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Published on: January 4, 2012
Release optimization of epidermal growth factor from PLGA microparticles
Omolbanin Mirdailami1, Mohammad Reza Khoshayand, Masoud Soleimani
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Novel Drug Delivery Systems Lab .
Pharmaceutical Development and Technology
|June 20, 2013
Summary
Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles were developed as carriers for recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF). Optimized PLGA microspheres effectively encapsulated rhEGF, maintaining its biological activity for potential therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) is a widely used biodegradable polymer for drug delivery.
- Microspheres often suffer from burst release, affecting drug efficacy.
- Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) is a therapeutic protein with potential in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and optimize poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-based microparticles for carrying recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF).
- To investigate the impact of formulation parameters on microsphere characteristics, including particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release profiles.
- To confirm the biological activity and stability of rhEGF after encapsulation and release from PLGA microspheres.
Main Methods:
- Box-Behnken response surface methodology was employed to optimize PLGA microsphere formulation.
- Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model protein to optimize encapsulation and release parameters.
- Particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release kinetics were analyzed.
- Biological activity of released rhEGF was assessed using human skin fibroblast proliferation assays.
Main Results:
- Optimized rhEGF-loaded PLGA microspheres exhibited an average size of 6.44 ± 2.45 µm.
- High encapsulation efficiency of 97.04 ± 1.13% was achieved.
- Reduced burst release (13.06 ± 1.35%) and cumulative release of 22.56 ± 2.41% were observed.
- Released rhEGF demonstrated comparable biological activity to pure rhEGF in fibroblast proliferation assays, confirming protein stability.
Conclusions:
- PLGA-based microparticles can be successfully prepared to encapsulate rhEGF with optimized characteristics.
- The developed microspheres effectively control the release of rhEGF and maintain its biological integrity.
- These findings support the potential of these rhEGF-loaded PLGA microparticles as viable drug delivery systems for therapeutic applications.
