Controlled release of Ketoprofen via PLGA nanoparticles: an in vitro study for rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Abstract

Ketoprofen (KN) is one of the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Low aqueous solubility and adverse gastrointestinal effects following oral dosing are the main challenges. Biodegradable polymers like PLGA (poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) were utilized to develop nanoparticles for the controlled delivery of ketoprofen. Ketoprofen-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were made using the double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. We utilized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the drug–excipient interactions. Particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation effectiveness, and drug-release patterns were also assessed for the produced nanoparticles. The nanoparticles exhibited average size ranges of 380–396 nm with negative zeta potentials, ensuring suspension stability. The encapsulation efficiency of formulation 3 (KN3) was observed to be over 95%, indicating effective drug loading. In vitro studies demonstrated a prolonged release of ketoprofen over a 120-hour period from the ketoprofen-loaded nanoparticles. The findings suggest that ketoprofen-loaded polymeric nanoparticles may serve as a viable method for tackling the associated challenges of conventional ketoprofen therapy. This study aimed to develop and characterize polymeric nanoparticles as an innovative drug delivery system for ketoprofen to achieve sustained drug release.