Polymer-Coated Vesicles: Development and Characterization

Abstract

Unilamellar polyacrylonitrile-coated niosomes were prepared using an interfacial pH induced polymerization technique. Polymer coated niosomes were then compared with plain niosomes for their physical characteristics, i.e., shape, size, lamellarity, and release profile. It was observed that polymer-coated niosomes could maintain their shape and size under osmotic stresses. The trapping efficiency of the polymer-coated system was slightly higher when compared to plain niosomes, and the release rate was slower. However, the release rate was also found to be anomolous and followed near zero-order kinetics. The effect of osmotic stress on the release rate was also investigated. It was observed that the polymer-coated vesicles did not show any significant change in release rate profile under osmotic variations.

Key Words:

• Diclofenac Sodium
• Polyacrylonitrile
• Polymer-Coated Vesicles
• Unilamellar Vesicles