Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
Polymeric alginate nanoparticles containing the local anesthetic bupivacaine
Renato Grillo1, Nathalie F S de Melo, Daniele Ribeiro de Araújo
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Unesp—São Paulo State University, Av. Três de Março, 511, 18087-180 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Bupivacaine (BVC; S75–R25, NovaBupi® is an amide-type local anesthetic. Sodium alginate is a water-soluble linear polysaccharide. The present study reports the development of alginate/bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) and alginate/chitosan nanoparticle formulations containing BVC (0.5%). The amounts of BVC associated in the alginate/AOT and alginate/chitosan nanoparticles were 87 ± 1.5 and 76 ± 0.9%, respectively. The average diameters and zeta potentials of the nanoparticles were measured for 30 days, and the results demonstrated the good stability of these particles in solution. The in vitro release kinetics showed a different behavior for the release profile of BVC in solution, compared with BVC-loaded alginate nanoparticles. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that alginate–chitosan BVC (BVC(ALG–CHIT)) and alginate–AOT BVC (BVC(ALG–AOT)) presented low cytotoxicity in 3T3-fibroblasts, enhanced the intensity, and prolonged the duration of motor and sensory blockades in a sciatic nerve blockade model.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia
One of the advantages of...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
