Characterization of biodegradable chitosan microspheres containing vancomycin and treatment of experimental osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with prepared microspheres

Abstract

The biodegradable chitosan microspheres containing vancomycin hydrochloride (VANCO) were prepared by spray drying method with different polymer:drug ratios ( 1: 1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4: 1). Thermal behaviour, particle size and distribution, morphological characteristics, drug content, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release assessments of formulations have been carried out to obtain suitable formulation which shows sustained-release effect when implanted. Sterilized VANCO loaded microspheres were implanted to proximal tibia of rats with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis. Intramuscular (IM) injection of VANCO for 21 days was applied to another group for comparison. After 3 weeks of treatment, bone samples were analysed with a microbiological assay