International Journal of Pharmaceutics 385 (2010) 113–142
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
journa l homepage: www.e lsev ier .com/ locate / i jpharm
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
Polymer-based nanocapsules for drug delivery
C.E. Mora
a Université de
b Université Lyo
a r t i c l
Article history:
Received 22 Ju
Received in re
Accepted 3 Oc
Available onlin
Keywords:
Nanocapsules
Nanoencapsul
Active substan
Therapeutic ap
Characterizati
Polymers
Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
2. Nanocapsule definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
3. Methods for the preparation of nanocapsules and their fundamental mechanisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
3.1. Nanoprecipitation method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.
3.7.
4. Behav
4.1.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
4.5.
4.6.
4.7.
4.8.
5. Discu
Ackno
Refer
∗ Correspon
d’Automatique
F-69622, Ville
E-mail add
elaissari@lage
0378-5173/$ –
doi:10.1016/j.
Emulsion–diffusion method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Double emulsification method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Emulsion-coacervation method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Polymer-coating method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Layer-by-layer method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Strategies for the concentration, purification and stabilization of nanoencapsulated systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
iour of nanocapsules as drug delivery systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Mean nanocapsule size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Nanocapsule zeta-potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Nanocapsule dispersion pH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Nanocapsule shell thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Nanocapsule encapsulation efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Nanocapsule active substance release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Nanocapsule stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Nanocapsule performance evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
ssion and concluding remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
wledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
ences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
ding authors at: Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5007, Laboratoire
et de Génie des Procédés, LAGEP-CPE-308G, 43 bd. du 11 Nov.1918,
urbanne, France. Tel.: +33 472431841; fax: +33 472431682.
resses: fessi@lagep.univ-lyon1.fr (H. Fessi),
p.univ-lyon1.fr (A. Elaissari).
see front matter © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
ijpharm.2009.10.018
-Huertasa,b, H. Fessi a,b,∗, A. Elaissari a,b,∗
Lyon, F-69622, Lyon, France
n 1, CNRS, UMR 5007, Laboratoire d’Automatique et de Génie des Procédés, LAGEP-CPE-308G, 43 bd. du 11 Nov.1918, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
e i n f o
ly 2009
vised form 1 October 2009
tober 2009
e 13 October 2009
ation methods
ce
plication
on
a b s t r a c t
A review of the state of knowledge on nanocapsules prepared from preformed polymers as active
substances carriers is presented. This entails a general review of the different preparation methods:
nanoprecipitation, emulsion–diffusion, double emulsification, emulsion-coacervation, polymer-coating
and layer-by-layer, from the point of view of the methodological and mechanistic aspects involved,
encapsulation of the active substance and the raw materials used. Similarly, a comparative analysis is
given of the size, zeta-potential, dispersion pH, shell thickness, encapsulation efficiency, active substance
release, stability and in vivo and in vitro pharmacological performances, using as basis the data reported
in the different research works published. Consequently, the information obtained allows establishing
criteria for selecting a method for preparation of nanocapsules according to its advantages, limitations
and behaviours as a drug carrier.
© 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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114 C.E. Mora-Huertas et al. / International Journal of Pharmaceutics 385 (2010) 113–142
1. Introduction
Generally, nanoparticles are defined as solid colloidal parti-
cles that include both nanospheres and nanocapsules. They can
be prepared
preformed
Bouchemal
size, which
size limit o
100–500nm
As asser
show prom
drugs (Cruz
allows relat
systems (Fu
of active su
ble with tis
either bioco
Other ad
stance carr
optimized d
pared to oth
polymeric s
light and th
(Pinto et al.
Polymer
carriers in t
2000; Chau
2007) and d
the nanopa
Moinard-Ch
lated system
preparation
et al., 2006a
updating th
nanocapsul
cases, amo
ied are mea
release, nan
logical perf
2. Nanocap
First of a
in which a
uid core su
1998a). How
nano-vesicu
in which th
rounded by
2007; Anto
stance in li
et al., 1989
Likewise, th
to the prep
into accoun
nanocapsul
or imbibed
2008) (Fig.
