Polymer-based nanocapsules for drug delivery.

A review of the state of knowledge on nanocapsules prepared from preformed polymers as active substances carriers is presented. This entails a general review of the different preparation methods: nanoprecipitation, emulsion-diffusion, double emulsification, emulsion-coacervation, polymer-coating and layer-by-layer, from the point of view of the methodological and mechanistic aspects involved, encapsulation of the active substance and the raw materials used. Similarly, a comparative analysis is given of the size, zeta-potential, dispersion pH, shell thickness, encapsulation efficiency, active substance release, stability and in vivo and in vitro pharmacological performances, using as basis the data reported in the different research works published. Consequently, the information obtained allows establishing criteria for selecting a method for preparation of nanocapsules according to its advantages, limitations and behaviours as a drug carrier. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.