European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PAEDIATRIC- FRIENDLY MULTI-DRUG POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES FOR MANAGEMENT OF AIDS AND TUBERCULOSIS

V. Raichur, M. Mathur, A. Khan and V. Kusumdevi*

ABSTRACT

AIDS is one of the most widely prevalent diseases affecting the paediatric population and the treatment becomes difficult due to the age related barriers. Further anti-retroviral therapy has been less effective due to lack of efficacy and other drug related issues. Nanoparticulate approach is preferred for improving the physicochemical attributes of these classes of drugs. Nevirapine, Lamivudine, Stavudine and isoniazid nanoparticles were prepared as a part of the effective ART plan of WHO by nanoprecipitation and double emulsification method respectively. The prepared nanoparticles were optimised by factorial design using design expert with the nanoparticles having particle size <300 nm with a spherical and smooth surface as per SEM analysis. IR analysis proved that the drugs were compatible with the excipients used for the nanoparticulate formulation. The entrapment was found to be >60 % with the nanoparticles showing an ex-vivo permeation of 24 hours across sheep mucosa. Cellular uptake studies showed a greater internalisation of NP's in the Hela cells hence supporting the greater permeation of NP's as compared to pure drugs. This will further help develop a platform technology for incorporation of the NP's into a suitable drug delivery system compatible with pediatric population.

Keywords: Anti-retrovirals, Nanoparticles, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Cellular Uptake, ex-vivo permeation.