The objective of this study was to develop paclitaxel (PTX) loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based tiny implants. β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) were used to enhance solubility and release of the drug in the phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4. Implants were evaluated in terms of color, shape, thickness, surface area, weight, drug content. Developed implants were characterized for their surface morphology (SEM analysis), drug physical state by thermal analysis (DSC studies), crystalline nature (XRD studies) and drug excipients compatibility (FT-IR spectroscopy). Macroscopically all the tiny implants were white in color and cylindrical in shape with smooth surfaces. PTX was entrapped within implants in the polymeric amorphous form. In vitro drug release studies showed prolonged and controlled release of PTX with zero order and Korsmeyer-Peppas model being exhibited. Excipients and method of preparation did not affect chemical stability of PTX.
Keywords: Implants; Paclitaxel (PTX); Poly(ε-caprolactone); β-Cyclodextrin.