Preparation and characterization of hydroxycamptothecin-loaded Poly(D,L-lactic acid) nanoparticles with high drug loading capacity

Abstract

Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) loaded PLA nanoparticles were prepared by a facile dialysis method. Three main influential factors, PLA concentration, ratio of HCPT to PLA (wt/wt), dialysis bags with different molecule weight cutoff, were evaluated using an orthogonal design, gave the nanoparticles with an average diameter of approximately 226.8 nm and fine drug loading content (5.16%, w/w). The in vitro drug release studies exhibited a slow and prolonged release profile over 30 days. It is concluded that the new method to prepare HCPT-PLA nanoparticles resulted in improved formulation characteristics including small size, high drug loading capacity, and long sustained drug release.