FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ACYCLOVIR-LOADED EGG ALBUMIN NANOPARTICLES

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to develop and evaluate acyclovir-loaded egg albuminnanoparticles for enhanced antiviral efficacy and controlled drug release. Acyclovir, a widelyused antiviral drug, was encapsulated in biodegradable egg albumin nanoparticles usingCoacervation technique. The coacervation technique for nanoparticle preparation involves thephase separation of a polymer solution to form two distinct liquid phases: a polymer-rich phase(coacervate) and a solvent-rich phase. In the case of acyclovir-loaded egg albumin nanoparticles,the polymer (egg albumin) is mixed with a solvent and a coacervating agent, leading to theformation of nanoparticles encapsulating the drug. The nanoparticles were characterized for theirsize, surface charge, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release profile.Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average size ofapproximately 150 nm and a negative surface charge. The encapsulation efficiency of acyclovirwas found to be high, indicating effective drug loading. In vitro release studies demonstratedsustained release behavior, with the drug being released over a period of 12 hours, suggesting acontrolled release mechanism.These results indicate that egg albumin nanoparticles are apromising carrier for acyclovir, offering a potential strategy for enhancing its therapeutic effectsand minimizing side effects.