A THERMORESPONSIVE NANOPARTICLE SYSTEM BASED ON POLYCAPROLACTONE-TRIOL AS A POTENTIAL CARRIER FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Polycaprolactone triol (PCL-T) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester having a melting temperature of about 30 °C1. Although some studies have reported using PCL-T, none have focused on investigating their potential as a thermoresponsive material. Therefore, we aimed to develop PCL-T-based nanoparticles (NPs) coated with sodium hyaluronate for thermoresponsive release and their physicochemical characterization, lidocaine loading and release ability upon heat, and in vitro cell viability. PCL-T-based NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation, and lidocaine was loaded at different concentrations (1, 1.5, and 2%). NPs prepared from PCL-T were spherical, with particle sizes ranging from 170 to 920 nm. The zeta potential values range from +24 to +49 mV, and encapsulation efficiencies higher than 99%. The thermoresponsive release of lidocaine from PCL-T-based NPs was evaluated at 37oC (normal tissues) e 43oC (diseased/tumor tissues)2. The percentage of lidocaine released at 37oC was ~4.5% (NPs loaded with 1%), 2.2% (NPs loaded with 1.5%), and 1.8% (NPs loaded with 2%) within 140 min. At 43oC, the percentage released was approximately 91.8% (NPs loaded with 1%), 84.5% (NPs loaded with 1.5%), and 61.6% (NPs loaded with 2%). Moreover, the PCL-T-based NPs loaded or not with lidocaine showed excellent cytocompatibility.