Primaquine-loaded poly(lactide) nanoparticles: physicochemical study and acute tolerance in mice

This paper describes the preparation of primaquine loaded-poly (D,L-lactide) nanoparticles. A simple and reproducible method of preparation was developed in chemically soft conditions. The morphological analysis of the colloidal suspension obtained showed a unimodal size distribution, ranging from 150 to 200 nm with a narrow dispersion. The binding of primaquine was highly dependent on pH and drug concentration. The stability of nanoparticles is related to the nature and quantity of hydrophilic and lipophilic surfactants. Intravenously injected primaquine-loaded nanoparticles were well tolerated by healthy and Leishmania donovani-infected mice. The 50% lethal dose of primaquine-loaded nanoparticles was significantly reduced when compared to that of free primaquine.