Comparison between two multicomponent drug delivery systems based on PEGylated-poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) and superparamagnetic nanoparticles: Nanoparticulate versus nanocluster systems

Development of versatile and efficient multicomponent drug delivery nanocarriers in the range of hundreds of nanometers in size with tunable surface properties presents an interesting platform for biomedical applications. In this study, two approaches were evaluated for preparation of multi-component drug delivery nanocarriers based on the assembly of drug loaded PEGylated poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (PEGylated PLGA NPs) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs). In the first approach, preparation of nanoclusters was performed by self-assembly of oppositely charged ibuprofen loaded PEGylated-PLGA and IO NPs, while in the second one IO NPs and a model drug (ibuprofen) were incorporated inside PEGylated PLGA NPs by single emulsion method. Nanoclusters as well as multi-component loaded PEGylated PLGA NPs with a size of 350 ± 71 nm and 238 ± 88 nm, respectively, were produced. Interestingly, both delivery systems demonstrated comparable drug release behavior after 120 h. They exhibited also comparable magnetic properties before and after dissolution tests. Mechanistic insights into the effect of the morphology and chemical composition of the multi-component delivery systems on the drug release mechanisms are proposed.