Haloperidol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles: Systematic study of particle size and drug content

We have produced haloperidol-loaded PLGA/PLA nanoparticles by using two emulsification-solvent evaporation methods: homogenization and sonication. We have established how five independent processing parameters and two materials characteristics control the particle size and drug content. The interdependencies between processing and materials parameters and the subsequent nanoparticle characteristics are discussed in terms of underlying scientific principles that are broadly applicable to the production of drug-loaded polymer nanoparticles. This level of understanding should quicken the pace of designing protocols for making new drug-PLGA nanoparticles. It was determined that the particle size of haloperidol-loaded PLGA/PLA nanoparticles is effectively controlled by the amount of shear stress transferred from the energy source to the organic phase, which is strongly correlated to the following parameters: type of applied energy, aqueous phase volume, and polymer concentration in the organic solvent. The drug content of these nanoparticles is controlled by reducing the diffusion of the drug from the organic to the aqueous phase during the solvent evaporation stage of the preparation and by increasing the drug–polymer interactions. The following significantly inhibit drug diffusion: large particle size, higher polymer concentration and polymer molecular weight, and reducing the drug solubility in the aqueous phase by adjusting the pH. Specific drug–polymer interactions are engineered by optimizing the lactide to glycolide ratio (L:G ratio) and including specific polymer end groups. When optimized, the drug-loaded PLGA/PLA nanoparticles contain as much as 2.5% haloperidol.