3. Method
fundament
Generall
of nanocap
iffere
bstan
ficat
er (Fi
lsion
poly
ardin
sed f
er, t
inter
s ph
e pr
s the polymers, can restrict solvent diffusion, which, when
ed rapidly during the evaporation step, makes nanocapsule
ion difficult.
ough Pisani et al. obtained preparation of nanocapsules
timising the parameters of emulsion–evaporation pro-
ccording to Moinard-Chécot et al. (2008) this method
n performed using microencapsulation technology and is
commended for nanoencapsulation. They suggest that the
psules do not resist direct evaporation of the solvent, possi-
e to the mechanical stress caused by the gas bubbles formed
the aqueous suspension.
s, in agreement with the previous arguments, the
on–evaporation method is not currently recognized as fea-
hereby opening the path for other research works to provide
s for nanocapsule synthesis.
the other hand, regarding block copolymer-based vesi-
so called polymer-based liposomes or polymersomes, they
to be promising for drug encapsulation because their dou-
er recalls the structure of lipids in membrane cells which
acilitate their biological performance and the design of tar-
nanoparticles (Meng et al., 2005; Rodríguez-Hernández et
05). They can be obtained from amphiphilic di-block, tri-
graft or charged copolymers by means of self-assembled
alently-assembled strategies. Among the copolymers used
or PEO biodegradable derivatives, although researches has
eveloped using new materials as polypeptides and choles-
by both polymerization methods and synthesis with
polymers (Fattal and Vauthier, 2002; Vauthier and
, 2008). One of their fundamental characteristics is their
is generally taken to be around 5–10nm with an upper
f ∼1000nm, although the range generally obtained is
(Quintanar et al., 1998a).
ted by different authors, nanoparticulated systems
ise as active vectors due to their capacity to release
et al., 2006; Amaral et al., 2007); their subcellular size
ively higher intracellular uptake than other particulate
rtado et al., 2001a,b); they can improve the stability
bstances (Ourique et al., 2008) and can be biocompati-
sue and cells when synthesized from materials that are
mpatible or biodegradable (Guinebretière et al., 2002).
vantages of nanoencapsulated systems as active sub-
iers include high drug encapsulation efficiency due to
rug solubility in the core, low polymer content com-
er nanoparticulated systems such as nanospheres, drug
hell protection against degradation factors like pH and
e reductionof tissue irritationdue to thepolymeric shell
, 2006a; Anton et al., 2008).
ic nanoparticles have been extensively studied as drug
he pharmaceutical field (Legrand et al., 1999; Barratt,
bal, 2004; Sinha et al., 2004; Letchford and Burt,
ifferent research teams have published reviews about
rticle formation mechanisms (Quintanar et al., 1998a;
ecot et al., 2006), the classification of nanoparticu-
s (Letchford and Burt, 2007) and the techniques for
of nanocapsules (Moinard-Checot et al., 2006; Pinto
; Vauthier and Bouchemal, 2008). As a contribution to
e state of knowledge, the present review focuses on
es obtained from preformed polymers, using prototype
ng others, to provide illustrations. The aspects stud-
n size, zeta-potential, encapsulating efficiency, active
odispersion stability and in vivo and in vitro pharmaco-
ormance behaviours.
sule definition
ll the nanocapsules can be likened to vesicular systems
drug is confined in a cavity consisting of an inner liq-
rrounded by a polymeric membrane (Quintanar et al.,
ever, seen from a general level, they can be defined as
lar systems that exhibit a typical core-shell structure
e drug is confined to a reservoir or within a cavity sur-
a polymer membrane or coating (Letchford and Burt,
n et al., 2008). The cavity can contain the active sub-
quid or solid form or as a molecular dispersion (Fessi
; Devissaguet et al., 1991; Radtchenko et al., 2002b).
is reservoir can be lipophilic or hydrophobic according
aration method and raw materials used. Also, taking
t the operative limitations of preparation methods,
es can also carry the active substance on their surfaces
in the polymeric membrane (Khoee and Yaghoobian,
1).
