Production of PEGylated Vancomycin-Loaded Niosomes by a Continuous Supercritical CO₂ Assisted Process

Area of Science:

• * Pharmaceutical Sciences
• * Nanotechnology
• * Materials Science

Background:

• * Niosomes offer cost-effectiveness, biocompatibility, and low toxicity.
• * Vancomycin is a crucial antibiotic requiring controlled delivery.
• * Supercritical CO2 processing is an emerging technique for nanoparticle fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To produce niosomes using supercritical CO2.
• * To encapsulate vancomycin within niosomes.
• * To compare drug release profiles of PEGylated and non-PEGylated niosomes.

Main Methods:

• * Supercritical CO2-assisted process at 100 bar and 40 °C.
• * Formulation of niosomes using cholesterol and Span 80/Tween 80.
• * Encapsulation of vancomycin as a model active compound.
• * Characterization of vesicle size and drug encapsulation efficiency.

Main Results:

• * Nanometric vesicles were successfully produced (214 ± 59 nm and 254 ± 73 nm).
• * High vancomycin encapsulation efficiency was achieved (95% and 98%).
• * PEGylated niosomes extended vancomycin release up to 20-fold compared to the drug powder.

Conclusions:

• * Supercritical CO2 is effective for producing niosomes.
• * PEGylation significantly enhances drug release control.
• * PEGylated niosomes represent a promising strategy for controlled vancomycin delivery.