Abstract

VALACYCLOVIR LOADED GELATIN NANOCARRIER: A CONTROLLED RELEASE DELIVERY FOR ANTI-VIRAL THERAPY

Sahoo Nityananda*, Panda Om Prakash, Das Swagatika and Das Shubhashree

ABSTRACT

Gelatin nanocarrier cross-linking based valacyclovir have been efficiently prepared by two-step desolvation method using acetone as disolvating and glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent along with a number of variables. FESEM images of optimized formulation elucidate the homogenous, smooth and spherical particles of mean size 110±71.5 nm diameter. FTIR study confirmed the absence of drug-excipients interaction and DSC spectra identified the presence and stability of valacyclovir in gelatin matrix. XRD thermogram confirmed the amorphous configuration of valacyclovir in GNPs. The optimized formulation have highest entrapment efficacy of 89 % and in vitro release of valacyclovir approximately 91% at 48 h were found through Franc diffusion cell. The Tmax value of optimised formulation and commercially available “Valcivir” tablet were found 5 h and 2 h respectively in rabbit plasma with HPLC method. The mean AUC0-24 of optimised formulation was found 50% higher than that of Valcivir. The study revealed that gelatin nanocarrier cross-linking based valacyclovir is not only simple and cost efficient delivery but also offers a promising controlled release with anti-viral therapy through oral administration.

Keywords: Gelatin nanocarrier; Valacyclovir; Two-step desolvation; Controlled release; Chromatogram; Pharmacokinetics.