Non-ionic Surfactant Vesicles Research Articles

Doxorubicin Hydrochloride-Loaded Nonionic Surfactant Vesicles to Treat Metastatic and Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) is currently used to treat orthotropic and metastatic breast cancer. Because of its side effects, the use of DOX in cancer patients is sometimes limited; for this reason, several scientists tried designing drug delivery systems which can improve drug therapeutic efficacy and decrease its side effects. In this study, we designed, prepared, and physiochemically characterized nonionic surfactant vesicles (NSVs) which are obtained by self-assembling different combinations of hydrophilic (Tween 20) and hydrophobic (Span 20) surfactants, with cholesterol. DOX was loaded in NSVs using a passive and pH gradient remote loading procedure, which increased drug loading from ∼1 to ∼45%. NSVs were analyzed in terms of size, shape, size distribution, zeta potential, long-term stability, entrapment efficiency, and release kinetics, and nanocarriers having the best physiochemical parameters were selected for further in vitro tests. NSVs with and without DOX were stable and showed a sustained drug release up to 72 h. In vitro studies, with MCF-7 and MDA MB 468 cells, demonstrated that NSVs, containing Span 20, were better internalized in MCF-7 and MDA MB 468 cells than NSVs with Tween 20. NSVs increased the anticancer effect of DOX in MCF-7 and MDA MB 468 cells, and this effect is time and dose dependent. In vitro studies using metastatic and nonmetastatic breast cancer cells also demonstrated that NSVs, containing Span 20, had higher cytotoxicity than NSVs with Tween 20. The resulting data suggested that DOX-loaded NSVs could be a promising nanocarrier for the potential treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles as novel delivery systems for sulfasalazine: Evaluation of the physicochemical and cytotoxic properties

Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is a sulfa drug that is used to treat various forms of arthritis and is known for its ability to induce apoptosis in T lymphocytes and cancer cells. To enhance its solubility and efficacy, we encapsulated SSZ within a micellar/niosomal formulation. The micellar/niosomal formulation was prepared using an amphiphilic self-assembly method involving squalene (S) and tween 80 (T8) for the first time. The encapsulation and release of SSZ from the nanocarrier was characterized. The percent encapsulation efficiency of SSZ was 99.5 ± 0.2 %, 90.5 ± 0.5 %, and 80.5 ± 0.8 % for the 5:100, 7.5:100, and 10:100 (w/w) ratios of SSZ:total weight of ST8 micellar/niosomal vesicles (ST8MNVs), respectively. A higher loading of 20:100 (w/w) led to SSZ diffusion from the vesicular systems within 24 h. The cytotoxic activity of the SSZ-encapsulated ST8MNVs was evaluated against different cancer cell lines. Encapsulation and the use of the nanoformulations improved the effectiveness of SSZ in promoting apoptosis in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and HeLa cell lines, by reducing the IC50 value by at least five folds. The high loading and encapsulation of SSZ within the micellar/niosomal formulation together with its greater water solubility enhanced the bioavailability of the drug, improving its potential for biomedical and therapeutic applications.

PH-responsive cisplatin-loaded niosomes: synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity study and interaction analyses by simulation methodology

Abstract Cisplatin (Cis) is an effective cytotoxic agent, but its administration has been challenged by kidney problems, reduced immunity system, chronic neurotoxicity, and hemorrhage. To address these issues, pH-responsive non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) by Span 60 and Tween 60 derivatized by cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS), a pH-responsive agent, and Ergosterol (helper lipid), were developed for the first time to deliver Cis. The drug was encapsulated in the niosomes with a high encapsulation efficiency of 89%. This system provided a responsive release of Cis in pH 5.4 and 7.4, thereby improving its targeted anticancer drug delivery. The noisome bilayer model was studied by molecular dynamic simulation containing Tween 60, Span 60, Ergosterol, and Cis molecules to understand the interactions between the loaded drug and noisome constituents. We found that the platinum and chlorine atoms in Cis are critical factors in distributing the drug between water and bilayer surface. Finally, the lethal effect of niosomal Cis was investigated on the MCF7 breast cancer cell line using 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results from morphology monitoring and cytotoxic assessments suggested a better cell-killing effect for niosomal Cis than standard Cis. Together, the synthesis of stimuli-responsive niosomes could represent a promising delivery strategy for anticancer drugs.

