Hydroxy-urea bearing albumin microspheres--preparation, characterization and evaluation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hydroxyurea is a crucial drug with limitations in stability and targeted delivery.
• Albumin microspheres offer a promising platform for drug delivery applications.
• Magnetic nanoparticles can enhance drug localization and retention at target sites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize hydroxyurea-loaded albumin microspheres using glycerol as an internal phase.
• To incorporate silicone-coated magnetite nanoparticles for magnetic targeting.
• To evaluate the in vitro drug release, in vivo distribution, and stability of the magnetic albumin microspheres.

Main Methods:

• Polymer dispersion method utilizing glycerol in a water-in-oil emulsion.
• Incorporation of silicone-coated magnetite nanoparticles into human serum albumin (HSA) microspheres.
• In vitro drug release studies and in vivo biodistribution analysis in a rat model with an applied magnetic field.

Main Results:

• Microspheres exhibited controlled in vitro hydroxyurea release, linearly correlated with the square root of time.
• Significant localization (67%) of magnetic albumin microspheres achieved in a rat tail segment using an 8000 Oe magnetic field.
• Enhanced stabilization of hydroxyurea within the microspheres compared to conventional methods.

Conclusions:

• Glycerol-based albumin microspheres are effective for hydroxyurea delivery.
• Magnetic targeting significantly improves drug localization in vivo.
• The developed magnetic albumin microspheres demonstrate superior drug stabilization and targeted delivery potential.