Entrapment efficiency and initial release of phenylbutazone from nanocapsules prepared from different polyesters

Several formulations of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanocapsules containing phenylbutazone were prepared according to the interfacial deposition technique. These formulations differed in the type of polymer used to form the shell of the nanocapsules. Analysis of particle size distribution and encapsulation efficiency of the nanocapsules revealed that the type and molecular weight of polyester used were the main factors influencing these properties. PLA had the highest encapsulation efficiency with the best reproducibility. From in vitro release studies, a small amount of drug release was observed at pH 7.4. However, in the gastric medium, an important burst effect occurred and was highest with the PLGAs and lowest with PCL, suggesting that drug release from these systems is affected by the type of polymer and the environmental conditions. The two formulations of phenylbutazone-loaded nanocapsules should be evaluated based on PCL and PLA in vivo in order to determine to what extent they are able to reduce the local side effects of this drug.