Preparation and characterization of electrosprayed daidzein–loaded PHBV microspheres

• Daidzein-loaded PHBV microspheres were successfully prepared by electrospraying.
• Uniform surface morphology and narrow particle size distribution were obtained.
• A sustained release profile with low initial burst release was obtained.

Given that hormone therapy of osteoporosis with estrogen and progesterone may have potential negative side effects, there is a strong need of developing alternative solutions. Possible therapy alternatives involve the use of phytoestrogens such as daidzein. In this study, daidzein–loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microspheres were prepared using electrospraying. The obtained microspheres had uniform surface morphology, and narrow particle size distribution with mean particle size of 4.8 μm. Daidzein was determined to be in amorphous state in the PHBV microspheres by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Encapsulated daidzein was released with a low initial burst release (7.6% at 1 h) followed by a sustained release over a period of ~3 days. The developed PHBV microspheres with daidzein delivery function have potential applications in the treatment of osteoporosis and for bone tissue engineering.

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