Encapsulation of ketoprofen for controlled drug release

Ketoprofen particles were encapsulated with polyions and gelatin to control the release of the drug in aqueous solutions. Charged linear polyions and gelatin were alternatively deposited on 6 μm drug microcrystals through layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. Sequential layers of poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) were followed by adsorption of two to six gelatin/PSS bilayers with corresponding capsule wall thicknesses ranging from 41 to 111 nm. The release of Ketoprofen from the coated microparticles was measured in aqueous solutions of pH 1.4, 4.1, and 7.4. The release rate has changed at these different pH values. At pH 7.4 the release rate of Ketoprofen from the encapsulated particles was less by 107 times compared to uncoated Ketoprofen. The results provide a method of achieving prolonged drug release through self-assembly of polymeric shells on drug crystals.