Vitamin E-Loaded PLA- and PLGA-Based Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Structure Optimization and Controlled Drug Release

Abstract

The (±)-α-Tocopherol (TP) with vitamin E activity has been encapsulated into biocompatible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) carriers, which results in the formation of well-defined nanosized (d ~200–220 nm) core-shell structured particles (NPs) with 15–19% of drug loading (DL%). The optimal ratios of the polymer carriers, the TP active drug as well as the applied Pluronic F127 (PLUR) non-ionic stabilizing surfactant, have been determined to obtain NPs with a TP core and a polymer shell with high encapsulation efficiency (EE%) (69%). The size and the structure of the prepared core-shell NPs as well as the interaction of the carriers and the PLUR with the TP molecules have been determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and turbidity studies, respectively. Moreover, the dissolution of the TP from the polymer NPs has been investigated by spectrophotometric measurements. It was clearly confirmed that increase in the EE% from ca. 70% (PLA/TP) to ca. 88% (PLGA65/TP) results in the controlled release of the hydrophobic TP molecules (7 h, PLA/TP: 34%; PLGA75/TP: 25%; PLGA65/TP: 18%). By replacing the PLA carrier to PLGA, ca. 15% more active substance can be encapsulated in the core (PLA/TP: 65%; PLGA65/TP: 80%).

Novel feasibilities for preparation of serum albumin-based core-shell nanoparticles in flow conditions

“…The PLGA/TP and PLGA/KYNA NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method [16]. 5.0 mg of PLGA50 was dissolved in 1.0 mL of acetone.…”

“…The concentration of the encapsulated drug (the amount of KYNA and TP) was determined by using the classical calibration curves (Fig. S1-S2) [16]. The characteristic absorbance band for the TP is λ = 294 nm, while for KYNA is λ = 332 nm.…”

“…However, the nano spray drying is a simple and scalable technique, but it produces larger particles in the size range of 0.5-3 μm and high pressure is necessary for preparation of albumin NPs using nabtechnology. For the preparation of polymeric NPs, the emulsification [1] the thermal gelation [14], the self-assembly [1] as well as the desolvation or nanoprecipitation [15][16][17] techniques are also commonly applied; the benefits and difficulties of these methods are summarized above. Beside the mentioned well-known protocols, the microfluidic technology provides an alternative strategy for the fabrication of both polymeric and serum albumin NPs.…”

PLGA Based Drug Carrier and Pharmaceutical Applications: The Most Recent Advances

“…Another interesting study proposed by Varga and colleagues, who contributed with an interesting study of nanoparticle design and optimization where the (±)-α-Tocopherol (TP) with vitamin E activity was encapsulated in PLA and PLGA nanoparticles [ 22 ]. To stabilize the nanoparticles, the non-ionic stabilizing surfactant Pluronic F127 was used.…”

Hypercaloric Diet and Vitamin E Intake

“…α-tocopherol is a highly potent antioxidant vitamin and a good scavenger for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protects the cell membrane against lipid peroxidation. The hydroxyl group from α-tocopherols structure is capable of donating a hydrogen atom and thus, inhibiting propagation of free radicals reactions [10][11][12].…”