 PMCID: PMC5448697 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s129008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to use the quality-by-design (QbD) approach in the development of long-circulating liposomes co-loaded with curcumin (CUR) and doxorubicin (DOX) and to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of these liposomes in vitro using C26 murine colon carcinoma cell line. Based on a risk assessment, six parameters, namely the phospholipid, CUR and DOX concentrations, the phospholipid:cholesterol molar ratio, the temperature during the evaporation and hydration steps and the pH of the phosphate buffer, were identified as potential risk factors for the quality of the final product. The influence of these variables on the critical quality attributes of the co-loaded liposomal CUR and DOX was investigated: particle size, zeta potential, drug loading and entrapment efficiency. For this, a 26−2 factorial design was employed to establish a proper regression model and to generate the contour plots for the responses. The obtained data served to establish the design space for which different combinations of variables yielded liposomes with characteristics within predefined specifications. The validation of the model was carried out by preparing two liposomal formulations corresponding to the robust set point from within the design space and one outside the design space and calculating the percentage bias between the predicted and actual experimental results. The in vitro antiproliferative test showed that at higher CUR concentrations, the liposomes co-encapsulating CUR and DOX had a greater cytotoxic effect than DOX-loaded liposomes. Overall, this study showed that QbD is a useful instrument for controlling and optimizing the manufacturing process of liposomes co-loaded with CUR and DOX and that this nanoparticulate system possesses a great potential for use in colon cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu"
| | - Bianca Sylvester
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu"
| | - Ioan Tomuta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu"
| | - Alina Sesarman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology.,Molecular Biology Centre, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Emilia Licarete
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology.,Molecular Biology Centre, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Manuela Banciu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology.,Molecular Biology Centre, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alina Porfire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu"
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Tefas LR, Tomuţă I, Achim M, Vlase L. Development and optimization of quercetin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles by experimental design. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 88:214-23. [PMID: 26528074 PMCID: PMC4576773 DOI: 10.15386/cjmed-418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and aims Quercetin is a flavonoid with good antioxidant activity, and exhibits various important pharmacological effects. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of formulation factors on the physicochemical properties of quercetin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in order to optimize the formulation. Materials and methods The nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. A 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design was employed in this study considering poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) concentration, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration and the stirring speed as independent variables. The responses were particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency. Results The PLGA concentration seemed to be the most important factor influencing quercetin-nanoparticle characteristics. Increasing PLGA concentration led to an increase in particle size, as well as encapsulation efficiency. On the other hand, it exhibited a negative influence on the polydispersity index and zeta potential. The PVA concentration and the stirring speed had only a slight influence on particle size and polydispersity index. However, PVA concentration had an important negative effect on the encapsulation efficiency. Based on the results obtained, an optimized formulation was prepared, and the experimental values were comparable to the predicted ones. Conclusions The overall results indicated that PLGA concentration was the main factor influencing particle size, while entrapment efficiency was predominantly affected by the PVA concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Tomuţă
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marcela Achim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Laurian Vlase
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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