Preparation and Characterization of Antiepileptic Drugs Encapsulated in Sol-Gel Titania Nanoparticles as Controlled Release System

Abstract

In this work Functionalized-titania nanoparticles containing different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (valproic acid, tiagabine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine) were developed and characterized. AEDs were encapsulated by adding them during the gelation step, in order to obtain a homogeneous phase. The nanoparticles obtained (empty and containing the drug) were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. In addition, the delivery kinetics of the nanomaterials to study the drug release over the time was analyzed. It was demonstrated that the AEDs tested, may be encapsulated in functionalized-titania nanoparticles. Infrared spectra show that, because of the encapsulation process, the structure of the drug is not chemically altered. The SEM micrographs of nanoparticles containing the drugs show a heterogeneous microstructure formed by irregular aggregates, which are spherical in shape. The kinetic study to in vitro release to resultant nanomaterials was evaluated showing two different velocities: first a rapid release and then a slow and constant release.