PLGA Based Nanospheres as a Potent Macrophage-Specific Drug Delivery System.

Macrophages possess an innate ability to scavenge heterogenous objects from the systemic circulation and to regulate inflammatory diseases in various organs via cytokine production. That makes them attractive targets for nanomedicine-based therapeutic approaches to inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we have prepared several different poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer nanospheres for macrophage-targeted drug delivery using both nanoprecipitation and emulsification solvent evaporation methods. Two experimental linear PLGA polymers with relatively low molar weight, one experimental branched PLGA with unique star-like molecular architecture, and a commercially available PLGA, were used for nanosphere formulation and compared to their macrophage uptake capacity. The nanosphere formulations labelled with loaded fluorescent dye Rhodamine B were further tested in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and in hepatocyte cell lines AML-12, HepG2. We found that nanospheres larger than 100 nm prepared using nanoprecipitation significantly enhanced distribution of fluorescent dye selectively into macrophages. No effects of nanospheres on cellular viability were observed. Additionally, no significant proinflammatory effect after macrophage exposure to nanospheres was detected as assessed by a determination of proinflammatory cytokines Il-1ß and Tnfα mRNA. All experimental PLGA nanoformulations surpassed the nanospheres obtained with the commercially available polymer taken as a control in their capacity as macrophage-specific carriers.

Branched PLGA derivatives with tailored drug delivery properties.

Despite several shortcomings such as extreme hydrophobicity, low drug capacity, characteristic triphasic drug release pattern with a high burst effect, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid derivatives are widely used in drug delivery. Most frequent attempts to improve their properties are blending with other polymers or synthesis of block copolymers. We introduce a new class of branched poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) derivatives as promising biodegradable carriers for prolonged or targeted drug release systems, employed as thin adhesive films, solid dispersions, in situ forming implants or nanoparticles. A series of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) derivatives with lower molar mass and star or comb architecture were synthesized by a simple, catalyst free, direct melt polycondensation method not requiring purification of the obtained sterile product by precipitation. Branching monomers used were mannitol, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol and polyacrylic acid. The products were characterized by molar mass averages, average branching ratio, rheological and thermal properties.

Terbinafine-loaded branched PLGA-based cationic nanoparticles with modifiable properties.

Although the systemic administration of terbinafine is quite well tolerated, topical treatment of the local infections is often preferred. New formulation strategies in topical antifungal therapy represent the polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). We successfully employed the originally synthesized PLGA derivatives of branched architectures of various molar masses, branching ratio, and high number of terminal hydroxyl or carboxyl groups for compounding of terbinafine loaded nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method. Employing the polymers with tailored properties allowed us to formulate the NPs with desired particle size, loading capacity for drug, mucoadhesive properties, and drug release profile. The hydrophobicity and the polyester concentration revealed the main impact on the NPs size ranging from 100 to 600 nm. The stability of the nanosuspension is demonstrated by zeta potential >25 mV, and polydispersity index values <0.2. We used terbinafine in its less dissolved form of the base to increase the drug loading and delay the release. Cationic surfactant as stabilizer give the NPs high positive surface charge enhancing the adhesion to the mucosal surfaces. All formulations provided prolonged sustained release of terbinafine for several days. Antimicrobial potential has been proven by agar-well diffusion method.

Mucoadhesive plasticized system of branched poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) with aciclovir.

Commercially available antibacterial semisolid preparations intended for topical application provide only short-term drug release. A sustained kinetics is possible by exploitation of a biodegradable polymer carrier. The purpose of this work is to formulate a mucoadhesive system with aciclovir (ACV) based on a solid molecular dispersion of this drug in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) branched on tripenterythritol (PLGA/T). The ACV incorporation into PLGA/T was carried out either by solvent method, or melting method, or plasticization method using various plasticizers. The drug-polymer miscibility, plasticizer efficiency and content of residual solvent were found out employing DSC. Viscosity was measured at the shear rate range from 0.10 to 10.00 s(-1) at three temperatures and data were analyzed by Newtonian model. The mucoadhesive properties were ascertained in the tensile test on a mucin substrate. The amount of ACV released was carried out in a wash-off dissolution test. The DSC results indicate a transformation of crystalline form of ACV into an amorphous dissolved in branched polyester carrier, and absence of methyl formate residuals in formulation. All the tested plasticizers are efficient at Tg depression and viscosity decrease. The non-conventional ethyl pyruvate possessing supportive anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated as the most suitable plasticizer. The ACV release was strongly dependent on the ethyl pyruvate concentration and lasted from 1 to 10 days. The formulated PLGA/T system with ACV exhibits increased adhesion to mucosal hydrophilic surfaces and prolonged ACV release controllable by degradation process and viscosity parameters.

