Characterization of niosomes prepared with various nonionic surfactants for paclitaxel oral delivery

Nonionic surfactant based vesicles (niosomes) are novel drug delivery systems formed from the self-assembly of nonionic amphiphiles in aqueous media. In the present study niosomal formulations of Paclitaxel (PCT), an antineoplastic agent, were prepared using different surfactants (Tween 20, 60, Span 20, 40, 60, Brij 76, 78, 72) by film hydration method. PCT was successfully entrapped in all of the formulations with encapsulation efficiencies ranging between 12.1 +/- 1.36% and 96.6 +/- 0.482%. Z-average sizes of the niosomes were between 229.3 and 588.2 nm. Depending on the addition of the negatively charged dicetyl phosphate to the formulations negative zeta potential values were obtained. High surface charges showed that niosomes can be suspended in water well and this is beneficial for their storage and administration. PCT released from niosomes by a diffusion controlled mechanism. The slow release observed from these formulations might be beneficial for reducing the toxic side effects of PCT. The niosome preparation method was found to be repeatable in terms of size distribution, zeta potential and % drug loading values. The efficiency of niosomes to protect PCT against gastrointestinal enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pepsin) was also evaluated for PCT oral delivery. Among all formulations, gastrointestinal stability of PCT was well preserved with Span 40 niosomes.