Characterization and Study on In Vitro Release of Praziquantel from Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Implants
A series praziquantel-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) implants are prepared by melt extrusion. The morphologies, structures and the in vitro releases are investigated. The results show that PZQ is dissolved or dispersed in the PLGA matrix and its crystal structure can be transformed into amorphous filament or flake-like structure. The in vitro release increased with the increase of the amount of low molecular weight PLGA0.13. The release of PZQ from the implant with a length of 20 mm is faster than that from that with a length of 10 mm. The macroscopic change and release curves of the implants reveal the drug release from the implants can be controlled by initial diffusion of drug from near the surface of implants followed by elution during polymer erosion.