Effect of Non Ionic Surfactant Concentration on Pterostilbene Niosome Characteristics

Excessive radiation from UV light can cause skin damage to melanoma, especially UVB rays. Chronic effects from exposure of excessive UVB rays can induce gene mutations because the exposure of excessive UVB rays directly causes damage to cellular DNA by producing ROS in the epidermis, dermis, and skin epithelium cells. The use of sunscreen is very necessary to prevent skin damage. Sunscreen containing antioxidants are highly recommended to protect the skin from free radicals UVB rays. Pterostilbene is one of the phenolic compounds, which has the pharmacological activity of antioxidants and UV filters to be one of the recommended compounds for sunscreen components. A good delivery system is needed to be formulated to improve the pharmacological effects of pterostilbene on topical use. Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant vesicles which are one of the amphiphilic carrier systems which can carry hydrophobic active ingredients such as pterostilbene, which are expected to increase the pharmacological effect by increasing the penetration of pterostilbene into the skin. Pterostilbene niosome using non-ionic surfactant (span 80 and span 60) by thin layer hydration method. The research aimed to examine the effect of surfactant concentration (span 80 and span 60) 2, 4, and 6 g toward the characterization of niosome pterostilbene and determine the optimum formulation by particle size. The results of the study showed that the particle size was smaller with an increase in span concentration. Based on these results, the optimum formulation of pterostilbene niosomes is obtained using span 60 with a concentration of 6 g.

Antileishmanial efficacy and tolerability of combined treatment with non-ionic surfactant vesicle formulations of sodium stibogluconate and paromomycin in dogs

Infection with Leishmania infantum causes the disease visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which is a serious clinical and veterinary problem. The drugs used to treat canine leishmaniasis (CanL) do not cause complete parasite clearance; they can be toxic, and emerging drug resistance in parasite populations limits their clinical utility. Therefore, in this study we have evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of joint treatment with a 1:1 mixture of sodium stibogluconate-NIV (SSG-NIV, 10 mg Sbv/day) and paromomycin-NIV (PMM-NIV, 10 mg PMM/kg/day), given intravenously daily for seven days from day 270 post-infection, to nine-month-old female beagle dogs (n = 6) experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum. Treatment significantly improved the clinical symptoms of VL infection in all the treated dogs, reduced parasite burdens in lymph nodes and bone marrow, and all symptomatic treated dogs, were asymptomatic at 90 days post-treatment. Treatment was associated with a progressive and significant decrease in specific IgG anti-Leishmania antibodies using parasite soluble antigen (p < 0.01) or rK39 (p < 0.01) as the target antigen. In addition, all dogs were classified as parasite negative based on Leishmania nested PCR and quantitative real time PCR tests and as well as an inability to culture of promastigote parasites from lymph nodes and bone marrow tissue samples taken at day 90 post-treatment. However, treatment did not cure the dogs as parasites were detected at 10 months post-treatment, indicating that a different dosing regimen is required to cause long term cure or prevent relapse.

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles as a carrier system for dermal delivery of (+)-Catechin and their antioxidant effects

Numerous skin disorders and diseases are related to oxidative stress. The application of an antioxidant, serving as a strong defense agent against oxidation, is of great interest in dermatology yet remains challenging for delivery. This paper aimed to develop a niosome carrier system to deliver the antioxidant (+) Catechin into the skin. (+) Catechin-loaded niosomes were prepared using film hydration technique and the physicochemical properties of drug-loaded niosomes were characterised and investigated by a series of in vitro and ex vivo studies. The optimised formulation displayed an acceptable size in nanoscale (204 nm), high drug entrapment efficiency (49%) and amorphous state of drug in niosomes. It was found that (+) Catechin-loaded niosomes could effectively prolong the drug release. Drug deposition in the viable layers of human skin was significantly enhanced when niosomal carriers were applied (p < 0.05). Compared to the pure drug, the niosomal formulation had a greater protective effect on the human skin fibroblasts (Fbs). This is consistent with the observation of internalisation of niosomes by Fbs which was concentration-, time- and temperature-dependent, via an energy-dependent process of endocytosis. The research highlighted that niosomes are potential topical carriers for dermal delivery of antioxidants in skin-care and pharmaceutical products.

