Effect of Stabilizers and Process Parameters for Budesonide Loaded PLGA-Nanoparticles

The present work is aimed at investigations of the effects of various stabilizers and process parameters on the properties of budesonide (glucocorticoid steroid) loaded PLGA (Poly-dl-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles. Budesonide loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared following high pressure emulsification- solvent evaporation technique. The effects of three different stabilizers like polyvinylalcohol (PVA), carbomer (Carbopol 980) and poloxamer (Lutrol F-68) are used during emulsification process were studied. Investigations were also carried out regarding influences of different homogenization parameters (pressure and number of cycles) on the properties of various nanoparticles. For comparison, nanoparticles were prepared without the treatment of high pressure also. Various properties of nanoparticles subjected to investigations include, particle size, polydispersity index, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and the drug release profile. These properties were found to be strongly influenced by the type of stabilizer, homogenization pressure and the number of cycles. Amongst three stabilizers, PVA found to produce comparatively smallest nanoparticles than poloxamer and carbomer. The nanoparticles prepared without high pressure homogenization found to posse’s larger size and high values of polydispersity index especially with the stabilizers carbomer and poloxamer. The low drug loading of nanoparticles found, could be resulted due to high pressure promoted drug diffusion from the protoparticles during the emulsification process and the characteristics of the outer water phase of emulsion. Faster drug release was observed from the nanoparticles obtained after high pressure emulsification as compared to those prepared without pressure homogenization of emulsion. keywords: Budesonide, nanoparticles, polyvinylalcohol, carbomer, poloxamer, homogenization.