BCNU release behaviour from BCNU/PLGA wafer prepared by vacuum drying method

Biodegradable polymers such as polylactide, polyglycolide and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) have been extensively investigated because of easily controlled drug release rate, completely degradable materials without the toxic by-product, and good biocompatibility. But, according to the bulk erosion property of PLGA in vitro test, it had the disadvantage that first-order release reduced releasing amount slowly after excessive initial burst. In this study, we used PLGA powder obtained through recrystallization to revise bulk erosion property of PLGA. The PLGA used in this study was prepared by vacuum drying method and to estimate release profiles of BCNU loaded PLGA wafer. We also evaluated the release profile of drug with the water soluble additive. It was found that the drug loaded PLGA recrystallized by vacuum drying method exhibited the initial burst and the constant rate of drug release compared to that prepared by a conventional method.