Synthesis, characterisation and preliminary investigation of the haemocompatibility of poly( d , l -lactide- co -glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly( d , l -lactide- co -glycolide) copolymer for simvastatin delivery

The development of nanomedicine has provided advanced treatment opportunities for many diseases. Simvastatin, a widely used anti-lipidaemic drug, has potential for the treatment of orthopaedic diseases. However, the clinical application of simvastatin is limited because of its hydrophobicity and lack of distribution in osseous tissue. In this study, an amphiphilic nanoparticle, poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide), was synthesised to improve the biocompatibility of simvastatin. The haemocompatibility of the poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide) copolymer was investigated through its aggregation, morphology and lysis of human red blood cells, along with its impact on the clotting function according to the activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and thromboelastographic assays. The results demonstrated that the poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide) copolymer with a concentration lower than 10 mg/mL had little impact on the aggregation, morphology or lysis of red blood cells, or on blood coagulation. Therefore, the copolymer may be a strong alternative candidate as an effective and safe drug carrier.