Feng Shi1, Nianping Feng, Emmanuel Omari-Siaw. 1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to prepare microcapsules for the oral delivery of realgar nanoparticles (RN) that are also capable of improving its stability. METHODS: RN and RN-based microcapsules (RNM) were prepared using ball milling and solvent evaporation techniques, respectively. Properties such as particle size, ζ-potential (ZP), morphology and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were investigated. In addition, drug release, bioavailability and antitumour studies were also performed. KEY FINDINGS: The nanoparticles appeared round or elliptical in shape with a mean size of 85.4 ± 3.5 nm and a ZP of -34.3 ± 1.7 mV. The obtained RNM appeared spherical and not aggregated with a relatively narrow size distribution. XRD analysis revealed that ball milling technique did not change the crystallinity of the realgar powder. RN and RNM exhibited considerable higher release of As2 S2 , bioavailability and antitumour efficacies compared with crude realgar. Furthermore, RNM could protect RN directly exposed to the air and light, and therefore increased the stability of the RN. CONCLUSIONS: The developed RNM demonstrated a greater potential as a delivery system for realgar.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to prepare microcapsules for the oral delivery of realgar nanoparticles (RN) that are also capable of improving its stability. METHODS: RN and RN-based microcapsules (RNM) were prepared using ball milling and solvent evaporation techniques, respectively. Properties such as particle size, ζ-potential (ZP), morphology and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were investigated. In addition, drug release, bioavailability and antitumour studies were also performed. KEY FINDINGS: The nanoparticles appeared round or elliptical in shape with a mean size of 85.4 ± 3.5 nm and a ZP of -34.3 ± 1.7 mV. The obtained RNM appeared spherical and not aggregated with a relatively narrow size distribution. XRD analysis revealed that ball milling technique did not change the crystallinity of the realgar powder. RN and RNM exhibited considerable higher release of As2 S2 , bioavailability and antitumour efficacies compared with crude realgar. Furthermore, RNM could protect RN directly exposed to the air and light, and therefore increased the stability of the RN. CONCLUSIONS: The developed RNM demonstrated a greater potential as a delivery system for realgar.