title: PLGA nanospheres for the ocular delivery of flurbiprofen: drug release and interactions.
abstract: Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanospheres incorporating flurbiprofen were prepared by the solvent displacement technique for purposes of assessing (i) drug-polymer physicochemical interactions, (ii) flurbiprofen release from the polymer matrix and (iii) eye permeation of the drug formulated in the colloidal system. The resulting nanospheres were on average 200-300 nm in size and bore a negative charge (xi-potential around -25 mV). They were shown by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to be spherical and regular in shape. Thermal methods, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that the drug was dispersed inside the particles. These tests evidenced an eutectic mixture meaning more widespread dispersion of the drug in the polymer system. Entrapped flurbiprofen was released in vitro from the polymer system by dissolution and diffusion in high drug loaded nanospheres, whereas those with a lesser load showed only diffusion. The ex vivo corneal permeation study showed that flurbiprofen-loaded nanospheres enhanced drug penetration by about twofold over commercial eye drops containing poly(vinyl alcohol) and by about fourfold over flurbiprofen in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. The corneal hydration level of each cornea was determined to evaluate potential corneal damage.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Barcelona University, Avda. Joan XXIII, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gamisans
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chauvet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lacoulonche
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Egea
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D054118:Nanospheres; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005480:Flurbiprofen