Non-ionic Surfactant-based Vesicles Research Articles

Phage Lytic Protein CHAPSH3b Encapsulated in Niosomes and Gelatine Films.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global health challenge, sparking worldwide interest in exploring the antimicrobial potential of natural compounds as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. In recent years, one area of focus has been the utilization of bacteriophages and their derivative proteins. Specifically, phage lytic proteins, or endolysins, are specialized enzymes that induce bacterial cell lysis and can be efficiently produced and purified following overexpression in bacteria. Nonetheless, a significant limitation of these proteins is their vulnerability to certain environmental conditions, which may impair their effectiveness. Encapsulating endolysins in vesicles could mitigate this issue by providing added protection to the proteins, enabling controlled release, and enhancing their stability, particularly at temperatures around 4 °C. In this work, the chimeric lytic protein CHAPSH3b was encapsulated within non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles (niosomes) created using the thin film hydrating method (TFH). These protein-loaded niosomes were then characterized, revealing sizes in the range of 30-80 nm, zeta potentials between 30 and 50 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 50-60%. Additionally, with the objective of exploring their potential application in the food industry, these endolysin-loaded niosomes were incorporated into gelatine films. This was carried out to evaluate their stability and antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus.

In vivo distribution characteristics and anti-tumor effects of doxorubicin encapsulated in PEG-modified niosomes in solid tumor-bearing mice

Niosomes, non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles, are capable of encapsulating various drugs, and surface modifications by polyethylene glycol (PEG) are expected to facilitate the passive targeting of encapsulated drugs to solid tumors due to the longer blood circulation time. However, the niosomalization of drugs may also enhance the delivery of drugs to specific tissues at which free drugs do not normally accumulate. Therefore, in the present study, we prepared several doxorubicin (DOX)-encapsulated niosomes composed of different non-ionic surfactants, and examined their in vitro stability, in vivo biodisposition, and anti-tumor effects in solid tumor-bearing mice. In vitro DOX release from Brij 72 niosomes and Span 20 niosomes in the presence of serum was significantly suppressed by their PEGylation. Moreover, the PEGylation of Brij 72 niosomes and Span 20 niosomes markedly increased the plasma level of DOX encapsulated in each niosome after their intravenous injection into tumor-bearing mice. The liver, spleen, and heart distributions of DOX encapsulated in PEG Brij 72 niosomes and Span 20 niosomes were markedly lower and their tumor dispositions were markedly larger than each naked counterpart. These two DOX-encapsulated PEG niosomes exerted strong anti-tumor effect and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. On the other hand, PEGylation did not significantly affect the in vitro stability, in vivo biodisposition, or anti-tumor effects of Tween 60 niosomes. These results demonstrate that the PEGylation of Brij 72 and Span 20 niosomes improved the biodisposition of encapsulated anti-cancer drugs, thereby increasing their therapeutic efficacies.

Advancement of Niosomal Transdermal Targeting Drug Delivery System

Traditional methods for applying medications to the skin include a variety of methods. Transdermal has been a popular method of drug delivery in recent years for a variety of medications that are challenging to administer in other ways. Transdermal drug delivery has a number of benefits, chief among them the prevention of first-pass metabolism and the stomach environment, which would render the drug inactive. In addition to discussing in depth the various formulation techniques and permeability enhancement for improved therapeutic efficacy, this review covers the fundamental anatomy of the skin that is pertinent to the transdermal route as a drug delivery method. The evaluation sums up the technologies that are now available on the market and discusses the path they are headed in. A transdermal patch offers a controlled release of medicine into the patient, typically through either membrane pores casing a reserve of medication or over body heat melting thin layers of medication entrenched in the adhesive. This is a bonus of transdermal drug transport over different drug transport styles, including like oral, topical, I. V., I. M., etc. The skin is a very real barrier; in this way, drug molecules are modest enough to permeate the skin and can be administered in this way. Typically, the basic disadvantage of transdermal administration systems. Transdermal patches for a wide run of solutions are now readily available. With properties like improved penetration of drug, a sustained sedate discharge by local depot, and modulating systemic absorption of drugs through the skin by a membrane which limits rate, niosomes are vesicular nanocarriers that are getting to be more and more well known as a potential transdermal drug delivery framework. Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles that are more stable, biodegradable, and generally harmless. Niosomes are ideal to liposomes since surfactants are more chemically stable than lipids. The concept of niosome, its benefits and disadvantages, composition, method of preparation, variables influencing niosomes, definition and characterization, and use of niosome are the main topics of this review study. Niosomes can be used to treat a variety of illnesses, including psoriasis, leishmaniasis, cancer, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, etc. Niosomes can help in diagnosis. Niosomal administration can be done intramuscularly, intravenously, orally, or it can be used topically.