s for the preparation of nanocapsules and their
al mechanisms
y, there are six classical methods for the preparation
sules: nanoprecipitation, emulsion–diffusion, double
Fig. 1. D
active su
emulsi
by-lay
as emu
tion of
Reg
been u
Howev
ferent
aqueou
fore th
such a
remov
format
Alth
by op
cess, a
is ofte
not re
nanoca
bly du
inside
Thu
emulsi
sible, t
option
On
cles, al
appear
ble lay
could f
geted
al., 20
block,
or cov
are PEG
been d
nt nanocapsular structures: (a) liquid core, (b) polymer matrix and (c)
ce in molecular dispersion.
ion, emulsion-coacervation, polymer-coating and layer-
g. 2). Nevertheless, other methods have been used such
–evaporation and the methodologies for the prepara-
mer liposomes.
g to the solvent emulsion–evaporation method, it has
or the preparation of nanocapsules (Pisani et al., 2008).
he latter research showed that several apparently dif-
facial organizations coexist between the organic and
ases at the same time within a single emulsion. There-
esence of compounds with high molecular weights,
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C.E. Mora-Huertas et al. / International Journal of Pharmaceutics 385 (2010) 113–142 115
terol deriva
2005; Zhou
Typically
be classified
In the first
contact wit
vesicles. In
organic solv
solvent is e
butions of
treated by s
a combinati
cross-linkin
Table 1
Suggeste
precipita
Mater
Active
Polym
Oil
w/o su
Solven
Stabili
Non-s
Fig. 2. General procedure of the different methods for the pr
tes (Chécot et al., 2003; Photos et al., 2003; Xu et al.,
et al., 2006).
, the procedures for the polymersome preparation can
as solvent free and solvent displacement techniques.
method, the dried amphiphile polymer is brought in
h the aqueous medium and then is hydrated to form
the second method, the block copolymer is dissolved in
ents, thenwater is added and subsequently the organic
liminated. In order to reach monodisperse size distri-
the polymer vesicles, the obtained suspension can be
onication, vortexing, extrusion or freeze-thaw cycles or
onof these techniques (Kita-Tokarczyk et al., 2005). The
g process of the block polymers allows optimizing the
d composition for preparation of nanocapsules by the nano-
tion method.
ial Suggested composition
substance 10–25mg
er 0.2–0.5% of solvent
1.0–5.0% of solvent
rfactant 0.2–0.5% of solvent
t 25ml
zer agent 0.2–0.5% of non-solvent
olvent 50ml
vesicular m
protection
The enca
cles is obta
or lipophili
of the polym
ing to the b
Some exam
cancer drug
al., 2006) a
al., 2009), t
therapy (Ch
Fig. 3. Set-up
method.
eparation of nanocapsules.
embrane properties associated with active substance
and release effect (Chécot et al., 2003).
psulation of active substances inside the polymer vesi-
ined by incubation based techniques. The hydrophilic
c nature of the active molecule determines the choice
ersome core nature which in turn is obtained accord-
lock polymer chosen and to the assembly technique.
ples of active substances encapsulated are mainly anti-
s as adriamycin (Xu et al., 2005), paclitaxel (Ahmed et
nd doxorubicin (Ahmed and Discher, 2004; Zheng et
herapeutic proteins and antisense molecules for gene
ristian et al., 2009; Kim et al., 2009).
used for preparation of nanocapsules by the nanoprecipitation
116
C.E.M
ora-H
uertas
et
al./InternationalJournalofPharm
aceutics
385 (2010) 113–142
Table 2
Examples of raw materials used for preparation of nanocapsules by the nanoprecipitation method.
