Innovative centrifugal microfluidic approach for risperidone-loaded PLGA microsphere production

This paper proposes a novel and efficient centrifugal microfluidic technology to prepare risperidone-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (RIS-MS). The effects of key parameters, including PLGA concentration and type, microchannel inner diameter and centrifugal speed on particle size, morphology and drug release were evaluated and optimized. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study of RIS-MS was conducted in rabbits. The results demonstrated that RIS-MS could be produced from microchannels with inner diameters of 170–210 μm at a centrifugal speed of 400 revolutions per minute (rpm) when the PLGA content is 15 % or higher. The mean plasma concentration of RIS-MS was more stable and C_max of RIS-MS was significantly lower than that of the suspension group, and the RIS-MS could maintain the release of RIS in rabbits for up to 42 days. This study provided pioneering ideas for developing microspheres using centrifugal microfluidic technology. The optimized RIS-MS can make excellent sustained release and have the potential for the long-acting therapy of schizophrenia.