Biodegradable and injectable paclitaxel-loaded poly(ester amide)s microspheres: fabrication and characterization

Novel biodegradable submicron microspheres of amino acid based poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) were fabricated by an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion/solvent evaporation technique and their morphology and drug loading efficiency were examined. PEAs microspheres of mean diameter <1 microm with very narrow size distribution were obtained at a fair yield about 80%. The effects of PEA polymer concentration, polyvinyl alcohol emulsifier concentration, and the homogenizer speed on the size and morphology of final PEA microspheres were examined by analyzing their SEM images. It is found that a low PEA concentration, a high PVA concentration, and a high homogenizer speed are the optimal conditions for obtaining smaller microspheres. The biodegradation behaviors of these PEA microspheres at 37 degrees C were investigated as a function of enzyme (alpha-chymotrypsin) concentration and incubation time. The data showed similar surface erosion degradation mechanism as PEA polymers reported previously. Paclitaxel loaded PEA microspheres with high encapsulation efficiency were obtained without significantly affecting their size and surface morphology. The high drug loading efficiency close to 100% suggested that PEA microspheres may have the potential for the injection administration of highly hydrophobic anticancer drugs.     

Morphology, drug distribution, and in vitro release profiles of biodegradable polymeric microspheres containing protein fabricated by double-emulsion solvent extraction/evaporation method

The surface and internal morphology, drug distribution and release kinetics at 22 degrees C of polyesters such as PCL (polycaprolactone) and PLGA (poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid)) 65:35 microspheres containing BSA (bovine serum albumin) have been investigated in order to understand the relationship amongst morphology, drug distribution and in vitro release profiles and to develop controlled release devices for marine fishes in tropical area. CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscope) micrographs reveal that the polyvinylalcohol (PVA as an emulsifier) concentration in the external water phase strongly influences drug distribution within microspheres and release profiles. The presence of PVA in the internal water phase enhances the stabilization of inner water droplets against coalescence. This results in a more uniform drug distribution and a slower BSA release. Different oil-phase volumes and polymer concentrations yield different solvent exchange and precipitation mechanisms, which lead to different morphologies. A low oil-phase volume yields microspheres with a porous matrix and defective skin surface, which gives a high initial BSA burst as well as a fast release profile. Microspheres fabricated from a low polymer concentration have less defective skin surface, but with a less tortuous inner matrix which results in a more rapid BSA release. A higher BSA loading yields a larger concentration gradient between the emulsion droplet and the continuous water phase as well as between the microspheres and the in vitro medium. The former results in a lower encapsulation efficiency, whereas the latter yields a faster initial burst and a more rapid release profile. High stirring speed can reduce microsphere size, but decreases the yield of microspheres.     

Preparation and characterization of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine loaded poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres for oral immunization.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine loaded biodegradable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MSs) were prepared by W/O/W solvent evaporation method to study the possibility for oral vaccination. The influence of several preparation parameters as stirring rate, types and concentration of emulsifier, PLGA concentration, etc. has been observed on size, size distribution and biodegradation. The mean MSs size decreased when the agitation speed and the concentration of emulsifier were increased, and when the PLGA concentration was decreased. The surface morphology of porous and nonporous JEV vaccine loaded PLGA MSs was prepared from polyvinylalcohol and sodium dodecyl sulfate as used emulsifiers, respectively. From the assay of lactic acid and scanning electron microscope observation, it can be suggested that the rate of biodegradation of nonporous MSs was slower than that of porous surface morphology due to lower the surface area. Mechanisms of the formation of porous and nonporous surface by different types of emulsifier, and the biodegradation of MSs have been proposed. Also, the size and size distribution of JEV vaccine loaded PLGA MSs were discussed to apply oral vaccination through the Peyer's patches across the gastrointestinal tract.     

