Synthesis and controlled release evaluation of bupropion loaded poly lactic acid and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are typically preferred in drug delivery systems because of the unique advantages they provide. For instance; they enable cellular uptake thanks to their sizes, they are easily optimized and their release profile are controllable. Since natural polymers are not commonly used due to their optimization difficulties, synthetic polymers have been much more preferred in this field. In this study, the synthetic polymer PLGA and PLA have been identified as drug delivery systems on account of their unique advantages and these advantages are high biological absorption capacity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, being non-toxic, enabling continuous drug release and being FDA-approved polymers. Bupropion HCl is a dopamine/noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor which affects neural system and actively used in treatment of smoking cessation. Bupropion HCl, which offers advantages such as safety and being tolerable when compared to the existing agents, has been also used as an antidepressant in treatment of various nervous system diseases. In this thesis study, PLGA and PLA nanoparticles produced in desirable conditions were loaded with bupropion HCl. Characterization of nanoparticles were performed by Zeta-Sizer, FT-IR, UV-Vis and SEM analysis. Release of bupropion HCl loaded nanoparticles has been performed in PBS buffer by using cumulative release technique. Drug loading yields and release values has been determined via UV-Vis spectroscopy. In consequence of the study, it has been seen that drug delivery reaches its full potential (%100) in 12th day from PLGA nanoparticles, while it takes 15 days to reach to %100 in PLA nanoparticles which are loaded with the same amount of active ingredient (5 mg). It is anticipated that using both polymeric nanoparticles as drug carriers will decrease the frequency of drug intake by controlling active ingredient rate in blood and so will increase patient comfort. It is considered that both PLGA and PLA nanoparticles would be a model in long-term and controlled release for many antidepressant drugs.