The effect of non-ionic surfactant vesicle (niosome) entrapment on the absorption and distribution of methotrexate in mice

Abstract

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) prepared from a non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate and containing methotrexate (MTX) have been administered to mice. Given intravenously the niosomes prolong the levels of MTX in the blood, large amounts of the drug being taken up by the liver. There was also an increased uptake of MTX into the brain, perhaps due to an effect of the niosome components on the permeability of the blood brain barrier. Absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract following oral ingestion, appeared to be increased at some doses; most of the entrapped MTX was taken up by the liver, but uptake of MTX into the brain was also increased. The metabolic profile of the drug is altered by the niosomes which appear to prevent the rapid formation of 7-hydroxy methotrexate.

Influence of a niosomal formulation on the oral bioavailability of acyclovir in rabbits

“…Particle size analysis of the freshly prepared niosomes shows that the average size is~0.95 μm and the most probable size is 0.8 μm (Figure 2). Azmin et al 12 assumed that the presence of dicetylphosphate in the formulation might be responsible for producing niosomes with diameter greater than 100 nm. The use of high cholesterol content in the formulation of acyclovir niosomes may lead to large vesicle size.…”

“…Preliminary studies indicate that niosomes may increase the absorption of certain drugs from the gastrointestinal tract following oral ingestion. 12 In the present study, acyclovir-loaded niosomes were formulated and evaluated for their in vitro as well as in vivo characteristics in an attempt to improve the oral bioavailability of the drug. The in vivo evaluation of acyclovir niosomes in comparison with free drug solution was conducted in rabbits after a single oral dose.…”

Hydrogels and Their Combination with Liposomes, Niosomes, or Transfersomes for Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery

“…Preliminary studies indicated that niosomes could prolong the plasma circulation of an entrapped drug and alter its distribution pattern and its metabolic stability [17]. Also, niosomal systems could prolong the contact time of a drug with the applied membranes in case of topical and transdermal applications [18]. Niosomes have many advantages over liposomes such as the lower cost, the greater chemical stability, and the ease of preparation and storage.…”

Development and Targeting Efficiency of Irinotecan Engineered Proniosomes

“…Amongst various carriers utilized for target-oriented drug delivery, vesicular drug delivery systems in the form of liposome and niosomes have been most extensively investigated. Liposomal formulations have the limitation of poor stability and low drug entrapment efficiency while niosomes exhibit physical instability, aggregation, fusion, and leakage of entrapped drug, thus limiting the shelf-life of the dispersion [4,5]. Proniosomes [6] circumvent all the inherent drawbacks of niosomes and they offer a versatile vesicle delivery concept with the potential for targeted drug delivery.…”