Designing and manufacturing polymeric nanocomposite containing solid lipid nanoparticles as a drug carrier for topical delivery of Acyclovir

Aim and Background: Acyclovir (ACY) is a common treatment to control various types of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Due to poor stratum corneum permeation, several nanoformulations have been used to improve ACY s effectiveness in topical applications. The aim of this study was to develop a polymeric nanocomposite containing Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) as an acyclovir delivery system. Methods: The ACY-containing SLNs (ACY-SLN) were prepared by the inverse emulsion method and characterized by DLS, SEM, FTIR, etc. Then nanoparticles were added to the hydrogel matrix containing Polyvinyl Prolidone (8%wt) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (2%wt).Then the physicochemical and pharmacological properties of the prepared nanocomposite were investigated using related analyses. Results and discussion: In DLS analysis, the ACY-SLN gained a hydrodynamic diameter of 248.1nm and a zeta potential of -23mV. The SEM results confirmed an average size of 205.28±45nm. Furthermore, the FTIR of nanoparticles confirmed the presence of a C-OH bending peak at 1463cm-1, a C=O stretching at 1734cm-1, and a C–H stretching at 2916cm-1, all confirming the drug-loaded SLN. The results of the mechanical characterization of the ACY-SLN/hydrogel nanocomposite revealed sufficient strength of the nanosystem to be used as a wound dressing. The in vitro drug release test also showed 53.33% release of acyclovir within 24h at pH 7.4. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained in this study, the ACY-SLN loaded in PVP/PVA hydrogel can be used as a slow-release formulation for topical delivery of ACY for oral herpes treatment.