Preparation of Methotrexate loaded PLGA nanoparticles coated with PVA and Poloxamer188

Abstract

<strong>Objective(s):</strong> Nanoparticles offer an attractive platform for drug delivery through a wide variety of the body's physiological barriers. Furthermore, modification of nanoparticle surface with moeites such as Poloxamer188 can enhance their accumulation and localization at disease site. In this work, we investigated the physiochemical effect of a scavenger receptor (SR-BI) interacting moiety coated on the surface of methotrexate (MTX)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles. <strong>Methods: </strong>Methotrexate-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a single step nanoprecipitation technique. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for their size and morphology respectively. In vitro drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) and relative drug loading (DL) of nanoparticles were examined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. <strong>Results:</strong> The results showed that the mean diameter of nanoparticles and zeta potential increased when more poloxamer188 was added to preparation process.The DL and EE of MTX increased with increase in poloxamer188/PVA ratio. In vitro release of MTX from PLGA nanoparticle was extended by increasing poloxamer188 in preparation process. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> MTX loaded PLGA nanoparticle modified with PVA and poloxamer 188 with suitable sizes and physiochemical properties can potentially improve drug delivery.