title: Colloidal gold-loaded, biodegradable, polymer-based stavudine nanoparticle uptake by macrophages: an in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe the development, evaluation, and comparison of colloidal gold-loaded, poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based nanoparticles containing anti-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome drug stavudine and uptake of these nanoparticles by macrophages in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  WE USED THE FOLLOWING METHODS IN THIS STUDY: drug-excipient interaction by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, morphology of nanoparticles by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, particle size by a particle size analyzer, and zeta potential and polydispersity index by a zetasizer. Drug loading and in vitro release were evaluated for formulations. The best formulation was incorporated with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Macrophage uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate nanoparticles was studied in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Variations in process parameters, such as speed of homogenization and amount of excipients, affected drug loading and the polydispersity index. We found that the drug was released for a prolonged period (over 63 days) from the nanoparticles, and observed cellular uptake of stavudine nanoparticles by macrophages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experimental nanoparticles represent an interesting carrier system for the transport of stavudine to macrophages, providing reduced required drug dose and improved drug delivery to macrophages over an extended period. The presence of colloidal gold in the particles decreased the drug content and resulted in comparatively faster drug release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.forename: Biswajit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Samrat Roy
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Paramita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Rupak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.forename: Ajeet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Laboni
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mondal
authors.forename: Chowdhury Mobaswar
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: Ruma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maji
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D018119:Stavudine / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D003102:Colloids; D011108:Polymers; D006046:Gold; D018119:Stavudine