Nanoformulation of stavudine-loaded niosomes: Enhancing drug delivery, entrapment efficiency, and controlled release for improved antiretroviral therapy

This study aimed to formulate and characterize Stavudine-loaded niosomes using surfactants Span-60 and Tween-80 to enhance drug delivery systems, improve drug entrapment, stability, and controlled release, and address the limitations of conventional drug formulations. Niosomes were prepared using two surfactants, Span-60 and Tween-80, through the ether injection method. The particles were analyzed for size, shape, drug-loading capacity, and release kinetics. Drug release over 12 hours was studied, and mathematical models were used to understand how the drug was released. Drug content was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Span-60-based niosomes showed higher drug entrapment, while Tween-80-based ones provided enhanced drug release. The best formulation (F8) released over 90 % of the drug in 12 hours. Drug release followed both Fickian and non-Fickian mechanisms, depending on the surfactant used. This study successfully developed Stavudine-loaded niosomes with improved entrapment and sustained drug release. It highlights the impact of surfactant type on drug loading and release kinetics. Prominently, the dual-surfactant comparison (Span-60 vs. Tween-80) provides novel insights into optimizing niosomal formulations. These findings support the potential of niosomes in enhancing antiretroviral therapy efficacy.