title: In vitro evaluation of betamethasone-loaded nanoparticles.
abstract: 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[epsilon-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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Betül
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arica
authors.forename: Alf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamprecht
mesh_terms: D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004655:Emulsions; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007700:Kinetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D001623:Betamethasone