Uniform chitosan microspheres for potential application to colon-specific drug delivery

Uniform chitosan microspheres have been fabricated and weakly crosslinked for potential applications in colon-specific drug delivery. The effects of microsphere size, crosslinking density and electrostatic interactions between the drug and chitosan on drug release were studied, employing model drugs of different acidities. When the drug was basic, all chitosan spheres exhibited 100% release within 30 min. As the acidity of the drug increased, the release slowed down and depended on the crosslinking density and microsphere size. The release of weakly acidic drug was most suppressed for large spheres (35-38 microm), while the small spheres (23-25 microm) with higher crosslinking exhibited the most retention of highly acidic drug, indicating that they are a promising candidate for colon-specific delivery.     

Preparation of poly(butylene-co-ε-caprolactone carbonate) and their use as drug carriers for a controlled delivery system

Poly(butylene-co-ε-caprolactone carbonate) (PBCCL) was successfully synthesized via terpolymerization of carbon dioxide, 1,2-butylene oxide (BO), and ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). ε-CL was inserted into the backbone of BO-CO₂. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and the decomposition temperature (T_d) of PBCCL were much higher than those of poly(butylene carbonate) (PBC). The degradation rate of PBCCL was higher than that of PBC in a pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered solution. ε-CL offered an ester structural unit that gave the terpolymers remarkable degradability. PBC and PBCCL microcapsules containing a hydrophilic antibiotic drug pazufloxacin mesilate (PZFX) were elaborated by solvent evaporation method based on the formation of double W/O/W emulsion. Microcapsules were characterized in terms of the morphology, size, amount of encapsulated, and encapsulation efficiency. The results showed that the microcapsules had smooth and spherical surfaces, and the mean diameter of the microcapsules was in the range of 0.5–1 μm. Of all, 87.90% drug encapsulation efficiency has been achieved for microcapsules of 38.21% drug loading. In vitro drug release of these microcapsules was performed in a pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered solution. The release profiles were investigated from the measurement of PZFX presented in the release medium at various intervals. The release profiles of PZFX from PBC and PBCL microcapsules were found to be biphasic with a burst release followed by a gradual release phase. The release rate of PZFX from the microcapsules increased with increasing the content of ε-CL inserted into the copolymers. It showed that the release profiles of PZFX were highly polymer-dependent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2152–2160, 2007     

Preparation and characterisation of thermoresponsive poly[(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide-co-(hydroxyethyl acrylate)] microspheres as a matrix for the pulsed release of drugs

Despite the large number of publications and patents concerning pH/thermoresponsive polymers, few data are available concerning the preparation of thermoresponsive cross-linked microspheres from preformed polymers. Therefore, N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide-co-(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymers were obtained as a new thermoresponsive material with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 36 degrees C, in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, and with a cross-linkable OH group in their structure. The LCST value was determined both by UV spectroscopy and microcalorimetric analysis. These copolymers were solubilised in acidified aqueous solution below their LCST, dispersed in mineral oil, and transformed into stable microspheres by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The thermoresponsive microspheres were characterised by optical and scanning electron microscopy, degree of swelling, and water retention. The pore dimensions of the microspheres and the retention volumes of some drugs and typical compounds were evaluated at different temperatures by liquid chromatography. Indomethacin, as a model drug, was included in the microspheres by the solvent evaporation method. Finally, the influence of temperature and of temperature cycling on drug release was investigated.     

Encapsulation and/or release behavior of bovine serum albumin within and from polylactide-grafted dextran microspheres

Polylactide (PLA)-grafted dextran (Dex-graft-PLA) of various contents of sugar units was synthesized by anionic polymerization of L-lactide (L-LA) using the alkoxide of partially trimethylsilylated dextran (TMSDex) and subsequently removing the trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups. The copolymer showed different solubility from L-LA homopolymer with increasing the content of sugar units. We prepared bovine serum albumin (BSA)-loaded microspheres (MS)s according to a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion-solvent evaporation/extraction method using methylene chloride/DMSO as an organic cosolvent. MSs prepared from Dex-graft-PLA [MS(Dex-graft-PLA)s] exhibited higher loading efficiency of BSA than MSs prepared from PLLA [MS(PLLA)s]. The in vitro release rate of BSA from MS(Dex-graft-PLA) was faster than that from MS(PLLA). BSA released from MS(Dex-graft-PLA) maintained the secondary structure of native BSA to a great extent, compared with BSA released from MS(PLLA).     