PHARMACEUTICAL NIOSOMES DRUG DELIVERY: A COMPLETE REVIEW OF NEW DELIVERY SYSTEM

Over the past ten years, people working in the field of drug delivery systems have become increasingly interested in designing vesicles as a tool to improve drug delivery. A hydrating mixture of cholesterol and nonionic surfactants forms niosomes, which are vesicles. Liposomes, microspheres, engineering science,small emulsions, antibody loaded drug delivery , magnetic microcapsules,implantable pumps, and niosomes are just a few of the unique methods employed to administer these medications. There are two requirements before designing and developing a novel drug delivery system (NDDS). It must first spread the medication at a preset rate and then release an amount of medication at the site of action that is therapeutically efficacious. These requirements cannot be satisfied by conventional dose forms. In essence, niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles in which a group of surfactant macromolecules forms a bilayer to form a membrane that entirely seals off an aqueous solution of solute. Targeted medication delivery is made possible by the reasonable circulation persistence of niosomes. An overview of niosome preparation techniques, niosome kinds, characterisation, and applications is also included in this paper.
 
 Due to qualities including improved drug penetration, local depot for continuous drug release, and a rate-limiting membrane for modulating systemic absorption of pharmaceuticals via the skin, niosomes, vesicular nanocarriers, are gaining a lot of attention as prospective transdermal drug delivery systems. There are a number of theories put up to explain why niosomes can improve medication transfer through the skin. This review aims to provide an exhaustive collection of recent studies in this fascinating field, with special emphasis on the methods used to maximise the potential of niosomes. Niosomal carriers are suitable for the transdermal delivery of a variety of pharmacological agents, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial molecules.

Niosomes: A promising nonionic surfactant vesicular system for enhancement of anticancer effect of phytochemicals

In recent years, infectious illness therapy and vaccination have experienced a dramatic transformation. With the progress of biotechnology, not only have a great number of disease-specific biologicals been generated, but there has also been an emphasis on delivering these biologicals efficiently. Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles that are biodegradable, largely non-toxic, more stable, and less costly than liposomes. Non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles, also known as niosomes, have garnered a great deal of interest in the pharmaceutical industry due to its ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances. In recent years, it has been shown that these vesicles can enhance the bioavailability of medications and may serve as a novel technique for delivering a variety of therapeutic agents, including chemical pharmaceuticals, protein therapeutics, and gene materials, with minimal toxicity and the desired targeting effectiveness. This page also provides an overview of niosome preparation processes, niosome kinds, characterisation, and applications. Chemoprevention is the use of phytochemicals to prevent or reduce cancers. It has been shown that several compounds produced from plants possess anticancer properties.

Folic Acid-Decorated pH-Responsive Nanoniosomes With Enhanced Endocytosis for Breast Cancer Therapy: In Vitro Studies.

