title: Electrospraying technique for the fabrication of metronidazole contained PLGA particles and their release profile.
abstract: Advanced engineering of materials for the development of drug delivery devices provides scope for novel and versatile strategies for treatment of various diseases. 'Electrospraying' was used to prepare PLGA microparticles and further encapsulate the drug, metronidazole (Met) within the particles to function as a drug delivery system. Two different solvents were utilized for the preparation of drug loaded PLGA particles, whereby the polymeric solution in dichloromethane (DCM) produced particles of bigger sizes than using trifluoroethanol (TFE). Scanning electron microscopy showed the spherical morphology of the particles, with sizes of 3946±407nm and 1774±167nm, respectively for PLGA-Met(DCM) and PLGA-Met(TFE). The FTIR spectroscopy proved the incorporation of metronidazole in the polymer, but without any specific drug-polymer interaction. The release of the drug from the particles was studied in phosphate buffered saline, where a sustained drug release was obtained for at least 41days. Cytotoxicity evaluation of the drug extract using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed not hindering the proliferation of MSCs, and the cell phenotype was retained after incubation in the drug containing media. Electrospraying is suggested as a cost-effective and single step process for the preparation of polymeric microparticles for prolonged and controlled release of drug.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 2 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore. Electronic address: nnimpp@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Molamma P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Prabhakaran
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 2 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
authors.forename: Maedeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zamani
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 2 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore; Laboratorio de Medios e Interfases, Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Av. Independencia 1800, Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: Betiana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 2 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
authors.forename: Seeram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramakrishna
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008752:Methylene Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014270:Trifluoroethanol / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D008795:Metronidazole; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008752:Methylene Chloride; D014270:Trifluoroethanol
keywords: Drug delivery; Electrospraying; Particle size; Release; Stem cells