Generation of nano-sized core-shell particles using a coaxial tri-capillary electrospray-template removal method
Lihua Cao1, Jun Luo1, Kehua Tu2
1Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|December 24, 2013
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method using coaxial tri-capillary electrospray to create core-shell polylactide-b-polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) nanoparticles. These stable, low-cytotoxicity nanoparticles effectively encapsulate and sustain-release drugs like paclitaxel.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Developing effective drug delivery systems is crucial for targeted and sustained therapeutic agent release.
- Nanoparticles offer advantages in drug delivery due to their small size and high surface area.
- Polylactide-b-polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) copolymers are biocompatible and widely used in biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a new strategy for producing nanosized PLA-PEG particles with a core-shell structure.
- To investigate the fabrication of core-shell nanoparticles using a coaxial tri-capillary electrospray and template removal process.
- To evaluate the characteristics, drug loading, and release profile of the developed nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of core-shell-corona microparticles via coaxial tri-capillary electrospray.
- Template removal (PEG) to obtain core-shell nanoparticles (<200 nm).
- Modulation of nanoparticle size by adjusting corona fluid flow rate.
- Incorporation of paclitaxel as a model drug and assessment of drug loading and release.
Main Results:
- Successfully produced nanosized PLA-PEG particles with a core-shell structure.
- Achieved nanoparticle size modulation, with an average diameter of 106±5 nm.
- Demonstrated excellent dispersion stability in aqueous media and very low cytotoxicity.
- Attained high drug loading (50.7±1.5 wt%) and encapsulation efficiency (>70%) for paclitaxel.
- Observed sustained release of paclitaxel for over 40 days, independent of drug location.
Conclusions:
- The coaxial tri-capillary electrospray-template removal process is an effective strategy for fabricating core-shell PLA-PEG nanoparticles.
- The developed nanoparticles exhibit desirable properties for drug delivery, including stability, low cytotoxicity, high drug loading, and sustained release.
- This method offers a tunable approach for producing nanoparticles for advanced therapeutic applications.
