Abstract
The main aim of this study was to investigate a mixture of two poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs): an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (valsartan) and a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine besylate), chosen in a fixed-dose, in order to obtain new polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for cardiovascular diseases treatment. NPs were prepared via nanoprecipitation method using poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as matrix and Pluronic F127 as stabilizer. Three formulations were investigated with different ratios of AML:VAL:PLGA (1:16:5, 1:16:7.5 and 1:16:10). Particle size, polydispersity index and zeta-potential analyses were performed to characterize and optimize the formulation. The in vitro drug release study was determined by using a dialysis membrane method under sink conditions. All NPs loaded with both APIs showed nano-size, negative potential, a high homogeneity and a slow drugs release in physiological environment.
Keywords: nanotechnology; cardiovascular; drug release; valsartan; amlodipine; PLGA