Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane and poly(ether urethane) nanocapsules using a new technique of interfacial polycondensation combined to spontaneous emulsification

Int J Pharm. 2004 Jan 9;269(1):89-100. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2003.09.025.

Abstract

Polyurethane polymers and poly(ether urethane) copolymers were chosen as drug carriers for alpha-tocopherol. This active ingredient is widely used as a strong antioxidant in many medical and cosmetic applications, but is rapidly degraded, because of its light, heat and oxygen sensitivity. Polyurethane and poly(ether urethane)-based nanocapsules were synthesized by interfacial reaction between two monomers. Interfacial polycondensation combined with spontaneous emulsification is a new technique for nanoparticles formation. Nanocapsules were characterized by studying particle size (150-500 nm), pH, yield of encapsulation and morphologies. Polyurethanes (PUR) were obtained from the condensation of diisocyanate (isophorone diisocyanate: IPDI) and polyol: 1,2-ethanediol (EG), 1,4-butanediol (BD), 1,6-hexanediol (HD). Poly(ether urethane) copolymers were obtained by replacing diols by polyethylene glycol oligomers (PEG) M(w) 200, 300, 400 and 600. Molecular weights of di- and polyols have a considerable influence on nanocapsules characteristics cited above. The increase of molecular weight of polyols tends to increase the mean size of nanocapsules from (232+/-3)nm using EG to (615+/-39)nm using PEG 600, and led to the apparition of a population of agglomerate particles. We also noted that the yield of encapsulation increases with the increase of polyol length (from 85.6 to 92.2% w/w). Microscopic observations confirmed particle size analysis, but cannot predict the membrane structure owing the small size of the particles.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Capsules
  • Drug Carriers / chemical synthesis
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Emulsions
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nanotechnology
  • Particle Size
  • Polyurethanes / chemical synthesis
  • Polyurethanes / chemistry*
  • Solvents
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry
  • alpha-Tocopherol / administration & dosage
  • alpha-Tocopherol / chemistry

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Capsules
  • Drug Carriers
  • Emulsions
  • Polyurethanes
  • Solvents
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • polyetherurethane
  • alpha-Tocopherol