Polydimethylsiloxane-indomethacin blends and nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Science

Background:

• Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and indomethacin (IMC) are key components in drug delivery systems.
• Understanding their interactions is crucial for developing effective nanoparticle formulations.
• Previous research has explored various drug encapsulation methods, but optimizing nanoparticle characteristics remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mutual influence of PDMS and IMC in blends.
• To characterize the crystalline structure and thermal properties of PDMS-IMC blends.
• To develop and analyze drug-loaded nanoparticles using PDMS and IMC, assessing their size, yield, and drug release profiles.

Main Methods:

• Blend preparation with varying IMC content (20-80 wt.%).
• Characterization using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD).
• Nanoparticle formation via precipitation and analysis by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Main Results:

• PDMS thermal transitions remained unchanged in the blends.
• Both tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent and PDMS influenced the crystalline form of IMC.
• Nanoparticles ranged from 200-300 nm, with size, polydispersity, and yield affected by surfactants, IMC content, and cross-linking.
• Maximum drug release observed was 30%.

Conclusions:

• PDMS-IMC blends exhibit specific interactions affecting IMC crystallinity.
• Controlled nanoparticle formation is achievable using PDMS and IMC with tunable properties.
• The developed nanoparticles demonstrate potential for drug delivery with moderate drug release.