Polymeric nanoparticles based on polylactide and related copolymers

The preparation of nanoparticle suspensions was carried out by using commercial biodegradable polymers as poly(d,l-lactide), poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(d,l-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone). The method of preparation was based on the controlled addition of polymer organic solution to an aqueous phase containing dispersing agents. Poly(ethylene glycol) (10, 20, and 35 kDa grade), Tween 20, and Pluronic F-127 were used as dispersing agents in the aqueous phase. Content and type of both polymeric matrix and dispersing agent resulted of paramount relevance for the attainment of monodispersed nanoparticles with average diameter of about 130 nm. The addition of a steric stabilizer allowed for nanoparticle purification and isolation while preventing their agglomeration. The best results were obtained by using 35 kDa grade poly(ethylene glycol) as dispersing agent and either mannitol or glycidylisopropylidenglyceryl-beta-cyclodextrin as steric stabilizer. The adopted procedure afforded biodegradable nanoparticle suspensions that could be used for the incapsulation and intravenous administration of biologically active proteins and oligopeptides.