Preparation, physicochemical characterization and anti-fungal evaluation of the Nystatin-loaded Eudragit RS100/PLGA nanoparticles

Purpose of the present research work was to evaluate the effect of carrier composition and nanoparticles surface charge on the physicochemical and antifungal properties of the Nystatin nanoparticles. For preparation of the nanoparticles, a positively charged polymer, Eudragit RS100, and a negatively chargedPLGA were used in different ratios. The nanoparticles were evaluated for size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, loading efficiency, and release properties. DSC, SEM, XRPD, and FT-IR were performed to analyze the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles. Antifungal activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated by determination of MICs against C. albicans. All nanoparticles were spherical with mean size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and loading efficiency in the range of 128 ± 6.5-362.9 ± 2.6 nm, 0.196 ± 7.1-0.279 ± 4.3, -0.885-(+5.65) mV and 18.75 ± 2.4, 47.58 ± 2.1%, respectively. The results from XRPD and DSC studies showed reduced crystallinity in the formulations. The FT-IR spectra revealed that there was no chemical interaction between the drug and polymers. The results demonstrated that the antifungal properties of the nanoparticles were increased with decreasing PLGA concentration. In conclusion, the prepared Nystatin nanoparticles with appropriate physicochemical properties and improved potency against C. albicans were formulated. This improvement could be attributed to the modified surface characteristics as well as increased fungal drug adsorption.

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