Release of adriamycin from poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles.

In order to develop a prolonged circulating drug carrier and to overcome p-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance to adriamycin (ADR), which is a potent chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of various cancers, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. ADR-loaded PLGA PEG nanoparticles prepared by the emulsification-diffusion method were spherical and homogeneous with smooth surfaces when assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The nanoparticles were 200-230 nm in size and the encapsulation efficiency of ADR in the nanoparticles was 30 similar to 35%. The release of ADR from nanoparticles was extended compared to that from free ADR solution. After intravenous administration of adriamycin-loaded PLGA PEG nanoparticles to rats, the plasma level of ADR from PLGA PEG nanoparticle was extended until 24 hours and the mean residence time of ADR of nanoparticles was increased compared to that of ADR solution. And ADR-loaded nanoparticles showed a higher growth inhibitory effect than free ADR solution in an ADR resistant MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line. The prepared ADR-loaded PLGA PEG nanoparticles can be used as a good delivery system for ADR.