The Measurement and Mathematical Analysis of 5-Fu Release from Magnetic Polymeric Nanocapsules, following the Application of Ultrasound

Objective: To study the effects of ultrasound irradiation on the release profile of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) loaded magnetic poly lactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanocapsules. Also, the controlled drug-release behaviour of the nanocapsules was mathematically investigated. Methods: The nanocapsules were synthesized, dispersed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), transferred to a dialysis bag, and finally, irradiated by various ultrasound parameters (1 or 3MHz; 0.3-1W/cm2; 5-10 minutes). The release profile of the irradiated nanocapsules was recorded for 14 days. To find the in vitro drug release mechanism in the absence and presence of various intensities of ultrasound, the obtained data were fitted in various kinetic models for drug release. Results: The results demonstrated that the ultrasound speeded up the rate of drug release from the nanocapsules. The mathematical analysis illustrated that when the ultrasound intensity is increased, the probability of controlled release behaviour of the nanocapsules is raised. We found that drug release from the irradiated nanocapsules follows an erosion-controlled mechanism with the decrease in the velocity of diffusion. Conclusion: In conclusion, to attain a controlled drug-delivery strategy in the area of cancer therapy, the drug release profile of the nano-carriers may be well-controlled by ultrasound.