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Is dialysis a reliable method for studying drug release from nanoparticulate systems?-A case study
Y Zambito1, E Pedreschi, G Di Colo
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy. zambito@farm.unipi.it
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|May 24, 2012
Summary
Dialysis studies of drug release from nanoparticles can be misleading. This research shows drug release is often controlled by membrane permeation, not sustained release from nanoparticles.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- In vitro drug release kinetics from nanoparticulate systems are frequently studied using dialysis.
- The interpretation of dialysis data for nanoparticle drug release requires critical evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relevance and accuracy of dialysis data in evaluating in vitro drug release from chitosan nanoparticles.
- To compare dialysis results with ultracentrifugation for drug release kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Preparation and characterization of diclofenac- or ofloxacin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles crosslinked with tripolyphosphate.
- Dynamic dialysis applied to nanoparticle dispersions, dissolved chitosan, and plain drug solutions.
- Determination of drug kinetics in the receiving phase (KRP), nanoparticle matrix (KNM), and dispersion medium (KDM).
- Assessment of drug release using ultracentrifugation.
Main Results:
- Dialysis data (KRP) suggested sustained release, but KNM and KDM indicated membrane permeation controlled the process for both drugs.
- Diclofenac showed reversible interaction with nanoparticle surfaces and dissolved chitosan, unlike ofloxacin.
- Ultracentrifugation results corroborated the interpretation of dialysis data.
Conclusions:
- Dialysis data from nanoparticle dispersions may not accurately reflect sustained drug release and can be misleading if interpreted uncritically.
- The study highlights the importance of employing complementary methods like ultracentrifugation for accurate drug release assessment.
- Understanding drug-membrane interactions is crucial when using dialysis for nanoparticle drug release studies.
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