Optimization and Characterization of Lamivudine-Loaded TCS-PEG/MMT Polymeric Nanocomposites for Enhanced Antiretroviral Therapy

Background Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was initially associated with rapid disease progression and high mortality rates. However, advances in drug delivery systems have aimed to optimize therapeutic outcomes, especially for medications facing challenges such as toxicity, uneven distribution, instability and formulation complexities. Materials and Methods In this study, we introduce TCS-PEG/MMT composites, a novel formulation designed for antiretroviral activity. This formulation consists of a blend of Medical clay (MMT) and Thiolated Chitosan and Polyethylene Glycol (TCS-PEG), which are biodegradable materials. Using Design Expert software, we optimized the loading procedure of lamivudine onto chitosan (X1), MMT (X2) and PEG (X3) to achieve desired Entrapment Efficacy (EE) and particle size (PS). The desirability technique helped determine an optimal formulation with 3 g of chitosan, 3 g of MMT and 2.5 g of PEG. Results The optimized formulation exhibited an EE of 79.58% and a PS of 592.32 nm. We conducted comprehensive analyses on the Optimized formulation (O-LMD-NC), including assessments of swelling characteristics, surface morphology, drug loading, entrapment efficiency and particle size. Water absorption of O-LMD-NC samples gradually increased over time, reaching a maximum of 13.5 g/g after 24 hr. In vitro drug release studies confirmed sustained release of lamivudine over a 24 hr period. Conclusion Our findings suggest that LMD-loaded polymeric nanocomposites offer a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of AIDS treatment.