Design and delivery of silver sulfadiazine from alginate microspheres-impregnated collagen scaffold

A reconstituted collagen scaffold impregnated with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) loaded alginate microspheres, capable of delivering the drug in a controlled manner has been developed. SSD-loaded alginate microspheres were prepared by modified water-in-oil emulsion technique through interfacial ionic gelation of alginate using CaCl2. The SSD-loaded microspheres were impregnated in pepsin-solubilized collagen, in situ, while inducing fibrillation and cast as thin scaffold. Morphological features of microspheres and microsphere-impregnated collagen were analyzed through SEM. Distribution homogeneity of impregnated microspheres, their in vitro behavior in (Dulbecco's modified minimal essential media) DMEM, and antibacterial efficiency against ATCC pathogens were determined. Initial drug load of 20% (w/w) with respect to alginate and 40% (v/v) of 2% alginate with respect to oil phase were found to produce microspheres of optimum drug entrapment (3%) and required size range (300-370 microm). In vitro drug release studies from the scaffold showed an initial burst release of 47.5% and a controlled release for 72 h with equilibrium concentration of 68.8%. SSD-loaded microspheres exhibited minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) levels of 32 and 40.2 microg/mL to both K. pneumoniae and E. coli respectively. P. aeruginosa showed MIC and MBC levels of 44.8 and 51.2 microg/mL respectively, while Staphylococcus aureus exhibited MIC and MBC at the same concentration range (57.6 microg/mL). The collagen-based scaffold impregnated with SSD-loaded alginate microspheres can deliver SSD in a controlled fashion, can control infection for extended time period with lesser dressing frequencies, and will enable easier assessment of wound.     

Synthesis, characterization, biodegradation, and drug delivery application of biodegradable lactic/glycolic acid polymers: Part III. Drug delivery application

Lactic/glycolic acid polymers (PLGA) are widely used for drug delivery systems. The microsphere formulation is the most interesting dosage form of the PLGA-based controlled release devices. In this study, the previously reported PLGA were used to prepare drug-containing microspheres. Progesterone was used as a model drug. The progesterone microspheres were prepared from PLGA having varied compositions and varied molecular weight. The microscopic characterization shows that the microspheres are spherical, nonaggregated particles. The progesterone-containing PLGA microspheres possess a Gaussian size distribution, having average size from 70-134 microm. A solvent extraction method was employed to prepare the microspheres. The microencapsulation method used in this study has high drug encapsulation efficiency. The progesterone release from the PLGA microspheres and the factors affecting the drug release were studied. The release of progesterone from the PLGA microspheres is affected by the properties of the polymer used. The drug release is more rapid from the microspheres prepared using the PLGA having higher fraction of glycolic acid moiety. The drug release from the microspheres composed of higher molecular weight PLGA is faster. The drug content in microspheres also has an effect on the drug release. Higher progesterone content in microspheres yields a quicker initial burst release of the drug.     

Electrospraying: a facile technique for synthesis of chitosan-based micro/nanospheres for drug delivery applications

Electrospraying is a novel technique for the generation of micro/nanospheres for biomedical applications. Apart from being a high yield technique; electrospraying has an added advantage of not making use of an external dispersion/emulsion phase which often involves ingredients that are undesirable for biomedical applications. In this study, we report the use of electrospraying for the synthesis of chitosan micro/nanospheres. The focus was to optimize the fabrication parameters involved in electrospraying for reproducible synthesis of chitosan based micro/nanospheres and to study their potential as delivery vehicles for bioactive agents. The influence of the following was studied (i) electrospraying voltage, (ii) needle gauge, (iii) concentration of chitosan solution, (iv) concentration of acetic acid solution, and (v) electrospraying distance. SEM analysis demonstrated that microspheres of less than 1 mum were obtained when chitosan concentration was 2% dissolved in 90% acetic acid. The working distance and needle gauge that yielded favorable results were 7 cm and 26 g, respectively. Average particle size of ampicillin loaded chitosan micro/nanospheres was 520 nm with zeta potential of +28.2 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 80.4%. The particles were characterized for drug release kinetics and results demonstrated an initial burst release followed by a sustained release over a period of 120 h. Further, antibacterial activity of drug loaded micro/nanospheres demonstrated that the encapsulated drug was in its active form postexposure to high voltage during electrospraying. This study indicates that electrospraying is a facile technique for the synthesis of chitosan micro/nanospheres for drug delivery applications.     

