Development and Evaluation of a Novel Drug Delivery System for Albendazole

Introduction: The main objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate long circulating pegylated niosomal formulation of albendazole (ABZ). It was hypothesized thatpegylated niosomes would increase the systemic residence time of albendazole in the treatment of echinococcosis thus obviating frequent doses of albendazole. Materials and methods: ABZ was received as a gift sample from SeQuent Scientific Limited, Mahad. Span 60 niosomes pegylated with Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DSPE-PEG procured from Sigma Aldrich) were prepared by ethanol injection method. They were evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, in-vitro release and pharmacokinetic study. Results and discussion: The pegylated niosomes were 296.39 +/- 0.62 nm in size and spherical in nature. The nanosize of the niosomes will probably help in targeting the site of treatment of echinococcosis. Zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro release were 3.44 mV, 98.97% w/v and 92.93% w/v respectively. T90 of pegylated niosomes was found to be twice (1440.8 min) as that of free dug (720.2 min). Thus pegylated niosomes prolonged the release of albendazole. Hemolysis produced was less than 3%; thus niosomes proved safe for intravenous injection. Conclusion: Developed pegylated niosomes have potential in the treatment of echinococcosis and hydatid cysts. These niosomes will probably reduce the frequency of administration of albendazole.