PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles of cisplatin: in vitro nanoparticle degradation, in vitro drug release and in vivo drug residence in blood properties.

The in vitro nanoparticle degradation, in vitro drug release and in vivo drug residence in blood properties of PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles of cisplatin were investigated. The nanoparticles were prepared by a double emulsion method and characterized with regard to their morphology, size, zeta potential and drug loading. The rate of in vitro degradation of the PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles in PBS (pH 7.4) depended on their composition, increasing when the mPEG content (mPEG:PLGA ratio) of the nanoparticles increased. Sustained cisplatin release over several hours from the PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles in vitro (PBS) was observed. The composition of the nanoparticles affected drug release: the rate of release increased when the mPEG content of the nanoparticles increased. Within the range of drug loadings investigated, the drug loading of the nanoparticles did not have any significant effect on drug release. The loading efficiency was low and needs improvement in order to obtain PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles with a satisfactory cisplatin content for therapeutic application. The i.v. administration of PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles of cisplatin in BALB/c mice resulted in prolonged cisplatin residence in systemic blood circulation. The results appear to justify further investigation of the suitability of the PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles for the controlled i.v. delivery and/or targeting of cisplatin.