Theoretical and experimental evaluation of decypolyglucoside vesicles as potential drug delivery systems

The aim of this work was to ascertain the capability of a commercial mixture of decylpolyglucoside (Orami.x NS10) to form vesicle structures in water, either alone or in association with cholesterol. To this purpose, we compared results obtained from a theoretical model with those acquired from the experimental characterization of different Orami.x NS10/cliolesterol mixtures. The germen vesicular formation theory was used to predict the formation process of vesicular structures. To this purpose, the energy balance involved in the vesicle formation was calculated using critical concentration for vesicle formation (ccf), surface tension and molecular area of decylpolyglucoside. The ccf was measured by turbidity measurements, and surface tension was determined by a tensiometer study. In order to con firm the validity of the theoretical model, we prepared and characterized vesicles made with decylpolyglucoside and cholesterol in several molar ratios and using different preparation methods. Vesicles were characterized using optical and light polarized microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The capability of vesicles to encapsulate a hydropliilic probe was also studied. Results obtained showed thai the decylpolyglucoside surfactant is able to form vesicles only in the presence of an appropriate cholesterol content (i.e. Orami.x NS10/cliolesterol molar ratio > 110.4) and that the mathematical model proposed is a useful and reproducible tool capable of predicting the type of aggregation structures given by the alkylpolyglucoside in water.