Polymeric versus lipid nanocapsules for miconazole nitrate enhanced topical delivery: in vitro and ex vivo evaluation

Abstract

Nanocapsules can be equated to other nanovesicular systems in which a drug is entrapped in a void containing liquid core surrounded by a coat. The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential of polymeric and lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) as innovative carrier systems for miconazole nitrate (MN) topical delivery. Polymeric nanocapsules and LNCs were prepared using emulsification/nanoprecipitation technique where the effect of poly(ε-caprolactone (PCL) and lipid matrix concentrations with respect to MN were assessed. The resulted nanocapsules were examined for their average particle size, zeta potential, %EE, and in vitro drug release. Optimum formulation in both polymeric and lipidic nanocapsules was further subjected to anti-fungal activity and ex vivo permeation tests. Based on the previous results, nanoencapsulation strategy into polymeric and LNCs created formulations of MN with slow biphasic release, high %EE, and improved stability, representing a good approach for the delivery of MN. PNCs were best fitted to Higuchi’s diffusion while LNCs followed Baker and Lonsdale model in release kinetics. The encapsulated MN either in PNCs or LNCs showed higher cell viability in WISH amniotic cells in comparison with free MN. PNCs showed less ex vivo permeation. PNCs were accompanied by high stability and more amount drug deposition (32.2 ± 3.52 µg/cm 2 ) than LNCs (12.7 ± 1.52 µg/cm 2 ). The antifungal activity of the PNCs was high 19.07 mm compared to 11.4 mm for LNCs. In conclusion, PNCs may have an advantage over LNCs by offering dual action for both superficial and deep fungal infections.

Exploring the potential of intranasally administered naturally occurring quercetin loaded into polymeric nanocapsules as a novel platform for the treatment of anxiety

“…This may indicate that QRC diffuse through the prepared nanocapsules after the degradation of thin polymeric outer layer. This was in accordance with what was previously mentioned by Abdel-Rashid et al 76 . It is also worth mentioning that both QRC loaded polymeric nanocapsules and QRC dispersion almost reached complete release at the end of the experiment indicate the successful attainment of the sink condition and the availability of the active ingredient transfer to the release media without limitations 77 .…”

Repellent active ingredients encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles: potential alternative formulations to control arboviruses

“…The use of nanoparticles incorporated into hydrogels (NP-gels) can improve mechanical characteristics of the bas hydrogels [ 31 ]. Hydrogels are 3D grids composed of hydrophobic or hydrophilic polymers that can act as nanoparticle carriers [ 32 ] while absorbing significant amounts of water, with similar characteristics as the extracellular matrix and other biocompatible materials [ 28 – 30 ].…”

Targeted Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System Using Extracellular Vesicles

“…The synthetic DDSs, such as NPs [ 136 , 137 , 138 ], liposomes [ 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 ], dendrimers [ 143 , 144 , 145 ], micelles [ 146 , 147 , 148 ], nanocapsules [ 149 , 150 , 151 ], nanosponges [ 152 , 153 ], peptide-based nanoparticles [ 154 ], etc., have good drug encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL) capacity, flexibility in functionalization, easy/robust production, and theragnostic functions. However, conjugation of a PEG polymer, peptide, antibody, etc.…”