Design of minocycline-containing starch nanocapsules for topical delivery

• Published in: Journal of microencapsulation 2018-05, Vol.35 (4), p.344-356
• Main Authors: Marto, J. M., Gouveia, L. F., Gonçalves, L. M. D., Ribeiro, H. M., Almeida, A. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Drug Compounding; Drug Stability; Excipients - chemistry; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; minocycline; Minocycline - administration & dosage; Minocycline - chemistry; nanocapsules; Nanocapsules - chemistry; Particle Size; skin; Solubility; Starch; Starch - chemistry; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; topical application
• ISSN: 0265-2048; 1464-5246
• DOI: 10.1080/02652048.2018.1487472

Pharmaceutical research has been focussed on developing improved delivery systems while exploring new ways of using approved excipients. The present work investigated the potential of starch nanocapsules (StNC) as a topical delivery platform for hydrophilic antimicrobial drugs using minocycline hydrochloride (MH) as a model drug. Thus, a quality by design approach was used to assess the role of different factors that affect the main pharmaceutical properties of StNC prepared using an emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Full characterisation was performed in terms of particle size, encapsulation efficiency, morphology and physical stability at 5 ± 3 °C. Results show the surfactant and lipid contents play a major role in StNC particle size distribution. The MH loading only promoted minor changes upon StNC properties. Formulations were stable without variations on physicochemical properties. All tested formulations presented a zeta-potential of +33.6 ± 6.7 mV, indicating a good physical stability and evidencing that StNC are suitable nanocarriers for topical use.