Design and development of multiple emulsion for enhancement of oral bioavailability of acyclovir

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to design and develop water-in-oil-in-water type multiple emulsions (w/o/w emulsions) entrapping acyclovir for improving its oral bioavailability. Multiple emulsions (MEs) were prepared and optimized using Span-80 and Span-83 as lipophilic surfactant and Brij-35 as hydrophilic surfactant. The physio-chemical properties of the w/o/w emulsions - particle size, viscosity, phase separation (centrifugation test) and entrapment efficiency were measured and evaluated along with macroscopic and microscopic observations to confirm multiple nature, homogeneity and globule size. Stability study, in vitro and ex vivo release studies were performed followed by in vivo studies in rats. Stable w/o/w emulsions with a particle size of 33.098 ± 2.985 µm and 85.25 ± 4.865% entrapment efficiency were obtained. Stability studies showed that the concentration of lipophilic surfactant was very important for stability of MEs. Drug release from the prepared formulations showed initial rapid release followed by a much slower release. In vivo studies in rats indicated prolonged release and better oral bioavailability as compared to drug solution. The overall results of this study show the potential of the w/o/w emulsions as promising drug delivery systems for acyclovir.

Keywords::

• w/o/w multiple emulsion
• acyclovir
• pharmacokinetics
• rheology
• bioavailability

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to acknowledge University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India for providing Junior Research Fellowship to Ms. Sumita Paul. The authors are grateful to Alembic Ltd., Vadodara, India for providing gift sample of Acyclovir.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.