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.

Niosomes: Potential Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery

Niosomes are novel vesicular drug delivery systems, where the solution is surrounded by non-ionic surfactant vesicles. The niosomes offer different benefits over the traditional drug delivery system. Niosomes are structurally similar to liposomes, as they also consist of a bilayer. In the case of niosomes, the bilayer consists of non-ionic surface-active agents instead of phospholipids, as seen in liposomes. Niosomes are much more stable during the process of formulation and storage, as compared to liposomes. Niosomes may resolve the issues of insolubility, volatility, poor bioavailability, and rapid drug degradation. It has been discovered in recent years that, these vesicles can enhance drug bioavailability and can act as a new strategy to deliver many conventional therapeutic agents, such as, protein drugs, and gene materials. It is also easy to prepare and scale up this novel delivery system with low production costs. The delivery of drugs via niosomal formulations may be relevant to several pharmacological agents for their activity against different diseases. The present review provides an overview about the advantages and disadvantages, fabrication techniques, types, characterization technique, and different applications of niosomes.

Nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) for ocular drug delivery: Development, evaluation and toxicological profiling

Niosomes are emerging drug delivery systems that maintain the drug targeting advantages of liposomes, while overcoming the problems of low drug encapsulation and instabilities usually associated with liposomes. The purpose of this study was to systematically develop and characterise the physicochemical and biological toxicological properties of prepared niosomes based on method of production, method of drug incorporation, construct composition and drug loading. Briefly, drug-free and model drug pilocarpine HCl-loaded niosomes were prepared using combinations of Tweens and Spans by either thin film hydration (TFH) or ether injection (EI) methods. The resulting niosomes were characterised based on vesicle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, structural microscopy and drug entrapment. Toxicity of optimised niosomes was tested on HCE-2 cell-line as a model of the corneal epithelium. Results indicated that EI method produced smaller niosomes than TFH method, although the latter method produces niosomes with better stability over time. Significant increase in drug entrapment was observed when pilocarpine HCl was incorporated into the organic phase during manufacture. No corneal cellular toxicity was observed with optimal Span-60 niosomes, with high drug encapsulation. This study provides a mechanistic insight to the design, evaluation and toxicological screening of niosomes with potential for ocular drug delivery to the elderly.

Synthesis and characterization of turmeric oil loaded non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) and its enhanced larvicidal activity against mosquito vectors

The fabrication of smart materials and its potential versatility instigated to develop Niosomes for sustained delivery of drugs. In this pursuit, in this research work, we have synthesized Niosomes using the transmembrane pH gradient method from turmeric oil and evaluated against mosquito vectors. The characteristics of niosomes were extensively explored by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential and others. FTIR analysis affirmed the formation of Niosomes from turmeric oils. Subsequently, the synthesized niosomes were observed in SEM to decipher the size and shape. DLS and Zeta Potential studies indicated that synthesized niosomes average particle size was around 491.09 nm with good stability. Functionally, the synthesized Niosomes were evaluated against third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi . The outcome of the study demonstrated that niosomes exhibit effective mortality against the larvae in a dose-dependent method with significant Lethal Concentration (LC) values. Further, histopathological analysis of treated larvae implies that niosomes cause extensive damage in the midgut region and the collapse of internal membrane bodies. Overall, the comprehensive study of the synthesized niosomes from turmeric oil will be competent for the vector management program.

