DOI: 10.36347/sajp

Pages: 1-5

Biodegradable polymeric particles that can gradually degrade inside the human body have been investigated as drug delivery carriers for different pharmaceutical agents. Particles that entrap pharmaceuticals can be applied in combination with stent technology, by releasing one or more anti-coagulant agents in a controllable manner, in order to inhibit thrombosis and minimize inflammation caused by the immune system of the patient. In this research work, the anti-platelet drug dipyridamole (DIP) was incorporated in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) sub-micron particles, which were created using the Nano-precipitation method. The fabricated particles were loaded with different amounts of DIP in order to evaluate the effect of the drug’s concentration on their physical properties. The encapsulation efficiency of the particles and the drug’s release kinetics profile were investigated. The round-shaped sub-micron particles’ average diameter was around 150 nm. The ratio between the two co-polymers of PLGA did not critically affect the particles’ properties. The results highlight the fact that z-potential values of the particles in the dispersion decreased as the drug content increased while PEG created a surface coating that influenced release kinetics, which were primarily governed by Fickian diffusion. Taken together, the preliminary findings of this work demonstrate the versatility of the PLGA/PEG particles and therefore, their potential as promising drug delivery candidates.