Drug carrier

About: Drug carrier is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 18276 publications have been published within this topic receiving 997718 citations. The topic is also known as: drug carriers & drug vehicle.

Electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/halloysite nanotube composite nanofibers for drug encapsulation and sustained release

Abstract: We report a novel electrospun composite nanofiber-based drug delivery system. In this study, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were first used to encapsulate a model drug, tetracycline hydrochloride. Then, the drug-loaded HNTs with an optimized encapsulation efficiency were mixed with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer for subsequent electrospinning to form drug-loaded composite nanofibrous mats. The structure, morphology, and mechanical properties of the formed electrospun composite nanofibrous mats were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and tensile testing. In vitro drug release behavior was examined using UV-vis spectroscopy. The biocompatibility of HNT-containing PLGA fibers was evaluated through cell culture and MTT assay. We show that the incorporation of HNTs within the nanofibrous mats does not significantly change the morphology of the mats. In addition, our results indicate that this double-container drug delivery system (both PLGA polymer and HNTs are drug carriers) is beneficial to reduce the burst release of the drug and the introduction of HNTs can significantly improve the tensile strength of the polymer nanofibrous mats. Given the proved biocompatibility of the HNT-containing PLGA nanofibers via MTT assay of cell viability and SEM observation of cell morphology, the drug loaded electrospun composite nanofibrous mats developed in this study may find various applications in tissue engineering and pharmaceutical sciences.

Recent advances in PEG–PLA block copolymer nanoparticles

Abstract: Due to their small particle size and large and modifiable surface, nanoparticles have unique advantages compared with other drug carriers. As a research focus in recent years, polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid (PEG-PLA) block copolymer and its end-group derivative nanoparticles can enhance the drug loading of hydrophobic drugs, reduce the burst effect, avoid being engulfed by phagocytes, increase the circulation time of drugs in blood, and improve bioavailability. Additionally, due to their smaller particle size and modified surface, these nanoparticles can accumulate in inflammation or target locations to enhance drug efficacy and reduce toxicity. Recent advances in PEG-PLA block copolymer nanoparticles, including the synthesis of PEG-PLA and the preparation of PEG-PLA nanoparticles, were introduced in this study, in particular the drug release and modifiable characteristics of PEG-PLA nanoparticles and their application in pharmaceutical preparations.

Magnetically-localizable, biodegradable lipid microspheres

Abstract: A drug carrier formulation consisting of magnetically-localizable, biodegradable lipid microspheres containing a magnetically-responsive substance, one or more diodegradable lipids and one or more nontoxic surfactants is described herein. There is also described a process for preparing such microspheres wherein the magnetically-responsive substance is wetted with surfactant and part of the lipids, then this material is added to the remaining lipids and heated to 90-100°C., water is added, the mixture is sonicated to obtain a microemulsion, which is then cooled and lyophilized to obtain the product.

In Vitro Evaluation of Calcium Pectinate: A Potential Colon-Specific Drug Delivery Carrier

Abstract: Calcium pectinate (CaP)—the insoluble salt of pectin—can potentially be used as a colon-specific drug delivery system. The use of CaP as a carrier was based on the assumption that, like pectin, it can be decomposed by specific pectinolytic enzymes in the colon but that it retains its integrity in the physiological environment of the small bowel. The biodegradation of the carrier was characterized by monitoring the percent cumulative release of the insoluble drug indomethacin, incorporated into pectin or CaP matrices. Compressed tablets of pectin and indomethacin were analyzed for degradation in the presence of Pectinex 3XL, a typical pectinolytic enzyme mixture, and in the presence of the human colonic bacterium Bacteroides ovatus. The degradation of CaP-indomethacin tablets was assessed in the presence of Pectinex 3XL and in rat cecal contents. The release of indomethacin was significantly increased (end-time percentage cumulative release vs control) in the presence of Pectinex 3XL (89 ± 20 vs 16 ± 2 for CaP tablets), Bacteroides ovatus (12 and 22 vs 5.2 for pectin tablets), and rat cecal contents (61 ± 16 vs 4.9 ± 1.1 for CaP tablets). The weight loss of tablet mass was significantly higher (end-time dry weight vs control) in the presence of Pectinex 3XL (0 vs 75 ± 6% of initial weight for CaP tablets). These findings indicate the potential of CaP, compressed into tablets with insoluble drug, to serve as a specific drug delivery system to the colon.