POLYCAPROLACTONE AS DRUG CARRIER FOR AN ANTIFUNGAL AGENT

Abstract

One of the most suitable and most used biodegradable polymers in particulate drug delivery is Polycaprolactone. This could be attributed to its several important characteristics including its low degradation rate, high permeability and low toxicity. In this study, Polycaprolactone microspheres loaded with the antifungal agent Amphotericin B were synthesized by means of the solvent evaporation method. The prepared microspheres had homogeneous particle sizes between 110 and 125 µm. they also showed a porous structure and a spherical profile. Satisfactory drug encapsulation percentages and drug loading values were obtained. They varied from 28 to 61 % and 0.22 to 1.13 % respectively. These observed results could be related to the properties of both drug and polymer such as hydrophobicity and solubility in organic solvents. In addition, the low degradation activity of the polymer Polycaprolactone had a direct impact on the release rate of Amphotericin B, yielding prolonged and slow release profiles for most of the formulations. Finally, Infrared study revealed that the method used for encapsulation of Amphotericin B with Polycaprolactone did not have any negative effect on the integrity and stability of the drug. Key Words: drug delivery, solvent evaporation, Polycaprolactone, Amphotericin B, In vitro release