Effect of γ-Irradiation on Leuprolide Acetate Release from PLGA-based In Situ Forming System

In this study, leuprolide acetate-loaded implants were prepared from PLGA-based in situ forming system and the effects of γ-irradiation on drug release profiles were investigated. PLGA-based in situ forming systems were prepared by injecting some specific amount of irradiated solution of PLGA /drug and NMP into a buffer phosphate pH 7.4 at 37 ºC. The effects of γ-ray on drug release profiles, morphology of matrices and their thermal properties were evaluated. Reduction of Tg and molecular weight of PLGA after irradiation due to radiolytic degradation such as random chain scissions effected the release drug profiles. The SEM images indicated that the irradiated samples had higher porosity than the non-irradiated sample therefore, drug release rate was increased.