Development of specific organ targeting drug delivery system II: Physico-pharmaceutical study on the cross-linked albumin microspheres containing cytarabine

Abstract

Bovine serum albumin microspheres containing cytarabine were prepared using cross-linking agent, formaldehyde. The shape and the size distribution of them were observed. The shape of them was spherical and the surface was compact and smooth. The size distribution of them was affected by dispersion forces during emulsification. The release of cytarabine from albumin microspheres was dependent upon cross-linking time, amount of cross-linking agent and drug/albumin ratio. However, the difference of drug release by the dispersion forces was not great. After release test, the shape of albumin microspheres was non-spherical and the albumin matrix seemed to be a little relaxed. The degradation tests of albumin microspheres by the proteolytic enzyme showed that albumin microspheres were progressively digested according to the cross-linking degree.