Preparation, characterization and evaluation of antibacterial properties of epirubicin loaded PHB and PHBV nanoparticles.

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) are considered as ideal drug carriers due to their non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible nature. In this study, the epirubicin (EPI) was used as a model drug. The blank (PHBo, PHBVo) and drug loaded (EPI-PHB-PEG, EPI-PHBV-PEG) nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method. The average particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of blank and drug loaded nanoparticles were determined. While, the morphology of blank and drug loaded nanoparticles was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The drug loading efficiency of EPI-PHB-PEG nanoparticles was higher in comparison to EPI-PHBV-PEG nanoparticles. A sustained release of EPI was found over a period of 8 days at pH 4 from EPI-PHB-PEG and EPI-PHBV-PEG nanoparticles in comparison to faster drug release at pH 7. The assessment of antibacterial properties of the drug loaded nanoparticles showed significant antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains as compared to an equivalent amount of free drug.