Silk fibroin-coated PLGA dimpled microspheres for retarded release of simvastatin

The surface physical features and chemical components of polymeric particles play an important role in drug delivery systems. In this study, PLGA blank microspheres and simvastatin-loaded PLGA micro spheres with dimpled surface structure were prepared by single emulsion-solvent evaporation method in the absence of any additives. Subsequently, glutaraldehyde cross-linking was optimized for silk fibroin coating on simvastatin-loaded PLGA dimpled microspheres due to good solubility of simvastatin in alcohol. Furthermore, simvastatin release kinetics was investigated for silk-coated or plain PLGA dimpled microspheres. These drug carriers may have potential applications for alveolar ridge preservation with local delivery of simvastatin. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.