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. The purpose of this study is a targeted delivery toward in vitro (on MCF7 and 4T1 breast cancer cell lines) through niosomes-based nanocarriers. To this end, different bioactive molecules, including hyaluronic acid (HA), folic acid (FA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), were used and compared for surface modification of niosomes to enhance endocytosis. FA-functionalized niosomes (Nio/5-FU/FA) were able to increase cell cytotoxicity and reduce cell migration and invasion compared to PEG-functionalized niosomes (Nio/5-FU/PEG), and HA-functionalized niosomes (Nio/5-FU/HA) groups in MCF-7 and 4T1 cell lines. Although the Nio/5-FU/PEG and Nio/5-FU/HA demonstrated MCF7 cell uptake, the Nio/5-FU/FA exhibited the most preponderant endocytosis in pH 5.4. Remarkably, in this study 5-FU loaded niosomes (nonionic surfactant-based vesicles) were decorated with various bioactive molecules (FA, PEG, or HA) to compare their ability for breast cancer therapy. The fabricated nanoformulations were readily taken up by breast cancer cells (in vitro) and demonstrated sustained drug release characteristics, inducing cell apoptosis. Overall, the comprehensive comparison between different bioactive molecules-decorated nanoniosomes exhibited promising results in finding the best nano formulated candidates for targeted delivery of drugs for breast cancer therapy.

Niosomes: A Promising Drug Delivery System in Transdermal Drug Delivery (TDDS)

Infectious disease treatment and immunisation have undergone a transformative change in recent years. With the advancement of biotechnology and genetic engineering, a large number of disease-specific biological have been created, as well as a focus on delivering these biological effectively. Niosomes are vesicular Nano carriers that are gaining popularity as a potential transdermal drug delivery system due to properties like enhanced drug penetration, a local depot for sustained drug release, and a rate-limiting membrane for modulating systemic absorption of drugs through the skin. Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles that are biodegradable, relatively nontoxic, more stable, and less expensive than liposomes. This analysis gives a high-level overview of niosomes, including their chemical composition, structure, benefits, and applications, as well as some general observations on niosomes as percutaneous permeation enhancers.

Melatonin-Loaded Nanocarriers: New Horizons for Therapeutic Applications.

The use of nanosized particles has emerged to facilitate selective applications in medicine. Drug-delivery systems represent novel opportunities to provide stricter, focused, and fine-tuned therapy, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemical agents at the molecular level while reducing their toxic effects. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytriptamine) is a small indoleamine secreted essentially by the pineal gland during darkness, but also produced by most cells in a non-circadian manner from which it is not released into the blood. Although the therapeutic promise of melatonin is indisputable, aspects regarding optimal dosage, biotransformation and metabolism, route and time of administration, and targeted therapy remain to be examined for proper treatment results. Recently, prolonged release of melatonin has shown greater efficacy and safety when combined with a nanostructured formulation. This review summarizes the role of melatonin incorporated into different nanocarriers (e.g., lipid-based vesicles, polymeric vesicles, non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles, charge carriers in graphene, electro spun nanofibers, silica-based carriers, metallic and non-metallic nanocomposites) as drug delivery system platforms or multilevel determinations in various in vivo and in vitro experimental conditions. Melatonin incorporated into nanosized materials exhibits superior effectiveness in multiple diseases and pathological processes than does free melatonin; thus, such information has functional significance for clinical intervention.

Promising Antifungal Potential of Engineered Non-ionic Surfactant-Based Vesicles: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a corneal infection caused by different fungal species. It is treated by the topical application of natamycin (NAT). Nevertheless, this approach faces many limitations like toxic effects, frequent dosing, resistance, and patient discomfort. The present research reports the development of trimethyl chitosan (TMC) coated mucoadhesive cationic niosomes by a modified thin-film hydration method. TMC was synthesized using a one-step carbodiimide method and characterized by 1H-NMR and degree of quaternization (53.74 ± 1.06%). NAT, cholesterol (CHOL), span 60 (Sp60), and dicetyl phosphate (DCP) were used to prepare niosomes which were incubated with TMC to obtain mucoadhesive cationic NAT loaded niosomes (MCNNs). MCNNs showed a spherical shape with 1031.12 ± 14.18nm size (PDI below 0.3) and 80.23 ± 5.28% entrapment efficiency. In vitro drug release studies showed gradual drug release from TMC coated niosomes as compared to the uncoated niosomes. MIC assay and disk diffusion assay revealed promising in vitro antifungal potential of MCNNs similar to the marketed formulation. For investigating in vivo performance, ocular retention and pharmacokinetics, ocular irritation, and ulcer healing studies were performed using the rabbit model. Mucoadhesive property and prolonged local drug release improved the safety and efficacy of NAT, suggesting that the developed niosomes could be an emerging system for effective treatment of fungal keratitis.