Novel alginate-poly(L-histidine) microcapsules as drug carriers: in vitro protein release and short term stability

Spherical, smooth-surfaced and mechanically stable alginate-poly(L-histidine) (PLHis) microcapsules with narrow particle size distributions were prepared by incubating calcium alginate beads in aqueous solutions of PLHis. The in vitro release characteristics, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules were investigated using bovine erythrocytes hemoglobin (Hb) as a model drug. The results showed that the concentration of Ca(2+) ions had a considerable effect on the drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release behavior of the microcapsules. When the concentration of CaCl(2) in the PLHis solution was increased from 0 to 3.0% (w/v), the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency decreased significantly from 38.0 to 4.3% and from 92.9 to 8.0%, respectively, while the total cumulative release of Hb from microcapsules in phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS, pH 6.8) decreased from 96.2 to 72.8% in 24 h. No significant protein release was observed during 70 h of incubation in hydrochloric acid solution (pH 1.2). However, under neutral conditions (PBS, pH 6.8), the Hb was completely and stably released within 24-70 h. An explosion test showed that the stability of alginate-PLHis microcapsules depended strongly on the concentration of PLHis and the calcium ions in solution. [Diagram: see text] Microscopy photo of Hb-loaded alginate-PLHis microcapsules.     

Recent advances in biopolymer based electrospun nanomaterials for drug delivery systems

Drug delivery systems, including liposomes, gels, prodrugs, and so forth, are used to enhance the tissue benefit of a pharmaceutical drug or conventional substance at a specific diseased site with little toxicological impact. Nanotechnology can be a rapidly developing multidisciplinary science that enables the production of polymers at the manometer scale for different medical applications. The use of biopolymers in drug delivery systems provides compatibility, biodegradability and low immunogenicity biologically. Large-scale and smaller-than-expected medication particles can be delivered using biopolymers such as silk fibroins, collagen, gelatine, and others that are easily formed into suspensions. These drug carrier systems are functional at improving drug delivery and can be used in intranasal, transdermal, dental, and ocular delivery systems. This study discusses the latest developments in drug delivery methods based on nanomaterials, mainly using biopolymers like proteins and polysaccharides.     

Conjugation of pectin biopolymer with Au-nanoparticles as a drug delivery system: Experimental and DFT studies

In the present study, pectin-coated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were used as a candidate for curcumin drug delivery. The effect of the size of synthesized GNPs was examined, as an important factor on the yield of drug delivery. For this purpose, three different sizes of GNPs were first synthesized using a chemical method. The synthesized nanoparticles were then coated with pectin biopolymer. Finally, curcumin drug was loaded in a pectin@GNPs complex. Various methods such as UV–vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesized GNPs and pectin@GNPs. The encapsulation efficiency and the release percentage of the drug were calculated for two different pH values. Further, an antibacterial study was conducted. The results revealed that 100 nm GNPs had the highest encapsulation efficiency. An investigation of the release rate of curcumin drug at 37°C for 48 h indicated that the amount of drug released was higher in acidic pH than at pH 7.4 with a slow release rate. The electronic structure and the adsorption properties of pectin–GNPs complex were examined using the density functional theory method.     

