Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization of poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) Magnetic Nanocomposites Containing Amoxicillin

Abstract

Introduction: There has been considerable interest in developing nanoparticles as effective drug delivery carriers. The biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles have shown their advantage over other nanocarriers by their increased stability and the unique ability to create an extended release. The biodegredble polyester called poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is a suitable biomaterial or polymer for for the preparation of novel drug delivery systems due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility, PLGA is the most frequently used biomaterial and is already commercialized for a verity of drug delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles of this polymer are used for the delivery of various drugs (antipsychotics, anesthetics, antibiotics, antiparasites, antitumorals, hormones, proteins, etc). Magnetite (Fe3O4) is the most commonly used magnetic material for PLGA-based targeted drug delivery due to their good chemical stability and biocompatibility.Objectives: In this work amoxicillin-carrying magnetic nanocomposite spheres were synthesized by using magnetite nanoparticles and PLGA for the purpose of magnetic targeted drug delivery. The morphology, size, drug loading efficiency and the release of the amoxicillin from drug-loaded magnetic PLGA nanoparticles were investigated.Methods and materials: Magnetic nanoparticles (~13 nm on average) of magnetite were prepared by a chemical co precipitation of ferric and ferrous chloride salts in the presence of a strong basic solution (ammonium hydroxide). Amoxicillin-loaded magnetic PLGA and PLGA-PEG nanoparticles were prepared by a modified double emulsion method (w/o/w) or by an emulsion-evaporation process (o/w). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs showed that the composite nanoparticles were almost spherical in shape, with rather monomodal distribution in size.Results: All composite nanoparticle formulations were found to have the mean diameter within the range of 60-110 nm. Magnetite nanoparticles prepared with PLGA showed more efficient entrapment (90%) as compared with PLGA-PEG nanoparticles (48%). In-vitro release of amoxicillin from nanoparticles showed that 78% of drug was released over 24 hours. Conclusion: Magnetic PLGA-based polymeric nanoparticles developed in this study may serve as a potential device for the delivery of antibiotic drug in which the primary target is the stomach or the upper small intestine.