Incorporation and release of vancomycin from Poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres

Abstract

Spherical monolithic microspheres, with a honeycomb-like internal architecture, composed of PLCG 50:50 and PLCG 75:25 and containing a range of vancomycin loadings, have been fabricated using a W/O emulsification with solvent evaporation technique. Microspheres were generated in high yield (80wgt%) and vancornycin incorporation, confirmed using the displacement of DSC thermograms, had no significant effect on microsphere size distribution (5–50 μm). The vancomycin encapsulation efficiency was high (>64%) and release profiles were characterized by a substantial initial burst release and a subsequent low-level sustained release extending up to 30 days depending upon the fabrication polymer, % vancornycin loading and incubation medium used. In both Hank's buffer and newborn calf serum the mean total cumulative release of vancomycin from microspheres increased significantly with theoretical percentage loading.

Key Words:

• Microspheres
• poly(D. L-lactide-co-glycolide)
• W/O emulsification
• vancomycin incorporation and release
• newborn calf serum