Abstract

PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND CELL UPTAKE STUDIES OF MULTI-DRUG POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES LOADED PATCHES FOR MANAGEMENT OF AIDS AND TUBERCULOSIS IN PAEDIATRIC POPULATION

Mathur M., Raichur V. and V. Kusumdevi*

Abstract

AIDS is one of the most widely prevalent diseases affecting the paediatric population and the treatment becomes difficult due to the age related barriers. Further, anti-retroviral therapy has been less effective due to lack of efficacy and other drug related issues. A patient friendly dosage form is the need of the hour as a part of the effective ART plan of WHO. Nanoparticles loaded buccal patches were prepared to cater the requirements of the paediatric population. Buccal patches were prepared using mucoadhesive polymer, viz. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) E15 Lv in a concentration of 15% w/w along with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 and Propylene glycol (PG) as plasticizer. The prepared buccal patches were evaluated for various technological parameters like thickness, folding endurance, moisture uptake, in-vitro disintegration time etc. Further, in-vitro and ex-vivo drug release studies were also conducted to understand the pattern of drug release and the time required to attain the maximum drug release. Cellular uptake studies showed a greater internalisation of NP's in the A 431 cells hence supporting the greater permeation of nanoparticles from the patches, proving to be a excellent platform technology with superior qualities like enhanced patient compliance and effective drug therapy.

Keywords: Anti-retrovirals, buccal patches, Cellular Uptake, ex-vivo permeation.