Betül Arıca

In vitro and in vivo studies of ibuprofen-loaded biodegradable alginate beads

The irritation effects of ibuprofen, a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), were evaluated on mouse gastric and duodenal mucosa when suspended in 0.5% (w/v) sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) solution and loaded in alginate beads. The ionotropic gelation method was used to prepare controlled release alginate beads of ibuprofen. The influence of various formulation factors on the encapsulation efficiency, as in vitro drug release and micromeritic properties, was investigated. Other variables included the alginate concentration, percentage drug loading and stirring speed during the microencapsulation process. Scanning electron micrographs of alginate beads loaded with ibuprofen showed rough surface morphology and particle sizes in the range of 1.15 ± 0.4–3.15 ± 0.6 mm. The yield of microspheres, as collected after drying, was generally 80–90%. Formulation code H showing t50% value of 3.5 h was chosen for in vivo trials because of the appropriate drug release properties. For in vivo trials, free ibuprofen (100 mg kg−1), blank and ibuprofen (100 mg kg−1) loaded alginate beads (formulation code H) were suspended in 0.5% (w/v) NaCMC solution and each group was given to six mice orally by gavage. NaCMC solution was used as a control in experimental studies. In vivo data showed that the administration of ibuprofen in alginate beads prevented the gastric lesions.

5-Fluorouracil encapsulated alginate beads for the treatment of breast cancer

Alginate beads containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were prepared by the gelation of alginate with calcium cations. Alginate beads loaded with 5-FU were prepared at 1.0 and 2.0% (w/v) polymers. The effect of polymer concentration and the drug loading (1.0, 5.0 and 10%) on the release profile of 5-FU was investigated. As the drug load increased, larger beads were obtained in which the resultant beads contained higher 5-FU content. The encapsulation efficiencies obtained for 5-FU loads of 1.0, 5.0 and 10% (w/v) were 3.5, 7.4 and 10%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis revealed differences between the formulations as to their appearance and size distribution. The amount of 5-FU released from the alginate beads increased with decreasing alginate concentrations.

In-vitro studies of enteric coated diclofenac sodium-carboxymethylcellulose microspheres

MIcrospheres containing diclofenac sodium (DS) were prepared using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as the main support material (1.0, 2.0, 3.0% (w/v)) and aluminum chloride as the crosslinker. Drug to polymer ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4 were used to obtain a range of microspheres. The microspheres were then coated with an enteric coating material, Eudragit S-100, efficiency, % yield value, particle sizes an in-vitro dissolution behaviour were investigated. The surface of the enteric coated microspheres seemed to be all covered with Eudragit S-100 from scanning electron microscopy observation. It was also observed that increasing the CMC concentration led to an increase in the encapsulation efficiency, % yield value and particle size and decreased the release rate. Eudragit S-100 coating did not significantly alter the size but the release rate was significantly lower even when the lower concentration solution was used.

Biodegradable bromocryptine mesylate microspheres prepared by a solvent evaporation technique. I: Evaluation of formulation variables on microspheres characteristics for brain delivery

The aim of this study was to formulate biodegradable microspheres containing an anti-parkinsonian agent, bromocryptine mesylate, for brain delivery. The effect of formulation parameters (e.g. polymer, emulsifying agent type and concentration) on the characteristics of the microspheres produced, the efficiency of drug encapsulation, the particle size distribution and in vitro drug release rates from the bromocryptine mesylate microspheres were investigated using a 3 2 factorial design. Bromocryptine mesylate was encapsulated into biodegradable polymers using the following three different polymers; poly(L-lactide), poly(D,L-lactide) and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide). The SEM photomicrographs showed that the morphology of the microspheres greatly depended on the polymer and emulsifying agent. The results indicate that, regardless of the polymer type, increase in emulsifying agent concentration from 0.25-0.75% w/v markedly decreases the particle size of the microspheres. Determination of particle size revealed that the use of 0.75% w/v of emulsifying agent concentration and a polymer solution concentration of 10% w/v resulted in optimum particle size. In order to prepare biodegradable microspheres with high drug content and small particle size, selection of polymer concentration as well as emulsifying agent concentration is critical. Polymer type has a less pronounced effect on the percentage encapsulation efficiency and particle size of microspheres than on the t 50% . The microspheres prepared by all three polymers, at a polymer concentration of 10% w/v and an emulsifying agent concentration of 0.75% w/v with NaCMC:SO (4:1, w/v) mixture was as the optimum formulation.

