title: Preparation and in vitro characterization of gelatin microspheres containing Levodopa for nasal administration.
abstract: Transnasal absorption of pharmaceutical drugs has been recognized as an interesting alternative to the more conventional routes of administration. The aim of this paper was to develop a method of administrating L-dopa following the transnasal route. Gelatin microspheres were prepared by the w/o emulsification solvent extraction technique: the microspheres had a median particle size of 16.2 +/- 4.2 microm and were prepared using a stirring speed of 600 rpm for 5 min at 80 degrees C. The microspheres obtained were spherical and smooth-surfaced, and the microsphere size was inversely proportional to stirring speed (300-700 rpm) and to the percentage of the emulsifier (Tween 85, 1.4-2.7% v/v). L-dopa was incorporated into the microspheres with an efficiency of 65 +/- 6.7%. L-dopa was released from the microspheres, showing an initial fast release rate, followed by a second slower release rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. begonab@eucmos.sim.ucm.es
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brime
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frutos
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002214:Capsules; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005780:Gelatin; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002214:Capsules; D007980:Levodopa; D005780:Gelatin