Serum albumin nanoparticle systems for encapsulation and sustained release of antiviral drugs

COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of safe and efficient drug delivery approaches that enhances targeted therapy while minimising side effects. In the present study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles were prepared using desolvation method and explored as carriers for antiviral drugs like remdesivir, molnupiravir, hydroxychloroquine, and daclatasvir. Particle size measurements and electron microscopy confirmed formation of uniformly dispersed spherical nanoparticles, diameters ranging between 39 and 100 nm. Drug incorporation into BSA nanoparticles induced changes in the polydispersity index, indicating drug-specific differences in particle distribution and system uniformity. Both blank and drug-loaded formulations exhibited negative zeta potentials with irregular shifts as protein concentration increased. Encapsulation efficiency remained nearly constant across formulations F-1 to F-4, suggesting early saturation of drug-protein interaction sites and efficient loading at lower BSA levels. Results from formulation F-2 indicated that drug release patterns were influenced more by the intrinsic physicochemical characteristics of the drug than by nanoparticle characteristics.