Poly (DL-Lactide-co-caprolactone) as drug carrier for antifungal agent amphotericin B

Abstract

The objective of the present study is the preparation and characterization of Amphotericin B-loaded poly(DL-lactide-co-caprolactone) microspheres. The microspheres were prepared based on o/w emulsion solvent evaporation technique by varying the quantity of drug introduced. Characterization experiments included drug encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, particle size, morphology, FT-IR, stability, and drug release study. The drug encapsulation and drug loading increased with increasing drug mass. The microspheres exhibited homogeneous particle sizes with a spherical shape and porous surface. FT-IR spectrum of drug-loaded microspheres confirmed the absence of polymer-drug interaction. The stability study showed no major difference in the degradation of microspheres after 3 months of storage. Finally, the in vitro drug release behavior of the prepared formulations revealed a sustained release profile, with a burst effect for the formulations with the highest drug loadings.