EFFECT OF CHITOSAN COATING ON THE PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GEFITINIB LOADED NANOLIPOSOMES

In the present work the nanoliposomes prepared by using REV and MEU methods were coated with different concentration of chitosan solutions. The main objective behind this work was to assess the physical properties, stability and in vitro release of uncoated and chitosan coated nanoliposomes of gefitinib. The existence of a covering on the exterior of nanoliposomes was confirmed by the modification in particle size and zeta potential. The chitosan coated nanoliposomes had shown significantly slow in-vitro drug release than uncoated nanoliposomes that confirmed the increased stability of nanoliposomes. The transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis, FTIR studies, DSC analysis, and zeta potential studies were used to investigate the characteristics of uncoated and chitosan-coated nanoliposomes to develop and further optimize nanoliposomes that are directed for their systemic pharmacological applications. Stability studies and cytotoxicity studies of uncoated and chitosan coated nanoliposomes were performed. Chitosan coated formulations were found to be more stable and more cytotoxic than uncoated formulations. The ideal temperature was found to be 4 ºC.