Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Polymeric nanocapsules have been studied extensively for drug delivery by various routes of administration. Currently, the nanoencapsulation of drugs is considered the most efficient means of ensuring controlled release, specific targeting and reduction of adverse effects. In this context, the aim of this work was to develop polymeric nanocapsules for pulmonary delivery of beclomethasone dipropionate (BD). Nanocapsules have been prepared from 2 polymers, poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) and ethyl cellulose (EC). To quantify the drug in the nanostructures, the analytical method was developed and validated. This method showed to be specific, linear, precise, accurate and robust. Nanocapsules were prepared by interfacial deposition of preformed polymers and were evaluated as to pH, particle diameter, polydispersity index, drug content, encapsulation efficiency and zeta potential. All samples showed encapsulation efficiency greater than 98%, negative zeta potential, pH value in the range of neutrality and drug contents close to their theoretical values. The size distribution was nanometric (158-270 nm) with polydispersity index lower than 0.2. The results of the photodegradation study showed that polymeric nanocapsules were able to protect BD from UVC radiation when compared to the free drug solution. In vitro release experiments were performed using the dialysis bag technique, which showed, for all formulations, a prolonged drug release mediated by anomalous transport and first order kinetics. Free drug in solution took between 24 and 36 h to reach 100% of release, whereas nanocapsules were able to control the drug release for up to 108 h, depending on the polymer employed. Nanocapsules of EC and PCL were evaluated for in vitro and in vivo toxicity and the results suggest that the proposed formulations are safe. In the final stage of the work, pullulan was proposed as stabilizer agent for PCL nanocapsules and the results obtained for the zeta potential and the drug content suggested that these formulations have become more stable. Thus, the nanocapsules developed in this work represent a promising alternative for the pulmonary delivery of BD in the treatment of asthma and other respiratory disorders. / Nanocápsulas poliméricas vem sendo estudadas extensivamente para liberação de fármacos por diversas vias de administração. Atualmente a nanoencapsulação de fármacos é considerada o meio mais eficiente de assegurar liberação controlada, direcionamento específico e redução dos efeitos adversos. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver nanocápsulas poliméricas para a liberação pulmonar do dipropionato de beclometasona (DB). Nanocápsulas foram preparadas a partir de 2 polímeros, a poli(-caprolactona) (PCL) e a etilcelulose (EC). Para a quantificação do fármaco nas nanoestruturas, o método analítico foi desenvolvido e validado. Este mostrou ser específico, linear, preciso, exato e robusto. As nanocápsulas foram preparadas por deposição interfacial do polímero pré-formado e avaliadas quanto ao pH, diâmetro de partícula, índice de polidispersão, teor, eficiência de encapsulamento e potencial zeta. Todas as amostras apresentaram eficiência de encapsulamento maior que 98%, valor de potencial zeta negativo, valor de pH na faixa da neutralidade e teores próximos aos teóricos. A distribuição de tamanho foi nanométrica (158-270 nm) com índice de polidispersão menor que 0,2. Os resultados do estudo de fotodegradação mostraram que as nanocápsulas poliméricas foram capazes de proteger o DB da radiação UVC quando comparadas com uma solução do fármaco. Os experimentos de liberação in vitro foram realizados empregando a técnica de sacos de diálise, a qual mostrou, para todas as formulações, uma liberação prolongada do DB, mediada por transporte anômalo e cinética de primeira ordem. A solução etanólica de DB levou entre 24 e 36 h para alcançar 100% de liberação, enquanto que as nanocápsulas foram capazes de controlar a liberação do fármaco por até 108 h, dependendo do polímero empregado. Nanocápsulas de EC e PCL foram avaliadas quanto à toxicidade in vitro e in vivo e os resultados obtidos sugerem que as formulações propostas são seguras. Na etapa final do trabalho, o pullulan foi proposto como agente estabilizador de nanocápsulas de PCL e os resultados obtidos para o potencial zeta e o teor de fármaco sugerem que estas formulações tornaram-se mais estáveis. Desta forma, as nanocápsulas desenvolvidas neste trabalho representam uma alternativa promissora para a liberação pulmonar do DB no tratamento da asma e de outras desordens do trato respiratório.

L'objectif de ce travail de thèse a été d'élaborer et de caractériser des systèmes de nanovecteurs de nature lipidique, encapsulant le dipropionate de beclomethasone (DPB), adaptés à l'administration pulmonaire par nébulisation. Deux types de nanovecteurs lipidiques : des liposomes et des nanoparticules lipidiques incluant les nanoparticules solides (SLN) et les nanoporteurs lipidiques (NLC), ont été développés. Les liposomes ont été préparés par la technique d'injection d'éthanol. La technique appliquée pour la préparation des nanoparticules lipidiques était l'homogénéisation à haute vitesse. La taille, l'efficacité d'encapsulation du DPB ainsi que les profils de libération ont été satisfaisants. De plus la nébulisation de ces systèmes et la modélisation mathématiques de la déposition in vitro ont révélé des résultats prometteurs. Finalement, une technique de production des liposomes utilisant un réacteur membranaire a été étudiée pour une production à grande échelle / The objective of this work was to prepare and to characterize lipidic nanocarriers systems encapsulating the beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and adapted to the nebulized pulmonary drug delivery. Two types of lipidic carriers: the liposomes and the lipidic nanoparticles including the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and the nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed. Liposomes were prepared by the optimised ethanol injection based technology. The lipid nanoparticles were prepared by using the high shear homogenization process. Small sized particles, with high BDP encapsulation efficiency as well as a prolonged release effect in vitro were successfully obtained. Furthermore, the nebulized suspensions characteristics and deposition mathematical simulation in vitro revealed promising results. Finally, a liposomes production technique using a membrane contactor was investigated in order to produce large batches

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Medicine, 1998. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 118-128.