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Biocompatible nano-micro-particles by solvent evaporation from multiple emulsions technique

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Abstract

In this study, a method based on a multiple emulsions system was developed for the production of polymeric nano and micro-vectors. The possibility to apply an unified preparation technique to different polymers, such as polyesters [polycaprolactone, poly-dl-lactide, poly(dl-lactide-co-caprolactone) = 70/30] and polyacrylates [poly(methylmethacrylate–acrylic acid) = 73/27], loaded with different model molecules (budesonide, tamoxifen, and α-tocopherol) was explored. After selecting the best operating conditions, especially for emulsification and separation, the technique proved to be readily adaptable for production of both nano and micro-particles with different morphologies, depending on type of polymer, and consequently on solvent used for solubilization: nano-particles, with a round shape and a smooth surface, for polyesters, otherwise micro-particles for the polyacrylate polymer, owing to the presence of hydrophilic co-solvents, that caused both an easy coalescence between the oil and water phases, thus enlarged particles size, and a high porosity. Even the yield of encapsulation was influenced by the presence of hydrophilic co-solvents, causing a higher yield for nano-vectors. Polyesters-based nano-vectors showed release times of molecules, linked to their degradation time, higher than 8 months that make them useful to formulate injectable or implantable drug delivery systems. Polyacrylate-based micro-vectors showed an enteric behavior, interesting for designing solid pharmaceutical formulations for oral delivery. Therefore, the technique demonstrated to assure a broad application in drug delivery research.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministero dell’Istruzione dell’ Università e della Ricerca (Contract Grant Number: PRIN 2010/2011-20109PLMH2). Annalisa Dalmoro’s Research Grant was supported by “Strategie Terapeutiche Innovative”—STRAIN, POR Campania FSE 2007/2013. Authors are grateful to Dr. Maria Cristina Del Barone, Laboratorio LaMest—CNR, for SEM the photographs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy

    Anna Angela Barba, Annalisa Dalmoro & Matteo d’Amore

  2. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy

    Clara Vascello & Gaetano Lamberti

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  1. Anna Angela Barba
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  2. Annalisa Dalmoro
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Correspondence to Annalisa Dalmoro.

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Barba, A.A., Dalmoro, A., d’Amore, M. et al. Biocompatible nano-micro-particles by solvent evaporation from multiple emulsions technique. J Mater Sci 49, 5160–5170 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8224-1

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