Encapsulation of ketoprofen in polimeric matrices based on poly(µ-caprolactone)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PCL-b-PNVCL) by Emulsification-diffusion/evaporation

• Grant number: 13/09412-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): July 02, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Simone de Fátima Medeiros Sampaio
• Grantee: Graziele Aparecida de Jesus Aguiar
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/13830-7 - The preparation of thermoresponsive poly(N-vinylcaprolactama) (PNVCL) and poly(e-caprolactone) (pCL)-based nanofibers by electrospinnng for controlled drug delivery systems, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Synthetic biopolymers, such as poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), have been widely studied for biomedical applications due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, there are other polymers that, even non biodegradable, are biocompatible. Among this type of polymers, a lot of attention has been devoted to synthetic materials, also called "smart materials", which mimic biopolymer's functionality, responding to an external stimulus, such as temperature and pH. For the development of micro or nanoparticulate based on biodegradable/biocompatible materials for controlled drug delivery, monomers that originate thermoresponsible polymers are often copolymerized with different comonomers in order to obtain amphiphilic block copolymers, which can be used for the preparation of micelles and the incorporation of active ingredients. The aim of this project is the synthesis and characterization of block copolymers based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolatcam) via controlled polymerization mechanisms, as well as the encapsulation of a hydrophobic drug (ketoprofen) in these polymeric matrices by emulsion-solvent diffusion or evaporation techniques. The kinetics of in vitro release of the drug will be studied as a function of temperature and pH. This project will be developed with the collaboration of Prof. Dr. Amilton Martins dos Santos. (AU)