Characterization and in vitro release of cyclosporine-A from poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide implants obtained by solvent/extraction evaporation

cyclosporine-a-loaded plga implants were developed intended for ocular route. implants were prepared using solvent extraction/evaporation technique followed by casting of the cake into rods in a heated surface. xrd patterns showed that cyclosporine-a was completely incorporated into plga. ftir and dsc results indicated alterations on drug molecular conformation aiming to reach the most stable thermodynamic conformation at polymer/drug interface. implants provided controlled/sustained in vitro release of the drug. during the first 7 weeks, the drug release was controlled by the diffusion of the cyclosporine-a; and between 7-23 week period, the drug diffusion and degradation of plga controlled the drug release.