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As2O3-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were prepared by double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Then Lactose acid (LA) and/or PEG were modified onto the NPs by chemical covalent coupling through -NH2 and -COOH. The FTIR results showed that LA and PEG could be successfully modified onto the surface of the NPs. All the As2O3-loaded PLGA NPs (As2O3@PLGA NPs) presented suitable physical stability, favorable size, and spherical shape. The in vitro release rate of As2O3 from the NPs depended on the surface of the NPs. As expected, the As2O3@PLGA-PEG/LA NPs showed a moderate release rate, the highest anticancer effects and cellular internalization against SMMC-7721 cell line. The PLGA-PEG/LA NPs could represent an effective nano-size delivery system of As2O3 for treatment of liver cancer.

A sandwich structured composite membrane for longtime controlled release of nerve growth factor (NGF) to repair spinal cord injury (SCI) is prepared through electrospray. In this system, PLA film is used as the sealing layer to prevent drug diffusion and provide mechanical support, PLGA microspheres as the sandwich layer to load and controlled release NGF, and chitosan (CS) film as the planting layer to seed bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The composite membrane has good biocompatibility and can effectively promote PC-12 cells to differentiate into neurons. In addition, the composite membrane can be directly applied to the injured areas without further damage. The longtime sustained release of NGF guaranteed enough requirement time for SCI repair, which will decrease the administration frequency and improve patient compliance. The administration of BMSCs coupled with the sandwich composite membrane effectively relieves SCI, decreases cavity formation, enhances neuronal regeneration and tissue repair, as well as improves the recovery of locomotor functions. Overall, this present work provides a future perspective for the treatment of SCI by the NGF-loaded sandwich composite membrane with prolonged drug release function.

Poly( l -lactic acid) nanoparticles loaded with a hydrophobic drug were prepared by an emulsion–evaporation process (oil in water) with a novel, effective and biocompatible surfactant butanedioic acid, 2-sulfo-1,4-butanedioic acid ditridecyl ester (sodium salt, 1:1) (BASDE). The particles are spherical in morphology and their diameters are controllable from 50 to 550 nm with poly-dispersity indexes within the range of 0.122–0.340. The drug entrapment efficiency and drug content were measured by spectrophotometry. The drug release rate is affected by both the size of the particles and the drug content in the particles. In vitro cytotoxicity data indicate that these drug-loaded PLA nanoparticles are safe for hypodermic injection regard to the toxicological acceptance. This study demonstrates that using BASDE surfactant, the size of PLA nanoparticles can be controlled at the nanoscale with a narrow size distribution, and the drug release is controllable with excellent in vitro cytocompatibility. This may be due to efficient emulsification capability and biocompatibility of BASDE.