Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NANOPARTICULATE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM OF ACYCLOVIR FOR TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY

Divya Bhanu Parchuri, GS Shantha Kumar*, Divakar Goli1, Roopa Karki

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to prepare Acyclovir nanoparticles using Eudragit RS 100 by nanoprecipitation method with different drugs to polymer (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) and stabilizer (Pluronic F-68) ratio (0.5%, 0.75% and 1%). Acyclovir nanoparticles potential was evaluated in the topical drug delivery to reduce the dosing frequency. The particle size and Zeta potential of all the formulations were found found in the range of 48.3 to 356.1nm and 0.341 to 35.39 mV. From SEM studies it was revealed that nanoparticles showed rough and irregular in shape and no agglomeration. From the in vitro drug release study, it was revealed that sustained release of same formulation last up to 12 hours. Acyclovir loaded nanoparticles based topical gels were formulated using nanoparticles and characterized for pH, spreadability, drug content, viscosity, in vitro drug diffusion and release kinetics comparatively compared with the commercial product. The pH of all formulations was found near to the skin pH value. The in vitro diffusion study of Acyclovir gel (G2) showed 64.92% and was 1.54 times more than the commercial product. The release rate of G2 was compared to the marketed cream for 12 h and was found to have no similarity and there is difference between the products. The results suggest that DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) may be useful for enhancing the skin permeability of Acyclovir from Acyclovir gel containing carbopol 934P gel as reservoir. The prepared nanoparticles proved to be a potential candidate as a nanoparticulate controlled drug delivery system and it is more potential for the topical drug delivery.

Keywords: Nanoparticles, Acyclovir, Eudragit RS 100, Pluronic F-68, Carbopol 934P.