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Beaded plasma clot: a potent sustained-release, drug-delivery system
Ejaj Ahmad1, Munazza T Fatima, Mohammad Owais
1Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India.
Therapeutic Delivery
|July 27, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed drug-entrapped plasma beads for sustained drug delivery. These beads showed slow drug release in vitro and in vivo, offering a promising alternative to free drug administration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Conventional drug delivery often results in rapid clearance and fluctuating plasma concentrations.
- Developing novel drug carriers is crucial for achieving sustained therapeutic effects and improving patient compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a drug-entrapped, beaded form of blood plasma for potential sustained drug delivery.
- To evaluate the drug release characteristics and in vivo performance of these plasma beads.
Main Methods:
- Blood plasma was mixed with drugs (tetracycline, amphotericin B, daunorubicin, cefotaxime), enriched with CaCl2, and formed into droplets.
- Clot formation was induced via incubation at 37°C, creating plasma beads.
- In vitro drug release studies were conducted, with some beads crosslinked with glutaraldehyde.
- In vivo studies involved subcutaneous administration of cefotaxime-loaded plasma beads in mice.
Main Results:
- Plasma beads demonstrated gradual in vitro release of entrapped tetracycline, amphotericin B, and daunorubicin.
- Crosslinking with glutaraldehyde significantly reduced the drug release rate.
- Subcutaneously administered cefotaxime-loaded plasma beads in mice exhibited slow and sustained release, prolonging circulation time compared to free cefotaxime.
Conclusions:
- Plasma beads represent a viable platform for sustained drug delivery in vivo.
- The preparation method is simple, avoiding the need for thrombin or other proteins.
- Utilizing autologous plasma minimizes the risk of immunological complications, enhancing safety and applicability.
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