膜乳化法制备单分散性载羟基喜树碱缓释微球

目的 研究利用微孔膜乳化法制备载抗癌药10-羟基喜树碱（IqCPT）缓释微球的可行性。方法 以HCPT为模型药物,聚乳酸（PEA）为载体,以膜乳化法制备载药微球,并研究制剂的表面形态、载药率、包封率和缓释效果等性质。结果 膜乳化法制备的载HCPT聚乳酸微球,粒径可控制在1-10μm之间。表面圆整,稳定性、单分散性良好,载药率和包封率最高分别可达32．7％和81．7％,24h体外累积释放量为17．3％。结论 膜乳化法制备的载HCPT微球制剂均匀分散,具有明显缓释效果,是制备缓释微球制剂的较好方法。     

Preparation and characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) microspheres for the sustained release of 5-fluorouracil

Biodegradable microspheres were prepared with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV, 85:15 by mole ratio of hydroxybutyrate to hydroxyvalerate) by an water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W), oil-in-water (O/W) and oil-in-oil (O/O) solvent evaporation method for the sustained release of anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with controlling the fabrication conditions. The shape of microspheres prepared was relatively rough due to highly crystalline property of PHBV and spherical. The efficiency of 5-FU loading into the PHBV microsphere with O/O method was over 80% compared to that 7% for microspheres by O/W method and below 1% for microspheres by a conventional W/O/W method. However, the most desirable release pattern can be achieved from the O/W method due to the cosolvent effect. The effects of preparation conditions such as the type and amount of surfactant, initial amount of loaded drug, the temperature of solvent evaporation, and etc. on the morphology for W/O/W method were investigated. Possible mechanisms of the desirable sustained release pattern for O/W system have been proposed.     

紫杉醇聚己内酯／泊洛沙姆188共混载药微球及其抗肿瘤活性

目的本研究首次尝试利用聚己内酯（PCL）与亲水性添加剂泊洛沙姆188（Pluronic F68,F68）共混物作为载体材料与抗癌药物紫杉醇组成微球缓释载药系统。方法采用乳化,溶剂挥发法制备紫杉醇PCL/F68共混微球;考察紫杉醇PCL／F68共混微球的表面形态、平均粒径、包埋率及体外释放性能：利用DSC法分析紫杉醇在PCL／F68共混徽球中的分散状态;考察紫杉醇PCL/F68共混微球在小鼠肝癌H22腹水瘤模型中的抗肿瘤活性。结果表明载体材料中的亲水性添加剂F68可在微球表面形成孔状结构,F68的加入提高了紫杉醇从PCL／F68共混载药微球的释放并获得了接近恒定的释放性能;在小鼠肝癌H22腹水瘤模型中。紫杉醇PCL／F68共混载药微球对肿瘤生长具有抑制作用,荷瘤小鼠生存期明显延长。结论以PCL/F68共混物为载体制备的紫杉醇控释微球具有较高的释放能力和明显的控释效果．     

BSA-PLGA缓释微球的制备及优化条件的探索

目的以牛血清白蛋白(BSA)为模型蛋白、聚乳酸-聚乙二醇酸(PLGA)为包裹材料,探索微球的制备方法并优化制备工艺。方法采用复乳-溶剂挥发法制备BSA-PLGA微球,显微测量微球粒径,以微量BCA法测定微球的蛋白含量并计算包封率,进行体外释放,测定微球的累积释放量。探索BSA投药量、PLGA用量、PVA浓度、超声功率等因素对微球包封率、突释量的影响。结果通过正交实验设计,优化了微球的制备工艺,其优化条件是BSA投药量为10mg、PLGA用量为250mg、PVA浓度为1.5%、超声乳化功率为60周。结论通过控制不同的因素,可以得到较高包封率、较小突释、适当载药量和粒径的BSA-PLGA微球。     

