Biodegradable injectable implant systems for long term drug delivery using poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid copolymers

Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), is one of the most widely employed biodegradable synthetic polymers for sustained-release preparations. In the present work, PLG (50:50) copolymer has been used to deliver diclofenac sodium in the form of microspheres and in situ gel-forming systems, both of which can be injected subcutaneously. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies in the adjuvant-induced arthritic rats showed that the microspheres offered steady therapeutic levels of the drug in the plasma for about 16 days following a single subcutaneous injection. However, the in situ gel-forming system provided a significantly higher maximum plasma concentration and increased inhibition of inflammation, maintained for about 10 days. Injectable microspheres and in situ gel-forming implant systems of PLG (50:50) copolymer may therefore be considered as prospective implantable controlled-release dosage forms to deliver drugs in long-term therapy of chronic ailments.