Active ingredient Therapeutic activity Polymer Oil core Solvent Stabilizer agent Non-
solvent
Reference
Gemcitabine
Antineoplastic PACA or Poly[H2NPEGCA-co-HDCA] Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Acetone
ethanol
Water Stella et al. (2007)
4-(N)-stearoylgemcitabine
4-(N)-valeroylgemcitabine
4-(N)-lauroylgemcitabine
PLAa
PLA Mw 60kDa
PCL Mw 65kDa
PCL Mn 60kDa
Benzyl benzoate
Phospholipids
Capric/caprylic triglycerides
Sorbitan monoestearate
Acetone
Acetone
Poloxamer 188
Polysorbate 80
Water
Water
Fessi et al. (1989)
Fawaz et al. (1996)
Pohlmann et al. (2008)
Cattani et al. (2008)
Indomethacin Anti-inflammatory,
analgesic Selective
cytotoxicity
PCL Mw 60kDa or PLAa Mineral oil
Sorbitan monostearate
Acetone Polysorbate 80 Water Pohlmann et al. (2002)
PCL Mw 40kDa Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate
Lecithin
Acetone Poloxamer 188
Chitosan
Water Calvo et al. (1997)
PCL Mw 40kDa Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate
Lecithin
Acetone Poloxamer 188 Water Calvo et al. (1997)
Indomethacin ethyl ester Anti-inflammatory,
analgesic
PCL Mw 65kDa Capric/caprylic triglycerides
Sorbitan monostearate
Acetone Polysorbate 80 Water Cruz et al. (2006)
Cattani et al. (2008)
Poletto et al. (2008a,b)
PLA Mw 200kDa, PCL Mw 65 or
100kDa, PLGA Mw 40kDa
Benzyl benzoate
Soybean lecithine
Acetone Poloxamer 188 Water Cauchetier et al. (2003)
Atovaquone Antipneumocystic Capric/caprylic triglycerides
Benzyl benzoate
PLA Mw 88kDa Caprylic/capric triglycerides PEG-4 complex Acetone Poloxamer 188 Water Dalenc¸on et al. (1997)
Oleic acid
Phospholipids
Capric/caprylic triglycerides
Benzyl benzoate
Rifabutine Antibacterial
(tuberculostatic)
PLA Mw 88kDa Caprylic/capric triglycerides PEG-4 complex Acetone Poloxamer 188 Water Dalenc¸on et al. (1997)
Phospholipids
Tretinoin Topical treatment of
different skin diseases
(acne vulgaris,
ichtiosys, psoriasis),
antineoplastic
(hormonal)
PCLa Capric/caprylic triglycerides
Sunflower seed oil.
Sorbitan monooleate
Acetone Polysorbate 80 Water Ourique et al. (2008)
Fluconazole labeled with
99mTechnetium
Antifungal PLA Mw 75kDa or PLA–PEG (90% PLA
Mw 49kDa–10% PEG Mw 5kDa)
Capryc/caprylic triglycerides
Soybean lecithin
Methanol
Acetone
Poloxamer 188 Water Nogueira de Assis et al.
(2008)
Primidone Anticonvulsant PCL Mw 64kDa Benzyl alcohol Acetone Poloxamer 188 Water Ferranti et al. (1999)
Vitamin E Vitamin antioxidant PCL Mn 10kDa Acetone Polysorbate 20 Water Charcosset and Fessi (2005)
Spironolactone Diuretic PCL Mw 10 and 80kDa Caprylic/capric triglycerides PEG-4 complex Acetone Poloxamer 188 Water Limayem et al. (2006)
Sorbitan monooleate Polysorbate 80
Sorbitan monolaurate Polysorbate 20
Griseofulvine Antifungal PCL Mw 80kDa Benzyl benzoate
Sorbitan monooleate
Acetone Polysorbate 80 Water Zili et al. (2005)
99mTc-HMPAO complex Radiotracer PLA MW/5kDa or PLA–PLG (90% PLA
Mw 49kDa–10% PEG Mw 5kDa)
Capric/caprylic triglycerides
Soybean lecithin
Acetone Poloxamer 188 Water Pereira et al. (2008)
Melatonin Antioxidant Eudragit S100 Capric/caprylic triglyceride
Sorbitan monooleate
Acetone Polysorbate 80 Water Schaffazick et al. (2008)
C.E.M
ora-H
uertas
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al./InternationalJournalofPharm
aceutics
385 (2010) 113–142
117
Diclofenac Anti-inflammatory PCL Mw 80 or Eudragit S90 Capric/caprylic triglyceride
Benzyl benzoate Sorbitan
monostearate
Acetone Polysorbate 80 Water S