Microencapsulation of mildronate in biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers

The extremely high hygroscopicity (solubility in water ≥2 g/ml) of the pharmaceutical preparation mildronate defines specific requirements to both packaging material and storage conditions. To overcome the above mentioned inconveniences, microencapsulated form of mildronate was developed using polystyrene (PS) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) as watertight coating materials. Drug/polymer interaction as well as influence of the microencapsulation process variables on microparticle properties was studied in detail. Water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion technique was adapted and applied for the preparation of PS/mildronate microparticles with total drug load up to 77 %wt and PLA/mildronate microparticles with total drug load up to 80 %wt. The repeatability of the microencapsulation process was ±4% and the encapsulation efficiency of the active ingredient reached 60 %wt. The drug release kinetics from the obtained microparticles was evaluated and it was found that drug release in vivo could be successfully sustained if polystyrene matrix has been used.