Preparation and study of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(styrene) nanosized latex with indometacin

During the last decade the number of investigations on the preparation and application of more effective drug release systems on the basis of nanocarriers from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers are considerably increasing. This is notably in force for practically water insoluble drugs to be applied in liquid forms (eye solutions for an example). The aim of the work presented was the preparation of model poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(styrene) nanosupports for indometacin and their potential inclusion in eye drops. The polymers are synthesized as nanosized latex by a radical polymerization of the monomers in the presence of indometacin. It is proved that the low polymerization temperature and initiator used do not influence indometacin structure and properties. The nanoparticles were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The size of the latex particles was around 200 nm, determined by the scan electron microscopy. The indometacin delivery rate from the supports discussed in aqueous solutions was determined at pH 7.4. The change of this rate, in comparison with that for a pure drug substance, was established also as well as its dependence on the nature of the carrier.