Effect of drug molecular weight on niosomes size and encapsulation efficiency

Vitamin D3 Loaded Niosomes and Transfersomes Produced by Ethanol Injection Method: Identification of the Critical Preparation Step for Size Control

“…This is expected since the VitD3 molecules encapsulated wouldbe trapped at the membrane nanovesicles, reducing the membrane molecules packing and increasing the final nanovesicle sizes. Similar results were obtained in recent works withdifferent types of drugs encapsulated intoniosomes formulated with different hydration media by the thin film hydration method [ 30 ]. It has been found that the encapsulated drug and the compounds used in the hydration media could significantly change the membrane nanovesicle disposition, and hence, increase their final size.…”

“…However, the combination of non-ionic surfactants with high and low HLB values as membrane compounds has been found to be an appropriate selection for higher size reduction due to the reduction of its critical packing parameter (CPP). Moreover, higher encapsulation efficiencies (especially for encapsulation of hydrophilic molecules) were found by the use of high water solubility non-ionic surfactants [ 11 , 30 ]. Significant size reduction was observed by the use of Tw20 as a partial replacer of Cho, (from 209 to 186 nm), while with the use of Tw80, no significant size reduction was observed.…”

“…Vesicle size is governed by composition and the selected preparation method. The conventional preparation methods are thin film hydration, reverse-phase evaporation, solvent (frequently ethanol) injection, and ethanol injection method (EI) [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Other more recent preparation methods are described for liposomes formation such as detergent deplection,but their suitability for transfersomes and niosomes preparation has not been widely explored yet [ 33 ].…”

Quercetin Loaded Monolaurate Sugar Esters-Based Niosomes: Sustained Release and Mutual Antioxidant—Hepatoprotective Interplay

“…These intrinsic properties, together with their biocompatibility and remarkable antioxidant activity, have attracted researchers' attention to explore potential therapeutic applications [4,5].Quercetin (3, 30, 4, 5, 7-pentahydroxyflavone) is probably the most studied bioflavonoid, belonging to the family of flavonols; its therapeutic applications include hepatoprotection [6], prevention of neural cell apoptosis [7] and cancer chemo-prevention and treatment [8].Quercetin acts as strong antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and transition metal ions, thus decreasing the process of lipid peroxidation, which is responsible for the development of many diseases, e.g., cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as liver damage [9][10][11].However, quercetin therapeutic applications present challenges due to (i) low aqueous solubility, (ii) photo and oxidative degradability, (iii) high first-pass effect, (iv) poor intestinal absorption and, hence, low systemic bioavailability [12][13][14][15].In order to overcome these problems, which are common among flavonoids, drug delivery systems (DDS) including emulsions, cyclodextrins, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles and liposomes have been used to enhance their pharmaceutical properties [16][17][18].Out of various DDS, niosomes are similar to liposomes in structures, preparation techniques, and physical properties. Niosomes possessed many advantages, including (i) biocompatibility, (ii) improved stability, (iii) non-immunogenicity, (iv) sustained drug release and (v) low preparation cost [19][20][21][22].Non-ionic surfactants, which present high safety and biocompatibility, have been selected over ionic surfactants for the preparation of these vesicles because anionic and cationic charges presented irritant and cytotoxic effects, respectively [23,24].Non-ionic surfactants are comprised of both polar and nonpolar segments and possess high interfacial activity. The formation of bilayer vesicles instead of micelles is dependent on the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB).…”

“…Out of various DDS, niosomes are similar to liposomes in structures, preparation techniques, and physical properties. Niosomes possessed many advantages, including (i) biocompatibility, (ii) improved stability, (iii) non-immunogenicity, (iv) sustained drug release and (v) low preparation cost [19][20][21][22].…”