Process and formulation variables in the preparation of injectable and biodegradable magnetic microspheres
2007

Creating Biodegradable Magnetic Microspheres for Drug Delivery

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Zhao Hong, Gagnon Jeffrey, Häfeli Urs O

Primary Institution: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia

Hypothesis

Can biodegradable sustained release magnetite microspheres be effectively prepared for vascular administration?

Conclusion

The study successfully demonstrated that biodegradable PLGA microspheres can be created with controlled size and similar properties, whether magnetic or non-magnetic.

Supporting Evidence

  • The size of the microspheres can be controlled by modifying the homogenization speed and formulation variables.
  • Magnetic microspheres were found to have similar size and morphology to non-magnetic microspheres.
  • The study utilized a double emulsion solvent evaporation method for microsphere preparation.

Takeaway

The researchers made tiny, biodegradable balls that can carry medicine and be guided to specific places in the body using magnets.

Methodology

Microspheres were prepared using a water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion solvent evaporation method, with various formulation and processing parameters systematically investigated.

Limitations

The encapsulation of pharmacologically active drugs into the PLGA MMS was not investigated in this study.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-044X-5-2

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