Enhanced skin delivery of propranolol HCl using nonionic surfactant-based vesicles for topical treatment of infantile hemangioma

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are frequent neoplasms that consist of proliferating endothelial-like cells. Although oral administration of propranolol hydrochloride (PLH) was proposed for treating IHs, it was associated with several adverse effects. Hence the present study aimed at optimizing the efficacy as well as safety of propranolol niosomes which are topically prepared for treating IHs. Different types of Span and Brij were utilized for preparing niosomes via the use of a thin-film hydration technique. Among the tested types of Span, Span 60 produced the highest EE %, while Brij 52 produced niosomes of higher EE% than Brij 35. Increasing cholesterol levels from 30% to 50% in the prepared niosomes resulted in an insignificant decrease in EE %. Increasing the surfactant concentration from 90 to 180 μM resulted in increasing in EE%. The measured Zeta potential for the selected formulations was found in the range of −16 to −35 mv, which ensured repulsion forces between the prepared vesicles that prevent their aggregations. The diameter of the vesicles is almost uniform and correlated to Z-size analysis. F14 (Brij 52-based niosomes) produced a more sustained release of PLH as compared to F13 (Span 60-based vesicles). Clinical studies concluded that topical application of the prepared niosomes of propranolol is an effective treatment for superficial and deep IH without the side effects seen with the systemic route. Moreover, dermoscopy is a good non-invasive tool that was very helpful in detecting the type of hemangioma as well as for following the patients under treatment.

Co-Administration of Aluminium Hydroxide Nanoparticles and Protective Antigen Domain 4 Encapsulated Non-Ionic Surfactant Vesicles Show Enhanced Immune Response and Superior Protection against Anthrax.

Aluminium salts have been the adjuvant of choice in more than 100 licensed vaccines. Here, we have studied the synergistic effect of aluminium hydroxide nanoparticles (AH np) and non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles (NISV) in modulating the immune response against protective antigen domain 4 (D4) of Bacillus anthracis. NISV was prepared from Span 60 and cholesterol, while AH np was prepared from aluminium chloride and sodium hydroxide. AH np was co-administered with NISV encapsulating D4 (NISV-D4) to formulate AHnp/NISV-D4. The antigen-specific immune response of AHnp/NISV-D4 was compared with that of commercial alhydrogel (alhy) co-administered with NISV-D4 (alhydrogel/NISV-D4), NISV-D4, AHnp/D4, and alhydrogel/D4. Co-administration of NISV-D4 with AH np greatly improved the D4-specific antibody titer as compared to the control groups. Based on IgG isotyping and ex vivo cytokine analysis, AHnp/NISV-D4 generated a balanced Th1/Th2 response. Furthermore, AH np/NISV-D4 showed superior protection against anthrax spore challenge in comparison to other groups. Thus, we demonstrate the possibility of developing a novel combinatorial nanoformulation capable of augmenting both humoral and cellular response, paving the way for adjuvant research.

In vitro Characterization and Release Studies of Combined Nonionic Surfactant-Based Vesicles for the Prolonged Delivery of an Immunosuppressant Model Drug.

