Polymeric nanoparticles for oral delivery of 5-fluorouracil: Formulation optimization, cytotoxicity assay and pre-clinical pharmacokinetics study

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or poly(lactic acid)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA–PEG) blend nanoparticles were developed loading 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an antitumor agent broadly used in therapy. A 23 factorial experimental design was conducted to indicate an optimal formulation and demonstrate the influence of the interactions of components on the mean particle size and drug encapsulation efficiency. Optimized PLA nanoparticles presented 294 nm and 51% of 5-FU encapsulation efficiency and PLA–PEG blend nanoparticles presented 283 nm and 55% of 5-FU encapsulation efficiency. In vitro release assay demonstrated after 320 h about 50% of 5-FU was released from PLA and PLA–PEG blend nanoparticles. Release kinetics of 5-FU from nanoparticles followed second order and the release mechanism calculated by Korsmeyer–Peppas model was diffusion and erosion. In the assessment of cytotoxicity over Hep-2 tumor cells, PLA or PLA–PEG blend nanoparticles presented similar IC50 value than free 5-FU. Pharmacokinetic parameters after oral administration of 5-FU were improved by nanoencapsulation. Bioavailability, Cmax, Tmax, t1/2 and distribution volume were significantly improved, while clearance were decreased. PEG presence in nanoparticles didn't influence physicochemical and biological parameters evaluated. PLA and PLA–PEG nanoparticles can be potential carriers for oral delivery of 5-FU.

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