(350z) PLGA & PLA Microcarrier Systems for Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

In recent times, polymeric microcarriers have gained favor to act as loading vessels for the delivery of various kinds of drugs to the required target site in a controlled manner. The principle of action is leaching of the drug from the polymer or degradation of the polymer matrix, allowing the therapeutic agent to be released from the microcarrier system. A significant advantage of this method is when the correct type of polymer and carrier fabrication system is chosen, it allows the optimization of the drug release profiles. It is intended to utilize polymeric microcarriers for the administration of the drug, Levodopa (L-dopa) via the respiratory system to treat Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Preliminary studies have shown that L-dopa destabilizes in aqueous media and hence can predictably be degraded in the pulmonary environment. The aim of this study is to combine the polymeric microcarrier system formulated with chemical stabilizers to prevent L-dopa degradation. It can increase the duration of well-controlled phases of PD symptoms and reduce the number of dosages required. Two major classes of biocompatible polymers, Poly (D,L)-Lactide-co-Glycolide acid (PLGA) with molecular weights ranging from 25,000 kDa to 107,000 kDa) and Poly (L)-Lactide Acid (PLA) with molecular weights ranging from 5000 kDa to 20,000 kDa are considered. The microcarriers are characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Anderson Cascade Impactor (ACI), X-ray Diffraction Spectra (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), etc. Pharmacodynamics study is carried out in simulated lung fluids and the therapeutic stability of L-dopa in microcarriers are assessed in simulated mucous model.