Synthesis and characterizations of gentamicin-loaded poly-lactic-co-glycolic (PLGA) nanoparticles

Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was mixed with gentamicin sulfate via a double emulsion method, resulting in gentamicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles that exhibited excellent antibacterial properties and great potential in fabricating smart wound dressings integrated with a drug delivery system. The nanoparticle morphologies, particle degradation rates, drug release profiles, and antibacterial properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and disk diffusion method. Nanoparticles prepared at different PLGA concentrations exhibited different release profiles that were determined by multiple release mechanisms including diffusion, osmotic pumping, and nanoparticle degradation. The antibacterial activities were measured using a disk diffusion method indicating that various nanoparticles loaded with antibiotics can control bacterial infection to some degree proving that nanoparticles used in this paper can be used in the pharmaceutical industry. The results suggested that drug release properties of gentamicin loaded PLGA nanoparticles can be affected by PLGA concentrations and PVA concentrations in the particle synthesis, providing a guidance in preparing gentamicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for topical antibiotics delivery applications. The nanoparticles with a spherical and uniformly porous structure were prepared with a PLGA concentration of 0.0167 g/ml and a PVA concentration of 12%, resulting in the highest average gentamicin release rate and excellent antibacterial activities. Four release mechanisms (diffusion through polymer, diffusion through pores, osmotic pumping, and nanoparticle degradation) primarily determined the gentamicin release process.