Therapeutic effect of in vivo sustained estradiol release from poly (lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres on bone mineral density of osteoporosis rats

Poly (lactide-co-glycolide or PLGA) microspheres containing 0.3% (w/w) of estradiol were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. These PLGA microspheres had a wide particle distribution between 0.5 and more than 100 microm. The average size was 76 microm. Physicochemical properties of the microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns, FT-IR spectra and DSC. In vitro estradiol release was maintained at a constant rate from these PLGA microspheres for 1 month. The loaded drug was totally recovered in the collection buffer within this time period. In vivo experiments were performed on Wistar rats that had received ovariectomy. These rats were fed with a vitamin D-deficient and Ca-deficient diet. The combination of ovariectomy and diet induced osteoporosis. PLGA microspheres containing either 50, 100, or 200 microg estradiol were injected into these rats. The plasma estradiol in each rat was monitored for 50 days. These in vivo drug release patterns were found to be different from the one obtained from in vitro release. The Ca-AUC was not significant different among various dosages administered. However, bone mineral density for rats after the injection of estradiol loaded microspheres was higher than that obtained for the control. This suggested that all estradiol microspheres administration induced bone generation in osteoporosis rats.     

Fabrication and characterization of monodisperse PLGA–alginate core–shell microspheres with monodisperse size and homogeneous shells for controlled drug release

Monodisperse PLGA–alginate core–shell microspheres with controlled size and homogeneous shells were first fabricated using capillary microfluidic devices for the purpose of controlling drug release kinetics. Sizes of PLGA cores were readily controlled by the geometries of microfluidic devices and the fluid flow rates. PLGA microspheres with sizes ranging from 15 to 50 μm were fabricated to investigate the influence of the core size on the release kinetics. Rifampicin was loaded into both monodisperse PLGA microspheres and PLGA–alginate core–shell microspheres as a model drug for the release kinetics studies. The in vitro release of rifampicin showed that the PLGA core of all sizes exhibited sigmoid release patterns, although smaller PLGA cores had a higher release rate and a shorter lag phase. The shell could modulate the drug release kinetics as a buffer layer and a near-zero-order release pattern was observed when the drug release rate of the PLGA core was high enough. The biocompatibility of PLGA–alginate core–shell microspheres was assessed by MTT assay on L929 mouse fibroblasts cell line and no obvious cytotoxicity was found. This technique provides a convenient method to control the drug release kinetics of the PLGA microsphere by delicately controlling the microstructures. The obtained monodisperse PLGA–alginate core–shell microspheres with monodisperse size and homogeneous shells could be a promising device for controlled drug release.     

Degradation and drug release characteristics of monosize polyethylcyanoacrylate microspheres

—Monosize, biodegradable poly(ethylcyanoacrylate) (PECA) microspheres with a diameter of 1.3μm were prepared by a relatively new polymerization method, the so-called phase inversion polymerization. The effects of pH and temperature on the degradation behavior of PECA particles were investigated. PECA microspheres were degraded mainly by surface erosion. The degradation rate increased with increasing pH temperature. A model drug, i.e. 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) was loaded into the monosize PECA microspheres during polymerization. The drug incorporation into the PECA microspheres increased with increasing initial drug concentration in the monomer phase. Drug release from the PECA microspheres was investigated at different pH. Higher drug release rates were observed in the neutral and alkaline media as compared with the acidic medium.     

