Nano and microparticle engineering of water insoluble drugs using a novel spray-drying process

In the current study nano and microparticle engineering of water insoluble drugs was conducted using a novel piezoelectric spray-drying approach. Cyclosporin A (CyA) and dexamethasone (DEX) were encapsulated in biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) grades of different molecular weights. Spray-drying studies carried out with the Nano Spray Dryer B-90 employed with piezoelectric driven actuator. The processing parameters including inlet temperature, spray mesh diameter, sample flow rate, spray rate, applied pressure and sample concentration were examined in order to optimize the particle size and the obtained yield. The process parameters and the solute concentration showed a profound effect on the particle engineering and the obtained product yield. The produced powder presented consistent and reproducible spherical particles with narrow particle size distribution. Cyclosporin was found to be molecularly dispersed while dexamethasone was in crystalline state within the PLGA nanoparticles. Further evaluation revealed excellent drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and production yield. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained release patterns for the active substances. This novel spray-drying process proved to be efficient for nano and microparticle engineering of water insoluble active substances.

Nanoparticle engineering of water insoluble active substances using a novel piezoelectric spray-drying process.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Nano and micro particle engineering using a piezoelectric spray drying methodology.
► The spray-drying processing parameters control the size of the obtained particles.
► The drug/polymer ratio and the solvent mixtures play a key role on obtained particle size.
► The produced particles present spherical shape, narrow particle size distribution and porous surface.
► CyA is molecularly dispersed within the PLGA particles while DEX is in crystalline state.