Controlling Particle Size of Poly(lactic acid)/Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles have gained immense attention as drug carriers in biodegradable drug delivery systems. Particle size is one of the most important characteristics of nanoparticles. It determines the in vivo distribution and targeting ability of nanoparticle drug delivery systems. In this study, we developed a surfactant-free method for the preparation of poly(lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite (PLA/HAp) particles for drug delivery applications. PLA/HAp particles decompose safely in the body. In this study, we investigated the effect of PLA content and ionic concentrations on the particle size of PLA/HAp particles. The particle size of PLA/HAp particles with different PLA contents and ionic concentrations was determined by SEM. The results showed that the PLA content played a crucial role in increasing the particle size of the PLA/HAp particles.

Development of paclitaxel-loaded poly(lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite core–shell nanoparticles as a stimuli-responsive drug delivery system

“…PTX-loaded PLA/HAp core–shell nanoparticles were prepared with modified surfactant-free emulsification methods, as described in our previous reports [ 9 , 10 ]. The PLA, PTX, calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ion solutions used for fabrication of the core–shell nanoparticles were prepared as follows.…”

“…However, the preparation of particles with a size smaller than 200 nm requires a large amount of stabilizers, which are non-biodegradable and tend to remain in the resultant nanoparticles [ 7 ]. In our previous work, PLA/hydroxyapatite (HAp) core–shell nanoparticles were prepared using a surfactant-free method [ 8 – 10 ]. HAp, which is a mineral component of bone and teeth, is used widely as an inorganic biomaterial owing to its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability [ 11 ].…”

Evaluation of Drug-Loading Ability of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Hydroxyapatite Core–Shell Particles

“…Vitamin K 1 -loaded PLA/HAp core–shell particles were prepared using an emulsification method ( Scheme 1 ). The details of the preparation of the PLA/HAp core–shell particles are described in our previous paper [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. In brief, PLA (20 mg) and various amounts of vitamin K 1 (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg) were dissolved in 4 mL of acetone (denoted as PLHA-V x , where x is the amount of vitamin K 1 , ( x = 0, 50, 100, 200)).…”

“…Most surfactants are nonbiodegradable and tend to remain in the resulting particles [ 29 ]. In our previous work, we prepared PLA/HAp core–shell particles using the emulsification method without involving any surfactant [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The surface of PLA was stabilized with calcium ions, which bonded with the carboxyl groups in PLA [ 33 ].…”

“…The surface of PLA was stabilized with calcium ions, which bonded with the carboxyl groups in PLA [ 33 ]. Subsequently, HAp precipitated on the carboxyl groups, which bonded with the calcium ions; thus, the HAp shell was formed after aging for a certain duration [ 30 , 31 ]. Hydrophobic substances could be easily encapsulated within the PLA micelles of PLA/HAp core–shell particles.…”