Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VALACYCLOVIR LOADED GELATIN NANOPARTICLES: IN VIVO/INVITRO EVALUATION

Nityananda Sahoo?, Ranjan Kumar Sahoo and Ketousetuo Kuotsu

ABSTRACT

Novel biodegradable and biocompatible gelatin cross-linking based valacyclovir nanoparticles have been successfully 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 values of optimised formulation and commercially available “Valcivir” tablet were found 5h and 2h 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 cross-linked based valacyclovir nanoparticles is not only simple and cost efficient delivery but also offers a promising controlled release with anti-viral therapy through oral administration.

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