Recent advances in the formulation of PLGA microparticles for controlled drug delivery

Abstract

Polymeric microparticles (MPs) are recognized as very popular carriers to increase the bioavailability and bio-distribution of both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. Among different kinds of polymers, poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most accepted materials for this purpose, because of its biodegradability (due to the presence of ester linkages that are degraded by hydrolysis in aqueous environments) and safety (PLGA is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compound). Moreover, its biodegradability depends on the number of glycolide units present in the structure, indeed, lower glycol content results in an increased degradation time and conversely a higher monomer unit number results in a decreased time. Due to this feature, it is possible to design and fabricate MPs with a programmable and time-controlled drug release. Many approaches and procedures can be used to prepare MPs. The chosen fabrication methodology influences size, stability, entrapment efficiency, and MPs release kinetics. For example, lipophilic drugs as chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin), anti-inflammatory non-steroidal (indomethacin), and nutraceuticals (curcumin) were successfully encapsulated in MPs prepared by single emulsion technique, while water-soluble compounds, such as aptamer, peptides and proteins, involved the use of double emulsion systems to provide a hydrophilic compartment and prevent molecular degradation. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview about the preparation and characterization of drug-loaded PLGA MPs obtained by single, double emulsion and microfluidic techniques, and their current applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Graphic abstract

Nanoporous Gold Monolith for High Loading of Unmodified Doxorubicin and Sustained Co-Release of Doxorubicin-Rapamycin

“…When composite microparticles were prepared with a variable composition of PLGA and poly-L-lactide (PLLA), it was found that 36–48% of DOX was released within the first half hour followed by slower release monitored over a period of 12.5 days [ 71 ]. Additional features of the use of PLGA microparticles in drug delivery and release have recently been reviewed [ 72 ].…”

PLGA Nanoparticles Decorated with Anti-HER2 Affibody for Targeted Delivery and Photoinduced Cell Death

“…Here we used the PLGA polymer, a copolymer of lactic and glycolic acids, which is completely biocompatible and biodegradable and degrades to lactic and glycolic acids which are presented in the organism, thereby causing negligible side effects. It is worth noting that PLGA has already been approved by the FDA for therapeutic use in humans —there are more than fifteen PLGA-based formulations for the treatment of numerous disorders [ 31 , 32 ]. PLGA is one of the most popular polymers for the synthesis of nanoparticles with a therapeutic payload [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Formulation, Characterization and Cytotoxicity Effects of Novel Thymoquinone-PLGA-PF68 Nanoparticles

“…In the present study, the TQ compound was encapsulated with polymeric PLGA-PEG and Pluronics F68 by a emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. This technique is the most common method used to encapsulate hydrophobic compounds [33]. TQ was dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM), incorporated with polymeric PLGA-PEG and dispersed in Pluronics F68 aqueous solution.…”