Development and optimization of N-Acetylcysteine-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles by electrospray.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by electrospray method. The influence of independent parameters such as concentration, flow rate and nozzle to collector distance was studied on particle size and size distribution of generated nanoparticles using a Box-Behnken experimental design. Smallest size was found to be obtained at minimum value for both flow rate and concentration of polymer, regardless of collecting distance value in the ranges studied. Additionally, the minimum value of size distribution was observed at lowest values of both concentration of polymer and collecting distance, regardless of flow rate value. In total, a sample with minimum size and polydispersity was predicted to have flow rate, polymer concentration and collecting distance values of 0.06(ml/h), 0.5(%w/w) and 9.28(cm), respectively. The experimentally prepared nanoparticles with lowest size and size distribution values, had a size of 122(nm) and size distribution of 24. Zeta potential, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of optimized nanoparticles were -6.58, 5% and 54.5%, respectively.