Optimization and development of drug loading in hydroxyapatite–polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites via response surface modeling approach

Abstract

In the present study, parameters affecting the particle size and drug loading of curcumin-loaded hydroxyapatite–polyvinyl alcohol (HAp-PVA) nanocomposites were investigated and optimized. The nanocomposites were synthesized by using chemical precipitation technique, and curcumin was subsequently incorporated into the prepared nanocomposites through an impregnation methodology. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy were applied for the evaluation of HAp-PVA nanocomposites. Besides, response surface methodology (carried out using Minitab 16) assessed the correlation between design parameters and experimental data. The independent variables selected in Box–Behnken design were time of milling (X₁), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), concentration (X₂) and the concentration of drug (X₃), while particle size and drug loading were considered as the responses. The size of nanoparticles ranged from 71 to 123 nm, and drug loading varied between 8.9 and 61.1%. Contour plots and surface plots were benefitted in order to realize the combined effects of different variables. Optimized formulation using response optimizer design demonstrated the particle size of 95 nm and drug loading of 61.24%. From the acquired results, it was concluded that the chemical precipitation method accompanied by the Box–Behnken experimental design approach could be successfully applied to optimize the nanoformulation of curcumin-encapsulated HAp-PVA nanocomposites.