Engineering and characterization of acyclovir-loaded nano-niosomes for enhanced antiviral drug delivery

Authors

https://doi.org/10.48314/nna.vi.66

Abstract

Acyclovir is a widely used antiviral drug for the treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections; however, its limited aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability may restrict its therapeutic effectiveness. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate acyclovir-loaded nanoniosomes as a nano-based vesicular delivery system to improve drug encapsulation, stability, and controlled release properties. Acyclovir-loaded nanoniosomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration method, and five formulations were developed by varying the Span 60-to-cholesterol molar ratio (4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1.5:1, and 1:1). The prepared formulations were characterized regarding particle size, Polydispersity Index (PDI), zeta potential, Entrapment Efficiency (EE%), drug Loading Capacity (LC%), in vitro drug release, and pH stability. The results demonstrated successful formation of nanosized vesicular systems in all formulations. Among the prepared formulations, F3 with a Span 60 molar ratio of 2:1 showed the most favorable physicochemical characteristics, including a particle size of 185.6±0.4 nm and a PDI value of 0.24± 0.03. The optimized formulation exhibited a zeta potential of −31.4±0.1 mV, indicating acceptable colloidal stability. Furthermore, F3 demonstrated high entrapment efficiency (79.6±0.1%) and suitable drug loading capacity. The in vitro release study showed a sustained release profile, with approximately 78.4% of acyclovir released after 24 h. The formulation maintained relatively constant pH values during storage, confirming its acceptable stability. Overall, the developed acyclovir-loaded nanoniosomal system provided nanoscale vesicles with appropriate stability, efficient drug incorporation, and controlled release behavior. The optimized formulation may represent a promising nano-based carrier for improving the topical delivery of acyclovir.

Keywords:

Acyclovir, Nanoniosomes, Span 60, Cholesterol, Nanovesicles, Controlled drug release, Topical delivery

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Published

2026-06-10

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026): Nano Nexus & Applications (NNA)

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Articles

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How to Cite

Nozick, V. . . (2026). Engineering and characterization of acyclovir-loaded nano-niosomes for enhanced antiviral drug delivery. Nano Nexus & Applications, 1(2), 96-105. https://doi.org/10.48314/nna.vi.66

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