This paper describes a comparative study on the performances of ethosomes and SLN as delivery systems for acyclovir (ACY). Ethosomes were spontaneously produced by dissolution of phosphatidylcholine and ACY in ethanol followed by addition of an aqueous buffer while SLN were produced by homogenization and ultrasonication. Both colloidal systems were morphologically characterized by Cryo-TEM. The encapsulation efficiency was 94.2±2.8% for ethosomes and 53.2±0.2% for SLN. Concerning Z potential, both formulations are close to neutrality. The diffusion coefficients of the drug from ethosomes and SLN, determined by a Franz cell method, were 9.4 and 1.2-fold lower as compared to the free ACY in solution, thus evidencing the ability of both colloidal systems in enhancing the diffusion of the drug. The antiviral activity against HSV-1 of both systems was tested by plaque reduction assay in monolayer cultures of Vero cells. Data showed that no significant differences in the antiviral activity were observed by ACY in the free or loaded forms. Taken together these results, colloidal systems could be interesting to mediate the penetration of ACY within Vero cells.
Colloidal dispersions for the delivery of acyclovir: A comparative study
CORTESI, Rita;RAVANI, Laura;MENEGATTI, Enea;ESPOSITO, Elisabetta
2011
Abstract
This paper describes a comparative study on the performances of ethosomes and SLN as delivery systems for acyclovir (ACY). Ethosomes were spontaneously produced by dissolution of phosphatidylcholine and ACY in ethanol followed by addition of an aqueous buffer while SLN were produced by homogenization and ultrasonication. Both colloidal systems were morphologically characterized by Cryo-TEM. The encapsulation efficiency was 94.2±2.8% for ethosomes and 53.2±0.2% for SLN. Concerning Z potential, both formulations are close to neutrality. The diffusion coefficients of the drug from ethosomes and SLN, determined by a Franz cell method, were 9.4 and 1.2-fold lower as compared to the free ACY in solution, thus evidencing the ability of both colloidal systems in enhancing the diffusion of the drug. The antiviral activity against HSV-1 of both systems was tested by plaque reduction assay in monolayer cultures of Vero cells. Data showed that no significant differences in the antiviral activity were observed by ACY in the free or loaded forms. Taken together these results, colloidal systems could be interesting to mediate the penetration of ACY within Vero cells.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
