Evaluation of the physicochemical characteristics and activity of various kinds of ciprofloxacin HCl-loaded cationic nanoparticles

The physicochemical properties and activity of ciprofloxacin HCl-loaded Eudragit nanoparticles were compared with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (50:50) nanoparticles coated with benzalkonium chloride or cetrimide. Particle sizes varied between 150 and 400 nm. All nanoparticles possessed positive zeta potential values in water. Drug entrapment values of 60-70% were obtained. There was no significant difference in the drug release from Eudragit and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles, or uncoated and coated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles. Ciprofloxacin HCl, encapsulated in various nanoparticle preparations, was still effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Eudragit and uncoated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles caused no cytotoxic effects. The use of Eudragit seems to be the best alternative in the preparation of cationic nanoparticles.