Sustained release of BSA from a novel drug delivery matrix -- bullfrog skin collagen film

A novel drug delivery system, bullfrog skin collagen film, was employed to release bovine serum albumin (BSA). The biophysical properties of bullfrog skin collagen film used were evaluated by thermal denaturation temperature and percentage water loss. The film obtained exhibited good stability and can be taken as a good candidate for drug delivery matrix. Compared with conventional collagen from molecular weight and amino acid composition, bullfrog skin collagen showed significant differences. For safety considerations, bullfrog skin collagen has great advantages. The release kinetics of BSA from bullfrog skin collagen film was measured in vitro. The results indicated bullfrog skin collagen film could be used for sustained release of BSA. Thus, bullfrog skin collagen film can be taken as a novel drug delivery system.     

Magnetic‐targeted pH‐responsive drug delivery system via layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly of polyelectrolytes onto drug‐containing emulsion droplets and its controlled release

Novel magnetic‐targeted pH‐responsive drug delivery system have been designed by the layer‐by‐layer self‐ assembly of the polyelectrolytes (oligochitosan as the polycation and sodium alginate as the polyanion) via the electrostatic interaction with the oil‐in‐water type hybrid emulsion droplets containing the superparamagnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticles and drug molecules [dipyridamole (DIP)] as cores. Here the drug molecules were directly encapsulated into the interior of droplets without etching the templates and refilling with the desired guest molecules. The drug‐delivery system showed high encapsulation efficiency of drugs and drug‐loading capacity. The cumulative release ratio of dipyridamole from the oligochitosan/sodium alginate multilayer‐encapsulated magnetic hybrid emulsion droplets (DIP/Fe₃O₄‐OA/OA)@(OCS/SAL)₄ was up to almost 100% after 31 h at pH 1.8. However, the cumulative release ratio was only 3.3% at pH 7.4 even after 48 h. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

A novel micellar PEGylated hyperbranched polyester as a prospective drug delivery system for paclitaxel

A hyperbranched aliphatic polyester has been functionalized with PEG chains to afford a novel water-soluble BH40-PEG polymer which exhibits unimolecular micellar properties, and is therefore appropriate for application as a drug-delivery system. The solubility of the anticancer drug paclitaxel was enhanced by a factor of 35, 110, 230, and 355 in aqueous solutions of BH40-PEG of 10, 30, 60, and 90 mg x mL(-1), respectively. More than 50% of the drug is released at a steady rate and release is almost complete within 10 h. The toxicity of BH40-PEG was assessed in vitro with A549 human lung carcinoma cells and found to be nontoxic for 3 h incubation up to a 1.75 mg x mL(-1) concentration while LD50 was 3.5 mg x mL(-1). Finally, it was efficiently internalized in cells, primarily in the absence of foetal bovine serum, while confocal microscopy revealed the preferential localization of the compound in cell nuclei. [Figure: see text].     

Novel functional hyperbranched polyether polyols as prospective drug delivery systems

Multifunctional hyperbranched polyether polyols bearing protective poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains with or without the folate targeting ligand at their end have been prepared. Solubilization in these polymers of a fluorescent probe, pyrene, and an anticancer drug, tamoxifen, was physicochemically investigated. It was found that PEG chains attached at the surface of these hyperbranched polymers, in addition to their well-established protective role, enhance the encapsulation efficiency of the polymers. The release of pyrene and tamoxifen observed upon addition of sodium chloride is, in most of the cases, significant only at concentrations exceeding the physiological extracellular concentration. Thus, a significant amount of the probe or drug remains solubilized inside the carriers, which is an encouraging result if the polymers are to be used for drug delivery.     

