Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanospheres for the sustained release of folic acid

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have become the materials of choice for a variety of biomedical applications. In particular, poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles have been studied as a material for drug delivery with the controlled release. In this paper we are describing a simple method for obtaining the system for targeted and controlled delivery of folic acid in the body. Folic acid was encapsulated into the polymer matrix by means of homogenization of aqueous and organic phases. Concentration of folic acid in water was varied in order to obtain nanoparticles with different ratios of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) and folic acid. The particles were obtained by physicochemical solvent/non-solvent method with polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a surfactant. The obtained particles are non-agglomerated, uniform and with particles size in the nanometer range. The samples were characterized using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV), Zeta potential measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Stereological analysis. Copyright © 2008 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.