In vitro Characterization and Release Studies of Combined Nonionic Surfactant-Based Vesicles for the Prolonged Delivery of an Immunosuppressant Model Drug

Abstract

Akhtar Rasul,1,* Muhammad Imran Khan,2,* Mujeeb Ur Rehman,1,* Ghulam Abbas,1,* Nosheen Aslam,3,* Shabbir Ahmad,4,* Khizar Abbas,5,* Pervaiz Akhtar Shah,6,* Muhammad Iqbal,7,* Ali Mohammad Ahmed Al Subari,6,* Talal Shaheer,8,* Shahid Shah9,* 1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 2Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan; 3Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 4Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; 6University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; 7Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan; 8Department of Pharmacognosy, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, People’s Republic of China; 9Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan*All authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Akhtar Rasul Email [email protected]: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an exceptional immunosuppressant used for the treatment of immune disorders. Niosomal vesicles are promising drug carriers that are formed by self-association of nonionic surfactants and cholesterol in an aqueous phase. The objective of the study was to formulate combined nonionic surfactant based vesicles and to evaluate their in vitro characterization, release studies and in vivo studies.Materials and Methods: Five niosomal formulations (F7 to F11) were prepared using the thin film hydration method. The molar ratio of cholesterol and non-ionic surfactant taken was 1:1. In formulation F10, the combination of surfactants Span 20 and Brij 35 was used. The niosomes were characterized by zeta sizer and SEM for particle size analysis, in vitro drug release and stability studies. The pharmacokinetic studies were conducted on healthy albino rabbits.Results: The size of niosome was found in the range of 427.1 nm to 972.3 nm. SEM image of optimized formulations F10 exhibit the spherical nature of niosomal vesicles. DSC thermograms of niosomal formulations exhibited a broadened endothermic peak. The stability study exhibited that all formulations are stable and negligible change of vesicle size and entrapment was observed with time. The percentage drug release was significantly higher as compared to CsA plain dispersion for all niosomal formulations at pH 1.2 and 7.4. The release kinetic behavior showed that all preparations were best described by zero order and can release active ingredient in a sustained manner. The pharmacokinetic data showed the test formulation (F10) possessed greater bioavailability as compared to the reference formulation (CsA aqueous dispersion).Conclusion: The formulation F10 demonstrated a comparatively more delayed rate of release with enhanced dissolution as compared to a single surfactant scheme. The F10 formulation can be a remarkable nanotechnology for prolonged delivery of CsA orally with improved dissolution profile and bioavailability.Keywords: in vitro study, cyclosporine A, niosomes, nonionic surfactants

Keywords

• in vitro study
• cyclosporine a
• niosomes
• nonionic surfactants.