Ketoprofen encapsulated cucurbit[6]uril nanoparticles: a new exploration of macrocycles for drug delivery

Nguyen To Hoai, Phuong Tuyen Thi Dao, Quoc Nam Phu, Duy Dam Le, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Tai Chi Nguyen and Mau Chien Dang

Abstract

The aim of this study is (i) to fabricate a nanoparticle formulation of ketoprofen (Keto) using a relatively new family of macrocycles as the carrier for drug delivery: cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]), (ii) to evaluate its in vitro dissolution and (iii) to investigate its in vivo pharmaceutical property. The CB[6]–Keto nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method. Morphology and size of the successfully prepared nanoparticles were then confirmed using a transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. It was shown that they are spherical with hydrodynamic diameter of 200–300 nm. The in vitro dissolution studies of CB[6]–Keto nanoparticles were conducted at pH 1.2 and 7.4. The results indicated that there is a significant increase in Keto concentration at pH 7.4 compared to pH 1.2. For the in vivoassessment, CB[6]–Keto nanoparticles and referential profenid were administered by oral gavages to rabbits. The results implied that CB[6]–Keto nanoparticles remarkably increased area under the curve compared to profenid