Interaction and release kinetics study of hybrid polymer blend nanoparticles for pH independent controlled release of an anti-viral drug

• Hybrid polymer blend nanoparticles to encapsulate 80% of Acyclovir.
• pH independent drug release kinetics through various media.
• Drug–polymer interactions and diffusion influence effective drug release kinetics.
• Spontaneous uptake of particles by epithelial cells without significant cytotoxicity.

Incompatible interactions of polymers with active chemical entity offer variable challenges in drug delivery kinetics. This study focuses on development of hybrid polymer blend nanoparticles with amphiphilic (Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone) and hydrophobic (Ethyl cellulose and Eudragit RSPO) polymers to encapsulate maximum drug without significant incompatibility. Optimized nanoparticles developed using Acyclovir model drug exhibited 80% entrapment with size and surface charge of 100 nm and +26 mV, respectively. Spherical morphology and solid state transition of drug from crystalline to amorphous in nanoparticles was confirmed by SEM and XRD analysis. pH independent in-vitro drug release was observed in four different media with initial burst release followed by sustained release for >12 h. Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in percentage of drug release from each formulation in different media. H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions between drug and polymer (FTIR, TG-DTA analysis and Makoid–Banakar Kinetics) and diffusion of drug from matrix nanospheres followed by pore transport were the key factors for effective drug release kinetics. Uptake of nanoparticles by corneal epithelial cells was more prominent within 30 min, however viability of cells was not altered significantly. Release kinetics and interactions studies revealed the suitability of polymer blend nanoparticles for better encapsulation and sustained release of the drug.