Development and Characterization of Lamivudine Loaded Nanoparticles.

Most of the drugs introduced to clinical medicine exert their effects by interactive interference with cell and cell membrane related structure and functions through concentration dependent reversible interactions at specific receptor site(s). Obviously, to obtain a desirable therapeutic response, the correct amount of drug should be transported and delivered to the site of action with subsequent control of drug input rate. The distribution of other tissues therefore seems unnecessary, wasteful and a potential cause of toxicity. The developments of over past decades indicate explicit progress in the area of controlled and targeted drug delivery. The present study Lamivudine nanoparticles aimed to develop a nanoparticulate drug delivery system of antiviral drug Lamivudine using biodegradable polymer Eudragit RS 100 & RL 100. The polymer enhances the binding of Lamivudine nanoparticles in specific or targeted site with sustained release of drug increasing therapeutic efficacy. These nanoparticles may also reduce the dose & dose frequency with desired therapeutic response. The pre-formulation studies were performed by using FTIR. The spectra of pure drug, pure polymer and nanoparticle formulation were examined. The study revealed the absence of significant interactions between drug and polymer. All batch of nanoparticles (F1-F10) were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method, formulation was subjected to evaluation involving following tests they are; Entrapment efficiency, In vitro drug release studies, Microscopic determination, Particle size determination, Sterility test and Stability test. The entrapment efficiency of the optimized formulation was 94 ± 0.05% andinvitro drug release was 92.89% after 24 hours. It also obeys the zero order,follows diffusion and erosion mechanism of release. Particle size determination by Scanning Electron Microscope shows the best formulation containing size of about 100 nm.The formulation passed the sterility test performed as per specifications of Indian pharmacopoeia. The stability test performed revealed that the formulation was good. The best formulation was examined for zeta potential determinations. The formulation (F9) showed maximum deviation of -27mV which demonstrated that the particles are separate and highly repelling. This repelling property found to be more useful in decreasing opsonization and favors target specificity. The prepared formulation was sterilized by Membrane filtration technique. It was an aseptic technique involving the use of laminar air flow workstation