A Review on Hot Melt Extrusion Coupled Novel Drug Delivery Systems

The utilization of hot melt extrusion (HME) technology for new applications is increasing in recent years, as evidenced by the many published reports in the last five years. Because of its process automation and low-cost scale-up qualities, which decrease labor expenses and capital investment. HME has emerged as an essential technology for drug delivery applications in pharmaceutical research and manufacture. The novel application of the HME process provides a promising alternate approach in the formulation of novel drug delivery systems. The present review discusses the importance of HME in the development of novel drug delivery systems with the review of relevant case studies. Keywords: hot melt extrusion, novel drug delivery, pharmaceutical researc

Influence of surface charge on the in vitro protein adsorption and cell cytotoxicity of paclitaxel loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles

The biokinetic fate of polymeric nanoparticles in the physiological milieu is strongly influenced by its properties such as size, surface charge and surface affinity. The electrostatic properties of the polymeric nanoparticles and, thereby, the reliant properties such as cellular interactions, reactivity and toxicity, can be tailored by modulating the surface charge. Therefore, the present study aimed at studying the influence of surface charge on the physicochemical properties, in vitro protein adsorption and cell cytotoxicity of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs). Paclitaxel loaded PCL nanoparticles were obtained by emulsion solvent evaporation extraction technique and differently charged using ionic surfactants. The NPs were characterized for size, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment and release. In vitro protein adsorption and cytotoxicity of NPs with different surface charge was investigated. The prepared NPs were rounded with a smooth surface and had a particle size less than 250 nm with narrow distribution and high entrapment efficiency (>80%). The zeta potential of the particles varied between â22 mV and +16 mV depending on its composition. The in vitro protein adsorption studies revealed that positively charged NPs adsorbed more proteins than other formulations. The cytotoxicity studies on MCF-7 cells exhibited that positively charged NPs engender the highest cell inhibition due to preferential uptake based on electrostatic interactions with cell membranes. The results suggest that surface charge could be undeniably significant in determining the protein adsorption and cellular interactions and must be intently considered during the design of colloidal particles to impart better performance in the physiological system. Keywords: Poly(ε-caprolactone), Nanoparticles, Surface charge, Protein adsorption, Cytotoxicit