CHITOSAN-STABILIZED LIPID VESICLES FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE AND PROLONGED ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF INDOMETHACIN IN A SOMATIC PAIN MODEL IN MICE

Authors

  • Angy Abu KOUSH ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • Liliana MITITELU-TARTAU ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • C. I. FOIA ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • Ana-Maria Raluca PAUNA ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • Beatrice Rozalina BUCA ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • I. A. POPOVICI “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest
  • Liliana Lacramioara PAVEL “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania
  • C. PLESEA-CONDRATOVICI “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania
  • B. STEFANESCU “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22551/2bxm4d46

Abstract

The evolution of pharmaceutical nanotechnology enhances the flexibility of drug delivery by using carrier systems to target specific tissues, enabling controlled release at optimal concentrations. The inclusion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in nanocarriers presents a promising approach for achieving sustained release and improving the pharmacodynamic effects. We aimed to evaluate the in vivo kinetic release profile and the impact of indomethacin (IND) encapsulated in lipid vesicles on somatic nociceptive reactivity in mice. Materials and methods: Lipid vesicles were prepared using a molecular droplet self-assembly method, incorporating phosphatidylcholine and chitosan (CHIT) to encapsulate IND. The in vivo evaluation involved administering IND-loaded lipid vesicles to male Swiss mice and assessing their analgesic effects using the hot plate test, a standard method for measuring somatic pain. Blood samples were collected at different intervals to determine the release kinetics of IND, with concentrations measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results indicated that IND encapsulated in lipid vesicles exhibited a sustained release profile compared to the direct administration of the drug. The treatment with IND-loaded micro-vesicles resulted in significantly prolonged analgesic effects, as shown by extended latency times in the hot plate test. The release profile of IND from lipid vesicles, composed of phosphatidylcholine and stabilized with CHIT, demonstrated a gradual and controlled drug release, correlating with extended pain relief. Conclusions: These findings confirm the potential of lipid-based vesicles, as effective carriers for IND, offering sustained drug release and prolonged analgesic effects in a somatic pain model.

Author Biographies

  • Angy Abu KOUSH, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Ph.D. Student

  • Liliana MITITELU-TARTAU, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences (II)

  • C. I. FOIA, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Ph.D. Student

  • Ana-Maria Raluca PAUNA, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences (I)

  • Beatrice Rozalina BUCA, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences (II)

  • I. A. POPOVICI, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest

    Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Implantology and Prosthetics Therapy

  • Liliana Lacramioara PAVEL, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania

    Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
    Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences

  • C. PLESEA-CONDRATOVICI, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania

    Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
    Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences

  • B. STEFANESCU, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania

    Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
    Medical Department

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Published

2025-04-07

Issue

Vol. 129 No. 1 (2025): The Medical-Surgical Journal

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BASIC SCIENCES

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