Preparation and Characterization of Poly(D,L-Lactide) (PLA) and Poly(D,L-Lactide)-Poly(Ethylene Glycol) (PLA-PEG) Nanocapsules Containing Antitumoral Agent Methotrexate

Summary: The aims of the present work were to prepare and characterize nanocapsules containing antitumoral agent methotrexate (MTX) from poly(D ,L -lactide) (PLA) and poly(D ,L -lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol) diblock copolymer (PLA-PEG) with the purpose of administrating this drug by topical ocular route for primary ocular lymphoma treatment. Nanocapsules were prepared by the interfacial deposition of preformed polymer. The influences of the initial amount of MTX on the encapsulation efficiency, drug recovery and drug content, as well as the physicochemical properties of the particles were evaluated. The particle mean diameters were 246 and 146 nm, and zeta potential values were ?38.8 and ?33.6 mV, for the MTX-loaded nanocapsules prepared from PLA and PLA-PEG, respectively. The methotrexate content in the particles increased with the increasing in the drug amount added to the formulations, but the drug recovery decreased significantly. After 4 h of in vitro release, 28 and 86% of MTX was released from PLA and PLA-PEG nanocapsules, respectively.