Abstract

Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions loaded with either efavirenz or lopinavir were prepared using homogenisation/solvent evaporation technique to increase the concentration of drug in an aqueous environment. The ability of NEs to permeate intestinal barriers was assessed using Caco-2 transwell system, EFV and LPV loaded NEs were compared with aqueous solutions. NE LPV had significantly increased permeation compared to aqueous LPV, with apparent permeability (Papp) of 6.4 x 10-5 cm/s vs 2.7 x 10-6 cm/s (p= <0.05). Comparable results being observed for NE EFV compared to aqueous EFV, with Papp values of 1.1 x 10-5 cm/s and 8.2 x 10-6 cm/s respectively (p=<0.05)