Browsing by Author "Nnaji, Nnaemeka Joshua.N."

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The preparation of abacavir-loaded liposomes for improved drug solubility and dissolution rate
    (Springer, 2025) Okafor, Nnamdi Ikemefuna; Nnaji, Nnaemeka Joshua.N.
    This study was aimed at developing abacavir (ABC)-loaded liposomes to facilitate improved drug solubility and dissolution rate in an effort to provide a potential dose reduction of ABC with pediatric patients in mind. By utilizing the design of an experimental approach, various liposome formulation parameters were investigated. Drug-loaded liposomes were characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency, as well as other physicochemical characteristics such as thermal behavior, particle morphology, ABC equilibrium solubility, and finally ABC dissolution rate. The optimal formulation parameters were found to be a lecithin: cholesterol ratio of 1:1, a thin-film hydration time of 60 min, a vortex time of 2 min, a sonication time of 10 min, and 10 mLof water as hydration fluid in which 75 mg ABC was dissolved. The drug-loaded liposomes exhibited significant encapsulation efficiency, with the highest encapsulation efficiency of 98%, a particle size within a range of 523 nm, and a strong zeta potential of –53 mV. The liposomes further revealed an increased and enhanced aqueous solubility for the drug entrapped within the formulations, while showing the release of the drug from formulation. The results proved that ABC can be successfully loaded into a simple and cost-effective liposome formulation, providing a significantly enhanced ABC solubility and dissolution rate, which could ultimately have a positive effect on the bioavailability of ABC, especially because ABC is a BCS I drug, thus offering the potential to formulate a reduced dosage form aimed at pediatric patients.