Formulation and Characterization of Ciprofloxacin loaded PLGA Microspheres for Applications in Orthopedic Infections

ABSTRACT: Purpose-Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that appears as a complication after a fracture or orthopedic surgery. Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that can be used in local drug delivery systems for the treatment of bone related infections due to its bactericidal activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to include ciprofloxacin in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. Material and methods-Microspheres were prepared by both water/oil/water (w/o/w) solvent evaporation method and solid/oil/water (s/o/w) dispersion solvent evaporation method. The obtained microspheres were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. High performance liquid chromatography method was deployed to determine the encapsulation ratio. Results-The solvent evaporation method chosen for this experiment resulted in microspheres with good entrapment efficiency. Furthermore the microspheres obtained by the s/o/w method displayed better entrapment efficiency. Conclusion-The particles obtained through the s/o/w technique should be further investigated in order to develop a local drug delivery system.