BackgroundCyclosporine A (CsA) is an exceptional immunosuppressant used for the treatment of immune disorders. Niosomal vesicles are promising drug carriers that are formed by self-association of nonionic surfactants and cholesterol in an aqueous phase. The objective of the study was to formulate combined nonionic surfactant based vesicles and to evaluate their in vitro characterization, release studies and in vivo studies.Materials and MethodsFive niosomal formulations (F7 to F11) were prepared using the thin film hydration method. The molar ratio of cholesterol and non-ionic surfactant taken was 1:1. In formulation F10, the combination of surfactants Span 20 and Brij 35 was used. The niosomes were characterized by zeta sizer and SEM for particle size analysis, in vitro drug release and stability studies. The pharmacokinetic studies were conducted on healthy albino rabbits.ResultsThe size of niosome was found in the range of 427.1 nm to 972.3 nm. SEM image of optimized formulations F10 exhibit the spherical nature of niosomal vesicles. DSC thermograms of niosomal formulations exhibited a broadened endothermic peak. The stability study exhibited that all formulations are stable and negligible change of vesicle size and entrapment was observed with time. The percentage drug release was significantly higher as compared to CsA plain dispersion for all niosomal formulations at pH 1.2 and 7.4. The release kinetic behavior showed that all preparations were best described by zero order and can release active ingredient in a sustained manner. The pharmacokinetic data showed the test formulation (F10) possessed greater bioavailability as compared to the reference formulation (CsA aqueous dispersion).ConclusionThe formulation F10 demonstrated a comparatively more delayed rate of release with enhanced dissolution as compared to a single surfactant scheme. The F10 formulation can be a remarkable nanotechnology for prolonged delivery of CsA orally with improved dissolution profile and bioavailability.

Innovation of testosome as a green formulation for the transdermal delivery of testosterone enanthate

Biocompatible and biodegradable non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles, known as niosomes, and their potential applications in the topical drug delivery systems have attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years. In the present study, the ultrasonication technique was employed to encapsulate testosterone enanthate (TE) as a lipophilic drug in the niosome (testosome). The objective of this research was to acquire the optimum ratio of cholesterol: surfactants as a drug delivery nanocarrier with high skin permeation and encapsulation efficiency. The optimum fabricated formulation was examined by different characterization techniques such as Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Powder X-ray Diffraction Analysis (PXRD). The skin permeation study for the penetrated TE into and through the rat skin indicated that the testosome gel can present a considerable enhancement compared to the TE gel. Moreover, to evaluate the applicability of the presented model, the in-vitro cytotoxicity test was performed using Hu02 normal fibroblast cell line. Significant cellular cytotoxicity was observed for TE compared to niosomal formulations. The results of this research revealed that the prepared testosomes could be used as potential nanocarriers for the transdermal delivery of TE.

Rapid Microfluidic Preparation of Niosomes for Targeted Drug Delivery.

Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles with high promise for drug delivery applications. They can be rapidly prepared via microfluidics, allowing their reproducible production without the need of a subsequent size reduction step, by controlled mixing of two miscible phases of an organic (lipids dissolved in alcohol) and an aqueous solution in a microchannel. The control of niosome properties and the implementation of more complex functions, however, thus far are largely unknown for this method. Here we investigate microfluidics-based manufacturing of topotecan (TPT)-loaded polyethylene glycolated niosomes (PEGNIO). The flow rate ratio of the organic and aqueous phases was varied and optimized. Furthermore, the surface of TPT-loaded PEGNIO was modified with a tumor homing and penetrating peptide (tLyp-1). The designed nanoparticular drug delivery system composed of PEGNIO-TPT-tLyp-1 was fabricated for the first time via microfluidics in this study. The physicochemical properties were determined through dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential analysis. In vitro studies of the obtained formulations were performed on human glioblastoma (U87) cells. The results clearly indicated that tLyp-1-functionalized TPT-loaded niosomes could significantly improve anti-glioma treatment.

