The development of progesterone-loaded nanofibers using pressurized gyration: A novel approach to vaginal delivery for the prevention of pre-term birth

Publication date: 5 April 2018 Source:International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Volume 540, Issues 1–2 Author(s): Francis Brako, Bahijja Tolulope Raimi-Abraham, Suntharavathanan Mahalingam, Duncan Q.M. Craig, Mohan Edirisinghe Recent evidence has continued to support the applicability of progesterone in preventing preterm birth, hence the development of an appropriate vaginal delivery system for this drug would be of considerable interest. Here, we describe the development of progesterone-loaded bioadhesive nanofibers using pressurized gyration for potential incorporation into a vaginal insert, with a particular view to addressing the challenges of incorporating a poorly water-soluble drug into a hydrophilic nanofiber carrier. Polyethylene oxide and carboxymethyl cellulose were chosen as polymers to develop the carrier systems, based on previous evidence of their yielding mucoadhesive nanofibers using the pressurized gyration technique. The fabrication parameters such as solvent system, initial drug loading and polymer composition were varied to facilitate optimisation of fiber structure and efficiency of drug incorporation. Such studies resulted in the formation of nanofibers with satisfactory surface appearance, diameters in the region of 400 nm and loading of up to 25% progesterone. Thermal and spectroscopic analyses indicated that the drug was incorporated in a nanocrystalline state. Release from the drug-loaded fibers indicated comparable rates of progesterone d...
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research