Oral evaluation in rabbits of cyclosporin-loaded Eudragit RS or RL nanoparticles

The hydrophobic cyclic undecapeptide cyclosporin A (CyA) used in the prevention of graft rejection and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases was encapsulated by nanoprecipitation within non-biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. The effect of polymers (Eudragit® RS or RL) and additives within the alcoholic phase (fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylated castor oil) on the size, zeta potential and the encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was investigated. The mean diameter of the various CyA nanoparticles ranged from 170 to 310 nm. The size as well as the zeta potential increased by adding fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylated castor oil within the organic phase. No significant differences in surface potential were observed for all formulations tested. Probably due to the very low water solubility of the drug, high encapsulation efficiencies were observed in a range from 70 to 85%. The oral absorption of CyA from these polymeric nanoparticles was studied in rabbits and compared to that of Neoral® capsule. Based on comparison of the area under the blood concentration-time curve values, the relative bioavailability of CyA from each nanoparticulate formulation ranged from 20 to 35%.