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Peres RM, Sousa JML, de Oliveira MO, Rossi MV, de Oliveira RR, de Lima NB, Bernussi A, Warzywoda J, Sarmento B, Munhoz AH. Pseudoboehmite as a drug delivery system for acyclovir. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15448. [PMID: 34326377 PMCID: PMC8322319 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94325-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections. Acyclovir is a potent, selective inhibitor of herpes viruses and it is indicated for the treatment and management of recurrent cold sores on the lips and face, genital herpes, among other diseases. The problem of the oral bioavailability of acyclovir is limited because of the low permeability across the gastrointestinal membrane. The use of nanoparticles of pseudoboehmite as a drug delivery system in vitro assays is a promising approach to further the permeability of acyclovir release. Here we report the synthesis of high purity pseudoboehmite from aluminium nitrate and ammonium hydroxide containing nanoparticles, using the sol–gel method, as a drug delivery system to improve the systemic bioavailability of acyclovir. The presence of pseudoboehmite nanoparticles were verified by infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. In vivo tests were performed with Wistar rats to compare the release of acyclovir, with and without the addition of pseudoboehmite. The administration of acyclovir with the addition of pseudoboehmite increased the drug content by 4.6 times in the plasma of Wistar rats after 4 h administration. We determined that the toxicity of pseudoboehmite is low up to 10 mg/mL, in gel and the dried pseudoboehmite nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Meneghetti Peres
- School of Engineering, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua da Consolação, 930, Building 33, Consolação, São Paulo, SP, 01302-907, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Maiara Leme Sousa
- School of Engineering, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua da Consolação, 930, Building 33, Consolação, São Paulo, SP, 01302-907, Brazil
| | | | - Maura Vincenza Rossi
- School of Engineering, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua da Consolação, 930, Building 33, Consolação, São Paulo, SP, 01302-907, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ayrton Bernussi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Nano Tech Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Juliusz Warzywoda
- Materials Characterization Center, Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica and i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Antonio Hortencio Munhoz
- School of Engineering, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua da Consolação, 930, Building 33, Consolação, São Paulo, SP, 01302-907, Brazil.
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Abstract
Current guidelines for severe herpes simplex virus infection recommend 21 days of intravenous therapy. The thrice-daily administration of intravenous acyclovir makes it challenging to deliver as outpatient therapy. We describe 2 cases with confirmed or presumed neonatal herpes simplex virus encephalitis treated with acyclovir administered as a continuous-infusion at home and review the pharmacologic and clinical evidence for continuous infusions of acyclovir.
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