Electrospray encapsulation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs in poly(L-lactic acid) nanoparticles

Small. 2009 Aug 3;5(15):1791-8. doi: 10.1002/smll.200801907.

Abstract

An electrospray method is developed for preparation of beclomethasone-dipropionate- and salbutamol-sulfate-loaded biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) nanoparticles. Different set-up parameters for electrospraying are examined on particle size, and preparation conditions are optimized for producing spherical-drug-loaded nanoscale particles by controllable processing parameters. Polylactide (PLA)-drug nanoparticles with average diameters of around 200 nm are achieved in a stable cone-jet mode with a flow rate of 4 microL min(-1), polymer concentration of 1%, and ammonium hydroxide content of 0.05%. Morphology and size of the drug-polymer nanoparticles are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Changes in the crystallinity of the PLA polymer and the model drugs are detected by X-ray powder diffraction, and the absence of molecular interactions are confirmed by thermal analyses. The results indicate clearly that electrospraying is a potential method for producing polymeric nanoparticles and for encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs efficiently into the nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albuterol / chemistry
  • Beclomethasone / chemistry
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Crystallization
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Excipients / chemistry
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry*
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Transition Temperature
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Excipients
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Polyesters
  • Solvents
  • poly(lactide)
  • Beclomethasone
  • Albuterol