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Preparation, characterization, and in vitro release studies of insulin-loaded double-walled poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to fabricate insulin-loaded double-walled and single-polymer poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres using a fast degrading glucose core, hydroxyl-terminated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (Glu-PLGA), and a moderate degrading carboxyl-terminated PLGA polymers. A modified water-in-oil-in-oil-in-water (w/o/o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation technique was employed to prepare double-walled microspheres, whereas single-polymer microspheres were fabricated by a conventional water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The effect of fabrication techniques and polymer characteristics on microspheres size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release, and insulin stability was evaluated. The prepared double-walled microspheres were essentially non-porous, smooth surfaced, and spherical in shape, whereas single-polymer microspheres were highly porous. Double-walled microspheres exhibited a significantly reduced initial burst followed by sustained and almost complete release of insulin compared to single-polymer microspheres. Initial burst release was further suppressed from double-walled microspheres when the mass ratio of the component polymers was increased. In conclusion, double-walled microspheres made of Glu-PLGA and PLGA can be a potential delivery system of therapeutic insulin.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank International Islamic University Malaysia for providing financial assistance during this work through the project No. EDW B 14-217-1102.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 25200, Kuantan, Malaysia

    Rezaul H. Ansary, Mokhlesur M. Rahman, Hazrina Hadi & Abd Almonen Doolaanea

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, 63000, Cyberjaya, Malaysia

    Mohamed B. Awang

  3. Drug Delivery and Novel Targeting Research Group, Centre for Drug Delivery Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Haliza Katas

Authors
  1. Rezaul H. Ansary
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  2. Mokhlesur M. Rahman
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  5. Hazrina Hadi
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  6. Abd Almonen Doolaanea
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Correspondence to Mokhlesur M. Rahman.

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Ansary, R.H., Rahman, M.M., Awang, M.B. et al. Preparation, characterization, and in vitro release studies of insulin-loaded double-walled poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres. Drug Deliv. and Transl. Res. 6, 308–318 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-016-0278-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-016-0278-y

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