Controlled release of simvastatin from biomimetic β-TCP drug delivery system

PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54676. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054676. Epub 2013 Jan 18.

Abstract

Simvastatin have been shown to induce bone formation and there is currently a urgent need to develop an appropriate delivery system to sustain the release of the drug to increase therapeutic efficacy whilst reducing side effects. In this study, a novel drug delivery system for simvastatin by means of hydrothermally converting marine exoskeletons to biocompatible beta-tricalcium phosphate was investigated. Furthermore, the release of simvastatin was controlled by the addition of an outer apatite coating layer. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mass spectroscopy confirming the conversion process. The in-vitro dissolution of key chemical compositional elements and the release of simvastatin were measured in simulated body fluid solution showing controlled release with reduction of approximately 25% compared with un-coated samples. This study shows the potential applications of marine structures as a drug delivery system for simvastatin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apatites / administration & dosage
  • Apatites / chemistry
  • Aquatic Organisms / chemistry
  • Biomimetics*
  • Body Fluids / chemistry
  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry*
  • Calcium Phosphates / therapeutic use
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Foraminifera / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Osteogenesis / physiology
  • Simvastatin / chemistry*
  • Simvastatin / therapeutic use
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • Apatites
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • beta-tricalcium phosphate
  • Simvastatin