In vitro evaluation of betamethasone-loaded nanoparticles.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the preparation of nanoparticles as a potential drug carrier in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. A nanoprecipitation method was used to entrap betamethasone in a poly[ε-caprolactone] matrix. Process parameters such as the initial drug load, the surfactants (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA; sodium cholate, SC), and their concentration in the aqueous phase were analyzed for their influences on particle properties. Particle size changed with increasing surfactant concentrations (PVA: 250 to 400 nm; sodium cholate: 330 to 150 nm) due to changes in interface stability and viscosity of the aqueous phase. The zeta potential was around neutrality with PVA and between − 28 and − 42 mV with SC. Betamethasone encapsulation rates of about 75% and 90% slightly increased with higher surfactant concentration. Drug release profiles exhibited an initial burst release with both surfactants, PVA (8–18%) or SC (25–35%) followed by a sustained release delivering 15% to 40% of the entrapped drug within 48 hours. The present nanoparticulate formulations exhibit promising properties of a colloidal drug carrier for betamethasone. Although SC seems to be advantageous due to its biocompatibility, in terms of sustained drug release pattern, the use of PVA is favorable.

Development of biodegradable drug releasing polymeric cardiovascular stents and in vitro evaluation

Prednisolone acetate (PA) is insoluble in water and was chosen as a model drug for its anti-inflammatory/anti-proliferative functions. PA is incorporated into the film-based polymeric biodegradable stents to provide controlled local release of the drug during the mechanical support phase. Stent formulations were 3 mm in diameter with lengths of 150 mm. The polymer wall thickness was 145.0 ± 4.0 µm for microsphere-containing PLGA 75 : 25 stents. The ATR-FTIR spectra showed biodegradable stent surfaces were free of drug and microspheres. Incorporation of PA into the stents increased the surface area when compared to empty and microsphere-incorporated stents. PA release from the stents containing chitosan microspheres was slower than the PA-only incorporated stents. The drug release from the stents coated with microsphere-containing PLGA 75 : 25 solutions was determined to be the slowest one (19.1% cumulative PA released in 32 days). The stents formulated with PLGA 75 : 25 polymers were considered to be more promising due to their suitable mechanical properties and controlled release of the drug.

Optimization of prednisolone acetate-loaded chitosan microspheres using a 23 factorial design for preventing restenosis

Prednisolone acetate (PA)-loaded microspheres were prepared by the spray-drying technique using different polymer (1% and 2%) and drug concentrations (10% and 20%). To obtain the optimum formulation, a three-factor two-level (23) design was employed. The independent variables were polymer molecular weight, polymer concentration, and theoretical drug loading. Responses were the particle size, percentage of encapsulation efficiency, and the t50% release. The best formulation was prepared with 20% of PA and 1% of chitosan with medium molecular weight showing relative good yield of production (48.0 ± 6.7%) and encapsulation efficiency (45.7 ± 0.3%), and released the drug at a constant rate in 11 days.

Evaluation and Formulation of Biodegradable Levodopa Microspheres Using 32 Factorial Design

The main neurochemial characteristic of the Parkinson’s disease is a marked degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons which provide the dopaminergic striatal innervation. Due to the complex chemoarchitectiture of the Central Nervous System (CNS), drug delivery to a very restricted region of the brain is always required. The treatment of Parkinson’s disease patients with the dopamine biosynthetic precursor, levodopa in conjunction with a decarboxylase inhibitor 1 has received wide acceptance as an effective approach for the reduction of extrapyramidal symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. With the current convential medication levodopa can cause serious adverse effect reactions and its effectiveness decreases with time. However, implanted polymeric devices releasing the appropriate pharmacological agent could restore neurotransmission and lead to functional improvement.