COMPARISON OF DRUG RELEASE: MICROPARTICLES VS NANOPARTICLES

Abstract

AIM: The purpose of this research was to study and compare the drug release from microparticles vs nanoparticles as drug delivery systems. METHODS: The microparticles and nanoparticles were prepared using single phase emulsification method followed by heat stabilization method. The glycyrrhetinic acid ammonium was used as drug, bovine serum albumin as polymer and carbopol 934P as mucoadhesive agent. Microparticles and nanoparticles were evaluated and the kinetics of drug release were studied using BIT software. The in-vivo drug release were studied and the in-vitro – in-vivo correlation was established.

RESULTS: The line equation was found to be y = 0.0012x + 0.0003 for glycyrrhetinic acid ammonium and the FTIR showed no drug excipient interaction. The product yield was calculated and particle size, drug entrapment, drug loading, swelling index, mucoadhesion testing by in-vitro wash- off test and percentage cumulative drug release were determined for microparticles and nanoparticles. The kinetics of drug release was studied using BIT software which showed that the drug release follows Korsmeyer-Peppas equation model as best fit for microparticles or nanoparticles which indicate the drug is released by anomalous transport mechanism.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that nanoparticles maintains the plasma drug concentration better than microparticles on the basis of in-vivo drug release.