Modified Dextran Polymers for Drug Delivery

A collaboration between WPI and ENSIC was undertaken to investigate the properties of emulsions as a drug delivery system. The use of biocompatible amphiphilic polymers as emulsifiers for controlled drug delivery is a relatively new technology. The emulsifier acts as a barrier between phases in oil-in-water emulsions to increase stability. Oil soluble drug substances can then be encapsulated within the oil nanoparticles where the polymer surfactants help to control the drug release into a biological system over time. The goal of this project was to research the stabilization and drug release kinetics of modified dextran (DexC6), an amphiphilic polymer. The most stable emulsions were formed with a DexC6 aqueous concentration of 40g/L in a system of 40% octyldodecanol oil volume. Experiment results showed consistent drug release kinetics for DexC6, that encapsulated lidocaine is released at a much slower rate than free lidocaine. This conclusion encourages further research into drug delivery through emulsion systems.