Synthesis of niosomes of diclofenac sodium and their microscopic evaluation

Objective: Incorporation of drugs into non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) during their manufacture affords apossible method of achieving controlled release. The aim of this study was to formulate niosomes as carriers for delivery of diclofenac sodium (DCS) to achieve controlled release. Method: Niosomes were prepared by Ether injection method using non-ionic surfactant (Span 80) and cholesterol in ratio of 1:1, the organic solvent (dichloromethane) and phosphate buffer. Results: The prepared niosomes were then evaluated for physical appearance, light microscopy, optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and entrapment efficiency.Conclusion: Diclofenac sodium niosomes were prepared successfully without using charge inducing surfaces andwere confirmed by microscopic evaluation.

Liposomes – A Novel Drug Delivery System

Liposomes are formations of vesicles by hydrating mixture of cholesterol and phospholipids. Different novel approaches used for delivering these drugs include liposomes, microspheres, nanotechnology, micro emulsions, antibodyloaded drug delivery, magnetic microcapsules, impla ntable pumps and noisome. Liposomes and Noisome are equiactive in drug delivery potential and both increase drug effi cacy as compared with that of free drug. The applic ation of vesicular (lipid vesicles and non-ionic surfactant vesicles) systems in cosmetics and for therapeutic purpose ma y offer several advantages. They improve the therapeutic performance of the drug molecules by delayed clearance from t he circulation, protecting the drug from biological environment and restricting effects to target cells. Liposomes hav e been extensively investigated for drug delivery, drug targeting, con trolled release and increased solubility. The major rate limiting step in the widespread use of this versatile drug delivery is t he stability both physical and chemical. This revie w article focuses on the advantages, Disadvantages, Design, Classifications, Basic components, Formulations, methods of preparation, characterizations, factors, and applications of Lip osomes.

Niosomes as target drug delivery system: A Review

The formulation of vesicles as a way of improving the delivery of drugs over the past several years has generated a lot of concern among scientists working in the field of drug delivery systems. The vesicular niosomal system is capable of increasing the bioavailability of a product. When its bilayer structure is constructed by non-ionic surfactants, the bioavailability of products to a specified region for an extended period. Niosomes and liposomes are equative in drug delivery capacity, and both have decreased drug usefulness regarding free drug use. Niosomes are contrasted with liposomes when the high chemical stability and efficacy of the substitute are considered. For medicines and therapeutic purposes, the implementation of vesicular (lipid vesicles and nonionic surfactant vesicles) devices can give many benefits. They strengthen drug molecules ’ clinical efficiency by delaying clearance from circulation, safeguarding the drug from the genetic atmosphere, and limiting target cell impacts. This study focused on recent developments in the distribution for niosomal medicines, possible benefits above other delivery systems, methods of construction, characterisation methods, and current niosome studies. Niosome seems to be a system of choice of drug delivery over liposome as a stable and economical niosome. Niosomes often have tremendous potential for nanotechnology to achieve focused non-cancer, non-infective agents. Niosome’s potential for drug delivery can be improved using new ideas such as proniosomes, discomes, and aspasome. Niosomes are also useful for diagnostic testing and as an active ingredient to the vaccine. Such areas, therefore, need additional study and development to products available in the market niosomal preparations.

Glucosamine-NISV delivers antibody across the blood-brain barrier: Optimization for treatment of encephalitic viruses

The field of brain drug delivery faces many challenges that hinder development and testing of novel therapies for clinically important central nervous system disorders. Chief among them is how to deliver large biologics across the highly restrictive blood-brain barrier. Non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NISV) have long been used as a drug delivery platform for cutaneous applications and have benefits over comparable liposomes in terms of greater stability, lower cost and suitability for large scale production. Here we describe a glucosamine-coated NISV, for blood-brain barrier GLUT1 targeting, capable of traversing the barrier and delivering active antibody to cells within the brain. In vitro, we show glucosamine vesicle transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier with intact cargo, which is partially dynamin-dependent, but is clathrin-independent and does not associate with sorting endosome marker EEA1. Uptake of vesicles into astrocytes follows a more classical pathway involving dynamin, clathrin, sorting endosomes and Golgi trafficking where the cargo is released intracellularly. In vivo, glucosamine-coated vesicles are superior to uncoated or transferrin-coated vesicles for delivering cargo to the mouse brain. Finally, mice infected with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) were successfully treated with anti-VEEV monoclonal antibody Hu1A3B-7 delivered in glucosamine-coated vesicles and had improved survival and reduced brain tissue virus levels. An additional benefit was that the treatment also reduced viral load in peripheral tissues. The data generated highlights the huge potential of glucosamine-decorated NISV as a drug delivery platform with wider potential applications.

