Niosomes as a potential drug delivery system for increasing the efficacy and safety of nystatin

Abstract

Nonionic surfactant (NIS) vesicles (niosomes) formed from self-assembly of hydrated synthetic NIS monomers are capable of entrapping a variety of drugs and have been evaluated as an alternative to liposomes. Nystatin (NYS) is a polyene antifungal drug that has been used in the treatment of cutaneous, vaginal and oral fungal infections since the 1950s. The aim of this work is to encapsulate NYS in niosomes to obtain a safe and effective formula administered parenterally for neutropenic patients. NYS niosomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method using Span 60 or Span 40 and cholesterol (CHOL). Stearylamine and dicetyl phosphate were added as the positive and negative charge-inducing agents (CIA), respectively. Two molar ratios were used, namely NIS/CHOL/CIA (1:1:0.1 and 2:1:0.25). Neutral and positively charged niosomes gave the highest encapsulation efficiencies. NYS niosomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic light scattering. The release of neutral and negatively charged NYS niosomes was estimated, and it showed a slow sustained release profile. A 25-kGy γ-irradiation dose was sufficient to sterilize the investigated vesicles. NYS niosomes exerted less nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in vivo, showed higher level of drug in vital organs and revealed pronounced efficacy in elimination of the fungal burden in experimental animals infected with Candida albicans compared with those treated with free NYS. Niosomal encapsulation thus provided means for parenteral administration of NYS, reducing its toxicity and making it a more active antifungal agent.

Maximizing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Imatinib Mesylate–Loaded Niosomes on Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Using Box-Behnken Design

“…One drop of the niosomal formulation was placed on the grid and mixed with 1 drop of the dye, left to dry, and then examined by the (Zeiss EM 10; Oberkochen, Germany) electron microscope. 50 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of BBDoptimized formula was performed after drying 1 drop of the sample and consigned using adhesive double-faced tapes on aluminum stubs and gold coated using sputter coater and photographed by (model Quanta 250 FEG, FEI, Eindhoven, Netherlands) SEM. 46,51,52 Differential Scanning Calorimetry.…”

The effects of hydration media on the characteristics of non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NISV) prepared by microfluidics

“…They have been investigated as a potential drug delivery system for anticancer [10,11], anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs [12,13], peptides [14,15], transdermal drug delivery [16,17] and gene delivery [18].…”

Dendrimers complexed with HIV-1 peptides interact with liposomes and lipid monolayers

“…A method to load DCs with antigens is therefore urgently needed, since it requires an efficient carrier to deliver antigen across the plasma membrane. Different methods have so far included the use of liposomes, nanoparticles, polymeric micelles and nanogels [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. In this context, dendrimers offer an alternative approach [14,15].…”