Preparation and characterization of nanoparticles containing an atypical antipsychotic agent.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to prepare poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles of risperidone and to characterize them.


METHODS
Risperidone-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method using poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock polymeric stabilizer (PluronicF-68). The particles were characterized for particle size by photon correlation spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The free dissolved drug in the nanosuspension was determined by the bulk equilibrium reverse dialysis bag technique. In vitro release studies were carried out using the dialysis bag diffusion technique.


RESULTS
The particle size of the prepared nanoparticles ranged from 90 to 300 nm. Nanoparticles of risperidone were obtained with high encapsulation efficiency (70-80%). The drug release from the risperidone nanoparticles was sustained in some batches for more than 24 h with 80% drug release, whereas release from risperidone in polyethylene glycol 400 solution showed release within 2 h.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies suggest the feasibility of formulating risperidone-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles for the treatment of psychotic disorders.
Singh
Sanjay
S
Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India. drsanjaysingh@rediffmail.com
Muthu
Madaswamy S
MS
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D018967:Risperidone