Poly(ϵ-caprolactone) microcapsules and nanocapsules in drug delivery

Abstract

Microencapsulation is a well-established process in pharmaceutical industry to protect drugs from chemical degradation and to control drug release. In this context, PCL is a useful polymer to prepare microcapsules. Nanoencapsulation, a more recent approach, offers new possibilities in drug delivery. PCL can be used as polymer to prepare different types of nanocapsules presenting diverse flexibility according to the chemical nature of the core. Those nanocapsules are capable of controlling drug release and improving photochemical stability. In addition, they can modulate cutaneous drug penetration/permeation and act as physical sunscreen due to their capability of light scattering. Considering the pharmaceutical point of view, PCL nanocapsules are versatile formulations, once they can be used in the liquid form, as well as incorporated into semi-solid or solid dosage forms.

Role of poly(ε-caprolactone) lipid-core nanocapsules on melanoma–neutrophil crosstalk

“…The LNCs are composed of an organogel as oily core surrounded by a biodegradable polymeric wall, in which dispersion in water is guaranteed by surface coating with polysorbate 80 micelles. 29 Oral administration of LNC or AcE-LNC, but not AcE, did not cause any toxicity and inhibited the melanoma development. In vitro studies showed that LNC or AcE-LNC caused late apoptosis and necrosis, as well as cell cycle arrest in SK-Mel-28 cells.…”

Nanocarriers for optimizing the balance between interfollicular permeation and follicular uptake of topically applied clobetasol to minimize adverse effects

“…This polymer was chosen because it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for drug delivery specific applications and has prior been used for nanoparticle preparation [17,[22][23][24]. Concentrations of components of the three nanocarriers are given in Table 1.…”

Poly(butylcyanoacrylate) and Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanoparticles Loaded with 5-Fluorouracil Increase the Cytotoxic Effect of the Drug in Experimental Colon Cancer

“…In the specific case of PBCA NPs, drug release could be the consequence of either particle disintegration due to surface erosion, drug diffusion through the polymeric matrix, or both (30,32). Whereas, with respect to PCL NPs, 5-FU release during this second phase could be due to drug diffusion through the polymeric matrix as opposed to polymer disintegration, which for PCL is a very slow process in an aqueous medium given its considerable hydrophobic character (18,31,33).…”

“…and Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanoparticles 5-FU release at pH 7.4 from PBCA (and PCL) NPs showed a biphasic process, typical of these polymers (18,(30)(31)(32)(33). Such a sustained drug-release profile was characterized by an initial rapid (burst) 5-FU release phase (up to ≈27% and ≈16% in from PBCA NPs and PCL NPs in 3 h, respectively), with the remaining 5-FU molecules being released in a more sustained manner (over a period of 93 and 117 h from PBCA NPs and PCL NPs, respectively) (Fig.…”