Amphiphilic poly{[α-maleic anhydride-ω-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)]-co-(ethyl cyanoacrylate)} graft copolymer nanoparticles as carriers for transdermal drug delivery

• Main Authors: Jinfeng Xing, Liandong Deng, Jun Li, et al. 
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2009-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Nanomedicine
• Online Access: http://www.dovepress.com/amphiphilic-polyalpha-maleic-anhydride-omega-methoxypolyethylene-glyco-a3643

Jinfeng Xing, Liandong Deng, Jun Li, Anjie DongDepartment of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of ChinaAbstract: In this study, the transdermal drug delivery properties of D,L-tetrahydropalmatine (THP)-loaded amphiphilic poly{[α-maleic anhydride-ω-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)]-co-(ethyl cyanoacrylate)} (PEGECA) graft copolymer nanoparticles (PEGECAT NPs) were evaluated by skin penetration experiments in vitro. The transdermal permeation experiments in vitro were carried out in Franz diffusion cells using THP-loaded PEGECAT NPs as the donor system. Transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the receptor fluid. The results indicate that the THP-loaded PEGECAT NPs are able to penetrate the rat skin. Fluorescent microscopy measurements demonstrate that THP-loaded PEGECAT NPs can penetrate the skin not only via appendage routes but also via epidermal routes. This nanotechnology has potential application in transdermal drug delivery. Keywords: poly{[α-maleic anhydride-ω-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)]-co-(ethyl cyanoacrylate)}, nanoparticles, transdermal drug delivery, D,L-tetrahydropalmatine