Design, Formulation, In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo Evaluation of Atazanavir Loaded Cubosomal Gel

In this study, Atazanavir (ATZ) was designed into the Nano formulation called cubosomes to improve its bioavailability and curtail the adverse effects by the transdermal route delivery of ATZ -loaded cubosomes. Around twenty cubosomal formulations were formulated using a Central composite factorial design. The effect of glyceryl monooleate (GMO), surfactant (Pluronic F 127), and Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were studied using processes of emulsification and homogenization. Different concentrations of independent variables on particle size distribution, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency were determined. FTIR, DSC, X-ray, and SEM, TEM results established that the drug was encapsulated in the cubosomes. The results suggested that the optimal formula exhibited a particle size of 100±7.9 - 345±6.4 nm and entrapment efficiency ranging from 61±4.6 - 93±0.8, zeta potential values ranging from -24.51 to -32.45 mV, polydispersity index values ranged from 0.35±0.01-0.54±0.02 of ATZ. The in vitro studies showed a controlled release pattern of drug release up to 24h. The ATZ cubosomal gel application on the in vivo absorption studies of the drug was studied in rats and compared with oral ATZ solution. The in vivo study results showed that the transdermal application of ATZ cubosomal gel considerably improves the absorption of drug compared to that of oral ATZ solution and found that the relative bioavailability is 4.6 times greater of oral ATZ solution. Thus it can be concluded that the ATZ cubosomal gel application via transdermal delivery route has the potential in increasing the bioavailability of the drug.