Abstract
Nanoparticles comprised of the poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly (lactic acid) diblock copolymer (PEO-b-PLA) with and without the incorporation of lavender oil were prepared by nanoprecipitation. Diblock copolymers based on a fixed PEO block (5KDa) and two different PLA segments (4.5 or 10KDa) were used. The morphology, encapsulation efficiency, essential oil-polymer interaction and the release kinetics of the active agent in the nanoparticles, were evaluated. The hydrodynamic radius of the nanoparticles determined by light scattering was affected by the size of the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) block. The lavender essential oil encapsulation efficiency (at a concentration of 0.4 µL mL-1) determined by UV-VIS spectroscopy was in the range of 70-75%. The in vitro release suggests that the polymeric barrier is able to control the oil release.
Highlights
Interest in the self-assembly of block copolymer systems has been growing and is today one of the most important fields of nanotechnology.[1]
Suspensions of nanoparticles were obtained by the nanoprecipitation method and controlled self-assembly of the Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-b-Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) copolymer
The preparation technique used led to the formation of spherical nanoparticles of PEO-b-PLA with low polydispersity
Summary
Interest in the self-assembly of block copolymer systems has been growing and is today one of the most important fields of nanotechnology.[1]. The lower hydrodynamic radius of star-shaped polymers may result in better clearance of the carrier polymer from the body.[13] A family of strong, highly flexible biodegradable polymers was developed, by capitalizing on the particular morphology and superior mechanical properties and PEO-b-PLA are one of the copolymers which displaying their enhanced mechanical properties.[14] Random and block copolymers of lactic acid with glycolic acids, ε-caprolactone and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are commonly used as drug carriers.[15]. Lavender oil was encapsulated in nanoparticles prepared from the diblock copolymer (PEO-b-PLA), aimed at slowing the volatilization of volatile cores and protecting the active agent from unwanted interactions with the external environment. This copolymer has self-association properties in aqueous medium and is able to form thermodynamically stable colloidal suspensions. The nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation technique, as described by Fessi et al.,[26] and parameters such as the size, morphology, zeta potential, encapsulation and release profile for lavender oil in this system were evaluate
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