Niosomes for nose-to-brain delivery of bromocriptine: Formulation development, efficacy evaluation and toxicity profiling

The present study aimed to formulate stable non-ionic surfactant vesicles incorporating Bromocriptine Mesylate (BCM) to enhance brain uptake via the direct nose to brain pathway. The optimized formulation prepared by ethanol injection method exhibited a size of 180 ± 4.5 nm, % encapsulation of 75.8 ± 3.6 and zeta potential of −14.2 ± 1.8 mV. Ex vivo study demonstrated 6.4 times enhancement in permeation across goat nasal mucosa at 24 h as compared to BCM drug suspension. The relative brain bioavailability, drug targeting efficiency and direct transport percentage of intranasal (i.n) niosomes was found to be 1045.51%, 1118.10% and 91.06% respectively, suggesting enhanced CNS targeting via the direct olfactory pathway. Group treated with BCM niosomes i.n revealed a marked attenuation of cataleptic time along with reduced lipid oxidation and restored Glutathione (GSH) levels in the brain. Sub-acute toxicity studies carried out for 28 days revealed no mortality or toxicologically significant changes. The combination of above results proved that BCM niosomes were safe to be administered i.n displaying manifold enhancement in brain distribution and improved pharmacodynamic behavior with 10 times dose reduction. Thus, such a system could be positively exploited as an alternative to oral delivery in the management of Parkinson's Disease (PD).

Folic acid-modified nonionic surfactant vesicles for gambogenic acid targeting: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

The aim of present study was to develop folic acid (FA)-modified nonionic surfactant vesicles (NISVs, niosomes) as carrier systems for targeted delivery of gambogenic acid (GNA). The FA-GNA-NISVs exhibited a mean particle size of 180.77 ± 2.41 nm with a narrow poly dispersion index of 0.147 ± 0.08 determined by dynamic light scattering. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed that the FA-GNA-NISVs were spherical with double-layer structure. Entrapment efficiency (EE%) and zeta potential of the optimal FA-GNA-NISVs were 87.84 ± 1.06% and -37.33 ± 0.33 mV, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that the GNA was in a molecular or amorphous state inside the FA-NISVs in vitro release profiles suggested that FA-GNA-NISVs could release GNA at a sustained manner, and less than 60% of GNA was released from the FA-NISVs within 12 hours of dialysis. in vivo pharmacokinetic results illustrated that FA-GNA-NISVs had considerably higher Cmax , area under curve (AUC0 - t ) and accumulation in lung. The cell proliferation study shown that the FA-GNA-NISVs significantly enhanced the in vitro cytotoxicity against A549 cells. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy further demonstrated that the FA-GNA-NISVs increased apoptosis compared with nonmodified GNA-NISVs and free GNA. Moreover, FA-GNA-NISVs induced A549 cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, cellular uptake assays showed a higher uptake of FA-GNA-NISVs than GNA-NISVs as well as free GNA. Taken together, it could be concluded that FA-GNA-NISVs were proposed as a novel targeting carriers for efficient delivering of GNA to cancers cells.

Letrozole-loaded nonionic surfactant vesicles prepared via a slurry-based proniosome technology: Formulation development and characterization

