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Development of polymeric nanosuspension for the encapsulation and delivery of antiretroviral agents

dc.contributor.authorYusuf Aliyu, Anna
dc.contributor.copyright-releaseNot Applicable
dc.contributor.degreeMaster of Science
dc.contributor.departmentCollege of Pharmacy
dc.contributor.ethics-approvalReceived
dc.contributor.external-examinerna
dc.contributor.manuscriptsNot Applicable
dc.contributor.thesis-readerAik Jiang Lau
dc.contributor.thesis-readerVahid Adibnia
dc.contributor.thesis-readerOluwatoyin Adeleke
dc.contributor.thesis-supervisorOluwatoyin Adeleke
dc.date.accessioned2025-04-17T14:25:24Z
dc.date.available2025-04-17T14:25:24Z
dc.date.defence2025-03-25
dc.date.issued2025-04-15
dc.descriptionThis thesis presents the successful development of a fixed-dose nanosuspension formulation containing abacavir and lamivudine for pediatric HIV treatment. Using the salting-out technique, stable nanopowders of both drugs were produced with narrow particle size distributions and favorable zeta potential values, confirming their suitability for long-term stability. The nanoparticles were incorporated into an optimized pharmaceutical fluid gel that served as a secondary encapsulant and dispersion medium. The resulting nanosuspension demonstrated desirable physicochemical properties, including appropriate pH, textural strength and viscosity. These characteristics aligned well with existing pediatric liquid formulations, supporting its potential clinical acceptability. Stability studies confirmed the formulation’s stability under ambient conditions, making it particularly valuable in resource-limited settings. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity studies using HepG2 cells indicated enhanced cytocompatibility compared to the unformulated drugs. Overall, this work provides a promising child-friendly oral liquid formulation that simplifies dosing, improves safety, and could enhance adherence in pediatric HIV therapy. It also offers a broader platform for fixed-dose liquid combinations in other multi-drug treatments and in populations with swallowing difficulties.
dc.description.abstractHIV remains a global health crisis, particularly affecting the paediatric population. While effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available, poor adherence, especially among children, limits treatment success. This is primarily due to the lack of age-appropriate drug delivery systems, as most innovations like fixed-dose combinations and long-acting injectables are developed for adults. Consequently, very young children (typically ≤ 1 year) are underserved. This research addressed this gap by developing a novel, flexible, orally administered nanosuspension containing two key antiretroviral drugs: abacavir and lamivudine. Designed primarily for newborns to one-year-olds, the formulation is also suitable for older children and adults with swallowing difficulties. The drugs were nanoencapsulated in a biocompatible, biodegradable co-polymeric matrix, then dispersed in a methylcellulose/gelatin/xylitol-based fluid gel carrier. The resulting reconstitutable nanosuspension demonstrated good stability, controlled drug release with zero-order kinetics, and no cellular toxicity making it a promising paediatric friendly option for HIV treatment.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/85005
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectPaediatric formulation
dc.subjectHIV
dc.subjectFixed dose combinations
dc.titleDevelopment of polymeric nanosuspension for the encapsulation and delivery of antiretroviral agents

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