Design and Characterization of Cisplatin Magnetic Microspheres

The present study is aimed at the overall improvement in the efficacy, reduction in toxicity and enhancement of therapeutic index of cisplatin. Magnetically responsive biodegradable microparticulate delivery system of cisplatin has been developed by phase separation emulsion polymerization technique by using bovine serum albumin. The formulations were evaluated with respect to particle size analysis, entrapment efficiency, magnetite content, in vitro magnetic responsiveness, in vitro drug release studies, in vivo drug targeting studies and stability studies. The formulated magnetic microspheres were found to be spherical with average particle size of 3-12 μm in diameter and incorporation efficiency up to 56.37. Result of X-ray diffractrometry confirmed the presence of magnetite in prepared cisplatin magnetic microspheres. The total percentage of Fe2O3 in the microspheres was found to be 42.53 to 55.48. In vitro drug release after 24 hours was 89.60, 82.22, 78.41 and 76.35 for formulation F1, F2, F3 and F4 respectively. Results of in vitro magnetic responsiveness and in vivo tissue targeting proved that the retention of microspheres in presence of magnetic field was significantly high than those in the absence of the magnetic field. Stability studies revealed that 4o is the most suitable temperature for storage of cisplatin loaded magnetic microspheres. Overall, this study shows that the magnetic albumin microspheres can be retained at their target site in vivo, following the application of magnetic field, and are capable of releasing their drug content for an extended period of time.