MBG/PLGA composite microspheres with prolonged drug release

Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) and composite microspheres with MBG particles embedded in biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) matrix have been prepared and used to load gentamicin (GS). The in vitro drug release experiments from both MBG and composite microspheres were conducted in distilled water and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution at 37 degrees C for more than 30 days. In both water and PBS, GS release from the MBG was very fast with about 60 wt % of the loaded drug released in the first 24 h, and more than 80 wt % released in two days. MBG/PLGA composite microspheres showed an initial release of about 33 wt % in the first day, and 48 wt % in 2 days, and a subsequent sustained release lasting for more than 4 weeks in PBS. MBG/PLGA composite microspheres may be used as an alternative drug release system, especially as a bone void filler for bone repair due to their combined advantages of sustained release of antibiotics and apatite-forming ability.     

Controlled release of antihypertensive drug from the interpenetrating network poly(vinyl alcohol)-guar gum hydrogel microspheres

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-guar gum interpenetrating network microspheres were prepared by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Nifedipine, an antihypertensive drug, was loaded into these matrices before and after cross-linking to study its release patterns. The extent of cross-linking was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, the microspheres were characterized for drug entrapment efficiency, particle size, transport of water into the matrix and drug release kinetics. Scanning electron microscopic photographs confirmed the spherical nature and surface morphology. The mean particle size of the microspheres was found to be around 300 microm. The molecular transport phenomenon, as studied by the dynamic swelling experiments, indicated that an increase in cross-linking affected the transport mechanism from Fickian to non-Fickian. The in vitro release study indicated that the release from these microspheres is not only dependent upon the extent of cross-linking, but also on the amount of the drug loaded as well as the method of drug loading.     

两性霉素B缓释微球的制备及缓释性能研究

为了更好地研究药物载体材料对药物微球缓释性能的影响,本研究将可完全生物降解的共聚物作为壁材以相分离法制备含抗真菌药物两性霉素B的微球,研究了不同溶剂/非溶剂、不同分子量共聚物、不同配比共聚物、不同表面活性剂及其不同用量等因素对微球的粒径大小、分布、药物包封率和药物体外释放等性能的影响。使用透射电镜（TEM）和原子力显微镜（AFM）观察微球的表面形貌,使用激光粒度分析仪测试微球的粒径大小及分布,使用紫外分光光度计测定药物的包封率。研究发现,聚合物特性粘度和分子量越大,聚合物中LA：PEG的配比越大,微球粒径越大,分布越宽;微球粒径越大,包封率也较大;AmB/PLA-PEG微球具有缓释性能,且含药微球的释放性能与微球的粒径,包封率等因素有关。     

Cellulose acetate butyrate microcapsules containing dextran ion-exchange resins as self-propelled drug release system

Sulfopropylated dextran microspheres (SP-Ms), (Dm = 80 microm) loaded with a water soluble drug (Tetracycline HCl), were included in cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) microcapsules. Spherical CAB microcapsules were obtained by oil in water (o/w) solvent evaporation method in the presence of an inert solvent as cyclohexane (CyH) or n-hexane (N-Hex), and different excipients (Phospholipon, Tween, Span, Eudragit RS 100). Chloroform was found to be the best solvent for the preparation of the microcapsules. Also, the sphericity as well as the porosity of the microcapsules was controlled by the presence of an inert solvent. The final concentration of the drug in CAB microparticles was up to 25% (w/w). The key factors for the successful preparation were also the viscosity of the polymer, while the wettability of the resulted microcapsules, the temperature of the preparation, and the porosity have modulated the release of the drug. The higher is the amount of encapsulated microspheres the thinner is the CAB wall between the compartments created by their incorporation. When these microspheres come in contact with the release medium, the pressure created by their swelling breaks the polymer film and the drug starts to be released. The more drug is released in phosphate buffer the higher is the swelling degree of the encapsulated ion exchange resins and the force created by their supplementary swelling will break the more resistants walls. In this way a self-propelled drug release is achieved, until almost all drug was eliberated.     