Cyclic swelling as a phenomenon inherent to biodegradable polyesters.

The aim of this study is to evaluate and describe the phenomenon and mechanism of the spontaneous cyclic swelling and deswelling of linear and branched aliphatic polyesters in the aqueous medium. The fluctuation of gel volume in one or several cycles as an inherent property of biodegradable and bioerodible materials has not yet been described. We have observed the process at linear and branched polyesters of aliphatic α-hydroxy acids. The period of duration of cycles was in order of hours to days, as influenced by the size of the bodies ranging from 25 to 1000 mg, the temperature in the range of 7°C-42°C, ionic strength, and pH value. The results demonstrated that swelling is accompanied by hydrolysis of ester bonds with the development of small water-soluble osmotically active molecules. After reaching a higher degree of swelling, the obstruction effect of the gel decreases and the diffusion of soluble degradation products from the body to the environment prevails. A decrease in osmotic pressure inside the body and a decrease in the hydrophilic character of the gel matrix result in deswelling by a collapse of the structure, probably due to hydrophobic interactions of nonpolar polyester chains.

Plasticized branched aliphatic oligoesters as potential mucoadhesive drug carriers.

Three oligoesters with different molar mass and degree of branching, intended as drug carriers, were synthesized and their thermal, rheological, adhesive, and drug release properties were studied. Triethyl citrate, ethyl pyruvate, ethyl salicylate, methyl salicylate, triacetin and tributyrin at a concentration of 20% were tested as plasticizers to improve drug incorporation, and application of the polymeric system. All of the tested plasticizers significantly depressed the Tg by at least 25.5°C. Plasticized oligoesters possessed remarkable adhesive properties on mucin in vitro, the adhesion is at least twofold bigger than it is for gels of cellulose derivatives. It was demonstrated that adhesivity increased with decreasing viscosity of oligoester matrices. In vitro dissolution tests of the flat matrices showed the prolongation of fluconazole release up to over 3 days for the oligoester carrier with the highest molar weight and degree of branching. Depending on the matrix hydrophilization, plasticizing led to an acceleration of the fluconazole release, the 3-h burst effect increased three times.

Acute and chronic toxicity effects of silver nanoparticles (NPs) on Drosophila melanogaster.

The use of nanoscaled materials is rapidly increasing, however, their possible ecotoxicological effects are still not precisely known. This work constitutes the first complex study focused on in vivo evaluation of the acute and chronic toxic effects and toxic limits of silver nanoparticles (NPs) on the eukaryotic organism Drosophila melanogaster. For the purpose of this study, silver NPs were prepared in the form of solid dispersion using microencapsulation method, where mannitol was used as an encapsulation agent. This newly prepared solid dispersion with a high concentration of silver NPs was exploited to prepare the standard Drosophila culture medium at a silver concentration range from 10 mg·L(-1) to 100 mg·L(-1) of Ag in the case of the acute toxicity testing and at a concentration equal to 5 mg·L(-1) in the case of the chronic toxicity testing. The acute toxic effect of silver NPs on Drosophila melanogaster was observed for the silver concentration equal to 20 mg·L(-1). At this silver concentration, 50% of the tested flies were unable to leave the pupae, and they did not finish their developmental cycle. Chronic toxicity of silver NPs was assessed by a long-term exposure of overall eight filial generations of Drosophila melanogaster to silver NPs. The long-term exposure to silver NPs influenced the fertility of Drosophila during the first three filial generations, nevertheless the fecundity of flies in subsequent generations consequently increased up to the level of the flies from the control sample due to the adaptability of flies to the silver NPs exposure.

Docetaxel labeled with iodine 131 radionuclide--a possible new anticancer drug? (The pilot study).

The cytotoxic potentials of the lipiodol emulsion with dissolved 131I-docetaxel, the 131I-lipiodol emulsion and non-labeled docetaxel were tested on the HeLa Hep2 cell line during 24 hours. The pilot study confirmed that the radio-labeled docetaxel was significantly more toxic than the radionuclide or docetaxel alone.