Development of pullulan‐based carriers for controlled release of hydrophobic ingredients

Abstract

AbstractPolymeric nanoparticles have great potential for targeted and controlled delivery of drugs for several health treatments. In this work, pullulan‐graft‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (Pull‐g‐PCL) nanoparticles were prepared and used to encapsulate indomethacin via dialysis. The nanoparticles were characterized with respect to size, size distribution, and morphology, using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The average diameter of nanoparticles was 220.0 and 273.7 nm, with and without indomethacin, respectively. Encapsulation of indomethacin and its release from the nanoparticles were studied, and the calculated value of indomethacin efficiency encapsulation was 35.05 wt%. The ensuing release kinetics were evaluated in vitro at 37°C and pH 7.4 and evidenced the efficiency of polymer nanoparticles in reducing the release rate of the ingredient. Pull‐g‐PCL nanoparticles represent, therefore, promising materials with potential for application in controlled release systems of hydrophobic substances.