Dexamethasone loaded PLGA nanoparticles for potential local treatment of oral precancerous lesions

The aim of this study was to develop dexamethasone loaded nanoparticles for the local treatment of oral precancerous lesions. Dexamethasone loaded nanoparticles were prepared using the emulsification/solvent evaporation method. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized for pH, particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading. Furthermore, in vitro drug release, stability, ex vivo drug diffusion, and cell culture studies were undertaken. The particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency were found to be approximately 200 nm, 0.2, -10 mV, and 95%, respectively. Atomic Force Microscopy results showed that the formulated nanoparticles had uniform and spherical shape. In vitro release studies demonstrated 80% release of dexamethasone from nanoparticles; the nanoparticles were stable for 6 months. The ex vivo studies revealed no drug diffusion into the receptor media phase which suggests a possible local effect. Cytotoxicity studies showed that nanoparticles were non-cytotoxic against the HK-2 and NIH-3T3 cell lines. Findings of this study suggest that dexamethasone loaded PLGA nanoparticles are promising and can be further investigated as potential treatment of oral precancerous lesions.