Fabrication, characterization and in vitro release kinetics of tofacitinib-encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles: a promising implication in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Despite exhibiting remarkable efficacy for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, clinical applicability of tofacitinib (TFC) is limited owing to its short plasma half-life. Therefore, this study was aimed to design a novel poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based nanoparticles to achieve sustained release as well as target-specific delivery of TFC. TFC-loaded-NPs exhibited 248 ± 14 nm size, −40 ± 4.3 mV zeta potential, and 60% entrapment efficiency. A biphasic release pattern which follow Higuchi model (R² = 0.9825) and Fickian diffusion (n < 0.5) has been perceived. Conclusively, we evidenced that TFC-PLGA-NPs could be a promising nanodelivery system to improve pharmacokinetic profile of TFC.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Biphasic release kinetics
• Higuchi model
• physicochemical characterization
• polymeric nanoparticles
• rheumatoid arthritis
• tofacitinib

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to greatly acknowledge “University of Sargodha” for providing the resources and support in accomplishing the present research project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).