Effect of drug-loading methods on drug load, encapsulation efficiency and release properties of alginate/poly-L-arginine/chitosan ternary complex microcapsules

The drug-loaded alginate/poly-L-arginine/chitosan ternary complex microcapsules were prepared by mixing method, absorption method and the combined method of mixing and absorption, respectively. The effect of drug-loading methods on drug load, the encapsulation efficiency and the release properties of the complex microcapsules were investigated. The results showed that the absorption process is a dominating factor to greatly increase the drug load of Hb into microcapsules. Upon loading Hb into microcapsules by combined method of mixing and absorption, the drug load (19.9%) is up to the maximum value, and the encapsulation efficiency is 93.8%. Moreover, the drug release is a zero-order kinetics process for the ternary complex microcapsules made by mixing. For the complex microcapsules made by absorption, the drug release is a first-order kinetics. However, for the complex microcapsules made by combining the mixing and the absorption, the drug release obeys a first-order kinetics during the first eighteen hours, changing afterwards to a zero-order kinetics process. Effect of drug-loading methods on drug load and encapsulation efficiency of alginate/poly-L-arginine/chitosan ternary complex microcapsules.     

Gold nanoparticles as a versatile platform for optimizing physicochemical parameters for targeted drug delivery

The development of targeted vehicles for systemic drug delivery relies on optimizing both the cell-targeting ligand and the physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticle carrier. A versatile platform based on modification of gold nanoparticles with thiolated polymers is presented in which design parameters can be varied independently and systematically. Nanoparticle formulations of varying particle size, surface charge, surface hydrophilicity, and galactose ligand density were prepared by conjugation of PEG-thiol and galactose-PEG-thiol to gold colloids. This platform was applied to screen for nanoparticle formulations that demonstrate hepatocyte-targeted delivery in vivo. Nanoparticle size and the presence of galactose ligands were found to significantly impact the targeting efficiency. Thus, this platform can be readily applied to determine design parameters for targeted drug delivery systems.Modified gold nanoparticles are a suitable model for nanoparticle-based gene carriers.     

Rectal administration of nanosystems: from drug delivery to diagnostics

The rectal administration of drugs has been an enduring medical practice for either the management of local or systemic conditions. Although mostly regarded as an alternative to other delivery routes, the colorectal mucosa offers an effective pathway for enhanced systemic bioavailability of many active molecules. The fairly stable physicochemical and enzymatic environment of the mucosa and the possibility of partially avoiding the hepatic first-pass effect are some of the potential advantages of rectal drug delivery. At the same time, higher drug levels of drugs can be achieved at colorectal fluids and tissues, which can aid management of local conditions. However, problems with patient acceptability as well as poor and erratic drug absorption may impair efficient use of the rectal drug delivery route. The valuable features of nanotechnology-based systems for mucosal use are well recognized, and their potential as carriers for drug delivery has already been proven for different medical applications/delivery routes. Although still limited, the development of rectal nanomedicines with therapeutic, diagnostic, and prophylactic purposes is steadily emerging and may circumvent some of the problems associated with the more standard delivery approaches. This review discusses the rationale behind the use of nanotechnology-based strategies for rectal drug delivery and provides a critical overview on the various types of nanosystems proposed so far.     

Slow release of wound healing drug from hydrogel wound dressing prepared by radiation crosslinking method

The hydrogel wound dressing was prepared by radiation crosslinking. It was used of on patients in the Navy 411 Hospital and some other hospitals. From sixty case studies of the clinical effects, the results showed that: 1. drug releasing slowly releives the pain effectively for prolonged period of application; 2. The dressing can reduce the oozing liquid from the wound and make the wound heal faster; 3. The number of the dressing change is greatly reduced. All the data indicates that the dressing is superior to the conventional kinds.     

Polymers for targeted and/or sustained drug delivery

Recent advances in the use of polymers for passive targeting of drugs attached or incorporated into polymeric species (enhanced permeability and retention, EPR) as well as active targeting of drugs by ligands or antibodies of receptors overexpressed on the surface of the targeted cells, is discussed in the present review. Examples of sustained, slow release of a drug incorporated into a polymeric matrix are cited. Drugs used for passive modes of targeting have been described in the context of polymer‐drug conjugates, drugs in the polymer coated liposomes, and drugs inserted into polymeric micelles. Active targeting of the drugs and their internalization by receptors, on the surface of the targeted cells, was also discussed. Release of the drugs inside cells, after are broken the environmentally sensitive links attaching them to polymeric platforms was described. Examples illustrate targeting drug by local heat generated by ultrasound, or by photodynamic treatment. Delivery modes of drugs incorporated into other nanoparticles and the concept of prodrugs have been investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of a starch‐modified hydrogel as potential carrier for drug delivery system

