ALGINATE BASED NANOPARTICULATE DRUG DELIVERY FOR ANTI HIV DRUG LOPINAVIR

Abstract

Sustained release lopinavir-loaded nanoparticles (LP-NP) in alginate, biodegradable hydro based polymer, were prepared by in situ nanoemulsion-polymer crosslinking approach. Four different drug-encapsulating solvents, viz., dichloromethane, n hexane, 1,2 dichloroethane, and isopropyl alcohol were used for preparation of lopinavir loaded calcium alginate nanoparticles. Lopinavir loading was confirmed quantitatively in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) studies. Prepared NP’s structure and surface morphology were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and size distributions were visualized in Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Hydrodynamic diameter of nanoparticles was 127nm, with Gaussian distribution. Sustained diffusive drug release was observed in vitro, depending on drug polymer ratio; alginate nanoparticles are able to deliver 30 to 80% of the loaded drug by the end of 24 hour. The nanoparticles prepared with 1:6 drug polymer ratio show better release pattern and control the drug release over a period of 24 hour. The release followed Higuchi kinetics rather than first order kinetics, indicating diffusion controlled drug release. The nanoparticulation technique developed can be a good choice for the development of different sustained protease inhibitor drug carriers.