Amphiphilic polylactic acid-hyperbranched polyglycerol nanoparticles as a controlled release system for poorly water-soluble drugs: physicochemical characterization.

OBJECTIVES

Quercetin was applied as a model drug to evaluate the potential application of amphiphilic polylactic acid-hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG-PLA) nanoparticles as carriers for poorly water-soluble drugs.

METHODS

The drug delivery systems were characterized by dynamic light scattering, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and so forth.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed the particle sizes ranged from 205.3 to 433.3 nm with low polydispersity index. XRD and FTIR demonstrated that the crystal of the drug was converted to an amorphous state in the matrices and formed intermolecular interaction with carriers. The drug encapsulation efficiency and drug loading could reach 91.8% and 21.0%, respectively. Cell viability assay suggested the nanoparticles had good cytocompatibility. The in-vitro drug release profiles showed a sustained quercetin release up to 192 h, indicating the suitability of nanoparticles in sustained drug release. Furthermore, the influence of many factors on release profiles could also be evaluated for the potential of using nanoparticles as controlled release systems.

CONCLUSIONS

This system may be of clinical importance in both stabilizing and delivering hydrophobic drugs for the treatment of many diseases.