Development of nanoplatform for drug delivery based on polylactic acid

JANET CHINELLATO; JUAN PADRÓ; FACUNDO MATTEA; MARCELO R. ROMERO

Mar del Plata

Congreso; XII Latin-American Congress of Artificial Organs and Biomaterials; 2023

In recent years, medical and pharmaceutical industries have shown an increasing interest in researching and developing biocompatible, non-cytotoxic, and biodegradable polymers for applications in cell proliferation, tissue engineering, sutures, orthopedic device manufacturing, controlled drug delivery, and, many others [1]. However, controlled drug administration of hydrophobic molecules is a challenge for formulation compositions due to their poor solubility. In this regard, these systems based on biopolymeric nanoparticles are very attractive as a consequence of their large volume to surface area ratio, responsiveness to stimuli, modifiable core and shell, and their capability to improve the solubility of pharmacological compounds. All these properties confer to nanoparticles a safety and effective features for encapsulation and administration of active agents for the treatment of diseases [2]. Some promising biopolymers for nanoparticle medical treatments are Polylactic acid (PLA) (Figure a), Polyglycolic acid, and Polycaprolactone. Particularly, PLA is a polymer from an organic source, biodegradable in the human body, and with excellent mechanical properties [2]. The aim of this work is to develop PLA nanoparticles (N-PLA) as a biocompatible nanocarrier for drug delivery. PLA oligomers were previously synthesized with a biocompatible catalyst and characterized by gel permeation chromatography (b) and rheological tests (c), showing an average molecular weight higher than 3000 g/mol and a pseudoplastic behavior, respectively. Then, N‑PLA was fabricated by a nanoprecipitation method detailed in scheme (d), where oligomers solubilized in acetone (organic phase) drop at 5mL/h onto ultrapure water (aqueous phase). N- PLA obtained were characterized by dynamic light scattering (e) and scanning electron microscopy (f). The results indicate the formation of spherical nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic radius of 60 nm and a low polydispersity. Developed nanoparticles exhibit ideal properties to encapsulate active agents, especially, hydrophobic drugs.