Synthesis and characterization of a new hydrogel were carried out using a chemically modified starch (starch‐M) consisting of coupling C?C bounds coming from glycidil methacrylate (GMA) onto the polysaccharide structure. ¹³C NMR, ¹H NMR, and FT‐IR spectroscopies were used to confirm the incorporation of such groups onto the starch‐M. The hydrogel was prepared by a crosslinking polymerization of starch‐M using sodium persulfate as an initiating agent. The starch‐M hydrogel shows morphology clearly different from that of the raw starch film due to the presence of voids on its surface. The swelling process of the starch‐M hydrogel was not significantly affected by changes on the temperature or on pH of the surrounding liquid, indicating the such behavior can be then understood by a diffusional process, resulting from its physical–chemical interactions with the solvent. The values of the diffusional exponent n were on the order of 0.45–0.49 for the range of pHs investigated, demonstrating that the water transport mechanism of starch‐M hydrogel is more dependent on Fickian diffusion, that is, controlled by water diffusion. Such starch‐M hydrogel is a promising candidate to be used in transporting and in preserving acid‐responsive drugs, such as corticoids, for the treatment of colon‐specific diseases, for example, Crohn's disease. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2567–2574, 2008     

Design and optimization of a new self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system

To improve the dissolution rate of ibuprofen, a model poorly water soluble drug, self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) were developed. Various surfactants and oils were screened as candidates for SNEDDS on the basis of droplet size of the resulting emulsions. The influence of the constituent structure, concentration and the composition of SNEDDS formulations, and the emulsifier HLB value, on the properties of the resulting emulsions was systematically investigated. Several SNEDDS formulations were employed to study the relationship between the emulsion droplet size and the dissolution rate of ibuprofen. The dissolution rate was accelerated by decreasing the nanoemulsion droplet size, and was significantly faster than that from a conventional tablet. The optimal SNEDDS formulation had a mean nanoemulsion droplet diameters of 58 nm in phosphate buffer, pH 6.8 (simulated intestinal fluid), and released ibuprofen more than 95% within 30 min. Therefore, these novel SNEDDS carriers appear to be useful for controlling the release rate of poorly water soluble drugs.     

Alginate/gelatin blend films and their properties for drug controlled release

Films of alginate and gelatin, cross-linked with Ca²⁺, with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride as model drug incorporated in different concentrations, were obtained by a casting/solvent evaporation method. Chemical, morphological and mechanical properties characterization was carried out, as well as the studies of the factors that influence the drug releasing from alginate and gelatin films. These factors included the component ratio of alginate and gelatin, the loaded amount of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, the pH and ionic strength of the release solution, the thickness of the drug loaded films and the cross-linking time with Ca²⁺ and others. The best values of the tensile strength at 101.5 MPa and breaking elongation at 19.4% of blend films were obtained when the gelatin content was 50 wt.%. The results of controlled release tests showed that the amount of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride released decreased with an increase in the proportion of gelatin present in the film. Moreover, the release rate of drug decreased as the amount of drug loaded in the film increased. The alginate/gelatin films were also sensitive to pH and ionic strength. For pH 7.4 the drug release was faster compared to pH 3.6, being simultaneously accelerated by a higher ionic strength. It was observed that in simulated intestinal fluid, the thickness of the film increased from 30 μm to 55 μm with a concomitant reduction of the ciprofloxacin hydrochloride concentration from 100% to 83.5%. When the cross-linking time of these films in the Ca²⁺ solution were 0 min, 5 min, 15 min and 30 min, the drug release rate attained 100%, 100%, 77.6% and 52.4%, respectively, within 24 h. All the results indicated that the alginate/gelatin film was potentially useful in drug delivery systems.