PEGylated synthetic surfactant vesicles (Niosomes): novel carriers for oligonucleotides

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified cationic niosomes were used to improve the stability and cellular delivery of oligonucleotides (OND). PEGylated cationic niosomes, composed of DC-Chol, PEG2000-DSPE and the non-ionic surfactant-Span, offer some advantages as gene carriers. Complexes of PEGylated cationic niosomes and OND showed a neutral zeta potential with particle size about 300 nm. PEG-modification significantly decreased the binding of serum protein and prevented particle aggregation in serum. The loaded nuclear acid drug exhibited increased resistance to serum nuclease. Compared with cationic niosomes, the PEGylated niosomes showed a higher efficiency of OND cellular uptake in serum. Therefore, in terms of their stable physiochemical properties in storage and physiological environment, as well as low-cost and widely available materials, PEGylated cationic niosomes are promising drug delivery systems for improved OND potency in vivo.