2015 Volume 15 Issue 3 Pages 123-129
Indomethacin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles with an average size of 50 nm and 100 nm were prepared by combining antisolvent diffusion with preferential solvation. Uncoated nanoparticles do not have a hydrophilic stabilizer (polyvinyl alcohol) on the surface, and therefore, have high hydrophobicity and a negative charge. Nanoparticles of both sizes exhibited the same electrophoretic mobility in 5 mM NaCl. Further, the release behaviour did not differ between particle sizes. The permeability of uncoated nanoparticles through ex vivo rat skin was significantly higher than that of an indomethacin suspension when iontophoresis was applied. Indomethacin accumulated in the hair follicles and stratum corneum after permeation with 50 nm nanoparticles. Transdermal routing of the 50 and 100 nm nanoparticles occurred through the transfollicular pathway, and migration to the follicles was enhanced by iontophoresis. Thus, PLGA nanoparticles prepared by antisolvent diffusion with preferential solvation are beneficial for transdermal iontophoretic delivery of therapeutic agents.
