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Development of Liposomal Formulation for Controlled Delivery of Valacyclovir: an In Vitro Study

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Abstract

Purpose

Herpes, a highly contagious viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, infects the face to any other body part of the skin, even the genital areas. Among the anti-herpes drugs, valacyclovir (VCV) possesses 55–70% oral bioavailability and more improved performance than acyclovir (15–20% oral bioavailability). However, a high daily intake of around 1 g is required. This work aimed to prepare a suitable carrier system to enhance bioavailability of VCV with reduced dose and dose-related side effects.

Methods

The processes of thin film hydration and reverse-phase evaporation were employed to synthesize liposomes encapsulating VCV, which were then subjected to basic characterizations such particle size and zeta potential. Moreover, FESEM and cryo-EM studies of the optimized formulation were also performed. FTIR spectroscopy was performed to detect incompatibility present if any between drug and excipients. The percentage drug loading and in vitro drug release were studied by UV–Visible spectrophotometer.

Results

The results showed that the liposome vesicles were in nanosize range (140 ± 4.1 nm) with good colloidal stability (−62.75 ± 3.18 mV; the zeta potential) with appreciable drug loading capability. In vitro drug release studies revealed a biphasic release pattern, with initial burst release lasting up to 2 h and then continuous drug release. About 73% drug was released after 48 h.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, it was determined that VCV, a widely used drug for the treatment and prevention of viral infections in humans, may be formulated as a liposome for the successful treatment of herpes with a lower dose and improved bioavailability.

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Data Availability

The datasets used or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely acknowledged Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Hyderabad, for gifting Valacyclovir HCl for conducting research. The authors sincerely acknowledge the University of North Bengal, India, for providing necessary support, facilities, and e-resources to conduct this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, District- Darjeeling, P.O.- NBU, Raja Rammohunpur, West Bengal, 734013, India

    Ankita Mallick, Ranabir Sahu, Gouranga Nandi, Tarun Kumar Dua, Ankita Dhar, Aditya Kanu & Paramita Paul

  2. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, JIS University, 81, Nilgunj Road, Agarpara, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700109, India

    Tapan Kumar Shaw

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  1. Ankita Mallick
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Contributions

Conception, design of work, and supervision, P.P.; experimental execution, A.M., A.D., A.K.; analysis and interpretation of the data, G.N., R.S., T.K.S., T.K.D; drafting of the manuscript, A.M. and P.P.; revision of the manuscript, T.K.D., P.P., G.N., R.S., T.K.S.; funding acquisition, R.S. and G.N.

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Correspondence to Paramita Paul.

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Mallick, A., Sahu, R., Nandi, G. et al. Development of Liposomal Formulation for Controlled Delivery of Valacyclovir: an In Vitro Study. J Pharm Innov 18, 1020–1029 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12247-022-09706-1

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