The aim of this work was to develop a mucoadhesive nanogel formulation containing nevirapine nanoparticles (NVP-Np) for potential use as a topical vaginal antiretroviral agent for prevention of HIV sexual transmission. NVP loaded nanoparticles were prepared by salting out method followed by incorporation in HPMC K100M gel bases to produce NVP-Np mucoadhesive nanogel. NVP-Np-loaded mucoadhesive nanogel included physicochemical characteristics, histopathology study, in-vitro cytotoxicity, gamma scintigraphy and in-vitro-in-vivo evaluations. Results of the histopathology study suggested that mucoadhesive nanogel containing NVP is safe therapy and improve the quality of life and reduce the side effect associated with vaginal infection. Results of the Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that the stability of the formulation which is in agreement with results found in Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study. No cytotoxicity of the nanogel was detected in Hella cell lines. The in-vivo gamma scintigraphic study revealed that the optimized nanoparticles and mucoadhesive nanogel of NVP remained intact in the vagina for 12 h and 24 h respectively. The in-vivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the Cmax value of optimized nanoparticle and mucoadhesive nanogel of NVP was greater than the 0.5% CMC nanosuspension. NVP-Np based mucoadhesive nanogel was developed and characterized by physicochemical and biological characterization for providing protective drug levels at cervico vaginal tissues and HIV target cells for longer periods.
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