A Systematic Study of Cu Nanospheres Embedded in Non-ionic Surfactant-Based Vesicle: Photocatalytic Efficiency and In Vivo Imaging Study

In this study, for the first time nanoparticles were synthesized and encapsulated in non-ionic surfactant-based vesicle (biology and chemistry). The non-ionic surfactant-based vesicle is formed mostly by non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol incorporation as an excipient by green capping agent. We researched a novel processing route for produce Cu nanospheres encapsulated in a non-ionic surfactant-based vesicle by glucose as a green capping reductant with microwave assisted reverse micelle method. The effect of glucose concentration and microwave power on the morphology, particle size, distribution and in vitro photoluminescence spectroscopy experiments of nanoparticles entrapped in the non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles were investigated. The synthesis parameters in this study were designed by Taguchi technique and various factors such as glucose concentration, temperature, microwave power and interaction between these factors were studied. The metal nanostructure with photocatalytic activity act as an emerging, non-invasive therapeutic strategy that involves photosensitizer drugs and external light for the treatment of cancer. The products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, DLS, TGA and UV–Vis. The current study points out a successful example of using Cu nanospheres embedded in non-ionic surfactant-based vesicle as a new and novel nanomedicine material for in vivo imaging and the photocatalytic efficiency of methylene blue.

Characterization, optimization, and in vitro evaluation of Technetium-99m-labeled niosomes.

Background and purposeNiosomes are nonionic surfactant-based vesicles that exhibit certain unique features which make them favorable nanocarriers for sustained drug delivery in cancer therapy. Biodistribution studies are critical in assessing if a nanocarrier system has preferential accumulation in a tumor by enhanced permeability and retention effect. Radiolabeling of nanocarriers with radioisotopes such as Technetium-99m (99mTc) will allow for the tracking of the nanocarrier noninvasively via nuclear imaging. The purpose of this study was to formulate, characterize, and optimize 99mTc-labeled niosomes.MethodsNiosomes were prepared from a mixture of sorbitan monostearate 60, cholesterol, and synthesized D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (synthesis confirmed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). Niosomes were radiolabeled by surface chelation with reduced 99mTc. Parameters affecting the radiolabeling efficiency such as concentration of stannous chloride (SnCl2·H2O), pH, and incubation time were evaluated. In vitro stability of radiolabeled niosomes was studied in 0.9% saline and human serum at 37°C for up to 8 hours.ResultsNiosomes had an average particle size of 110.2±0.7 nm, polydispersity index of 0.229±0.008, and zeta potential of −64.8±1.2 mV. Experimental data revealed that 30 µg/mL of SnCl2·H2O was the optimal concentration of reducing agent required for the radiolabeling process. The pH and incubation time required to obtain high radiolabeling efficiency was pH 5 and 15 minutes, respectively. 99mTc-labeled niosomes exhibited high radiolabeling efficiency (>90%) and showed good in vitro stability for up to 8 hours.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study published on the surface chelation of niosomes with 99mTc. The formulated 99mTc-labeled niosomes possessed high radiolabeling efficacy, good stability in vitro, and show good promise for potential use in nuclear imaging in the future.

An insight of in vitro transport of PEGylated non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NSVs) across the intestinal polarized enterocyte monolayers

PEGylated non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles (NSVs) are promising drug delivery systems for the local, oral and systemic administrations of therapeutics. The aim of this study was to test the cellular biocompatibility and transport of Nile Red-loaded NSVs (NR-NSVs) across the Caco-2-cell monolayers, which represent an in vitro model of human intestinal epithelium. The NR-NSVs assumed a spherical shape with a mean size of 140 nm, and a narrow size distribution. The NR-NSVs did not modify Caco-2 cell viability, which remained unaltered in vitro up to a concentration of 1 mM. The transport studies demonstrated that the NR-NSVs moved across the Caco-2 monolayers without affecting the transepithelial electrical resistance. These results were supported by flow cytometry analysis, which demonstrated that NR-NSVs were internalized inside the Caco-2 cells. Nanoparticle tracking and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the presence of NR-NSVs in the basolateral side of the Caco-2 monolayers. TEM images also showed that NSVs were transported intact across the Caco-2 monolayers, thus demonstrating a predominant transcytosis mechanism of transport through endocytosis. The NSVs did not affect the integrity of the membrane barrier in vitro, and can potentially be used in clinics to increase the oral bioavailability and delivery of therapeutics.

