Development of ionic liquid-polymer nanoparticle hybrid systems for delivery of poorly soluble drugs

Abstract The low solubility and permeability of drugs are two major challenges in the development of delivery systems, thus the aim of this work was to develop ionic liquid-nanocarrier hybrid systems for delivery of poorly soluble drugs. The ionic liquid-nanocarrier hybrid system loading a poorly soluble drug model, rutin, was obtained by a modified double-emulsion technique. The ionic liquids, (2-hydroxyethyl)-trimethylammonium- l -phenylalaninate [Cho][Phe] or (2-hydroxyethyl)-trimethylammonium- l -glutaminate [Cho][Glu] were used, to obtain the systems, at concentrations where cell viability is maintained. The formulation was optimized to obtain carriers with optimal physicochemical features. The hybrid nanosystems had a diameter less than 500 nm, with good polydispersity index and colloidal stability. The association efficiency of the drug ranged between 35 and 50%, which for a poorly soluble drug is a good achievement, and in formulations with pH 6.7 this parameter increased significantly. A robust ionic liquid-polymer nanoparticle hybrid system was obtained in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol at 2% (w/v), demonstrating their potential to incorporate higher amounts of poorly soluble drugs. The developed hybrid systems may ultimately enhance the therapy of several health problems increasing the quality of life of patients treated with this type of drugs.