Original Article
Electrohydrodynamic encapsulation of cisplatin in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2016.05.005Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Single step electrohydrodynamic atomization was used to produce cisplatin encapsulated PLGA polymer particles.

  • The versatility of the method in controlling the size and drug loading of the particles by variation of drug:polymer ratios and operating conditions was demonstrated.

  • Compared to conventional nanoparticle production methods, particles generated by electrohydrodynamic atomization proved to have higher encapsulation efficiencies (> 70%).

  • The distribution of the drug with various concentrations within the polymeric particles was further studied with SEM-TEM/EDX methods and compared against the unloaded particles.

  • In-vitro release data were analysed and it was shown that all the formulations tested exhibited an initial burst release followed by a sustained release period.

  • While the release data fit best with the Ritger-Peppas model, it was shown that it is not possible to attribute the largest difference in initial release rate entirely to particle size.

  • This study highlights the enhanced functionality due to particle morphology and drug concentration, which enables the potential for high cisplatin encapsulation and tunable release.

Abstract

Targeted delivery of potent, toxic chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, is a significant area of research in cancer treatment. In this study, cisplatin was successfully encapsulated with high efficiency (> 70%) in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymeric nanoparticles by using electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) where applied voltage and solution flow rate as well as the concentration of cisplatin and polymer were varied to control the size of the particles. Thus, nanoparticles were produced with three different drug:polymer ratios (2.5, 5 and 10 wt% cisplatin). It was shown that smaller nanoparticles were produced with 10 wt% cisplatin. Furthermore, these demonstrated the best sustained release (smallest burst release). By fitting the experimental data with various kinetic models it was concluded that the release is dependent upon the particle morphology and the drug concentration. Thus, these particles have significant potential for cisplatin delivery with controlled dosage and release period that are crucial chemotherapy parameters.

Graphical abstract

Controlled release of cisplatin encapsulated in polymeric particles formed via electrohydrodynamic atomization,

a single step process, was utilised to produce cisplatin encapsulated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymer particles. Control over the size of the particles and loading of cisplatin within the polymeric matrix was facilitated by variation of polymer:drug ratios. The particles were further analysed by SEM-TEM/EDX, FTIR and DSC to confirm the successful encapsulation of cisplatin within the polymeric particles. In order to analyse the mechanism of cisplatin release, in-vitro release tests were performed and it was noted that all the formulations exhibited a two stage release: an initial burst release < 4 h, followed by a sustained release period.

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Key words

Cisplatin delivery
Cancer chemotherapy
Nanoparticle
Electrohydrodynamic atomization
Controlled release

Cited by (0)

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the EPSRC (EP/L026287/1 and EP/L025825/1).

Regarding commercial interests and conflict of interest all the authors have nothing to disclose.

1

These authors contributed equally to this work.