Nanoparticle-releasing xerogel films prepared by a one-step method

Abstract

Aggregation remains a challenge in the development of solid dosage forms of nanoparticles. Herein, we investigated whether xerogel films can allow sustained release of nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin (as a model drug) while preventing their aggregation. Such films can be fabricated by casting nano-oil droplets in an aqueous solution. In this study, curcumin and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were dissolved in methylene chloride and emulsified in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-propylene glycol (PG) solution. While drying the cast, the nano-oil droplets solidified to form nanoparticles. Concurrently, the PVA-PG solution was gelatinated and further dried to form a xerogel. The xerogel film containing curcumin-loaded nanoparticles disintegrated in vitro within 10 min, releasing the nanoparticles without aggregation. The emitted nanoparticles in turn released curcumin at a first-order rate over 90 min. Thus, xerogel films containing nanoparticles could be useful sustained-release solid preparations for delivering nanoparticles at a controlled rate without aggregation.

Keywords

• Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles
• Xerogel
• Polyvinyl alcohol-propylene glycol film
• Solid dosage form
• Aggregation