title: Self-assembled particles of an elastin-like polymer as vehicles for controlled drug release.
abstract: Elastin-like polymers (ELPs) are a new kind of protein-based polymers showing interesting properties in the biomaterial field. This work explored the use of self-assembled poly(VPAVG) micro- and nanoparticles as vehicles for the controlled release of the model drug dexamethasone phosphate (DMP). Poly(VPAVG) has shown to form stable particles with a size below 3 mum as a water or PBS polymer solution was warmed above its transition temperature ( approximately 30 degrees C). Due to the peculiar composition of the monomer, the formation and redissolution of the self-assembled microparticles shows an interesting hysteresis behaviour by which the particles are formed at this temperature but do not redissolve until a strong undercooling of approximately 12-15 degrees C is achieved. Therefore, the particles, once formed, are stable either at room or body temperature. These self-assembled particles are able to encapsulate significant amounts of the model drug when self-assembling was carried out in a co-solution polymer-DMP. The release profiles showed a sustained DMP release for about 30 days. Being the potential of this new polymeric carrier high, further research is being conducted to functionalise the poly(VPAVG) base as a way to induce a stronger polymer-drug binding and, accordingly, a more sustained release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University (UCM), Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrero-Vanrell
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Rincón
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reboto
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Molina-Martinez
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Cabello
mesh_terms: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011108:Polymers; D004549:Elastin