Cross-linked chitosan microspheres as carriers for prolonged delivery of macromolecular drugs

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and diphtheria toxoid (DT) were loaded by passive absorption from aqueous solutions into preformed glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan microspheres. In vitro release of BSA under sink conditions at 37°C showed that even though there was a large burst effect, there was a more or less steady increase with time thereafter for several days. Coating the BSA-loaded particles with paraffin oil or with a polymer, such as polylactic acid, modulated drug release. After the initial burst from PLA coated particles, the release rate increased with time for nearly 2 months. Preliminary immunogenicity studies on Wistar rats using DT loaded chitosan spheres showed that the antibody titres were fairly constant over a 5-month period, although very low compared to DT given on alum as control. Histological studies of placebo microspheres intramuscularly injected into rats demonstrated their tissue compatibility. Biodegradation was not complete in 6 months demonstrating the potential of cross-linked chitosan spheres as a long-acting drug delivery vehicle. The study demonstrated the possibility of incorporating biological macromolecules which are very sensitive to organic solvents, pH, temperature, ultrasound, etc. by a passive absorption technique to degradable biopolymer matrices thereby preserving their biological integrity. It is also shown that drugs passively absorbed into such matrices by taking advantage of their swelling behaviour need not necessarily be released completely in the initial 'burst' and a sustained release may be possible for macromolecules thus incorporated.     

Merits of sponge-like PLGA microspheres as long-acting injectables of hydrophobic drug

Abstract

Our study was initiated to challenge the preconception that nonporous PLGA microspheres with compact matrices should be used to develop long-acting depot injectables of hydrophobic drugs. A simple, new oil-in-water emulsion technique was utilized to produce porous PLGA microspheres with a sponge-like skeleton. Then, their applicability to developing sustained-release depots of hydrophobic drugs was explored in this study. As control, nonporous microspheres with a compact matrix were produced following a typical solvent evaporation process. Both microsphere manufacturing processes used non-halogenated isopropyl formate and progesterone as a dispersed solvent and a model hydrophobic drug, respectively. Various attempts were made to evaluate critical quality attributes of the porous microspheres and the nonporous ones. Surprisingly, the former displayed interesting features from the viewpoints of manufacturability and microsphere quality. For example, the spongy microspheres improved drug encapsulation efficiency and particle size uniformity, inhibited drug crystallization during microencapsulation, and minimized the residual solvent content in microspheres. Furthermore, the porous microspheres provided continual drug release kinetics without a lag time and much faster drug release than the non-porous microspheres did. In summary, the porous and sponge-like PLGA microspheres might find lucrative applications in developing sustained release dosage forms of hydrophobic drugs.     

Fabrication and characterizations of a novel drug delivery device liposomes-in-microsphere (LIM)

In the present work, we developed a novel drug delivery system, liposomes-in-microsphere (LIM) of biodegradable polymers, which is conceived from a combination of the polymer- and the lipid-based delivery systems and can thus integrate the advantages and avoid the drawbacks of the two systems. Liposomes were encapsulated into microspheres of biodegradable polymers by the solvent extraction/evaporation process to form LIMs. The integrity of the liposomes was preserved by modifying the microencapsulation process and coating the liposomes with chitosan. We demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy, laser light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy that the particle size and surface morphology of the polymeric microspheres did not change significantly with the liposomes encapsulated, the liposomes remained intact within the polymeric matrix of the microspheres, and the encapsulated liposomes could be released from the microspheres in a controlled manner at a nearly constant release rate after an initial off-release period. Decreasing the particle size of liposomes and increasing the pore size of the polymeric matrix shortened the initial off-release period and increased the liposome release rate. In conclusion, a novel drug delivery system, liposomes-in-microsphere, was successfully developed and characterized. The liposome release kinetics could be controlled by the composition and fabrication parameters of the liposomes and polymeric microspheres. Such a novel controlled release system may have potential to be applied for drug delivery and gene therapy.