Magnesium Oxide Based PLGA/Chitosan Microparticles for Controlled Release Study

The performance of a therapeutic drug can be optimized by controlling the rate and extent of its release in the body. Polymeric microparticles are ideal vehicles for many controlled release drug delivery applications. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible and FDA approved synthetic polymer. When PLGA based controlled release drug delivery devices are fabricated, the surface of PLGA is typically modified by other hydrophilic polymers. But some hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can negatively influence the therapeutic outcomes. The goal of the present study was to fabricate and investigate the PLGA/chitosan microparticles for controlled release of therapeutic drugs. Chitosan is a naturally occurring biodegradable polysaccharide. We hypothesized that chitosan could be used as a surface coating of PLGA to improve controlled release of therapeutic drugs. The double emulsion solvent evaporation technique was modified and utilized to fabricate the PLGA/chitosan microparticles. The microparticles were tested with respect to several physicochemical properties, such as morphology, size distribution, chemical structure, quantification of chitosan content and in vitro release study of model drug. Magnesium is an essential electrolyte in the human body. Magnesium oxide (MgO) is used for treatment of magnesium deficiency. MgO was encapsulated in the PLGA/chitosan microparticles as a model drug.