Niosomes of Nerium oleander extracts: In vitro assessment of bioactive nanovesicular structures

Niosomes are known as non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles and have been used quite a lot for medical applications as a novel drug delivery system in recent years. Herein we describe, the preparation and characterization of niosomes containing oleander (Nerium oleander) (ONs) extract as the herbal compound. In this context, niosomal formulations of two different extracts obtained from oleander roots were prepared by a thin film hydration technique using Tween 60 (non-ionic surfactant) with a cholesterol mixture at 1:1 M ratio. These vesicular structures were characterised by various techniques such as atomic force microscopy, zeta potential and dynamic light scattering size measurements. ONs vesicles are less than 100 nm in size with a good physical stability more than 50 days. Initially, total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of the extracts were investigated. The methanol extract of oleander roots (MOE) showed higher polyphenolic content and exhibits a better antioxidant activity in compared to the hydro-methanol (20% methanol) extract (MOWE). Total phenolic contents in the MOE and MOWE were calculated as 64.51 ± 0.945 μg/mg and 65.05 ± 0.37 μg/mg gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Encapsulation efficiencies of the vesicles were found as 16.2% for MON (contain MOE) and 13.24% for MWON (contain MOWE). The significant linear correlation was confirmed between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of extracts as well as ONs. Cell based cytotoxic activities of methanol extract and MON formulations were also assessed via MTT assay using HeLa and A549 cell lines.

Cationic niosomes composed of spermine-based cationic lipids mediate high gene transfection efficiency

Non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles (niosomes) composed of non-ionic surfactants (i.e., Tween and Span) and cholesterol were formulated, and their turbidity and particle size assayed. The most appropriate niosomes formulation was mixed with novel synthesized spermine-based cationic lipids to prepare cationic niosomes that could act as gene carriers. Factors affecting gene transfection and cell viability including differences in the acyl chain length (C14, C16 and C18) of cationic lipids and the weight ratio of niosomes to DNA were evaluated on a human cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa cells) using pDNA encoding green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-C2). The morphology, size and charge of the niosomes were also characterized, and a gel retardation assay to determine complex formation was performed. The results revealed that the transfection efficiency of the Span 20-niosomes was the highest for the spermine-C14 formulation and decreased as follows: spermine-C14 > spermine-C16 > spermine-C18. In addition to the highest transfection efficiency, there was also no serum effect on transfection efficiency of the spermine-C14 niosomes at a weight ratio of 10. This formulation was safe in vitro and had good physical stability for at least 1 month at 4°C. In conclusion, the cationic niosomes may constitute a good alternative carrier for gene transfection.

Niosomal system for delivery of rifampicin to lymphatics

Niosomes (nonionic surfactant-based vesicles) containing rifampicin were prepared using various nonionic surfactants of sorbitan ester class and cholesterol in 50:50 percent mol fraction ratio. The drug-entrapped vesicles were characterized for their shape, size, drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro release rate. On the basis of in vitro characterization, the niosomes showing maximum entrapment and minimum release rate were selected for in vivo performance evaluation. Cumulative percent doses of rifampicin recovered in thoracic lymph following intravenous and intraperitoneal administrations of free rifampicin solution and niosome-encapsulated rifampicin were compared. The study revealed that effective compartmentalisation of the drug took place in the lymphatic system following intraperitoneal administration of niosome-encapsulated rifampicin. Thus rifampicin encapsulated in niosomes could successfully be used for treatment of tuberculosis along lymphatic system.