Slurry-based Letrozole (LTZ)-loaded proniosomes were designed using sucrose or sorbitol as carriers and various ratios of cholesterol (CH) and Tween 80 (T80) as lipid composition. Proniosomes were hydrated and probe-sonicated to generate nano-vesicles. The proniosome powders were characterized in terms of morphology using scanning electron microscopy, and drug crystallinity using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The niosomes generated from proniosomes were characterized and compared to conventional niosomes, in terms of size, zeta potential, drug entrapment, storage stability, and drug release. All formulations had size measurements in the range of 100–194 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) values below 0.3, and zeta potential values below – 23 mV. Drug entrapment was the highest for niosomes generated from sucrose-based proniosomes (CH:T80; 1:1), reaching 74% compared to less than 50% for conventional niosomes. Storage for 3 months at 4 °C resulted in minor drug leakage whilst most drug was leaked from vesicles stored at room temperature. DSC and XRD studies showed that LTZ was converted into its amorphous form upon incorporation into proniosomes. Drug release exhibited a biphasic pattern, being fast at the first 24 h (up to 65% released) followed by a very slow release phase for a duration of one month, releasing at least 95%. The release profile of niosomes fits best with the Higuchi model. Overall, in this study, a facile approach to generating niosomes incorporating LTZ using a slurry-based proniosome technology was demonstrated. The niosomes provided high drug entrapment and controlled biphasic release over one month.

Ex-vivo transdermal delivery of Annona squamosa entrapped in niosomes by electroporation

Reactive molecules derived from molecular oxygen and free radicals are commonly known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). These molecules produce oxidative stress in cells leading to many pathological problems like diabetes, cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, and aging. Antioxidants can remove free radicals from the human body. Therefore, it is of remarkable interest to increase the bioavailability of antioxidant drugs by increasing transdermal delivery. Nonionic surfactant vesicles or niosomes are drug carriers used to improve the dermal/transdermal bioavailability of drug supplied to the skin. The present work investigates the efficiency of ex-vivo transdermal delivery of the antioxidant plant extract A. squamosa encapsulated into niosomes using 60 exponentially decaying electroporative pulses of field strength 100 V cm −1 and maximum pulse duration 4 ms. Transdermal delivery was enhanced by applying electroporative pulses with the niosomes entrapping A. Squamosa . The suggested method would help in purifying the body from harmful impurities and oxidants by topical drug enhancers that can be applied directly onto the skin.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Gene Expression in Negative and Positive Trigger-based Targeting Niosomes in HEK-293 Cell Line.

An efficient gene delivery system has some critical factors that enhance the efficiency of nanocarrier. These factors are low production cost, high bioavailability, high encapsulation efficiency, controllable release, and targeting ability. Niosome (the nonionic surfactant vesicles) was considered as a promising gene delivery system. Niosome can increase stability and uptake of active agents. We used all mentioned factors in one optimized formulation entitled plasmid- loaded magnetic niosomes (PMN). To increase the bioavailability of niosomes, we used ergosterol (a natural lipid) instead of cholesterol in structure of niosome. Also, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) in different concentrations was used to improve encapsulation of plasmid and compared to niosomes that did not have CTAB (negative niosome). Afterward, magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4@SiO2) was synthesized and loaded into niosome to obtain targeting ability. Prepared formulations were evaluated regarding size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles and plasmid (Pm-cherry-N1), release rate, and transfection efficiency. Results demonstrated that optimum formulation (Nio/CTAB3%/Fe/P) has a nanometric size (118 ± 2.31 nm, positive zeta potential (+25 ± 0.67 mV), high loading of plasmid (72%), and good gene expression (35%). Interestingly, after applying a magnetic field below the cell plate, we obtained ac increased gene expression from 35% to 42%. These results showed that this new formulation would have a promising future and also can be used for delivering the other drugs and active agents.

Different instrumental approaches to understand the chitosan coated niosomes/mucin interaction

Span-20 non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes), designed for future applications in brain drug delivery through intranasal route, are prepared and coated with chitosan glutamate, a mucoadhesive agent specifically proposed for brain delivery and for an optimal interaction with nasal mucin, with the aim to promote the vesicles residence time in the nasal cavity. The understanding of the interaction between chitosan coated niosomes with mucin is of great relevance as it can influence their in vivo distribution and physiological behaviour. Complementary and different techniques are then used in a non-conventional combined approach to study this phenomenon. The integrated use of dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorimetric and spectrophotometric assays, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high speed brightfield microscopy (BFM) allows to shed new light on the physico-chemical behaviour of the mucin-niosomes system, addressing this complex phenomenon by different perspectives.